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A Needless Outburst …Those Abia Blabs Against Amaechi
More than thrice early this year, Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has cause to lament the increasing rate of criminality orchestrated by low-lives along the Aba-Port Harcourt boundary lines. And so disturbing was the trend that the state government repeadedly requested of its neighbour in Abia to tinker ways of halting the near-frequent cases of kidnap, robbery, killing and dehumanisation of defenceless men, women and children.
Infact, it was common knowledge that most kidnap cases, after the Federal Government’s amnesty pronouncement for Niger Delta Militants were orchestrated by a gang of dare-devil robbers and common criminals, a situation that tended to diminish the known security successes attained by the Rivers administration. Sadly, within the same period, several Rivers people, including a mobile police man from Ogu, in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of the state on official duty, were killed, some abducted for ransom and countless others brutalised on their way to or from the ever-burstling Ariaria Market.
But what was most worrisome was the fact that, the familiar insecurity known to Abia State, was gradually extending to not only the inter-state boundaries and Federal Highways, but also into remote areas of Etche in Rivers State.
Such security breaches, should naturally disturb Governors of both states, who are constitutionally expected to ensure the safety of lives and property in their states and also fashion inter-state peace, understanding and co-operation in tackling common problems.
If in the case of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, it was the latter that came to that lofty realization, first and indeed started alarms and calls for urgent action which resulted in peace in Abia, what is there to be ashamed of?
Abia State we all know, remains one of very few, if not the only state yet, to twice declare amnesty for common criminals, among them rapists, robbers, kidnappers, child thieves and commercial human parts dealers. Buoyed down by such internal security challenges, was it not most advisable to tackle the immediate before the remote? But if while doing so, neighbouring Rivers feels a negative pinch, should that state’s government wait endlessly while human lives and businesses were being destroyed?
Yes, there are yet, no States Police but that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and which strength depends largely on the level of support individual states oblige the commands in their various domains. It is indeed that fact, that sees the police in some states as better equipped than others and also of more combat-ready work-force, complete with all necessary intelligence gathering, crime detection and prevention service needs.
Even so, it must be understood that given the limits of resources available to states, each naturally fashions a priority list based on individual state’s needs. While is not too clear what Abia’s priorities were, but it was known to most of Nigeria, that Port Harcourt was worse than Abia or Umuahia by October 26, when Governor Amaechi emerged in Brick House, in terms of security challenges.
Those were days when owing to frightening criminality, cult-related violence, senseless bloodletting and a palpable condition of criminal siege, men, women and children walked the streets with hands in the air, while virtually all vehicles were subjected to all manner of dehumanisation along major roads and side streets.
So brazen were the activities of criminals that both commercial activities and the once burstling night life in Port Harcourt were forced to a halt.
These naturally made security, Gov. Amaechi’s first priority, knowing as fact that without it no meaningful development could be achieved. Infact, the Rivers government not only fought criminality and crime to a standstill, it restored night life, encouraged re-opening of closed businesses and checked illegal bunkering which had prior to then resulted in countless loss of human lives.
It was after that feat that what is today being celebrated in the state, a Harvest of development bounties after barely three years, were made possible.
If therefore, a neighbouring state seemed so helpless over threats by criminals as witnessed in Abia in the last eight or so months, and held a likelihood of spilling over or actually spilled over to Rivers, with an equally real or apparent threat to slow down the pace of development, Gov. Amaechi did what was most germaine: Lend logistics support where needed, offer intelligence when required and fund counter-insurgence projects that seemed imperative.
If after such services, employing the obviously better-equipped Rivers Police Command, Amaechi opts to render accounts of the same to the State’s stakeholders, knowing that funds channeled to such uses were not his personal earnings, in what way did governor offend the Abia state government to prompt the kind of virulous vituperations by the Special Adviser to the Abia Governor on Electronic Media, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezie?
In a desperate attempt to ‘debunk’ the truth, Emezie was quoted by some radio and television stations as saying, ‘Gov. Amaechi should desist from creating problems between the people of Abia and Rivers States through his utterances and should instead channel his energy to serving the people of Rivers State, rather than trying to score cheap political point on the issue of security”.
Emezie did not say that when, the federal government decided to root-out criminals who had not only made Abia State ungovernable but also threatened the peace of other adjourning highways shared with neighbouring states, that Rivers State indeed lent support. Emezie did not deny the fact that men from the better equipped anti-insurgency crack squad in Rivers actually offered the intelligence necessary to free the helpless school children abducted for days and released only on independence eve. Emezie did not deny the fact that the Amaechi government’s tactical and logistic commitment to the restoration of peace in parts of Abia resulted in the return back home, of scores of Abia indigenes who had fled to Rivers both as refugees and compulsive tenants. What, I guess must have annoyed the Abia government, was the fact that Amaechi took his openness and accountability too far by voicing an undeserved credit Orji would have exclusively enjoyed as he battles re-election in his state.
And for that, Emezie fell short of calling Amaechi an un-elected Governor, and labelled him the product of divine intervention and ruling of the Supreme Court. Since then, it remain fuggy if Gov. Orji has called Emezie to order so, and for that, there is no means of telling if it was indeed not Orji’s voice that the ill-advised adviser has been echoing in the past week.
But wait. Amaechi has been of the PDP. Orji has also just joined. Amaechi is not contesting the Abia State governorship neither is Orji Rivers’. Amaechi does not require Abia votes to win re-election in his own state so what cheap political points does he need to score among Abia people or did Emezie mean Rivers people?
I ask because in Rivers, periodic rendering of accounts of stewardship by the governor is a tradition the people have learnt to live with, which is obviously strange to Abians. Is it why a simple mention of support channeled towards restoration of peace in neighbouring Abia State is today a reason for guideless words war? What is there to be ashamed of? That a state assisted another to achieve security success? Does it by itself translate into weakness or failure on the part of the benefiting state?
I don’t think so. It instead amplifies the needed interdependence and synergy required to solve common problems, particularly since the subject matter is mainly, a federal one, merely requiring states support.
My Agony is that in a bid to take exclusive credit for his own state’s insecurity clean-up operation, the Abia Governor through his Electronic Media Adviser over-reached himself and brief when, he scored such information offcier worthy to trade jabs with Amaechi, Governor of a state like Rivers, Treasure Base of the Nation. This must stop.
Among humans, conflicts should be expected but the responsible way to resolve such conflicts is not through misguided media retractions which benefit none, except the media Adviser whose annual budget, was virtually nil, and naturally required the perilous media voyage, a most soothing financial relief to line his pocket.
Rather than blab on issues he is illiterate of, Emezie should allow his master, Gov Orji tell the Abia people how much the operation to restore peace in Abia cost his government. Not too such that would be a favourable piece of advice because security vote is still a conduct for public funds siphoning, a culture Amaechi opted to break away with.
That might well be the Rivers Governor’s offence but should not be.
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.