News
Mayor of Housing Eulogises Fubara For Creating Investment Promotion Agency
…..Tasks Agency On Consultations, Town-hall Meetings
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has expressed satisfaction with the signing of the Executive Order No. 002 of 2024, setting up the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, saying it is the best news from government since the conclusion of the economic summit.
He said by taking this bold step the governor did not only act on the recommendations from the summit but also a show of promises that would be kept.
According to him, the first step on the rung of the ladder usually shows how far the person would go; the governor has proved that other things would be done.
He said: “We have been watching the body language of the governor and it is now turning to actions. Already, a lot of people would be aligning with this coming agency to ensure they are the frontrunners in accessing the incentives being promised to boost the ease of doing business. This has boosted our confidence that indeed, brighter days are here.”
China stated that investors were not only excited but they were also expecting that the selection process of the key persons to reflect the governor’s determination to get the economy on fast track.
The real estate success strategist stressed the need for tested and trusted bureaucrats to man the agency, and appealed to those to be selected to endeavour to hit the ground running with consultations and town-hall meetings.
“They have to be very sound, and the team leader has to mean business just as the state means business.
“They have to be round peg in round hole. They have to be people that would motivate and drive people to aspire to do more businesses in the state. Their business disposition and acumen and their accessibility to investors are what will decide the outcome.
“The state boasts of very seasoned and sound business technocrats in the past that have the passion to bring ease of doing business”, he said.
Giving tips, he urged persons to be appointed to get to work immediately and closely collaborate with the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), saying that before any investor would want invest in any place, they would want to first visit the place.
He said while the RSTDA would be putting forward the best of the state’s cultural and creative values and assets, the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency should be putting forward the best of business opportunities and incentives.
“With both of them collaborating, it should be able to bring in not just tourists but business tourists. Not only that, they will help the local business people to export what is produced in Rivers State and thus push the state to be a leading business hub which is the essence of the new agency and the vision of the state governor.”
He said there were lots of recommendations from the economic summit. “We expect that this agency will work to ensure that the recommendations are implemented.
“In addition to the summit which was a gathering of investors both local and international, I think the Investment Promotion Council should start conducting town-hall meetings, workshops and interactive workshops with local direct investors (LDIs).
“I have always said that the LDIs are the stimulants and the inviters of the foreign direct investors (FDIs), because when the locals are happy, they are the ones to invite the foreign investors who act on the experience and testimonies of the local investors.
“Also, it’s the LDIs that enter into partnerships with FDIs. It is very rare for any FDI to invest in any location without any local investors who are their foot and hands on ground.
“So, this agency would need to partner and implement most of the things that will excite the local investors that will attract foreign investors”, he said.
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.