Connect with us

News

APC Retains Imo, As PDP Wins Abia, Taraba Polls

Published

on

L-R: Lagos Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mrs Florence Oguntuase, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Disun Holloway And Managing Director, Crystal Cubes Ltd., Ibrahim Haydar, during the Governor's visit to Apapa Amusement Park Project in Lagos recently.

L-R: Lagos Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mrs Florence Oguntuase, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Disun Holloway And Managing Director, Crystal Cubes Ltd., Ibrahim Haydar, during the Governor’s visit to Apapa Amusement Park Project in Lagos recently.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has extended a hand of fellowship to his opponents for a better state.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service organised by his supporters in his honour at the Victory Chapel Church in the Government House, Owerri yesterday, Okorocha expressed appreciation to God and to all who contributed to his success story in his four years as governor.
He thanked the people of Imo for their overwhelming support at the polls which according to him led to his victory.
He described his victory as a victory for the people irrespective of political affiliations.
Okorocha urged his opponents to accept the outcome of the election and to join him to make the state better.
He noted that all his campaign promises for the 2011 election had been fulfilled, promising to improve on his services to the state in the next four years.
The governor said he was not in governance to amass wealth but to serve God and humanity, explaining that within four years, he was able to tackle insecurity, kidnapping and armed robbery in the state and created an enabling environment for businesses.
Okorocha said he is in the business of governance to leave a legacy and make a difference.
He described the president-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as a man of vision and called on Nigerians to support him.
Okorocha was declared winner and returned elected yesterday by the INEC Returning Officer in Imo, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe.
Okorocha emerged winner after the collation of results of the re-run governorship election in 259 polling units in the state.
INEC had after the April 11 elections declared the Imo election inconclusive because of some cancellations in some wards in 23 local government areas of the state.
The result released by INEC in Owerri showed that Okorocha, the APC candidate, polled a total of 416,996 votes while his closest rival, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP polled 320,705 votes.
Meanwhile, it was celebration galore in Owerri and its environs as APC supporters trouped out to celebrate the victory of the party.
The celebration caused traffic snarls on major roads and streets in Owerri, especially around the Government House Roundabout by Okigwe Road.
There were also displays by tricycle riders while APC faithful carried brooms, the symbol of the party, as part of the celebration.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, the winner of the governorship election in Abia.
Ikpeazu polled 264,713 votes to defeat the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Dr Alex Otti, who polled 180,882 votes at the end of Saturday’s re-run election in nine local government areas.
The governorship race went into the supplementary, when the Returning Officer, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, declared the April 11 poll inconclusive.
Ikpeazu hails from Obingwa Local Government Area in Abia South Senatorial District.
He holds a Ph.D in Chemistry and taught at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology before going into politics.
Meanwhile, his election has prompted spontaneous jubilation in Obingwa and other parts of Ngwa communities.
A native of the area, Mr Matthias Nwogu, said that the jubilation was “natural, considering that this is the first time the area will produce a governor since the state was created in 1997’’.
Similarly, Mr Daruis Ishaku The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has won the Taraba supplementary governorship election held on Saturday.
The Returning Officer, Prof Kyari Mohammed, who announced the result yesterday in Jalingo, said Ishaku scored 369,318 votes to emerge victorious.
He said Sen. Aisha Alhassan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came second with 275,984 votes, while Chief David Kente of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), polled 29, 966 votes.
The returning officer said the there were 1,461,645 total registered voters in the state, of which 787,516 were accredited for the election.
Mohammed said that the total valid votes cast were 681,166, while the total votes rejected was 174,131.
It would be recalled that the April 11 governorship election was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to widespread irregularities.
INEC, on April 25, conducted supplementary election in 218 polling units in 10 council areas of the state.
The APC agent, Alhaji Gambo Umar, however, rejected the result stating that the party would challenge it in court.
On his part, the PDP agent, Mr Rebo Usman, said, “this is a well deserved victory’’.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the just-concluded governorship election in Taraba, Sen. Aisha Alhassan, has rejected the results of the poll as announced by INEC on Sunday.
Addresing a press conference in Jalingo shortly after the announcement of the results, Alhassan described the entire elections process as a “daylight robbery,’’ and said the party would challenge the results in the elections petitions tribunal.
“The combined governorship elections in Taraba were characterised by violence, massive rigging, ballot snatching and abuse of the card readers in substantial parts of the state by the PDP and their allies,” she said.
She contended that results ascribed to Wukari, Donga, Takum, Sardauna, Zing, Yorro, Kurmi and some parts of Ussa, Karim-Lamido, Bali, Ardo-Kola and Lau local government areas were not acceptable as they did not reflect the true results of the election in Taraba.
Alhassan said all the complaints on the irregularities and abuse of the election guidelines were promptly reported to INEC, but that no action was taken.

Continue Reading

News

Enforce Discipline In Legislative Service, Fubara Charges New RSHA Commission

Published

on

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.

 

 

 

Continue Reading

News

Be Innovative In Waste Management, Fubara Tasks RIWAMA ….. Inaugurates Six-Member Board

Published

on

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.”

 

 

Continue Reading

News

Fubara Graces Agric Commissioner’s Wedding At Ciwa 

Published

on

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.

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending