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Wike, Promise Keeper, Tambunwal Affirms …As Gov Flays Amaechi’s Failure To Attract Projects To Rivers
The Sokoto State Governor, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has described the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike as a promise-keeper who is committed to the development of the state.
Tambuwal also described the College of Medical Sciences building at the Rivers State University as a master-class edifice.
This is as the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike berated the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi for failing to attract a single project to the state while resorting to falsehood on the execution of projects in the state.
The two leaders spoke, yesterday, while commissioning the College of Medical Sciences building, initiated and constructed by the Wike administration at the Rivers State University.
He said: “I am tempted to recommend Governor Wike so highly. He is the ‘Ekwueme of Rivers State’. It only takes a leader with a vision, passion and commitment to come up with this idea and implement it”.
The Sokoto State governor said that no investment was greater than investments in the area of education, pointing out that Wike deserves praises.
He lauded the governor for projects that were tailored to the needs of Rivers, saying that such projects would enhance the development of the state.
“The projects are tailored along the needs of the people Rivers State. This is a trend in governance to deliver projects based on the needs of the people “.
He stated that posterity would vindicate Wike, and urged leaders to focus on development and de-emphasise issues that generate disunity.
In his address, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike said that it was unfortunate that former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi would lie about projects delivered by the present administration to improve the living conditions of the people.
“There are several projects which were initiated, constructed and commissioned by my administration. Amaechi didn’t have meaningful projects, that is why he had no projects to commission. We have meaningful projects, and we will continue to commission them.
“Projects like Saakpenwa-Bori Road, National Industrial Court, Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Rivers State Ecumenical Centre, Federal High Court Complex, Court of Appeal, Igwuruta-Chokocho Road, College of Medical Sciences building, Elelenwo-Akpajo, Traditional Rulers Secretariat, Rumuokoro Market and Park, Bonny-Bille-Nembe Jetty, Government Secondary School, Onne, Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, and several others were the brainchild of this administration.
“Our projects have overwhelmed them, everyday they are worried. We are here to contribute our efforts to the development of Rivers State”, Wike said.
He said instead of complaining about the high level performance of the present administration, minister should focus his energy on the completion of the Port Harcourt International Airport, revival of the seaports and the completion of the East-West Road.
“Look at the dilapidated nature of the Port Harcourt International Airport, the abandoned seaports and the neglected East-West Road. Amaechi has not attracted a single project to Rivers State.
“As a Minister of State for Education, I brought the Faculty of Law at the University of Port Harcourt. I also attracted the Claude Ake Faculty of Social Sciences Building. I attracted major grants of N500million each to Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, Ignatius Ajuru University and ensured the major rehabilitation of over 22 primary and secondary schools in the state. As Minister of Transportation, what have you done, what have you brought to your people. I challenge him to tell us just one project he attracted to Rivers State”, Wike said.
On Rivers State University, Wike noted that he would ensure that the institution becomes the best.
He assured that the School of Nursing would be reconstructed to ensure that it becomes part of the College of Medical Sciences, adding that the state government would build a proper hostel to replace the prefabricated hostel in the institution.
The governor noted that his administration would train medical professionals for the development of the health sector.
Wike noted that Amaechi attempted to move Rivers State University to another location, but upon assumption of duty, he checkmated the movement and focused on the development of the Rivers State University at the present location.
Also speaking, Rivers State Health Commissioner, Prof Princewill Chike said that the medical world was excited on what Wike was doing in the health sector.
Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof Blessing Didia said that for over four decades, successive governments in Rivers State struggled to establish a medical school without success.
He said that God empowered Wike to succeed where his predecessors failed.
Pro-Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Justice Iche Ndu (rtd) commended Wike for his commitment to deliver key projects in the Rivers State University.
Chairman of Rivers State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Datonye Alasia said that Wike’s administration has propelled Rivers State into the golden era of medical practice.
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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