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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
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said the 33.5-kilometre Elele–Umudioga–Egbeda–Ubimini–Ikiri–Omoku dual carriageway is nearing completion and will be ready for inauguration by early May.
Speaking after inspecting the project last Wednesday, the governor disclosed that the N80.8 billion road project, currently at about 90 per cent completion, is on track for delivery before the end of April.
The project, which links Ikwerre, Emohua and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government areas, was awarded to Craneburg Construction Company with a 24-month completion timeline.
Fubara expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, describing the road as a landmark achievement of his administration.
He noted that beyond infrastructure, the project symbolises progress and purposeful governance.
Highlighting its economic and security value, the governor said the road serves as a vital link to Omoku, a major gas hub, and would significantly enhance business activities in the area.
He recalled that the corridor was previously notorious for kidnapping and armed robbery but said the ongoing development had transformed the security outlook.
According to him, improved accessibility will enable security agencies to respond swiftly to emergencies, effectively curbing criminal activities that once plagued the route.
Fubara commended the contractor for adhering to the project timeline, expressing confidence that the road will soon be completed and opened to the public.
Recall that the governor had, during the flag-off ceremony in May 2024, disclosed that the project is funded from the State’s internally generated revenue savings.
Nigerians were among more than 140 residents injured after Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at the United Arab Emirates, at the weekend.
This raised fresh fears for thousands of Nigerians living and working in the Gulf nation.
The UAE Ministry of Defence disclosed last Saturday that its air defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones fired from Iran, describing the attack as a major escalation in the ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the ministry said its air defence units engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 drones during the latest assault on March 14.
It added that the attacks left six people dead and 141 others injured, including foreign nationals.
“The UAE air defence systems on March 14 engaged nine ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry stated.
“Since the onset of this blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,600 UAVs launched from Iran,” UAE added.
According to the ministry, those killed in the attacks included citizens of the UAE as well as foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
“Although the authorities did not specify the exact locations where the casualties occurred, the ministry said the injured victims were from several countries, including Nigeria.
Others affected include residents from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The list also included Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
The Tide reports that this development has sparked concern among Nigerian communities in the UAE, where thousands of citizens live and work in sectors such as construction, hospitality, logistics and trade.
Data from Nigeria’s diaspora commission shows that the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Nigerian migrants in the Middle East, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
The Nigerian government had in recent years raised concerns over the safety and welfare of its citizens in the country following diplomatic tensions and visa restrictions affecting Nigerians.
Saturday’s attacks have now heightened anxieties within the diaspora community, especially as the Gulf region faces growing military confrontations.
In its statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said the country remained fully prepared to confront any threats to its security.
“The Ministry of Defence remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the ministry said.
In a separate update, the ministry noted that its defence systems were still actively intercepting missiles and drones.
“UAE air defences are dealing with Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles and drones,” it said.
Regional media reports indicate that the attacks form part of a wider escalation of hostilities between Iran and Western-backed forces in the Middle East.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran has continued sustained missile and drone strikes across the Gulf despite protests from neighbouring states.
The strikes were said to be in retaliation for military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian positions in the region.
Tehran targeted several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, late on Friday and into Saturday.
The attacks also caused infrastructural damage in parts of the UAE.
Meanwhile, Iran’s elite military wing, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that US interests in the UAE would remain legitimate targets.
Iranian state media reported that the group issued the warning after US forces attacked Iranian-controlled islands.
The IRGC specifically mentioned ports, docks and military installations linked to the United States as potential targets.
It also urged residents in the UAE to evacuate areas around ports and military facilities to avoid civilian casualties.
Security analysts say the growing exchange of threats and strike across the Gulf could destabilise the region’s economic and aviation activities if the conflict escalates further.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the five new commissioners sworn-in last Wednesday to put in their best for the development of the State.
Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in of the commissioners at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
This followed the successful screening of the five commissioners by the Rivers State House of Assembly, last Tuesday.
The five commissioners are Tonye Bellgam, Prof. Temple Nwofor, Dr. Peters Nwagor, Mr. Lekue Kenneth, and Sir Amairigha Edward Hart.
The Tide reports that the governor had sent nine commissioner-nominees to the Assembly for screening, but the Assembly confirmed only five nominees and rejected the nomination of four over various allegations.
Those rejected by the Assembly are Prof. Dantonye Alasia, Mrs. Charity Demua, Mr. Tamuno Williams, and Otonye Amachree.
The governor congratulated the new commissioners on their appointment, noting that their thorough screening by the Rivers State House of Assembly was a proof of their capabilities.
He urged them to deploy their wealth of experience in various fields and put the State on a fast lane of development.
“Ordinarily, I am supposed to charge you on your responsibilities and how to operate. But that has been taken care of by the screening at the Assembly.
“I believe that going through one of the most rigorous screenings, it is enough to say that for those of you who succeeded, you are fit and ready to deliver to our dear State.
“So there is no further charge. The screening was the charge, so I wish you the best as I don’t expect anything less than the best from you,” Fubara said.
