Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has confirmed the health crisis in Bonny Local Government Area saying the oil-rich island was becoming the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wike, however, expressed delight at the decision of three oil multinationals to collaborate in establishing a COVID-19 treatment centre in the council.
The governor in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Paulinus Nsirim, named the companies as the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the Exonn Mobil Producing Unlimited Company.
Wike spoke during a meeting with the oil majors at the Government House, Port Harcourt, where the stakeholders took to upgrade and equip the Bonny General Hospital as a COVID-19 treatment centre.
Wike said the government might consider a possible lockdown of Bonny after due consultation with the Amanyanabo of Bonny.
The Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Ltd, Tony Attah appreciated the bold measures taken by the governor in dealing with the pandemic and pledged the company’s continued support.
The Deputy Managing Director of SPDC, Simon Roddy, pledged that his company would support all measures taken by the government to keep the state safe.
Exxon Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited Executive Director Udobong Ntia said they are ready to partner the government on containing COVID-19 in the state.
Meanwhile the governor has assured that all ongoing projects would be completed despite the ravaging pandemic.
Wike spoke on Monday while inspecting some projects in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.
He expressed satisfaction at the level of work done by contractors at the Mother and Child Hospital, observing that the project had got to the stage of installing medical equipment.
He said furnishing and installation of medical equipment in the hospital was being delayed because inability of German partners to come into the state following the ban on international flights.
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