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Tukur Quits, New PDP National Chairman Emerges, Monday …Stakeholders React
Ogoni youths protesting in Bori, Khana Local Government Council of Rivers State last Wednesday
The PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday in Abuja, formally resigned his appointment following crises within the party.
Tukur‘s resignation was announced by President Goodluck Jonathan at the party’s 63rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
“We have some internal problems that have been agitating the minds of the people and let us really thank the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) headed by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.
“He did not just wake up to be the chairman of our party, he has paid his dues, he has held several offices and worked for this country and he has done very well.
“And for us to make sure that we rest these issues, the party chairman agreed to step aside,’’ the president said.
The announcement of Tukur‘s resignation by President Jonathan was greeted with a standing ovation.
Jonathan said Tukur personally submitted his resignation letter to him Wednesday night even as he handed the letter to the party’s National Secretary, Prof Adewale Oladipo right at the NEC meeting.
“He is not guilty in any way; in fact, I have to give him another assignment that is tougher than handling PDP.
“This is because we need people like Bamanga Tukur to market this country and the PDP.
“He has been doing that in the platform of African Round Table but we need a tougher job than the African Round Table for him,” Jonathan added.
He, consequently, called on Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River to formally move a motion to accept Tukur‘s resignation which was seconded by Sen. Abdul Ningi.
Jonathan further announced that the party’s NEC should take a decision to hold another meeting on January 20 to formally inaugurate a new national chairman for the party.
This, he maintained, would be based on the party‘s constitution, adding that the new chairman would come from the North East, according to the party‘s zoning principle.
“Within this period from now to Monday, we will look among ourselves particularly our leaders from the North East for a new chairman,’’ he said.
The president expressed the need to select someone who would be acceptable to all party members and with the qualities to lead the party to greater heights.
“For that reason, between now and Monday that we will meet, I will meet with relevant stakeholders and see how we can get such a person that will be acceptable by all of you.
“Because when we come here that day, and you say no, there is nothing we can do, that is why we must take time to look for a man or a woman that will lead the party.
“And I believe that those who will consult collectively will not disappoint this house,’’ the president said.
He described as normal the defection of some PDP members to the opposition, adding that the development was not a thing the party should worry itself about.
Jonathan said that as long as the parties continued to work together and do things together, it would remain the best party in the country.
He expressed the hope that from ongoing discussions, some of the members who defected to the opposition would return to the party soon.
He added that the party would henceforth be holding regular meetings, adding that the party‘s governors would now be meeting monthly to strategise on how to improve the party‘s fortune.
He also said that the party’s caucus and the Board of Trustee meetings would now hold every quarter while its NEC would meet more regularly.
“That would make us here at the centre to interact more with the state party chairmen and other party officials as well as the governors to think about the party.
“This is to see how we can collectively drive its machinery.
“The people want to see the PDP very affective because if we are not holding meetings, they will think that people have overtaken us, nobody can overtake PDP,’’ he said.
He assured the gathering that the PDP-led government at all levels would continue to give the people the true dividends of democracy.
The president challenged the opposition to assess the present PDP administration with previous government.
According to him, this government has done very well in the interest of the country.
He said that the PDP government was committed to its vision of ensuring positive change at all levels.
He tasked members to remain faithful, adding that the party would continue to grow stronger.
However, the factional Chairman of PDP in Rivers State, Felix Obuah has confirmed that he was among the state PDP chairmen that passed a vote of no confidence on the embattled National Chairman of the PDP, Bamanga Tukur.
Obuah disclosed that they no longer have confidence on the leadership of Tukur, due to what he described as problems in the party since his assumption of office.
Obuah said it was time for Tukur to step aside, adding that the Rivers PDP stakeholders had no problems in voting against him
According to him, “we feel that the problem of leadership the party has witnessed and the grievances, a lot of acrimony amongst its members he has not been able to address are some of the issues that had been of concern to us. So, we feel that it is right time to call it quits”.
Meanwhile, some members of the House of Representatives, yesterday in Abuja, said that the resignation of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as PDP chairman, would help in repositioning the party.
In separate interviews with newsmen, the legislators said that with the resignation, the party would be repositioned for 2015 general elections.
Rep. Uzor Azubuike (PDP-Abia), said that the decision by Bamanga to resign as the party chairman was patriotic.
He called on those who had defected to APC to make a rethink and come back to the party.
Rep.Gerald Irona (PDP-Imo) said that members of the party had had problems with the leadership style of Bamanga which led to the defection of the five PDP governors and others.
He said that his resignation was a good development for the party as it would save it from eminent danger.
Also speaking, Sen. Abdul Ningi described Alhaji Bamanga Turku, the former PDP national chairman, as the sacrificial lamb for the unity and stability of the party.
He made this known after President Goodluck Jonathan presented Tukur‘s resignation letter to the party‘s National Executive Committee (NEC) members.
Ningi, who seconded Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River motion for the acceptance of Tukur‘s resignation letter, said that Tukur had not violated any section of the party‘s constitution.
He stressed the outgoing party national chairman only sacrificed himself for the party following its recent crisis.
Tukur had before the president announced his resignation, thanked God and the party’s stakeholders for giving him the opportunity to serve.
“It has been a matter of honour for me to have served our party, and indeed, a rare privilege to have become the national chairman.
“I am grateful to the seven deities of good luck with which the Almighty God has endowed me.
“I am delighted to have had the opportunity to nurture and deliver an idea; that is the need for discipline and internal democratic practices within the party,” Tukur said.
Tukur advised the party members to install new national values that were driven less by personal greed and power and more by national interest.
This, according to him, is critical to address the country‘s challenges as well as that of the party.
“As we reinvent the foundation of internal consensus, let us endeavour to flaunt the good works of our various governments at all tiers of governance. We shall overcome,’’ Tukur said.
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.
