Govt House In Retrospect

Last week started on a thanksgiving and dedication service held at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre in Port Harcourt.

The service witnessed the presence of “Who is who” in Rivers State with the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and popular evangelist Dr Umah Ukpai offering special prayers for the state.

Pastor Adeboye said the good things currently being experienced in the state is because of God’s infinite mercy on the leaders and therefore noted that thanksgiving remains the route to attract more blessings.

Governor Amaechi in his remarks reassured the people of the state of his zeal to move the state to greater heights, “to ensure that the impoverished majority of Rivers people live a better life.”

He challenged those accusing him of over handedness to a public debate, saying that since his assumption of office in October 2007, he has utilised the state’s resources for the good of the people.

Just a day after the thanksgiving, lecturers and students from the Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku came on a protest to Government House over incessant abduction of their members by kidnappers in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

The protesting lecturers were led by the College’s Academic Staff under the chairman Comrade Chima Geofrey, who lamented that over nine lecturers of the college have been abducted since last year.

Comrade Geofrey, who placed request of the protesters before the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mr Fortune Oguru, called for quick and immediate action to check the menace, saying that the school may shut down if the criminal act persists.

The College of Education, ASU Chairperson also called for total overhaul of the security network in the area, hinting that so far, the efforts being made by the authority have failed to check the problem.

Responding to the protesters, the Permanent Secretary said the state government was aware of the problem and has put measures in place to curb the criminals.

He said, “the Rivers State Government has spent so much money on security because of the value it attaches to its citizens.

Mr Oguru assured them that their requests would be tabled before the governor, who was away on official assignment to a meeting of Nigerian Governors Forum in Abuja.

Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the Governor’s Forum on Tuesday night, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Amaechi unveiled plans by the body to commence another phase of polio eradication nationwide.

The NGF, according to Amaechi, would also seek for a Supreme Court interpretation and resolve of issue relating to the adjudication of the Excess Crude Account.

NGF equally gave a unanimous “vote of confidence” on the leadership of Governor Amaechi, while disclosing plans to organise a retreat on security of the country.

On Wednesday, the last State Executive Council meeting for 2012 was held to discuss State matters, and Rivers State Government protested over the poor handling of the boundary adjustment dispute between it and Bayelsa State.

Represented by his deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru at a meeting held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the governor insisted that we must strive to maintain the peace which has existed from time “immemorial,” urging both parties to imbibe the principle of peace and harmony.

On Thursday, Governor Amaechi also spoke through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari at a state Trade Union Triennial Conference held in Port Harcourt.

The Rivers State Governor reminded labour not to jettison the ideals of fighting for workers and bettering the welfare of the masses.

Also during the period under review, the governor attended a special meeting with President  Goodluck Jonathan on states with high prevalence of HIV/AIDs infection. The meeting was expected to chart a new course on how to check the scourge.