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Jonathan Assures On Rule Of Law …Says ASUU Has No More Reason To Strike
L-R: Administrator, Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, Eleme LGA Chairman, Hon. Oji Ngofa, HRH Chief Philip Osaro and Chief B.M Olowa, during a sensitisation meeting between the Authority and Aleto Clan in Eleme LGA for the acquisition of lands for the Eleme Industrial Area by the Rivers State Government, recently.
President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the leadership of Nigerian Bar Association for its choice of “Law, Leadership and Challenges of Nationhood in the 21st Century Nigeria’’ as theme for its 2013 conference.
He made the commendation in an address at the opening of the 2013 Annual General Conference of the NBA last Monday in Calabar.
Represented by Mr Mohammed Adoke, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Jonathan said the theme reflected the centrality of law in the economic and socio-political spheres of Nigeria.
“The theme of this year’s conference: “Law, Leadership and Challenges of Nationhood in the 21st Century Nigeria,” is particularly significant.
“It takes cognizance of the centrality of law in the economic and socio-political spheres of our nation as well as Nigeria’s quest for transformational leadership as we prepare to celebrate 100 years of our existence as a nation.
“I,therefore, congratulate the leadership of the bar for this initiative and for organising what promises to be a very successful conference.
“I am delighted to have been invited to present an address at the opening ceremony of the 2013 annual general conference of the NBA.
“I commend our amiable President, Mr Okey Wali (SAN), for his inspirational leadership and the members of the executive committee for their committed service to our great association.
The president also congratulated Governor Liyel Imok for being “ a worthy ambassador of the bar in governance in the present democratic dispensation.’’
According to him, Imoke’s developmental stride bears glowing testimony of his astuteness and able leadership in handling the affairs of the state.
Jonathan also restated the pre-eminent position of the law in the development agenda of nation states.
He said that Nigerian courts had done well in spite of “controversies that attend political rivalries and contests within and outside political parties, in the course of evolving sustainable constitutional principles for our democracy.
“And in the face of security challenges, the courts have dispensed justice according to the law and our constitutional evolution has benefited immensely from their interventions.
The president also listed a number of challenges for nation states whether developed or developing most prominent of which was how to ensure the security of lives and property in the face of increasing global terrorism.
He said that other challenges include how to protect the rights and liberties of the people in the midst of competing social norms and how to achieve economic development and improvement in living conditions of the people.
“In Nigeria, the challenges of nationhood are more pronounced in the areas of security, fostering of national unity and democratic consolidation.
“The threat of global terrorism hitherto, considered an alien phenomenon has unfortunately found a place in our nation.
He lamented the alarming security situation in the country, saying it had now passed crisis point.
The NBA boss also described the abduction of Ozekhome as a sad commentary on the state of national security, appealing to the Federal Government to stand up to the security challenges in the country.
He said that members of the bar were sad that “the new faces of crime like kidnapping, terrorism, insurgency, cyber crime, etc in recent times have led to the loss of precious lives of Nigerians.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said there was no need for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to continue with its industrial action.
Jonathan said this at the inauguration of the Federal Government sponsored-transformation projects at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
Represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyat Rufai, the President said N30 billion had been released for the payment of earned allowances in all public universities.
The president said that the inaugurated projects were in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to providing quality education in the country.
He said the projects were based on the need assessment exercise conducted by the Federal Government in universities.
Jonathan urged the university administration to engage in research for national development, while stressing the need for proper maintenance of completed projects.
The Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has unveiled measures to enthrone ease of doing business and win back the confidence of the business community.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, unveiled the plans at the Breakout Session of RSIPA at the ongoing 18th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre, in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Peterside said the agency was poised to free the state from accumulation of wrong narratives that branded it over the years as unsafe for business.
He, however, admitted that many things had gone wrong in the past where regulators joined to make the business environment difficult for investors.
He announced that the agency was rather focused on actions, solutions, and results as adopted in the mission statement of the Board.
“Our task is no mean feat. We are dealing with the perception risk that over several years branded the state as unsafe. We are also faced with the challenges of dealing with the lack of cohesion amongst MDAs, policy inconsistencies, multiple taxation, incessant harassment by miscreants, red tape and delays in obtaining operating permits, high cost of operations and opaque public sector,” he said.
“It is about listening to the investors in the field and ensuring that MDAs are carried along, hence the imperative for the setting up of our One-Stop-Center”, he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who represented the state governor, said the Fubara administration was ready to listen to the business community to see ways of reducing impediments to investments.
He listed the stages of actions being undertaken by the governor as outlined in his 37-page blue print to revive the economy of Rivers State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was presented at the event as a star investor and promoter of Rivers State reputation, said for the plans of the investment promotion agency to materialize, an enabling law should replace the Executive Order that established the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
He said this would insulate the agency from political instability and remove fear in the minds of investors about its sustainability.
According to him, protection precedes promotion and Local Direct Investment (LDIs) is what attracts and promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs).
“It is the rat at home that reveals to the one in the bush that there is fish in the kitchen”, he added.
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?The Mayor of Housing who is also the CEO of the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City said that Port Harcourt is like a business empire under lock and key because it is not protecting its own and also not promoting its own enough for investors to come in.
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?In the area of land documentation and inventory, China urged Rivers State Government to borrow a leaf from Abuja and adopt the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in dealing with land and property registration and documentation for ease of doing business.
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?He said Lagos understood the power of business information, adding “this creates the impression that if you are not doing it in Lagos, you are not doing it in Africa.
“We need to shout louder than Lagos, because we need more investments than Lagos and the structural integrity of Abuja. When you marry both, Rivers State would be wonderful and become green with investments,” he said.
In her speech, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, called on the state government to look into the menace of parked trucks now turning Trans-Amadi into a risk zone.
She outlined the activities of the PHCCIMA and invited investors and businesses to the Port Harcourt economic hub, saying peace has returned.
The Director, Investors Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Lovina Kayode, urged Rivers State to make haste and catch up on Ease of Doing Business, saying the Council has come to help businesses in the state.
Mrs Kayode, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, commended the Mayor of Housing and his counterpart, Mr. Oliver Biedima of Rainbow Heritage Group, for their decision to invest in Rivers State, saying it is a proof that Rivers State is safe for investors and their investments.
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In his remarks, Oliver Biedemi of Rainbow Heritage Group urged government to give the private investors chance to develop the economy, saying ordinarily government does not have the funds to develop the economy.
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.
