News
…Says Nothing Is Too Difficult To Accomplish For Nigerians …Blames NASS For Abandoned Projects
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that his administration has proven that through budgetary integrity, commitment and prudence nothing was too difficult to achieve in governance for Nigerians.
Wike spoke at the inauguration of the 72-bed Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Port Harcourt, performed by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, last Monday.
The governor noted that seamlessly, his administration delivered the centre within agreed timeline of 14 months for the good of Rivers people and Nigerians at large.
He noted that one of the reasons why the Federal Government projects take years to accomplish was because the National Assembly often allocate paltry funds to projects earmarked for execution every fiscal year when it knows that such funds were grossly inadequate to achieve any meaningful milestone.
Wike stated that such practice has continued to encourage the abandonment of projects, and promoted inadequacy in terms of governance, project delivery and public service.
“For a project that will cost N26billion; you are putting N500milion in the budget for one year. Then, it will now take you more than 20 years to achieve it. By then, the cost will move up from N26billion to one hundred and something billion Naira.
“That is why you see in this country abandonment of projects. If we are serious in this country to say that we will get the best, I can tell you that it is not impossible.”
Wike stressed that the Rivers people deserves the best, which, is why the best quality has been delivered at the centre, similar to the best quality delivered on all other projects.
He mocked those who said they had set out to build the Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital that never came to limelight despite the huge fund put in that venture.
Wike explained that already, there was partnership arrangement going on based on the strength of the understanding brokered with the United States Consul General, Mr Will Stevens.
The governor said Stevens had visited the hospital, and was currently making contacts with people who know how best to run hospitals profitably, which would be considered to take over the operations of the centre.
He also explained that the facility was named after Dr. Peter Odili because he was one Rivers leader who had operated one of the best clinics in the state, served as governor meritoriously, and now contributing to medical education in the state.
The governor expressed joy over the accomplishment of the centre, and stated that it stands as a report card and evidence of fulfilment of promise made to Rivers people.
Performing the inauguration of the project, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, said it was pertinent to commend the sagacity and foresight of Wike for initiating and actualising such novel project.
He noted that the centre, which was the very first of its kind in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole, would surely benefit people beyond the boundaries of the South-South region.
“The dreaded disease of cancer and its devastating effect on its victim cannot be overemphasised. It does not only destroy its victims and their families emotionally, but renders them financially incapacitated.
“Consequently, cancer diagnosis and treatment can be said to be beyond the reach and affordability of the common man.
“So, with the commissioning of this centre, those afflicted with this disease and other oncological ailments can, at least, breathe a sigh of relief, here is succour at their doorsteps.”
He said that in the spirit of good neighbourliness and being brother’s keepers, patients from neighbouring states and even states as far as Kano will not be turned away from the God sent cancer relief centre.
According to him, there was no gainsaying that infrastructure of this magnitude are very difficult to maintain, and appealed for a positive paradigm shift in attitude towards maintenance culture.
“We call upon the incoming administration and the people of Rivers State to own this improved infrastructure by ensuring that this very vital centre is well equipped and maintained at all times.
“The facilities should regularly be upgraded to meet global standards. The staff should be trained, retrained and updated on latest medical technology and innovation.
He also noted that it is a well-known fact that due to the oil and gas exploration in Niger Delta, some of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) may not have utilised the best global practices in their exploration in the Niger Delta.
Such negligence, he said had thereby exposed residents of this region to diseases caused by gas flaring and oil pollution of the ecosystems and environment.
“It is not also out of place to appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria to borrow a leaf from the governor of River State and established similar centres in each of the geopolitical zones so as to alleviate the suffering of those with cancer and cardiovascular related issues.
“This is a good step towards saving our people from embarking on medical tourism, which benefits the economy of other countries at the detriment of ours, especially in these days of scarce and high foreign exchange rates.”
In his goodwill message, former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, said he and his family were delighted for the honour done to them with such centre named after him while he is alive.
Odili said Wike should have been a medical doctor because of the medical infrastructure he had provided in the state which were second to none in the history of Nigeria.
“Look at this edifice. The honourable commissioner for health has lectured us about the uniqueness of this centre. Everything he said about the centre is true, I fully support and endorse.
“The president of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has also spoken on it and I said that there is no medical facility in this country, built by a state government that has everything you have here. None can see your break light in your healthcare programme.
“The cancer centre that you have also introduced here, only three functions in the federal republic of Nigeria. This is one of the three. No other one belongs to state government; the other two belong to the Federal Government.”
In his speech, the NMA President, Dr.UcheOjinmah, noted with delight that Wike fixed the inauguration of the centre to coincide with the ongoing awareness campaign on cancer.
According to him, the administration of Wike has been bold in the provision of medical infrastructure that promotes public health and takes care of the patients.
In providing the description of the project, Commissioner for Health, Prof. PrincewillChike, said the centre among other features has three theatres, Catheterisation Laboratory, Radio Therapy, BrachyTherapy and nuclear medicine.
According to him, there was doctor’s quarters, helipad, modern incinerators, 1000, 1000 & 800 KVA in series to power the centre.
In his address, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Barrister George Ariolu, described the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Diagnostic and Treatment Centre as a benevolent donation to mankind.
Julius Berger Managing Director, Lars Richter, said the centre with its state-of-the-art medical equipment would boost medical tourism in Rivers State.
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.