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Constitution Review: Let Popular Views Prevail, Amaechi Tells NASS; Rivers People Want Additional State …‘NASS Didn’t Rule Out State Creation’
Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, has tasked the National Assembly to allow popular views to prevail in the on-going constitution review exercise.
Speaking at the People’s public session of the 1999 Constitution review forum organised by the three senators representing the state in the National Assembly, on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Amaechi said, “it is important that the National Assembly carry us along in the process”.
He used the forum to advocate for fiscal federalism, “we believe that if they move some of the funds to state governments, the citizens will be well protected”.
Governor Amaechi argued that though agitation for state creation was not bad, that some states were not viable and disclosed that the position of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) on some burning issues would be made public after their meeting later this month.
Coordinator of the forum and Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe said the forum was to provide platform for Rivers people to express their views on the exercise, noting that security was one major area that should be addressed.
So far, he explained that the current review exercise was the most inclusive since it is geared at reflecting the views of the citizenry.
Senator Abe thanked Rivers State Government for the support given to make the programme successful, “at the end we will have a better country, and a better future for our children”.
In his remarks, Senator George Sekibo held that every constitution was amenable from the first day of its making, arguing that the 1999 constitution was overdue for review since it was made by the military.
Areas to be reviewed, according to him, include rights of traditional Rulers, Land Use Act, autonomy for the Local Government Areas, review of laws of the police, the Judiciary, Tenure of Executives, issue of indigeneship, national security and further amendment of the electoral system among others.
He maintained that the views of Rivers people were crucial because of its economic role in the country.
Senator Wilson Ake harped on the need for the constitution to reflect the people’s views, and assured that the new one after the review would reflect the people’s needs and aspirations.
He pointed out that one area that should be addressed was the issue of national emblem.
Chairman of the forum and former Supreme Court Justice, Justice Adolphus Karibi Whyte reasoned that each state should be self sufficient, while insisting that 13 percent derivation should be reflected, “the main problem that is affecting stability is the direct control of local governments. It should be subject to the states,” he argued.
Also Chairman of Rivers State Economic Advisory Council, Prof Nimi Briggs stressed the need for the country to adopt true federalism, as he deplored the current situation where the federal government oversees and manages resources from the state.
The people of Rivers State have declared their support for the creation of at least one state out of the present Rivers State. Stakeholders at the public session organised by the Senate in collaboration with the Rivers State Government at the Civic Centre Complex in Port Harcourt, Wednesday, said states should be created based on economic viability.
One of the lead discussants, Prof Atuboyedie Obianime noted that the problem of the Niger Delta have not been resolved because the wrong parameters have been adopted to create states in the country.
They expressed concern that Rivers State with a 23-local government area structure has remained the same after several years while some other states which have given birth to one or more states still have more local government areas.
Prof Obianime said that there was a fundamental error in the interpretation of the concept of equality of states which is one of the key considerations for revenue sharing noting that state creation would correct the imbalance in the country.
According to him, every state in Nigeria is endowed with viable economic potentials which if developed could yield more than crude oil, and recommended that states should control 80% of their resources and pay rent to the Federal Government.
The professor who was a president of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) faulted the present structure of Nigerian federation, which he said operated in name but was grossly violated in its application.
He called for a proper federal structure and also advocated for a new revenue formula that will reflect the reality of the Nigerian state.
According to the former INC president, only the creation of more states, based on economic viability, including the oil Rivers State can promote genuine development and justice in the Nigeria state, noting that most of the states created by the military were unviable and entirely dependent on federal allocation.
In his view, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Barrister OCJ Okocha, said for Nigeria to respond to the imperatives of justice, policies that disempower the people should be scrapped. Okocha however voted for the establishment of state police to tackle insecurity in the country.
Okocha, also stated that the section of the constitution bordering on state creation should be reviewed to give power to the people based on a referendum rather than making it a prerogative of elected representatives of the people.
In his contribution, a former Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly and co-chair of Sombreiro State Movement, Rt. Hon. Stephen Ezekwem, urged Rivers people to be united in the demand for a new state, and advised that the issue of upland and reverine dichotomy was no longer relevant.
Bori State Movement’s position was presented by Elder Justus Kotus. He supported the creation of another state out of Rivers State and indicated that the proposed Bori State would comprise local governments that make up the present Rivers South East Senatorial District.
Prof Simeon Achinewhu who presented the position of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, said the creation of states should be based on economic viability while balkanization of ethnic groups should be avoided.
Stakeholders were also of the view that there was too much power at the centre. They called for devolution of powers to the states to reduce the pressure on the centre and expedite the development of the federating states.
Alpheaus Paul-Worika
L-R: Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, his Ekiti State counterpart, Kayode Fayemi, Oby Ezekwesili and the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Judith Amaechi, at the BRACED States Education Summit in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
& Beemene Taneh
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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.