News
…Slams FG Over Environmental Disaster Management …Swears-in New HOS
Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Rivers
State, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, has lashed out at the Federal Government,
saying the measures it put in place to combat environmental challenges in the
country are gassy.
The governor, who was speaking against the backdrop of
worrisome environmental degradation, and rampaging floods in the Niger Delta,
wants the Federal Government to quickly put in place ‘’workable measures’’ that
would adequately address the growing problems of environmental degradation and
flooding in the region and the country as a whole.
Amaechi passed this seeming ‘Save Our Souls’ message to the
authorities in Abuja, through the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology.
Members of the committee, led by the Chairman, Dr. Bukola
Saraki, had paid the governor a courtesy visit at the
Government House, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, where Governor
Amaechi argued that if adequate measures were not urgently put in place to
address the problems suffered by oil producing communities in the region,
‘’state resources will not be enough to contain the humanitarian crisis that
will arise from official inaction’’.
According to the chairman of the governors’ forum, ‘’we all
know that derivation funds are paid to the states, but all of us must work
together and ensure that the problems faced by these communities should be
addressed.
“We should do something fast to help our people, that is why
I said, you need to champion the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that addresses
issues of oil producing communities, and that is our concern because it will
bring succor to our people”.
He said the issue of flooding had become worrisome in the
oil and gas region and called on the central government to take urgent steps to
remove silt from River Niger in a bid to address the menace of flooding.
‘’The reason why you have flooding is because the Federal
Government need to remove silt from River Niger, and if we don’t do that, we
can’t stop flooding”, he said, while thanking the Senate committee for their
concern and commitment to finding a lasting solution to the environmental
challenges suffered by the people of the region.
Earlier, Committee Chairman, Sen. Saraki had said they were
in the state as part of their oversight functions to verify complaints relating
to issues of environmental pollution and devastation in oil producing
communities in the state.
Saraki expressed disappointment over the level of oil
pollution in Obite, Ebubu, Bori and Joinkrama communities in Rivers State.
‘’We visited some oil producing communities where there were
complaints of oil degradation and devastation of their water, farmlands and
environment, and the people could do nothing for their livelihood, because no
remediation was paid to them by those oil companies’’, the Senate committee
chair said.
He stated that, it was wrong for host communities to suffer
such level of pollution from oil companies operating in their areas without
adequate compensation paid to those affected.
Saraki also stressed the need for the speedy passage of
NOSDRA Amendment Bill 2012 before the National Assembly to address problems of
compensation, polluter pays and spill affecting oil producing communities in
the Niger Delta.
He commended Governor Amaechi for restoring peace in the
state, and thanked the oil affected communities for their cooperation and for
making their inspection visit a success.
Meanwhile, barely two weeks after erstwhile Head of Service
bowed out of office, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has sworn-in Barrister
Samuel Long-John as the new Head of Service, as he urged him to drive his
administration’s bid for an efficient civil service.
Rt Hon Amaechi said the appointment of Long-John is in line
with service rules, since according to him he is the most senior permanent
secretary.
Long John has so far put in 17 years before his recent
appointment, as he joined the state civil service in 1995.
Amaechi while speaking during the swearing-in-ceremony of
Barrister Long-John at Government House, Wednesday in Port Harcourt,
congratulated the new head of service on his appointment, and assured him of
his administration’s commitment to make the civil service an effective and
efficient body to ensure stability in the current political dispensation.
“I have made the decision to stabilize the civil service.
Right from the time I took over power in 2007, I thought of putting in place an
efficient and effective civil service to ensure stability. We have chosen
Barrister Samuel Long-John as the most senior civil servant, this is not the
time to play politics, and we have taken the best decision so far”, Amaechi
said.
Governor Amaechi also charged the new head of service to
improve on the good works of his predecessor, Mrs Esther Anucha and set up
useful structures that would enhance standards in line with the vision of his
administration.
“As the new head of service, you need to continue the
overhaul of the civil service, by ensuring that it is pro-ICT. You have the
duty to make them understand that every civil servant should be ICT-compliant”,
Amaechi further said.
The state chief executive also expressed the commitment of
his administration to enforce the distribution of computers to every ministry,
department and agency to ensure full compliance by all civil servants for
effective service delivery.
On his part, the new Head of Service, Barrister Samuel
Long-John said, he would put in his best to ensure that the vision of Governor
Amaechi is achieved.
“We all know that the civil service is the engine room of
government, and we will do everything possible to sustain it to serve the
current administration better than expected”, he said.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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