Politics

Syringe Factories Ready In Dec – Amaechi

Published

11 years ago

September 22, 2014

A flurry of activities took place in Government House
last week on the return of the governor to the state on Monday. On Tuesday, the newly screened Caretaker Chairman of the 21 local government areas were sworn-in by the governor. About seven of the former CTC didn’t come back, while 14 new ones were appointed.
Charging the new CTC chairmen on probity, Governor Amaechi said, “ I am worried, I am extremely worried for the country because the level of text I got from people even the desperation by old council members who wanted to run. I wonder why you are desperate. It just shows me that you are not going to serve. That you are going to increase your stomach infrastructure and yourself and the council you are going to”.
He therefore warned that any CTC chairman found wanting would be sacked and emphasised on the need for them to empower the people at the grassroot .
On Wednesday, the governor was engaged in a marathon meeting with stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, the meeting, it was learnt, was aimed at streamlining party objectives with charge to members to ensure victory in the upcoming elections.
On Thursday, the governor embarked on an unscheduled visit to project sites in the state.. First, he visited the ongoing multi-million naira syringe factory at Rumuosi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Shortly after inspecting facilities at the factory site, the governor spoke to journalists, “As you can see, work is in progress. We are looking for money to pay, but we have paid close to N29 billion out of the N45 billion”.
With what was already on ground, Governor Amaechi hinted that two out of the four factories are expected to be unveiled in December this year. He expressed optimism that his successor would complete the remaining ones considering the huge economic benefits to the state.
From the syringe factory, Governor Amaechi proceeded to the Dr Odili/Woji?Akpojo link Road. The road, according to the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forums (NGF), will cost the state about N52 billion and will be opened to motorists by December.
On the same Thursday, Governor Amaechi hosted participants for the second Port Harcourt International Fashion Week to a cocktail party in Government House.
On Friday, the governor, in company of former Netherlands’ Ambassador, Bert Ronhaar and Mr Peter Bolt, visited the new cassava processing plant at Afam. The plant which will commence operations in December, according to Governor Amaechi, will roll 200 tonnes of cassava per day.
On the same Friday, governor Amaechi played host to the country Director of UNICEF, Jean Gough who expressed happiness over the way the state Government tackled the menace of Ebola in the state.
Mrs Gough observed that despite the sudden outbreak of the deadly virus disease, the state government showed willingness in curbing it, and urged for cooperation and vigilance by all stakeholders.
On Friday evening, Governor Amaechi flagged- off the second Port Harcourt International Fashion Week, He welcomed the participants and tasked them to exploit potentials in the state. He, however, attended the 18th and 20h convocation ceremony of the Bori Polytechnic on Saturday and pledged the support of government to fund higher education.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

17 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

News

Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

Published

6 days ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.

Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.

According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.

On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.

He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.

Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.

Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.

He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.

The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.

He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.

Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.

King Onunwor

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

2 weeks ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for restraint and mutual forbearance over the recent political development in Rivers State.

The Forum has also set up a high level Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

This is contained in a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement was jointly signed by PANDEF’s Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, and Obong Victor Attah (a former governor of Akwa Ibom State), as well as PANDEF’s National Chairman, Chief Godknows Igali.

Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.

“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.

“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.

“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.

The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.

“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.

“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.

PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.