If I can do this to PDP person, you know we’re not discriminatory -Wike
It’s insane – Kpalap
Sheer judgement before prosecution -Emem
By Emmanuel Anele
PORT HARCOURT – GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike, following Saturday’s notice, has demolished two hotels in Rivers State for alleged breach of the state’s Executive Orders to contain Coronavirus.
The destruction, on Sunday, of both properties, Prudent Hotel, Alode, and Etemeteh Hotel, Onne, both in Eleme Local Government Area, under direct supervision of the Governor attracted anger and condemnation among stakeholders.
“We are not saying it will be forever. This is to reduce the cases and check the spread. Whether you are PDP or not, all we are saying is nobody is above the law. If we can do this to a PDP person, you know we are not discriminatory.
“We said if any hotel operates, Government will bring it down. We are doing what we told people we were going to do. Unfortunately, the PDP Youth Leader in Eleme joined others to flout the Executive Order. Look at the rate of infections, most of these people are found in hotels.
READ ALSO: Lockdown: Wike splashes N5m on community which reported unlawful entry of cattle, bearers into Port Harcourt
“The infected man that died was at Mingi Hotel in Rumumasi. Due to that contact, we have had other seven cases. People should help support Government for Rivers people to be safe. Security Council will meet to review strategies and achievements or setbacks, moving forward. All we are doing is to protect our people.”
He further stated, “People talk about hunger, but only the living can discuss hunger. We will continue to work to protect our people. What we are doing is to tell the people that the State Government is serious to ensure we defeat coronavirus”
Rash of anger, condemnation
On the Governor’s declaration that Managing Director of the affected hotel at Onne has been arrested to face prosecution, Ms Emem Okon, women’s rights advocate, responded, “What prosecution is he (Wike) talking about after the hotels are demolished? They have been punished before trial, no right to fair hearing.”
Dae Deegbara, on faith of Bariledum Azoroh (PHD), Managing Director at Prudent Hotel, Eleme, said, “For no fault of his, the hotel was not actually in full operation before the demolition. Azoroh’s condition and whereabouts remains unknown, living his wife with no source to take care of herself and newborn baby.
“In what appears to be an internal Eleme LGA PDP and youth leadership crisis, it shouldn’t have ordinarily rubbed an innocent business owner and orphan, the manager into this sad situation.”
Sebastian Kpalab, Coordinator, Citizens Voice Initiative, said, “This is insane and draconian. This does not promote containment of the Coronavirus. It has taken away family and individual livelihoods, increased shrinking Rivers economy. It smacks fatal remedy for a sick situation.”
Dumnamene Fyneface, another rights activists said, “At best, the Governor would have sealed the hotels, use them as isolation centres or office for Local Government Task Force on COVID-19 in Eleme or impose fines on them for whatever perceived default.
“The Governor and government of Rivers should the harsh measures against citizens in the fight against COVID-19 and rebuilt the demolished hotels, pay adequate compensation and apologize to their respective owners.”
COVID-19: Stallion pledges 3-month free food, transportation for health workers
By Emmanuel Anele
Stallion Empowerment Initiative, SEI, has pledged free rice and fish, including transportation of health workers for three months to all hospitals dedicated to COVID-19 care in Nigeria.
“About 89 state hospitals in Nigeria are already registered as a part of this programme. The selfless people in SEI working in the frontline risk their lives to ensure that aid reaches where it is required the most,” said Stallion Group’s CEO, Mr. Anant Badjatya.
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“SEI has also deployed staff buses to ferry health care workers to hospitals dedicated to COVID-19 treatment in Lagos.
“The free staff buses along with driver and fuelling is attached to the COVID-19 dedicated hospitals for three months to ensure safer and comfortable transportation of the healthcare providers, who are in the frontline in this fight against the virus,” he added.
SEI, the charity arm of Stallion Group, has also partnered Morsun Mobile Clinic on a free medical outreach to Lagosians using 11 clinics.
According to Mr. Badjatya, the joint affiliation will reach over 20,000 people in the city over the course of two months, and treat over 70 common ailments prevalent in Nigeria.
He said the service aims to provide some succour to people who can’t access hospitals due to overcrowding, following the COVID-19 pandemic or for those who can’t simply afford a treatment.
He added: “There is nothing greater than the safety of the people of this country and it is our responsibility to support the government and the community in this time of need.”
He noted that Morsun Mobile clinics are strategically located in business districts for the easy access of the working communities.
“These clinics are known for providing quality, affordable and accessible health care to Nigerians. In Lagos they have seven existing clinics and four new ones that have been commissioned this month,” he added.
At Victoria Island there are two clinics at Adeola Odeku Street and one near 1004. It also has one clinic each at Ajaye Road, Ogba; Aina Street, Ojudu; City Mall, Onikan Roundabout; Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1; Ayangburen Road, Ikorodu.
The four new ones are being strategically placed at Orile, Apapa Road, Ajah, Somulu to best cater to the working class.
SEI, Badjatya told journalists, works to develop scalable, impactful and sustainable programmes that shall leave a visible impact for the future generations in West Africa.
The key focus is towards providing better education, health care and skill and capability building in youth communities.
“The association with the mobile clinic,” he said, “is a step towards fulfilment of accessible health care and wellbeing of the community.
“Stallion is working in close coordination with all stakeholders and the government to alleviate the circumstances of COVID-19 patients, frontline workers and lots of daily wage earners who are most impacted by the lockdown.”
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