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‘Rivers Govt Not Broke’ …Finance Commissioner blames Salary Delay On Banks …Amaechi To Commission 150 Projects In 150 Days Soon
Executive Director, Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), Mr Noble Pepple (left) presenting a Memorandum of Understanding to the Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Prof Joseph Ajieneka, after signing, yesterday.
The Rivers State Government has strongly denied the allegations being peddled in some quarters that it is broke and unable to pay July, 2013 salaries of civil servants in the state, due to financial difficulties.
In a statement made available to The Tide, yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state Commissioner for Finance, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, said: “Nothing can be farther from the truth, as the delay experienced in the payment of last month’s salary is due mainly to the recent migration from the old 13 digit account numbers to the 10 digit New Unified Bank Account Numbers (NUBAN)”.
Peterside regretted that, “the numbers were not furnished on time by the banks to the Rivers State Ministry of Finance in order to be captured by the Rivers State Government Automated Payroll Office.”
The Commissioner said, “the truth is that over 35,000 workers have been paid their July, 2013 salaries,” adding that, “effort is ongoing to complete inputting the new 10 digit account numbers in order for salaries of the remaining staff to be paid before the end of the current week.
“Government regrets the inconveniences caused its workers by the unavoidable delay in salary due to the reasons already given,” Peterside said, assuring that, “henceforth, with the new account numbers, salaries will be paid in a timely manner as usual.
“It is irresponsible and repugnant for any person or group of persons to attribute this delay to any financial crises being experienced by the Rivers State Government. For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state that the finances of the state government under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, continues to be robust and administered in a prudent, accountable and transparent manner,” he stressed.
According to him, the state “internally generated revenue profile is growing; hence the numerous infrastructural projects and social programmes of the state continue to be funded in a timely manner.”
It would be recalled that some critics, especially a faction of the state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Felix Obuah had alleged that the delay in the payment of some civil servants was as a result of the government inability to raise sufficient money to pay its workers.
But the Rivers State Government, said yesterday that the rumours being peddled by the Felix Obuah-led faction that it is unable to pay July, 2013 salaries of civil servants is false, and described the faction as a bunch of serial liars, who have consistently sacrificed the truth in order to score cheap political points.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Rivers State Governor, David Iyofor, admonished the Obuah group, its backers and sponsors to desist from misinforming and misleading the public as the Governor Amaechi-led administration remains committed to the welfare of workers.
“It is amazing how low these people (Obuah group) can go in the name of playing politics. You can’t stand truth on its head because you want to fish for a reason to abuse and attack Governor Amaechi. Felix Obuah and his co-travellers should stop playing politics with the lives of Rivers people,” the statement said.
“They claim Governor Amaechi could not pay workers’ salaries but even before they started peddling their wicked lies, civil servants’ salaries in the state were being paid and the payment is on-going. This can be easily verified both from the banks and civil servants; and the state leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), the two umbrella unions of the workers.
“As the banks furnish the state Ministry of Finance with the new 10-digit New Unified Bank Account Numbers (NUBAN) from the old 13-digit Account Numbers, payments are being made. Anybody that does transaction with any bank is aware of the recent migration by banks from the old 13 digit Account Numbers to the 10 digit new Unified (NUBAN) Account Numbers.”
“Indeed, Obuah and his fellow co-travellers deserve our pity and sympathy as they seem to suffer from a chronic case of selective amnesia, otherwise, they would have known that Governor Amaechi does not joke or play politics with the welfare of workers. And that is why Rivers State today pays N22, 000.00 minimum wage, which is more than the national/federal minimum wage of N18,000.00. It is on record that presently, the Amaechi administration pays one of the highest civil service salary scale in the country, and with absolutely no backlog of unpaid salaries. And just in case Obuah and his group do not know, that is what is called commitment to workers’ welfare. This again, is something Obuah and his group can easily verify,” it indicated.
“The Rivers State Government finances under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, continue to be robust and administered in a prudent, accountable and transparent manner as can be witnessed by the growing internally generated revenue profile and timely funding of workers’ salaries and welfare-related expenditures, numerous infrastructural projects and social programmes in the state. It is, therefore, grossly misleading, irresponsible and repugnant for Felix Obuah and his co-travellers to say otherwise”, the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the current political distractions will not deter Rivers State Government from going ahead to commence new projects commissioning tagged, “150 Projects in 150 Days”, Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Tony Okocha, has said.
Okocha said this Monday, when Chairman and members of Ekinigbo Council of Chiefs in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state paid him a courtesy visit in Port Harcourt.
He said, “we will refuse to be deterred. The state Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, has refused to lose focus because of what is going on. His mission is to better the lives of our people. His vision is to put smiles on the faces of our people. His vision is to develop our people rapidly in a manner that nobody else would have done in the state. That is his mission, and we are still hell-bent on it. Before the end of this month, we will be on the streets commissioning projects so that Nigerians will know that Amaechi is one governor to reckon with.”
Okocha said that the current provocations against Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Chibuike Amaechi, by the opposition will not shift the governor’s focus from development and delivering on the dividends of democracy to Rivers people.
Okocha said Governor Amaechi would remain focused to pursue his development agenda for the people of the state.
“I’m aware of the fervent prayers of the chiefs concerning the ‘madness’ of disgruntled elements of Rivers State, who like Prof. Tam David-West would say, would have refused to see the good works of His Excellency, the governor and his administration, and for whom Prof. Tam David-West referred to as ‘blinder than the bat’,” he said.
He said the antics of the opposition would fail, and lamented their unsuccessful gang-up against the governor for personal interests.
Okocha thanked the chiefs for their support and prayers for the Amaechi-led administration, noting that Governor Amaechi has the people’s mandate to protect the lives and property of all Rivers people.
The chief of staff, however, expressed disappointment that the governor was being given a bad name for taking steps against the attempted ceding of oil wells in the state to other neighbouring states.
He said the attempt to cede oil wells in the state to other neighbouring states was plotted to stifle Amaechi’s development effort in the state.
On the recent threat by the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, to make Rivers State ungovernable, Okocha expressed sadness over the failure of the police to invite Wike for questioning over his threat.
He bemoaned the latest cases of kidnapping and armed robbery in the state, which he explained, resurfaced because the police have compromised the security of the state.
The Chief of Staff described the Minister of State for Education as ungrateful to Governor Amaechi who brought him to limelight, and blamed Wike for failing to protect the interests of the state.
Okocha recalled that Amaechi appointed Wike as his Chief of Staff, and later nominated him for ministerial appointment into President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet.
Earlier, Chairman of Ekinigbo Council of Chiefs, Chief Kinikanwo Owhonda, had assured Okocha of their unflinching support for Governor Amaechi, and congratulated him on his appointment as Chief of Staff.
“We, the entire good people of Ekinigbo clan express gladness for your meritorious appointment, and we pledge our unalloyed support to the government of Rivers State. We are unequivocally behind you and the Government of Rivers State under Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi despite all the challenges”, they said.
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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.