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Neighbourhood Watch: Wike Alerts On Plot To Float Illegal Groups
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has alerted the country of the plot by some opposition politicians to set up illegal vigilante groups that will clash with the State Neighbourhood Watch to pave the way for the police to ban the new security outfit.
Governor Wike said such political plots will fail as the State Neighbourhood Watch has come to stay. He stated that only a court of competent jurisdiction can stop the Neighbourhood Watch.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Calabar, Usman Abubakar, at the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday, Governor Wike said that the Neighbourhood Watch is strictly a security organisation that will support security agencies with intelligence to promote the security of the state.
He said that the Neighbourhood Watch is fashioned in line with the operations of a similar agency set up in Lagos State to support security agencies.
”In setting up the State Neighbourhood Watch, we adopted the process established in Lagos State. This is a replica of what is already in existence in Lagos State .
”We are setting up the State Neighbourhood Watch for intelligence gathering. Policemen and other security agencies cannot be everywhere. They need the relevant support to maintain security across the state “.
Governor Wike announced that the State Government has acquired six gunboats for the State Police Command to help it fight criminals along the waterways.
He warned against the politicisation of security operations, saying that such actions will be detrimental to the stability of the country.
He reiterated his advice to INEC and the Police to work towards the successful conduct of the 2019 general elections. He said that the police should not be used to indiscriminately arrest opponents of the ruling party ahead of the elections.
In his remarks, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Calabar, Usman Abubakar, said that the Zone 6 Police Command is fashioning out ways to reduce cultism, kidnapping and violent crimes in the area.
He appealed to stakeholders to work with the Police to reduce crime ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police called on all groups to come to a round table to work for peace as the police will not tolerate lawlessness.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the APC-led Federal Government has no choice, but to construct the Bonny-Bodo Road.
Also, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has flagged off the upgrading and remodelling of Bonny National Grammar School, Bonny.
Flagging off the upgrading and remodelling of the school yesterday in Bonny, Governor Wike regretted that the APC-led Federal Government was playing games with the Bonny-Bodo Road project after the NLNG committed N60billion as counterpart fund for the all-important road.
The governor said that the Bonny-Bodo Road is important to the economy of the area in view of the resources that the Federal Government gets from Bonny Island .
He said: “I was the one that approached the NLNG to contribute to an arrangement for the construction of the Bonny-Bodo Road. Shortly after that meeting, the NLNG wrote to me that they will contribute 50 percent to the construction of the road, while the Federal Government will contribute the other 50 percent.
“There is no year that the NLNG contributes less than $1billion (USD) to the national economy. The contribution of N60billion for the construction of this road is nothing to the Federal Government “.
He said that there is no need for the Federal Government to play games with the Bonny-Bodo Road. He assured the people of Bonny Island that he would continue to work for the completion of the road.
The governor charged Rivers leaders in the APC to also work towards convincing the Federal Government to site key projects in the state.
“The APC is under obligation to keep her promises to Nigerians. The people are tired of these excuses on why they must not succeed”, he said.
On the Bonny National Grammar School , Governor Wike said that the school will be completed on schedule and the people duly empowered.
He said that all the contractors involved in executing the project are from Bonny, noting that it was a deliberate step by the administration to empower the people.
“None of the contractors doing this job is from outside. This is to show that we are interested in empowering the people”, he said.
While stating that the State Government has acquired six gunboats for improved security on the waterways, Governor Wike informed that the administration will improve the marine transportation system for safety and security.
He said that the Bonny/Bille/Nembe Jetty which is nearing completion will be commissioned soon.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja said since 1966 when the Bonny National Grammar School was established, there has been no major intervention.
He said that the upgrade will witness the construction of new laboratories, libraries, hostels, Christian Chapel and improved classrooms.
Caretaker Committee Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Mr Cyril Hart praised Governor Wike for the intervention in the remodelling of Bonny National Grammar School, saying that the people were neglected by the Amaechi administration.
He also commended Governor Wike for the construction of the Bonny/Bille/Nembe Jetty, urging him to work for the initiation of a cheap and safe transport system to the Island.
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.
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.
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.