By DAPO FALADE
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has announced that all secondary schools, vocational schools and tertiary institutions will be reopened with effect from October 5, 2020.
The state government arrived at the decision following the approval by the State Executive Council after an emergency meeting presided over by the governor, on Friday.
As contained in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Paulinus Nsirim, his counterpart in the Ministry of Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku, however said the SEC did not approve the reopening of primary schools, based on expert medical advice.
Ebeku added that the Council also approved the setting up of a seven-man taskforce to monitor and enforce the compliance of COVID-19 protocols in the various schools.
The taskforce, he said, has the Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, as chairman and Ebeku as secretary, with Mr. Rufus Godwins, Head of the State Civil Service, Commissioner for Health, Professor Princewill Chike, Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs. Inime Aguma, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nwankpa and Paulinus Nsirim as members.
The Commissioner for Information, Nsirim, also announced the reopening of public places such as parks, cinemas and restaurants that would operate within the hours of 6am to 9pm daily.
He said night clubs and bars as well as Oil Mill Market and Slaughter Market, Oginigba remain closed, adding that all the reopened public places must adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols or face severe sanctions.
Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs. Inime Aguma, said government reviewed the compliance of citizens as it relates to Executive Order 16 on the conduct of marriages in the State.
She stated that henceforth, applications for marriages must be accompanied with an affidavit stating that there would be no reception.
She said a fine of N100million awaits defaulters of the Extant Regulations, adding that local government chairmen are to be held responsible if they fail to monitor compliance in their various areas.
Commissioner for Health, Professor Princewill Chike said the SEC also reviewed issues regarding public burials during the COVID-19 period.
According to him, all public burials in the state are to be conducted in line with the Official Gazette of the state which stipulates that not more 50 persons are allowed at such ceremonies.
Professor Chike stated that henceforth, families applying for burials must provide death certificates and an affidavit that they will adhere strictly with all COVID-19 protocols.
He said defaulters would be liable to a fine of N200million, while local government chairmen are to ensure that the directives are complied with in their various areas.
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