News
Rivers Budgets N1bn Monthly For 13,000 New Teachers …Moves To Tackle Impending Floods
The Rivers State Government is to spend N1billion monthly as salaries for the newly recruited 13,000 teachers.
The 13,000 teachers made up of both indigenes and non-indigenes were presented with their appointment letters last week Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
The state Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi said that the teachers appointment was part of the moves by the present administration to ensure quality education in the state.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence- Nemi while playing host to a delegation from UNESCO, commended the governor for giving much attention to the educational development of the state.
She said that UNESCO would assist the government to undertake an assessment of the number of children that are out of school.
“Not that the Ministry of Education did not know the figures but we want professionals to make their assessment and tell us particularly, how Nigerians are jittery that about 10.5million children are out of school.
“And at the same time, every state is fighting hard to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), she said.
Dame Nemi also said that induction course shall commence for the newly recruited teachers pointing out that they shall be sent to the classrooms for training and would be deployed by September, to both junior and senior secondary schools.
She urged the new teachers to be committed to their assignment and professional calling towards ensuring quality education in the state.
The commissioner said that the 13,000 teachers will reduce the burden of teachers in several subjects at a time when in actual sense, they were meant to teach only one subject each.
She also revealed that 90% of those recruited were indigenes while 10% were non indigenes.
The commissioner also said that 9,000 of the existing teachers have been retrained in a special programme with the British council.
Meanwhile, The flood enlightenment campaign organized by the Rivers State Government has ended with a call for
people living in the five flood prone local government areas of the state to make preparations and
identify higher grounds in their communities for easy evacuation following the2013 imminent flood
prediction by the National Metrological Agency (NIMET) and National Emergency Management
Agency(NEMA).
Addressing participants at the sensitization in Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni council secretariats special Duties Commissioner, Barrister Dickson Umunakwe explained that their preparations will help cushion the effects associated with flooding.
He identified clogging of drainages with refuse, building over drainages and erecting structures along shorelines as the major causes of flooding, noting that these factors hinder the smooth flow of water and warned against such practice.
Determined to forestall loss of lives from last year’s flood, the Special Duties boss said the state government will deploy six flying boats each, in the five prone LGAs of the state for easier evacuation and a marine ambulance stationed at the Orashi River in Ahoada West Local Government for first hand medicare.
“We will also partner with the lining ministers including power, water, health, environment, housing who will provide the needed facilities to cater for the imminent need of the flood victims at the camps.
On the issues raised during the interactive session on dredging of the River Niger, which the participants say, will help stop floods once there is an overflow of water from the dams, the commissioner said such projects are capital intensive, which the state budget cannot hand, and called on the federal government to come to their aid.
Also speaking, the South-South coordinator of NEMA, Mr Emenike Umesi represented by the Desk Officer, Mr Denis Egwu called for government -community synergy to enhance emergency operations and appealed to the indigenes of the areas to harvest their corps early before the flood steps in.
In another development, the Rivers State Government says that the era of haphazard and unco-ordinated projects in the state is over.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who said this during the launching of the state partners for sustainable Development (RSPSD) on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, said that the initiative would provide the platform for a coordinated and integrated infrastructural development across the state.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Dickkson Umunakwe, also restated the commitment of the government to use the state resources to improve its condition.
He said that the government expects the various partners in the developmental initiative to work together for the common good of the state and its citizens.
The Regional Director, United Nations in Nigeria, Mr Dauda Toure, described the launching as a bold attempt by the Rivers State Government to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Mr Toure, who was represented by the coordinator United Nations Institute for training and Research (UNITARE), South-South, Dr Larry Boms, said that the organization will continue to work with state government s to achieve MDGs but noted that the United Nations was already looking at post-MDGs era.
He also stressed the need for a new spirit of solidarity and mutual accountability among development partners and solicited government cooperation with international agencies to enhance development.
Chairman of the state Economic Advisory Council, Prof Nimi Briggs described the programme as timely as it would ensure that the resources of the state were used to improve the welfare of ordinary people.
According to him, it is something that should be welcome by all concerned.
Earlier, the executive director of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), Mr Noble Pepple, said that the state partners for sustainable development which is a brainchild of the RSSDA, is a platform to ensure coordinated development in the state.
Mr Pepple, who described the initiative as one of the mandates of the agency to promote sustainable development in the state, however, said that the RSPSD is owned by all the partners.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says that his administration has fearlessly tackled insecurity headlong and created an enabling climate for smooth delivery of quality development projects.
Wike made the assertion at the inauguration of 16.2-kilometre long Omueze-Umuogba-Umuokpurukpu-Umueke-Umunju-Eberi Road project in Omuma Local Government Area of the state, yesterday.
The governor noted that while other states of the country were still struggling with issues of insecurity, Rivers State was witnessing harvest of development projects with the non-stop inauguration and flag-off ceremonies to their amazement.
“Don’t fight anybody that God has blessed. Don’t fight the state that God has blessed. People are talking about insecurity. We are talking about commissioning and flagging-off of projects. Is it easy? If it is easy, let them try it.”
Wike asserted that it is only states controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) like Rivers that has created a peaceful climate for the citizens while the government delivers democratic dividends.
“Those who say they don’t like what PDP is doing, they have no choice but to like it. You can see what the party (PDP) is doing. We are flagging-off and commissioning projects. Whether they like it or not, we are in charge.”
The governor said it is obvious that Rivers State is no longer on the same level with states that cannot provide dividend of democracy to their people.
Wike said the performance of his administration has restored confidence in Rivers people and they can walk with their heads raised high.
“Rivers people, are you not proud of your state? If you’re a Rivers man, anywhere you go, raise your shoulder high and say that you’re a Rivers man and woman. “They (other parties) can only jealous us, but they cannot do anything. We are of different class. We are not on the same level with them.”
Speaking further, Wike commended the member representing Omuma State Constituency, Hon. KelechiNwogufor his loyalty to PDP.
He also extolled him for his commitment to the welfare of Omuma people and being a trusted ally to him.
At the behest of Nwogu, Wike promised Omuma people that his administration would reconstruct the Umuakali-Eberi Road in appreciation of their support to the PDP.
Inaugurating the project, former President of the Senate, Senator Adolphus Wabara, noted how Wike has redefined governance and broken the jinx of non-performance associated with second tenure governors.
According to him, the approach to development that the governor has adopted stands him out as a much sought-after leader who should be consulted in solving critical national issues related to governance.
“With my experience in elective politics, second terms of most governors are dull; some governors will just go to sleep because they don’t have anything to offer. But you are still commissioning projects, as if you’re not even going to leave.
“Your developmental approach, your developmental plans, and formula should make you an international consultant to the failing government. Because, quite frankly, the magic, I mean, nobody knows except you. You do it with ease, you do it with happiness.”
Providing the description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, EllokaTasie-Amadi said the Omueze-Umuogba-Umuokpurukpu-Umueke-Umunju-Eberi link road in Omuma Local Government Area was another genuine efforts of the Wike administration to ease the transportation difficulties experienced by rural dwellers in the Omuma.
“Many of these rural projects go unsung probably because the residents are not social media savvy, as in the case of Omuma, who are predominantly farmers, or probably because SM activities are not a part of their past times as it is with city dwellers.
“It may shock you to know that for every kilometre of road we have built in the city we have built 12kms or more in the rural areas. This is a conservative estimate I would like you to ponder upon when you get home.”
He further stated, “This project is a 16.2km long, 10.3m wide road project which has 4.3km of drains. The roads are marked and have a total of 27 road signs to aid driving and enhance public safety.”
All is now set for the flag-off of the Abonnema/Obonoma Sandfilling project in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, yesterday, said that, “the project will sandfill 42 hectares of land that will help expand Abonnema and Obonoma Towns.
“It is in fulfilment of the promise made by Governor Nyesom Wike during the commissioning of the Abonnema Ring Road”.
The statement further added that, “The rich culture and tradition of the Kalabaris will be fully on display at the event.
“Please, note that all Covid-19 protocols will be observed at the event”, it stressed.
The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, has re-emphasised that Governor Nyesom Wike’s resolution in the delivery of meaningful projects was to establish a strong foundation for the transformation of the state.
Danagogo observed that the ceaseless commissioning of projects and the commencement of the Phase 1 of Trans-Kalabari Link Road construction, as well as the Abonnema/Obonoma Sandsfilling/ Land Reclamation were clear demonstration of the governor’s doggedness to ensure that all sectors of the state and the LGAs were positively affected by the new economic windows that such infrastructures would deliver.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Danagogo lauded Wike for always fulfilling his promises to the people, and positively taking on policies that were beneficial to the development of the state.
The SSG maintained that the construction of the Trans-Kalabari Link Road further underscores the governor’s love for the people of Kalabari Kingdom and the demonstration of his character as a promise keeper.
“As a landmark project, the governor is aware of the diverse economic windows the development of the Trans-Kalabari Link Road will create for the people, and as well enhance the rural-urban interconnection that this government is promoting.
“The potential benefits of sandfilling Abonnema/Obonoma, and the Trans Kalabari Road construction is enormous. The various links and proximity to the state capital, Port Harcourt, is unique as more economic windows can be explored in the areas of housing, agriculture, transportation and other businesses.”
He added that the segmentation policy of the construction was good for the quick completion and delivery of the projects.
“I urge the Kalabari people to always work with the NEW Rivers Vision administration. The governor means well for the economic prosperity of all Rivers people.
“We can recall that the previous government abandoned the project for unexplainable reasons. Now, irrespective of the present economic challenges bedevilling the federation, the governor has embarked on the construction of the phase one of Trans-Kalabari Link Road.
“I encourage the Kalabari people to be open-minded, receptive of this historic development, and enjoy its benefits,” he further added.
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