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RSG To Prosecute Ex-Commissioners Over N35bn Fraud …Begins Interest Free Loan To Traders/ Entrepreneurs …As Ortom, Wike Chart Path To Good Governance
The Rivers State Government says it would prosecute the former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, and former Commissioner for Finance, Chamberlain Peterside over alleged fraud in the construction and funding of the state-owned Integrated Medical Industries Limited (Syringe Factory) valued over N35billion.
Also to be prosecuted is the Project Manager of the company, Mayer Wokoma.
In a media briefing after the State Executive Council meeting, yesterday, the Attorney-General of the state, Zachous Adango disclosed that the three persons, allegedly involved in squandering of the assets of the company, would face prosecution.
Recall that the Attorney-General was appointed by the Executive Council to head a committee to study the White Paper submitted to it by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate the state of things at the Integrated Medical Industries Limited (Syringe Company) where assets amounting to N35billion was allegedly squandered under the former administration in the state.
According to the Attorney-General, the council, after deliberating on the submission of the White Paper Committee, directed him to commence processes of prosecution of the three persons and any other person involved in the huge fraud.
The council also noted with satisfaction that the first batch of civil servants and traders to benefit from the interest-free loan scheme given by the state government has been affected.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Emeh Glory Emeh, told newsmen after the meeting that 12 local government areas where involved in the first batch while the second batch would involve beneficiaries from the remaining 11 local government areas.
Emeh stated that the governor graciously approved the interest-free loan of N200 million per month to enable the traders and civil servants improve on their businesses.
He urged those yet to get the loan in the first batch not to despair as they would be involved in the subsequent batches.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah said that yesterday’s State Executive Council meeting touched on several issues that have to do with the development of the state, and arrived at the resolutions, adding that the interest-free loan to traders and civil servants as well as the huge fraud at the state-owned Integrated Medical Industries Limited were top on the agenda.
Meanwhile, in line with the pledge of Governor Chief Nyesom Wike, the Rivers State Government has commenced the disbursement of interest free loans to traders and entrepreneurs.
The State Government also announced that it will prosecute those indicted by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that investigated the management of funds of the Integrated Medical Industries (IMI) Limited.
The resolutions of the Rivers State Government were made public by the State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Emma Okah, the State Attorney General, Dr Zaccheus Adango and Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Politics and Strategy, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh on Thursday after the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House Port Harcourt.
Okah said that the State Government has also disbursed interest free loans to civil servants under the first phase of the programme.
He said that empowerment programme will run on a monthly basis for civil servants in the state.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on Politics and Strategy, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh said that the interest free loans for entrepreneurs and traders have been disbursed for 12 Local Government Areas.
He said that under the second phase of the exercise, 11 Local Government Areas will benefit from the scheme.
Emeh said that 600 traders and entrepreneurs have benefited from the empowerment scheme, while N200million shall be disbursed monthly.
He added the list of all beneficiaries will be published for Rivers people to know the beneficiaries.
On IMI Limited, Attorney-General of Rivers State, Dr Zaccheus Adango said that N34.5b invested by the Rivers State Government in the company was squandered.
He noted that those indicted by the Justice Constance Green Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the embezzlement of the IMI funds will face the full weight of the law.
He said: “The Honourable Attorney General has been mandated to pursue the criminal prosecution of Mr M. Nwokoma, who was the Project Manager of IMI, Dr Chamberlain Peterside and Dr Samson Parker.
“Once the White Paper is published, the Honourable Attorney General will commence the prosecution “.
Also, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom today met with his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Nyesom Wike at Government House, Port Harcourt.
It was a one-day visit by Governor Ortom to Rivers State.
The two Governors deliberated on various ways of collaboration for good governance.
Areas which were on the front burner for discussion included the current security challenge in Benue State, rural development, agriculture and power supply.
It was the first formal meeting between the two Governors since they emerged victorious at the 2019 election.
Chris Oluoh
Featured
RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.
Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.
He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”
The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.
Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.
He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.
“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.
“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.
The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.
He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.
The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“
“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.
She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,
expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.
“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”
He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.
The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.
The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.
According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.
APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.
The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.
Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.
Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.
Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.
Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.
The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.
Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.
National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.
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