Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has kept to his promise to give succour to Rivers people and cushion the effect of the sit-at-home order following the ravaging coronavirus pandemic.
This is even as over 15 Local Government Areas of the state have taken delivery of truckloads of food items as palliative measures against the lockdown.
The local government areas so far visited with the food items by the State Covid-19 Palliative Committee include Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Gokana, Ikwerre and Obio/Akpor.
Others are Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Okrika, Omuma, Opobo/Nkoro, Oyigbo, Port Harcourt City and Tai.
In Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area where the food distribution took place on Saturday, Governor Wike said that the state government remains committed to protecting the people of Rivers from the ravaging coronavirus.
The governor, who was represented by the Chairman of Rivers State COVID-19 Palliatives Committee, Desmond Akawor, said that the state government will always promote the welfare of the disadvantaged in the state.
“We are spreading the message of social distancing in our communities. As we distribute the foodstuffs, we reach the people with the right message.
“We are working to ensure that the disease does not damage our environment,” he said.
Governor Wike said that the Rivers State COVID-19 Palliatives Committee will reach all 23 Local Government Areas with food items to support them as they stay home to check the spread of the virus.
He said that the food items would be distributed to the disadvantaged residents of the State, regardless of their political or religious affiliations.
In his remarks, Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Bob-Manuel, thanked the state governor for his commitment to the welfare of the most vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic.
Bob-Manuel said the people of Rivers were impressed by the governor Wike standing his ground on two occasions when external groups violated the state’s executive order.
He congratulated the governor for his foresight in closing the state’s borders, noting that other states had followed the move.
He also thanked Wike for his distribution of palliatives to the less-privileged in the state.
Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area Mr. Rowland Sekibo commended the state government for reaching out to the people of the area with the palliatives.
He assured the governor that the food items would get to the recipients.
Member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, representing Akuku-Toru Constituency 1, Major Jack, praised Wike for extending the welfare to the 17 wards of the local government area.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike has been described as a man of his words as reactions trail the provision of palliatives to the less privileged in the State.
Paramount ruler of Idu-Ogba community, Eze Uche Umejuru has lauded Governor Wike for the gesture, saying that the palliatives had come at a good time.
“A man who gives you food when you are hungry is a man that means well for you. It is a step in the right direction and God will continue to bless him for that. However, I am appealing that Mr. Projects should go a bit further by extending the palliatives to the rest of the people as a lot of people are now starving due to the lockdown”, said the royal father, the Okwu Onu Ka Oha of Idu-Ogba.
A social commentator and Executive Director of Peoples Searchlight, Dr. Simi Emmanuel praised the governor for matching words with action but urged beneficiaries not to look at the size of the food items but the spirit behind the provision.
Would be appreciated because when you thank someone for the little he has given, there is the tendency for him to do more”, he said.
