Rivers State governor, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has fulfilled his threat of demolishing the two Hotels that was found going against Government’s directive on the closure of hotels in the state.
Recalling that this was contained in the state executive order 6, which banned the operation of hotels across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Wike, who monitored the demolishing of prudent Hotel, Alode, in Eleme and Etemeteh Hotel, in One, on Sunday morning, told journalists shortly after the demolition, that the law must be obeyed, hence the decision to enforce it; noting that those involved in the crime will be prosecuted.
“We said no hotel should operate within this period. Unfortunately, the PDP Youth Leader in Eleme joined others to flout the Executive Order. Therefore, the executive order will be applied.
“Government has no alternative but to apply the executive order which I signed before the lockdown of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt. I called all the traditional rulers and council chairmen and told them to ensure that no hotel operates in the state.
Whether you are PDP or not, all we are saying is that nobody is above the law. If we can do this to a PDP person, then you know we are not discriminatory. Everyone must obey. Whether you are in PDP, SDP or no party, you must obey the law. If any other person does the same thing, the same rule will apply.
“We said if any hotel operates, government will bring down that hotel. We are doing what we have told people that we are going to do.
“We are not saying it will be forever. This is for now, so that we know where we are. To reduce the cases and check the spread.
“Nobody wants to obey any rules. We are saying just for now, keep off, let us see how we can keep our people safe”, Wike declared.
Wike further explained that he took that of hotels very serious due to the fact that one of the cases in the state spread the virus from a hotel.
According to him, “Look at the rate of infections, most of these people are found in hotels. Look at the man that died, he was at Mingi Hotel in Rumumasi. Due to that contact, we have had other seven cases. People should help us and support government for Rivers people to be safe. Security Council will meet to review the strategies and achievements or setbacks, moving forward.
” All we are doing is to protect our people. Some people may not like our strategies, but our objective is to achieve results”.
However, the governor further expressed that his administration will not relent in fighting against the spread of virus; adding that he would ensure the continues protection of his people which is the major reason he personally led the move.
” People talk about hunger. But it is only a living person that can discuss hunger. We will continue to work to protect our people.
” What we are doing is to tell the people that the State Government is serious. This being led by me, people should know that the State Government is determined to ensure that we defeat coronavirus”, he stated.
