The Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has criminalised unauthorised burial in the state
In a new Executive Order signed by the governor, any burial conducted contrary to the provisions of the order now attracts a fine of N10million.
The order, RVSG – 122020, which has been gazetted, issued new guidelines for conducting burials during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Section 3 stipulates that any person intending to hold a public burial in the state or take any corpse outside the state for burial must apply to the governor for approval through the state Commissioner for Health.
The order, which took effect from June 5, said an application for such burial of any person that died from February 1, 2020 must be accompanied by a death certificate showing whether or not the death was related to COVID-19.
