My Administration Battling COVID19 Without FG Support……Wike

The Rivers State Governor,Nyesom Wike said on Friday that his administration has been battling the coronavirus without any tangible material support from the Federal Government.

Wike also lamented the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control NCDC was yet to establish any testing centre in the state inspite of its huge socio-economic potentials.

Speaking during a live broadcast ,the state Governor reiterated that :”We are wondering as most of you may also be, that up till now the NCDC has not established any testing center in the State in spite of our position, huge socio-economic and demographic mix and high transmission threat hanging over us as a result.

“Was this deliberate? If not so, why and what was the justification for this dangerous neglect, which is obviously limiting our capacity to expand testing for this virus in the State.

In curbing the COVID19 pandemic, the Governor explained that the Strategy of his administration is to contain, prevent or minimize the spread of the disease and save the lives of Rivers people.

He noted that:”We are virtually fighting this battle without any tangible material support from the Federal Government.

To this end, the governor affirmed that his administration has trained health professionals to tackle coronavirus and procured relevant Personal Protective Equipment for frontline workers, purchased and received Ventilators for the treatment of infected people.

“The State Government has established a Task Force on Border Closure and also taken delivery of 250-bed Isolation Centre sponsored by the private sector, in addition to treatment and holding centres established by State Government.

“The State Government has received one GeneXpert RT-PCR testing machine from TOTAL E & P, which is ready to be used and will be deployed for testing in the State.

“Pamo Hospital has also donated another PCR machine to Rivers State, improving capacity of the State Government to test for coronavirus.

He added that ” We shall therefore continue to take every necessary measure to control and possibly end the transmission of this disease in Rivers State in spite of the enormous challenges and lack of concrete support from the Federal Government.