News
Etche Chairman Mulls Reconstruction Of Igwuruta/Chokocho Road …Swears In Vice Chairman,19 Councillors
The Chairman of Etche Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Uzodinma Nwafor, has hinted that he will commence immediate repear works on some failed sections of Igwuruta/Chokocho Road in order to ease the difficulties Etche people and other users of the road encounter while plying the road.
Hon Nwafor gave the hint while swearing in the Vice Chairman of the council, Hon Ben Nwuzi and the 19 Councillors of Etche Legislative Arm held in Port Harcourt, Monday.
The Etche boss who acknowledged that the worst sections of the road are not within the jurisdiction of his area, however opined that the most impacted people using the road are from the local government area.
According to him, there is urgent need to fix those failed portions of the road beginning from Igwuruta Station Junction spanning through Chokocho junction so as to avert accidents on the road especially as we are approaching the Yuletide seasons.
The council boss, while swearing in the Vice Chairman and the 19 councillors, called for team work to promote peace, unity and cohesion so that together they can join hands to fastrack the development of the local government area.
Hon Nwafor told them that they should see their elections as divine intervention including him which justify the essence of team work and assured them that he will run an inclusive administration and will consult with them on policies and programmes of his administration for the betterment of the people.
“ I am a core Etche man who was brought up here and during my electioneering campaigns , I transversed every community in the area, so our people are in dire need of development, so you must join hands with me let us develop our local government area,” he said.
He used the opportunity to express his appreciation to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the opportunity given to him to serve at this critical time in the nation’s democratic dispensation as well as the various support given to him by the stakeholders and the entire people of the LGA, and urged them to continue in their prayers and support .
Highlights of the event was the oath taking by the vice Chairman and the 19 councillors administered by the presiding senior magistrate of Okehi chief magistrate, His worship ,IsrealRishiguzoruAmadi,Esq.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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