Politics
RSG Releases N16.6bn For RSU’s Upgrade, New Campuses
Last week was unique in the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt. Unique in the sense that some issues with far-reaching impacts in the life of the people of the state were taken.
The state Government, last Thursday, released a whopping sum of N16.6 billion for the upgrade of facilities in the Rivers State University (RSU).
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, who disclosed this to journalists, said N9billion out of the amount will serve as take-off grants for the establishment of three new campuses of the university in Etche, Emohua and Ahoada local government areas.
Each of the new campuses has N3billion to construct faculty buildings, hostels, offices, lecture halls, libraries among other take-off facilities.
Nsirim further disclosed that N7.6 billion was released to enable the College of Medical Sciences establish the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences and Pathology building.
Also last week, Rivers State Government agreed with the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to address all pending labour concerns in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, who disclosed this last Friday, after a meeting between the State Government and Labour in Port Harcourt, said an agreement on the implementation of the National Minimum Wage of N30,000.00 which took effect from 1st January, 2020 has been executed.
He said a tripartite Committee which would commence sitting this week, had been set up to have a detailed discussion of all outstanding issues.
According to the SSG, “ Rivers State Government has agreed and commenced implementation of the payment of check-off dues and the payment of arrears of salaries of Health Workers in the State Public Service who participated in the sympathy strike of 2017 under the auspices of JOHESU.
“Other issues which were raised by Labour such as: Need for payment of arrears of minimum wage, promotion of civil servants from 2012, payment of arrears of salaries to some civil servants who weren’t paid their February and March,2016 salaries due to the aborted 2016 biometric verification exercise etc”.
The sports community in the state also had reasons to celebrate as the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last week in Brick House released some mouth- watering motivations to Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt, Rivers Angels including their technical crew as well as the supporters club.
Governor Wike who presented a state- of- the -art Yutong luxury buses, ambulances to both Rivers United FC and Rivers Angels FC, promised a donation of coaster bus to the supporters club.
He challenged players of Rivers United to make the state proud by winning the forthcoming Confederation of African Football ( CAF) tournament, assuring them that the state government would change their lives.
Governor Wike also charged Rivers United to win their match against Enyimba, adding that as they return, a bonus of N20million awaits the team.
“ Henceforth, for the Rivers United, any match you win away, you will have a bonus of N10million. The same amount applies to Rivers Angels”, Gov Wike said.
Another major event in Brick House within the week under review was the courtesy visit by the House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
Governor Wike accused NDDC of defrauding Rivers State Government in a failed partnership to build a Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt.
He also expressed displeasure that Governors of the Niger Delta region were being sidelined in the affairs of the commission because they belong to the opposition party.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
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