PDP, Enemy Of Progress -APC …APC On Victory Path -Dame Amaechi

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to provide proof that the APC Government in the State inflated the cost of the Automated Road Analyser (ARAN) commissioned on July 18 by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
“We are shocked that instead of joining the rest of Rivers people to celebrate the purchase of this scientific device to be used in monitoring road quality so as to ensure that dubious contractors do not rip off the State, PDP leaders are questioning this wise investment by the visionary government of Rt. Hon. Amaechi,” APC said in a statement issued Friday in Port Harcourt by the state Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.
The party said that by opposing the purchase of the road analyser, PDP has left no one in doubt that it is a party of blind critics and enemies of progress.
“Contrary to PDP’s claims, the purchase of the road analyser by the Rivers State Government was done in a transparent manner and followed due process. Each of the two machines cost N109 million, making a total of N218 million for the two machines. The figure was not inflated in any way and any right-thinking person would appreciate this wise investment which will not only ensure better road quality but also save the State hundreds of millions of naira,” APC said.
The party challenged PDP leaders to provide proof that the cost of the machines was inflated “as it is not enough to make wild allegations in a failed bid to tarnish the image of a transparent administration.”
APC insisted that “Governor Amaechi, instead of being criticised, should be commended and congratulated for ensuing that our funds are judiciously utilised and that contractors do not defraud the State by means of poor quality road projects.”
The party advised Rivers PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah and his spokesman, Jerry Nedam to stop ridiculing themselves through frivolous allegations that cast them in the mould of blind critics and present PDP as a party of jokers and unserious minds.
“This does not in any way do any good to PDP in its doomed mission to gain a foothold in Rivers State as we count down to the 2015 general elections, at which PDP will be totally rejected by Rivers people,” APC said in the statement.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has debunked allegations by the People Democratic Party in the state that its Chairman, Chris Oruge has been suspended.
In a statement yesterday, the NLC called the PDP allegation as the handiwork of lazy politicians, who do not have anything to offer Rivers people.
The statement reads in part: The attention of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress has been drawn to a publication by National Network, a local tabloid in Rivers State dated July 23 -29 ,2014, and some other media reports that its state Chairman, Comrade Chris Oruge has been suspended from labour activities, and so cannot act as the chairman of the congress.
“We categorically state that the reports making the rounds are untrue, baseless, unfounded and characterized with malicious tendencies and falsehood.
“The congress reaffirms that Comrade Chris Oruge remains the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Rivers State council, and will continue to pilot the affairs of the council until the end of his tenure in April, next year.
“The congress further states that the misunderstanding between Comrade Oruge and his union, the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT) is an internal affair of the NUT and does not have anything to do with his leadership of the NLC.
“Labour perceives the rumours as tacit demonstration of some politicians who are trying to drag NLC into politics in order to be relevant and gain cheap popularity.
“It will be recalled that Comrade Chris Oruge served as the chairman of NUT from March 2001 to May 2009 and there was no indictment either financially or administratively on him. So, it is surprising to about fraud when he is no longer the chairman.
“Consequently, the general public should disregard the baseless and unfounded story,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, considering its current quest to empower women and widows in the State, Wife of Rivers State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is on the path to victory in 2015.
Speaking at an empowerment programme and donation of skill equipment to over 250 women by the Obio/Akpor Local Government Caretaker Committee, yesterday at Rumuola in Port Harcourt, Dame Amaechi said the party has demonstrated God’s hands in its pursuit to win Rivers State in next year’s elections.
In her words, “In 2015, we shall deliver … No matter the storm, we shall deliver as far as Jesus is in the boat”.
The governor’s wife said she was deeply moved by the party’s interest in the plight of women, adding “ I have come to this local government area up to five times, and all of them are for empowerment.. I’am moved by what I see”.
She observed that the hand of God was in the present government led by her husband, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, and therefore implored party faithful to support the administration.
For her, faith, honesty and commitment are fundamental since they provide the right foundation for success, just as she enjoined the women not to be mislead by money and corrupt politician, urging them to stand up for the truth.
Counseling the beneficiaries to use their skills and equipment for betterment of their families and society, Dame Amaechi noted, “no matter how hard a project is, with resourcefulness, you can go places”.
Earlier, Chief of Staff, Government House, Sir Tony Okocha, had said the scheme is one sure way to improve on the lives of the people, and pledged government’s support to the scheme.
Sir Okocha expressed the hope that beneficiaries will utlise the equipment to improve on their businesses, assuring that all those who were trained in the skills acquisition will be given an equipment to assist them.
Chairman of Obio/Akpor Caretaker Committee, Dr. Lawrence Chuku said that empowerment is part and parcel of the Council’s policy to change lives in the area, adding “we will not be tied to empower our people until our people are fully empowered”.
Dr. Chuku said that apart from the skills empowerment, the council has acquired about 22 transformers to boost power provision in all the wards in the area.
State Secretary of APC, Mr. Emeka Beke said the party has come to stay in Obio/Akpor considering its activities so far, stressing that the mission of the party is to bring about change in 2015.
Mr.Beke added, “No amount of intimidation, no amount of army will make us not to win the elections next year”.

L-R: Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Rivers Command, Mr Mike Longe (left) and Controller of Prisons, Rivers Command, Mr Patrick Ondoma (right) decorating Mr Vincent Ekoko with his new rank, during decoration of newly promoted officers of Immigration Service in Port Harcourt, last Friday