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Displaced Traders Lament Losses As Govt Destroys Makeshift Stalls

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Traders doing business around the Mile 1 Flyover are lamenting the losses incurred from the recent destruction of their make-shift stalls and goods by the Ministry of Urban Development.
The demolition exercise which took place last Tuesday is not going down well with the traders as they claim there was no prior notice to that effect before the demolition exercise.
One of the traders, Prince Izito regretted that “Governor  Wike never promised them of demolition during his electioneering campaign, but promised them that nobody would move them from their market places”, adding that “they voted him for positive change and he is rewarding them with bad”.
His words “ I was called this morning by my brother that the Ministry of Urban Development is demolishing and burning down our make shift stalls. No prior notice from anybody was  given to us.
During the campaign time, Governor Wike came here and promised the marketers that if voted into power, the market would remain. I’m surprised that he could not even fulfill his campaign promises up to this moment”, he added.
Izito lamented that the Mile One Market they are asking them to move into was burnt down years back and has not been rebuilt, adding that the market is too small for the number of traders.
He appealed to the state government to provide a temporary site to enable them continue with their businesses considering the present economic situation in the country.
In his reaction, the Commissioner for Urban Development, Hon Chinyere Igwe said the illegal trading activities were defacing the Port Harcourt City.
He stated that conventional markets have been built for them, but wondered why they prefer to sell on the railway, under electricity tension thereby endangering their lives.
He advised that since the Mile 1 Market cannot accommodate them now, they should move to other spacious markets, where their lives could be saved.
“For the place not to be invaded by traders after this exercise, Governor Nyesom Wike would ensure that he takes proper action to beautify the place to restore its Garden City Status”, Igwe said.
On his part, the Caretaker Committee (CTC) Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA), Christian Chiokwa said that after the demolition, there would be frequent patrol by security agencies to ensure the place is rid of illegal activities.
He stated that the marketers were given more than three weeks notice to vacate the area for the demolition exercise to take place, but marketers never complied.
The Local Government Authorities have been having meetings with them for the past two weeks now; I am surprised they are saying there had not been any prior information or notice given to them.
The Wike-led administration places more emphasizes on the safety of its people and have human feeling that is why he has directed the traders to stop selling on the railway and under high tension cables, in order for them not to endanger their lives”, he stressed.

 

Susan Serekara-nwikhana

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Rivers

IYC Demands Apology Over Arrest Of Soboma Jackrich

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The Elders Council of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has demanded for an apology from the security agencies over the recent invasion of the residence of Ambassador Soboma Jackrich where two of his aides were killed.
The council said this in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Signed by Elder Afonya Horsefall, Chairman Ijaw Youth Elders Council, KalabariSekpangi, said the military, by the invasion has trampled on the inalienable rights of its leader.
According to the organisation, “the wanton destruction of his property and the killing of aides is repugnant to natural justice and must be restituted.
It stressed the need for the security agencies to be professional in their approach to security, adding that every action of the security agencies must be within the ambit of the law.
The group described Ambassador Soboma Jackrich as a prominent Ijaw leader who has contributed immensely towards the development of the Niger Delta and the relative peace in the region.
The IYC also called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara to come to the aide of the Niger Delta people by ensuring security and development in the region.

By: John Bibor

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Rivers

Fubara Has Demystified Governance-Elder Statesman

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As Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration is set to mark itsone year anniversary, an elder statesman, Sir Fubara Hart, says governance in Rivers State under the governor has been demystified.
Hart, two-time House of Representatives aspirant, therefore, called on Rivers people to rally round the Governor in show of support to achieve the desired objective.
Hart, in an interview in Port Harcourt, said under Governor Fubara, infrastructural development and human capital development are given .maximum attention they deserve for the wellbeing of the citizenry.
He said available evidences abound in the State, judging from the thanksgiving rallies organised by the Simplified Movement, saying it is a strong indication that Rivers people are pleased with the wave of development in the State.
He noted that the spread of projects across the nooks and crannies of the State, unlike in the past, has endeared the Governor to the people who are celebrating him.
Hart said under Governor Fubara, Rivers, people can feel a sense of belonging, as governance is being given a human face through the distribution of social amenities across the board.
He maintained that it would be appropriate to support Governor Fubara, rather than distracting him, saying Governor Fubara has shown his determination to change the fortunes of the people, especially the unreached, among the populace .
“In the past, it wasn’t like this, a scenario where one man divided and cornered the wealth of the people is over. Rivers people are pleased, being carried along and being allowed to contribute to the growth of the State.
The multi-billion naira Port Harcourt Ring Road; Trans-Kalabari road project; the low cost housing units; Songhai farm rehabilitation; and job creation can be described as the monumental achievements Governor Fubara has recorded.
“Gone are the days projects are sited in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area alone. Rivers people can now see projects in all parts of the State. We appeal to detractors to allow Governor Fubara serve his people, give him maximum cooperation as it was given to Wike and others who had ruled the State. Others ruled for eight years, so nothing will stop our own.
Governor Fubara is one of the best things that has happened to Rivers State, as his peaceful disposition, accessibility and open-door policy are hallmark of leadership. He came for Rivers people, as seen in his actions and conduct. Anyone fighting him is an enemy of Rivers people and should be jettisoned,” he said.
Hart said the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili was right by endorsing Governor Fubara as the political leader of the State as provided in the PDP Constitution.
The PDP meant well by enshrining it in his Constitution, which the All Progressives Congress (APC) borrowed to implement.
The elderstatesman, therefore, appealed to all PDP members to respect the party’s Constitution as it is supreme.
He urged the 27 lawmakers led by Hon Martin Amaewhule to know that they are no longer lawmakers in the eyes of the law as any law made by them cannot stand.
While urging them to desist from being used by one selfish politician to destablise the peace existing in the State, Hart pleaded with the Governor to remember Bonny Local Government Area in the award of road projects, as Bonny internal roads are begging for attention.

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Monarch Lauds Fubara Over Solicitor-General’s Appointment

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The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, King Leslie Eke, has praised the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over the appointment of Mrs Ibiwari Charity Clapton-Ogolo as Permanent Secretary and Solicitor- General of the State.
Eke  said this at a press briefing to mark his birthday at his palace in Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
He said Clapton-Ogolo being a seasoned lawyer will do as expected in an attempt to project and defend the interest of the people.
According to him, such opportunity will also reduce the work-load on the office of the Attorney -General of the State.
The traditional ruler also said the appointment will aid in prompt delivery of justice in the State.
The appointment, he noted, has further demonstrated the Governor’s strength in governance of the State and not weakness as argued in some quarters.
He said those who are not in tune with the modern ways of governance will always be at the sea at each step taken by Governor Fubara.
The Governor, he further explained, is full of wisdom and is prepared to better the lots of Rivers people.
“I am at home with the Governor’s leadership style. He is calculative and he always hits the nail on the head. Well, people are free to say anything they like, but for me, the Governor is a goal getter”, he said.
He re-emphasised the intention of the entire Evo Kingdom’s undiluted support for the present administration as he prayed God to continue to guide and direct the Governor aright in order to enable him deliver credibly on the mandate given him.
It would be recalled that the State has for some time operated with only the office of the Attorney-General of the State until the recent appointment of the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of State by Governor Fubara.

By: King Onunwor

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