The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has expressed satisfaction with the way and manner the Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi administration has decisively tackled the Ebola outbreak in the state, urging people not to panic as the situation is under control. “Governor Amaechi did not only declare war on Ebola but has also stepped up and sustained the war against the disease. We wish to commend him and his administration on this while at the same time appealing to people of the state, including visitors, to fully cooperate with the State authorities on measures rolled out to check the spread of the disease,” Rivers APC said in a statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.

The party condemned what it called “the surreptitious way the Ebola Virus Disease was imported into Rivers State late last month by a diplomat and the awkward way late Dr. Iyke Sam Enemuo decided to treat his Ebola patient in a hotel without reporting the case to the appropriate quarters for immediate action.”

“Inasmuch as we do not wish to waste time on spilt milk, the seriousness with which Governor Amaechi intervened to arrest the situation gladdens our heart as a political party. As a visionary and focused Government, even before the Ebola outbreak in Rivers State, the Amaechi administration had released the sum of N300 million to the State Ministry of Health to use in tackling the virus in case it eventually arrived the State. Apart from this, the Rivers State Government through the Ministry of Health planned ahead by approving a temporary quarantine site in Oduoha, Emohua Local Government Area of the State,” Rivers APC said.

The party also commended State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, and his Technical Team for proving that the APC Government in Rivers State is very concerned about the health and security of Rivers people.

It equally expressed appreciation for the assistance rendered by the World Health Organization (WHO), Doctors Without Borders, the American Embassy and the Federal Government to ensure that drastic measures are put in place to tackle and eliminate Ebola from Rivers State and the entire country.

The party noted with satisfaction that the Rivers State Government in its determination to eliminate this unfortunate scourge has partnered with the World Health Organization. “In this regard, the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and the Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Mr. Rui Vaz, have pledged to work together and join hands in battling the Ebola outbreak in Rivers State. Governor Amaechi and Mr. Vaz made the joint resolve after a meeting in Government House, Port Harcourt. Governor Amaechi assured the WHO Country Representative that his government would do everything possible to contain the disease in the state in collaboration with the World Health body,” Rivers APC said.

It added: “Apart from these steps, the Governor on 28th August, 2014, made a public broadcast to the people of Rivers State on ways and means of checking Ebola and has had several meetings and interactions with various segments of the society towards fashioning out the best strategies to exterminate the disease from the State. Some of these strategies include the mobilisation of all organs of governance in the State, the religious, traditional, inter-government organs, etc. While addressing these groups recently in the Government House, the Governor called on religious and traditional leaders that include the Muslim Community in Rivers State to collaborate and work with the State Government to contain the Ebola virus in the State. Amaechi also warned against stigmatisation of people suspected to be infected with the Ebola virus. He said the Rivers State Government was doing its best to contain and eliminate the disease in the state. He urged religious leaders to preach about the disease in their churches and mosques as well as traditional rulers in their various communities. He urged them to encourage those under them to imbibe healthy living and wash their hands regularly, pointing out that Ebola can be prevented and is not a death sentence if properly managed.”

Rivers APC enjoined the people not to panic but to immediately call the Ebola emergency numbers 08167733939, 07036321076, 08033124314 or the State Emergency Call Centre 112 if they see anyone with symptoms indicative of diarrhea, high fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive weakness of the body and unexplained bleeding.

•Photo shows Governor Amaechi of Rivers State.

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