The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the state is operating a divine and resilient economy which has enabled it continue to execute projects and pay salaries, when other states falter.
The governor noted that the economic recession that has bedevilled the country will not affect Rivers State because God has positioned the state for greater exploits.
Wike, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Engineer Chukwuemeka Woke during the dedication of a new church and celebration of 100 years of Saint Simon’s Anglican Church, Ugiri-Ike, Diocese of Ikeduru, Imo State, at the weekend, said the state has continued to pay salaries, and pensions and was considering paying Christmas bonus to state workers.
He said: “We are not owing workers salaries in Rivers State, but we are considering how we will add Christmas bonus to workers.
“Rivers State Government is not operating an economy of recession, it is operating a divine economy. That is why in Rivers State , it is either we are commissioning projects or we are flagging off construction of new projects, “ he said.
The governor lauded an indigene of Ugiri-Ike community, Mr Donald Denwigwe (SAN) for his commitment to the promotion of the rule of law and added said that the state government is happy to celebrate with him and his community .
He said : “Donald Denwigwe (SAN ) was introduced to Wike at a trying time in the state’s political history by Emmanuel Ukala (SAN ). At a time when the government of the day in Rivers State wanted to scrap the PDP.
“Governor Wike felt that not everyone should move to the APC as requested at the time. The governor insisted that the PDP will not be scrapped. It was on this basis that he resolved to approach the court to enforce the right of Rivers PDP members to freedom of association.”
The governor explained that the Rivers State Government cannot be intimidated, pointing out that it will always celebrate those who promote the rule of law.
He thanked God that Christianity has continued to grow stronger in the area over the last years.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Mr Donald Denwigwe (SAN ) said that the completion of the church was made possible by God.
He also thanked God for sparing his life despite several attempts by the devil to eliminate him through illness.
He said that the new church building means that people should worship God with a pure heart.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria and his family thereafter gave thanks to God.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has suggested the introduction of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the settlement of political conflicts after major elections.
The governor noted that ADR will help reduce the level of bickering, time and resources expended on cases at the election tribunals, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the executive members of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIAN) last Friday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike said: “We as politicians have been discussing on how we can introduce Alternative Dispute Resolution in settlement of election matters without going to the tribunals .
”The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators can play a role in the introduction of ADR to election dispute. It will reduce bickering, it will reduce cost and time spent at the tribunal, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. In other words, there will be more time for governance”.
The governor added: “It is a major issue that we should put our heads together to see how it will be possible to introduce election matters as issues to be resolved through ADR”.
Wike also noted that Rivers State was safe for investments and tourism.
He said that Nigerians and expatriates have already disregarded politically motivated false insecurity reports being sponsored by the opposition hence they troop to Rivers State for conferences.
The state in the last four months has played host to Nigerian Guild of Editors, Nigerian Bar Association, Rotary International and the West African Architects Fair, among others.
”Check the crime index in the country, that of Rivers State is quite low. It is lower than other major states. Go to Lagos and Kaduna , they have higher crime rate than Rivers State”, he said .
He commended the Nigeria Institute of Arbitrators for bringing its conference to Rivers State.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Mrs Mainnaya Essien (SAN), said that the institute chose Rivers State because the state was safe with modern amenities to host international events.
She noted that Rivers State will be promoted as a major destination for Alternative Dispute Resolution in the country on the same standing with Lagos and Abuja.
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators conference will hold between November 10 and 11, 2016, in Port Harcourt.