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RSG Approves Security Stipends For Rulers …Says No More Abandoned Projects
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has approved the release of security stipends to traditional rulers to assist them enhance community security.
Addressing the 102nd Quarterly General Meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers on Wednesday, Governor Wike said that the security stipends will assist the traditional rulers generate intelligence which will be forwarded to the security agencies for necessary action.
He said: “the security stipend to traditional rulers which will be disbursed to recognised traditional rulers will start from 2016. This stipend should not be used outside of gathering security intelligence.
“We shall also introduce special awards to traditional rulers who maintain peaceful communities. We believe these awards will encourage communities to take steps to improve security across the state”.
Governor Wike charged the traditional rulers to insulate themselves from partisan politics by ensuring that they remain neutral in all political matters.
He stated that being involved in politics diminishes the respect people accord to traditional rulers.
According to him: “You are custodians of customs and traditions and not custodians of politics. Your duty is to bless anyone that comes to you and not to make political pronouncements”.
Speaking further, Governor Wike said that the support of traditional rulers played a key role in the achievements of his administration.
He noted that his administration has restored the dignity of traditional rulers, noting that he will continue to liaise with them to attain greater development.
In his address, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Jeki V, Amanyanabo of Opobo , commended Governor Wike for restoring the Quarterly General session of the council’s meeting. He said the last meeting was held over two years ago.
The Traditional Ruler commended the Governor Wike administration for the execution of pro-people development projects and the release of logistic support to security agencies.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that under his leadership the era of abandoned projects is gone for good.
Commissioning the completed Abuluoma-Woji-road with Bridge in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Governor Wike stated that no local government area in the state would be neglected in the renewal programme of his administration.
He said : “I will never do any project that will be abandoned. No part of the state will be neglected in the infrastructure renewal programme of my administration “
The governor urged communities to always provide a peaceful environment for contractors to complete ongoing project.
He appealed to the people of the state to support the administration’s execution of projects for the benefit of the state.
“You can see the level of development in the state. That is why you should always give you mandate to those who will use it to implement projects for all people irrespective of political affiliations.
“We have shown that it doesn’t matter what political parties you belong to. Once a government is formed, it works for everyone”, Governor Wike said.
Governor Wike said that aside the Abuluoma-Woji-road, his administration will in 2016 commence the construction of a Fly-Over on Peter Odili road.
In his address, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Kelvin Wachukwu said the 1.672kilometre road was inherited at the earthwork and filing stage before Governor Wike carried out the completion of the road, sidewalls, median , toll point, the median and 275 metres bridge.
He said the immediate past administration initially awarded the contract for N3.5 billion, but due to change of scope of work and variations, the immediate past administration increased the cost to N13.6billion in 2014.
Caretaker Committee Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Mr Samuel Ejekwu praised Governor Wike for completing the road which will ease the traffic pressure on Aba-Port Harcourt road, Dr Peter Odili road and also enhance free flow of traffic in Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt and Eleme.
So far, Governor Wike has commissioned the Obonomma-Abonnema link road with Bridge and Eagle Island -Iloabuchi link road.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
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.
