Rivers
Sekibo Urges Economy Diversification
The Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Chief George Thompson Sekibo says for the nation’s economy to record remarkable growth, there is urgent need for diversification.
He said such diversification should give priority to non-oil producing areas as solid minerals, agriculture and huge gas deposits.
The lawmaker told newsmen in Port Harcourt that if the abundant solid mineral deposits in virtually all states of the federation, agricultural potentials and gas were fully tapped, there would be more wealth, abundant food and unprecedented employment generation to address our socio-economic imbalances.
He particularly noted that there were many idle hands and fertile lands which could make Nigeria produce enough food to feed the African continent if resources in that direction were properly harnessed.
Commenting on the 2013 budgets, the Senator expressed dissatisfaction at the static position of Nigeria budget for the past years, stressing, “I agree with the president on such priorities as security, agricultural sector, education and others but my wo_rry is not even about the sharing formular,” but that allocations to many sectors are almost the same all year round.
He explained that too much on oil concentration gaves the wrong impression that the nation is rich whereas the reality is that Nigeria is poor, emphasizing that “only when we realise the fact that we are poor, we would strive to work harder and give atten_tion to other sectors.”
He called on the Ministry of Economic Planning to initiate ways of tapping other revenue resources and urged the next Senate to have a critical view at revenue resources during 2014 budget to move our economy forward.
Sekibo who was a member of Gas Committee in the last Senate explained the reason why the issue of gas flaring persists inspite of global and national condemnation.
According to him, “it is not a one day issue. It is a process that would take time,” noting that there is remarkable improvement. He expressed the hope that with patience and time, “we shall get to the desired point on the issue.”
Meanwhile, Senator Sekibo has paid a visit to the Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Mrs Babs Omotowa in Port Harcourt.
Chris Oluoh
The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).
In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.
The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.
Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.
The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.