The Rivers State government has dismissed a circulating social media report alleging that Governor Siminalayi Fubara ordered the shutdown of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other oil companies operating in the state.
In an official statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, the government labeled the report as false and described it as a “concocted propaganda.” The Commissioner emphasized that the story, which was widely shared on social media, was the product of the author’s imagination and described it as an attempt by “enemies of the state” to mislead the public.
“The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a spurious news item circulating on social media on ‘Gov. Siminalayi Fubara shutting down NNPCL and all oil companies in Rivers State,’” the statement read. “The report was not only false, but a concocted propaganda from the imagination of the author and enemies of the State. The story was also circulated by an inconsequential and unverified medium.”
The Commissioner underscored that Governor Fubara is committed to the rule of law and does not resort to “unconventional and crude approaches” in addressing matters of governance. He urged residents of Rivers State and Nigerians at large to disregard the false report, affirming that the governor had no intention to issue such a directive.
“We therefore enjoin Rivers people and well-meaning Nigerians to discountenance the spurious and fake report as Governor Fubara at no time contemplated and/or directed such needless order of shutting down the economy for any reason,” the statement concluded.
The Rivers State government reiterated its commitment to maintaining a stable environment for businesses and operations, particularly in the vital oil sector that contributes significantly to both the state and national economy.
