News
How We Transformed Rivers State – Amaechi …Warns State Might Return To 2007 Scenario
Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State, Mr Olufemi Adenaike (left), addressing a News Conference in Kaduna recently. With him is the Deputy Commissioner of Police (cid), Mr Gazali Muhammed. Photo: NAN
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi says the transformation of the state after 2007 was as a result of marching vision with action.
He told course participants of Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, in Kaduna State, who visited him in Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday, that the first drive was to diversify the state’s economy by strengthening the educational and health sectors.
By taking over the payment of teachers salaries, Amaechi pointed out that the government was able to reduce the financial burden on the local government councils.
He said the state also raised its internal revenue profile from N2.5billion to N6billion monthly, hinting that the target of government was to push it to N8billion, until the current political crisis crept in and drove investors away.
“That is not enough”, Amaechi explained, adding that…”we did not introduce new taxes, but plugged the loopholes; hence we have saved more money for the state.”
The Rivers State governor while urging the course participants to carry out detailed study of the state, said the state government has built and completed 300 model primary schools out the 750 targeted; and also built 140 health centres across the state, while raising electricity generation capacity of the state gas-powered turbine to 545 megawatts.
Amaechi insisted that all these were responsible for the transformation the state was witnessing until the recent political crisis, which he blamed on the jostle for 2015 elections.
“We should differentiate between politics of elections and politics of the people”, the governor warned, adding that “I pray it does not deteriorate to what it used to be in 2007”.
Earlier, leader of the group, Brigadier- Gen Gbolahan Oyesofobi disclosed that the visit was part of the course requirement, to expose participants to practical situations.
The Director of Land Warfare in the AFCSC also said they chose Rivers State among other 10 states because of the unique developments in those state.
Brig-Gen Oyesofobi explained that already, participants have begun conducting their research, as results would be presented at a special seminar, which he invited the governor to attend during the course of the year.
He lauded the governor for his developmental strides, especially the Songhai Farm and Siat (RISONPALM), describing them as perfect examples of the success of a public private partnership.
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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