Rivers excludes primary schools as Govt announces reopening of schools Monday

Schools in Rivers State are expected to reopen for normal academic activities on Monday after a long spell of closure due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision to reopen schools was reached by the Rivers State Executive Council at an emergency session presid­ed over by the State Gover­nor, Nyesom Wike on Friday night at Government House, Port Harcourt.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku while briefing journalists at the end of the meeting.

Professor Ebeku said that all Secondary Schools, Vocational Schools, Univer­sities and other Tertiary In­stitutions were affected by the directive.

He however stated that Council did not approve the reopening of primary schools based on expert med­ical advice.

Ebeku added 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.

The taskforce, he said, has the Administrator of Great­er Port Harcourt, Ambas­sador Desmond Akawor as Chairman while 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 Commissioner for In­formation and Communica­tions, Paulinus Nsirim are to serve as members.

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

Nsirim stated that night clubs and bars as well as Oil Mill Market and Slaughter Market, Oginigba remain closed.

He said that all the reopened public places must adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols or face severe sanctions.

The 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.

Aguma stated that hence­forth, applications for mar­riages must be accompanied with an affidavit stating that there would be no reception.

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.

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.

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.

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.