Wike Signs Three New Laws … Gov Warns Perm Secs Against Politics

Newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in Rivers State taking their oath of office at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has signed three amended bills into law.
The assent was given in the Executive Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, at the weekend.
The amended laws include Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori (Amended Law No. 6 of 2015), Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition Amended Law No.5 of 2015), and the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Amended Law No. 4 of 2015.
The state chief executive, who thanked the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi  Ibani and the other legislators, for passing the bills, remarked that this was the fourth time he would be assenting to a bill  since assuming office as governor of Rivers State.
“The interest of the state is important to all of us”, he stressed.
Wike said the kidnap prohibition amended law would checkmate the activities of kidnappers in the state.
“Whatever money or assets they have gotten through the process of kidnapping will be confiscated by the state government”, he warned.
Wike noted that the renaming of the Rivers State Polytechnic to Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic is an attestation to the fact that Rivers State Government always appreciates and recognizes those who fought for her and the country in general.
“Everybody knows the contributions of Ken Saro-Wiwa, not only as an environmentalist, but also  as the first commissioner of education during the creation of Rivers State in 1967”, he explained.
On the Traditional Rulers Law Amendment Law No 4 of 2015, the recalled the mixed reactions it elicited.
“What is important to us is that you must respect traditional institutions, and give them the pride of place they deserve”, Wike maintained.
The governor commended the Speaker and his team for their collaboration with the executive arm of government, and assured members of the house that he will implement the new provisions in the amended laws.
Responding, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi Ibani, thanked the governor for assenting to the aforementioned bills, saying that, “Today is one of the happiest days of my life”.
The speaker described Wike as a man who is more concerned about others than himself, and stressed that the people of Rivers State have a lot to gain from the recent amendments.
He recalled that the 8th Assembly, on its inauguration day, had promised the people of Rivers State that while personal infractions will be forgiven, infractions against people and the state must be remedied. We are taking remedial steps to correct all the ills found in any law before now”.
Ibani explained that the Traditional Rulers Law was reframed to give dignity and respect to the traditional institution because it was filled with many lapses.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, at the weekend, swore-in 12 new permanent secretaries, and charged them to contribute to evolving a new Rivers State by insulating themselves from partisan politics.
The governor, who congratulated the newly sworn-in permanent secretaries, reiterated that their appointments are not borne out of the need to secure political patronage.
“It is a call to duty. Permanent secretaries are the engine room of any government”, and therefore, must steer clear of political influences and intrigues.
He maintained that their appointments were not based on political factors or ethnicity, but based on their impressive profiles and meritorious service to the state.
Wike specifically warned the new permanent secretaries not to engage in bureaucratic practices that end up delaying the execution of government programmes and policies.
“No file should be on your table beyond 24 hours, because I have worked with permanent secretaries before, and I know that they like to pile files.  My administration will not pile files”, he warned.
He maintained that the permanent secretaries have to work and contribute meaningfully to the success of the government.
“A lot of things have gone wrong, we need tested hands to help and move Rivers State forward”, he emphasized.
The newly sworn-in permanent secretaries include: Dr. Adolphus Nweke (Etche), Mrs. Abiye Tobin-West (Asari/Toru), Dr. Nkor Felix (Gokana), James Enebeli (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Anthony Nweyilobu (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Sir Alawari Ndu (Obio/Akpor), and Dr Agiriye Harry   (Degema).
The rest include, Mrs Caroline Wali (Obio/Akpor), Felix Odungweru (PHALGA), Dame Josephine Chukwuigwe (Ikwerre), Mrs Helen Peters (Ogu/Bolo), and Mrs Florence Fiberesima (Okrika).