Governor Nyesom Wike Wednesday night moved to rekindle hope among the people who are obviously on the streets, saying the re-imposition of the lockdown which could have come into effect Thursday has been suspended.
People are to go about their normal businesses, essentially on matters which relate to food and medicine, without let or hindrance between now and Sunday when the lockdown would take effect at 8pm Nigerian time.
Governor Nyesom Wike said in a broadcast that the revised plan was intended to provide an opportunity for more people to restock.
“We expect residents to make good use of the new Four-day daytime window to purchase, restock and prepare for the total lockdown”, Wike said.
He acknowledged that the people have faced enormous challenges as result of the ongoing fight to contain the spread of the Coronavirus in the State.
“Covid-19 is not only here with us; it is increasing in number of infections as we recorded 16 new cases for today, the highest since the index case, which goes to confirm not only my personal apprehension…and the need to be tough in our mitigation strategies.”
He further stressed, “Time and time again, we have said that the lockdown is a necessary measure, universally applied, to mitigate community transmission of the covid-19 pandemic.”
Turning to the hardship faced by residents within Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, Wike agreed that the people are having difficulties accessing essentials which they need during the lockdown.
“This difficulty has, no doubt, prevented most residents of the two affected Local Government Areas from preparing and making adequate provisions for the upkeep of their families when the lockdown returns.”
The Governor noted that the containment strategy of his administration was not intended to target or hurt anyone.
“No deliberate harm is ever intended or targeted at anybody neither are we happy with the prevailing hardship on the people as a result of measures we have adopted to fight this deadly virus.”
The reversal of the lockdown originally billed for Thursday may signal a possible turn around in terms of policy implementation strategies which may pave way for the liberalisation of the process.
Critics of the government policy say it hasn’t been pro people. The dictates of law, some observers note, had suddenly become more significant than sentiments relating to the welfare of the people.
Apparently, those strategies employed to fight the virus had paid very little heed to the feelings of the Rivers people who are a critical factor.
Although there are mixed feelings as the news of Wike’s sudden turn around spreads, optimists think that a smart and effective way of executing the war against the virus may be underway.
Dakuku Peterside, immediate past Director General of NIMASA had called for a review of government strategies, saying a more intelligent and strategic plan was needed to get the State out of the danger zone.
Elsewhere, economies are gradually reopening. People are beginning to find their place on the streets.
There are expectations among the Rivers people that their government would adopt more flexible policies which have the capacity to keep them safe
They equally hope that the Government’s policy would stimulate economic activity in a State which has a high unemployment record.
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