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Stop De-Marketing Rivers, Wike Tells Indigenes …As Buhari Commissions PH Int’l Airport Terminal …Amaechi Conspicuously Missing At Event
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on prominent Rivers indigenes and Nigerians to stop de-marketing the state.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal, Omagwa, yesterday, by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Rivers State governor said that it was in the best interest of the entire South-South region for investments to flow into Rivers State.
He said: “I urge all of us who are from Rivers State and others from Nigeria to market Rivers State and not de-market it.
“With this, people will come and invest in the state. Other airlines will also operate from this airport”.
Wike said that Rivers State was safe and secure for investments, hence, the execution of key projects without hitches.
He said: “What has happened today showcases the fact that Rivers State is safe, Rivers State is secure for people to invest.
“If Rivers State is not safe, CCECC will not complete this project”, Wike added.
The governor stated that the people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta were happy with the completion of the Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal.
“What you are doing today will boost Rivers economy and create investment opportunities”, he said.
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to complete the domestic terminal of the Port Harcourt International Airport in line with his pledge.
Wike approved the construction of the five kilometres transit road into the International Airport Terminal vicinity.
Commissioning the Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal, President Muhammadu Buhari said that it represents a significant landmark for international air travellers, particularly those from Rivers State.
Buhari said that since the 1970s and early 1980s, not much was done to increase passenger handling capacity of the nation’s airports.
The terminal was built by the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company Nigeria Limited as part of the $500million concessional loan from the Export–Import Bank of China.
Buhari landed about 12.30 pm and was driven in a convoy to the location of the new terminal.
Speaking at the ceremony, Buhari said the Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal would play a significant role in promoting economic prosperity of Rivers State.
He said the new terminal would increase passenger growth as well as facilitate the movement of cargo.
Buhari said the facility would bring the airport to international standard to create economic growth for Rivers State as well as the country.
He said the concession of four international airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt will improve infrastructure in Nigeria.
He said the construction of new terminals would be linked to the Warri Rail Line.
Buhari said government is making deliberate efforts to increase handling capacities and infrastructure of the nation’s transport sector which was not taken care of since the 70s and 80s when they were built.
He said it was part of his promises to upgrade Nigeria’s transport infrastructure in all geo political zones of the country.
The president said:” Today’s commissioning is a significant landmark for international travellers especially those in the South-South region.
“Not much was done after these airports were built in the 70s and 80s to increase handling capacity of the airports and so we needed to take decisive steps to ensure that our terminals meet the minimum international global standards.
“In the 2017 budget, I promised to upgrade Nigeria’s transport and complete a number projects that will be beneficiary to the nation economically and these include construction of new terminals, railways and power projects.
“Today’s commissioning is a direct policy to sustain economic growth in all geo political zones of the country,” the president said.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Aviation, Hon Hadi Sirika said the project commenced in 2014 and was inherited from the previous administration at 30 per cent completion in 2015.
He said despite the inherent challenges associated with the project, Buhari gave approval for the lapses to be corrected.
Sirika listed the challenges to include: inadequate power supply, litigation, lack of apron space which have been addressed.
He said that seven million passengers would be processed annually at the Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal, a figure which he noted, was 15 times higher than the air-passenger traffic capacity of Ghana.
Sirika said that the Buhari administration inherited the project at about 30 per cent completion stage.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has been commended over the completion of the Port Harcourt Airport terminal and its inauguration by President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday.
The terminal building which is 25, 163 square meters was built by Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Nigeria Limited.
The contract was signed on December 3, 2012 at a cost of $111,168,752. Work began on the project on March 1, 2014.
It was learnt that 85 per cent of contract sum came from Export-Import Bank of China as concessional loan while 15 per cent of the sum came as counterpart fund from the Federal Government.
The project was stalled, until Buhari directed that it must be completed.
The main work in the contract included a two storey terminal building, the cargo terminal, the apron, external and other ancillary works.
In his remarks, the Nyeweli Omagwa, King Achimele Amadi, commended the Federal Government for the smooth completion of the new terminal.
“I have been on the throne for four years now and this is the first time I have seen the presence of the Federal Government in terms of project”, he said.
“This project is a welcome development as it would boost economy and employment in my domain.”
An airport user, Mrs Gloria Aku commended the government for the completion of the terminal building, saying that total completion of the airport would be a great achievement.
“You cannot overemphasise the importance a befitting and functional airport in the economy of any nation; airport boosts tourism,” she said.
Another user of the airport, Mr Michael Dowe expressed happiness about the completion of the terminal.
An overview of facilities at the airport shows total completion of the main concourse, escalator, the checking counter and others.
The inauguration was marked by the heavy presence of security agents, traditional rulers and politicians.
The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was absent at the commissioning of the new International Wing at the Port Harcourt Airport, yesterday.
Amaechi, who is the Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State was conspicuously missing at the event.
Pictures circulated in the social media, however, indicated that Amaechi was in Ibadan attending a Town Hall meeting organised by the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, President Mohammadu Buhari was received by Rivers state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike in company of other leaders of the People’s Democratic Party in Rivers State.
All Rivers State senators, including Andrew Uchendu, Magnus Abe, Osi Ideozu as well as the Director General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside led other APC leaders to welcome Buhari.
According to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) brochure for the commissioning exercise, “The New Port Harcourt Airport Terminal building is built by CCECC Nigeria Ltd.
“The contract sum of the project is $111, 168, 752, 55; 85 per cent of the contract sum came from Export-Import Bank of China as a concessional loan, while 15 per cent of the amount came as counterpart funding from the government of Nigeria.
“The contract was signed on December 3, 2012, but large scale construction commenced on March 1, 2014”.
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.