The chairman of Ahoada East Council of Chiefs and the Eze Igbu Upata III, His Majesty, King Felix E. Otuwarikpo has warned efforts made by the Rivers State government at fighting the coronavirus pandemic may be whittled down if the trailer park settlement along Ahoada axis of the East West Road is not dislodged.
King Otuwarikpo, who stated this while speaking with journalist in his palace at Upata Kingdom expressed concern over the interactions of fleeing Almajiris, northerners doing business at the settlement and Rivers people in the area.
He remarked that 88% of Almajiris ejected from Kano State to Kaduna State tested positive to coronavirus and warned that if nothing was done to check the trend of migration in the area, it would become volatile for the spread of the pandemic.
The monarch noted that the time was ripe to dislodge the settlement otherwise it would be difficult to do so at normal times as a result of extant laws and regulations.
The Eze Igbu Upata III urged Rivers people to support the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike in his effort to the checkmate the spread of the pandemic in the state, he praised the state government for the policies put in place to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
He said the state government meant well for Rivers people and urged the Governor not to be deterred by wanton criticisms as people often wanted to remain in their comfort zones.
King Otuwarikpo remarked that his kingdom had fully complied with the state government’s directives and pointed out that he had set up a committee aimed at complementing the effort of the state government.
The King remarked that the fight against the pandemic should be taken seriously by all in view of the index cases been recorded daily in the country as well as the devastation it has wreaked in the developed countries.
He noted that Nigeria lacked the technical know-how to contain the pandemic hence all necessary steps should be taken to prevent its spread.
