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Rivers Elders Commend Governor Wike For Consistent Delivery Of Critical Projects
As the Wike administration in Rivers State gears up to mark successful first year of its second tenure on the 29th of May 2020, some elder statesmen have expressed delight over the unfettered leadership Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has continued to offer the state amidst Covid-19 pandemic.
The elder statemen recounted how the broken walls of development and brotherliness were mended in his first tenure with sectorial performances and services provided by strategic institutions of government have remained efficient under his leadership into his second tenure without any lapse.
Chairman of Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority, Chief Ferdinand Alabaraba said everybody within the state can attest to the fact that construction of critical road projects and the three flyovers bridges have continued despite the covid-19 pandemic.
He said, such commitment to delivery of projects to Rivers people combined with the tackling of the Covid-19 pandemic is matched because governor Wike provided palliatives to people in all local government areas to cushion the hardship they experience.
“He has taken all necessary steps to ensure that the disease does not spread and also to ensure that the people are protected. People have criticised him but we know that he is doing the correct thing we all support him. He has not only done that, he’s also not left out his people, giving palliatives to all LGAs of the state. It is a matter of joy that the governor has at all times, worked for the interest of the people and has the support of the people in all he does.”
Speaking on project execution in AkukuToru, chief Alabaraba said the ongoing construction of the ring road in Abonnema town is almost ready and likely to be commissioned in the next few weeks and it will enhance the economy activities of the people.
The elder statesman commended the governor for the cash compensation given to Abonnema Town people that suffered from the Military invasion during the 2019 presidential election, saying it is a demonstration of love and care of a leader to his people.
Senior advocate of Nigeria, Chief Onueze Okocha who sued for patience, understanding and cooperation from all Rivers people who desire good governance that governor Wike has continued to provide, urged them to remember the inglorious past when the state was on its knees from where the governor took it up to chart a new course.
He said the courts are working now, like all arms of government, with construction of projects unabated.
According to him, he had boldly confronted covid-19 pandemic to mitigate alarming health crisis in the state.
“Unfortunately, but happily only four LGAs of Rivers State have reported incidence of persons having covid-19. The measures, he has put in place, I believe to a large extent, helped us to contain the spread of the virus. There has been lockdown which some people found very unpalatable. Of course, when you have a serious ailment you must find a serious medicine to deal with it, which is why I keep speaking to the people of Rivers state to exercise patience with the governor to show understanding especially because we are seeing the result. ”
The senior advocate berated the security agencies for sabotaging movement restriction but noted that beyond such betrayal, Rivers people can celebrate another successful year of the Wike administration.
“I believe that we are here to celebrate even in this very troubling times and doff our hats for the man who we elected to govern Rivers State. His first year in the second tenure has been successful and I hope and pray that the succeeding years that he has in office from now up till the 29th Of may 2023 will also be happy years for which we will celebrate and thank God that at this point in time a man called Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was our governor.”
On his part, Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu recalled how Governor Wike reconnected Etche local government area by road to Port Harcourt with the construction of Chokocho – Rumuokwurushi Road
And Chokocho-Ozuzu Road that were impassable.
According to him, the Odofor-Akporka-Umuoye Road that is under construction is expected to be completed before the end of the second tenure of the governor.
He noted that Etche people like every other local government area in the state are indebted to governor Wike for the inclusiveness they have enjoyed in his administration, declaring that governor Wike has been bold speaking in defence of the state and its people regularly.
“We believe in him and are happy with his success in office. The entire elders and the state are behind him, Let people say if he had not managed infrastructural development very well, including humans beings. Governor Wike is in touch with his people as a grass root leader. Without him, there would not be PDP in Nigeria. He has supported people in leadership to succeed in all areas he had served.”
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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