Politics
We’re Poised To Deliver Our Campaign Promises, Fubara Assures … Charges Security Agencies To Smoke Out Killers of Ahoada DPO
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the People that his administration will not lose focus but remain poised to deliver the dividends of good governance he promised Rivers people.
Speaking during the official flag off of Elelenwo internal roads project as part of activities to celebrate his first 100 Days in office, Governor Fubara said his administration will optimise the momentum of development already raised in the state by his predecessor, especially in the protection of lives and property.
He pointed out that the initial 2023 budget sum of N500billion was raised to N700billion; following the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly to attend to the development needs of the people, noting that his administration was already doing 80per cent of the proposed budget of 2023 in the mega Port Harcourt Ring Road project.
“ I want to put it on record that the 2023 Budget that we inherited was about N500billion, because of the very sensitive project for the expansion and development of our dear state, we sought an approval from the Rivers State House of Assembly, who graciously approved a supplementary Budget at that time of N200billion. As at today, we are doing N700billion. If you divide what we met, you can see that we’re doing about 80per cent of the proposed budget of 2023 that we inherited.
“So for me, the Port Harcourt Ring Road Project is one million in one, but because our promise to our people is more development, security of lives and property, and that’s why we’ll continue to add to what we met”.
The Governor, who described Elelenwo as his second home, thanked the people for their support during the governorship election and urged them to own up the project by giving the necessary support to the contractors to complete the project within the specified period of six months.
“As a government, our major focus, our major interest that will help us to expand the scope of development in the state is one thing; security, peace and unity, so I’m begging you, we need to be peaceful, we need to love ourselves so that there’ll be unity, synergy in the community, state to attract more development to your area”.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Chairman of Obio/ Akpor LGA, Barr George Ariolu, congratulated the Governor on his 100 days of purposeful leadership in the state.
He described Governor Fubara as an ambassador and crusader of the philosophy of consolidation of the New Rivers Vision and thanked him for appointing an illustrious son of Obio/Akpor, Hon Chima Amadi, as Chief of Staff, Government House.
Governor Fubara, yesterday, charged security agencies in the state to smoke out the killers of the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Ahoada, Late SP Bako Angbashim , who was brutality murdered by some criminals in Ekpeye recently.
Addressing the press shortly after an emergency security council meeting at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Governor, who described the incident as unfortunate and barbaric, sympathised with the Nigeria Police Force and the family of the slain officer, and vowed to make Rivers State unsafe for criminal activities.
The Governor, who expressed confidence in the security agencies to apprehend the culprits, said a bounty has been placed on them.
Governor Fubara said “it’s really unfortunate that in our state where we are doing everything to reduce crime rate, a group of miscreants portray the state as being unsafe; we honestly feel very sad over this incident.
“As a government, we sympathise with the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the family of late DPO Bako, but we’ll not rest until whoever is responsible for this act is brought to book.
“We’ve gone further to show our commitment in this issue by placing a bounty on the criminals and also suspended the traditional rulers of that locality. We’ll do everything on our part to ensure we get to the end of this matter; we must get him dead or alive; Rivers state has never and will not be a home of criminalities. I believe that the caliber of men that are heading the security unit of the state will do everything within their power to settle this matters.”
By: Beemene Taneh
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Monday, passed a vote of confidence in Mojisola Meranda as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The lawmakers expressed their confidence in her leadership at the plenary, which Rt Hon. Meranda presided over amidst tight security.
The Tide’s source reports that there was a growing tension at the assembly as legislative workers protested against the alleged plans to remove Rt Hon. Meranda as the Speaker of the Assembly.
The legislative workers also clashed with the operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) who, in the early hours of Monday, stormed the assembly and sealed Rt Hon. Meranda’s office alongside that of her Deputy and the Clerk.
Our source had reported how armed security personnel took over the complex at Alausa, Ikeja, leading to palpable tension among the lawmakers and workers of the assembly.
There are indications that the ongoing imbroglio at the assembly following the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker on January 13 has not abated.
The Monday’s drama came a few days after Mr Obasa, who was removed for alleged abuse of office and corruption, dragged the state lawmakers to court, challenging his removal as the Speaker of the Assembly.
There are alleged plans to return Mr Obasa as the Speaker, a development which has further heightened tension at the assembly.
The Tide’s source reports that when Meranda arrived the assembly complex amidst tight security around 11:15 am on Monday, many legislative workers showed solidarity with the first female Speaker over alleged plans to remove her.
“Meranda we want”, “Meranda We want”, the workers were chanting in a short video clip.
Rt Hon. Meranda visibly overwhelmed by emotion was surrounded by her security details amid the chaotic atmosphere.
Inside the chamber, officials of the DSS clashed with the legislative workers, leading to commotion.
The DSS officials, dressed in black jackets and helmets and armed with weapons, struggled with the workers at the door.
The Tide’s source gathered that, with support from the legislative workers, lawmakers had earlier forced their way into the chamber around 12:30 pm.
It was further gathered that Rt Hon Meranda and about 32 members were present at the plenary.
A short video clip of the plenary showed that all the lawmakers in attendance had passed a vote of confidence on Rt Hon Meranda.
“Madam Speaker, all members standing before you, I move a motion to say that we do pass the vote of confidence on Rt Hon Mojisola Lasbat Meranda”, a lawmaker said.
The motion was supported by all members in attendance.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, on Monday, traded words over the alleged killing of three persons.
Members of both parties were locked in battle for the control of some local government secretariats. While two persons were killed in Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government Area, another was killed in Irewole Local Government Area.
There had been tension across the state over the Court of Appeal judgment in respect of the sacked APC council chairmen and councillors.
While the PDP claimed that the Feb. 10 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure, did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, APC insisted on their return.
Speaking with journalists in Iragbiji, Korede Ajeigbe, the commissioner for government affairs and protocol, claimed that two PDP members were killed while trying to prevent APC members from taking over a secretariat.
Mr Ajeigbe also said that six PDP members were seriously injured and were currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
APC, however, alleged that PDP members attacked its members while trying to enforce the Court of Appeal judgment.
Addressing a news conference in Osogbo, Bayo Adeleke, a chieftain of the APC, claimed that one of the party’s prominent members was killed during the crisis.
He also alleged that another member of the party, Remi Omowaye, escaped an assassination attempt in Ilesa.
Mr Adeleke, a former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, urged the state government to allow peace to reign by allowing the APC chairmen and councillors to return to office.
Another chieftain of the party, Jamiu Olawumi, claimed that APC chairmen had resumed in 15 local governments of the state.
This claim, however, could not be immediately verified.
When contacted, the police spokesperson in the state, CSP Yemisi Opalola, said she was yet to be briefed on the alleged killings.
Ms Opalola, however, said police officers had been deployed to all the local government secretariats in the state to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Meanwhile, Gov. Ademola Adeleke has directed workers as well as politicians to stay away from local government secretariats to avoid further bloodshed.
Mr Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said only security agents would be allowed to keep watch at the secretariats.
He condoled with families of victims of the crisis.
Leader of the 8th Opobo/Nkoro Legislative Assembly, Barrister Samuel Nengia, has passed a vote of confidence on the Chairman of the LGA, Dr. Enyiada Cookey-Gam, as he marked his first one hundred days in his second term in office.
Speaking with newsmen recently in Port-Harcourt on Dr Cookey-Gam and the celebration of his first one hundred days in office, among other people-oriented development projects and programmes, Nengia argued that the Chairman and his team have recorded unprecedented developmental strides, which includes infrastructure transformation, empowerment, security, human capital development, payment of the approved N85,000. 00 minimum wage to Opobo/Nkoro workers’, among others.
He pointed out that his commendation was apt as the activities of the Chairman had been monitored and discovered to reflect the expectations and yearnings of the people, especially, the promotion of council staff, the refurbishment of the Assembly Complex to standard, the construction of Corpers’ Lodge, the provision of effective transportation system for the well-being of the people in the area.
Hon. Nengia, representing Opobo/Nkoro Ward 6, averred that the people of the LGA could now sleep with their eyes closed owing to Dr Cookey-Gam’s achievements in in the security sector.
He added that the vote of confidence the Council’s number one citizen would strengthen him to deliver more democratic dividends to Opobo/Nkoro people.
He admonished Opobo/Nkoro people to rally support for the Chairman to perform creditably well for the well-being of the electorate in the area.
Meanwhile, Barr. Samuel Nengia, has thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for appointing three illustrious sons of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area into positions of trust vis former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, as Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission; former Secretary of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Engr. Edward Namiesimagha, as Chairman, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and Surveyor Peter Ogolo, as Surveyor-, General of the state.
Hon. Nengia, who described the appointments as well deserved, however, enjoined the appointees to bring their leadership wealth of experience to bear in the herculean tasks of reviving their various areas of jurisdiction.
Bethel Toby