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FG Committed To Dev Of N’Delta, Buhari Assures …As Wike Seeks Urgent Completion Of East-West Road
President Muhammadu Buhari says the Federal Government is committed to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region.
Buhari stated this during the 4th National Council on Niger Delta in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Represented by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President, said the Niger Delta region has suffered a lot of deprivation despite the huge commitment of the Federal Government to change the face of the region and give the people a new lease of life.
He said the completion of the East-West Road which was a priority of his administration, has been handed over to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, adding that the road would be completed by the end of 2021 or early March, 2022.
According to him, “as stakeholders, some of the issues that must engage your minds as you deliberate in this meeting today should relate to economic diversification, fostering economic growth, eradication of extreme poverty, promoting social inclusion, creating of jobs and taming environmental degradation”.
Buhari, who commended the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for the hospitality he extended to delegates of the 4th National Council on Niger Delta, expressed delight with the relative peace in the region.
In his opening remarks, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who spoke through his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, said the Niger Delta was the region that produces the bulk of the wealth on which the nation depends for its development, but regretted that the region was largely characterized by endemic poverty and gross under-development, which he attributed to the denial of a fair share of development resources, economic investments and basic social infrastructures by the Federal Government.
Wike said the minimal progress in the region was attributable to the efforts of the respective state governments, stressing that because of limited resources and technical capacity, the level of progress remains slow throughout the region, much to the discomfort and chagrin of the people.
“When we complained about the resources denial, they reluctantly ceded 13 per cent oil mineral revenues derivation fund to the states to address all the inherent and associated environmental and development challenges that we face”, Wike stressed.
According to the state chief executive, “we complained of lack of Federal Government’s development projects and attention, they gave us the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs with nebulous mandates to drive and meet the developmental needs of the region”.
He further said, “When the youths protested against the neglect, marginalisation and the expropriation of the regions’ resources, they, again, responded with a placatory Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to nip the increasing militancy and restore normalcy, so, oil production activities can continue unhindered”.
Wike insisted that, “If the Federal Government can fund Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the 2nd Niger Bridge from the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), then, there is no reason why the East-West Road, which is critical to the progress and development of the Niger Delta region cannot benefit from this opportunity. I, therefore, call on the Federal Government to urgently fund the completion of the East–West Road”.
The governor revealed that “the reality is for the people of the Niger Delta region to put our development fate in our hands, instead of waiting for the Federal Government, which is interested much more in our petroleum resources than our progress and prosperity”.
Wike also said that the agitation and demand for fiscal federalism, economic, environmental and development justice for the Niger Delta region was just, legitimate and compelling, adding that “it is a struggle we must continue and win by the Grace of God, in the interest of our region and the survival of our people”.
In his address, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who commended Wike’s developmental strides in the state said, “I have seen the flyovers in Rivers State, very high quality and the roads, we are proud to be associated with the efforts going on in Rivers State, irrespective of the political party. All we are interested in is development, as hunger has no political party, unemployment has no political party, decayed infrastructure has no political party; any infrastructure done by government should be appreciated”.
It would be recalled that the National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) is the highest advisory body for the initiation and formulation of policies, programmes and strategies to achieve accelerated socio-economic development of the nine Niger Delta states.
The theme for the 4th National Council on Niger Delta was: “Achieving Uncommon Development in the Niger Delta Region: The Road Map and Strategy”.
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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