News
Wike’s Decentralisation Of RSU, N16.6bn Release Excite Stakeholders
Stakeholders in Rivers State have commended the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for releasing N16.6billion for the upgrade of facilities at the Rivers State University in Port Harcourt.
Guests made the commendation during a Rhythm 93.7 FM radio phone-in programme ‘Viewpoint’, in Port Harcourt, last Saturday.
Speaking as a guest at the programme, a Professor of Econometrics, University of Port Harcourt, Prof Okey Onuchukwu, described the development as a timely intervention to expand the tertiary education sector and improve the rural economy of the state.
The renowned economist called the people of the state to jettison political sentiments and support Wike and his team so that the basic objective of transforming the rural communities would be achieved through decentralisation of the Rivers State University.
Onuchukwu, a former Director of the Business School of the University of Port Harcourt, said the decentralisation would not only enhance rapid socio-economic development of the three local government areas but would also make tertiary education more accessible to the people of the state.
The university don, who was part of the team that drew up the development blueprint of the NEW Rivers Vision of Governor Wike said, “The Rivers State University is a very critical area Governor Nyesom Wike had in mind earlier before he came into government, that look, ‘I am going to intervene in this university by ensuring that the campuses are decentralised and build a world standard medical college.’ That has been there. Wike didn’t just jump into governance; he had a well-prepared blueprint of how he is going to develop the various sectors of the state.”
He described the move to establish a standard medical college at the university as one of the best things that has happened to Rivers State as it would address the dearth of medical doctors in the health sector of the state in the nearest future.
Onuchukwu said there was nothing wrong in the governor’s award of scholarship to students of the PAMO Medical University, who are indigenes of the state, saying that it would encourage the graduation of more medical doctors to complement the personnel requirements of hospitals in the state.
He dismissed claims of ethnic colouration in the development agenda of the Wike-led administration, saying that “in the first place, we should commend the effort of the Rivers State Government and try to play down on this ethnic colouration.”
“And one thing I will say here is: government has done this much in this present situation. Some other governments will continue and provide. There is no way government can address all the issues bothering on development at a time and at a go,” he said.
Speaking in the second the segment of the radio programme, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Coalition of PDP Support Group of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, Hon. Edwin Ibanichuka and Arch. Meme Samuel, respectively, described Wike as a detribalised leader who has taken into consideration equality, service and justice in the execution of his administration’s development agenda.
They maintained that although the Wike-led administration has ensured the spread of development projects to all the 23 local government areas of the state, there was no way the government or any other group can ignore the need for urban renewal programme since 90 per cent of Rivers people improve their economic wellbeing in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas that constitute the capital of the state.
According to Samuel, “For access to economic wellbeing for businesses to thrive, for comfort, every responsible government would want to open up the urban centres so that the inflow of people from the rural areas and those coming from outside the state with their goods, their services would have a pot everybody can come and feed from, and that is what the government is doing.
“I can assure you, it is Wike today, tomorrow, there might be another governor. Let me tell you, every governor that sits at the Brick House will always embark on urban renewal, and in so doing, cannot succeed in Rivers State without investing in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor,” Samuel said.
Samuel, however, defended the state government on the issue of decentralisation of projects.
“You will be unfair to Governor Wike when you constantly miniaturise the NEW Rivers Vision by saying that development is concentrated in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor, while a lot is happening across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
“For example, the expansion of the Rivers State University campuses to three local government areas on its own has ripple effects socially, economically and even security wise because insecurity thrives when focus of government is not there.”
Buttressing their claims with a list of 106 projects executed by the Wike-led administration in the 23 local government areas, he said, “now, for us in the next 20 to 30 years, if there is continuity of programme by succeeding governments, you will see that in the next 10 years, Emohua, Ahoada and Etche will open up because there will be careful, deliberate implementation of policies from the school projects.”
It would be recalled that the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, had last Wednesday, announced that the state government has released N16.6billion for the upgrade of facilities at the Rivers State University.
Out of amount, N7.6billion is for the proper establishment of the College of Medical Sciences of the university while N3billion each will go to the three campuses of the university to be established at Emohua, Ahoada and Etche local government areas, Nsirim said.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.