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Rivers Will Overcome Security Challenges -Wike …Assures On FG High Court Annex
L-R: Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Make, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olanushakin, at the 2015 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference in Dutse, Jigawa State on Monday
The security challenges Rivers State is presently facing will soon be over, Governor Nyesom Wike has assured.
He gave the assurance when he played host to the Nigeria Institute of Architects(NIA), Rivers State chapter led by its Chairman, Elder Dike Emmanuel at Government House yesterday in Port Harcourt.
Wike observed that security challenges were not unique to Rivers State, stating that his administration is doing all in its powers to make the state conducive for business and investment.
In pursuit of this vision, he sated that government is rehabilitating roads, building new ones and at the same time completing some abandoned projects that are vital to the state.
He commended the NIA for hosting its national council meeting in the state, which according to him is an indication that the state is peaceful.
The governor congratulated the chapter for winning the position of national president and other key offices from Rivers State, which he says is an indication of their commitment and hardwork.
Wike encouraged them to always contribute their quota to national development, promising them that his administration is open for meaningful ideas that will move the state forward.
Earlier, Chairman of the NIA Elder Emmanuel said the governor has demonstrated uncommon zeal to transform the state through the ongoing rehabilitation and construction of road networks.
Emmanuel urged the governor to also give attention to the architectural landscape of the state, “ the beauty of cities are not only on road but in buildings as well.”
He informed the governor of the planned national executive meeting and the upcoming West Africa Architects Weeks slated for Port Harcourt next year and solicited for government support to make it successful.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike has called on the NIA to weed out fake practitioners among them.
The governor maintained that this will avert the menace of frequent building collapse as recorded in Lagos and other parts of the country.
He described architects as crucial agents in creating the beauty of cities and enlisted them to, “ please come and participate and make contributions to the governance of the state when you are called upon.”
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to complete the Federal High Court complex annex in Port Harcourt Court, to ensure that more residents of the state have access to justice.
The governor also announced that the old Obio Customary Court will be demolished to create space for the construction of the Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal which will accommodate more Customary Courts.
Addressing journalists after inspecting ongoing work at the new Federal High Court building within the existing Federal High Court complex yesterday, Governor Wike said the new Federal High Court complex will have four floors, several courtrooms and offices for judges and staff of the judiciary.
The governor expressed happiness with the pace of the work, directing the contractor to maintain the speed of work . He said that the state government will ensure regular funding of the project.
He said : “Our commitment to the creation of access to justice is total. We will complete this new Federal High Court building of four floors with new courtrooms and offices”.
The inspection of the Federal High Court building being funded by the Wike administration was witnessed by the Attorney General of the State, Emmanuel Aguma, SAN, Judges of the Federal High Court and the Rivers State Commissioner for Housing, Barrister Emma Okah.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu noted that Governor Wike’s visit to the Federal High Court building is aimed at expediting action on the completion of the project.
At the Customary Court of Appeal, Governor Wike said that the new headquarters of the Customary Court of Appeal will be duly funded by the Rivers State Government.
He stated that the present Obio Customary Court premise is constrained by space, hence the need for demolition and construction of a mult-floor building.
He urged the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Christy Gabriel-Nwankwo to apply for the release of funds for the immediate commencement of work.
In her response, President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Christy Gabriel-Nwankwo expressed happiness that the Rivers State Governor is promoting the access to justice by funding the construction of the new complex of the court.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Deputy Governor Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo says the stand of the State Government to sustain payment of workers #18,000 minimum wage inspite of paucity of funds was in keeping with its promise and policy trust to improve the economic wellbeing of the State workforce.
A statement by her Press secretary, Paul Damgbor, said Governor Wike is mindful of the reverberative effects that salary reduction or retrenchment of workers, as canvassed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governor’s forum, would cause the civil servants who are regarded as the engine room of government.
Dr. Banigo observed that although the present administration is yet to recover from the financial reckleness that led to the backlog of unpaid salaries of Civil Servants and pensioners by the past Government, Governor Wike would continue to place the welfare of workers in his priority list by ensuring that workers salaries and entitlements are paid regularly.
She enjoined workers to remain steadfast and committed to their duties so as to justify Government huge investment in the Civil Service.
The Deputy Governor assured workers in the State that the Wike-led administration has set in motion necessary modalities to ensure that all entitlements owed workers are paid describing Governor Wike as “Workers friendly.”
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has directed the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority to liaise with the Port-Harcourt Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mines and Agriculture for the allocation of land for the establishment of the Permanent Site of the Port Harcourt International Trade Fair Complex.
Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday during a courtesy call by the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Chief Edem Orok Edem, the governor stated that his administration remains committed to developing an enabling environment for private businesses to thrive.
He stated that the permanent site of the Port Harcourt International Trade Fair be located near the airport to promote accessibility and enhance its profitability to the state and region.
Governor Wike noted that the State Government started with infrastructural development because of the need to develop the right investment climate and also attract more investors to the state.
“The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture should liaise with the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority and the Special Adviser on Investment for land for a permanent site for the Port Harcourt International Trade Fair. The chamber should formally apply for the land and processes will be followed in allocating same.
“The Rivers State Government will continue to partner with the organized private sector in our quest to develop the economy of the state. That is why we took the step of development infrastructure and creating access to key business areas like the Onne Port and NPA Port in Port Harcourt “, Governor Wike said.
He explained that it is the policy of his administration to complete abandoned projects because state resources have been committed to them.
Earlier in his remarks, President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Chief Bassey Edem Orok Edem commended Governor Wike for his investment in the development of infrastructure to aid business development.
He prayed the governor to approve the allocation of land for the siting of Port Harcourt Trade Fair Complex and the establishment of a functional office in the state.
In Another development, the National Association of Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture(NACCIMA) has commended Governor Nyesom Wike for the infrastructure overhaul ongoing in the state, saying it would help business and investors and put the state on the path of economic boom
President of NACCIMA Chief Bassey Edem gave the commendation when he visited Governor Wike on Monday in Government House in Port Harcourt.
He specially expressed appreciation for the attention to the transmadi,iwofe and Onne/ Eleme axis of the East West Roads which he said are key and vital routes to industries and important businesses in the state.
Edem said, “governors who care for the private sector while in office when they are out are well received by the private sector.”
The NACCIMA president however regretted that despite being a key economic city and one of the oldest chamber of commerce in the country Port Harcourt Trade Fair was yet to be given an international status.
Against this backdrop he said announced the upgrading the Port Harcourt trade fair to international status noting, “I agree to give Port Harcourt the status of international trade fair, with the promise that in two years it will provide a site. There is no way they can have such unless government assists.”
On his part, Governor Wike pledged that government would do all it could to encourage business to thrive in the state.
He revealed that most of the roads were not started by his administration but were considered vital to business hence the quest to complete them.
“ For us as a government we will always want to encourage and support investors which PHACCIMA is key to driving that relationship.” he said.
To give force to the new status of the Port Harcourt trade fair, Wike said the body should liaise with the authorities in the Greater Port Harcourt City to provide land around the airport area for the trade fair.
He further stated that government would always partner with the chamber of commerce in projects that will impact positively on the state.
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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.