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Rivers Wins Afam Power Bid…Plans N40bn Amusement Park …Moves To Induct 13,000 Teachers, Monday
Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi,(right) Managing Director of Raffoul Construction, Elie Raffoul (middle) and the State Deputy Governor Engr. Tele Ikuru, inspecting the site of the set of bridges and roads that will connect Woji-Elelenwo-Akpajo and Abuloma with a seur to the East-West Road in the outskirts of Port Harcourt being constructed by the Amaechi administration, Wednesday
Taleveras Group, a Consortium comprising Rivers State Government and three foreign companies, on Wednesday emerged as the preferred bidder with a 260.5 million dollars offer for Afam Power Plc.
The Acting Director, Electric Power Department, Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), Alhaji Ibrahim Babagana, announced this in Abuja at the financial bid opening for Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company and AFAM Power Plc.
Our correspondent reports that Taleveras Group and Tes Power Limited bade for the AFAM Power Plc, with the former emerging as preferred bidder and the latter, as reserve bidder.
Taleveras Group emerged as the company with the highest offer, above the reserve price, while Tes Power Ltd emerged as the reserved bidder.
Also, NorthWest Power Ltd, a consortium comprising Dantata Investment and Securities Company emerged as the preferred bidder for the Kaduna Distribution Company out of the six companies that bade.
Babagana declared NorthWest Power Ltd as the preferred bidder out of the six companies that bade, with the highest Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) loss reduction figure of 29.26 per cent.
He also announced LEDA Consortium, with an ATC&C of 26.71 per cent, as the reserved bidder.
ATC&C loss reduction is the basis for selection of preferred bidder instead of highest price offer.
The consortiums that lost out on the bids are Axis Power Distribution Ltd, NAHCO Consortium, INCAR Power Ltd and Copper Belt Consortium Ltd.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Technical Committee, National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Mr Atedo Peterside, said the committee asked those who want to buy the companies at $45 billion to come forward and they did.
“So, whoever wins is paying that same price. They are not competing on price. They are competing on loss reduction.
“What the person with the highest ATC&C is saying is that ‘when I come in, I will reduce losses in power generation and distribution’’’.
“In case you don’t know, a large quantity of power this country generates is lost between generation and distribution. So, they are promising to reduce these losses.
“But for AFAM, the companies competed on highest price offering because they are buying an asset,’’ he said.
Peterside said the companies that emerged preferred and reserved bidders would be presented at the next NCP meeting, headed by Vice President Namadi Sambo.
“It is the council that will deliberate and announce the final result in a matter of days,’’ he said.
Earlier, Mr Benjamin Dikki, the Director General of BPE, had said that Wednesday’s event was a testimony of the success of the reforms in the power sector.
Dikki said private sector participation in the exercise should bring about higher generation capacities through the provision of more efficient and cost-effective power stations and improvement in the distribution sector.
He also said that there would be improvement in power billing and collection mechanism, distribution networks and so on.
“Government still has 40 per cent in the privatised companies; out of the shares some will be allotted to the states that have invested in the distribution companies.
“Once the percentage is determined, the balance will be taken to the capital market where Nigerians can also reap from the dividends of privatisation,’’ Dikki said.
Meanwhile, workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) are to start receiving their severance packages from this week.
The Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr Benjamin Dikki, made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of bids for privatisation of the Afam Generation Company Plc and the Kaduna Distribution Plc.
Dikki said that payment of the severance package was in preparation for the conclusion of the privatisation of the power sector.
“We have resolved all labour issues with the staff of the PHCN. What remains now is the payment for their severance benefits.
“And I know the payment would start before the end of this week or early next week.
“We have submitted all documents to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for payment,’’ he said.
Nebo said that a proper audit of the payment processes, which delayed the final disbursement of funds to the workers, had been concluded.
Meanwhile, a new amusement park project labeled ‘’Rivers Bongaland’’ may commence before the end of the year.
The project will cost about N40billion and is modeled after the Disney World in the United States of America and will be implemented through a Public /Private Partnership(PPP) with the collaboration of some Rivers People in Diaspora according to one of the partners, Tonye Horsfall.
Horsfall told newsmen Wednesday in Port Harcourt that already some partners from Hong Kong have shown interest, but that the delay in commencement of work was a result of the current political crisis rocking the state.
He further said that the political impasse was also delaying the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the project.
“ It is something that will bring the world together and you know tourism is the next oil we have. Tourism is what brings money to every country and Rivers State has all it takes to have a tourism village’’ Horsfall said.
The park, he further revealed, consists of a five star hotel, a three star hotel, boat regatta and other amusement facilities for both adults and children, adding that the state government is to provide seed fund and land.
He stated that Rivers people in Diaspora were interested in boosting the tourism potentials of the state, while calling on the state government to incorporate them in the promotion of the annual Rivers Carnival.
In a similar vein, another investor, Mr Peter Yobo has said the group was ready to partner with the state government in boosting housing provision.
Mr Yobo posited that the state government has already directed that the team conduct a feasibility study on the project, stating that it was being done in collaboration with American Building System International Lukor Steel, the second largest producer of steel in the United States.
He disclosed that the company has commenced work in Abuja, Calabar, where they are building some units of houses.
Calling on the state government to provide land for the scheme, he believed that if the project is approved it would help civil servants and other middle- income group in owning their own houses.
He maintained that the project would lead to technological transfer and generate employment for the young people of the state.
In a related development, the 13,000 teachers recently recruited by the Rivers State Government to boost its manpower base in schools across the state will have their induction ceremony on Monday 5, August 2013.
Sources from the state Ministry of Education say that the ceremony, which holds at the Seashell Model Primary Schools Port Harcourt, is part of efforts by the government to properly groom the newly recruited teachers with a view to preparing them for the task ahead.
It is not immediately known if the teachers will be presented with their appointment letters during the induction ceremony but the source further said that the ceremony will be preceded by the posting of those affected to their various schools.
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Education, Port Harcourt, Mr Richard Ofuru confirmed the induction ceremony to The Tide in his office but declined to give further details.
It would be recalled that of the 13,000 teachers, 10,000 are indigenes while 3,000 are non-indigenes who were recruited through a competitive transparent and rigorous examination conducted by a team of world class consultants and experts.
It would also be recalled that the recruitment exercise, which was in line with the recent declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector by the state Chief Executive will improve the quality of teaching in schools as well as make the state educational system second to none in the country, owing to the quality of the recruited teachers.
Meanwhile, the newly recruited teachers have expressed their readiness to participate actively in the induction ceremony.
A cross section of those who spoke to The Tide under condition of anonymity also said that they were anxiously waiting for the day when appointment letters will be given to them.
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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.