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RVHA Holds Hearing On PH Poly, Today …TUC Drums Support For RSG
A public hearing on government’s efforts to convert the Rivers State College of Arts and Science (RivCAS) to Port Harcourt Polytechnic, holds today at the State Assembly’s Main auditorium.
The Port Harcourt Polytechnic Bill, 2016, is a bill for a law for the conversion of RivCAS to Port Harcourt Polytechnic, and to transfer the staff and properties of the former and other matters incidental thereto to the Polytechnic.
Leader of the State House of Assembly, who is also Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Hon. Martins Chike-Amaewhule at the weekend invited stakeholders to the public hearing to ensure a qualitative debate and positive outcome.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, the Education Committee advised interested stakeholders to obtain copies and submit memoranda to Room 012 (2nd Floor), Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt on or before 10 am, today.
Meanwhile, the RIVCAS Students Union Government and the leadership of National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) have in separate reactions, hailed the efforts of the state government to expand the frontiers of higher education in the state.
Both bodies commended the Governor Nyesom Wike-led Rivers State Government for the discretion, and urged it to pursue the scheme to its logical and positive conclusion.
The Tide gathered that the conversion of the RIVCAS to a Polytechnic enjoys tremendous support among Rivers people who believe that it would help reduce the number of out-of-school youth in the state, after every admission season.
Also, the Rivers State chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has supported the decision of the Rivers State Government to convert the state College of Arts and Science (RIVCAS) into a polytechnic for the purpose of enhancing the state’s capacity to produce technical manpower to support economic and industrial development.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, at the weekend, the state TUC Chairman, Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu, said “it is important to state that there is nothing absolutely wrong with the proposed the conversion of the Rivers State College of Arts and Science to Port Harcourt Polytechnic or even a full-fledged university.
“Consequently, we support the move by the Rivers State Government and the Rivers State House of Assembly to do so”, Onuegbu said.
His reasons for the support include the fact that, “Rivers State needs more institutions of higher learning, and at this very difficult time, it is far cheaper to convert an existing institution than build a brand new one.
“Moreover both the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUA) were similarly converted to their current status,” the TUC chairman noted.
The TUC argued that “from interactions with lecturers in the Rivers State College of Arts and Science,” it was revealed that “the institution has been operating as a polytechnic,” adding that it was “only natural that the government formalises that status.
“We, therefore, support the conversion of the Rivers State College of Arts and Science to Port Harcourt Polytechnic,” he stressed.
The TUC chairman however, urged the Rivers State Government to, upon the conversion, expeditiously ensure that all its programmes are duly accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) as a full-fledged polytechnic.
It also called on the State Government to put machinery in motion to attract the establishment of private universities and polytechnics in Rivers State, in line with what obtains in Ogun, Lagos, among others, so as to bridge the huge gap in the number of tertiary educational institutions to meet increasing demands of the rising population of seekers of higher education in Rivers State.
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.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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