TheCable

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, says the COVID-19 pandemic should not be an excuse for state governments to halt investment in infrastructure.

Speaking during a facility tour on Thursday with Orji Kalu, a current senator and former governor of Abia state, Wike said although there were challenges as a result of the pandemic, infrastructural development should not be put on hold.

The Rivers governor asked what would be left for the citizens to benefit from, if the pandemic is used as an excuse for non-performance.

“COVID-19 cannot be an excuse for any government. COVID-19 is a bad thing, but it has come. It will go whether we like it or not. But people will also be alive,” Wike was quoted to have said in a statement by Kelvin Ebiri, his media aide.

“Infrastructure must be provided. So, you can’t say because of COVID 19 nothing will be done. At the time COVID-19 ends, what will the people be facing? Lack of basic infrastructure.”

The Rivers governor said he is not in the league of those who use COVID-19 as an excuse not to perform, adding that his administration has been investing in infrastructure despite the pandemic.

“So, because of COVID-19, I am not going to be doing anything? I am not a party to that. I will continue to work whether there is COVID-19 or not?” he said.