The Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Professor Henry Ogboma has received a stern warning from the Rivers State Government for his alleged role in politicising the fight against the spread of the Coronavirus in the State.
Governor Nyesom Wike issued the warning to the Chief Medical Director while speaking during a broadcast on Monday.
He described the comments of the Ogba-born professor as rascally and irresponsible, saying his administration would not hesitate to deal with anyone who attempts to politicise or frustrate efforts that are being made to safeguard the lives of the people.
“This Government is focused and therefore will not allow itself to be distracted in its battle against COVID-19. However, we will neither tolerate nor hesitate to deal with anyone who dares to fabricate lies to rubbish the hard work and sacrifice we are making to save the lives in our State, just to advance parochial partisan interests.”
Most journalists covering the State report that Professor Ogboma seldom picks calls put across to his phone, and refuses to respond to questionnaires relating to the operations of the UPTH that are forwarded to him.
Meanwhile, the Governor has ordered the arrest and prosecution of two persons for allegedly flouting directives restricting movement and the operation of businesses.
They are Chief B.A. Worgu and Mr. Isaiah Abraka.
Both are accused by a government statement signed by a Special Assistant to the Governor, Simeon Nwakaudu, of “sneakily organizing night markets in defiance of existing ban on such activity.”
Governor Wike had said during the broadcast, “Any person, group or institution that violates the lockdown and curfew in these Local Government Areas will be made to face the full wrath of the law. ”
The Governor stated that the government was conscious of the hard decisions it must make:
” I wish to reiterate that the hard choices we have to make as a Government and as a people over the COVID-19 pandemic are all premised on upholding the sanctity of human life.
“As a Government, we cannot abdicate this compelling responsibility and abandon our people to chance in the midst of this much dreaded and ravaging pandemic.”