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PDP Expulsions Commissioners Tackle Obuah
Eight commissioners who were not listed among those expelled by the Felix Obuah-led faction of Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) for failing to appear before the Performance Assessment Committee of the party last week have dissociated themselves from the exercise.
Addressing newsmen last Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi and their counterparts in Transport, George Tolofari, Youth Development, Owene Wonodi and Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr Ipalibo Harry said they did not make any representation or appear before the panel, as might have been construed in some quarters.
Transport Commissioner, George Tolofari said their exclusion was a ploy to sow seed of discord amongst members of the Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi cabinet and paint them as saboteurs”.
“I see the whole thing as a calculated attempt to cause disaffection and mistrust amongst the commissioners,” he said.
The same view was held by Sampson Parker, who disclosed that he was outside the country while the exercise was conducted, saying his loyalty to Governor Amaechi remains resolute.
“The whole thing is coloured with an ulterior motive and will not succeed,” he added.
On his part, Dr. Ipalibo Harry said it would be malicious for the party officials to claim that he and other of his colleagues appeared before it.
Describing their exclusion from the expulsion as a ploy to cause disaffection, Harry added,” I am faithful to this government and will remain so’’.
Commissioner for Youth Development, Owene Wonodi stated that he did not receive any invitation, as he challenged the party committee to provide evidence of his appearance, whether in person or through a representative.
Commissioner for Finance, Chamberlain Peterside, said he returned to the country last Saturday after the committee might have concluded its activity.
He condemned the plans of the Obuah-led faction of the PDP for attempting to cause ‘’malicious’’ disaffection amongst Amaechi’s cabinet, and wondered what they would gain by fighting the government.
Peterside said their exclusion from the expusion list cannot compromise their support for the Amaechi government.
“My decision to serve in this government is based on principle and personal affection to the governor. I will go to sleep anytime, any day for serving in this administration,” he maintained.
Also, Commissioner forSpecial Duties, Barr Dickson Umunakwe challenged the Felix Obuah-led executive of the PDP to show evidence of invitation extended to him by the Performance Evaluation Panel.
Barr Umunakwe argued that he was neither present at the panel nor did he submit any document to it, because its intention remains to cause disunity in Governor Amaechi’s cabinet.
Speaking to newsmen in Port-Harcourt, the commissioner said his loyalty to Governor Chibuike Amaechi and Chief Godspower Ake-led PDP remained unflinching.
Barr Umunakwe remarked that the hallmark of a purposeful leadership was problem-solving and not divisive or vindictive tendencies, charging Governor Amaechi to remain focused in the task ahead.
He said the statement of the Obuah-led executive of the PDP concerning the presentation and appearance of some of his appointees and aides before the Performance Evaluation Committee including himself, occasioning their exclusion from the expulsion list was highly condemnable.
Similarly, the state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Gogo Levi Charles has described as a figment of their imagination, claims by the Obuah-led PDP that he was not expelled because he allegedly honoured their invitation to appear before the panel.
Incidentally, “I did not make the list of those expelled, an indication that I am one of the commissioners who, either sent in a representation or honoured the invitation of the committee in whatever guise”, he noted.
He said that “for the avoidance of doubt, I am as shocked by this development as it has been with the horrifying development in our political space in the last couple of months.
Let me state categorically that I never received any invitation in whatsoever form from the committee for the said purpose. Consequently, there would be no basis for attending, sending representation or report to any such committee, 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.