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Mobile Courts On Street Trading In PH Begin Sitting, Today …Wike Assures Traders Of Conducive Business Environment …Residents Hail Gov On Clean City Initiative
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the mobile courts for the Task Force on Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks would become operational, today.
Addressing operatives of the Task Force on Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said that the Magistrates would be deployed to the various locations, today.
The governor said: “From tomorrow (today), Magistrates will sit at the various locations to prosecute offenders of the law banning street trading.
“Your business is to arrest the offenders in line with the law and take them to the magistrates for trial. Anyone that is guilty will be sanctioned by the Magistrates”.
He warned the operatives of the task force against taking laws into their hands, stressing that the state government would not tolerate them manhandling any offender.
Wike said that the ultimate goal of the exercise was to ensure that there were no street traders in Port Harcourt and that illegal motor parks were closed.
“We don’t want to see any street traders anywhere in Port Harcourt. Your duty is to ensure that the streets are clean.
“Those selling corn and other items on the roads should also leave. If you want to be a trader, kindly move into the markets”, he advised.
He noted that a committee has been established to monitor the activities of the task force, and warned that where there are infractions, the operatives would be sanctioned.
The governor warned the operatives against harassing people for money, warning that any operative indicted for seeking bribe would be sacked.
He regretted that some operatives don’t go to their duty posts, and explained that modalities have been put in place to fish out such truant operatives.
The governor charged the operatives to shun acts that would attract negative publicity to the task force, stressing that all eyes were on them, hence they must remain focused on their legal responsibilities.
He said that he called the emergency meeting basically to appreciate the operatives for their excellent performance, and charged them to perform better.
Wike assured that additional 450 personnel would be employed, while more vehicles would be handed over to the task force.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has restated its commitment to provide an enabling environment that would promote business activities, just as it urged traders to be brand ambassadors by portraying the state in positive light in all their dealings.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, who led a team of directors of the ministry, stated this during an advocacy visit to the leadership of the Rivers State Traders Association in Port Harcourt.
He said traders as key stakeholders were better disposed to contribute to the development of the state by promoting the ideals and values of the state, noting that the Rivers State was peaceful and safe for investments.
Nsirim stated that traders have critical role to play in the development agenda of the current administration, noting that the construction of the Fruit Garden, Mile One phase one and two markets as well as the Rumuokoro ultra-modern markets were eloquent testimonies of the government’s resolve to ensure that businesses thrive.
He further said that the compensation to traders of the fire incident at the Fruit Garden Market was a demonstration that Governor Nyesom Wike attaches premium to the welfare of traders and business owners in the state.
“We want everybody leaving and doing business in Rivers State to know that the state belongs to us, and that when the state is prospering, our businesses will prosper.
“The truth of the matter is that there are people who are making our state not look like what God has created it to be. They will go to the media; they will go outside the state, and say all sorts of bad things about Rivers State.
“These will make people to run away from the state and making people not to come and do business here. But as you know, the person who is selling Garri in the market will make more profit if more people are leaving and doing business in Port Harcourt and other parts of the state.
“So, we have introduced a campaign that we have tagged ‘Our State, Our Responsibility’,” Nsirim explained, just as he solicited the support of the traders to support the policies and programmes of the government.
He also urged them to collaborate with the state government, especially in the on-going enforcement exercise of illegal street trading, illegal markets and motor parks in the state, pointing out that henceforth, anyone caught flouting government directive would be prosecuted.
Nsirim also urged the traders to support the government in the fight against crime by reporting criminal elements to security agencies.
Responding, the President General, Rivers State Traders Association, Comrade Victor Bekwele, commended Governor Nyesom Wike for his infrastructural and human capital development across the state.
Bekwele specifically lauded the governor for the construction of world-class markets for traders in the state; even as he thanked the Information and Communications Ministry for promoting peace and development of the state through its advocacy campaign.
He pledged the support and loyalty of the traders to the WIke-led government, and expressed happiness that it was the first time the association was receiving officials of government in its secretariat.
According to Bekwele, “We thank God for this visit and for the campaign. It is our state and it is our responsibility. Let nobody represent us in disguise. This is the first time we are receiving government officials in our secretariat.
“We are very happy and I must tell you that by this visit, our one year in office is successful. The traders in Rivers State are happy with Governor Wike, and we are ready to work with him anywhere, anytime,” he said, stating that the association was against street trading, hence it would support the task force set up to rid the streets of illegal traders and illegal motor parks to succeed.
Also, some residents of Port Harcourt City have expressed delight at the clean state of Port Harcourt, just one week into the operation of the task force on street trading.
Some of the residents, who spoke to our correspondent, rated the impact made so far very high, and commended the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for the initiative.
A resident of Ojoto Street in Mile111 Diobu, Chief Noah Joseph, said he was surprised at the high success recorded by the task force within a short period of its existence.
“I am quite happy, and I want to commend Governor Nyesom Wike. I want to commend the chairman and members of the task force on street trading for making us proud.
“I sincerely believe in clean Port Harcourt, but you see with the lack of political will by past administrations that tried it and failed, I doubted the success of the exercise.
“But two days into the exercise, I returned from the village where I travelled to, behold, it was a new city, I saw. I pray that the task force sustains the success and possibly improve on it”, he said.
Another respondent, Pastor Emmanuel Uwa, rated the task force high in its effort, and urged them not to relent.
“Governor Nyesom Wike has again shown that with determination, any government can achieve whatever good thing it desires for the people.
“Kudos to the governor, kudos to the task force members and kudos to the residents of Port Harcourt City for their cooperation, which made it possible for the initiative to record such a wonderful feat in such a short period”.
Speaking in similar vein, a trader at the Mile 1 Market, Chinonso Ekwunife, said the initiative has transformed Port Harcourt back to a clean city.
“I am very happy that all the cluster of dirt, illegal parks that used to be everywhere, especially along lkwerre Road are no more.
She stated that at the initial period, there was doubt that operators of the task force would be influenced by bribe, but rather than that, they displayed strong commitment, and urged them to continue in such a spirit.
Another respondent, Godknows Uche, said he could not believe that such areas as Rumuokoro, Mile 111 Park vicinity, Waterlines could be so clean and with no traffic obstructions.
“I sincerely thank the governor for the good result. It means that the decade long slogan of restoring Port Harcourt to back to its Garden City status could become a reality.
“What is important is to sustain the success so far recorded because those who benefit from the illegalities may not be resting. Continue to pursue the initiative without compromise”, he added.
Taneh Beemene, Dennis Naku, Chris Oluoh
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.