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Fubara Vows To Change Economic Growth Trajectory Of Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has vowed to sustain the drive at mobilising critical stakeholders with attractive investment portfolios in the business community to join forces with his administration to change economic growth trajectory of the State.
Speaking at a cocktail party at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday night, Governor Fubara told the captains of businesses that the economic summit will provide salient data that will assist his administration to draw up economic roadmap for the State.
The cocktail reception was organized by the Rivers State Government in honour of the participants and delegates to the Rivers State Economic and Investment Summit 2024.
Governor Fubara emphasised the need to awaken the State from its economic slumber, and assume its known status of an economically viable State to compete with countries considered to be advanced and developed.
He said, “In the real sense of it, Rivers State is noted for very special things. And what are those things? Peace loving people, people that are very industrious. Even from the ancient days, we are farmers in the hinterland. We are fishermen; those ones that live on the coastline, we are very hardworking.
“Today, because of industrialisation, because of white collar jobs, and too much of education, what we do is to wear very expensive suits, stay in an office, sign the papers and you know the next thing that happens? I don’t want to mention it!”
Governor Fubara stated: “But we need to move the State forward. We have been one of the most, would I say, economically viable states before this time but somehow, a few things went wrong, and we found ourselves where we are today.
“Today, we have called everybody. We have called the whole world. You represent the world, and we are telling you that we want to change the trajectory of our State. We want to see our State move like every other developing nation.
“Rivers State, if it were to be any other place, should be a country of its own. We have all the resources: we have oil, we have gas, we have every other valuable resource. The world is moving towards blue economy, and we have a wonderful coastline,” he said.
Governor Fubara, who thanked them, and indeed, all those who had contributed and supported the success of today which is the first day, assured that there was a bigger success coming, which will reflect in the anticipated industrialisation of the State.
The Governor confessed that “most expectations might have been met and some other things had not been executed perfectly at this first instance but the most important thing is to start a process, and that has been done.
“Forgive us where we have not gotten it right. Help us to correct our wrongs. But see to what you can do to help us move our State forward.
“I’ve said it before, and I’m going to say it again: Our own commitment is to Rivers State people first. If Rivers State is not succeeding, there won’t be a struggle for political control.
“So, let it be that I’m improving Rivers State, so, that there will be heavy tussle for political control. At least, history will remember me for that,” he added.
In his opening remarks, former Commissioner, state Ministry of Finance, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, said it took quite a bit of work to put the platform together, adding that with His Excellency giving a listening ear, the idea of an economic and investment summit had materialised.
Dr. Peterside stated that the overriding purpose is to begin to network and actually engage business minds for cross-fertilisation of business ideas that can translate into enduring economic gains beyond mere consumption.
He said, “As I was stepping into this hall with my friend, Engr Braide, he reminded me that the last time we had a similar event was over 13 years ago.
“And, therefore, it is a very remarkable evening that His Excellency, the current Governor deemed it fit to create a platform like this, to bring together business executives from far and near, coming to mingle with his cabinet, with his whole governance team.”
Dr Peterside said further: “He granted us audience, we made proposals, and he approved them based on the fact that we should hold this event. I believe that this will be the first in the series of engagements between his administration and the private sector.
”You will be very surprised that a lot of policy initiatives can come from the private sector. Private sector is the engine room that drive economic growth.
”Therefore, His Excellency considered it absolutely imperative and necessary to bring the private sector into a pool whereby you can continuously engage, interact and make sure that your voices, needs, aspirations and your desires are heard in the governance process and business growth of the State.”
He expressed optimism that the outcome of the summit will crystalise buoyant and robust economic growth and development in the State, adding that with the foundation now in place, all stakeholders need to explore opportunities created for the benefit of Rivers people and Nigerians.
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.