Governor Chibuike Amaechi has assured the newly recruited 13,000 teachers of payment of their salary arrears by the end of the month.
Speaking at the special church service organised by the Redeemed Christain Church of God tagged, “A Day With General Overseer” at the church’s Igwurata Camp ground yesterday, the governor said the payment would depend on whether all the teachers had complied by engaging in the ongoing biometric exercise.
He also said the payment would be done by instalment considering the current financial challenge the state was facing.
His words, “ We have employed 13,000 teachers but we are aware that we are still owing some of them and I know some of them are here but they would not tell you why we are owing them. They would not tell you that we are doing biometrics and registering them and all that. And that is why we are owing them. And that we are going to pay them six months . Am pushing that they must pay them six months because I’am the governor but if the Commissioner tells me they have not complied then I can assure them it will not exceed next month. I will pay their arrears gradually,” he said.
Aside the teachers, Governor Amaechi further stated that he had ensured that the vow of his administration to promote the welfare of the poor had been fulfilled through the free medicals, building of health centres and free model schools and said,” I have satisfied my conscience that I have served the poor.’’
He also promised to pursue the development and growth of the church, which according to him would fulfill another of his vow to serve God
“ One vow I have made to God is that I would serve God. And that is the most difficult aspect becuase you know that serving God is not microphone and talking about God. It takes much more than that “, the governor remarked.
The Rivers State governor urged the church to pray for the state, “…as a state pray for me. Pray also for those who are bad that God should change them to be good’’.
In his remarks later, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christain Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye described Rivers State as a peculiar state and a second home to him.
The christian cleric observed that Port Harcourt had played significant role in his life as a minister of God, adding that, “ I’am talking to you as my brothers and sisters in Rivers State just like my brother. You have a special place in the plan of God.’’
Pastor Adeboye used the service in appealing to the governor to assist in the Church Camp expansion project saying that, “ the camp ground has become grossly inadequate. If it had rained there would have been more serious problem, so we need a bigger place.’’

R-L:Papal Nuncio, Most Rev. Augustine Kasujja, out-going Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Felix Alaba Job, and new Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, at the installation of new Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan, last Friday