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Police Shooting: Sen Abe Flown Abroad; Peterside, Stakeholders, APC, …Others Condemn Shooting
Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Magnus Ngei Abe has been flown abroad following injuries he sustained during a Police disruption of Save Rivers Movement rally yesterday in Port Harcourt.
As at 6.00pm yesterday when he was driven in an ambulance to be flown abroad under the orders of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, Senator Abe could not speak to reporters since he was not conscious at the Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Diobu, where he was rushed to after the incident at the College of Arts and Science, Rumuola.
A medical doctor attending to Senator Abe, Dr. Mekei Anyanwu said Abe was in shock when he was brought to the hospital.
He also said the Senator suffered from low blood pressure.
Dr. Anyanwu also said though Abe’s condition was critical , it would be stabilised.
“He came in a state of shock; he is not stable now because there is an issue of a blood impact on the left chest wall, an inhalation of fumes possibly from canisters. There is a blood trauma to the chest”.
The medical doctor further stated that there was an obvious swelling on Abe’s chest, saying that medical personnel would also carry out a scan on him to identify the areas of the chest affected by the Police teargas.
Perhaps in order to avert any health complications, The Tide reliably gathered that Governor Amaechi on getting the report ordered that the Senator be flown abroad immediately.
The governor’s order came barely two hours when medical personnel at the Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Diobu, disclosed that the Senator would be hospitalised for at least 48 hours pending the other investigations on him.
It would be recalled that Senator Abe was hit by a teargas canister on his chest during a Save Rivers Movement rally at the premises of the College of Arts and Science, Port Harcourt.
Trouble began when several teams of mobile policemen under the orders of the State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu directed that the rally be dispersed, claiming that there was no Police permission covering the occasion.
On getting to the venue of the rally, the Police shot rubber bullets and teargas sporadically at the participants and Senator Abe was among some of those hit by the rubber bullets at the rally.
Reacting to the development, State Coordinator of Save Rivers Movement. Hon. Igo Aguma, a former House of Representatives member disputed Police claim that there was no authorization for the Sunday rally.
He said, “we have always sought Police protection for all the rallies we have held so far. Virtually, every local government area has gone ahead and done their ward by ward inauguration and in all of them, they sought police protection and police granted”.
Aguma maintained that the body had written to the Police about the rally and got acknowledgement from them. “We are expecting as usual for police to come and give us protection.
You can see the protection that Police has given us today.
Police came to try to kill our spirit, to try to kill us as human beings”.
Also condemning the shooting, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Hon Dakuku Peterside, said the police in Rivers State had taken impunity to new heights, appealing to all men of goodwill to rise up to defend constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of association and freedom of movement.
Peterside condemned in totality the dispersing of an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State yesterday.
He said the shooting of innocent citizens as well as use of tear-gas on APC members who gathered for legitimate party activities was bad.
The House Committee chairman said police in Rivers State were now the law of the land, and thus show no regard for the law of the land and the rights of citizens.
He said: “Mbu has lost every sense of civility and decency, and it is now obvious he has learnt nothing from history. Commissioner of Police, Mbu has shown by his action that the PDP-controlled Federal Government has no tolerance for opposition and liberty of Nigerians to make their own choices.
“Impunity is an integral part of governance for PDP and those at the apex of governance in the nation see nothing wrong with it as it serves their narrow political interest.”
The legislator called on all lovers of freedom and democracy to rise up and defend democracy as Rivers State is only a testing ground for those who want democracy destroyed at all cost.
Also speaking, Honourable Asita Honourable, a member of the House of Representatives, said it was a national embarrassment for the police to move into an arena to pull down canopies and equipment used for a rally, saying the Police had taken sides.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is shocked and shattered by the news of the unwarranted shooting yesterday of Senator Magnus Abe, the Senator representing Rivers South East zone and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream).
The APC, while condemning the shooting, also called for police explanation to the shooting of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, and the alleged killing of five children of Rivers State extraction by men of the Nigerian Police.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to APC, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, said the Interim State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, did not at first believe the news until he verified it because he, like any other right-thinking individual, could not understand why policemen paid with taxpayers’ money could turn their guns against the people, including prominent citizens who are well known to them – thus, ruling out the possibility of a mistake in the said shooting.
“We wish to unequivocally condemn this premeditated murder of our five children and attempted murder of two prominent and innocent Rivers citizens by the state police command, which seems happy to transform into an army of occupation instead of discharging its constitutional role of safeguarding lives and property. This is a declaration of war on Rivers State and its people.
“We are holding the state Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, responsible for the deaths of five innocent kids that maybe our future political leaders by agents of darkness and the attempted murder of Senator Abe and Chief Okocha since the shooting was carried out by a team of regular police and mobile policemen from MOPOL 19 on the orders of Mbu. Acting on Mbu’s orders, the trigger-happy policemen had stormed the APC rally organised by the Save Rivers Movement at the College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, Port Harcourt, and started shooting rubber bullets and teargas canisters to disperse the crowd.
Also reacting to the inciudence, the Personal Assistant and Information Officer, to Senator Abe Honour Siranwo said is now battling for his life in hospital following rubber bullets shot by officers of the Rivers State police command.
The Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was expected at the event before the incident occurred.
In his reaction, Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Tony Okocha said the police wanted to militiarise the state.
Okocha, who was at the podium addressing the rally, preparatory for the arrival of the state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, before the police swooped on the supporters, said the Save Rivers Movement had applied to the state police command for permission to hold the rally.
According to him, the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, orchestrated the attack.
He also alleged that Wike had bribed the state Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, to carry out the attack.
Our correspondent reports that the police shot sporadically and released tear-gas canisters to disperse the crowd.
But in a reaction, the Rivers Police Command yesterday denied allegations that its personnel shot and wounded a member of the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe.
Its spokesman, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Ahmad Muhammad, in Port Harcourt denied that the police dispensed any bullet while dispersing a rally by Save Rivers Movement, yesterday.
He said the group was at the Rivers State College of Arts and Science (RIVCAS) for the rally when they were dispersed because they did not obtain a police permit.
However, the Rivers State Commissioner for information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, said the bullet was meant to kill the State Governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, Mrs Semenitari said, “the Rivers State government has it on good authority that Senator Abe took the bullet originally meant for Governor Chibuike Amaechi who was billed to be present at the event.
“This is disconcerting especially in the light of recent revelations that the Presidency may be training snipers ahead of the 2015 elections and that Governor Amaechi is top on the list of those to be eliminated.
“The Rivers State Government wishes to request the Federal Government and its agencies to respect the rules of democratic engagement in their misguided fight against the people of Rivers State and especially save our nation from the unnecessary chaos into which federal agents like Mbu want to plunge it ahead of the 2015 elections.”
She condemned the disruption of the Save Rivers Movement rally especially since the disruption was selective seeing that the police do not only allow members of the PDP Grass root Democratic Initiative (GDI) to hold rallies but indeed provides them with protection.
The commissioner pleaded with the Inspector General of Police, the Chairman of Police Service commission, the Chairman, Nigeria Human Rights Commission “and Mr. President on whose table the buck ends as Commander in Chief and the Nation’s Number One citizen to call Mr. Mbu to order and bring an end to this impunity in Rivers State, and restore the hope of Rivers people that they have not been marked as enemies and lamb for slaughter in their own country.”
The Press Secretary to Senator Abe, Mr Honour Sirawoo, said a rubber bullet hit Abe on the chest and was taken to a hospital in D/Line area of the state capital for treatment.
He said Abe had gone to supervise the preparations for the rally when the incident occurred at about 9.00 am yesterday.
Senator Magnus Abe in critical condition at the emergency unit of Kelsey Harrison Specialist Hospital, after the police attack at the Save Rivers Movement rally in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
John Bibor, Ike Wigodo & 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.