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I’ll Stop Ex-Govs’ Jumbo Pensions, Guber Candidate Vows
The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, has vowed to repeal the law granting jumbo pensions to former governors and deputies in the state, if elected.
Abdulrasak said this yesterday at the party’s campaign in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, saying payment of pension to these former political office holders was detrimental to the socio-economic development of the state.
He said that his administration, if elected in the March 9 governorship election, would also put a stop to building of houses for past governors and their deputies.
“We need to change some terrible laws. We’ll repeal that obnoxious pension law when we get to office.
“It’s a privilege to become a governor of a state. It is dubious for anyone to become governor and then earn a pension more than the people who served the state for their entire lives.
“We cannot take that any more. But we need enough lawmakers to push through the repeal of the offensive law,” AbdulRazaq said.
He then urged the people to not only vote for him, but to also vote for all the APC candidates for the House of Assembly in the March 9 elections in Kwara.
“We need to bring jobs to our people. We need to address the security issues. Instead of funding Police, they arm thugs.
“We will help the Police by offering assistance they need to secure our communities,” he added.
He also promised to grant full autonomy to the local government councils, adding that this would grow the local economy and halt the unhealthy drift of people to the cities.
“We will put up a bill and send to the House of Assembly for immediate stoppage of pensions and building houses for past governors and their deputies.
“In as much as the constitution has ensured adequate wellbeing and remunerations for the governors and their deputies, such gesture is a rip-off, selfish, wastage and undue application of scarce resources.
“We will not allow such ungodly exercise to continue, and such money will be channeled into improvement of social services and other developmental projects,” he said.
The APC candidate also promised to ensure that the self-autonomy being agitated for by the 16 local government areas in the state is granted as a way of reinvigorating and revitalizing the councils’ resources.
“Most of the councils presently have been crippled financially and in a state of comatose, courtesy of those saddled with the responsibility of managing and safeguarding our state resources.
“The councils are vital arm of government that should not be starved of adequate funds at every point in time for the overall benefit of our people, especially at the grassroots.
“We will ensure that funds allocated to the councils are delivered without any interference in order to achieve the desired aims and objectives,” he said.
Also, the APC State Chairman, Mr. Bashir Bolarinwa, thanked the people for their support that ensured the emergence of all the party’s candidates in the National Assembly and presidential elections held on February 23.
He urged them to maintain the same spirit during the coming gubernatorial elections.
The newly re-elected member of the House of Representatives for Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency, Hon. Raheem Olawuyi, on his part, dedicated his re-election to God and the support of party members.
He promised to be a good ambassador of the constituency by promoting legislation that would make meaningful impact on the living standards of the people of the constituency and the state at large.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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