News
RSG Not Broke -Semenitari …We’re Building Durable Roads
The Rivers State Government has dispelled rumours making the rounds that salaries of workers in the state were slashed due to lack of funds in the state coffers.
Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state, Mrs Ibim Semenitari debunked the rumours while briefing newsmen in her office in Port Harcourt, yesterday, saying that contrary to speculations, Rivers State Government was not broke, and salaries of workers were not slashed.
The commissioner said the state government was however, carrying out an ongoing investigation within the civil service to address inconsistency in the wage bills, which make some civil servants earn above or below their salary grade levels.
According to the commissioner, over N500 million had been saved from the exercise, which also affect the state-owned institutions of higher learning, operating on special scales.
She said the Head of Service, Barr Samuel LongJohn was in due consultations with the head of the tertiary institutions to streamline issues on salaries to check anomalies with the system.
The commissioner also disclosed that the state Ministry of Finance was perfecting an e-payment policy that would kick off this month in which pay slips would be issued to workers to ascertain the actual number of workers on government payroll.
Commenting on the deductions of the compulsory social service levy, the commissioner said, the social service levy had not been deducted from the salary of workers for the past few months, but pointed out that the deductions will be carried out after due consultation with labour.
Semenitari also debunked claims that the Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has left the Peoples Democratic Party, stating that Amaechi remains a member of PDP, and will continue to subscribe to the rules and regulations of the party”.
Mrs Semenitari further pointed out that the orders restraining the police from arresting the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Otelemaba Amachree, and the Chief of Staff, Chief Tony Okocha had not been vacated as all the parties involved had chosen June13 for hearing on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment to providing quality and durable road projects in all parts of the state.
The state Commissioner for Works, Hon Victor Giadom stated this while fielding questions from journalists in his office in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
Hon Giadom said government was desirous of providing the people of the state the best in road constructions, including bridges and drainages, adding that all roads in D/Line axis of Port Harcourt were being given a face lift of international status with street lights, walk-ways and drainages.
According to him, reconstruction of all roads in Port Harcourt township had also been completed while that of Orashi-Orogbum was on going.
The commissioner disclosed that the six-lane Garrison-Amadi-East-West Road would soon commence in few days as efforts were being intensified to ensure that by September this year, the Peter Odili-Abuloma-Woji Road would be completed and commissioned.
He said that government was having some difficulties in the payment of compensation to owners of building on the Iwofe- Rumuolumeni Road but assured that work on the road would have gone a long way by next dry season.
He disclosed that contract for the Rumuokwuta-NTA Road project had been re-awarded for durability “ because the road services the people of Rivers State and its neighbouring states”.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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