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Polls: Onne, Bodo Monarchs Endorse Peterside
The traditional rulers of Onne community and Bodo community in Eleme and Gokhana local government areas, respectively have endorse the candidature of All Progressives Congress (APC) Dakuku Peterside for the governorship of Rivers State in the April 11 elections.
The traditional ruler in Onne has also described the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as enemy of the people of Eleme.
The traditional ruler said this during the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward rally which took place at State School, Ogale, Eleme.
“Your Excellency, it might interest you to know that there are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in Rivers State, today. The people of Ekporo are displaced persons in our state, they are refugees in their fatherland because power is in the hands of one man and his wife, so they decided to dehumanise us.
“Here in Eleme, we are working hard to ensure that PDP suffers a humiliating defeat in the hands of APC, it is a promise that must be accomplished. I speak as a paramount ruler because I know my people and my people know me. If my people are angry and I speak, when they hear my voice, they will be calm.
Today, like other days, I am asking them to reject PDP so that they can be free. They have no choice than to believe me because we are all victims of PDP’s oppression, intimidation and harassment. PDP has even taken that which God gave us because they are in power in Abuja”, he said.
The chief assured the governorship candidate of the APC Dr. Dakuku Peterside, of his peoples support for him and his party. Okpabi said the entire people of Eleme are working for Peterside because they believe he can liberate them from the oppression of the ruling party.
He warned his subjects of the dangers of voting for PDP, a party that continues to inflict pains on his people for no particular reason.
He called on Eleme people to use both the presidential and gubernatorial elections to free themselves from slavery and domination, adding that a vote for PDP is a vote for an enemy, which translates to total obliteration of Eleme land.
In his speech, Peterside commended Eleme people for their rare courage and determination to move ahead, even in the face of unjustifiable harassment, adding that “if you don’t change them now, they will continue to molest you and trample on your rights”.
The APC governorship candidate, who promised to protect the interest of Eleme people, pledged to urgently address the issue of unemployment by providing jobs, building of cottage industries and providing funds for small businesses.
He said the APC government at every level will also work for the wellbeing and progress of every Nigerian, irrespective of geographical location, age, sex, creed or party affiliation. Stating that justice, equity and fairness will constitute the critical building blocks of his administration.
Similarly, the traditional ruler of Bodo in Ogoni Kingdom, His Royal Highness, King John Berebon, has said that he is solidly behind governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside,.
The monarch made the statement when the Greater Together Campaign Organisation led by Peterside paid him a courtesy call in his palace in Bodo City.
Berebon also declared his support for APC and its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.
“I am very happy to welcome you, Your Excellency. All of us in Bodo are confident that God will see you through because you are a peaceful man and we believe in you; so we will continue to pray for you. You have honoured our palace, God will honour you. You have also honoured our people, so God will honour you.
“I wish to state that I am solidly behind you and the APC. I was a school boy when Buhari came here to commission the Niger Basin project many years ago. I believe you are a blessing to this community. I know that APC-led Federal Government with Buhari as president will be beneficial to our towns and region. So we are voting APC all the way”, he added.
In the same vein, spokesperson for the palace, Chief Livinus Kiebel, said Bodo people are traditionally APC and would remain so because the party serves their interest.
In his welcome address, spokesman for the community, Sir Clement Menegbo said it will be disastrous for Rivers State to entrust the leadership of the state into the hands of men without integrity and of questionable characters who cannot seriously say why they want power.
“Money was not shared in bags, which is why we have crisis in Rivers State. Rather than open the state’s treasury to a few, Amaechi chose to build infrastructure and improve the living conditions of his people, that is why they are persecuting him. This election is about our future and our life. We must support Peterside and the APC so that our dreams will come true”, he said.
Responding, Peterside called on the people to be peaceful and law-abiding.
“The people of Bodo must be concerned about peace. Tell our children that this election will come and go, political parties will come and go, but Bodo will remain. I am concerned about peace and security because without peace, there will not be progress. Nobody should deceive Bodo people. If you place everybody who wants to be governor on a pedestal, I am the only one who has a stake here.
“My brother attended St. Pius, Bodo, and my childhood friends are from here. I cannot be governor and look the other way. I know the challenges of Bodo, and I will pay attention to this place because I belong here. So, vote for me so that we can build together a greater Bodo”.
He said he will always defend their interest like he did when he staged a walk-out over the non-budgetary allocation for Bodo—Bonny Road, during Federal Ministry of Works budget presentation. Urging them to vote and leave the rest to him, adding that political interest must be reciprocal.
Meanwhile, Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC , Oji Ngofa, has described his party, as the hope and emancipator of his troubled people of Eleme.
Ngofa, who was recently appointed caretaker committee chairman of Eleme Local Government Area made the declaration at State School, Agbeta, Onne during a ward rally by APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.
He said every Eleme son and daughter already knows that the alternative to APC is slavery and oppression adding that they are not prepared to be slaves in their country.
He called on voters in Eleme and the entire Rivers State to reject the PDP. According to him, the ruling party represents the worst form of subjugation and repression.
“I am here to affirm as deputy national secretary of our great party, that the mantra of change has taken firm roots in our local government. APC represents our hope and the only means of our survival. Without APC, Eleme is finished. Therefore, we will give everything to the party, including our blood, if necessary.
In his remarks, member, Rivers State House of Assembly and APC candidate Josiah Olu, said Eleme will deliver block votes to Peterside and the APC.
“We are for APC. Though we are under serious threat from the ruling party, our loyalty will continue to be with APC because they have peaceful and God-fearing people like Dakuku. I am happy that everybody here fully appreciates the fact that this election is all about our future, so we are not leaving anything to chance”, he said.
Responding, Peterside promised to pay special attention to Eleme because of its potentials.
“PDP should not even get a vote here and you know why. On my part, I promise to work with you. Nobody will harass you again because they are not God. They boast because they have power but I want you to put your hope in God. I will fight for you, I will protect your interest and I will complete every project that Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi started. Let me also assure you that our government will recognise and give special place to women and the youth”, he said.
Dr. Peterside reminded the people of Onne that his government will be driven by the desire for peace, unity and economic opportunity for all Rivers people.
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.
