The Rivers State government has denied a social media rumour that Governor Siminalayi Fubara ordered the closure of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other oil businesses in the state.
The Rivers government, in a statement signed by Commissioner for Information and Communications Warisenibo Joe Johnson, condemned the claim as not only incorrect, but also created propaganda.
The statement states, “The Rivers State Government has been alerted to a false news item spreading on social media claiming that ‘Gov. Siminalayi Fubara has shut down NNPCL and all oil businesses in Rivers State.’
“The report is absolutely untrue and only the product of the author’s imagination. It was propagated by foes of the State through an insignificant and unverified source.”
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the statement continued, is dedicated to upholding the rule of law and does not resort to unconventional or crude methods in addressing governance issues.
“We, therefore, urge the people of Rivers State and well-meaning Nigerians to disregard this spurious and false report, as Governor Fubara has never considered or issued any such directive to shut down the state’s economy for any reason.”
