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We’ve Achieved Our Vision In Education -Amaechi …To Unveil DATCO Cassava Plant, Dec
The Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi says his administration has achieved its mission in transforming education in the state.
He made assertion during the 18th and 20th convocation of the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori on Saturday in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area.
Amaechi said one the goals of his administration is, ”to make Rivers State the hub of education sector, not only in Nigeria but also in Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He recalled that he had inherited a comatose educational system but is leaving with a more productive educational system capable of placing the state above shoulders in the comity of states in the country.
“We have made efforts to replace the guns in the hands of our misguided and misinformed youth. Education provides the youth with windows of opportunities,” the governor stated.
Amaechi further noted that, ”the recent nomination of Port Harcourt as the World Book Capital 2014 is an unprecedented achievement that has put Port Harcourt and Nigeria in global recognition.”
He opined that education remains the bedrock of any economy, and therefore, promised that his administration will continue to give the sector required attention to build an enlightened and productive citizenry.
Governor Amaechi used the convocation to reiterate the resolve of his administration to fund higher education in the state, saying, “one thing I promise before I leave office is that I will still fund you. In my handover note, I will state clearly that government has no business in opening schools if they have no business in funding those schools. They need to fund Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Rivers State Polytechnic, including the Rivers State University of Education as well as the Rivers State College of Arts and Science.”
In line with his promise to improve quality delivery in the polytechnic, he disclosed that he has approved the employment of more teachers, and tasked management to ensure better standard.
The Rivers State governor, however, decried the decrepit condition of education in the country, and tasked the Federal Government to be alive to its responsibilities.
Earlier in his remarks, Rector of the institution, Sir Obianko Nwolu-Elechi had commended the state government for the effort to improve standards in the institution.
So far, he stated that all the programmes of the polytechnic have been fully accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), adding that, “We have, therefore, put in place a system that will ensure excellence in staff recruitment and service delivery, ensure merit and performance as the major factors for promotion and appointment to sensitive positions, and strengthen staff and students’ commitment to hard work.”
According to him, about 4,000 students are graduating from the institution, noting that, “they have been equipped with necessary skills as well as entrepreneurial abilities to fit into the Nigerian economy.”
Elechi also commended Senator Magnus Abe representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District and the Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Leyii Kwanne for massively alleviating the sufferings faced by students from the senatorial district.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi says the new cassava processing plant in Ban-Ogoi, Afam in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state will be ready for production by December this year.
He said the cassava processing plant would not only provide employment for the people but also positively influence micro and macro economy.
Amaechi spoke on Friday after an inspection tour round the cassava processing facility together with former envoy of Netherlands to Nigeria, Mr. Bert Ronhaar.
He disclosed that the facility is owned by the Rivers State Government in partnership with the government of the Netherlands and Dutch Agricultural Training Company (DATCO).
Amaechi said: “This is a cassava processing plant, and it belongs to Rivers State Government and the Dutch Government, and a company called Dutch Agricultural Training Company (DATCO). It has been completed and is ready for commissioning in December but they need power, so we came to inspect to see what quantity of power they need so that they can start.
“It is for employment. The fact that the farmers are guaranteed the market at a good price is essential, so you can see that both micro and macro economy is affected as they will supply to the breweries and ensure that people grow cassava and market, and those who grow cassava will be guaranteed ready market. This will enable more persons to go into cassava farming because they are encouraged by the existence of market”.
Also speaking, Netherlands’ former Ambassador to Nigeria and board member of DATCO, Mr Bert Ronhaar expressed confidence that the processing plant would benefit the people of Rivers State as well as other Nigerians.
He said the mechanized system of processing cassava would ensure maximum use of the product to produce other items in the cassava value chain with a view to boosting the state’s economy.
“I am former Ambassador of the Netherlands to Nigeria, and I have always been an advocate for the support to the technology provided by DATCO and for the benefit of the people of Nigeria because three of these units in this factory can serve up to 20,000 farmers in Rivers State and beyond to gather cassava because you know cassava is a perishable product but these machines are able to do that processing. So, they handle the cassava and make it cassava cake and the cassava cake can last for at least six months, and then the cassava cake is transported to the factory by truck but because a lot of moisture has been taken out of the cassava by these machines, the weight you have to transport from the farm to the factory is less than half of what you normally do.
“So, it is all very economical for the farmers, and will create a lot of income for the farmers to have an outlet for the factory. A lot of people will benefit from it”, Ronhaar said.
On his part, Chief Executive Officer of DATCO, Mr Peter Bolt thanked Governor Amaechi for coming on the inspection, assuring that once the processing plant gets power supply, they would start the processing of cassava.
According to him, the processing plant would roll out 200 tonnes of cassava per day.
R-L: Senator, representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, with former Chairman, Oyigbo Local Government, Hon Felix Nwaeke, Commissioner for Works, Chief Victor Giadom and member of House of Representatives, Hon Barry Mpigi, during a thanksgiving service at Dr Obi Wali Convention Centre, Port Harcourt last Saturday.
Sogbeba Dokubo
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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.