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We Stand On Fiscal Federalism – Wike …Says APC Has No Electoral Value
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says only fiscal federalism will guarantee even development and equitable status of all states of the federation.
Wike made the assertion during his mid-term report and town hall meeting with the citizens as part of his two years anniversary and Democracy Day celebrations held at Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, last Monday, in Port Harcourt.
Aside state government, the governor also said fiscal federalism should be extended to the local government councils as the third tier of government.
According to him, “our geographical terrain is very difficult and we consider the neglect of Rivers State in federal projects as if Rivers State is not part of the federation.”
Wike held that if fiscal federalism is enforced, it will lead to faster development as each state of the federation has unique terrain and challenges that requires special funding.
On the achievements of his government so far, the governor remarked that “Our state is sound, strong and progressive.”
He explained that there was no sector that has not been touched with infrastructure and roads leading in the administration’s priorities.
So far, he said about N120billion has been expended on capital projects in the city and rural areas, adding that, “for the first time both rural and city roads are being attended to shore up infrastructural deficit.”
Listing the areas covered so far, Wike said in health sector, the administration has released $4million for equipping of Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, renovating 13 general hospitals across the state.
In education, he revealed that the state has paid its counterpart funding to the Universal Basic Education and was accessing fund to rehabilitate schools.
Before then, he said renovation of Nyemoni Grammar School at Abonnema, Birabi Memorial Secondary School at Bori, and Rumuokwuta Government Girls School, were among a pilot scheme to return boarding system to secondary education.
Security wise, he said despite attempts by the Federal Government to frustrate his quest to beef up security, the state government has purchased over 100 security patrol vans to security agencies, acquired 10 gunboats for patrol on the waterways to check sea piracy.
In the next two years, he disclosed that the administration plans to diversify and boost the economy of Rivers State, insisting that, “We must find other ways of finding economic development, and our commitment is for the economic renaissance to remain at the top.”
He said the plan will be built on infrastructure, tourism and foreign investment drive.
Besides, he stated that the state will soon become judiciary hub in Nigeria considering the provision of infrastructure for the judiciary, opening of the court including a planned estate for retired judges which will be unveiled by the Chief Justice of the Federation.
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion and former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iche Ndu, had congratulated the governor for the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Ndu said the governor has impressed Rivers people so far in his service and style of governance.
Also speaking, Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Kobani, said, “We are celebrating transformation and purposeful leadership.”
Kobani remarked that in the past two years, Wike has governed in defence of rights of Rivers people, and has remained focused to deliver on his electoral promises despite distraction from the federal level.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that aside the planned reliance on the security agencies to rig elections in 2019, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has no electoral value.
He said the disgraceful poor performance of the APC has totally devalued the party, adding that Nigerians have discovered that the APC is full of empty promises, with no accompanying implementation.
Commissioning the Igbogo road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, yesterday, Wike said: “Several promises, not one fulfilled. I have challenged the APC to come to Rivers State and say what they have done.
“If not for the dependence on security agencies for rigging of elections, no APC member will come forward to contest elections”.
The governor said where democracy is practiced in line with the rule of law, PDP members would have gone to sleep, knowing they would walk over APC in 2019.
On developments in Rivers State, Wike said while other states ended their Democracy Day, last Monday, his administration will continue the commissioning of several projects in the coming weeks.
He said that for the people of Akpor Kingdom, the administration has executed projects in all the ten communities of the area.
He noted that the Rivers State Government will begin to reach out to all supporters, which will be in form of direct empowerment.
Also speaking, Commissioner of Works, Iheanyichuwu Bathuel, said that the Igbogo road has revived the community, adding value to the residential houses in the area.
The Choba community in appreciation of the new road conferred a chieftaincy title to Wike.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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