Politics
RVHA Explains Neighbourhood Safety Corps Bill
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Ikuinyi-owaji Ibani and other members of the House were in Government House last week to present bills for assent by the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The assent of the governor to the State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Bills of 2018 automatically makes it a law following the passage of the bill on the floor of the House.
Initiator of the bill and Minority Leader of the House, Hon. fredrick Anabraba, in a phone-in radio programme penultimate week, defended the bill and why the legislators supported it.
According to Anabraba, the bill was a forerunner in the quest on consolidate on the gains of the in checking crime in the state. He argued that the the bill would help to regulate the activities of vigilante groups which have become common place in many parts of the state. Contrary to views expressed by the opposition, the legislator stressed that it never had any plan to use the bill to witch out political opponents.
Anabraba averred that the law would help bring into conformity activities of vigilantes with prescribed laws, recalling that the state government had proscribed vigilante groups some time in 2016.
Apart from helping to regulate vigilantes, the law when operational, the lawmaker also submitted, would help in harnessing civilians’ support in gathering security intelligence, and ultimately boost surveillance and effective protection of lives and properties.
Said he: “It will help promote confidence between security agencies and ordinary people. It will also strengthen police and public confidence in their operations”.
Debunking the aspect of arms handling by the Neighbourhood Corps, the lawmaker representing Akuku Toru II cited sections 3 and 4 of the law, explained that there was nothing conflicting, since the agency would be liaising with the police authorities in the area of operations.
On the constitution of the body, he stated that it would have a board made up of representatives of the various security agencies with a Director General appointed by the governor.
Within the week under review, many legislators intensified their constituency project activities. In Ogu Bolo, member representing the area in the Assembly, Hon. Evans Bipi took journalists round some ongoing projects under his 2017 constituency project.
Bipi who was at Bolo to inspect the level of work done at the Bolo Mini-Stadium assured the people of the area of more dividends of democracy and effective representation.
Member representing Port Harcourt constituency II in the House, Hon. Tonye Adoki Smart carried out a sensitisation programme last weekend as he called on all Ijaws to support Governor Wike’s second term bid.
Hon. Adoki reminded the Ijaws in Rivers State that Wike had touched all riverine communities, as there was no part left in his developmental agenda.
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