Amaechi Seeks Better Deal For Rivers

Last week was pretty busy for Governor Chibuike Amaechi as he returned from Lagos after receiving the prestigious “Vanguard Personality of the Year 2012” Award at the weekend.

On Monday, the governor commenced state duties with the swearing-in of the the new chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Augustine Ahiamadu and his deputy, Ego Paula Ahiakwo in Government House.

Congratulating the new local council boss and his vice chairman, Rt. Hon. Amaechi, charged them to give security a top priority considering the rising kidnapping and other social vices in the area.

Rt. Hon. Amaechi also tasked them to give attention to infrastructure development, noting that, “know that in the process of your running primary you had opposition and one of the reasons for opposing you is basically, I would not say too many of them. I will say one, basically the issue of performance and you need to go there and ensure that there in performance.

Tuesday, Governor Amaechi played host to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees led by former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih.

The PDP Board of Trustees Chairman who led delectation of  top party stalwarts including Prof. Jerry Gana and Chief Ebenezer Babatope, said they were in Rivers State to consult with Rt. Hon. Amaechi over important national and party matters affecting the party.

Responding, Governor Amaechi assured them that the party is one and peaceful, but used the medium to solicit for a better deal for party members in Rivers State considering the huge votes (2 million) they gave during 2011 elections.

The new Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Port Harcourt Refinng Company, Mr. Ian G. Udoh, visted the governor on Wednesday with an appeal to the governor on the need for heightened security to ensure uninterrupted petrol products supply.

Mr. Udoh decried the high level of pipeline vadalisation and crude oil theft, which he said affect products availability and pleaded on the state government to help.

Welcoming the new Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refinery, Rt. Hon. Amaechi, expressed his administration’s readiness to secure crude oil supply, and urged the company to work with the state government in beefing up security and community development.

Shortly after, the governor equally played host to students of the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) on an Executive Intelligence Course of the state and led by Barrister Adebayo Babalola.

The governor after receiving the ISS study group, took them an a project tour covering the Shonghai farm, Ambassador Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School, Banana Farm at Tai and Elekahia Model Primary School among others.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Malaria Town Hall and foundation laying ceremony for new biolarvicide factory at Rumuosi took centre stage on Thursday, as Governor Amaechi played host to Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu and ECOWAS President, Mr. Quedraogo.

At the forum held at the Civic Centre, Governor Amaechi insisted that, “We must invest in biolarvicides. We must go with the federal ministry of health, the ECOWAS Commission and the Cubans to invest in indoor spraying.”

Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu stressed the need for joint effort and environmental cleanliness to successfully tackle malaria.

President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Quedraogo pledged the support of the sub-regional body by providing fund and political support.