News
Jonathan Promises Steady Power By June 2013 … Woos Foreign
President Goodluck Jonathan has said that several cities in
the country will enjoy steady and uninterrupted supply by June 2013.
Power which remains one of the key sectors the Goodluck
Administration has taken as a priority to fix has become very vital to the
economic and technological advancement of the nation, and the recent process of
privatisation of the sector, lays claim to another phase the sector is about to
experience.
He made this statement while fielding questions in
Islamabad, Pakistan during the D-8 summit of Leaders.
He said, ‘We have power projects that are going on, so
before the end of the second quarter, that is middle of next year, most of
these projects would have been inaugurated and we will be evacuating and that
time; quite a number of cities will begin to have 24 hour power supply’.
“When we get to that point, you will see that small scale
enterprises will begin to make returns, and that is the way we can create
jobs.”
“Currently, we are generating more than what our
transmission capability can evacuate. We have over 1,000MW of power that we
cannot evacuate because of the transmission infrastructure that has been weak
over the years, and very recently, the government started the intervention.”
“We have intervened robustly in the power sector, and if you
call back home, they will tell you that power is improving, and we have
promised that we will stabilise power supply.
Various surveys on business growth in Nigeria have linked
the slow pace and potential of small medium enterprises to epileptic power
supply, most multinationals especially in the oil and gas and
telecommunications sectors have complained of spending huge budgets on
generating their own power supply.
President Jonathan also in a meeting with Nigerians living
in Pakistan, regretted the devastating floods that hit some parts of the
nation, stating that it had impeded economic development, but was optimistic
that Nigeria would bounce back.
Ever since the roadmap summit on power held in Lagos State
in 2010 with President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Fashola in attendance,
the Federal Government has engaged the private sector and also through the
Lagos State initiative designed a framework to unbundle the sector to ensure
efficiency.
With these statements, it is believed that if 24 hour steady
power supply is achieved in some cities in the country by mid 2013, Nigerians
after many years of groaning in darkness and poor power supply, will begin to
move from cynicism to the hope that things can start working in the country.
Also President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Islamabad
called on investors from D-8 member countries to take advantage of the friendly
investments climate in Nigeria to invest in the nations economy.
he President made the call in his address to the summit of
the Heads of State and Government of the Eight Developing Nations (D-8) held in
Islamabad, the capital of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Nigeria values its membership of the D-8 as a platform for
economic cooperation and promotion of trade for sustainable development.
“We, therefore, welcome investments from D-8 Member
Countries in our economy in furtherance of our organisation’s lofty goal to
promote solidarity and joint efforts in economic and trade activities.
“As you may well know, the Nigerian economy is not only
expanding at a fast rate but also offers very high rate of returns on
investments.
“Only recently, we adopted more investor friendly measures,
such as a new long stay visa policy for investors and businessmen and women
wishing to do business in our country.
“We have also strengthened the Bureau for Public
Procurement, to ensure transparency in the tender process for contracts,” he
said.
The President said the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce,
Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) in June, embarked on a Trade Mission
to explore opportunities for joint venture cooperation to three D-8 Countries.
“I believe this is a cooperation model we can all build on,
not just to increase D-8 intra-trade volume, but to make our organisation a
major actor in the global economic system,” he said.
Protect The Poor, Amaechi Charges Judges …Condoles With
Sam Dede On Mum’s Death
Kevin Nengia
FRONT PAGE
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has
called on judges in the state to ensure they protect the rights of the less
privileged in society.
Governor Amaechi gave the charge on Wednesday in Government
House, while swearing-in two new judges, Charles Ndudi Wali and Iheanyichukwu
Wodi into the State High Court in Port Harcourt.
“I think that in carrying out your assignment you should
have at the back of your mind that there are poor people who are out there on
the street who may not have anybody to protect them and only the Judges can
protect them…Whatever you do you should be satisfied that before God you can
defend yourself ”, he said.
“The God we worship will certainly hold you to account if
man cannot hold you to account. That should be what should be at the back of
your mind when you are giving your judgment”.
He commended the judiciary for being transparent and linked
his Supreme Court victory of October, 2007 to the transparency in the judicial
system.
Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA), Barrister Lawrence Oko-Jaja has called for the appointment
of more judges into the state judiciary to meet litigation challenges.
Speaking briefly with newsmen after the two new judges were
sworn-in on Wednesday, the NBA Chairman observed that the current number of
judges put at 35 was not sufficient to tackle the swelling cases.
He said, “if you look at the course list of the average
judge in Rivers State, you have 20 at times 30 matters on the course list.”
Meanwhile, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has offered his
condolences to popular actor and current Director-General of Rivers State
Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA) over the death of his mother, late Madam
Elsie Godpower Dede.
News
Don’t Panic, We’ll Protect Rivers Interest -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has told the people of the State not to panic and be rest assured of the determination of his administration to protect lives and property of residents while improving the collective aspirations of the people.
Fubara gave the assurance when he addressed members of the Family Support Group, who were on solidarity visit to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday to declare their unalloyed support to his administration.
Family Support Group is an assemblage of well-meaning Rivers youths, men and women drawn from the three Senatorial Districts and 23 local government areas, with the core aim of protecting, promoting and defending the interests of Rivers State.
The governor, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, said that the government is for the youths, women, men and every well-meaning Nigerian who wish the State well.
He assured that his administration would not disappoint their expectations, but would deliver good governance and quality services across all sectors.
Fubara said it was gratifying to see ebullient youths showing undying interest in government, and were also willing to defend their votes, and see him completing his tenure without interruption.
The governor explained that so many development projects had been completed and opened for public use with many others like the Port Harcourt Ring Road still actively ongoing.
He specifically noted the readiness of the administration to flag off construction of phase two of the real Trans-Kalabari Road from Port Harcourt through Tombia to other communities; and the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
“The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly, and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this Administration.
“Just about within weeks of assuming office, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, flagged-off the Port Harcourt Ring Road project that will transverse six local governments. It will be completed within 36 months, but I think it will be completed before the time, because the progress of work we have seen is beyond what we were thinking.
“The Trans-Kalabari Road, very soon, the official main Trans-Kalabari Road will start, and will begin from Port Harcourt. That road, a lot of plans have been done, very soon, you will see contractors on site, and Rivers State will be opened.
“Just yesterday, you heard in the news also that the Governor has commenced the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road. That road was initially done with one lane, but now, he is going to dualise it. The Government has already awarded the contract”, he said.
Fubara emphasised that his administration is pro-youth and pro-human beings, and determined to maintain that level of empathy and inclusivity that offers succour to the people.
“I, therefore, want to thank you for the promise you have made, and I want you to remain unshakable. Keep your word of defending him at all times.
“When you hear anything outside, be bold, defend the Governor, and tell the people the things you know about him. Tell them what you know he has done to develop the State and the people”, he stated.
In his address, the President General of Family Support Group, Mr Henry Abraham, recalled that during the 2023 elections, they were encouraged to vote and defend their votes because the process was violence-free and credible.
“When we defend our votes, we will also defend the man we voted for. We are Family Support Group, Rivers State belongs to all of us. Rivers State is not a personal estate of one man, it’s for all Rivers people.
“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, stand firm. Family Support Group is with you. All the wards’ coordinators are with you. All the wards’ executives are with you. All the LGA coordinators are with you. All the officers of the National Executive Committee are with you. All our leaders are with you, and the PDP is with you,” he assured.
News
11 GDI Coordinators Declare Support For Fubara
The support base for the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, swelled up on Wednesday when 11 Ward Coordinators of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the State pledged unalloyed support and loyalty to his administration.
Ahoada East, which is the local government area of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, has a total of 13 electoral wards.
The 11 GDI Coordinators, who were in Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday on solidarity visit, said that they have now realised that they had been deceived and misled in the past few months, and decided to retrace their steps, and join the mass of Rivers people to defend and protect their votes and mandate freely given to Governor Fubara.
The coordinators, who were received by the Chief of Staff, Dr Edison Ehie, pledged to mobilise all their supporters and associates to give the State Government the necessary support and encouragement to deliver good governance and sustainable development to Rivers people.
They said that having watched the actions and policy direction of the governor, they have come to the realisation that sitting on the fence while detractors undermine the government was not in the best interest of the State.
The coordinators, who were accompanied by the former LGA Coordinator of GDI, Hon. Christian Abu, and Ahoada East LGA Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Handsome Ekelechi Agile, said that they were resolute in their decision to join millions of well-meaning Rivers people who had solidified their membership of the SIMplified Movement to protect and defend the governor in the face of unwarranted attacks and campaign of calumny.
They said that with their movement to the SIMplified Family, the GDI structure in Ahoada East has completely collapsed.
They warned that anybody fighting the governor and the Chief of Staff would incur the wrath of the land.
In his remarks, Hon. Ehie assured the coordinators of the State government’s commitment to the wellbeing of all Rivers people and the consolidation of the gains of the infrastructure revolution of the administration.
He said that the Fubara-led government was operating an open door policy and running an inclusive administration, assuring that every Rivers man and woman will be touched positively by the actions, policies, and programmes of the government.
The GDI Coordinators included Chinwe Okorji representing Ward 1; Henry Uhor for Ward 2; Hon. Muzan Otuza of Ward 3; Hon. Elvis Ishikaku representing Ward 4; and Hon. Johnson Monday of Ward 5.
Others are Mr. Evidence Adi for Ward 6; Emmanuel Ochu of Ward 7; Hon. Fidelis Ikebuluwa representing Ward 8; Martins Odoi of Ward 9; Hon. Mackson Ekpeye representing Ward 10; Hon. Ambrose Ile for Ward 12.
With this development, the leadership of GDI at the Ward and LG levels have now dumped the group to join the Governor in efforts to transform the State.
News
Fubara Recommits To Human Capacity Building In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed the determination of his administration to build and strengthen the capacity of workers in the State’s Civil Service.
The governor said this during a meeting held behind closed doors in Government House, Port Harcourt, with the national leadership of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered, yesterday.
After the meeting, leader of the delegation and National President of NIM, Dr. Christiana Atako, told newsmen that Governor Fubara, a fellow of the Institute and astute manager, excited them with his plans on human capital development and other development initiatives.
Dr. Atako, who is also the Chairman of Council of NIM said, “In fact, he was talking so much about the civil service. I have told you that one of our strengths is to develop capacity of the workforce, and we told him that we are interested in the civil service of this State.
“We are interested in building capacity of the workforce because we believe that if you have the right workforce, you’ll be able to have successful system. And if you have a successful system, leadership will be very easy.”
She emphasised that, “And when we told him, he bought the idea. He said he was happy about that. He wants a situation where, apart from the infrastructure that he was putting in place, he also wants to build the capacity of the people.”
Atako stated that as an Institute, they were impressed with the giant strides of the leadership of the governor, the many infrastructural projects, both ongoing and completed, including the welfare packages for civil servants, particularly the Christmas bonus of N100, 000.00.
She pointed out the distinguishing attributes of a great and good leader, which include exhibiting empathy and motivating the workers to become more productive, which she said, were evident in the leadership shown by Governor Fubara.
Atako said they also informed the governor of their forthcoming annual national conference slated to hold in Port Harcourt, which is always used to discuss issues that are of interest to the growth and development of the country.
Those in the delegation were Registrar/Chief Executive of NIM, Mrs Taiwo Olusesi; former National Vice President, Dame Christie Toby; Council Members, Engr. Beniah Ojum; Prof. Sylva Opuala-Charles; Zonal Chairman and Chairman LOC NIM ANMC, Pastor Eyo Okpo-Ene; former National Treasurer, Chief Grant Orugbani; and Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, His Imperial Majesty, Kelvin N. Anugwo.
Others are former Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly and Member LOC NIM ANMC, Rt. Hon. Marshall Stanley-Uwom; AGM, Hotel Presidential, Mr. Rex Yakpogoro; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Engr. Eze Egwurugwu; Sir Mike Elechi; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Dr. Kelechi Belinda Udeogu; Secretary, South South Zone and Secretary LOC NIM ANMC, Mr. Christian U. Abu; Emeritus Professor Simeon Chituru Achinehu.
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