Amaechi Attends SRM Rally In Khana

Government House activities last week were suffered
with displeasure following the attack on government officials, and the violent disruption of Save Rivers Movement (SRM) rally at Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area by some hoodlums.
About two persons were shot and over 15 vehicles battered by hoodlums allegedly hired by the opposition to scuttle the event.
Returning from Abuja on Sunday, Governor Amaechi inspected the vehicles and spoke to the media, stressing that no amount of intimidation would stop the SRM from carrying out its sensitisation rally.
The governor hinted that he would personally attend SRM rallies in Khana and Tai slated to hold last Saturday and yesterday.  And so he did on Saturday when he led huge crowd who swinged and danced at the open field of the All Saints Anglican Church, Ogoni Missionary Diocese.
The governor told the surging crowd that the violence of last week was planned  to instill fear in the minds of Ogoni people while challenging the ruling party to allow a level playing field to prevail ahead the elections.
He said, “they are afraid they would fail that is why they want to intimidate you”.  Amaechi urged the Ogoni people to buckle themselves against impunity and agents of oppression.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr George Feyii, who enjoined the people to support the vision of SRM in ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.  Others who spoke are Hon Maurice Poronen, Hon Igoh Aguma, Caroline  Nabo and Chief Andrew Uchende.
Rising from the State Executive Council meeting on Monday, the Rivers State Government has warned on the plans by some politicians to sponsor hoodlums to protest on the streets of Port Harcourt.
Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Umunakwe together with his counterparts from Employment Generation and Women Affairs briefed newsmen on the outcome of the state Exco meeting.
Apart from the plan by politicians to recruit hoodlums to disrupt the peace in the state, the commissioner hinted of plans by the State Government to commence the commissioning of completed projects in February.
They also used the medium to enjoin the newly recruited 13,000 teachers to ensure they participate in the ongoing data capture, to enable them get their salaries.  As far as they were concerned the recently passed 2014 budget would address the plight and welfare of the citizenry.
Areas to be covered by the budget include health, power, education and infrastructure.
On Tuesday, the Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue (RIRS) disclosed its plans to commence the issuance of automated tax certificates to all tax payers in the state.  Chairperson of the board, Mrs Onene Osila Obele Oshoko made the plans public.
According to her, the new tax certificates are in two categories, one for those in government employment and another for those private employment.  Tax payers, she further explained, would get their tax clearance in two weeks through a computerised system.
Also, last Thursday, the Rivers State House of Assembly reconvened to deliberate on pending matters. The House was convened at the Old Government House, following the continuous closure of the House of Assembly by the police.
“Among the three bills that were deliberated upon and which passed second reading include the Customary Court Bill and the Waste Management Agency Bill.  About 17 members attended the sitting.  Speaking of the House said other absentee members had taken permission. It will reconvened next week,