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Amaechi Dares EFCC
Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has challenged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct more investigations into his administrations financial expenses if they so wished, maintaining that he is not afraid of further investigations.
Rt Hon Amaechi gave the challenge yesteray while answering questions at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Chapter, Platform, a forum for promoting accountability amongst public officials held in Port Harcourt.
The governor said the anti-graft agency was on a wild goose chase considering the way and manner he has conducted his financial expenses through adequate budget implementation.
‘They should go and check expenses of Government House in the past and that of the present administration. There are a lot of differences”, Amaechi declared.
Contrary to widely held opinions that the state was secretive about its budgetary implementation, the state governor noted that even the World Bank had lauded his government for publishing the budget and making it available even on line.
The governor submitted that he has equally checked careless budgetary allocations saying every expenses his government made were based on specifications approved by the Assembly.
To further consolidate on this stride, he assured that next year’s budget is now under preparations and may be sent to the state legislature before December his year.
In the same vein, the governor stated that the same right measures evolved are being replicated in the local councils with the setting up of the Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam Committee to monitor activities of Chairmen.
He disclosed that a report has already been submitted by the committee, but promised that it has to be thoroughly studied before swinging into action.
In his words, “ We have rated about five LGAs as above average. A bulk of them average and lots of them below average. We would sanction those below average on what they are doing with their money.
Aside project performance, Amaechi disclosed that some of the local government chairmen have been suspended due to bad security reports on them, hence the decision by his government recommending to the Assembly for them to be suspended.
The two local government areas are Andoni and Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni local government.
Governor Amaechi said since the two local council chairmen were suspended, their areas have known peace, adding that they would only be recalled if security reports improved in their domains.
Explaining why the Platform was organised, Rivers NUJ Chairman, Opaka Dokubo said the initiative was to appraise government officials and make them accountable.
Mr Dokubo commended the Governor for making himself available for the forum and for running an open administration.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
