Politics
RVHA Commits PPPI Bill To Committee Stage … Eulogises Gov Amaechi’s Dev. Strides
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday Committed the Public-Private Participation Infrastructure Development bill (PPPI) into committee stage, even as, the state lawmakers commended Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for his concerted effort to transform the state through private sector participation.
The PPPI bill is seeking to establish a law that would promote, facilitate, and regulate partnership between the public and private sectors in infrastructure development as well as, to establish the state council on pubic private partnerships and the state Bureau of Public Private Partnerships, and other matters related there to.
Kick-starting debate on the bill after it had passed second reading on the floor of the House, Hon. Totenaan Ogiri (Abua/Odual) noted that the aim of the bill was to provide the needed synergy between the government, public and private sectors to promote accelerated development in the state.
He described the bill as laudable and capable of fastracking development to the state adding that when passed into law, it would encourage people to participate in the development of the state.
“The bill is encouraging, as it tends to develop the state. Government would only provide land equity, while in most cases, the private investors would provid about 80 percent of the development needs” he added.
The lawmaker urged his colleagues to partner with the executive arm in its commitment to transform the state by ensuring that the bill is passed on time adding that the bill would stand the text of time.
In their contributions, Hon Chidi Lloyd (Emohua), Maureen Tamuno, (Ogu/Bolo) and Hon Onari Brown (Akuku-Toru I) stated that when the bill is passed into law, the state government would encourage private investors to do business in the state.
The lawmakers opined that the benefits inherent in the bill were more than the demerits adding that when the bill becomes a law, it would provide more employment opportunities to the people of the state.
The lawmakers urged their colleagues to give their consent to the passage of the bill into law adding that it would bring confidence in the management of public companies in the state.
In his rulling, the speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry who presided over the session, thanked the lawmakers for their contributions during the debate.
Hon Harry relying on the standing order of the House, committed the bill to the committee stage.
He then appointed an eight man ad-hoc committee chaired by Hon. Lucky Odili to organise a public heavring and report back to the House within two weeks for considerations and passage.
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby