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Amnesty Boss Pledges Prompt Payment Of Stipends

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The Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dikio (rtd), has vowed to resolve all bureaucratic bottlenecks hampering prompt payment of stipends to the beneficiaries of the programme.
Dikio, who spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the weekend when he met with leaders of phases one, two and three of the scheme, said some persons tried to discourage him from touring the region citing security challenges.
The Amnesty boss said the reforms he had introduced into the scheme would stop series of protests by ex-militants that used to precede payments of their stipends.
Dikio, who has been on a tour of the region, insisted that his reforms had made prompt payment of the beneficiaries’ stipends possible.
“There were too many bureaucracy in the system which often resulted in the incessant delays in the payment of the N65,000 monthly stipend”, he said.
Dikio said his tour was aimed at returning the programme back to its owners insisting that PAP was designed for ex-militants only.
Addressing the ex-militant leaders, he said: “The PAP is a programme that was designed especially for ex-agitators. If you are not an ex-agitator you’re a stranger. I don’t see why it will be the other way.
“I was told by some people not to come that the region is not safe. Why should I be in this office and not visit my main area of operation? So I said I must come, so that we can see eyeball to eyeball, let me hear from you the issues so that together we can begin to discuss how to move on.
“I was in Okochiri in Okrika on Friday where I met with the Big 5 in the palace of King Ateke Tom and it was a fruitful meeting. Today, I am also meeting with you all to reinforce my vision for the PAP.
“Over time people have confused the programme for the package. They are different and it is good that you understand that so that we can all be on the same page.
“Since I came, I have been undertaking some reforms to ensure that we get it right. So the issue of your monthly stipends will be paid every 25th of the month. It’s not rocket science. All that was needed to do was to put the accounting process in order”.
Dikio appealed to the ex-agitators to work for the peace and development of the region by supporting the new direction and vision of the PAP under his watch.
He said: “If we learn the lessons of the past then we can do better. Our region has been left behind. Everything shouldn’t be about protest. The more we stabilize the region, the more we will attract businesses.
“I want you all to understand that you can be what you want to be. You can choose to be great and you will be great. It all depends on you. So for you to be great you must think great and begin to do great things not things that will be inimical to your growth”.
The ex-agitators expressed confidence in the new administrator and commended him for consulting them, an action they said was lacking in the past.
The leader of the first phase of the PAP, Pastor Reuben Wilson said the new vision of Dikio would make the programme run seamlessly.
He said it was a remarkable idea to host the meeting in the region saying it had further boosted their confidence in him.

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Rivers

IYC Demands Apology Over Arrest Of Soboma Jackrich

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The Elders Council of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has demanded for an apology from the security agencies over the recent invasion of the residence of Ambassador Soboma Jackrich where two of his aides were killed.
The council said this in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Signed by Elder Afonya Horsefall, Chairman Ijaw Youth Elders Council, KalabariSekpangi, said the military, by the invasion has trampled on the inalienable rights of its leader.
According to the organisation, “the wanton destruction of his property and the killing of aides is repugnant to natural justice and must be restituted.
It stressed the need for the security agencies to be professional in their approach to security, adding that every action of the security agencies must be within the ambit of the law.
The group described Ambassador Soboma Jackrich as a prominent Ijaw leader who has contributed immensely towards the development of the Niger Delta and the relative peace in the region.
The IYC also called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara to come to the aide of the Niger Delta people by ensuring security and development in the region.

By: John Bibor

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Rivers

Fubara Has Demystified Governance-Elder Statesman

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As Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration is set to mark itsone year anniversary, an elder statesman, Sir Fubara Hart, says governance in Rivers State under the governor has been demystified.
Hart, two-time House of Representatives aspirant, therefore, called on Rivers people to rally round the Governor in show of support to achieve the desired objective.
Hart, in an interview in Port Harcourt, said under Governor Fubara, infrastructural development and human capital development are given .maximum attention they deserve for the wellbeing of the citizenry.
He said available evidences abound in the State, judging from the thanksgiving rallies organised by the Simplified Movement, saying it is a strong indication that Rivers people are pleased with the wave of development in the State.
He noted that the spread of projects across the nooks and crannies of the State, unlike in the past, has endeared the Governor to the people who are celebrating him.
Hart said under Governor Fubara, Rivers, people can feel a sense of belonging, as governance is being given a human face through the distribution of social amenities across the board.
He maintained that it would be appropriate to support Governor Fubara, rather than distracting him, saying Governor Fubara has shown his determination to change the fortunes of the people, especially the unreached, among the populace .
“In the past, it wasn’t like this, a scenario where one man divided and cornered the wealth of the people is over. Rivers people are pleased, being carried along and being allowed to contribute to the growth of the State.
The multi-billion naira Port Harcourt Ring Road; Trans-Kalabari road project; the low cost housing units; Songhai farm rehabilitation; and job creation can be described as the monumental achievements Governor Fubara has recorded.
“Gone are the days projects are sited in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area alone. Rivers people can now see projects in all parts of the State. We appeal to detractors to allow Governor Fubara serve his people, give him maximum cooperation as it was given to Wike and others who had ruled the State. Others ruled for eight years, so nothing will stop our own.
Governor Fubara is one of the best things that has happened to Rivers State, as his peaceful disposition, accessibility and open-door policy are hallmark of leadership. He came for Rivers people, as seen in his actions and conduct. Anyone fighting him is an enemy of Rivers people and should be jettisoned,” he said.
Hart said the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili was right by endorsing Governor Fubara as the political leader of the State as provided in the PDP Constitution.
The PDP meant well by enshrining it in his Constitution, which the All Progressives Congress (APC) borrowed to implement.
The elderstatesman, therefore, appealed to all PDP members to respect the party’s Constitution as it is supreme.
He urged the 27 lawmakers led by Hon Martin Amaewhule to know that they are no longer lawmakers in the eyes of the law as any law made by them cannot stand.
While urging them to desist from being used by one selfish politician to destablise the peace existing in the State, Hart pleaded with the Governor to remember Bonny Local Government Area in the award of road projects, as Bonny internal roads are begging for attention.

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Monarch Lauds Fubara Over Solicitor-General’s Appointment

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The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, King Leslie Eke, has praised the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara over the appointment of Mrs Ibiwari Charity Clapton-Ogolo as Permanent Secretary and Solicitor- General of the State.
Eke  said this at a press briefing to mark his birthday at his palace in Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
He said Clapton-Ogolo being a seasoned lawyer will do as expected in an attempt to project and defend the interest of the people.
According to him, such opportunity will also reduce the work-load on the office of the Attorney -General of the State.
The traditional ruler also said the appointment will aid in prompt delivery of justice in the State.
The appointment, he noted, has further demonstrated the Governor’s strength in governance of the State and not weakness as argued in some quarters.
He said those who are not in tune with the modern ways of governance will always be at the sea at each step taken by Governor Fubara.
The Governor, he further explained, is full of wisdom and is prepared to better the lots of Rivers people.
“I am at home with the Governor’s leadership style. He is calculative and he always hits the nail on the head. Well, people are free to say anything they like, but for me, the Governor is a goal getter”, he said.
He re-emphasised the intention of the entire Evo Kingdom’s undiluted support for the present administration as he prayed God to continue to guide and direct the Governor aright in order to enable him deliver credibly on the mandate given him.
It would be recalled that the State has for some time operated with only the office of the Attorney-General of the State until the recent appointment of the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of State by Governor Fubara.

By: King Onunwor

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