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We’ll Continue To Invest In Infrastructure, RSG Affirms …Says Rivers, Home To Finest Schools In Nigeria
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the state government would continue to invest in the development of infrastructure to grow the state’s economy and create employment for the people.
Wike also said that the state government would sustain the creation of enabling environment to attract more investments to the state.
He spoke, yesterday in Port Harcourt during the Maiden NLNG DLPG Delivery to Stockgap Terminal.
The governor said: “We will continue to develop infrastructure in the state to grow the state’s economy and attract more investors to the state.
“Rivers State is the best place for investors to come. There is always return on investment in the state.”
Wike commended the chairman of Stockgap for investing in the state, and expressed happiness for the major investment that would positively improve the state.
“I am happy with this investment. We will reconstruct the road leading to this facility as an encouragement to the investor.
“This facility will create employment and develop the economy of the area. We need to support investors for the good of the society”, he said.
He praised the Nigerian engineers who constructed the facility, stressing that the time has come for Nigerian engineers to be given the opportunity to showcase their skills for the development of the country.
While thanking the NLNG for their role in the development of the state, he wondered why the Federal Government was yet to pay its counterpart fund for the construction of Bonny-Bodo Road.
On the dredging of the Bonny River Channel, Wike berated the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for refusing to invest in Rivers State.
“NPA is willing to collect levies and charges in Rivers State, but they refuse to dredge river channels in the state and make the right investments.
“We have NPA Port in Port Harcourt and Onne Port. They killed them, yet they are building a new port in Lagos “, he said.
In a remark, the Managing Director of NLNG, Mr Tony Attah, described the event as memorable as it would promote access to LPG to people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta.
He said: “Before LPG is produced in Bonny, shipped to Apapa and transported to Port Harcourt via trucks. That is why we say today is a memorable day.”
He said that with the transportation of LPG from Bonny to Port Harcourt, the state would benefit in the areas of foreign exchange and positive impact on the lives of the people.
Attah noted that the NLNG remains committed to providing cleaner sources of LPG to the people, in order to improve their health.
He said that the NLNG was proud to be associated with the Rivers State Government for the development of the state and the Niger Delta.
The Chairman of Stockgap Group, Obiamarije Stanley said that Rivers State was a viable destination for investment.
He said that the facility would promote employment and the use of LPG by families, and thanked the Rivers State Government for creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government says it has spent the last four and half years to focus on the gradual transformation of the state’s education system to a world class status.
The State Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike stated this while receiving the Award of Honorary Fellowship of the Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) at the 34th Annual Congress of the academy at the University of Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, the governor said the state was gradually becoming home to some of the finest public primary and secondary schools in the country, which he attributed to his administration’s enormous investments in education.
“With the best of education infrastructure, conducive learning environment and dedicated teachers the outlook is getting brighter for public schools in Rivers State”, Wike stressed.
According to the governor, quality education remains the most fundamental key to success for any individual or a country.
“All the developed countries and advanced economies of the world are where they are because of the quality of their education, which they have effectively displayed to tackle their challenges”, he further stressed.
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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