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Even Dev In Rivers, My Goal – Wike …Says APC Has No Message For The People …Assures Rivers’ll Remain PDP
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has reassured all local government areas in the state that they will benefit from critical development projects targeted at reviving the economy of the state.
Wike also stated that the people of the state are ready for the December 10 rerun elections, declaring that nobody will rig the rerun elections despite the illegal plot to use security agencies to sabotage the will of the people.
The governor spoke last Saturday during a special edition of Viewpoint on Rhythm FM, Port Harcourt.
He said: “There will be projects in every local government area. We cannot execute all the projects at a time, but we shall reach all communities.
“Because this government is working, nobody wants to be left out. Everybody wants to be remembered. I don’t blame them, but I can assure them that everybody will be remembered.”
He noted that the administration has judiciously used the resources of the state for massive development, which has confounded the opposition in Rivers State.
“They (opposition) are dumbfounded. They cannot believe the massive infrastructural development taking place. Even the blind can feel our developmental projects”, he said.
The governor pointed out that the superlative performance of the administration is at variance with the prediction of former governor Chibuike Amaechi that there will be no funds for salaries and projects for the Wike administration.
He said: “We are not only doing projects, we are doing major projects despite the economic recession”.
He noted that no project will be abandoned by his administration, adding that the Saakpenwa-Bori road which serves six local government areas, including the four Ogoni LGAs will be completed.
According to him, the project was initiated in line with his pledge to the Ogoni people and not for the senatorial electioneering campaign.
He said: “The Ogoni people supported me and they deserve government patronage. The Saakpenwa-Bori road is 16-kilometre-s in length and it will be completed.”
On the Amnesty Programme, Wike said that the security in the state has improved because of the success of the exercise.
He said the next phase of the Amnesty Programme will be focused on rehabilitation and training of those who embraced the exercise.
“Those who submitted their arms and embraced Amnesty will be rehabilitated. They will be trained on different skills, some will be sent to School to further their education. Nobody will be paid monthly”, he said.
The governor added that the weapons retrieved during the Amnesty programme are with the military and they would be publicly destroyed.
He said that his administration funds all security agencies in the state, provides logistics and fuels vehicles for operation.
He said as a result of the relative peace in the state, most investors are returning to the state, and noted that the state will intensify the creation of conducive atmosphere for economic growth.
According to him, the return of relative peace in the state has led to the improvement of the internally generated revenue from N4billion to N7billion.
On agriculture, he said that the state government was partnering with private investors to enhance commercial agriculture , which will create jobs for the youth.
On the rerun elections, the governor said that he has continued to solicit for the votes of the people because he believes that power resides with them.
He, however, regretted that APC leaders and politicians have placed their confidence in the rigging assurances given to them by INEC and security agencies, hence they are not campaigning.
He explained that he was revealing the rigging plots of the APC because the world needs to know those generating tension that may lead to violence.
“We are very prepared for the elections. We have the capacity to resist what is going on”.
On the claim by the defeated APC governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside that he has not seen major projects, the governor said that the politician was yet to recover from the political defeat he suffered in 2015.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that after inflicting hardship and hunger on Nigerians, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was scared of campaigning, hence their recourse to rigging.
The governor also stated that he received credible information from his competent APC sources that the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris met APC leaders two days ago where he assured them that three other commissioners of police will be deployed to help the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies manipulate the electoral process.
Flagging-off the rehabilitation of the General Hospital, Abua on Saturday, Wike said the APC Committee of Governors set up for the Rivers rerun will be in the state for a one-day jamboree, which will have in attendance imported crowds from other states.
He said that Rivers State was not like other states where APC governors and security agencies were used to intimidate the populace to pave the way for rigging.
He said: “The APC has nothing to campaign with, that is why they have arranged a one-day jamboree. Is it the hunger across the country? Or the lack of projects or the worsening exchange rate? Or is it the fact that Rivers APC members have done nothing to attract any project to this state? There is nothing for them to campaign with.
“I have approved the Liberation Stadium for their jamboree on Wednesday. The visitors will dance and after that leave the state for Rivers people to vote overwhelmingly for PDP candidates”.
He said in line with the Inspector General’s directive, almost all the Divisional Police Officers in the state have been transferred, while the police have deployed officers they believe will help the APC carry out the illegal plot.
The governor further noted that the APC Rivers South-East Senatorial District candidate, Senator Magnus Abe had met with senior police officers between 2am and 4am last Friday, where he requested that they support his rigging agenda in exchange for N10million each.
He urged youth to vehemently defend all polling units and vote collation centres, where the police plan to assist INEC to manipulate polls results.
Similarly, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the state will remain a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite the intimidation of the people by security agencies.
The governor said that the support the state government enjoys stems from the performance of his administration which had touched the lives of the ordinary people , positively .
The governor spoke during a church service to dedicate the PDP Campaign of Ikwerre /Emohua Federal Constituency to God, yesterday.
Represented by his Chief of Staff , Engr Chukwuemeka Woke , the governor commended the people of the state for their support to his administration and the PDP .
The governor said: “As we prepare for the rerun elections, members of the PDP in Emohua/ Ikwerre Federal Constituency resolved to dedicate their campaign to God.
“We won before and we are going to win again. This state is a PDP state. No amount of manipulation or federal might will take the will of the people from them.
“See the level of excitement and support for the PDP shows that the election has been won,” he said.
Wike added: “For those who are not preparing, who are busy forging result sheets, we will resist them. They cannot use such result sheets because they don’t have the people.
“If you have the people that will vote for you, you will not look for fake result sheets .
The people will cast their votes and their votes will count. Come December 10, PDP will conclude the remaining elections in victory by God’s grace, “ he added.
Ikwerre Local Government Area Caretaker Committee Chairman Nwanosike Samuel said: “We decided to dedicate our Federal Constituency campaign to God because we require God’s blessing, wisdom , favour and protection to win again . “
He said the will of the people will prevail despite the attempts at manipulation by some persons using security agencies .
Caretaker Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, John Wokoma said the PDP leadership in Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency has handed their campaign to God, urging the people to come out in their numbers to vote for PDP.
He said that PDP members should be law-abiding, adding that they must monitor the electioneering process from the beginning to the end.
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.