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Wike Sets Record, Commissions 30 Roads In Two Days …‘We’re Delivering On Our Promise’ …Says Ogoni Clean-Up, Political Tool Of APC
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike made history during the week as he commissioned 30 internal roads in two loal governement areas.
This is in continuation of the unprecedented roll out of projects across the state. Rivers State Government yesterday commissioned 10 Omoku Internal Roads in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) .
The Rivers State Government also rolled out Okposi Road, outside Omoku which measures 3kilometers, while the Omoku Internal Roads measure 10.6 kilometres .
The Rivers State Government, last Wednesday, rolled out 19 internal roads constructed by the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike in Elele-Alimini Town, Emohua Local Government Area.
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose jointly commissioned the 19 roads constructed by the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike for the revival of the economy of the area.
Speaking during the commissioning event, Wike said that the roads were constructed in line with his campaign promise to the people of Elele-Alimini.
He said that the remaining two kilometres of roads in the town would be constructed by his administration.
Wike said: “I thank the people of Elele-Alimini for their total support for my administration. When a community identifies with projects, it is easy to execute projects for them.
“As a result of the peace and unity in the area, we are going to give you a traditional stool as requested by the Elele-Alimini council of chiefs”.
The governor urged the people to protect their permanent voters’ cards, so that they could vote credible leaders.
“With these projects, we are telling the world that we are prepared for governance. We didn’t come up with excuses. We are a government that fulfills promises”, he said.
He charged the people of Emohua Local Government Area not to allow themselves to be deceived by the fake promises of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Commissioning the roads, Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose lauded Wike for his commitment to the development of the state.
He said that the roads commissioned would help in growing the economy of the area, and urged the people of Rivers State to remain supportive of the PDP as APC has failed woefully.
The Ekiti State governor berated the APC-led Federal Government for deploying huge funds to rig the Ekiti State Governorship Election, adding that irrespective of the deployment of funds, the APC would lose the election.
He added that Nigerians would sack President Muhammadu Buhari next year because of his failure in governance.
The state Works Commissioner, Hon Dumnamene Dekor said the 19 roads completed by the Wike administration in the area were of immense economic value to the people of Elele-Alimini.
Thousands of Emohua people trooped out to sing the praises of Wike at the commissioning event.
Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio commissioned the Omoku Internal Roads in a ceremony witnessed by hundreds of stakeholders, traditional rulers, market women and youth groups.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony yesterday, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said that the immediate past failed Amaechi administration awarded the contracts in 2009, but refused to fund them.
He said upon assumption of office, his administration mobilised the same contractor to site and funded all the 11 Roads to completion.
He said: “We don’t play politics with projects. Once the projects are vital to the development of an area, we execute them for the benefit of the people “.
He noted that projects execution in Omoku was made possible by the peaceful environment restored by his administration in the area.
“I promised the people of ONELGA that I will do everything possible to ensure that peace returns to the area. Today, banks are functional in the town and the economy has been revived”, he said.
He informed that the administration will complete and commission the Omoku-Egbema Road being dualised for the people. The governor added that the Omoku Zonal Hospital is progressing satisfactorily .
On the issue of employment, Governor Wike said that his administration is negotiating with Agip and Total to resolve the challenge. He stated members of the OSPAC Security outfit will co-opted into the State Neighbourhood Safety Corps.
Commissioning the eleven road projects, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio said that Governor Wike continues to execute meaningful projects because of his love for Rivers people.
He said as a result of the outstanding developmental strides of Governor Wike, Rivers people will overwhelmingly vote him in 2019.
He said: “Nobody changes a winning team. Therefore, Governor Wike will enjoy the constitutional second term. This government believes in transforming the landscape of Rivers State .
“I am very proud of Governor Wike and his team. Federal Government must hear that the projects of the Rivers State Governor have helped to protect the nation’s economy. Governor Wike is sustaining the economy of Nigeria through projects that have enhanced peace in the oil bearing communities “.
While warning the youths against criminality, he urged them to protect their votes for Governor Wike during the 2019 General Election.
Rivers State Works Commissioner, Rt Hon Dum Dekor said that the Omoku-Egbema (23. 4kilometres) Road, Omoku-Aligwe-Kreiyami-Obobura Road (17km) and Akubuka-Okposi Road (14.7kilometres) are under construction in ONELGA.
Caretaker Committee Chairman of ONELGA, Mr Olisa Osi lauded the Rivers State Governor for several meaningful projects that have improved the living condition of the people.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that his administration, over the last three years, has delivered an open, transparent and accountable government which has transformed the trajectory of governance from the failures of the past to one that cares and works for the people.
Wike said that his administration was delivering on her campaign promises and improving the living standards of Rivers people through quality projects and programmes.
Addressing Rivers stakeholders in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday, during the public presentation of the administration’s scorecard as part of his third-year anniversary, Wike said that his administration has judiciously applied scarce resources for the benefit of Rivers people.
He said through the achievements of his administration, the state has been lifted from the valleys of despair to the heights of hope.
Wike said: “It is clear that in the last three years our state has progressed at a rate it has never been. There is no doubt that the foundation that we need to accelerate our development, create jobs and advance our prosperity has firmly been laid.
“We give profound thanks to God for these achievements, but we also owe everything to you who are truly driving the change process with your unqualified support, encouragement and prayers.”
The governor said that improvements in different sectors have changed the fortune of the state and securely placed it on the pedestal of sustained growth.
He said: “Before we assumed office we made a lot of promises as the bases for seeking your mandate. We have also invested time, efforts and resources to fulfill these promises.
“Lest we forget, we all know the state of our state, especially the very poor state of our economy before we took over the mantle of leadership. However, despite the challenges, we remained undaunted, focused and determined to make the difference we had promised.”
Wike noted that his investments in road infrastructure has yielded positive results and improved the economy of the state through programmed connectivity.
He said: “As at today, we have delivered tremendously on all the components of the SRDP. For instance, in the last three years, we have consistently invested about 70 per cent of capital expenditure on the provision of road infrastructure.
“This has resulted in: Clearing most of the state roads of pot-holes under our “Operation Zero Pot-hole” programme; completed 23 out of the 26 strategic road projects we inherited from the previous administration; completed 72 out of the 83 new strategic road projects we initiated, while the remainders are at various stages of completion; built over 10 bridges to within and outside the state capital, connecting towns and communities.
We have “Renewed and improved the roads in several urban neighbourhoods in the state capital and revived the social and economic life of residents of these areas”, Wike said.
He said in the last three years, advancing education in the state was another promise that the administration has kept with budgetary allocation increased from five per cent in 2014 to over 10 per cent in 2018.
In the justice sector, Wike noted that his administration opened the courts, defended the judiciary and developed Rivers State into a regional judicial hub.
He said: “As a matter of fact, we did not promise to intervene in federal courts in the state, but we have built and furnished the most modern court houses in the country for the Port Harcourt Divisions of the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court.
“We have also reconstructed and modernized the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal complex. We also built an ultra-modern secretariat for the Port Harcourt branch of the Nigerian Bar Association,” Wike added.
The governor stated that his administration has transformed the health sector through the reconstruction of 13 general hospitals, completion of four abandoned zonal hospitals and the construction of Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt.
He added that the administration was successfully upgrading the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) into a teaching hospital for the Rivers State University, while equipment worth $8million have been procured for the hospital.
The governor said that the administration has directly touched the lives of the people through empowerment programmes for traders, young entrepreneurs, women and civil servants.
Similarly, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that Ogoni clean-up has become a political tool of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government, rather than a strategic environmental project to improve the lives of the people.
Speaking during a special appearance on Silverbird Television programme, News Hub, Wike said that Ogoni clean-up was only mentioned whenever election approaches.
The governor said: “The issue of Ogoni clean-up comes up during every election. It is a political strategy to curry political favour.
“If they are serious, they should use funds from the Excess Crude Account (ECA), the way they have done for insurgency. The environmental crisis in Ogoniland is a major challenge”.
He criticised the recent bill sent to the National Assembly by the APC-led Federal Government, noting that it would further divide the country and enslave the people.
Wike noted that such a bill was not necessary at this time when the country was suffering from challenges centred on sectional governance.
The governor said that in Rivers State, people would always vote for the PDP because he has developed quality projects and programmes for them.
“In all local government areas, we have projects that have touched the lives of the people. Therefore, our projects will campaign for us.
“On the other hand, the APC Federal Government has no projects in Rivers State. There is nothing on ground for them to sell themselves to the people.
“Good governance endears you to the people. We have provided basic amenities, and the people are happy with us. I am not an Abuja governor. I am a governor of the people. I stay with my people, and I know what my people want”, the governor said.
Wike said that the over 300 major projects executed by his administration have created thousands of jobs for the people.
He noted that there was a digital revolution taking place in the state with the revival of the Information and Communication Technology Centre where thousands of youth would be empowered through training and digital skills.
Wike explained that credible local government elections would be conducted in the state by June 16, 2018.
Ahead of the local government elections, he said that Rivers State PDP has made it a matter of policy to empower women with leadership positions as all 23 vice chairmanship candidates were women.
On the soot challenge, Wike noted that Rivers State Government would continue to take relevant steps to end the menace.
On the forthcoming presidential polls, Wike said that he was yet to decide on who to support, stressing that once he makes up his mind, it won’t be a secret.
He explained that he was involved in pragmatic governance which abhors white elephant projects, adding that all projects started in his first term would be completed before he starts a second term.
Wike added that the state government was developing a sage.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), has charged the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Ibibia Lucky Worika to bring his wealth of experience to bear in governance of the State.
Vice Admiral Ibas (rtd) gave the charge shortly after swearing in the new SSG at the executive chambers of Government House on Wednesday night.
The Administrator who congratulated Prof Worika on his appointment said the choice was not merely an administrative decision but a statement of intent.
Vice Admiral Ibas (rtd) explained that the new SSG has an unparallel expertise in law, policy and international governance, which align perfectly with the mission to restore law, order, integrity and public trust in Rivers State.
He said: “To our new SSG, the task ahead is onerous, but your track record leaves no doubt in our minds that you will prove your mettle. Rivers State needs your intellect, grit and unweaving dedication. Together, we will write a new chapter of progress for this great state.
“Prof Worika’s role will be critical in driving this vision, ensuring that every policy, every decision and every action is in consonance with this administration’s mandate to restore law and order, stabilize the polity and to create the necessary conditions for the restoration of democratic institutions and representations.”
Vice Admiral Ibas (rtd) pointed to his maiden address to Rivers people wherein he emphasised that his administration will be committed to delivering an effective governance that is anchored on transparency, accountability and service.
He therefore, enjoined the new SSG to brace up to the demands of his office, and offer his best service as required while also working cooperatively with civil servants.
Vice Admiral Ibas (rtd) said: “You have no time to settle down. You must roll up your sleeves and get to work with the team.
“Our civil servants with whom we will work closely to run this administration are critical stakeholders and we must work with them to ensure that the state continues to function effectively during this administration.
“To the Permanent Secretaries and civil servants as a whole, once more I will ask your kind cooperation and support as we work to achieve our objectives at this time,” he added.
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I Am One Of You, Sole Administrator Tells Rivers People …Warns Against Violence, Crude Oil Sabotage
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has assured residents that he is not in the State as a partisan actor or political competitor but as a stabilising force to restore governance and order.
In a state broadcast yesterday, Ibas, who assumed duty at Government House, Port Harcourt, emphasised his commitment to protecting civil liberties and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
However, he issued a stern warning against crude oil sabotage and violence, urging residents to resist any temptation to return to past hostilities.
“For decades, I have dedicated my life to the service of our great nation—first as the 20th indigenous Chief of Naval Staff and later as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana. I answered this call out of the need for peace in Nigeria, and most importantly, in Rivers State,” Ibas stated.
Describing the prolonged political impasse as a major setback to governance and democracy, he acknowledged the hardships faced by families and businesses due to the prevailing uncertainty.
“As a son of the Niger Delta, I am one of you. I feel the weight of this crisis on families, businesses, and the future of our people,” he said.
Ibas commended President Bola Tinubu’s decisive action in declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, stressing that it was a necessary move to restore stability and revive economic activities.
“My mandate is clear: restore law and order, ensure stability, and create an enabling environment for economic growth. But this mission requires collective support from all stakeholders, regardless of political affiliation or ethnicity,” he stated.
He discouraged attacks on oil infrastructure, reminding residents of the devastating environmental and economic consequences of such actions.
“The Niger Delta has moved beyond the destruction of oil facilities. We must resist the temptation to return to those ugly days,” he cautioned.
While pledging to uphold civil liberties and the rule of law, the Sole Administrator warned that lawlessness and violence would not be tolerated.
“We will not act arbitrarily, but we will not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone who threatens the peace and stability of Rivers State,” he declared.
Ibas revealed that he had concluded a State Security Council meeting where strategic measures were outlined to de-escalate tensions and prevent further conflict.
Expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for entrusting him with the responsibility, he also acknowledged the National Assembly for approving the emergency declaration.
“I will work closely with the national leadership under the guidance of the President. I am optimistic that Rivers State will emerge stronger and greater,” he concluded.
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department has confirmed that 10 persons have died in the truck explosion that occurred near Karu bridge, along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, on Wednesday.
The FEMD’s Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, confirmed the numbers in a statement, yesterday.
The Acting Director General of the Emergency Department, Abdulrahman Mohammed, had earlier confirmed that eight persons had died as of yesterday morning, with five confirmed dead on the scene, and four others burnt beyond recognition.
““Five people were taken dead from the scene yesterday (Wednesday). Out of the people that were injured, one died, making six. Then this morning (yesterday), when I asked my people to go round, they discovered that two had already died again, making eight. Four of them from yesterday were burnt beyond recognition.”, he explained.
However, in her statement, Isa said the Head, Forecasting Response and Mitigation of FEMD, Mr Mark Nyam, said eight bodies were deposited at the Karu Hospital Morgue, one body at the Asokoro Distinct Hospital Morgue while another body was deposited at the National Hospital.
He added that some victims had been referred to the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, and Cedercrest Hospital Abuja for proper care.
Part of the statement reads, “The FCT Emergency Management Department FEMD can confirm that 10 persons lost their lives to the truck explosion that occurred at Karu bridge along Abuja / Keffi expressway.
“The Head Forecasting Response and Mitigation of FEMD, Mr Mark Nyam said eight bodies were deposited at the Karu Hospital Morgue, one body at the Asokoro Distinct Hospital Morgue while another body was deposited at the National Hospital.”
He informed that over 30 persons suffered various degrees of burns.
“Some of the victims have been referred to Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre,Keffi and Cedercrest Hospital Abuja for proper care,” he said.
Isa also stated that no fewer than 10 vehicles were burnt during the incident, adding that the FEMD boss after a visit to the incident scene, appealed to motorists to observe traffic rules and regulations.
He also cautioned against reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and poor maintenance of vehicles, while urging FCT residents to always use the 112 emergency toll free number in the event of an emergency.
Meanwhile, barely 24 hours after the incident, another fertiliser-laden truck has collapsed on the same spot.
The Tide learnt that the incidence occurred at about 3:54pm yesterday.
The Head of Public Affairs of the FCT Emergency Management Department, Nkechi Isa, confirmed the accident in a statement, stating that the truck collided with a Hijet and a dump truck, adding that no life was lost.
She cautioned road users to drive with caution as the Federal Road Safety Corps was making efforts to tow away the affected vehicles, to avoid traffic built up.
“Another accident has occurred under Karu bridge along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway. Thankfully, no life was lost to the incident. Our Search and Rescue say the accident occurred when a truck laden with fertilizer ran into a Hijet and a dump truck also known as tipper.
“Motorists are advised to drive with caution as the Federal Road Safety Corps is taking steps to tow away the affected vehicles in order to avoid traffic built up,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, several videos showed some persons trying to clear the fertiliser bags from the fallen truck to ease traffic.