Front Pix
Explosion Rocks APC Secretariat In Rivers …APC Members Attacked, PDP Thugs Fingered …Peterside Visits Okrika, Urges Supporters To Be Law-Abidding
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State came under attack in the early hours of yesterday just as three members of the party were inflicted with machete cut injuries as they prepared for a rally in Rumueme, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The APC Chairman in Okrika Local Government Area, Mr. Christian Asifamaka, who narrated how the ground floor of a three-storey building housing the party’s secretariat was attacked, explained that some unidentified persons had thrown dynamite into the secretariat, which exploded at about 3.14am.
Asifamaka stated that the incident occurred in Abam-Ama community, adding that his office was worse hit as the entire wall was pulled down by the explosion.
“In the early hours of the morning of Sunday, January 11, 2015, some unknown group of persons threw dynamite into the party secretariat of our party, the All Progressives Congress in Abam-Ama, Okrika Local Government Area.
“The explosion, which occurred at 3:14am exactly, destroyed our secretariat, bringing down the walls. The damage was quite extensive with the chairman’s office being the worse hit.
“The All Progressives Congress in Okrika views this latest attack as a deliberate provocation by our opponents, the People’s Democratic Party to draw the APC into a battle that would destabilize our beloved local government area. This is unfortunate and the APC in Okrika would not allow Okrika to become a hotbed of crises as the PDP would wish,” he said.
Asifamaka pointed out that the PDP’s resort to violence was as a result of its knowledge that Okrika people had rejected them because of their inability to attract any meaningful development to the LGA.
“Till now, the East-West Road through which we access our community has been left abandoned by a PDP-led Federal Government while Governor Chibuike Amaechi who is not an Okrika man built a ring road in Okrika and also rebuilt the portion of the Federal Government road that links the LGA to the Port Harcourt Refinery.
“We however wish to warn our brothers in the PDP to remember that the land of Okrika has been known to defend itself and its people against aggression and that any Okrika person who brings crisis to the land answers for it,” he added.
In Rumueme, scores of APC supporters in Ward 10, Rumueme in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, were yesterday attacked by persons suspected to be agents of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The attack is coming basely two weeks after the former council chairman, Timothy Nsirim-led some thugs to attack party faithful, including the chief of staff and House of Representatives candidate of the party who doubles as leader of the party at the local government.
Three out of four members of the APC, who were reportedly attacked with cutlasses, were rushed to the Kesley Harrison Hospital in Port Harcourt, wher Doctors are battling to save their lives.
Ogbonda Amadi, who was matched on his back said the chapter was in a meeting in preparation for Sunday’s visit of the local government campaign train when they were invaded by PDP thugs who massacred them with matches and bottles inflicting several cuts and injuries on them.
He said the attack was masterminded by a loyalist of the PDP governorship candidate and former council Timothy Nsirim, who vowed not to allow APC members hold their activity at Rumueme.
Some of the party leaders are said to be missing after the attack as search party has been launched to trace their whereabouts.
Reeling his experience, Samson Amadi, whose head was battered said the APC was becoming a prey to PDP who attack them at will.
Amadi is at the moment receiving treatment at a government facility.
The APC leader in Obio/Akpor and House of Representatives candidate, Chief Tony Okocha, explained that a chief from Warri, who had come to Rumueme to be part of the APC rally on Sunday, was said to have been hit several times.
Okocha, who said he personally drove the three injured members of the APC to the hospital, expressed worry over the whereabouts of the chief.
He explained that members of the APC were almost exhausting their patience over the continued attack by PDP members, warning that his party may resort to self-help should the police fail to do the right thing.
However, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has condemned in very strong terms, the multiple bomb explosions that rocked the APC secretariat in Okrika yesterday morning.
The APC candidate, who was accompanied to the scene of the explosion by Hon. Andrew Uchendu, APC senatorial candidate; Hon. Maureen Tamuno, House of Representatives candidate; party leaders in the local government and other APC supporters, expressed shock at this latest attack, which he said, portends danger, if unchecked, for next month’s election.
“It is very sad and unfortunate that some persons in society have decided to chose this path. If you notice, there has been a pattern of violence. On 6th January, when we had our presidential rally at Adokiye Amasiemaka Stadium, you would have noted that some of our party members who were coming from Abonnema, Degema and Asari-Toru were attacked around Sama Junction. The persons who were also coming from Khana and Gokana were also attacked around Saakpenwa Junction.
“Some other groups coming for the same rally were attacked around Elele. And fingers point to the other political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We have raised these issues with the commissioner of police and the security agencies but not much action has been seen.”
Peterside, who described the explosions as an ugly resurgence commended members of APC in Okrika for their maturity.
He said he was not surprised that members of his party did not retaliate because APC members fully appreciate the fact that politically instigated violence does no one any good.
The APC candidate however linked the violence to the string of successes so far recorded by his party in the state, calling on PDP to meet the people and campaign, rather than resorting to violence.
In the same vein, Uchendu called for peace. He described the attack as a clear indication that PDP and its candidates have already lost. He enjoined the people to reject violence and the party that promotes it.
Nevertheless, the Rivers State chapter of APC has urged on relevant security agencies in Nigeria to investigate and bring to book those behind the bombing of it secretariat in Okrika Local Government Area.
In a statement yesterday, the party also urged all the security agencies to investigate last week shooting of some of its supporters who were attacked on their way to the flag off of the Presidential rally in the state.
The statement signed by state Publicity Secretary of the party, Chris Finebone, alleged that the emergence of Nyesom Wike as the Peoples Democratic Party Governorship candidate in the state has sparked off violence in the state, urging security agencies not to leave any stone unturned in unravelling the perpetrators of the crime.
Meanwhile, the police in Rivers State yesterday confirmed that the building housing the All Progressives Congress in Okrika Local Government Area was attacked earlier in the day.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Ahmad Muhammad, told newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, that the command had received the report of the attack.
“I am aware of the incident at Okrika, but the information at my disposal is sketchy,” Muhammad, a deputy superintendent of police, said.
He said that no arrest had been made.
The damaged secretariat. Insert: APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, speaking shortly after inspecting the secretariat, yesterday while Senate candidate, Hon Andrew Uchendu and others watch.
Front Pix
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.