Connect with us

Politics

Gov Wike Commissions More Projects

Published

on

Last week witnessed more harvest of projects as the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, delivered more key projects in the state.
    The Okoro-nu-Odo flyover, the Rumuogba flyover and the new Governmen House Clinic /Administative Bulding were commissioned. He equally commissioned the reconstructed Chief Ferdinand Alabraba Crescent and Opobo Crescent in GRA Phase Two Port Harcourt.
Apart from inaugurating the completed projects, the Rivers State Government also signed contract for the construction of two more flyover bridges to be constructed at the intersection of Olu-Obasanjo Road and Port Harcourt Aba Expressway and intersection of Olu-Obasanjo and Ikwerre Road up to the Azikiwe in Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the contract signing ceremony held in Government House Port Harcourt, Wike stated  that 70 per cent of the contract sum would be paid to Julius Berger upfront while the remaining funds would be paid at the end of the project.
The one week programme attracted top political leaders, men of God, traditional rulers and captains of industry  from different parts of the country.
Wike reassured Rivers people that his administration would not play polictics with any infrastructure that wiould transform the state.
Also last week,  the Rivers State Chief Executive, advocated for 10 per cent oil fund to be given to the oil host communities in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) being considered in the country.
The Governor who stated this last Thursday, when members of the National Assembly Committee on PIB visited him in Government House Port Harcourt stressed the need for the fund going to the host communities to be tied to specific developmental projects .
He regretted that communities who produce oil which is the economic life wire of the nation  were made to suffer poverty and their environment destroyed.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee who led the delegation, Mr Victor Nwokolo Onyemaechi said the committee was in the state to hold a town hall meeting with stakeholders to resolve issues of what should be allocated to host communities in the PIB.
Governor Wike said despite attempts by agents of the Federal Government to cripple his administration right from the onset, he had not disappointed Rivers’ people and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the governance of the state.
“ I know what we passed through in the hands of the ruling government . No state government has been harassed like Rivers State Government. Not one, but I will never give up. I will continue to do what I think is for the best interest of the people of Rivers State because they gave me the privilege”, Wike said.
The former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki , while inaugurating the ultra-moderm Government House Clinic/Administrative Building, praised Governor  Wike for investing in critical infrastructure such as healthcare which is very important in reduction of poverty.
He said that the clinic is not for the people of Rivers State only but for the nation and described  him as an Ambassador of the PDP in Nigeria.
Another major event last week in Brick House was the reconciliation of Governor  Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed by the Rivers State Governor Chief Nyesom Wike.
Both Governors who addressed the press after the peace meeting held in Governor  Wike’s private residence accepted the recounciliation and attributed the missunderstanding to the poor security architecture by the Federal Government.
Governor Wike who expressed delight at the development thanked the two governors for their understanding.
“ We give God the glory today that those differences have been sorted out. We are members of the same political party. Like what the Governor of Bauchi and Governor of Benue said, we don’t want the inefficiency, we don’t want the incapacity of the Federal Government in handling the issue of insecurity in the country to rub on us.”
“ Everybody knows that the Federal Government has failed in providing security for this country. And of course, you will not blame them. They ( Otorm and Mohammed) are under pressure from their various states. It is not as if they have any personal issue”, Gov Wike said.
Also within the week under review, the Rivers State Governor announced that his administration would will build a world class treatment centre to Carter for cancer and cardiovascular diseases in the state.
Announcing this at the inauguration of Rumuogba flyover, kast Tuesday, Gov Wike said contract for the project will be signed in the next two weeks.
“ Let me tell the people of Rivers State today, in the next two weeks, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC will come back and sign a contract with Rivers State Government, a project where we are going to build a Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Centre. It shall be the best in this country and shall be completed in 14 months”, said the Governor.
By: Chris Oluoh
Continue Reading

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

on

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.
The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.
The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.
Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.
“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.
He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.
According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.
He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.
“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.
Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.
He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”
He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.
Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.
“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.
He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.
“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.
He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.
Continue Reading

News

Oji Clears Air On Appointment Of 15 Special Advisers By Fubara

Published

on

The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.

Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.

He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.

According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.

On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.

He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.

Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.

Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.

He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.

The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.

He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.

Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.

 

King Onunwor

Continue Reading

Politics

Rivers Political Crisis: PANDEF Urges Restraint, Mutual Forbearance

Published

on

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called for restraint and mutual forbearance over the recent political development in Rivers State.
The Forum has also set up a high level Reconciliation Committee chaired by a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).
This is contained in a press statement released in Abuja on Saturday.
The statement was jointly signed by PANDEF’s Board of Trustees Co-Chairmen, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff, and Obong Victor Attah (a former governor of Akwa Ibom State), as well as PANDEF’s National Chairman, Chief Godknows Igali.

 

Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.

“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.

“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.

“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.

The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.

“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.

“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.

PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.

Continue Reading

Trending