News
Before Wednesday: Longest Tuesday …Reliving Mood Of Rivers People… On That Day
None could say for sure from whence it came or from whose lips it first emanated but in the days leading to Wednesday, April 21, 2010, particularly Tuesday, a thick dark cloud enveloped Port Harcourt and environs and indeed most parts of Rivers State.
This was not the type meteorologists often warn against, nor the recent acid rain alarm that shook parts of the state. It was even more frightening because it came along, with not merely thunder and lightening. This came with uncertainty, fear of the future, agony over a development drive about to be cut-short and above all else, a total displacement of the status quo.
Strangely, rather than let the apprehensive Rivers people see sunlight, this rare climatic condition thickened, darker and darker to a point when revealed its true identity – Viscious Rumour.
So eloquent, certain, arrogant, ambitious and brazen in manufacture of lies, Rumour went round town that Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi would by Wednesday cease to superintend the affairs of the state, as governor (the first to shed-executive), and vacate the seat for Chief Bekinbo Soberekon, the Accord Party candidate in the April 14, 2007 Governorship elections in the state.
Why Accord Party? When the well known and truly grounded parties in Rivers State, those with officers even at the unit levels, not to talk of wards and local government areas, are only two? The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others which should hardly include the party in question?
Ever so certain, Rumour still said emphatically that the Appeal Court billed to sit in Port Harcourt past Wednesday, had reached a verdict already. A verdict that Bekinbo Soberekon would have been duly elected if his photograph had been on the ballot papers. And for that “costly slip” the Appeal Tribunal had resolved that the rightful winner – being Soberekon be sworn-in as EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, the type, his type treasures.
Seriously, so strong was the exactitude of Rumour’s eloquence that even those trusted to reassure their followers were also doubtful of what to say and so could say very little to counter the faithful agents of Rumour. Indeed, some were even rumoured to have started packing personal valuables, off offices in event of Amaechi’s tenure coming to an end, while, a good majority of Rivers people mourned, for their beloved leader still alive.
Pa Berthwell Nyeduko, a retired Shell contract staff from Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area told The Tide it would sheer madness for any court to unseat Amaechi, if for nothing else, the good job he is doing now. “If a man becomes governor pre-occupation has been to share money to friends and families, siphon their and prepare over seas escape, decides to make such a huge difference as Amaechi the Youngman is making why should anyone stop him? “the Papa queried.
But the rumours got even more dangerous, more convincing and with the likelihood of igniting some reactions among aggrieved Rivers youths and which apparently became even more compelling for government to douse the tension created by Rumour. Chief Nyesom Wike, the Chief of Staff, Government House did his best to calm the fears when he assured the citizenry that the issue was not about the removal of the Governor, but ruling on motions.
Yet, Rivers people continued their brooding, uncertain of whether Wike spoke to them through the media as a lawyer or a diplomat. Strangely, no where in both Port Harcourt and environs did The Tide news crew find any group celebrating what had been rumoured to be the imminent ouster of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
However, Rivers people witnessed the longest Tuesday in history with many wondering when and if the day had probably been increased to 36 hours. But when it finally did end and ushered Wednesday, it was a joyous sigh of relief that Amaechi stays as governor and indirectly told Chief Bekinbo Soberekon, a man who many had thought, would let go long ago, that his case that made all the hype lacked the merit he attached to it, a verdict Rivers people interpreted to mean the New Rivers State has moved far beyond his kind of leadership style and promise.
What Rives people are celebrating today are the beautiful model schools, many health centres, good roads, overseas scholarship for brilliant children, futuristic development of the city and above all transparency and accountability, and not what Late Reginald Furo often associated with bad politicians, the 3-W’s of political failure – ill-gotten wealth, women and wine. Not today.
Alas, the ballot paper in question has been vindicated, that now is not the time.
Soye Wilson Jamabo
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged newly sworn-in chairman and members of the State House of Assembly Service Commission to achieve greater productivity, promote highest standard and insist on best practices in the discharge of Legislative services.
Governor Fubara also urged them to ensure that parliamentary staff are put through disciplinary conducts in the discharge of their duties in the service.
Governor Fubara gave the charge shortly after the chairman and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Service Commission were sworn-in at the Executive Chamber of Government House in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
The Governor also sworn-in the chairman and members of the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission.
Hon Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, is the chairman of RSHA, with Dr Kennedy Ebeku, Hon. Soberekon Clark, Hon. Jones Ogbonda, and Hon Kingston Sylvanus as members.
For the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Hon GoodLife Ben will serve as the chairman, with Chief Emmanuel G. Jaja, Ms. Betty Warmate, Barrister Jerome Chimenem, Hon Prince O. Ohochukwu, Barrister Philip Okparaji, and Christian Amadi as members.
Governor Fubara explained that the constitution and swearing-in of the respective commissions were delayed with the hope that all former members of the political block will come back together but quickly added that such expectation is dashed now as governance has to move on.
He said: “As it stands now, our position is very clear. The ship that we are onboard is clear, and the activities of governance have to continue.
“So, this swearing-in is to give these two units of government – particularly, the House of Assembly Service Commission, a formal commission so that you can start carrying out the activities of promotion, discipline and every other thing that has to do with the legislative staff activity.”
Governor Fubara emphasised: “This assignment is not business as usual. You have to take full charge, and you have to ensure that there is discipline in the service.”
Speaking on the Local Government Service Commission, Governor Fubara said an acting Chairman was previously appointed to hold brief while the situation was being studied but quickly added that as it stands now, a full fledged commission has to be constituted to steer affairs.
Governor Fubara stated that the various Local Government Councils have been mandated to commence payment of the N85,000.00 Minimum Wage to their workers.
However, Governor Fubara said that mandate had met with series of complaints about ghost workers or inflated payroll staff list, which required proper scrutiny in order to ensure that only genuine workers benefit.
He said, “You must ensure that you support the Local Government Chairmen to get rid of those fake names in the payroll, so that when they implement the N85,000.00 Minimum Wage, it will not be too much burden on them.
“I am not saying you should go and dismiss people who are genuinely employed. Hear me very well: there must be proper scrutiny to be sure that whoever is there must be a genuine civil servant employed by the commission, and must have met all the conditions.”
Governor Fubara also directed the commission to address the issue of staff stagnation on a particular grade level, which is an ugly practice, and make sure those due promotion truly benefit from statutory progression in the service.
He said, “The second side is, you have the issue of promotion, you must also ensure that they are adequately promoted so that they can start enjoying like their counterparts in the mainstream.
“There is too much dragging of their promotion, for somebody to be on Grade Level 4 for over 30 years is not good. It is not good news.”
Governor Fubara maintained: “I believe strongly that you will not allow yourselves to be corrupted like those stories that we used to hear. Make sure that there is acceptable level of discipline and standard in the Local Government Service Commission.
“I also believe strongly that you are already prepared for this assignment, and since you are prepared, I will charge you to go do what you know how to do best. Be assured that the government will give you all the necessary support.”
Governor Fubara noted that the task before them could seem Herculean but they should be assured of support from his administration to drive the assignment given to them to reckonable success.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the open dumping of wastes has to be replaced with a more innovative and efficient disposal method so that wastes can be taken off the streets and turned into income-yielding ventures.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while giving charge to the newly constituted Board of Directors of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and its Managing Director at Government House in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
The Board members included Engr. Edward Namiesimagh as the chairman, while Hon. Bishop Best, Dr. Ipalibo Sogules, Richard Mazi, and Civian Y. Nwibari are members, with Hon. Orukwem Amadi-Oparaeli as the Managing Director.
Governor Fubara said waste disposal and management have remained a major global concern, adding that over the years, successive administrations in the State had struggled to take wastes off the streets but ended up taking them to other dumpsites where they constitute nuisance and environmental hazards.
He said, “Today, I am here putting a team together to look at these challenges differently. Let it not be the regular pattern whereby at the end of the month, you come to collect money from me for payments.
“Don’t indulge in appointing your friends as sweepers, evaluators of debris, then you start building hotels, or buying big cars. Let us go beyond that and tap into the potentials of waste management.
“It is an area in this world that there is so much money in. It is an area that creates employment, and generates huge revenue. It is not just depending on what I will give to you. Consider what change you’ll bring to the work, that’s what I want to see in Rivers State.”
Governor Fubara told them that they were carefully selected because of the experiences they had garnered in their previous public assignments, and urged them to replicate their successes on a bigger scale with the new appointment.
The Governor advised them to work assiduously to bring back the beauty of Port Harcourt with effective waste disposal drive, and ensure the city is clean and green to reflect its old Garden City status.
Governor Fubara emphasised: “If not for our effort, today, some people could have even changed it to become Garbage City. But God forbid, it is not going to be in our own time.
“I want you to understand that I feel very unhappy with the sight I see. When you are driving into Port Harcourt, one of the first things that will welcome you is the waste dump that you see along the Obiri-Ikwerre-Airport Road. I don’t feel happy about it.
“Your first task should be to relocate it. That particular place needs to be completely closed because it is the entrance to the city. You need to get a new place where we can relocate our wastes.”
Governor Fubara urged them to be more responsible as they discharge their assignment, saying that it is more important to see results than being merely preoccupied with the aura of office.
The Governor warned that he will not hesitate to relieve anyone found wanting, and return the agency back to the era of a sole administrator running the affairs of the agency.
He noted, “This team cuts across all the Senatorial Districts, so that whatever you are going to do there, you ensure it spreads. While you are also carrying out this job, let it be known to the world that the interest of everybody in the State is accommodated.
“It shouldn’t be one-sided. Make sure that all our supporters who have the capacity and competence to do little jobs in the refuse area are also accommodated. I am serious. I have no doubt that you are going to impress us. So, I charge you to do all you can to make sure that the face of Port Harcourt changes when it comes to the issue of refuse.”
Governor Fubara told them to be good ambassadors of his administration as they interface with members of the public while also changing the face of refuse management in the State.
In his acceptance speech, Chairman of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Engr. Edward Namiesimagh, expressed appreciation to the Governor, on behalf of members of the Board, for finding them worthy to handle such difficult but surmountable task of keeping Port Harcourt clean.
He said, “When I see the calibre of people you assembled, all of us are happy, and I assure that with our period of experience in our fields and politics and interaction with people and the zeal that comes with this job, we assure you that we will do our best to make sure that the policy of restoring Port Harcourt to its lost glory is achieved with your support.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Saturday, graced the solemnization of Sacrament of Matrimony between Engr Victor Kii, and his heartthrob, Engr Mercy Mankwe.
Engr Kii is the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture.
The wedding ceremony was held at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), along the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, Rumuibekwe in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
In his Homily, the Chief Celebrant, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev Matthew Hassan Kukah, said marriage is an enduring union, ordained by God for two persons – man and woman – who have decided in love to live their lives together.
Bishop Kukah stated that people in such Christian marriage should know that they are in an indissoluble union, bounded by faith, and advised them to gladly make personal sacrifices in tolerance and care for each other so that they can have a healthy, successful and rewarding life together.
In his vote of thanks, co-celebrant, Very Rev Monsignor Pius Kii, showered commendations on the Governor for his fatherly support to the family, and the numerous landmark achievements in various sectors across the State.
The clergy and the church took the opportunity to pray for the success and good health of Governor Fubara and his administration, and urged God to protect, guide and defend him at all times.
The church also presented 50th birthday cake and gifts to the Governor, and also sang birthday songs to accentuate the celebration.
Highlights of the event were the signing of the marriage register by the new couple, Victor and Mercy, and the cutting of the 50th Birthday cake by the Governor.