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RVHA Slams 14 Yrs Jail Term On Rapists
The Rivers State House of Assembly Wednesday passed into law the State Child Rights Bill 2009 with the lawmakers overwhelmingly voting 14 years imprisonment for child rapists without option of fine.
The bill sponsored by the Wife of the State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi sought for a law to protect the rights of every child in the state and thus listed the state as one that is proactive having articulated and passed necessary enactment in protection of child rights, after the United Nations Convention.
Speaking during the debate on the committee’s report on the bill, Hon Charles Nwile representing Khana Constituency I argued that the life imprisonment for child rapists as recommended by the committee was very harsh and suggested that 14 years should be given as punishment to the violators.
According to him, the life imprisonment for such crime does not give room for correction and reproof and urged his colleagues to look at the committee’s report with a view to passing the bill into law.
Also contributing, Hon. Lloyd Chidi (Emohua) and Ngozi Chioma (Etche II) suggested that the law should be in consonance with the state criminal code adding that 14 years is appropriate as a legal punishment for child rapists in the state.
The lawmakers were also of the opinion that a provision for N100,000 fine should be made in the law as punishment to parents and guardians who deny any child in their care the right to education.
Earlier, the chairman, House Committee on Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Pilgrims Board, State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and Budget, Hon Ogbonda Jones while presenting the committees report reminded his colleagues that participants at the one day public hearing argued that life imprisonment was okay for child rapists.
According to him, the life imprisonment imposed as a sanction for rapists by the committee would not be equated with the trauma and hardships children go through when they are raped.
The lawmaker further stated that the committee also put into consideration the cultural and traditional practice of the state during their meetings adding that the law when it becomes operational would do the state more good especially in moulding the future of children in the state.
In his ruling the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry who presided over the sitting thanked the lawmakers for their contributions that gave rise to the passage of the bill into law.
Rt Hon Harry stated that by the passage of the bill into law, the state is now set to benefit from the United Nations Children Funds adding that the state had in the past been denied benefits accruing to it due to non passage of the law.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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