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Bonny Tech-Institute Ready Soon- Amaechi …Decries FG Absence In Rivers
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi says the Federal Government has concluded arrangement for the take-off of the Federal Technical Institute, Bonny.
Governor Amaechi who disclosed this yesterday while on an inspection tour of facilities at the Institute in Bonny, Headquarters of Bonny Local Government Area said the tour was aimed at identifying areas that needed attention to get the institution functioning.
The Governor explained that the Federal Government had directed him to identify the number of structures that have been completed and the ones yet to be completed with a view to getting the Institute started.
He observed that five of the structures which comprise lecture halls and hostels have been completed while work is ongoing on two others, and pointed out that the premises of the institute needed sand-filling and fencing to safe-guard the facilities there.
According to him, the institute also needs roads, water, electricity as well as the
building of lecturers’ quarters, and expressed the hope that with the completion of the necessary facilities the institution would be made to function soon.
It would be recalled that the foundation stone of the Federal Technical Institute, Bonny was laid by the immediate past President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on 22nd September 2000.
Meanwhile, the state Government has called for the support of the National Assembly in ensuring that federal projects are executed in the state.
Governor Amaechi made the call yesterday when a delegation of members of the House of Representatives Committee on Works paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Governor Amaechi who decried the lack of federal presence in Rivers State in terms of project execution regretted that even the existing federal roads such as the Aba Expressway, the East/West and Ikwerre roads have all been abandoned.
“I am not aware that there is any road the federal government is doing in Rivers State”, the governor said as he pointed out that because of the embarrassment and challenges caused by the deplorable condition of the abandoned federal roads the state government has taken over the responsibility of maintaining them.
The governor explained that apart from constructing flyovers on the Aba Expressway, and the Eliozu junction of the East/West Road, the state government has equally awarded a N21 billion contract on the rehabilitation of Ikwerre road which he said has almost collapsed.
He said that the Bodo/Bonny road which contract was awarded since 2005 has also been abandoned and noted that even though most of the multi-national federal concerns such as the Eleme Petrochemical Company, the Refineries and NAFCON were established in Rivers State, the state is not remembered in the distribution of federal projects.
Governor Amaechi observed that the Federal Ministry of Works in the state may have decided to overlook the deplorable state of federal roads with the assumption that Rivers State has a lot of money arguing that such assumption is wrong as the state has so many problems.
He explained that as a result of the difficult terrain of the state it is expensive to construct roads here and appealed to the lawmakers to also prevail on the Federal Ministry of Works to live up to its responsibilities by maintaining federal roads in the state.
The governor equally pointed out that the bad condition of roads in the South-South and South Eastern parts of the country was hampering the economy of the regions because investors were pulling out as a result of poor road network.
Earlier, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Kabiru Abdullahi Jalo who led the delegation said they were in the state to carry out their nationwide inspection of ongoing projects in the South East and South-South geo political regions as part of the oversight function of the Committee.
According to him, the essence of the inspection was to assess the level of implementation of projects for which monies were appropriated and to involve all stakeholders to appreciate the challenge and the need to address the rot on our roads.
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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