RSG Approves Security Stipends For Rulers …Says No More Abandoned Projects

Rivers State Governor, Chief  Nyesom Wike has  approved  the  release  of  security stipends  to traditional  rulers to assist them  enhance  community  security.
Addressing  the 102nd Quarterly General Meeting of the  Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers on Wednesday,  Governor Wike said  that the security  stipends will assist  the traditional  rulers  generate intelligence  which  will be  forwarded  to  the  security  agencies for necessary  action.
He said: “the security stipend to traditional rulers which will be disbursed to recognised traditional rulers will start from 2016. This stipend should not be used outside of gathering security intelligence.
“We shall also introduce special awards to traditional rulers who maintain peaceful communities.  We believe these awards will encourage communities to take steps to improve security across the state”.
Governor  Wike  charged the traditional  rulers  to  insulate themselves  from partisan  politics by ensuring  that they remain  neutral in all political  matters.
He stated that being involved in politics diminishes the respect people accord to traditional rulers.
According to him: “You are custodians of customs and traditions and not custodians of politics. Your duty is to bless anyone that comes to you and not to make political pronouncements”.
Speaking  further,  Governor Wike  said that  the  support  of  traditional  rulers played a key role in the achievements  of  his administration.
He noted that his administration has restored the dignity of traditional rulers, noting that he will continue to liaise with them to attain greater development.
In his address, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Jeki V, Amanyanabo of Opobo ,  commended Governor  Wike  for restoring the  Quarterly General  session of the council’s  meeting.  He said  the  last meeting  was held over two years ago.
The Traditional Ruler  commended the  Governor Wike  administration  for the execution  of  pro-people development  projects and the release  of  logistic support to security  agencies.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that under his leadership the era of abandoned projects  is gone for good.
Commissioning  the completed Abuluoma-Woji-road with  Bridge in Port Harcourt on Wednesday,  Governor  Wike  stated that no local government  area  in the  state  would  be  neglected  in the renewal  programme  of  his administration.
He said : “I will never do any project that will be abandoned. No part of the state will be neglected  in  the  infrastructure  renewal  programme  of  my administration “
The  governor  urged communities  to always provide  a  peaceful  environment  for  contractors to  complete ongoing project.
He appealed to  the  people  of  the state  to support  the  administration’s execution of projects for the  benefit  of the state.
“You can see the level of  development  in the state. That is why you should  always give you mandate to those who will use it to implement  projects for all people irrespective  of  political  affiliations.
“We have shown  that it doesn’t  matter  what  political  parties  you belong  to.  Once a government is formed,  it works for everyone”, Governor Wike said.
Governor Wike said  that  aside the Abuluoma-Woji-road,  his administration  will  in 2016 commence the construction  of a Fly-Over on Peter Odili road.
In his address, Rivers State Commissioner for Works,  Kelvin Wachukwu said the 1.672kilometre road was inherited  at the earthwork and filing stage before Governor  Wike carried  out  the completion of the road, sidewalls,  median ,  toll point, the median  and 275 metres bridge.
He said  the immediate  past administration  initially  awarded the  contract  for N3.5 billion, but due to change  of scope of work and variations,  the immediate  past  administration  increased the cost to N13.6billion in 2014.
Caretaker Committee Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area,  Mr Samuel  Ejekwu  praised Governor  Wike  for completing the road which will ease the traffic pressure  on Aba-Port Harcourt road, Dr Peter Odili  road and also enhance  free flow of  traffic  in Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt and Eleme.
So far, Governor Wike  has commissioned  the Obonomma-Abonnema link road with Bridge and  Eagle Island -Iloabuchi link road.