Amaechi Promises N5bn Support To Rivers People

Following a disparaging statement by Presidnet Goodluck
Jonathan’s Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe on the person of Governor Chibuike Amaechi last week, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, David Iyofor has described Okupe as President Jonathan’s worst enemy.
In a press statement he issued on Sunday last week, Iyofor urged President Jonathan to get rid of Okupe and other of his aides who resort to name calling than addressing public issues.
The president’s aide, the statement noted, was descending low to “become the Chief Advocate and Defender-In-Chief of the commissioner of police, Rivers State, Mbu . J. Mbu.”
Okupe had attributed the heightened call for Mbu’s redeployment to political machinations by the state governor. But Iyofor replied that “it is certainly rude, uncharitable, il-mannered and hypocritical for Okupe to falsely and superciliously allege that Amaechi is a willing tool to any person or group against President Jonathan.
Returning from Abuja on Monday, Governor Chibuike Amaechi commissioned the Eleme Regional Water Scheme, jointly built by the Rivers State Government. While expressing appreciation for the role Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited played in providing potable wate to the people of Eleme and environs he urged the people to guard against vandalisation of the facility.
Amaechi however, harped on the need for sustenance of the water scheme through the setting up of a Water Development Authority in Eleme. But commissioners for Water Resources/Rural Development, Ms Patricia Simon-Hart noted that a Water Consumer Association has been established in each of the clans to oversee the management of the scheme.
Early on Tuesday, Governor Amaechi swore-in a new Acting Chief Judge of the State in the person of Justice Peter Agumagu. Until his appointment,  Justice Agumagu was the President of the State Customary Court of Appeal.
Amaechi later said, “We looked at the constitution and the constitution says the most senior Judge of the High Court and we looked at your appointment and compared it to the rest of the judges in the State and realised that you are the most senior judge in the State.”
On the same day, he processed to unveil the 2013 “Job Fair,” jointly organized by the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) and the Ministry of Employment Generation.
The governor tasked the youths to be innovative as a way of engaging themselves… “If you continue to wait for the job fair to be organised annually for you to get employment, you may end up dying of hunger and poverty. You must therefore be creative.”
He promised to release N5billion to provide financial support to people who are ready to be self-reliant and innovative to borrow at subsidized low cost to set up their own business.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wogu Boms shortly after a meeting with Niger Delta Bishops Forum addressed press men over reactions trailing the appointments of Acting Chief Judge of the State.
He said, “Justice PNC Agumagu, the Acting Chief Judge is the oldest judge (in terms of service) now in Rivers State. There is no judge older in appointment than he is and Justice Agumagu was appointed a High Court Judge. He was never appointed a Customary Court of Appeal Judge.”
Boms went on to explain that there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional about Agumagu’s appointment, adding that, “you are aware that there was a recommendation by the National Judicial Commission as to who would be Chief Judge. The State government is processing that and we sent it to parliament which is the next step, so before that is done we appointed the Most Senior Judge as Acting Chief Judge.”
On Friday, State Governor addressed protesting nurses from the school of Nursing and school of Midwifery through Commissioner of Health, Dr Sampson Parker over kidnap of  their teacher, Mrs Beauty Frank Daminabo. They called on the government to intensify efforts to free her. They lamented that the development has affected academic activities.
Chief of Staff Government House, Sir Tony Okocha on Saturday commended the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor and his wife over the free medical scheme, and pledged government support.