Amaechi Mourns Eke, Briggs

Last week, the state lost two of its prominent sons, who
helped shape its political fortunes in the Second Republic. Former deputy governor and Eze Oha Evo, Dr. Frank Eke and former Speaker of the Rivers state House of Assembly from 1979 – 1983, Rt. Hon. Rosebery Briggs.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi paid condolence visits to both families last week Monday. He said of Eze Frank Eke, “I saw in him a man of great qualities, a wonderful character that you see that is full of honesty, you know him as a man that when he tells you I’am with you, he is with you”.
Amaechi further recalled the political contributions made by the deceased towards the enthronement of Goodluck Jonathan as the country’s President in the 2011 elections. He added that the Evo Monarch lived a fulfilled life and promised that his administration would contribute to give the the deceased a befitting burial. Shortly after, he paid a condolence visit to the family of late former Speaker Rt. Hon. Rosebary Briggs.
On Tuesday , Governor Amaechi presented the 2014 budget to the State House of Assembly at the old Government House Auditorium. About 26 House members were present to receive the Appropriation Bill.
The budget totals N485.524 billion and is N4.797 billion less than that of last year. The major thrust is to complete ongoing projects with a recurrent expenditure of N117.09 billion.
Few hours after deliberating on the budget, the House led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree passed the bill. Deputy Speaker, Barrister Leyii Kwane said the House took the action as a matter of expediency to ensure that governance is not truncated in the state.
On Wednesday, Rt. Hon. Amaechi signed the budget into law and commended members of the House for rising to the challenge of governance and defending democracy. He also promised that the government would ensure that all monies are spent according to the letter of the budget.
On the same Wednesday, Governor Amaechi received the Governing Council of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology led by its Pro-Chancellor, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte. He later proceeded to the New Year Civil Service Prayer Day held at the Secretariat Complex, Port Harcourt.
Governor Amaechi commended Civil Servants for the support they have given to his administration, and promised that henceforth government would no longer make deductions from their salaries and would implement policies and programmes that would improve their lots. He gave the sum of N300 million as Christmas/New Year gifts to Civil Servants in the state.
On Thursday, shortly before embarking on projects tour with some foreign journalists, Governor Amaechi attended Ministers Prayer Network International at the Civic Centre Port Harcourt.
The Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum welcomed different participants who attended the programme all over Nigeria and beyond. He enjoined them to pray for his administration. “I believe that if all of you cry to God on my behalf God will hear”.
Later on Thursday, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari briefed newsmen on the alleged plot by supervising Minister of education, Nyesom Wike to obtain a court judgement to halt the implementation of the 2014 budget.
Semenitari noted that the alleged plan which is geared toward grounding governance in the state was being hatched to stop the monthly federal allocation to the State, she warned that if such plot succeeds then it would throw the state into more crisis.
On the same Thursday, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Amaechi Mr. David Iyofor, also briefed newsmen over ownership of Soku Oil Wells.
Mr. Iyofor described the statement as a ploy to twist the facts saying, “the facts on the Rivers State ownership of the Soku Oil Wells are immutable, no matter how the Bayelsa State Governor tries to stretch, twist or Spin them.