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FG To Review NDDC’s Policies

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As part of activities leading to the virtual commissioning of the new Headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt, the Federal Government has said that it would soon review the NDDC’s policies and modules.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio said this at the pre-commissioning press conference of the new NDDC Headquarters in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Akpabio said NDDC was not all about mismanagement in terms of corruption, but corruption-associated with policies, stating that all that would soon change.
He said with forensic audit and the needed changes effected, NDDC must begin to see the money coming in to deliver major regional plans to execute major projects, including linking the entire mandate states by all transport means possible.
According to him, “by the time the forensic audit closes, NDDC will change, so when you look at NDDC, it is not just the mismanagement in terms of corruption, it’s also the corruption associated with policies, corruption associated with the modus operandi. To get paid for a job, by the time you are through with state offices and you come to headquarters to get your money, in the finance department, you need about 26 signatures before payments are done, so any of them that does not sign the paper, it means that person would have to wait for the 5-6 years, so we’ll also look at the internal governing of the NDDC and reposition it”.
Akpabio also said the Federal Government is determined to complete the first to 4th sections of the East-West Road.
He also said that the NDDC would review the scholarship programme for students in order to train more persons.
He hinted that the commission was spending over N300 million yearly as rent for the rented headquarters office in Port Harcourt, saying, “What many didn’t know was that for over 15 years, that office was not connected to the national grid. So, the purchase of diesel also became a racket, so you understand why completing the permanent headquarters was not the focus for so long”.
On the permanent headquarters project, he said the President deserved commendation for approving the desire of his ministry and the commission’s management to ensure its completion where successive administrations have failed to realise the same since the days of OMPADEC, 25 years ago.
The Interim Board Administrator of the NDDC, Dr Effiong Akwa, on his part, commended the Rivers State Government, the Okrika community leaders for their co-operation in the construction of the headquarters.
He said, “I would not end this media conference without appreciating the Rivers State Government for providing us with a conducive environment throughout our work here, we did not encounter community issues and so I also wish to thank the youths of this community particularly the Okrika youths. They are the best I have come across in recent times, they were cooperating with us. the Rivers State Government provided excellent security”.

 

By: Tonye Nria-Dappa

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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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