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Rivers Signs MoU For N10bn Banana Plantation …Amaechi Assures Quick Gains For Investors
The Rivers State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Union De Initiative SA DE CV of Mexico, for the establishment of a N10billion banana plantation in the state.
The commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Emmanuel Chinda who performed the ceremony on behalf of the state government in his office in Port Harcourt, said that the state government would contribute 40 per cent of the project sum while the Mexican firm will contribute the remaining 60 per cent.
Mr Chinda said that the plantation which will be sited in the Ogoni axis of the state, is meant to generate employment opportunities for the people of the state.
The Commisisoner also said that the plantation is part of the programme put in place by the government for the establishment of large-scale farms in the state.
“The state government is laying a lot of emphasis on large scare agriculture, we will re-examine all we have done in the area of agriculture so far, and try to raise the value chain of that sector so that it creates the necessary employment , that is supposed to be for our people”, he said.
He used the occasion to assure the Mexican investors of government’s preparedness to assist in the realization of the project.
Speaking on behalf of the firm, Mr Gabriel Airedondo said they were proud to partner with the state government in the establishment of the plantation, describing it as a historic event.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Jokotade Adamu thanked them for their interest and stressed the need for the establishment of a factory that will process the banana harvested from the plantation.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi has assured prospective investors in the N250 billion Rivers bond of quick returns on their investment.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi gave the assurance, on Monday, when a team of Standard and Poors – an International public finance rating body led by its Director, International/Sovereign Public Finance, Mr. Lorenzo Pareja paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Governor Amaechi disclosed that the State has worked out modalities for paying back the loan. His words, “we assure all those who would invest in the bond that they would get back their money with good returns in good time.”
The Governor who reiterated the rationale behind going for the bond, averred that the bond is aimed at assisting government fund on-going projects such as the new M-10 Highway, the Greater Port Harcourt City, the Monorail, the New Mega Hospital, the new Rivers State University of Science and Technology complex and several other landmark developmental projects.
“What I’ve told them is, we must pay back within our tenure,” the governor said.
According to the Rivers State Chief Executive, the state government would not wait for the monthly revenue allocation to drive development.
“This administration needs money to complete its projects. Our target is to be able to fund capital expenditure. If we wait for Federal Government revenue, we may not be able to complete our projects on time.”
He added that, “in the next four years our projected revenue is estimated to be between 900 billion and 1 trillion naira.”
He disclosed that currently the internally-generated revenue has risen from N4.5 billion to N5 billion which makes the State viable to repay its debts without stress.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Pareja intimated the Governor that the team was in the State to carry out its yearly monitoring and assessment of the Rivers State credit ability.
So far, he said that the State has shown remarkable improvements in the management of its resources and governance in general.
Considering the current economic boom the state is witnessing, the Standard and Poor’s Director stated that the government could go ahead to issue the bond, noting that it is in line with the Rivers State capital expenditure.”
“We have heard of plans by the State to issue bond in the capital market. This is quite historic because it’s the first time Rivers State is doing it. N250 billion capital expenditure is a substantial investment.
“We hope that this very remarkable investment plan will have a lasting impact on the State and its internally generated revenue.” Pareja said.
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.
