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Ogoni Rally: ‘FG Responsible For Ogoni Under-Development’ …Amaechi Has Shamed Detractors – APC …Gov Urges Ogonis To Fast
Rivers State Governor and Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has urged Ogoni people to vote out the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and get the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report implemented.
Addressing a huge crowd of Ogoni people at the sensitisation rally of the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) last Saturday in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area, Amaechi asserted that the UNEP Report was germane to the development of Ogoniland.
Amaechi said, “without the UNEP report, the Federal Government cannot develop Ogoniland.”’
He recalled that the report had recommended only $1billion for the development of Ogoniland, which was just a meager amount of the $49.8billion crude oil proceed allegedly missing from the Federation Account in the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Amaechi said that with that amount of money domiciled into an Ogoni domiciliary account for the development of the area, the Federal Government would have doused tension in the area, and brought meaningful development closer to the long neglected people of Ogoni.
Calling on Ogoni people to fast for change and vote the ruling party out, the governor insisted that that was the only way to ensure transformation and development in Ogoniland, charging the Ogonis to come out on Election Day and vote en masse against the PDP.
The Rivers governor recalled that prior to his administration; the area was beset by violence and insecurity, further asserting that since he assumed office, Ogoni communities have experienced change and peace.
He warned them to be wary of corrupt and greedy politicians whose plan was to get their vote for their selfish ambition, while assuring them that he would stand by them to ensure that their rights were given and their voices heard.
Amaechi, therefore, urged them to eschew violence, adding, “I don’t want you to take laws into your hands, but also make sure nobody shoots you.”
Speaking earlier, Secretary to the State Government, Mr Gorge Feyii called on the people to support the quest by the Save Rivers Movement to rescue the state from the clutches of those who want to continue to run the state as their personal estates, emphasizing that SRM has the interest of the Rivers people at heart.
Also, House of Representatives member representing Khana and Gokana Constituency, Maurice Poronen commended the governor for the courage in ensuring that the rally was successful.
Poronen said that the governor’s action had shown he loves the Ogoni people.
According to him, “we are saving Rivers State from impunity and liars. We are here to tell you that lies have a time limit.”
In the same vein, Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Leyii Kwanee said the SRM sensitization had come at a time the state was in dire need of change.
He expressed thanks to Governor Amaechi for advocating change, saying, “Nigeria needs more men like you to move the country forward.”
An Ogoni Woman Leader, Caroline Nabo, said the rally, which was earlier botched by hoodlums, was an indication that God was with SRM.
Nabo said that Amaechi had come to deliver the Ogoni people, as he had shown boldness and firmness in the face of mounting challenges.
The Rivers State Coordinator of SRM, Hon. Igoh Aguma while inaugurating local government coordinators of the body, said the rally was a testament of the good governance the Amaechi-led administration had instituted in the state.
Aguma called on Ogoni people to spread the message of change to all nooks and crannies of the local government, as he challenged the newly inaugurated coordinators to sensitize their wards on SRM vision and goals.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has defied his detractors by braving the odds to attend yesterday’s rally organised by the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) in Ogoni land, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said.
“Against all odds, Governor Amaechi once more proved to be a man of his words by attending the rally against the misguided advice of his detractors, who resorted to scaremongering to dissuade him from doing so. By so doing, Governor Amaechi once more proved that he would never abandon his followers but would always be in the forefront of the crusade to defend the rights of Rivers people no matter the degree of danger ahead”, Rivers State APC Interim Chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya, said in a statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Ikanya, who also attended the rally and was moved by the huge attendance by APC faithful and Ogoni people, declared Governor Amaechi as The People’s General and emancipator of the people of Rivers State.
“Contrary to the impression being created by Amaechi’s detractors that he is a promoter of violence, the Ogoni rally went peacefully and successfully without any incidence of violence, thus putting the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and CP Mbu to shame,” Ikanya said.
He commended Governor Amaechi for his inspirational speech at the rally held at Bori in Khana Local Government Area, saying: “By making a strong case for the implementation of the UNEP report on the need for the cleanup of Ogoniland – which the PDP-controlled Federal Government has so far sabotaged – Governor Amaechi left no one in doubt of his great love for Ogoni people and his commitment to ensuring the development of Ogoniland.”
The Rivers State APC Interim Chairman commended the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, for providing enough security for the rally. He condemned the controversial Rivers State Police Commissioner, CP Joseph Mbu, for encouraging the disruption of the previous rally scheduled for last week Sunday by armed hoodlums, describing him as an enemy of Rivers people.
Dr Ikanya wondered how a Governor who has contributed much to the development of Policing in Nigeria should be so disparaged, maligned and facing the type of persecution Gov Amaechi is currently going through in the State. He recalled that Gov Amaechi purchased and donated over seven Armored Personnel Cars (APC), bought over 200 patrol Vehicles for the Police, paid allowances to the Police, trained most of them and employed the wives of those that died in the course of the struggle to free Rivers State from militancy which he said CP Mbu and his cohorts were bringing back to harass people. This he said simply demonstrated that CP Mbu is either misguided or just evil. “All these notwithstanding, the fact remains that, the blood of the two innocent people killed at that aborted rally as well as the blood of all those killed in the needless violence orchestrated by CP Mbu in connivance with Rivers PDP is on Mbu’s head,” Dr. Ikanya said.
Dr Ikanya commended all members of the National Assembly particularly Hon. Chief Andrew Uchendu who reaffirmed that all the 37 members of the House of Representatives that have dumped PDP for APC will never go back to the sinking ship of PDP. He congratulated Hon. Chief Dakuku Peterside Chairman, Downstream Petroleum Committee of the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Leyii Kwanee and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, SSG George Feyi and all the State Executive Council members, Chief Tony Okocha the Chief of Staff to Governor Amaechi, Leadership of APC, SRM, Journalists and all the Ogonis that braved all odds to attend the rally.
He predicted a rosy future for APC in Rivers, saying that “the enthusiastic way the people have embraced the party is an unmistakable signal to PDP that it has been vehemently rejected by Rivers people”.
Similary, Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has called on the Ogoni people to declare a one-day fasting for God to make the Federal Government to release $1billion (about N170 billion) from the $49.8 billion allegedly missing from crude oil sales for the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoni.
The governor, who spoke in Bori, Khana Local Government Area headquarters during the inauguration of the local government executive of Save Rivers Movement (SRM), a pro-All Progressives Congress (APC) group, flayed the delay on the part of the Federal Government to release the money for the cleanup of oil pollution in Ogoniland.
“UNEP finished all they did. They said ‘spend $1billion to cleanup Ogoni’. Have you seen the $1billion? Without the UNEP Report, you cannot fish, you cannot farm. $49.8 billion is missing. If they say it is not true, let them tell us where it is. They should bring $1billion from the $49.8billion to do UNEP”, he said.
Amaechi thanked the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar for providing tight security for the rally, which could not hold, penultimate week, because some hoodlums came shooting sporadically to scare the organisers. But the governor lashed out at the state Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, over alleged abuse of federal might, describing his political foes in the state as hungry politicians.
According to him, their target was to plunder the state’s resources. “They are thieves, corrupt people who say they want to serve you. They have a problem, stomach infrastructure problem”, he said.
While urging his supporters not to take the law into their hands, Amaechi urged them to ensure they got their voter’s cards, adding that they should also be part of the APC membership registration exercise billed to commence in February.
“I don’t want you to take the law into your hands. But make sure nobody shoots at you.
If a man slaps you and gets away with it, he will come back tomorrow. Go to INEC for your voter’s card. It is the weapon you have to vote out bad government”, he said.
The governor also said he was apologising to the gathering on behalf of the police for the rally which was aborted, penultimate Sunday, by suspected hoodlums in Bori even as he spoke on some of the successes his administration had recorded in Ogoniland.
Some members of the National Assembly, commissioners in the state and local government chairmen were present. Some of them who spoke drummed up support for the APC.
There was heavy presence of security men in the community. Vehicles were not allowed about hundred meters to the venue of the event. The anti-bomb disposal unit of the police was on ground.
Community sources told newsmen that some hoodlums still shot sporadically in the early hours of the day, a situation that forced some residents to flee the community.
Some people ran to Port Harcourt after they heard gun shots early Saturday morning.
“They feared that there might be a clash between them (bad boys) and the organizers”, one of the sources said.
Most stores on Hospital Road that leads to the venue of the programme were locked up.
It could not be confirmed if it was in compliance with a directive from security men or if the owners were among those who ran to Port Harcourt fearing there could be crisis.
Canadian Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Marcello Difanco (left) and a Student, Miss Bianca Agwunobi,cutting the tape to declare open Canadian Education Fair in Lagos, last Friday
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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.