Wike refuses to open borders for NLNG, others, as state records one coronavirus patient

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has refused a request to open its borders for Nigeria Liquiefied and Natural Gas, NLNG, Total E&P Nigeria Limited, International Breweries PLC, Oilserve Limited, and Nigerian Gas Company saying it is part of the preventive measures by his administration to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the state, PremiumTimes is reporting.

“Government cannot grant their requests now because the protection of human life is more important than any other thing and we shall do everything necessary to fulfill our obligation in this direction. However, we shall review our restrictions concerning their activities when we are fully convinced that it will be reasonable to do so. Let me reiterate that we have taken these painful decisions because we cannot afford to lose any life in this state,” Wike said.

The governor, in the broadcast, explained the circumstances around the confirmed case of coronavirus in the state.
“The positive case is a 19-year-old female model from Edo State who resides in Port Harcourt. Her travel history reveals that she travelled to France, Italy, and Greece before returning to Port Harcourt on the 16th of March, 2020. On arrival to Port Harcourt, she was asymptomatic and commenced self-isolation in her family house before her samples were collected and sent to the Reference Laboratory, Irruan in Edo State. The patient is presently being managed at the State Treatment Centre and she is doing excellently well,” the governor said.

The governor said officials have begun tracing people she has been in contact with and that samples have been collected from high risk contacts for further evaluation while the decontamination process has also commenced and appealed to the residents to remain calm.

Before the confirmed case of the virus in the state, Wike had announced a complete lockdown of Rivers, with vehicles banned from entering or leaving the state.