Wike sacks permanent secretary for flouting COVID-19 guidelines

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has sacked the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Sunny Okere.

Okay.ng gathered that Okere was fired for chasing COVID-19 enforcement officers away at a burial where more than the regulated number of persons were in attendance.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paulinus Nsirim, made this announcement in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.

According to the statement, Okere’s sack is with immediate effect.

Wike reacting to actions of the dismissed permanent secretary in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday said it would serve as a lesson to others.

He said: “Burial ceremonies are also reportedly being conducted in clear breach of the 50 persons maximum attendance limit, such that a serving permanent secretary had the temerity to chase away officials of the state ministry of health who went to enforce the established guidelines on public burials at Oyigbo.

“As a Government, we are serious with our own responsibilities and those who take our resolve for granted and think that they can undermine our efforts at will without suffering consequences are gravely mistaken.

“Consequently, the permanent secretary, establishment, Mr. Sunny Okere has been relieved of his appointment with immediate effect for flouting and obstructing the enforcement of the guidelines on public burials. This should serve as a lesson to all other public officers who may wish to be irresponsible.

“Appealing to residents of the state, the governor said his government will not relent in its commitment to save lives. He urged the residents to abide by the measures and protocols put in place to fight the spread of the virus in the state.”