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Why We Embraced Peace – Wike …Decries Ploy To Short-Change Rivers In NASS …Reverse Self, IPAC Tells INEC

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has explained that the need to ensure peace and violence-free elections was behind his agreement to attend and sign a peace pact with erstwhile Governor Chibuike Amaechi on Tuesday in Abuja.
The governor told a huge crowd of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithful at Degema Town, in Degema Local Government Area on Wednesday during the Rivers West Senatorial re-run rally, that the meeting was convened by the Director, Department of State Security Services and Inspector-General of Police, promising to implement and abide by the agreement.
“The state government will sincerely implement the resolutions of the peace meeting brokered by the police and the Department of State Security Services for the peaceful conduct of rerun elections in the state,” he assured.
Wike emphasised that his commitment to peace and the need to make sacrifices for the development of the state was paramount, stressing that government will provide logistics to both Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for the peaceful and smooth conduct of the elections.
He said: “I was at the peace meeting because we love peace and want the state to move forward. I signed an undertaking on your behalf that we are prepared for INEC to conduct credible, free and fair elections.
“It is not in our position to generate crisis because we are the ones losing”, Wike further explained, adding that those who want the state to burn will be disappointed.
Wike expressed sadness that some politicians were celebrating that the elections were postponed, saying that his commitment to ensure that Rivers State have representatives at the National Assembly was because the people of the state have been shut out on the deliberations on the 2016 budget and the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), among other important legislations.
He called on members of PDP to remain vigilant and continue to woo new members, while waiting for a fresh date for the rerun elections.
According to Wike, “Nigerians know, the world knows that Rivers State is PDP.  So shall it be forever.”
He pledged to ensure that development gets to all local government areas of the state, stressing that with the successes achieved in just one year, the remaining three years will witness more development.
Earlier, Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo had said that the massive turnout of the people was an indication that the people will always vote PDP candidates.
The Rivers West Senatorial District PDP candidate, Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu, said that the reason given by INEC for the postponement of the rerun elections was not tenable as the state was peaceful.
Also speaking, the former Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, decried the frequency of inconclusive elections under the leadership of the APC.
It would be recalled that on Tuesday, INEC postponed the scheduled July 30th, 2016 rerun elections following the request by the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC).
Despite the postponement, thousands of PDP members still attended the rally in Degema.
The Tide investigation shows that the former Governor, Chibuike Amaechi and APC gubernatorial candidate in the state, Dr Dakuku Peterside led other APC leaders in the state to meet with Governor Nyesom Wike at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, at the instance of the DSS Director General and the IGP.
A statement made available by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Donald Awunah, said: “In order to guarantee a violence-free and credible re-run into the Senatorial/House of Representatives elections in Rivers State, a crucial meeting to chart the path to peace in Rivers State before, during and after the re-run elections was held between the Inspector-General of Police, Ag.IGP Ibrahim K. Idris and the Director-General of Department of State Services, Musa Daura.
The statement added that the two major players in the politics of Rivers State, Amaechi and Wike were in attendance.
The meeting, according to the statement, deliberated on the need to have peaceful, free and fair elections devoid of violence, which was the hallmark of the previous elections in the state.
It added that both Wike and Amaechi had resolved to be irrevocably committed to lasting peace and vouched to play the game by the rules in the forthcoming re-run elections in the state.
They also agreed to prevail on their teaming supporters to adhere strictly to their commitments to peace and security of the state, the statement added.
Meanwhile, Irked by the suspension of the July 30 re-run elections in Rivers State, the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) says the postponement is unacceptable, and urged the electoral umpire to do the needful by going on with the planned re-run elections in the state.
Rivers IPAC, in a press briefing in Port Harcourt, Wednesday, said unequivocally that the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) should reverse itself and go ahead to conduct the elections it had so much promised and announced its readiness to do so.
At the press briefing, the Chairman of Rivers IPAC, Bro Felix Obuah, flanked by Chairmen of 28 other political parties in the State, accused the INEC of arbitrarily suspending the re-run elections without consulting the concerned political parties and intimating them on why the elections should not go on as planned.
Obuah, who is the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic  Party in the State, noted that the undue suspension of the re-run elections “clearly shows that Nigeria’s democracy is on trial by the electoral body that ought to be an unbiased umpire”.
He remarked that Rivers State has been relatively peaceful with the residents carrying on with their businesses across the state lawfully as compared to other States where elections and re-run elections have been conducted by INEC.
While maintaining that security concerns are not peculiar to Rivers State but a national and universal phenomenon, the Rivers IPAC boss stated that “to anchor on or hide under security concerns to postpone elections Long prepared for, for almost a year now is to say the least a blatant lie and deception”.
Accordingly, Rivers IPAC condemns INEC’s unilateral suspension of the July 30 re-run elections in the State, adding that 30 out of 31 political parties are ready and most prepared for the elections having worked hard to prove to the people that they remain the best choice to pilot the affairs of the state.

 

Sam Ovu-Eleonu/Kevin Nengia/Josephine Atagana

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We’ll Comply With Supreme Court Judgement, Fubara Assures …As CJ Inaugurates Judges’ Quarters

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will implement, to its fullest, the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the political crisis in the State.

 

The Governor maintained that what is important, in all of the happenings that had been witnessed, has been the protection of the interest of Rivers State because it must be above whatever personal interest that anybody could hold and canvass.

 

Governor Fubara gave the assurance during the inauguration of the new Judges’ Quarters, a housing facility completed by his administration for Judges indigenous to Rivers State by birth or marriage, at Old GRA, in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, yesterday.

 

The Governor explained: “It has not been an easy 16 months, but what is important is the interest of our State, which must be above our personal interest. I want to say it here, very loud and clear to everyone, the Supreme Court has given a judgment, my administration is going to implement the judgment to its fullest. The reason is clear: It is not about me, it is about the good of this State.”

 

Governor Fubara alluded to the quantum of loss, in terms of money expended, in prosecuting the political crisis, on both sides, which has gone to waste, regrettably.

 

Such financial resources and other efforts, he said, would be more profitable, if they were synergised, and channeled to courses that promoted the genuine well-being and good of the State, adding that something more assuring would have been showcased.

 

Governor Fubara stated: “Thank God where we are today, I can assure you publicly that, any day, any time, I have not gone back on that my statement: that nothing (no price) is too big to pay for peace in this State, because at the end of the day, it is about our people. It is not about me, I will leave office but the good work that I have done will speak for me and will defend my generation.”

 

Commenting on the project, Governor Fubara emphasised that it further shows that his administration takes the issue of welfare, particularly of judicial officers, seriously, explaining that his administration inherited the project and with reports from the Ministry of Justice and some concerns from the Judiciary, it became imperative to continue with it.

 

He said, “We give glory to God that today, we have completed this project, and we are willing and ready to hand it over to the lucky judges who are going to live here so that they can perform their duties effectively.”

 

Governor Fubara pointed to the need for proper maintenance of the housing facility and the entire premises so that it can offer required satisfaction, maximally, and assured the Executive’s readiness to provide support in that regard.

 

Performing the inauguration, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, recalled how he laid the foundation stone of the project, which was initiated by the immediate past administration on May 22, 2023, and thanked Governor Fubara for continuing and completing the project, which now represents another milestone and great accomplishment for the Rivers State Judiciary.

 

He added, “We are pleased with this landmark achievement, which represents the continuation of the policy of providing befitting residential accommodation for judges of Rivers State on owner-occupier basis or monetary ground in lieu there-off. This is backed by the Rivers State Housing Scheme for Judicial Officers Law No. 10 of 2021 passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, and signed into law by the immediate past Governor of Rivers State.

 

“The Rivers State Government, in the past years, has been in the fore-front in ensuring that judges are quartered while in service, and in recent years, has gone further to allocate official quarters to judges on the basis of owner-occupier or monetary ground of a fixed sum in lieu there-off.

 

“The policy of providing official accommodation for judges on owner-occupier basis or monetary ground in lieu there-off has reduced greatly the pressure on judicial officers who hitherto struggle to build retirement home while in service with limited resources. Such pressure and desire to own retirement home in time past was a major concern and have its own impact on job performance”, he added.

 

In her address, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Mrs Ibiwari Clapton-Ogolo, explained that the Rivers State Housing Scheme for Judicial Officers, Law No. 10 of 2021 established a housing scheme for judicial officers who must be indigenes of Rivers State either by birth or marriage.

 

Mrs Clapton-Ogolo said: “The scheme provides for ownership of a decent accommodation in the state by every judicial officer who is an indigene of Rivers State or married to an indigene of Rivers State or monetization of the accommodation, subject to the approval of the government.

 

“In accordance with the above law, today, the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State will commission seven duplexes of five bedrooms, which are exquisitely furnished. Our judges deserve nothing less. I pray that these duplexes will not just be a living houses for our judges, but homes where our judges will find peace and rest as they discharge their duties, as judges, to God and to men,” she added.

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Fubara Assures Residents Of Adequate Response To Fire Outbreaks In PH …Commissions Rebranded Borokiri Fire Service Station, Vehicles

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the Borokiri Fire Service Sub-Station in the Old Port Harcourt Township will serve as a local-level fire disaster management resource centre to provide quick response to emergencies and ensure protection of lives, property, and the environment from fire disasters.

 

Governor Fubara gave the assurance while inaugurating the Rivers State Fire Service, Borokiri Sub-Station in the Old Port Harcourt Township in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, last Thursday.

 

The Governor stated that fire service stations are essential components of critical services that must be provided by any government for its people as proof of commitment to their safety.

 

Governor Fubara maintained that the inauguaration of the station, therefore, aligns with what government must do without fun-fare because discharging statutory responsibility to the citizenry is not anything to advertise.

 

He said: “The purpose of government is to provide services. The purpose of government is to protect lives and property. So, while we are doing those things that we are elected for, and we now start showcasing it, sometimes, it doesn’t make any sense. But, that is what the business has really turned into, which is, whatever you are doing now, you have to showcase so that they will know that you are really working.”

 

Governor Fubara also said: “Some persons will commission borehole, some will commission all sorts of things, and they do adverts for it. But for us, we have chosen to showcase to the world vital and most needed items of service as a government. What we are showcasing here today is one of the essentials of governance. Fire service station is a very important component in every system.”

 

Governor Fubara explained that some days ago, he unveiled the modernised and remodelled Headquarters of the Rivers State Fire Service to signal the restorable of stable and regular response to fire disasters across the State.

 

He said, three days after, he has returned to show to the world a similar word of revitalisation that has been achieved on the Borokiri Sub-Station that will end years of absence of such services available to the residents in that part of the township.

 

Governor Fubara stated: “Borokiri is a section of the Town, one of the densely populated areas of Port Harcourt City. The essence of rehabilitating this Fire Service Station is to cater to the huge population that is living here.

 

“We had cases of fire outbreak, from time to time, and we have never adequately responded to them. I strongly believe that after this minute, whatever that would happen, provided it is within the power and jurisdiction of this station, it would be combated adequately.”

 

Governor Fubara expressed delight over what has been achieved and made available to the people, who are also grateful, and appreciated it with gratitude, exemplified with the joy and excitement on their faces, stressing that this is the reason why his administration will remain resolute, and continue to work to better the lives of all residents in the State.

 

Performing the inauguaration, former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, said the project reflects purposeful leadership that has prioritised the wellbeing of the people because they will get assistance to tackling fire incidences when it occurs.

 

He pointed to the massive rehabilitation work that has been achieved on the long abandoned fire station, which now offers the assurance of more jobs created to engage willing youths to work, adding: “Your Excellency, I was Secretary to the Government in this State, this fire station existed then. I must confess that what I am seeing today is a state-of-the-art fire station. Thank you for your care and for your love.

 

“This is also an opportunity to expand the possibility of work for our people. When there are instruments to work with, you need people to use them and drive these vehicles to fight the fires. I am sure that our Governor will use this, as a point of reference, to ensure that we have employment within the system that gives our youths something to do.”

 

Dr Sekibo also said that Governor Fubara carries the collective hope and vision of all Rivers people who are resolute and determined to continue to support him, saying that this is the more reason why President Bola Tinubu should also support Governor Fubara who, as an ally, has continued to work for the success of his administration.

 

Dr Sekibo also said that, for the first time in 24 years, the Ijaw Nation, which is domiciled in more than 8 local governments of Rivers State, now have the opportunity of governing the State and enjoys massive support of the people.

 

So far, he noted, the leadership provided by Governor Fubara has been tested in the bold decisions that he has taken to steer the progress of Rivers people, emphasising: “The work our Governor has done in this State in the short time he has been Governor, shows that he prioritizes our interest, and indeed, cares for the unity of this nation.

 

“This Governor, at a time when our funds are seized, he made sure that there was no problem in this State. He made sure that essential services continued, he didn’t try to create problems for the Federal Government.”

 

He pointed to how Rivers people have always supported the government at the centre and have not ceased, adding that under the leadership of Governor Fubara, Rivers people are still and will continue to support the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government.

 

He explained: “Mr President, the dear President of Nigeria, our own President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we, the Rivers people, have always supported the government at the centre. We have always worked with the government at the centre. This Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has convinced Rivers people that they must stand with their President, and so, we stand with you.

 

“There might be persons telling you stories, especially when they see people like me, who was a core Atiku man. They will say, don’t you see, it is Atiku people that are with the Governor. There are also Atiku people that are with them there in Abuja. But, the Governor has convinced us that the place to be is to be with our President. So, Mr President, we stand with you. We stand with you because that is the right thing to do. The election delivered you as our President, and so, we stand with you. The election also delivered our Governor, our son, and we stand with him.”

 

Dr Sekibo advised Rivers people, who felt demoralised by the Supreme Court judgment, to brace up and give unalloyed support to Governor Fubara, who has assured of obeying the ruling to the latter.

 

In his speech, Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Samuel Anya, said the Rivers State Fire Service, Borokiri Sub-Station was abandoned for years, but quickly added that Governor Fubara has rehabilitated the structures, provided necessary materials, equipment and fire trucks to serve the people better, and guarantee their safety.

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We’ve Strengthened Rivers Fire Fighting Capability – Fubara

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the modernised fire-fighting units with new buildings, necessary machinery, materials and equipment will strengthen the emergency response capability of personnel to fire incidences in the State.

The Governor pointed to how the provision will drastically reduce, if not eliminate, the vulnerability of Rivers population to fire disasters, as according to him, there will be timely assistance to victims to reduce damage and bolster conditions for sustainable development.

Governor Fubara, who gave the assurance while inaugurating the Rivers State Fire Service Headquarters Station, located by Isaac Boro Park Flyover, in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, yesterday, said the gesture serves as a consolidation of the promise made, in line with his vision of governance: to provide quality service to the good people of Rivers State.

He explained that some years ago, the State was at the mercy of the multi-nationals that had functional fire trucks to respond to most fire incidences, and pointed to setbacks that greeted some emergencies, adding that the records of losses to fire incidences were colossal.

Governor Fubara said: “We lost the Mile One Market because we couldn’t respond adequately. We lost, even what we call, the Fruit Garden Market because we could not respond. Are we talking about houses, lives that have been lost in this State because of inadequate fire service?”

The Governor insisted that the purpose of governance is to provide such quality social services, protect lives and property, and make living comfortable for the people, asserting that his administration has not failed in those regards, and has continued to intensify the provision of services that have made Rivers people happy.

He said, “And, what we are doing today is to tell the good people of Rivers State, and to showcase to the world, that there is governance in this State. Not governance for the sake of governance, but governance that is purpose-driven, governance that is interested in projects that will change the lives of our people.

“Some days ago, a tanker fell along the Woji-Elelenwo Road. If it were before, lives would have been lost. But immediately, the fire service, not the multi-nationals, it was the Rivers State Fire Service that responded and arrested the situation. What else are we talking about?”

Governor Fubara said Rivers people are very happy with the consistent delivery of infrastructure projects that address the critical problems experienced by the people in the larger society, emphasising that he believed strongly that even if some persons are indulged in clandestine activities, and determined to discredit his administration, Rivers people are happy, indisputably so.

He explained, “We are not interested whether those people who are commissioned to undermine us are unhappy, that is not our business. Our business is about Rivers State and Rivers people. So, like the Commissioner said, we did not just do this for the sake of glamour. You come here, you see a painted house, every facility that is required in a well-built fire fighting facility, is all in this place.”

Governor Fubara said further: “You can image a government that has a fire service and the firemen are not working. It is only at the end of the month you pay them their salaries. You can see that they were not happy and unproductive. But today, they are happy because they have a big responsibility now ahead of them: to ensure that lives and property of the good people of Rivers State are adequately protected. So, I want to thank you for this particular spirit at this moment.”

Governor Fubara commended the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Sam Anya, for driving the process to conclusion, and the contractor for delivering the project on schedule, and assured that his administration will continue to ensure the protection of lives and property while defending the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Governor Fubara also told Rivers people to expect the provision of more basic amenities, unbiasedly, and advised those in charge of the firefighting equipment to safeguard and protect them so that they can serve their purpose maximally.

Providing the project description, Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Samuel Anya, explained that since the first fire service station was built in the 1960s, this was the first time the facility is being remodeled and upgraded, emphasising that certain features were introduced and added to make the station comparable to fire service stations nationally.

He stated: “We have gym, sick-bay, offices and state-of-the-art equipment that we will use to combat fire. Your Excellency, we have also, new fire trucks that you have acquired. Before now, we did not have any truck, and when incidents happen, we have to call the Federal Fire Service or call Agip or Shell Fire Service. But thank God that His Excellency, in his wisdom, has given us state-of-the-art facility, and we don’t need to call any other person again.”

In his address, Head of Local Government Administration, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Mr. Clifford Paul, said Governor Fubara has turned the once dilapidated fire service station and its equipment into a modern masterpiece, which represents a significant milestone in the collective commitment towards tackling fire incidences.

Mr Paul stated that it will certainly enhance the capacity of personnel and reinforce their preparedness to respond to emergencies in the event of fire outbreaks.

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