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Resist Attempt To Sabotage Projects In Your Communities, Wike Tasks Youths
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has urged youths in the state to resist any attempt by disgruntled persons to sabotage government infrastructural projects in their domain.
The governor said with the ongoing flag-off and inauguration of various projects ranging from roads, schools, hospitals in the rural areas of the state, he has been able to dispel the misleading propaganda by the opposition that his infrastructural projects are only limited to Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor councils.
Wike made this assertion during the flag off 11.6-kilometre Omerelu internal roads in Ikwerre Local Government Area, last Monday.
He stated that the flag off is a fulfillment of the campaign promise he made to the people of Omerelu when he was contesting for the position of the governor of the state.
“You promised me that when the election comes, that you will stand by us that you will vote for us. Indeed, you voted for us. So, having fulfilled part of your own promise, we must also fulfill part of our own promise.”
The governor regretted that despite one of the most influential commissioners in the immediate past administration being an indigene of Omerelu community, that administration heartlessly neglected the community.
“I have said the essence of politics is not about the money you make and put in your pocket. The essence of politics is what you are able to attract to your people. I cannot be in government, I cannot be close to government and then I cannot attract one infrastructure to my community. Can one man feed everybody? Is it possible? If they give you all the billions and you put in his pocket that does not mean the community is rich.”
Wike, who expressed concern that a community like Omerelu in this age lack access roads, urged the youths to resist any attempt by some unscrupulous persons to sabotage the road construction and other government projects in the area.
He explained that with ongoing flag-off and inauguration of projects in all the 23 local government areas of the state, he has been able to dismiss the opposition reprehensible propaganda that his administration has neglected the riverine and rural parts of the state.
“We don’t believe in telling lies in social media. For us, seeing is believing. Is there construction going on in Omerelu today? Are we giving you excuses? Are we telling you stories? Are we not doing what we promise you? PDP is the only party that has shown to Nigerians that when we say something, we do it.”
Wike directed the Commissioner of Works to immediately visit Omagwa and Igwuruta communities, and measure their internal roads to enable government award contract for their construction.
The former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, who flagged off the Omerelu internal roads, commended Wike for his massive infrastructural development drive across the entire state.
Omehia said it was regrettable that the previous administration, for inexplicable reasons decided to neglect Omerelu which is a strategic gateway community in the state.
He urged the community to watch over the project by cooperating with the contractor and ensure that the roads are completed on schedule.
The Commissioner of Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi while providing the project description, informed that the project is for the construction of a total of 11.6km of road ways, 6meter and 8meter wide depending on the axis, and 16.6km of drains.
Tasie-Amadi said the project will be funded vide an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO), meaning that contract payments are made directly to the contractor by the state’s bankers, without the need for bureaucracy, on a given date every month for the duration of the project.
“Upon completion, not only will Omerelu community wear a new look, the entire populace will be better of whilst enjoying all the attendant benefits of good road and transportation access.”
The Chairman of MCC, Senator John Mbata, commended the Rivers State Government for the financial arrangement to fund the project, and assured that the roads will be done according specification and completed on schedule.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
