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Biometrics: RSG Recovers N1bn
The Rivers State Government says it has saved N1billion in salaries and wages bill through the current biometric exercise for all civil servants and public officers in the state.
The government noted that the exercise, which is still on-going, is expected to save more money for the state government and correct the bloated salary wage bill.
The Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who disclosed this, yesterday, at the first Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Business Luncheon held at the Dr Obi Wali International Conference Centre, said the state government has also reduced current overhead expenditure to 40 per cent in keeping with the prevailing economic reality.
Wike, represented by his Deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, said efforts are being made to enable government generate enough funds to address infrastructural decay in roads, hospitals, schools and to ensure adequate social services for the people of the state.
He explained that in the face of dwindling federal allocation and steep commodity price fall, the government was committed to shoring up its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to meet developmental needs of the state.
The state chief executive said the present administration has a deliberate policy to eradicate multiple taxation to encourage investors, stressing that to achieve the purpose, it has set up a Tax Appeal Commission.
“We are committed to promoting commercial agriculture as a means of creating employment opportunities for the teeming youth. We shall focus would be on oil palm and cassava production which will also improve the economy of the state,” he asserted.
Wike assured investors of an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, pointing out that the security challenges are being tackled with the support of security Agencies to ensure the protection of life and property throughout the state.
He lauded the leadership of PHCCIMA for providing a platform for discussion, with the theme: ”Business Opportunities in Nigeria, Beyond Oil and The Ease of Doing Business in Rivers State”, pledging to collaborate with the body to ensure that the state returns to its former glory as investors’ haven.
Earlier, President, Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Mines and Agriculture (PHACCIMA), Dr. Emi Membere Otaji, said Nigerian economy has been over stressed as a result of over dependence on the oil sector and called for urgent diversification.
He noted that there was need for government to embark on massive sensitization and education of investors on the ease of doing business in the state.
In his paper, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment, Mr. Isaac Okemini, said the state was regaining its investment haven status, as government effort in tackling the issues of insecurity and building of more road network in the state is yielding positive results.
The keynote Speaker, Mr. Foluso Philips, remarked that the country’s over- dependence on oil has robbed it of her creative prowess as the nation now solely depend on oil to survive.
The event also featured the unveiling of the Commerce Port Harcourt Magazine by the deputy governor and an award of excellence to Governor Wike by PHCCIMA.
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.
