Front Pix
Why We Joined APC – Gov Amaechi
Governor Chibuike Amaechi has confirmed his final move to the All Progressive, Congress (APC).
Governor Amaechi shortly after arriving from Abuja at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa yesterday told newsmen, “yes, I have moved to APC this morning after the meeting we had with Buhari, Tinubu and Interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande.”
On the prospects of the reconciliatory meeting between President Jonathan and the G-7 governors, Amaechi responded, “I can’t answer because if you look at the press release by Niger State governor, he said he will join us after a meeting with the President. I don’t know whether we are qualified for the meeting anymore. I agree with him that we were supposed to have gone for the meeting because the meeting was supposed to be last Sunday but the President said he was indisposed. So the governors met on Monday and decided to meet with the APC leadership today (Tuesday). And the position we took if you look at the press release was to better democracy and ensure that Nigeria moves forward.”
“We can’t continue the way we are. The picture painted by the PDP is as if we were begging to come back to the PDP and the issues raised were not being looked into and so it’s important that we resolve it one way or the other. What has happened is that those of us in the new PDP have decided to move into the APC with our supporters, to position ourselves for the next elections”, he said.
Asked of his message to Rivers people and his teeming supporters the governor replied, “they must know that I am no longer a child. For me to have taken that decision, I had looked at the general interest of Rivers people. I am not elected to lead Nigeria. I am elected to lead Rivers State. And I have looked at the interest of Rivers people and seen that it is not being protected by the PDP. I had seen the fact that we were losing our oil wells both in Etche and in Kalabari areas, and the more we continue to bicker over these things, the more we continue to lose our wealth. At the last time we were third, but before we used to be the first in the country. So we can’t continue in that kind of situation.”
When asked if he consulted widely before taking the decision, Governor Amaechi said, “I did. I reached out to as many persons as possible and I continue to let them know that there is no way out of this situation than to move out of the PDP because we have seen the point where we were losing. I had said to everybody (points to the airport) look at the airport. Just look at the airport. How many developments have you seen the PDP execute in Rivers State?”
Former Vice-President Abubabar Atiku said the defection of the Peoples Democratic Party governors to the All Progressives Congress was a positive step.
Atiku, in a statement in Abuja, said, “I believe in a true democracy based on freedom of association as guaranteed in the Nigerian constitution.
“I also long for a day where we celebrate a multi-party system where political parties make improving the lives of Nigerians their top priority, instead of our current politics of corrupt cronyism and personal destruction. Today’s news is a positive step in both directions.”
On whether the PDP has collapsed in Rivers State following his movement to the APC, the governor responded, “I don’t know about that. Rivers people would choose in 2015.”
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) also stated that he does not have any personal grouse with President Jonathan as painted in most quarters, however said, “what the issues were, affect Rivers people and we are part of Nigeria. I am a Nigerian and I have to address those issues.”
While expressing respect for the office of the President, Amaechi said as an elected governor of Rivers State, I have the responsibility of leading Rivers people till 2015” and added that the development will allow him concentrate on the development and governance of Rivers State which is paramount to him now.
Speaking on the issue, the member representing Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Dakuku Peterside described the development as a watershed in our nation’s democratic journey, adding that “the beneficiary is the Nigerian people and democracy and democratic culture can never be the same again. “Our democratic institutions will be strengthened by implication and never again will the people be taken for granted,” he said.
The PDP governors and other members of Alhaji Kawu Baraje’s led new PDP had merged with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Acting National Chairman of the new PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje had announced the decision after their meeting with APC leadership which was held at Kano Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
A statement to this effect was read by the National Chairman of the nPDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, after talks between the faction and APC leaders.
The statement signed by the National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande and Alhaji Baraje reads: “A meeting of the leadership of APC and the New PDP met this morning at the residence of the Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Abuja. After exhaustive deliberations, the two parties agreed to merge in order to rescue our fledgling democracy.”
Reacting, the Presidency said that it was not threatened by the defection of the splinter group to the opposition party, APC.
The Special Adviser to the President on Political Affair, Ahmed Gulak, said yesterday, when he spoke with the State House Correspondence at the Presidential Villa.
“The presidency does not feel threatened and the PDP does not feel threatened. PDP is the party to beat. We have had it before even people who had occupied higher offices left the party and came back. Outside there, there is nothing, it is empty. PDP is the only party,” he said.
He added that the party and the presidency welcomed the development because it would end the distractions that had been going on.
Gulak said, “For a long time, I have said it that their hearts have not been in PDP. It is good that they have told the world that they have taken a stand so that PDP will not be distracted. PDP as a party will be focused to build our party because a lot of people are waiting for this moment. “A lot of people in the APC have contacted me severally that they want to come back to PDP. They said they were just waiting for what happened today to happen, and to us, it is a good development.
Gulak, however, said if the group decided to return to the PDP fold, they would be welcomed back.
“We are talking about peace and reconciliation is an ongoing process. If they go outside there like those that went there before them and taste that the outside there is empty they are always welcomed back home like we did before,” he said.
L-R: Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Christy Atako, representative of the Rivers State Comptroller of Immigration, Mr Garba Gabriel, Director, Human Resources Management, Office of the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Mr. Sonnice Aruya and Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Linus Awute, during an interactive session with federal civil servants in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Front Pix
DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.