News
Demand Palliatives From Govs, FG Tells Nigerians …Denies Sharing Palliatives Among APC Members
The Federal Government has distanced itself from the allegation that most of its projected palliative measures to cushion the economic hardship of Nigerians are being shared among members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The rebuttal was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, when responding to questions on what the Federal Government was doing to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses ahead of the Yuletide season.
The minister admonished that it would be unfair for people to leave out state governors and blame the administration of President Bola Tinubu for noticeable lapses in the distribution of palliatives to the vulnerable in society.
He said, “That is not true. The FG is not sharing palliatives with party members. It is targeting Nigerians irrespective of political affiliations. In any case, nothing stops party members from enjoying it too. They are equally Nigerians. But we should not believe the narrative of the Federal Government targeting only party people for these palliatives.
“Remember that these have gone to the 36 states and the FCT. So, not all of them are controlled by the party. The distribution is also largely done by the state governors; even the N15m poorest of the poor initiative is also handled in conjunction with them.
“So, there is nothing the Federal Government is doing in isolation. That was why in the wisdom of the President (Bola Tinubu), the palliatives should go to the governors who know the people better and know how they would be distributed.
“If there is a problem with the distribution, especially for the immediate palliatives released by the President, we should ask the governors. The FG knows that it is not in Abuja that the people reside, it is the states.
“So, if there are accusations as you claimed, it shouldn’t just be targeted at the FG, it should also be directed to them at the state level.
“Even when grains were distributed, the FG gave it out for onward distribution to the states. So why will anybody leave the state governors and accuse the FG for things like this?”
Mohammed stated that it would be unreasonable for certain people to think that President Tinubu had not been having a sleepless night over the plight of his people.
According to him, Tinubu has never stopped pacifying Nigerians to exercise more patience as he works to improve the living standard of the people and revive the dwindling fortune of the country.
“The President said in his October 1 broadcast that he was aware that many Nigerians are feeling economic hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy. Again, whenever the Yuletide approaches, things naturally go up and that could lead to inflation in some areas.
“That is the reason the Federal Government decided to give immediate palliatives to state governors and the minister of the FCT because they are the ones closer to the people. The move is to ensure the palliatives reach them as an interim measure.
“Secondly, it is also the reason the government is giving out what we call the wage award to Labour. You will recall in the October 1 broadcast of the president where he said N25,000 was awarded to Labour.
“In the course of negotiation the FG had with Labour, the President added another N10,000, making N35,000 that they will keep getting for three months. That will be from October 2023 to March 2024.
“Those who are not working, on the other hand, were given some stipends from the N15m for poorest of the poor and vulnerable households for three months, which has started running from October to December to cushion the effect of the hardship,” he stated.
Continuing, the minister expressed a strong conviction that once the two measures are properly channeled, it will minimise the economic challenges people are facing.
He said, “Of course, we know these are interim measures. The FG is putting up more concrete measures that will ease the pains of Nigerians in the long run.
“Very soon, considerable changes will be seen. I am saying this because there are some long term measures the FG has also put in place.”
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.