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Wike Orders Arrest Of Filling Station Owner For Illegal Oil Bunkering In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has directed the security agencies to arrest the owner of a filling station involved in illegal oil bunkering in Port Harcourt
The governor said government will ensure the prosecution of the owner of the filling station to demonstrate the resolve to reduce illegal oil bunkering activities in the state to the barest minimum.
Wike made this known at the flag-off of the construction of internal roads in Omagwa, which was performed by former governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang, last Saturday.
In keeping with the fight against illegal oil bunkering, Wike said a filling station was sealed two day ago and he has ordered the security agencies to identify the owner and arrest him for prosecution.
“If I hear of any filling station involved in oil bunkering, I will close that filling station. Therefore, I have directed the security agencies to identify who has that filling station in Diobu, arrest that person and we are going to prosecute the person. It doesn’t matter how highly placed that person is.
“Some of you should be used to teach a lesson. We cannot allow oil bunkering. We will reduce it to the barest minimum. So, I have ordered the security agencies to identify who owns that filling station that was sealed up two days ago and arrest the owner. Let him tell us why he is involved in oil bunkering.”
Rivers State governor maintained that his administration has been spending huge resources to guarantee safety of lives and property, hence, will not hesitate to clamp down on any group of individuals who want to destabilise the State.
“If I hear anybody holding meeting, whether in the restaurant, whether in the hotel and I find out that cultists are there, we will invade that place. I will not give anybody breathing space to organise yourselves to attack. I will not agree.”
The governor also said all those who have been patronised by his administration with one contract or the other, and have now severed camp with him should stay clear from his interest or be ready to face his fireworks.
“If anybody fights our system, we will fight the person back. The moment you claim to be working with us and tomorrow, you shift to our enemy, we will take every might we have, we will even leave our enemies and finish you first.”
Wike urged Rivers electorate to be decisive in giving their votes to those who will work for the greatness of the state and deliver to them dividend of democracy.
“Our people should not allow politicians to deceive them. This time around, vote for those who will make the state to be great. Vote for those who will deliver the dividends of democracy, those who have the passion, who are committed to make sure that this state works.”
He told PDP National Assembly candidates in the state not to take the votes of the electorate for granted.
He stressed that should they be found of doubtful stand, they could be denied electoral victory.
Governor Wike, used the occasion to commend the Ikwerre Local Government Area Chairman, Engr. Samuel Nwanosike, for his steadfastness and support over the years.
Performing the flag-off, former governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang, noted the unprecedented massive infrastructural contributions of Wike that has changed the landscape of the state.
Jang, who lamented the mismanagement of the national economy, said even in the twilight of his administration, Wike has continued to keep faith with Rivers people by commissioning and flagging off new projects.
“At this point, in our nationhood, Nigeria is down with inflation that rates over 18%. Foreign reserves are dwindling by the day, and external debts are at high time. We have no infrastructure to show for it. No commensurate economic growth. But here we are, On the 20th day of August 2022, in the Peoples Democratic Party administration in River State, celebrating good governance in the twilight of his (Wike) this administration.”
The former Plateau State governor commended governor Wike for contesting the PDP presidential primaries and support for the party since 2015.
He urged the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to close ranks with governor Wike’s formidable supporters in order to guarantee the electoral victory of the party in the 2023 general election.
“I want to call of our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to close ranks with all members, particularly members of your (Wike) group of which I’m proudly one. Doing this will guarantee victory in 2023 general election.
“These men and women, as I have said, worked hard to build this party and they cannot just wished away overnight. We need to come together, settle our differences by recognising that you need each and every one of us for you to win the general election.”
Providing the description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr Dakorinama George-Kelly said the internal roads in Omagwa clan are 12 in number, all interconnected and will be completed in 10 months.
According to him, the total length of the roads is 10.95km, with two separate width size of 8.3meters and 7.3meter and have 21.9km of drains.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.