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Fubara Promises Industrial Hub For Ogoni
The flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State for the 2023 governorship election, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has promised to establish an industrial hub in each of the three senatorial districts of the state if elected.
He said one of the three industrial hubs will be sited in Ogoniland.
The governorship candidate said Governor Nyesom Wike had created the enabling environment for the state to be fully industrialised by massively investing in infrastructure and security.
Fubara stated these at the Rivers PDP state-level campaign rally for Gokana Local Government Area, at Community Primary School, Mogo last Wednesday.
“I want to thank God for this special day, it is special because God has made it possible for us to be chosen as candidates of our great party at various levels.
“I want to also thank our pragmatic and benevolent leader, Chief Nyesom Wike, it wouldn’t have been possible without his support.
“Let me on behalf of the candidates say a very big thank you to our people for having faith in us, we assure you that will not let you down.
“The Gbenemene of Gokana recieved us and gave us royal blessings. This is a great sign of victory. He blessed us because he believes in our cause.
“To the good people of Gokana, your decision to support us is not a mistake, it is based on the fact that PDP has performed well in the state and PDP will continue to perform. We have a team that will consolidate and continue with the legacies of our leader.
“Governor Wike constructed roads, schools and hospital in Gokana Local Government Area. He also provided security. These are things your kinsman in the other party could not provide for you when they were in power.
“We believe in the security of lives and properties in Gokana and the entire Rivers State. I am urging all of you here to support us to sustain that tempo, we will not fail you.
“We intend to establish industrial hubs in the three senatorial districts of the state, there is no how the one that will come to Rivers South-East won’t be sited in Ogoniland.
“Governor Wike has provided the infrastructure and security, you will now have the industries that will bring about massive employment and economic growth. Support us for development, consolidation, and continuity,” the guber candidate added.
In his remarks, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, berated Victor Giadom for failing to attract meaningful development to Gokana Local Government Area, while serving as Commissioner for Works in the administration of Rotimi Amaechi.
“Let me thank the leadership of our party in Gokana Local Government Area, for a wonderful job done today by bringing out your people in large numbers to recieve us.
“My brother is the one who has contributed to the welfare and wellbeing of my people. Someone who is in government and fails to bring development to his people cannot say he is a brother to them.
“Your son Victor Giadom was Commissioner for Works, this Kpopie Road was awarded but it was not completed, I came and I completed it.
“They promised you that they were going to give you a model secondary school but they failed to deliver it. I promised you that I was going to rebuild Government Secondary School, Kpor; as I speak to you, the project is almost done.
“I told you that I was going to dualiaze Saakpenwa to Kono which is about 31 kilometres, and I did it. I also promised you that I will link K-Dere with Bolo by bridge, as I speak to you, the project is ongoing.
“Your son who is supposed to be your brother and claims he loves you awarded Biara-Mile 30 Road as Commissioner for Works then, but they didn’t carry out the project. I can assure you that the project will be done,” the governor said.
Governor Wike lampooned the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for even dreaming of taking power in the state when President Muhammadu Buhari, the leader of their party, has scored the PDP government in Rivers State very high.
“Victor Giadom said they want to campaign for a stranger to be governor of Rivers State when their leader, President Buhari said we have performed very well. They cannot compete with us.
“This election is not like the election of 2019 that they went to bring soldiers and police to intimidate voters and attempted to subvert the will of the people. This time, it won’t work, the power is solely in the hands of the people now,” he said.
Earlier, Governor Nyesom had Wike led the governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to the palace of the Gbenemene of Gokana Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Babari Paago Bagia, to salute him before heading to the campaign venue.
Bagia gave his royal blessings to the governor and the gubernatorial candidate.
The palace, however, made some developmental demands, which the governor graciously met.
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.