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Why Rivers Issues N250bn Bond …Amaechi Wins Award
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has again explained why his administration plans to issue bond at the capital market for funding major developmental projects.
A statement by the spokesman to the Rivers State Governor, Mr. David Iyofor stated that the bond would be tied to funding specific developmental projects.
The projects, he said, include the Greater Port Harcourt City, the Port Harcourt Monorail project, the new Rivers State University of Science and Technology Phase1, Monte@Rivers (an entertainment complex), the Port Harcourt Ring Road (that would connect the old city and Greater Port Harcourt) and a new M-10 Highway (a beltway that would link the Port Harcourt International Airport to the Onne Sea port).
Iyofor explained that such gigantic projects would need immediate and massive funds injection to complete them. Hence Rivers State plans to approach the capital market in October, 2011 to raise these funds.
He added that already the State House of Assembly has given the nod for the governor to obtain the bond as such projects cannot be accomplished by sheer reliance on Federal Allocation and Internally Generated Revenue that comes in trickles.
Explaining further the details of the bond, Rivers State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside said,”These long term capital projects that are capable of catalyzing the industrialization and transformation of Rivers State require massive financial investment that can only be obtained from the capital market.”
“The proposed size of the first tranche of the bond will be about 100 billion naira with five years tenure, whereas the total bond programme of 250 billion naira is envisaged over the next several months.” Peterside said.
Rivers State remains very buoyant financially with sizeable revenue accruing from both the Federation Account and IGR. The State has set a target of earning at least half of its total revenue from IGR over the next one to two years.
According to Peterside, “whilst energy prices remain relatively high on the world market in an atmosphere of somewhat low to moderate interest rate, Rivers State would benefit from a bond issue at this stage through leveraging its high income potential and favourable credit rating, coupled with a debt portfolio that is currently low at less than 30 billion naira.”
“The economic indicators of the State, including annual Gross Domestic Product of about 30 trillion naira compared to its debt stock are positive attributes that Rivers State can ride on to raise additional funds to finance its long term development agenda and fast track social and economic growth.” He said.
Peterside however noted that the State has moved further to institutionalize its efforts, giving no room for future administrations to violate loan covenants of bonds.
“To ensure that proceeds of bond are efficiently and prudently deployed for the benefit of generations yet unborn, the Government through the Ministry of Finance and other agencies is making conscious and relentless effort to modernize and automate Public Accounting System, strengthen the Debt Management Office and establish relevant institutions that can transparently monitor projects, while acting as checks and balances of fund utilization in the public sector.”
“With all this in place it is inconceivable that Rivers State will default on the bonds or allow any future administration to violate loan covenants of bonds, thereby laying the groundwork for predictability and continuity in the economic and financial planning process of the State.” he added.
Restating the Rivers State Governor’s commitment to continued infrastructure development for long term sustainable development, Iyofor explained the significance of the huge projects to the State and its people:
“The Greater Port Harcourt City Master Plan shows massive development cutting across over 8 Local Government Areas of the State covering an area of approximately 1900 square kilometers (40,000 hectares of land) with a projected population of about 2 million people. We have masterplans for roads, housing, power, water, waste water, storm water, and integrated waste management among others. We already have the new Stadium and Sports Complex built within the Greater Port Harcourt axis. The proposed M-10 Highway and the Central Spine road designed with interchanges would link the New city to the Old City in the space of 15 to 20 minutes.”
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has been honoured with an award of excellence in governance by the Foundation Faith Church.
The award was presented to Governor Amaechi by the Arch Bishop of Foundation Faith Church, ArchBishop Sam Amaga, Saturday, during the dedication of the Church Cathedral in Port Harcourt.
ArchBishop Amaga eulogised Governor Amaechi’s government for embarking on policies and programmes that would bequeath a legacy for generations to come.
The religious leader identified the focus in education, healthcare, security and power as areas that would improve the standard of living of the people of Rivers State and lauded him for not lacking in courage to take major decisions, emphasising that some of the policies enunciated by the present government would be appreciated after his tenure.
The General Overseer of Foundation Faith Church said the attention given to the education sector by the Governor Amaechi led administration would uplift the quality of education in the state.
ArchBishop Amaga noted that the benefits of education propelled his church to establish primary, secondary and university levels of education to cater for the educational needs of the society, in addition to fulfilling their spiritual requirements.
The clergyman, who narrated the story of the growth of his church which started with five members, said it has spread to all parts of Africa, Europe and Asia, adding that the vision of his missionary work was to evanglise the world.
Earlier in his speech, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi congratulated the church for completing the magnificent edifice as a place of worship, while reminding ArchBishop Amaga to bring the benefit of the growth of the church such as the university, to Rivers State where it started .
Governor Amaechi assured the church of his government’s preparedness to partner with them, particularly in its focus on education, disclosing that by September 2011, about 200 of the modern primary schools would be equipped and put to use.
The State Chief Executive, who expressed gratitude to God for putting him in the present position, noted that some of the projects embarked upon by his government like the free education and health was based on his humble background.
He explained that some of the policies of his administration may appear harsh but they were for the overall interest of Rivers people and solicited for the prayerful support of the church to his administration.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene