Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has ordered secondary schools, vocational institutions and all tertiary institutions across the State to reopen for full academic activities from Monday, October 5, 2020.

This comes one week after the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) issued a conditional directive to all universities in Nigeria to resume full academic activities.

The State Commissioner of Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku, who announced this while briefing journalists, informed that the resolution was reached at an Emergency Session of the State Executive Council Meeting presided over by the Governor at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday, September 25, 2020.

Prof. Ebeku explained that schools across Nigeria had been shut due to the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic which had taken an astronomical dimension in the last six months, but the flattening of the curve may have been responsible for the gradual reopening of the nation’s economy.

Prof. Ebeku, however, stated that based on expert medical advice, the Council did not approve the reopening of primary schools, adding that 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.

According to him, the Taskforce has the Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPCDA), Desmond Akawor, as Chairman, the Head of the State Civil Service, Rufus Godwins, Commissioner for Health, Professor Princewill Chike, Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs. Inime Aguma, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Nwankpa, and Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, as members, while the Commissioner for Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku, is to serve as Secretary.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim announced the reopening of public places such as parks, cinemas and restaurants that would operate within the hours of 6am to 9pm daily.

Nsirim stated that night clubs, bars, as well as Oil Mill Market and Slaughter Market, Oginigba remain closed, stressing that all the reopened public places must adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols or face severe sanctions.

On her part, the Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs. Inime Aguma said state government reviewed the compliance of citizens to Executive Order 16 on the conduct of marriages in the State, stating that henceforth, applications for marriages must be accompanied with an affidavit stating that there would be no reception.

According to her, a fine of One Hundred Million Naira awaits defaulters of the extant regulations, adding that Local Government Chairmen shall be held responsible if they fail to monitor compliance in their various areas.

The Commissioner for Health, Professor Princewill Chike said that Council 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 than 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 must adhere strictly with all COVID-19 protocols.

He said defaulters would be liable to a fine of One Hundred Million Naira while Local Government Chairmen are to ensure that the directives are complied with in their various areas.