News
Sack Amaechi Now, Obuah Urges FG
The Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro Felix Obuah has called for the immediate sack of the former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a Minister in the federal cabinet following the revelations of the judicial commission of inquiry that probed his administration.
Obuah made the call in a statement in Port Harcourt last Tuesday in which he commended the judgement of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal which upheld the legality of the Justice George Omereji-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry that probed the sale of state assets by the Amaechi administration.
The court had held that Justice Simson Amadi of the Rivers State High Court was right when he ruled that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry had power to sit and make recommendations.
Obuah said the recklessness and financial waste that characterised the Amaechi administration in the state was such that must not be left unscrutinised.
These, he said, include the sale of the Omoku 150MW Gas Turbine; Afam 360MW Gas Turbine; Trans-Amadi 136MW Gas Turbine; and Eleme 75MW Gas Turbine; the sale of Olympia Hotel; the waste of funds on the construction of the mono-rail project; the failed construction of Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital; the disbursement of N2billion under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme; the accrued sum total of money from the mandatory monthly contribution of N1billion by the Rivers State Government into the Rivers State Reserved Fund, and many others.
He further noted that some of the recommendations of the commission, which the former governor must act fast to comply with include, the refund of N4,633,440,000 illegally paid to CLINOTEC under the failed Public Private Partnership; answer questions in respect of the 38 unregistered co-operative societies that benefited from the agricultural grants, the former Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Emmanuel Chinda, who compiled the list of the benefitting cooperative societies, should be made to refund all grants so disbursed and should also be prosecuted for defrauding the government and people of Rivers State. The Permanent Secretary and all members of the disbursement committee should be made to face disciplinary action for not following the guidelines of the loan before recommending disbursement to the co-operatives.
Other issues to be addressed include, the approval for the disbursement of the sum of N3billion obtained under the agricultural loan scheme without regard to the guidelines issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); as well as the illegality surrounding the withdrawals, including the N53, 936, 000,000.00 between February, 2014 and January, 2015, and N30billion on 13/2/2014, the former governor made on the State Reserve Fund, and urged the office of the Attorney-General to take appropriate legal steps to recover the sums of money withdrawn from the fund.
The PDP also called on the former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr. George Feyii, to refund the N4 billion unlawfully withdrawn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund on the 20th of February, 2014, for the purpose of “settlement of various outstanding obligations relating to security issues in SSG’s Office”; the N400million unlawfully withdrawn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund on the 21st of March, 2014, for the purpose of staff armoured vehicles”; N117million withdrawn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund on the 25th day of March, 2014, for “revalidation and renewal of lease on the property at F29 Sani-Abacha Road, GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt”; as well as the N447,200,000.00 withdrawn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund “for payment of 2012 and 2013 Premier League Session Sign-On Fees for (3) three football clubs in Rivers State”.
Obuah also tasked the owners of Orosi House at No. 28, Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, to refund to the Government of Rivers State the sum N300million which they received from Government of Rivers State as five years rent for the lease of the complex to SUBEB- Ministry of Education Office, knowing full well that the property had been destroyed by fire in 2007.
He further requested that the principal officers of the Rivers State House of Assembly at the said time, who facilitated the adoption of the House Resolution on 13/2/21, authorizing the former governor of Rivers State to withdraw the billions afore-stated, should be prosecuted for authorizing the illegal withdrawal from the fund.
The PDP chairman expressed optimism that doing justice to the above recommendations by a legitimate commission will go a long way in making Rivers people happy again, and also enhance the Rivers State Government’s ability in carrying out more development projects across the 23 LGAs.
“We demand justice in this matter and we would pursue it to the end”, Obuah said.
It would be recalled that Justice Simeon Amadi of the Rivers State High Court, had in 2015, dismissed the suit filed by former Rivers State governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, challenging the constitution of the Justice George Omereji–led Judicial Commission of Inquiry by Governor Nyesom Wike, to probe the sale of state assets by the immediate past administration.
News
Don’t Panic, We’ll Protect Rivers Interest -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has told the people of the State not to panic and be rest assured of the determination of his administration to protect lives and property of residents while improving the collective aspirations of the people.
Fubara gave the assurance when he addressed members of the Family Support Group, who were on solidarity visit to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday to declare their unalloyed support to his administration.
Family Support Group is an assemblage of well-meaning Rivers youths, men and women drawn from the three Senatorial Districts and 23 local government areas, with the core aim of protecting, promoting and defending the interests of Rivers State.
The governor, who was represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, said that the government is for the youths, women, men and every well-meaning Nigerian who wish the State well.
He assured that his administration would not disappoint their expectations, but would deliver good governance and quality services across all sectors.
Fubara said it was gratifying to see ebullient youths showing undying interest in government, and were also willing to defend their votes, and see him completing his tenure without interruption.
The governor explained that so many development projects had been completed and opened for public use with many others like the Port Harcourt Ring Road still actively ongoing.
He specifically noted the readiness of the administration to flag off construction of phase two of the real Trans-Kalabari Road from Port Harcourt through Tombia to other communities; and the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
“The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly, and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this Administration.
“Just about within weeks of assuming office, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, flagged-off the Port Harcourt Ring Road project that will transverse six local governments. It will be completed within 36 months, but I think it will be completed before the time, because the progress of work we have seen is beyond what we were thinking.
“The Trans-Kalabari Road, very soon, the official main Trans-Kalabari Road will start, and will begin from Port Harcourt. That road, a lot of plans have been done, very soon, you will see contractors on site, and Rivers State will be opened.
“Just yesterday, you heard in the news also that the Governor has commenced the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road. That road was initially done with one lane, but now, he is going to dualise it. The Government has already awarded the contract”, he said.
Fubara emphasised that his administration is pro-youth and pro-human beings, and determined to maintain that level of empathy and inclusivity that offers succour to the people.
“I, therefore, want to thank you for the promise you have made, and I want you to remain unshakable. Keep your word of defending him at all times.
“When you hear anything outside, be bold, defend the Governor, and tell the people the things you know about him. Tell them what you know he has done to develop the State and the people”, he stated.
In his address, the President General of Family Support Group, Mr Henry Abraham, recalled that during the 2023 elections, they were encouraged to vote and defend their votes because the process was violence-free and credible.
“When we defend our votes, we will also defend the man we voted for. We are Family Support Group, Rivers State belongs to all of us. Rivers State is not a personal estate of one man, it’s for all Rivers people.
“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, stand firm. Family Support Group is with you. All the wards’ coordinators are with you. All the wards’ executives are with you. All the LGA coordinators are with you. All the officers of the National Executive Committee are with you. All our leaders are with you, and the PDP is with you,” he assured.
News
11 GDI Coordinators Declare Support For Fubara
The support base for the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, swelled up on Wednesday when 11 Ward Coordinators of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the State pledged unalloyed support and loyalty to his administration.
Ahoada East, which is the local government area of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr Edison Ehie, has a total of 13 electoral wards.
The 11 GDI Coordinators, who were in Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday on solidarity visit, said that they have now realised that they had been deceived and misled in the past few months, and decided to retrace their steps, and join the mass of Rivers people to defend and protect their votes and mandate freely given to Governor Fubara.
The coordinators, who were received by the Chief of Staff, Dr Edison Ehie, pledged to mobilise all their supporters and associates to give the State Government the necessary support and encouragement to deliver good governance and sustainable development to Rivers people.
They said that having watched the actions and policy direction of the governor, they have come to the realisation that sitting on the fence while detractors undermine the government was not in the best interest of the State.
The coordinators, who were accompanied by the former LGA Coordinator of GDI, Hon. Christian Abu, and Ahoada East LGA Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Handsome Ekelechi Agile, said that they were resolute in their decision to join millions of well-meaning Rivers people who had solidified their membership of the SIMplified Movement to protect and defend the governor in the face of unwarranted attacks and campaign of calumny.
They said that with their movement to the SIMplified Family, the GDI structure in Ahoada East has completely collapsed.
They warned that anybody fighting the governor and the Chief of Staff would incur the wrath of the land.
In his remarks, Hon. Ehie assured the coordinators of the State government’s commitment to the wellbeing of all Rivers people and the consolidation of the gains of the infrastructure revolution of the administration.
He said that the Fubara-led government was operating an open door policy and running an inclusive administration, assuring that every Rivers man and woman will be touched positively by the actions, policies, and programmes of the government.
The GDI Coordinators included Chinwe Okorji representing Ward 1; Henry Uhor for Ward 2; Hon. Muzan Otuza of Ward 3; Hon. Elvis Ishikaku representing Ward 4; and Hon. Johnson Monday of Ward 5.
Others are Mr. Evidence Adi for Ward 6; Emmanuel Ochu of Ward 7; Hon. Fidelis Ikebuluwa representing Ward 8; Martins Odoi of Ward 9; Hon. Mackson Ekpeye representing Ward 10; Hon. Ambrose Ile for Ward 12.
With this development, the leadership of GDI at the Ward and LG levels have now dumped the group to join the Governor in efforts to transform the State.
News
Fubara Recommits To Human Capacity Building In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed the determination of his administration to build and strengthen the capacity of workers in the State’s Civil Service.
The governor said this during a meeting held behind closed doors in Government House, Port Harcourt, with the national leadership of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered, yesterday.
After the meeting, leader of the delegation and National President of NIM, Dr. Christiana Atako, told newsmen that Governor Fubara, a fellow of the Institute and astute manager, excited them with his plans on human capital development and other development initiatives.
Dr. Atako, who is also the Chairman of Council of NIM said, “In fact, he was talking so much about the civil service. I have told you that one of our strengths is to develop capacity of the workforce, and we told him that we are interested in the civil service of this State.
“We are interested in building capacity of the workforce because we believe that if you have the right workforce, you’ll be able to have successful system. And if you have a successful system, leadership will be very easy.”
She emphasised that, “And when we told him, he bought the idea. He said he was happy about that. He wants a situation where, apart from the infrastructure that he was putting in place, he also wants to build the capacity of the people.”
Atako stated that as an Institute, they were impressed with the giant strides of the leadership of the governor, the many infrastructural projects, both ongoing and completed, including the welfare packages for civil servants, particularly the Christmas bonus of N100, 000.00.
She pointed out the distinguishing attributes of a great and good leader, which include exhibiting empathy and motivating the workers to become more productive, which she said, were evident in the leadership shown by Governor Fubara.
Atako said they also informed the governor of their forthcoming annual national conference slated to hold in Port Harcourt, which is always used to discuss issues that are of interest to the growth and development of the country.
Those in the delegation were Registrar/Chief Executive of NIM, Mrs Taiwo Olusesi; former National Vice President, Dame Christie Toby; Council Members, Engr. Beniah Ojum; Prof. Sylva Opuala-Charles; Zonal Chairman and Chairman LOC NIM ANMC, Pastor Eyo Okpo-Ene; former National Treasurer, Chief Grant Orugbani; and Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, His Imperial Majesty, Kelvin N. Anugwo.
Others are former Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly and Member LOC NIM ANMC, Rt. Hon. Marshall Stanley-Uwom; AGM, Hotel Presidential, Mr. Rex Yakpogoro; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Engr. Eze Egwurugwu; Sir Mike Elechi; Member LOC NIM ANMC, Dr. Kelechi Belinda Udeogu; Secretary, South South Zone and Secretary LOC NIM ANMC, Mr. Christian U. Abu; Emeritus Professor Simeon Chituru Achinehu.
-
Politics4 days ago
LP Petitions SGF Over Alleged Office Vandalism By NLC
-
News4 days ago
Ban On Foreign Trips’ll Save Nigeria N5bn Quarterly -Tinubu
-
Sports2 days ago
Corruption: China Jails FA President For Life
-
Politics2 days ago
EFCC’s Eyes On You, Gov Alia Warns LG CTC Chairmen
-
Niger Delta13 hours ago
Cross River Judiciary Unveils Small Claim Courts For Debt Recovery
-
Business8 hours ago
Abuja Farmers, Others Lose N12bn To Ginger Disease
-
Oil & Energy4 days ago
Innovation, Key To Sustainable Energy Dev – Stakeholder
-
Sports4 days ago
NWFL:Heartland Queens’ Winger Sure Of Victory Against Abia Angels