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Rivers: Non -Indigenes Praise Amaechi On Development
US Vice President Joe Biden (left), with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arsenly Yalsenyuk, during a meeting in Kiev, Ukraine, last Tuesday. Biden called on Moscow to encourage pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine to vacate government buildings and check points, accept amnesty and “address their grievances politically”.
A group of non-indigenes resident in Rivers State Thursday stormed Government House, Port Harcourt to declare their support for the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Leader of the Non-indigenes Political Forum in the state, Chief Williams Samuel Ubaka commended Governor Amaechi for the uncommon transformation put in place by his administration to improve the living standard of the people.
According to him, “we are particularly happy with the uncommon transformation of your administration, and especially, in the areas of good and accessible roads, healthcare services, education, particularly, the World class model primary and secondary schools that have admitted our children on free scholarship, we are most grateful for that opportunity”, High Chief Ubaka said.
High Chief Ubaka also thanked Governor Amaechi for employing 20 per cent of non-indigenes during the last teacher’s recruitment exercise, and the appointment of their sons into political offices to pilot the affairs of the state.
The group further urged Governor Amaechi to provide vehicles for mobility and also demanded for pilgrimage slots for non-indigenes, implementation of employment and scholarship quota, empowerment and skill acquisitions as well as reduction of burial fees at the Port Harcourt cemetery.
Responding, Governor Amaechi said, “We usually send a minimum of 500 Muslims to Mecca free of charge annually. But, if you also want us to give 100 chances for Muslims and Christians in APC respectively, we are also ready to grant that request. For party (APC) positions, I said, they must give 10 per cent to the ward, state levels, but more than that at the senatorial zones. On scholarship, 20 per cent will go to the non-indigenes. I don’t believe in non-indigeneship. As far as I am concern, you are entitled to everything if you have lived in Rivers State for at least five years. We are all Rivers indigenes. If you go anywhere around this state and they are segregating you, please, call my attention, the reason is that, we are all Nigerians and we remain bonafide citizens of this country. The All Progressives Congress, APC believes that there is need for change because government in power does not want money to reach you. We need the bottom-top approach for our people to benefit and improve their standard of living”, Amaechi said.
The State Chief Executive urged the group to vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC and also ensure their votes count at every polling unit, for credible leaders to be voted into power in the 2015 general elections.
“INEC must allow elections to hold freely for the people to choose credible leaders. Your votes must count in the 2015 general election. Please, Monitor your votes, don’t go home after voting, remain in your polling unit and ensure your votes are counted”, Amaechi said.
Earlier, the State Interim Party Chairman, of APC, Chief Davies Ikanya said, the solidarity visit by this group of non-indigenes to Government House was an indication to declare support for Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the All Progressive Congress, APC.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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