RSG To Amend Secret Cult Law …Culprits To Forfeit Property

Representative of Rivers State Deputy Governor, Ms. Dafeni Gogo-Abbey (left) discussing with the wife of the Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University of Science & Technology, Mrs. Gloria Fakae, during the Second Female ASPIRE conference in Port Harcourt, recently

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has revealed plans to amend the Rivers State Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law enacted in 2004.
Speaking at a church service at the Royal House of Grace International Church, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, the governor said the bill to amend the law will be sent to the state House of Assembly to ensure that culprits not only face the prescribed penalty but forfeit all their properties to government.
Wike also expressed government’s readiness to provide democratic governance to the people of the state.
He reiterated the quest of his administration to protect lives and property of all the people living and doing business in the state.
The State Chief Executive explained that his being a governor was divine will of God, and therefore, assured that he would not segregate but will embrace everybody and find solutions to move the state forward.
“It’s by God’s grace that I became governor. So, this is not time to say you supported me or you didn’t support me. It’s not a time for complaints, but it is incumbent on government to solve problems. So, we must sit down and ensure that the problems of the people are solved in order to move the state forward,” he asserted.
The governor expressed government’s desire to provide conducive atmosphere for the people in the state as well as ensure that all those who have left the state, return to do their legitimate businesses.
Wike reassured the congregation of his earlier stand to complete all projects embarked upon by previous administrations that are beneficial to Rivers people, saying it is for this reason that government sought financial support from banks to enable it complete some on-going projects.
He told them that the Rivers State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two construction giants, Messrs Julius Berger Plc and CCECC Nigeria Limited to rehabilitate areas covering Obi-Wali Road, part of Ogbunabali, Tombia Extension, Evo Road, Woji Road in GRA, and Azikiwe/UTC Junction all through old Port Harcourt Township areas and roads in Diobu axis, saying that 50 per cent of the contract sum has been paid to each of the companies.
The governor also noted that government has paid the total contract sum for Iloabuchi-Eagle Island road project, which will ease the transport difficulties faced by the people living in Eagle Island and Agip area of the state.
While restating government’s commitment not to play politics with on-going projects in the state, he explained that he has given orders to the contractor which handled the Shopping Mall awarded by former Governor Celestine Omehia to ensure that the project is completed.
“Let me tell you formally that I have ordered the contractor to make sure that everything is done to complete that project. Yes, some people would ask why are you doing this? Why not start your own projects? The problem we have in this country is that people want to say, ‘let it be me that started it’. But, I don’t want to be the one that started it, I prefer to be the one that finished it”, Wike noted.
He further emphasized government’s readiness to dedicate the state to God, and regular interface with religious bodies, expressing confidence that if the state is dedicated to God, the crime rate associated with kidnapping and cultism will reduce drastically.
He requested the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rivers State Chapter, to forward its preferred candidate to be appointed as special adviser on religious affairs, and thanked the General Overseer of the church, Apostle Zilly Aggrey for his support.
Earlier, the General Overseer of the church, Apostle Zilly Aggrey had urged the governor to learn from the achievements and mistakes of his predecessors in order to move the state forward.
While noting that God did not make him governor for fun, the task before the office of the governor and the fact that he cannot satisfy everybody, the man of God enjoined him to ensure that he wipes away the tears of Rivers people by only embarking on policies and projects that will benefit the people.
On the governor’s entourage were former governor of Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia, acting National Chairman, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, Senator Thompson George Sekibo, former minister of sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Sir Opunabo Inko-Tariah, and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Emmanuel Aguma.