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We’ ve Eliminated Upland/Riverine Dichotomy -Wike
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that one of the greatest achievements of his administration was the elimination of the upland/riverine dichotomy, which plagued the state in the past.
Speaking during an interview with the organisers of Zik Leadership Prize Award, Wike said that his administration has been able to promote unity for the overall development of the state.
The governor said: ‘First of all, you remember that the founding fathers of this state maintained that Rivers State should be seen as a place or land of opportunity where people will have to achieve their potentials in life. In this state before, all you see, all you hear is tribalism; that you are from the upland, you are from the riverine, and so, people were not doing things as if we are one.
“So, we believe that, one way we must achieve, if we see ourselves as one, and once that is done, then we have moved to the next step. So, today, our concern is that issue of upland/riverine is no longer necessary. We see ourselves as one Rivers State and it is necessary because of the projects and programmes we are carrying out in all the local government areas in the state. So, the issue of upland/riverine differences is relegated to the background.
“There are projects going on everywhere in the state, and if you don’t do that, people will begin to say government is favouring one tribe against the other; that we are this or we are that; and vice versa. Therefore, the issue is to bring everybody together.”
Wike noted that Rivers State has made tremendous progress in the last three years because projects’ execution has been prioritised.
“We have to move on, and that is why, today, most people are beginning to have hope, and they are happy also that Rivers State is moving on. It is no longer stagnated as it used to be. We have moved from point A to point B.
“Our concern is to make sure that we use the economic potentials of the state for the greater interest of our people by turning around what we have from what we use to have,” he said.
The governor said that his administration was committed to making sure that Rivers State takes her rightful position in the comity of states in the country.
He said a trip round the states of Nigeria under the present dispensation reveals that Rivers State under his watch was one of the leading centres of rapid growth.
Wike said that he inherited a collapsed infrastructure and damaged governance structure, hence the decision to prioritise projects’ execution for optimum output.
The governor said: “The idea of I started this project without completion amounts to bad governance. My administration has taken the step by completing all abandoned and uncompleted projects. When such projects are fully completed, and those that left them uncompleted, who did not handover properly to me will turn around to claim 95 per cent completion of such a project. How can a project left at 95 per cent completion take 3-years to complete, isn’t it funny?
“Our problem in Nigeria is that we initiate white elephant projects that we cannot complete. My administration has plans of building new schools and also renovating old ones. That cannot be done at once but in phases across the three senatorial districts. Any project that we cannot fund, we would not venture to begin”.
He stated that achievements in governance can only be made possible by commitment and passion, and not just the experience of the office holder.
“But it goes beyond that and that is the passion and commitment, and that is what has helped us to record some of the achievements that you have today identified. So, commitment and passion are key for any person in public office to make a mark or try to achieve some successes. So, for me, it’s the passion and commitment and these are things that would aid in recording some milestone”, he said.
Wike added: “Like I said, part of the problems we’ve always been having, with all due respect, is not being able to identify what you want to do. Planning to carry everything at the same time and at the end of the day, you achieve nothing. So, for us, what was our focus when we came on board?
“The infrastructure was completely down, no road networks. So, how can you talk about bringing in investors to Rivers State when there is no network of road infrastructure. We fixed the infrastructure, beginning with the road network. If you look at the budget in our first year, it was dedicated to works, bringing alive all decayed infrastructure in terms of road network. Having done that, we moved to another sector without carrying everything at the same time.
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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