Politics
RSHA Scores Wike High On Budget Speech
The Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA), has hailed the 2020 Appropriation Bill presented to it by Governor Nyesom Wike earlier this week describing the speech as reassuring and an entire development plan.
The House Committee Chairman on Information and Training, Enemi George stated this yesterday, when he appeared on a radio programme monitored by The Tide in Port Harcourt.
Hon. George, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation and lawmaker representing Asari/Toru Constituency 11 said the Governor’s budget speech focused on key areas that have been on the front burner.
“It is not just about me, I am just one person in the House representing people. But if you listened to the governor’s speech, you will see that it is very reassuring. You will see a component of an entire development plan that is very focused and key areas that have been on the front burner were emphasized upon.
“You see the governor talking about human capital development, agriculture, a huge chunk of the funds are proposed for agriculture education got about 20 per cent and it is the highest we have ever seen.
He mentioned employment which has also been an issue. So you see that this is a budget that gives a very positive outlook and every Rivers person should welcome it with open hands. We are very positive and forward thinking state. We always look where we are coming from, project deliberately where we want to be,” he stated.
On the performance of the 2019 budget, Hon. George said: “There was a slight budget performance shortfall in 2019. That is because of obvious macro economic reasons and so you see that before the governor says that okay we are looking forward and we are hoping the proposal (budget) for 2020, ofcourse you should know that plans have been put on ground to ensure that this is achieved.”
He further said steps have been put in place in the area of ease of doing business in the State, including effective Land Administration, justice administration and tax Administration, saying: “These areas have been heavily invested in by the Rivers State Government. So you see that business is looking up in Rivers State.
“You see that for the first time in the history of our state we have an almost perfect tax administration system that has professionals running it we have automated our tax administration system. We have automated our land administration system.
“So you see all of these are going to work together to improve our revenue. And because of the obvious reasons why we had a shortfall in the 2019 budget, the government is taking positive steps to ensure that those areas are looked at.
“You see that there was heavy reliance on federal allocation and the principal reason why the 2019 budget did not perform up to expectation was because of macro economic reasons,
”That is why we are taking step to begin to boost our agriculture, these are low hanging fruits that the government believes that if invested heavily in we will begin to see quick returns,” he stated.
By: Dennis Naku,Charity Opara & Hilda Okere
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