Politics
Wike Dissolves Exco
The live interview on Rhythm FM in Port Harcourt last Monday by Governor Nyesom Wike threw the curtain open for activities in Government House last week.
Speaking to the citizens of the State, Chief Wike reassured that he will never make empty promises to the people because his administration is built on transparency, accountability and commitment to the welfare of the people.
The governor described as unfortunate the statements made by the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Mr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, while insisting that most of the abandoned projects and debts incurred by Amaechi were cleared by him as he assumed office in May 2015.
Last Tuesday, Chief Wike appeared on Channels Televison Sunrise Programme where he made more clarifications on progress made by his administration to move, the state forward. He noted that the Federal Government was still shielding Amaechi from prosecution because the former governor financed the 2015 general elections for the APC.
The governor also explained that the failure of the former governor to fund the operation of security agencies for over six months during his second term contributed to the degeneration of security in the state.
Later in the evening of last Tuesday, the governor played host to the management of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Ltd led by its Managing Director, Mr. Tony Attah.
After the speech by Tony Attah, the governor expressed sadness that there was move to amend the NLNG Act without due consultations and recourse to the yearning and agitations of those communities who produce the natural resources.
Chief Wike urged the Federal Government not to allow the amendment of the NLNG Act to sail through at the National Assembly because of the negative multiplier effect it would have on the economy.
Earlier, the NLNG Managing Director appealed to the Rivers State Government to work with other stakeholders to ensure that the NLNG Act was not amended, as it would negatively affect the operation of the company in the international market.
Last Wednesday, the governor hosted the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Health Implications of siting telecom masts near home and lamented that the trend was becoming common due to poor legal enforcement.
The governor urged telecom companies to obey rules regarding the location of masts adding, “the way these companies install masts near homes will definitely have health implications. I support the investigations by the House to change the situation”.
Last Thursday, the Rivers State Governor joined other governors in the federation in a peace meeting summoned by Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo at Abuja.
Returning to the State on Friday, Chief Wike met with Executives of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers of Nigeria (NUPENG) over the derelict state of the East/West Road stretching from Eleme Junction to Refinery Junction. The Governor promised that the bad portion would be reconstructed in collaboration with Indorama Petroleum Limited. He therefore called on NUPENG to resume operations after the labour body threatened to down tools.
Governor Wike last Saturday through his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, announced the dissolution of the State Executive council and wished the former Commissioners well.
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby