Saturday 9, 2020 was the forth day of total Lockdown in Rivers State as announced by the governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to curtal the spread of Coronavirus in the State.
Our Reporters went round some parts of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas to monitor the situation and level of compliance.
They found out that there was total observance and compliance as they moved through Mile Three, Ikeoku Motor Spare Parts Market, Ogbunabali, Water Line amongst others areas.
Though there is Compliance, the residents bitterly complained that many families did not stock what they would eat and drink for Three days because there was no money as at the time of the announcement as the prices of food items sharply went up.
Speaking with one Obioma Chikere, a bus conductor, he complained that he is seriousely suffering, stating that government should have considered those on a daily income, before the decision of total lockdown.
He also said that there are some palliatives that were given to some communities, but non- indigene were not allowed to partake in it, adding that people may die of hunger and not the virus, if the total lockdown continues.
Chinkere further call on the State Government to lift the ban on lockdown to make life easier for the poor.
Others interviewed told our Reporters that the whole situation was boring and frustrating as people are landlocked. “No where to get one’s needs as there is no movement and no food stuff”.
They also complained of no power supply, thereby keeping them in the dark and making the lockdown boring for them, especially the children.
According to them, ” We can’t move out to buy recharge cards to use in calling friends and family members, thereby describing the situation as living in bondage”.
They ,therefore, call on the Rivers State Governor to ease the lockdown.
However some residents suggested and advised the Rivers State Government to use this opportunity of total lockdown to begin the immediate Mass testing in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area and Obio/Akpor LGA.
