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Rivers People Hail Wike’s Rural Dev Drive …As Gov Flags Off 16Km Road In Omuma, Oyigbo Market Road …Berates APC For Failing Rivers
Rivers people have continued to pour encomiums on the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike on his commitment to the rapid development of the rural areas of the state, with the flag-off of several road and other projects in the 23 local government areas of the state.
The latest commendation came from an elder statesman and top notcher of the Peoples Democratic Party in the State, Prince Emma Anyanwu who applauded the governor for the flag-off of the reconstruction of Odufor-Akpoku-Omnoye Road in Etche Local Government Area.
According to Prince Anyanwu, “the sea of people from all parts of Etche here today and their joyous mood tell you how happy they are over this project.
“What Governor Wike has done to the people of Etche has made the people indebted to him.”
He said before now, the road had been impassable because of its deplorable condition, and expressed regrets that a son of the community was a majority leader in the Rivers State House of Assembly for four years but never made effort to see that the road was rehabilitated.
Anyanwu said the road was strategic as it would link many communities in the local government area, adding that food products which could not be transported to other parts of the state will now be easily transported, if the road is completed.
Anyanwu described Wike as the Necodemus of today for the people of Etche, adding that to appreciate the governor’s effort; no single vote would go to any other party during the 2019 elections but to PDP.
The Commissioner for Agriculture in Rivers State, Hon Charles Nworgu said the event was historic in the sense that since the road was built by the colonial administration; no effort was made by past administrations to rehabilitate it.
“Over the years, people could not have access through the road; so also the agricultural produce from the communities which are predominantly farmers.
“Today, Governor Wike has flagged off this strategic road, and we are happy.
“We commend him for his efforts and assure him of strong support to his administration”, he said.
He assured that the project would be protected and that the contractor will enjoy the co-operation of the people to enable him complete the project on schedule.
The Onye Ishi Agwuru Igbo, Eze Samuel Amaechi also expressed excitement over the flag-off of the road project by the governor.
He said construction of the road will make it possible for people and agricultural produce being produced in the area to be transported to other parts of the state and the entire federation.
The royal father explained that the people of the communities directly linked to the road suffered so much because of the deplorable state of the road such that for anybody from Odufor, Akpoku or Umuoye to go to Port Harcourt, he had to pass through Umuaturu, Mba and Okehi before going to Port Harcourt, instead of following a short-cut to Egwi due to the state of the road.
Amaechi said they only way to thank the governor was for Etche people to sustain their strong support for Wike’s administration and to vote for him enmass during the 2019 elections.
A Commissioner in the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Sir Ikechi Nwogu, also applauded the Rivers State governor for embarking on reconstruction of the road.
He said that not only people in the three communities but entire Etche found it difficult to pass through that axis of the local government area, adding that several appeals made to the past administration fell on deaf ears.
Nwogu said Wike has come to rescue the people of the area from hardship, stressing that the project will link Etche communities and make the transportation of agricultural produce to other parts of Rivers State possible.
In a similar reaction, the Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Civic and Value Orientation, Andy Nwanjoku said people from the area could not bring out their farm produce to other parts of Etche and Rivers State because of the nature of the road, thereby resulting in huge wastages.
“But today, the governor has changed the story and the entire Etche people are very happy for what the governor has done to them.
“Etche people have no option than to vote massively for Wike and PDP. We are ready and waiting to pay him back with our votes for remembering us”, he added.
In continuation of the state-wide roll out of projects, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Saturday, flagged off the construction of Umueze-Umuogba-Umuokpurukpu-Umueke-Umunju-Umuelechi-Eberi Road project in Omuma Local Government Area of the state.
The road project is a 16.2 kilometers, linking seven communities in the local government area.
It also has capacity to provide 350 direct employment opportunities for the youth in the area and will be completed in nine months.
Wike, at the flag off ceremony, commended the people of Omuma for their mandate, describing their support as overwhelming.
The governor assured them that they will enjoy more key projects.
He said his administration had linked Omuma communities to the National Grid while the General Hospital, Eberi was nearing completion.
Wike said: “There is no way that Omuma Local Government Area will not continue to benefit from key projects. The lawmaker representing Omuma State Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu has performed creditably, and we can see his constituency projects”.
He berated the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government for its failure to provide succour to the people, stressing that in the state, the APC has nothing to show.
“The Federal Government has no tangible project in Rivers State after close to three years in government. These APC leaders from Rivers State have been unable to attract a single project.
“If you know that you cannot deliver projects to the people of Rivers State, you better keep quiet and allow us develop the state”.
The governor said that as a Minister of State for Education, he was able to attract 22 key projects to the state and grants for Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic.
“Those who represented Omuma Local Government Area in the past: what is their legacy? For this administration, we shall develop the area”, the governor said.
In his remarks, member representing Omuma in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu thanked Wike for his commitment to the development of the area, and assured the governor that Omuma people will support his re-election come 2019.
A traditional ruler in Omuma, Eze Sylvanus Ogberi lauded the governor for the project, and said it would enhance the socio-economic life of the people.
He also applauded the governor on his emergence as Silverbird Man of the Year 2017 and The Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year 2017, and urged him to continue to do more for the people of the state.
Meanwhile, in continuation of the state-wide roll out of projects, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Friday, flagged off the reconstruction of Oyigbo Market Road by Afam Junction in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
The governor also kick started the construction of road from TAP to Iriebe in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
Speaking during the flag off the two roads, Wike said that the time has come for the people of the area to witness the full transformational power of his administration.
He said: “Recently, while I appeared on a live radio programme, several people from Oyigbo called to inquire about roads in the area.
“This is Oyigbo’s time for critical road projects. Aside these two roads being flagged off today, the Camp Mbano to Iriebe Road is nearing completion”.
Wike charged the people of Oyigbo to always vote leaders who are committed to the development of their communities.
He said: “As far as we are concerned, whatever the people of Oyigbo are entitled to, we shall give it to them.
“I urge the contractors to cooperate with the communities for the early delivery of these projects. For the Oyigbo people, my advice is that you should not listen to those who failed you in the past”.
The governor charged INEC to ensure that the votes of the people count in 2019, as that is the only way Nigerians will benefit from democracy.
“INEC should make Nigeria the big brother by doing things that are right especially conducting free and fair elections. INEC should remove shame from Nigeria. Let your result sheet be the only result sheet. Not that the police will have a different result sheet for fraudulent purposes”, he said.
In his remarks, Commissioner for Works, Hon Dumnamene Deekor said the two roads were in very deplorable condition, adding that the reconstruction will energise the economy of Oyigbo.
Also speaking, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Mr Ugochukwu Ejiri said the people were happy with the flag off of the reconstruction of Oyigbo Market Road by Afam Junction and thanked the governor for remembering Oyigbo people.
Chris Oluoh
Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of his administration’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the scheme in the State.
Fubara gave the assurance last Friday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area in the State, during the swearing-in ceremony of 2026 Batch B Stream II orientation course.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Promise Oguzie, the governor said the State Government would remain intentional in providing the necessary support to improve the NYSC scheme and enhance the experiences of corps members deployed to the state.
He charged the corps members to be role models and quality nation-builders in their service to the good people of Rivers State in particular, and Nigeria at large.
“I charge you to be exemplary, dedicated and committed in all you do. Take full advantage of all the camp programmes and activities to enrich yourselves”, he said.
In his welcome address, the State Coordinator of NYSC in Rivers State, Mr. Moses Oleghe, urged corps members to see their deployment to Rivers State as a “veritable opportunity to make meaningful contribution to the growth of the State in particular and Nigeria at large.”
He further charged them to serve with all sense of “integrity, discipline, and the fear of God, especially when they will be engaged as INEC ad-hoc staff that will conduct the 2027 general elections.”
A total of 3,584 corps members composed of 1,421 males and 2,163 females were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, who was represented by Justice Godspower Aguma.
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says Nigeria needs God-fearing leaders for the nation to move in the right direction and make meaningful progress.
The Governor stated this yesterday when he received in audience, the World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler; his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler; daughter Mariana Marques Kohler and a retinue of ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Fubara who hailed the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its contributions to education and the grooming of future leaders in Nigeria, expressed delight that the Church had over the years, been investing in education at various levels and currently runs two universities in the country.
He commended the church for not only using its institutions to spread the gospel of Christianity but to groom future leaders for the country.
According to him, religion should not be just about defending one’s faith, but also making meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
He said that by floating these educational institutions, the church has demonstrated capacity to support Nigeria in the task of producing not only educated people but a breed of God-fearing leaders.
“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line and that is what has brought us to where we are today.
“So, I feel very happy that you are contributing to the development of our future leaders in this country. We need the right people being in the right place; prepared properly with good minds; that is what we need, not just in Nigeria but round the whole world.,” he said.
Governor Fubara further observed that the absence of God-fearing people in high places to take the right decisions that could impact positively on the society, has also given rise to other problems such as social inequality, poverty, corruption and criminality. According to him, Nigeria needs a system where the average parent could afford quality education for their children and a guarantee that upon graduation, the average child will have the capacity to compete favourably with anybody, anywhere in the world.
“If we have a situation where the little money that you’re being paid as wage can also afford you quality healthcare and after working at least for 15-20 years, you have a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in any kind of crime? At that point, you’ll feel secured and this attitude of insecurity about the future that leads to all the social vices we have today won’t be there,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and for their prayers for Rivers State, assuring them of his continued support for their programmes in the state.
Leader of the delegation and World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler said he was in Nigeria for a special conference of the church during which thousands of the church’s ministers will be undergoing an empowerment programme to further equip them for the task of herding their flocks and serving the society.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception accorded his entourage, saying the memory of the visit will linger in his mind for a lifetime.
Kohler disclosed that the Church has over twenty -four million (24,000,000) members and more than 182,000 places of worship, spread across 212 countries of the world.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This reaffirms the lawmakers’ commitment to enacting laws and taking legislative actions geared towards the overall development of the State.
The Assembly gave the approval during its Second Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held last Friday.
Speaking on the MTEF document during plenary, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, noted that by the provision of Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010, the MTEF ought to have been laid before the House in September 2025.
Amaewhule explained that traditionally, the document is expected to be presented four months before the commencement of the next financial year and immediately after the expiration of every three-year fiscal cycle.
He, however, stated that in the interest of the State and its people, the House considered it necessary to deliberate on the document, describing it as a precursor to the 2026 Budget Estimates.
The Speaker expressed concern that the year had already progressed significantly before the presentation of the framework.
During deliberations on the document, members examined the assumptions and projections contained in the MTEF and observed that strict adherence to the outlined fiscal parameters would ultimately serve the interest of Rivers people.
The lawmakers maintained that effective implementation of the framework would promote prudent financial management and enhance developmental planning across the State.
Following the debate and positive consideration by members, the Speaker put the question to the House and members voted overwhelmingly in support of the approval of the MTEF.
Meanwhile, during the same sitting last Friday, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu.
The petition was presented by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi.
According to the petition, concerns were raised over an imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and alleged forceful takeover of property by some lawless persons within parts of the Local Government Area.
Presenting the petition before the House, Hon. Amadi appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the matter and take necessary steps aimed at safeguarding lives and property in the affected communities.
The House is expected to further deliberate on the petition and consider measures to address the concerns raised in order to sustain peace and security in the area.
King Onunwor
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