Politics
RSG To Build N10.1bn New Assembly Quarters
Last week, the Rivers State Executive Council gave approval for the construction of a new House of Assembly Quarters. Disclosing this in a press briefing after the state exco meeting held last Friday, the state Commissioner for Housing, Elder Chinedu Tasie , said the new quarters which would be built at the same old site of the former Assembly Quarters would cost the state Ten Billion, One Hundred Million Naira (N10. 1bn).
According to Tasie, the project which comprises of 32 number of four-bedroom duplexes with two rooms boys quarters attached to each of the duplexes as well as other modern features, is to be handled by an indigenous firm, Lubriks Construction company and to be completed within the duration of 16 months.
The Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, said the approval for the project is a further demonstration of the government’s determination to ensure that the legislative arm in the state enjoys decent accommodation and to also boost the synergy that exists between the two arms of government.
Through out last week, it was projects inauguration galore as the state government commissioned one project after the other from Monday till Saturday.
Top national political leaders across leading political parties graced the events with all eulogising the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for his infrastructural revolution in the state.
Among notable personalities that were in the state to commission the projects were the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, the Enugu State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Sokoto State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Senator Ali Ndume.
Governor Wike accused APC- led Federal Government of playing politics of deceit with the Ogoni- environment remediation programme recommended by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
Speaking Tuesday, during the inauguration of the Saakpenwa-Bori Highway in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Gov. Wike said when elections draw nearer, Federal Government would come up with one pretext of the programme only to relax after the election.
He noted that Ogoni played a vital role in the economic development of Rivers State and the country, therefore, deserves a better treatment than what the Federal Government currently offers the area.
After the non-stop inauguration of projects last week which involved about seven local government areas of the state, the state government has again announced that more five legacy projects executed by the Gov. Wike- led government would be unveiled this week in four local government areas of the state.
This has proved critics wrong who allege that Gov. Wike executes only projects in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas at the detriment of other local government areas in the state.
According to a release by the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, on Monday, January 11, 2021 Rumuche-Rumuakunde-Oha Awuse Road, in Emohua Local Government Area would be commissioned.
On Tuesday January 12, Rumuekini-Alu Road in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas will be commissioned, while on Wednesday January 13, the phase two of Isiokpo Internal Roads in Ikwerre Local Government Area would be commissioned.
The release further stated that on Thursday, January 14, the Isiodu Road in Emohua Local Government Area will be commissioned and inauguration activities for the week will round off Saturday with the commissioning of Bolo Internal Roads in Ogu/ Bolo Local Government Area.
The Rivers State Taskforce on Street Trading and Illegal Motor Parks swung into action Monday last week. The streets of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas particularly were very orderly, as street traders and operators of illegal motor parks observed the state government’s ban.
The new coordinator of the Taskforce, DSP Felix Nwadibeyi (rtd) stated that his team commenced operations last Monday by first patrolling the streets of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor aocal government areas to sensitise the public on the need to obey government ban on street trading, illegal motor parks, taxi ranks and mechanic work places .
Another event last week in Brick House was the Juma’at Special Prayer held Friday at the Central Mosque, NNS Pathfinder, Rumuolumeni, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, as part of events marking the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.
Gov Wike reassured the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies of the continued support of the state government in their mandate of protecting lives and property.
The Rivers State Chief Executive who was represented by his Special Assistant on Schools Sports, Chief Aribitonye Mohammed Okiri recalled the numerous support of the state government to ex- serviceman and reiterated his administration’s determination to sustain the support.
He enjoined other members of the public to give support to the families of our brave soldiers who died in the course of defending the nation.
By: Chris Oluoh
The Senate yesterday received the 2026-2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper from President Bola Tinubu, marking the formal launch of the 2026 federal budget cycle.
In a letter addressed to the upper chamber, Tinubu said the submission complies with statutory requirements and sets out the fiscal parameters that will guide the preparation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
He explained that the MTEF/FSP outlines the macroeconomic assumptions, revenue projections, and spending priorities that will shape Nigeria’s fiscal direction over the next three years.
The letter was read during plenary by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), who urged lawmakers to expedite consideration of the document.
“It is with pleasure that I forward the 2026 to 2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper for the kind consideration and approval of the Senate.
“The 2026 to 2028 MTEF and FSP were approved during the Federal Executive Council meeting of December 3, 2025, and the 2026 budget of the Federal Government will be prepared based on the parameters and fiscal assumptions therein,” the President stated.
Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved the fiscal projections, pegging the oil benchmark price at $64.85 per barrel and adopting a budget exchange rate of ?1,512/$1 for 2026—figures expected to significantly shape revenue forecasts and expenditure planning.
After reading the President’s letter, Jibrin referred the document to the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), with a directive to submit its report by Wednesday, December 17.
The Senate adjourned shortly after to allow committees to commence scrutiny of the fiscal framework and continue the ongoing screening of ambassadorial nominees.
Tinubu’s communication to the Senate came less than 24 hours after he transmitted the same MTEF/FSP documents to the leadership of the House of Representatives.
The letter was read on the House floor by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who also urged timely legislative action as required by law.
The MTEF and FSP are statutory instruments mandated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act and serve as the blueprint for Nigeria’s annual budgets.
They outline the government’s fiscal stance, macroeconomic assumptions, revenue frameworks, projected deficits, and sectoral priorities over a three-year period.
The Tide reports that approval by the National Assembly is a prerequisite for the executive to present the Appropriation Bill for the next fiscal year.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
-
Politics2 days agoSenate Receives Tinubu’s 2026-2028 MTEF/FSP For Approval
-
News2 days agoRSG Lists Key Areas of 2026 Budget
-
News2 days agoDangote Unveils N100bn Education Fund For Nigerian Students
-
News2 days agoTinubu Opens Bodo-Bonny Road …Fubara Expresses Gratitude
-
News2 days ago
Nigeria Tops Countries Ignoring Judgements -ECOWAS Court
-
Sports2 days agoNew W.White Cup: GSS Elekahia Emerged Champions
-
Featured2 days agoFubara Restates Commitment To Peace, Development …Commissions 10.7km Egbeda–Omerelu Road
-
Sports2 days ago
Players Battle For Honours At PH International Polo Tourney