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Wike Signs 2022 Budget Of N483.1bn Into Law …As Gov’s Dev Strides Excite RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has assured that his administration would mobilise resources towards achieving 80percent implementation of the 2022 budget.
The governor gave the assurance shortly after signing into law the Rivers State Appropriation Law No. 11, 2021 at the Executive Chamber of Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
“By the grace of God, we’ll hit the ground running from January 1. And so, we think that what you have done is to give support to the Executive Council to render good services to the people of the state.”
Wike hinted that as a political year, 2022 would also be turbulent politically and would require so much attention in that regard.
He noted that the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the 2021 Electoral Act Amendment Bill would have ripple effect on the polity, particularly if the National Assembly decides to override his veto.
“So, next year will be politically turbulent, and it will affect performance of every budget. But I pray to God that it shouldn’t be much, so that we will be able to execute the necessary plans and good projects we have for our people.”
Despite all these, Wike said his administration would remain focused in providing services to the state and its people.
According to the governor, everything would be put in place to ensure the state has the enabling resources to execute and implement what is provided for in the budget.
“I must sincerely thank and assure you that we will do all we can to make sure we achieve not less than 80percent of the implementation of the budget, believing that God willing, we will get the necessary resources.”
Wike thanked the state lawmakers for quick passage of the Appropriation Bill and continual support in the provision of sustained good governance in the state.
In his remarks, Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani acknowledged the robust collaboration that has existed between the Executive and the Legislature.
He described the efforts of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike in providing good governance and delivery of quality projects for the overall benefits of Rivers people, as exceptional.
The speaker, said the Rivers State House of Assembly was pleased with the developmental strides of the governor, and faulted critics of Governor Wike for their deficiencies in hindsight over practical leadership ideals.
Ibani pointed out that those who criticised Wike for the numerous flyover projects did not understand the real value of the projects in modern urbanisation, free flow of traffic, and ease of doing bussines in the state.
The speaker said the Rivers State House of Assembly will continue to give its support to the Rivers State governor to succeed in his numerous development projects.
Ibani said most critics of the projects of the Wike administration, particularly the flyovers, lack hindsight about the overall derivable benefits.
According to him, there is reduced travel time occasioned by the flyovers on Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, which is real value added to quantum of time used in doing business.
The speaker noted that Wike has brought dynamism to governance in applying practical ideas and solutions to problems besetting the society.
Presenting the Rivers State Appropriation Law No. 11, 2021 to the governor for his assent, Leader of the House, Hon. Martins Amaewhule said lawmakers sat, and studied the various estimates before passing same.
According to him, given how the previous budgets have been implemented, they were sure that the current appropriation law would be implemented to consolidate the successes already achieved.
By: Taneh Beemene
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.