The Oba (Eze-Ogba) of Ogbaland and former Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence Sir (Dr) ChukumelaNnam Obi II (OON, DSSRS, AP, JP) has raised alarm to Government at all levels that his subjects, the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area in Rivers State are suffering and dying of hunger following the partial lockdown of the area as a result of fear of the spreading coronavirus(COVID 19) Pandemic.
He has therefore requested the Federal and Rivers State governments, philanthropic organizations and individuals, cooperate bodies to as a matter of urgency do the needful by providing them financial and material palliatives to cushion the effects of the lockdown order as the closure of markets and restriction of movement in the area are affecting them badly just as most of them now live from hands to mouth.
The Eze-Ogba who spoke in his palace at Omoku on Monday 6th April, 2020 while receiving preliminary situation report from a committee made up of traditional rulers, chiefs, village/community leaders, CDC and representatives of non-indigenes in ONELGA a body, he constituted to monitor the compliance of the government order on closure of markets, ban on social gatherings and restriction of movements, commended the people of ONELGA for obeying the government directive but requested the government to consider the peoples suffering mostly the poorest of the poor (vulnerable, widows, the aged, petty traders etc.)
According to the Ogba monarch, government should go beyond shutting down of markets, ban on social gatherings and restriction of movements but should emulate other nations by evolving palliative measures to the people in the rural areas to enable them survive with their families as complains and cries of hunger/starvation has filled his ears.
The outspoken traditional ruler demanded for proper monitoring, distribution and utilization of funds and palliatives meant to assist Nigerians as promised by the Federal Government as the nation intensify its fight against Coronavirus pandemic. adding that the disbursement of the palliative measures should be handled by God fearing men and women devoid of party patronage, hijacking by greedy politicians, Ethnicity or Religion but be done in a way that it would get to the people it is meant for especially the poor masses in the rural areas.
According to the Royal Father, the Federal Government traders money, school feeding and other social intervention of the present administration did not reach ONELGA which is one of the peaceful and highest oil and gas producing Local Government Areas in Nigeria, and therefore requested that the Coronavirus(COVID19) pandemic palliative intervention fund should not bypass them in the name of God.
“If we are running away from being killed by coronavirus pandemic, must hunger kill my people at home without palliative from the Government, humanitarian and Corporate bodies and those blessed by God financially,” he queried.
He applauded the notable efforts of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Chief (Barr) NyesomEzenwo Wike, OON, GSSRS, POS(A) at his proactive measures aimed at curtailing the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic in the State but called on the government to constitute price control board against hiking prices of items and that COVID 19 fumigation exercise be extended to rural areas not only to stop at the state capitals.
The Royal father also appealed to security agencies and task forces nationwide to be professional and humane in their approach while enforcing the lockdown implementation as according to him, a hungry man is an angry man, noting that nobody will be happy when his/her livelihood is dislocated with no hope of feeding that day.
Some of the reports submitted to the Eze Ogba by the committee include compliance of the government order by the people of the area, suffering of the people because of the lockdown, brutality and molestation of petty traders mostly women going to plantation(bush market) and okada riders as well as forceful closure of provision stores by overzealous security personnel and suspected thugs.
The committee thanked the Oba(Eze-Ogba) of Ogbaland for not only constituting monitoring committee but for the concern he had for the poor masses and described him as a rare father who loves and cares for his people.
