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Reform Nigeria’s Democracy Now – Wike …Says States Must Function As Federating Units

Published

8 years ago

February 20, 2017

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called for immediate reforms where states are treated as federating units and not departments of the Federal Government. He stated that Nigeria will only experience peace and development when the several lies affecting her functionality are dismantled.
In his acceptance speech after receiving the award as the Sun Governor of the Year, 2016 in Lagos last Saturday night, Governor Wike said that all efforts must be targeted at inclusive governance, which will cater for all sections of the country.
He said, “there are too many lies in Nigeria’s structural arrangement we must dismantle, including the over-concentration of absolute power and resources at the centre, in order to guarantee sustainable peace, good governance and development.
“For heaven’s sake, we must come to terms with the fact that States are federating units, not departments of the Federal Government. State Governors are elected by their people, and therefore superior in every respect to appointed officers of the federal government.
“It is a constitutional fiction to refer to Governors as Chief Security Officers. But, even at that, nobody can claim to be more concerned about insecurity in our States than the Governors.”
He said despite the challenges posed by the imbalances, he has worked deliberately to support security agencies and improve security in Rivers State.
The governor said: “In Rivers State, our administration treats security as number one priority. We have invested millions of naira to provide support for the security agencies, including patrol vehicles, communication and surveillance equipment, gunboats and other logistics.
“Even as I speak, we have procured six armoured personnel carriers to be delivered to the police force. You must also be aware of the two armoured helicopters partly funded by the previous administration, which we brought into the country and voluntarily offered to the Nigerian Air force to use in providing aerial security surveillance for the State.
“Unfortunately, our commitments and support for the security agencies, especially the Police and the DSS appear fruitless given the prevailing disenchantments over their poor operations and relationship with the government and our people.
“Worse still, the politicization of security agencies and services in Rivers State, which started with the frequent and impulsive replacement of Police and DSS bosses, is becoming entrenched and even taken to irrational levels.”
On his award, Governor Wike explained that he will remain committed to the delivery of quality projects and programmes across the state for the good of the people.
He noted the successes recorded in road infrastructure, health infrastructure, security of lives and , education, empowerment, youth development, urban renewal and agriculture.
He said: “As a government, we refused the temptation to politicise project implementation. It is for this reason that we embarked on the ambitious completion of the projects abandoned by the previous administration provided they have direct bearing on the lives of our people.
“And because we recognized the direct relationship between the quality of infrastructure and the State’s growth potential, we completely insulated road construction from political considerations and ensured that all such contracts are given only to tested and reputable contractors.
“ This policy saw the quick return of construction giants like Julius Berger, CCECC, Setraco, Dantata & Sawoe, Reynolds Construction Company, and others.
“It is also instructive to note that our infrastructure revolution is not limited to roads. We appreciate the essence of achieving holistic development of the State, which can be impeded without the simultaneous development of social infrastructure.
“Accordingly, we also rebuilding the schools to improve the quality of education and rehabilitating and re-equipping the general hospitals to enhance healthcare delivery. As I speak, 13 general hospitals are undergoing comprehensive rehabilitation while the Vice President on his recent visit flagged off the construction of senior doctors’ quarters at the State-owned Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital.”
Governor Wike added: “Also, we are constructing a world-class pleasure park to enhance tourism development, reconstructing the Bille/Bonny Jetty, completed and commissioned the Okrika Jetty to improve water transportation and providing potable water for some of our communities. In appreciation to God, we are building the Port Harcourt Ecumenical Centre to uplift the spiritual lives of our people.
“Rivers State is now a huge construction site and this is deliberate. In 2016, we spent not less than 60 per cent of our budget on capital projects. In 2017, we have increased it to 70 per cent to enable us deliver on our unmet needs for more social and economic infrastructure.”
While thanking the Sun Newspapers for the award, he assured that he will continue to perform in such a way that he will continue to win the award.
The Sun Governor of the Year Award was presented to Governor Wike by the Former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaokwu who lauded the governor for his outstanding performance.
The award ceremony was attended by political and business leaders across the country.

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RSG Commits To Workers’ Welfare …. Calls For Sustained Govt, Labour Partnership

Published

13 hours ago

May 2, 2025

The Tide

The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.

The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.

He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.

Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.

He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.

Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.

“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.

The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.

He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.

The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.

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Labour Unions In Rivers Call For Improved Standard Living For Workers

Published

15 hours ago

May 2, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.

The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.

“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.

Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.

According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.

“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.

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Tinubu committed to unlocking Nigeria’s potential – Shettima

Published

1 day ago

May 1, 2025

The Tide

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.

Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.

He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.

The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.

“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.

” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”

He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.

According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.

Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.

“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”

The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.

” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.

The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.

Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.

” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.

“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”

Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.

“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.

“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.

Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.

The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.

He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.

He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.

Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.

He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.