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Wike Commends Ariolu For Raising Bar Of Governance
Rivers State Governor, Dr. Nyesom Wike, has described the two-storey 30-room ultra-modern Administrative Building (all en-suite) built by the administration of Barrister George Ariolu, as an infrastructure structured to drive the economy forward.
The governor noted that the project, among several others will in no doubt encourage correlation between productivity and work space among teeming council staff.
Wike spoke, yesterday, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Headquarters, Rumuodomaya, while inaugurating the Administrative Building.
He was represented by the former Ambassador of Nigeria to South Korea and Chairman of PDP in Rivers State, Amb Desmond Akawor.
“I feel rightly honoured to represent him today to commission this edifice and make available these vehicles to be used by the security agencies. For a function like this that has to do with infrastructure, I am sure what the council chairman has done is not misplaced in any way but something that is right.
“Infrastructures and edifice like this defines a lot in our environment. Its only infrastructure that will drive the economy of our system and when you look at infrastructures like this, there is a correlation between productivity and working space. I’m sure what the chairman has done is to increase productivity of his workforce by making available edifice like this for them to work.”
He expessed delight over the performances of Ariolu, adding that as chairman of the governor’s local government, he didn’t expect less since the Infrastructure Governor is also an outstanding performer from Obio/Akpor.
He noted that what the council chairman has done is a reassurance to the people that he is a staunch follower of the governor’s school of thought, especially in project delivery, commending him for a job well done.
The governor pointed out that it was time to light the torch for the commencement of politics in the state, particularly in Obio/Akpor.
This, he explained, will be made possible when citizens are able to identify those who have served diligently with dedication and commitment to their people.
“Let me mention to our people, especially in Obio/Akpor, the time has come for us to play politics, that is the wave that is on now. Anywhere you go, politics is being played but the truth is that we should be able to look at those who have been able to perform, we should listen to those who will say one thing and they fulfil it. It is time to listen to those who in the past have brought us out of our woes.”
“For George Ariolu, what he has done is that adage that a lion cannot produce a pussy cat. If indeed you belong to the school of Wike, nobody should expect anything less than this from you because this is the only way that our people are confirmed that leadership is service.”
“For a Council to construct this, it could be likened to any state project in any other state but its been done. I’m sure that our people were happy when you told them that the governor never touched your allocation, that’s why you were able to perform.”
Wike further commended Ariolu for promoting the PDP through his administration’s gigantic projects, describing him as an Ambassador of the party.
He stressed that the people of Obio/Akpor cannot be taken back to the era of fake campaign promises by power hungry politicians, adding that they must identify with politicians with good results on their scorecard.
Wike also lauded the council chairman for raising the bar of governance in the local government through his developmental drive in infrastructure and human capital development.
For his part, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Barrister George Ariolu, who spoke earlier, appreciated Wike for creating an enabling atmosphere to serve in the capacity of council chairman.
He thanked Wike for ensuring that chairmen of the 23 Local Government Councils in the state operated freely with the federal allocation assigned to them without state government’s interference.
He reiterated that the Rivers State Government under the administration of Wike has never tampered with the federal allocations of the local governments in the state, rather, he said the governor has consistently encouraged the council chairmen to put on ground, programs and policies that will improve lives.
He maintained that the ultra modern Administrative Building will help to address the wants of office spaces in the council and encourage productivity amongst workers.
As a way encouraging maintenance in the council, Ariolu noted that the Administrative complex was built for specific persons, including the Vice Chairman, Head of Local Government, Directors various units amongst other high ranking officers.
According to him, the decision was taken to avert overcrowding in offices in order to avoid wear and tear in the facility.
Speaking further, the chairman disclosed that the Legislative Building which his administration inherited from the previous government would be ready for commissioning in three months.
Ariolu explained that governance and government must add value to the lives of those who are governed irrespective of the dimensions.
Furthermore, the chairman who expressed his administration’s concern in security, presented three operational Toyota Sienna vehicles to Oginigba, Rumuodomaya and Ozuoba Police Divisions, urging them to redouble their efforts in protecting lives and properties in the local government which has been urbanised through the aggressive urban renewal programmes of Wike.
He used the occasion to reel out some of his achievements in Obio/Akpor, assuring that more projects will follow as funds are made available.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.