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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.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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