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Why Etche People Should Vote APC – Amaechi …Assures On Payment Of Pensioners’ Benefits
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi has called on the people of Etche to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the party will ensure the return of their lost oil wells, and deliver more infrastructure in the area.
Speaking during the APC guber rally at Okehi, headquarters of Etche Local Government Area yesterday, he reminded the people that the People Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government has failed to develop or site any project, in Etche and has denied them their resources by ceding their oil wells to Abia State.
Amaechi said, “I will tell you why President Jonathan dislike the Etche people. You can see that the road from Igwuruta to Abia State is a federal road, and the road from Omerelu to Omuma also belongs to the Federal Government, but none of these roads have been reconstructed”.
Amaechi held that on assumption of office in 2007, he embarked on massive transformation of the area, and assured that before he exits office on May 29th, work on the Igbo-Etche Road would commence.
On the request by the PDP to use the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium for its presidential campaign, he said, “we will not release the newly built Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium to the PDP for their campaigns. This is because the PDP denied the APC from using the Eagle Square in Abuja for their campaigns. There must be law and order in this state, where Iam the governor. The PDP should go and use the Elekahia Stadium”.
He also dispelled claims over the authenticity of APC Presidential candidate, Gen. Buhari’s school certificate, accusing the PDP of diversionary tactics in addressing corruption. The Peoples Democratic Party should tell Nigerians why they have refused to eradicate corruption in President Jonathan’s administration. Our economy is so bad that the PDP-led government could not account for the missing N2.3 billion.
“And so far, on Buhari’s certificate, he has produced the certificates he obtained in Provincial College, Katsina”.
Amaechi, who is also the Director-General of Gen. Buhari Campaign Organisation challenged the PDP guber candidate in the state to an accountability contest, expressing fear that the resources of the state will not be safe if he is elected governor.
The governor said, the APC candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside remains the best choice for Rivers people in order to sustain development, peace and unity in the state, adding that Peterside is known for prudent management of resources under his care.
On his part, the APC candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside urged people of Etche to come out enmasse to vote for its presidential and other candidates during next months’ elections.
Peterside said, “the people of Etche know the difference between light and darkness. We shall complete all projects embarked upon by Governor Amaechi, we will do more in Etche. I promise to bring zero-tolerance to violence in Etche. We will support small scale farmers and lift people out of poverty”.
The Eli 1 of Okehi Kingdom in Etche, His Royal Majesty, Eze S.E. Ukaegbu prayed for peaceful polls next month, and later conferred the chieftaincy title of Ogumba 1 of Etche Kingdom on Governor Amaechi.
Meanwhile, Pensioners in Rivers State have been assured of receiving their entitlements before the end of February.
The state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi gave the assurance when he appeared live on a local radio station yesterday in Port Harcourt.
He blamed the backlog of stipends owed to the senior citizens on the dwindling state allocation, stating that the current wage bill of civil servants stands at N9.2 billion monthly.
Amaechi said “the pensioners are suffering but we will try and assuage their sufferings.”
The governor blamed the Federal Government for the dwindling state allocation, stating that unless the level of corruption at the centre is curtailed, the country will continue to suffer economic woes.
Amaechi used the medium to comment on the recent outbreak of Cholera in Andoni Local Government Area and the bird flu in some parts of the state, noting that he has directed that all affected birds be slaughtered in the affected farms.
Reacting to the Cholera outbreak, the governor remarked, ”our water scheme is robust in Andoni, but we have not been able to go to all the villages.”
Hinting of plans to construct boreholes in some of the villages, Amaechi assured of government’s readiness to curb the menace.
Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi has picked holes in the recent slash in fuel pump price from N97 to N87 by the Federal Government last weekend.
In his view, the price needs to be further slashed to reflect the slump in the price of crude oil in the international market.
He maintained that the price of fuel is supposed to hover between N40 and N50, and therefore, called on the citizenry to demand accountability from the government.
The governor further urged the people to vote out the ruling Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government in order to rescue the national economy from worsening.
R-L: Vice President Namadi Sambo, Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar, PDP National Deputy Chairman, Hon. Uche Secondus, Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Engr. Seyi Sijuwade during the official commissioning of Nigeria Railway Corporation at Port Harcourt Station recently. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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