Politics
Lawmaker Gets Kudos For Constituency Project
Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State House of Assembly, has commended a member representing Ogu/Bolo constituency, in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Maureen Tamuno for the completion of a civic centre in her constituency.
The civic centre nominated by Hon Maureen Tamuno into the 2009 budget was among other constituency projects constructed for the people of the area by the present administration in the state.
Governor Amaechi made the commendation during the commissioning of the civic centre in the area.
The state chief executive represented on the occasion by Senator Sekibo Thompson George, said the project has given a face lift to the Ogu community.
He described the project as a monumental edifice that would stand fall in the history of the community adding that, the commissioning of the civic centre is a glaring indication of the present administration’s commitment to the development of every local government area in the state.
The state governor thanked the state lawmaker for ensuring that her electioneering promised to the people were fulfilled and urged other state lawmakers to emulate the leadership qualities of Lady Tamuno by ensuring that they lived up to their responsibilities for their various constituencies.
He described Lady Tamuno as an asset to the state noting that the lawmaker has been able to do what many politicians could not do within a short period in office.
“Let me tell you, there is no limitation in politics and no going back in the game, as long as you are in. Those who are committed to the people’s heart never have enemies in politics”, he said.
The governor urged the people of Ogu community to continue to give support to their leaders at all times assuring that the good relationship existing between the executive and the legislature would be sustained, so as to attract more developmental strides to our various rural communities in the state.
Also speaking, the Ogu/Bolo local government council secretary, Mr Feberesima who represented the council chairman opined that the lawmaker has represented the people very well within the short period in office.
The council secretary thanked the lawmaker for the choice of the project in the area adding that the project has lifted the community high among its environs even as he urged the state legislator not to renage in her good representation of the people at the state level.
Responding, a member representing Ogu/Bolo in the state, House of Assembly, Hon Maureen Tamuno, said that the commissioned constituency project has added more joy to her and the people in her constituency.
She thanked God for making the day a reality, the chiefs, men, women, youths and the entire people of Ogu community for their support given to her to complete the project adding that without their approval and support, it would have been difficult to complete the project as scheduled.
The lawmaker urged them to continue to give peace a chance in the area so that sustainable development could be attained in the area, even as she promised to continue in her effort to ensure that more developmental projects are provided to the people.
A grassroots organisation known as Sir Siminalayi Fubara Peace Initiative, Friends For Good Governance, has passed a confidence vote on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over his development strides in the state within a short time in office.
Apart from the numerous development projects embarked upon by the governor in the state, the body expressed delight over the recent payment of N85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in the State to reduce the economic burden of workers and their dependants.
Spokesperson of the organisation, Chief Felix Ologara, who addressed newsmen in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area described Governor Fubara’s administration as the most compassionate, peace-loving and labour-friendly in Nigeria.
Coordinator of the NGO, Comrade Felix Nnaa, also lauded the governor of Rivers State for staying focused on the development of the state despite the challenges by detractors of his administration.
The NGO also commended the newly elected local government chairmen in the state, particularly the chairman of Khana LGA, Hon Martin Nwigbo and his Tai counterpart, Hon Mathew Dike for modelling their leadership style after Governor Fubara’s in providing essential services to the people.
On his part, the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Martins Nwigbo, who also spoke with the press assured that his administration will give priority attention to the development of Khana, particularly in providing security, economic empowerment, human capital development and restoration of power in the area.
Former President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Atuboyedia Obianime, has called for a people centred governance in Nigeria.
Prof. Obianime said this at the Rivers Liberation Summit and Awards organised by the Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide in Port Harcourt.
He said projects execution are good but government must come up with policies that will create employment opportunities for the people.
The former INC president particularly urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to revive all moribund industries with the view to creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state and stressed the need for the revamping of the agricultural sector in the state.
Also speaking, a former chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Dr Sam Sam Jaja, said the Ijaws will never surrender their rights for any reason.
“We know where we come from and we know where we are now; we know the battle we fought and we know the battle we are still fighting and one thing is very important among us, we will never surrender our rights for any reason”, he said.
Dr Jaja said the Ijaws have been known to fight against oppression and marginalisation and commended the Ijaw Wari Initiative for complementing the INC.
“What we are doing today is to honour Ijaw sons and daughters who deserve to be honoured and of course we have one of our elderly sons to tell us what we have done in terms of pursuing leadership”, he added.
He also described the Ijaws as symbols of leadership, adding: “it starts from us and it will continue to remain with us for a long time”
Dr Jaja also declared that with an Ijaw man at the saddle of leadership in the State, the people will see a new phase of governance, adding that areas neglected will be touched, while expressing optimism that the event would equip the participants to face the challenges ahead.
In his welcome address, the president of Ijaw Wari Initiative Worldwide, Somina Wokoma, said the event was to “commemorate the October 30th, 2023, failed attempt to impeach our dear Governor which marked a turning point in our democratic journey”.
“As we converge on this epoch making occasion, we celebrate the triumph of democracy, people oriented leadership and the resilience of Rivers people”, he said.
John Bibor
A non- governmental organisation in Rivers State, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force ( (NDPVF), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, has tasked Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State to urgently focus on aggressive infrastructural and human capital development projects.
This is contained in a statement released by the group in Port Harcourt shortly after her Chapter Executive Council ( CEC) meeting in Opobo Town, and signed by its Coordinator, Commander Idawari Brown; Secretary, Comrade Success Dinne Ebranga and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Lucky Ubani.
The group urged the chairmen and councillors to be proactive in the discharge of their assignment of dispensing quality service delivery in their areas of jurisdiction and admonished them to follow the leadership example of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is need for the Chairmen of various Councils in the state to ensure that they emulate the leadership style of the governor by building bridges of transformation, human capital development and youth inclusiveness in governance of their LGAs”, the statement said.
The group further admonished the chairmen of the various councils and their Councillors to put in their best in the leadership of their local areas for the well-being of the people.
“The people are in dire need of your contributions for better development bridges in terms of even distribution of development projects and programmes that will have direct- bearings on the people’s welfare and lives.
“They should include those who have what it takes to develop the areas through their contributions to move the area forward developmentally.
“We urge the chairmen of various councils and their councillors not to appoint anybody on political patronage in order to siphon the treasury of the councils.
“We would not tolerate this lackluster attitude from any council chairmen Councillors. The real thing should be done through those with leadership expertise and are ever ready to join forces with them to build a pleasant and virile Local Government Areas administration for posterity.
By: Bethel Toby