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Wike Ups Support For Rehab Centre With N200m Grant
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says any government that does not take care of the less privileged in the society is bound to fail.
The governor, who made the assertion while speaking, last Friday, at the inauguration of the Rivers State Rehabilitation Centre, Iriebe in Obio/Apkor Local Government Area, also announecd N200million grant to reinvigorate activities of the centre.
Wike stated that his administration places premium on catering to the needs of people with social, psychology and other forms of disabilities, adding that it was for this reason that an effective, caring and liveable rehabilitation home has been provided for them.
“In life, like I’ve said, building roads alone is not enough. Building health centres alone is not enough. Building educational facilities alone is not enough.
“Any government that does not take care of the less privileged; that does not take care of those who may not have access to education and health; that government is doomed for failure.”
The governor noted that misfortune could befall some people and compel them into lifestyles that are not approved by society, stressing that such persons need well-meaning government to factor them into policies, programmes and schemes that will provide them a future.
“They might have taken to drugs, maybe, because of our faults. Some people lack that parental care and have been lured into all kinds of vices. But we blame them.
“However, society must provide for them. Some of them may have been the best if they were in school. Some of them would have been the best if they were working. So, you need to provide a place (rehab) for them. A place where they can be talked to, be counseled, and eventfully come back to life (sanity).”
Wike commended the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Inime Chinwenwo-Aguma, for her sterling performance, adding that he was pleased with the success of her ministry, particularly the edifice being inaugurated.
The governor approved a N200million grant to the ministry to enable it attend to the daily requirements of the rehabilitation centre.
Performing the inauguration, the former National Assembly member for Niger South Senatorial District in Niger State, Senator Zaynab Kure, said the governor was a development-minded leader.
Kure spoke of Wike as gender-friendly leader for having a female deputy, and worked amicable with a female while he served as minister of state (education).
According to her, “development is not about roads alone, but it must also address the health of the people, both young and old.
“You picked a female as a deputy. Right from the time you picked her, nobody has heard of a friction between you and the deputy governor.
“It shows how gender-friendly you are, and of course, how passionate, and tolerant you are of the development of Rivers State ditto the whole nation.”
She further commended the governor for reviving the centre, which will help government tackle the problem of mental health of the state, particularly at this time when Nigerians are grappling with the challenge of depression.
In her address, the state Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Inime Chinwenwo-Aguma, said the old structure was overcrowded, dilapidated and suffered annual flooding with no medical centre and vocational training facility.
According to her, it became difficult for the centre to perform its core function and service to the vagrant lunatics, beggars and destitute often evacuated off the streets of Port Harcourt.
“This administration (of Wike) deemed it pertinent to remodel (reconstruct) the rehabilitation centre. The re-established centre is now comprised of: an administrative building equipped with learning centres, service building with kitchen, dining hall and laundry room. Staff building, separate hostels for inmates, isolation centre, sick bay and recreational area.”
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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