The Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State has been adjudged first among equals in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking with newsmen in his office over the weekend, the Executive chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Hon. (Barr.) Philip Okparaji boasted that they were the first LG to set up the COVID-19 Committee and follow up with the sanitization, education and enlightenment of the people over the need to obey all the directives of the State Government.
According to the Council boss “we followed this up with the distribution of medical kits, sanitizers, face masks and buckets constructed with pumps for periodic washing of hands to the people”.
Hon. Okparaji also said the LG purchased and distributed palliatives to the people of Eleme ahead of others LGAs before that of the state government arrived, adding that Eleme people are happy with Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for all his proactive measures to contain the scourge which he noted, is paying off.
He used the opportunity to appeal to Rivers people to endure the temporary pains associated with the lockdown as it is not a death sentence but a means of survival, adding that whatever has a beginning must definitely have an end.
The Council boss disclosed that the palliatives so far donated to Eleme people get to the target audience including the widows, vulnerable, the elderly and even the unemployed youths, pointing out that the relief materials was not actually meant for everybody.
He confirmed that the advantages of the sit-at-home order would not only be the making of new babies but that the situation encourages the leaders to look inwards.
“It is a wake up calls to our leaders to improve and equip the health care sector in the interest of all.
Hon Okparaji further disclosed that on weekends he personally lead the team that normally go round churches and mosques in the area to ensure that the social distance directives as well as the number of worshippers approved is maintained.
“Also the professionals and experts are now challenged to go into researches to improve on their knowledge.
Though Hon. Okparaji acknowledged that people are suffering due to the lockdown, he made it known that the Governor is acting on security reports in whatever he does, urging the people to have patient with him.
“We need to support and commend His Excellency for all the proactive steps he is taking to keep the people alive as the chief security officer,” he said.
He however appealed to the security operatives, the medical and health workers as well as the journalists to work in synergy to achieve set goal.
