Politics
Unfulfilled Promises: Wike Slams APC
The heavy down power that caused flooding within Port Harcourt and its environs penultimate Sunday threw the curtains open in Government House last week. The state Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike, moved by the plight of residents, defied the rain as he visited some parts of the metropolis in Government Reserved Area (GRA).
Moved by the devastation caused by the rain, Chief Wike assured citizens that government would do all in its power to tackle the menace. The Sole Administrator of the State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro Felix Obuah, also moved around parts of the city to see things for himself.
Obuah, while decrying the effects of the flooding, promised that RIWAMA would do all it can to desilt and clear up blocked drains. He urged the residents to display better sanitation habits by stopping the habit of dumping refuse in drains and building on waterways.
Last Monday, Bishops of the Anglican Communion led by Archbishop Ignatius Kattey of the Niger Delta Province visited Governor Wike in Government House. The Bishop, after the visit prayed for the Governor, the State and the citizens. The visit was part of induction ahead the Church General Synod slated for next month and which Chief Wike had been made a co-chair for the All Anglican Convention in Port Harcourt.
The governor has last Tuesday officially flagged –off the construction and rehabilitation of internal roads in Abuloma, Ozuboko, Fimie and Amadi- Ama. The roads totaled 28 and covers about 14.25km. They are expected to be completed in 6 months.
During the project flag-off, Chief Wike submitted that it was in fulfillment of electioneering campaign to the people of Ward 20 in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area. He used the occasion to carpet the opposition, which he said has failed Nigerains in fulfilling any of its electioneering promises in 2015.
Wike used the event to call on the residents to exhit good sanitation habits, blaming the flooding of last Sunday to attitude of many of the residents who dump refuse indiscriminately and others who build and block water path.
Last Wednesday, shortly after the foundation laying ceremony for the new Judges Quarters at Rumueme by the Chief Judge of the Federation, Justice Onoghen, Governor Wike played host to the President of the United World Wrestling, Fouad Meskout from Moroco in Government House. Meskout praised Nigeria for the numerous facilities on ground to host the world next year. On his part, Chief Wike assured the United World Wrestling President of Africa that Rivers State would do all in its powers to be the host of the world next year.
The second time visit of Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo,took the lead last Thursday. Despite efforts made by the opposition, Osinbajo took time after inaugurating the fertilizer plant at Indorama Petrochemical to unveil new road constructed by the Wike administration at Etche. Chokocho town was in a festive mood during the presidential visit.
Shortly after the Acting President inaugurated the Chokocho/Igbo Etche Road, Chief Wike also unveiled the Rumukpokwu/SARS Road, the Rumuokoro Park and Market, among other projects.
Last Friday was the turn of Ogbum-Nu Abali Community where Governor Wike unveiled various internal roads reconstructed and revamped by his administration, but before inaugurating the road, he hosted the Director-General of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Malam Yakubu Mohammed. The governor praised the NTA for its coverage and professionalism in disseminating information, while pledging to support the organisation to attain greater heights.
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