Politics
Rivers: AC Dismisses Speculation On Demolition Exercise
Contrary to speculation that the ongoing demolition in Rivers State has been directed to perceived political enemies, Action Congress(AC), says their party leader’s official residence located at the Government Reserve Area (GRA), has been earmarked too for demolition.
In a statement issued on line by the State Secretary of the Party, Hon. Okis Bob-Manuel, explained that members of the task force on illegal structures in the state Ministry of Urban Development visited their party leader’s Government House official residence and marked the dreaded ‘X’ on the walls of the residence.
He stated that the Commissioner for Urban Development, Barrister Osima Ginah, who lead the team was AC representative on Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s cabinet.
Worse still, he noted, Ginah was nominated by the AC party leader, Prince Tonye Princewill, to join the Unity Government of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led administration in the state.
Yet, the walls of the official residence of his party leader was earmarked for demolition, with a threat to pull down within two weeks, or face the wrath of the government.
When contacted, Barrister Osima Ginah says, Prince Tonye Princewill is his brother, leader and close associate, insisting that, “he did not send him to the state cabinet to be biased in his official functions”.
In his words: “I will personally oversee that the task force ensure that the efforts of the Gov. Amaechi’s led administration to restore Port Harcourt to its garden city status are not thwarted in any form by anybody including my party leader”.
Ginah, also AC stalwart, argued that Prince Tonye Princewill was a party to the decision culminating in the on-going efforts of the Amaechi’s administration to restore the beauty and aesthetical value of Port Harcourt.
Therefore he said, his party leader would not protest the ministry’s two week ultimatum that he reduces the fence of his official residence located at the former Deputy Governor’s residence.
The commissioner admitted that the walls of his official residence had earlier been earmarked for demolition, thereby putting to rest speculations from articulated quarters that the ongoing demolition was an exercise of vendetta directed at real or perceived enemies of the government.
But he said, the demotion exercise, was a concerted effort to take the state to the next level.
Ginah reiterated his ministry’s desperate resolve to ensuring the implementation of the urban renewal policy of the administration.
He expressed delight at the response by most residents in old GRA and gave special kudos to the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Bala Hassan, the National Organising Secretary of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for the quick compliance in reconstructing their fences.
When The Tide visited the official residence of the AC leader, the high fences has the dreaded “X” marks, signifying that the fences should be reduced within two weeks.
The AC leader, Prince Tonye Princewill was not available for comment, as he was said to be on a working visit to Europe.
But his Media Consultant, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze confirmed that Prince Tonye Princewill has directed the pulling down of the affected fence and its immediate reconstruction.
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