RSG Revokes Mile One Market Contract

The Rivers State Government, has disengaged the contractor building the new Mile One Market, as it plans to commence the second phase of the project before the end of this year.

State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari made the disclosure while briefing Government House reporters In Port Harcourt on the outcome of the Executive Council meeting which stretched late into Wednesday night.

Mrs. Semenitari who explained the rationale behind government’s decision said apart from the delay in furnishing the facility for occupation by the traders, the government had to confirm the safety integrity of the building, stressing that there were structural defects in the building as well.

She blamed the delay in opening the market for traders on the fears over the fitness of the building to carry the huge activities expected at the facility.

Mrs Semenitari further stressed,” we are worried over the pains the delay might had caused the traders due to contractual lapses”.

Against this backdrop, the Commissioner hinted that the state government had commenced plans to shop for a better contractor that would handle the second phase of the market project but said the paper work had to be concluded before its take-off.

Meanwhile, the State Government has made public its plans to uniquely mark the Supreme Court judgement that brought Governor Chibuike Amaechi to power in October 26th, 2007.

The weeklong programme would stretch to next week Wednesday when the four years anniversary will be capped with a youths Accountability Forum in Government House, stating that youth would be drawn from across the 23 local government areas to attend the programme.

Mrs. Semenitari who enumerated the programmes as approved by the State Exco said the anniversary would commence on Sunday with an inter-denominational church service at the Civic Centre, while enjoining citizens of the state to attend.

The Commissioner remarked, “the celebrations will be a time to share the vision and success of this government”. On Monday 24th, the programme will continue with a night vigil of prayers to be attended by government functionaries and other dignitaries.

A colloquim is slated for the 25th tagged, “Jurisprudence, Democracy and the Rule of Law: The Impact of the October 26th Supreme Court Judgement: Amaechi vs INEC and two Others”, billed to be held at the Rivers State House of Assembly Auditorium.

The colloquim is to be chaired by Retired Justice Karibi-Whyte, a former Supreme Court Justice, while the Leader of the Senate, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba will moderate at the sessions.

Others billed to speak at the occasion include former President of the Nigeria Bar Association(NBA),Olisa Agbakoba and Rev-Father Stephen Dedua, noting that later in the day, the Governor would visit the various special schools in the state to rub minds with pupils and students.

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan (middle), flanked by Uche Ekwunife (right ), Nkiru Onyejiocha (left) and other National Assembly women members during a dinner party in Abuja, on Wednesday.