Niger Delta
Group Flays Political Violence In A’ Ibom
The Neighbour 2 Neighbour, Nigeria for the Goodluck/Sambo ticket in the South-South geo-political zone of the country, has condemned in strong terms the recent political violence in some states of the federation, particularly in Akwa Ibom State which resulted in the destruction of lives and property.
The group which made the condemnation while briefing newsmen shortly after its South-South Zonal meeting in Port Harcourt on Monday said the incident was a calculated attempt to truncate the good works of Neighbour 2 Neighbour across the South-South Zone in its bid to return President Goodluck Jonathan to office come May 29, 2011.
The meeting which was facilitated by the Rivers State Co-ordinator of the association, Barrister Daddy West was attended by all the six state co-ordinators, co-ordinators in the various local government areas, wards and polling units as well as field officers and faith co-ordinators.
Addressing newsmen on behalf of the group, the South-South Zonal co-ordinator of Neighbour 2 Neighbour, Nigeria, Barrister Ebikeme Bosin disclosed that members of the organisation were also victims of the political mayhem in Akwa Ibom State.
“We, therefore, sincerely condemn in its entirety every act of violence that has been carried out against any member of any group, whether it is Neighbour 2 Neighbour group or not,” he said.
While condoling families of victims of the political violence in Akwa Ibom State, the zonal co-ordinator noted with candour that members of the group had resolved that votes of Nigerians must count this time around, and urged all Nigerians to work hand to protect their votes in order to prevent the rigging of the forthcoming elections.
According to him, members of the opposition in the South-South geo-political zone were working secretly to cause a political upset in the zone to embarrass President Janothan.
Bosin, however, assured that the group was working hard to nip such plans in the bud, as it was mobilizing the people of the zone particularly at the grassroots to ensure that 90 per cent of eligible voters in the region vote for the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential ticket, stressing that members of the outfit were working hard to deliver victory to President Jonathan at the polls.
“The South-South is the home of the President. Neighbour 2 Neighbour is up to the task in the South-South. We are very ready,” he declared, pointing out that members of the organization were reaching out to all the nooks and crannies of the South-South for the singular purpose of securing 90 per cent votes for the Goodluck/Sambo ticket.
While urging members to intensify their efforts of achieving this goal, the South-South Zonal Co-ordinator noted that Neighbour to Neighbour volunteers were equally working assiduously for the electorate to turn out enmasse on election day to vote for President Jonathan.
Bosin noted with satisfaction that the Jonathan administration had within the past few months recorded tremendous improvement in several sectors of the nation’s economy including the education, power and energy sectors among others, and expressed optimism that the president’s transformation programmes were capable of improving the lives of Nigerians if re-elected.
The zonal co-ordinator further hinted that Neighbour 2 Neighbour was equally convinced that none of the presidential candidates eyeing the presidency in the present dispensation could beat the credentials of President Jonathan.
“We are very convinced that there is no other candidate that can beat the credentials of President Jonathan whom we are selling and offering to Nigerians. Mr. President is ready to improve the lives of the citizenry of this country in all areas by the time he comes on board come May 29, 2011,” Bosin said.
The Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RSBOPP), says efforts are being made to strengthen the existing procurement processes leading to the award of contracts and jobs execution in the state to enhance service delivery.
The Board chairman of the RSBOPP, Lawrence Oko-Jaja, disclosed this while speaking to journalists in his office in Port Harcourt, after a meeting with staff of the agency, last Friday.
Oko-Jaja who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) stated that procurement had become a global issue, stressing that without a proper procurement plan, it would be difficult for any state or nation to move forward in the attainment of its developmental strategies and goals.
The chairman said that the Board had observed some improprieties in the procurement processes and assured that they would take every measure to ensure full compliance with the state procurement laws.
“We will ensure that the laws are followed and we have value for money. We must ensure that money is used for contract execution and not to enrich people’s pockets. We’ll ensure that the money being quoted for any job or contract corresponds with the prevailing market price. We are going to strengthen the monitoring and evaluating team of the Board to perform their duties; going to markets, verify the prices quoted for and also ensure compliance.
“We are going to look into the procurement laws to see how we can close the existing gaps noticed that are not in line with global practices. These measures will also affect local government councils in the state to ensure there is value for money and save money for the state government. And in doing so, the government can spread its services across the state and not in one place.
“His Excellency, the governor of the state has a mantra, “Rivers first”. We are going to ensure we assist him and the state government achieve this policy by ensuring that the procurement laws are complied with and things are done rightly. That is why we are here,” he said.
Oko-Jaja assured that members of the Board would justify the confidence reposed in them by the state governor for the benefit of the state.
Earlier, in an interactive meeting between Board members and staff of the agency, the Board chairman of RSBOPP told the excited workforce that the Board had approved the merger of some departments, namely Legal, Ethics Human Resources and the Facility Management departments to ensure maximum output and efficiency in service delivery.
He said that the Legal and Ethics departments had been merged as one department, adding the Human Resources and Facility Management departments had also been merged.
He told them that going forward every department would also be accountable for its responsibility and announced that the Board had also approved that conditions of service should be put in place for the staff of the agency so that they would grow like their counterparts in the state mainstream civil service.
Akujobi Amadi
The Rivers State Government says it would continue to address the needs of Civil Servants in the State.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara stated this during the Rivers State Civil Service 2025 New Year Thanksgiving Service, at the State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Speaking through his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Governor Fubara said his Administration is willing and ready to do what will make Civil Servants happy, more hardworking, and more distinguished.
“I want to tell you that you have our ears, and you can tell because when the Head of Service gave his address, there were no demands because while you were yet asking, it was already executed. We want you to know that to whom much is given, much is expected. We do not take your love and support for granted.” Governor Fubara stressed.
The State Chief Executive urged Civil Servants to redouble and rekindle their energy to ensure that the Rivers State Civil Service becomes the envy of Civil Service in Nigeria, noting that the State Government is pleased to work as a family with Civil Servants.
He implored them to continue to uphold his Administration in prayers, which according to him has kept him thus far, adding that prayers would lead them for years to come while asking them to be proud of whom they are as Civil Servants.
In his address, the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nweke, expressed gratitude to Governor Fubara for the implementation of the enhanced minimum wage, payment of Christmas bonus, improved retirement benefits, and creation of employment opportunities amongst others, as well as issuance of SME loans facility to deserving Civil Servants in the State.
Dr Nweke who said the theme of this year’s thanksgiving “Peace Be Still” reminds us that even amid turmoil and uncertainties you can find peace and calm in God’s presence while urging them to pray for continuous peace and development in the State.
In his sermon, the Dean Church of God, Anglican Communion, the Most. Rev. Blessing Enyindah who spoke on the theme “Peace Be Still” drawn from Mark 4:35-41, said storms of life may manifest in different ways and forms, causing us anxiety and sleepless nights but with Jesus Christ by our side, there is hope.
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