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RSG Threatens To Acquire Disputed OgoniLand Over Communal Crisis
The Rivers State Government has threatened to acquire a disputed land between Bomu and Lewe communities in Ogoni, if the indigenes of the communities fail to end their communal war.
The state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who gave the hint, said that the state government would be compelled to acquire the disputed land, if the two Ogoni communities fail to end the protracted conflict that has claimed several lives.
The governor made the assertion during the flag off of the reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Kpor in Gokana Local Government Area of the state, last Wednesday.
He noted that after the crisis that culminated in the killing of prominent Ogoni leaders in 1990s, fratricide should have been considered an unpardonable taboo in Ogoni by now.
“Prominent people in Ogoni have died. The few remaining, you want to still kill them. If I were you people, what had happened to Ogoni should have made everybody to be together, to forget about killing one another again. Are you not tired of killing yourselves?”
Wike, who described the communal crisis between the two communities as saddening and regrettable, warned that after meeting with the two communities, and they fail to resolve the dispute, the state government would acquire the land for public use.
“I will meet with the people of Bomu and Lewe. If you don’t agree, I will acquire the land. But I will give you the opportunity first, and if you don’t agree, I will come and take the land and build what I want to build.”
Wike commended Ogoni people for being supportive of his aspiration to govern the state since 2014 when he declared his intention.
According to him, the reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Kpor, was in fulfilment of some of the promises he made to the people of Ogoni during his campaign.
He criticised the immediate past administration in the state for allowing old secondary schools to dilapidate just because they wanted to build so-called model secondary schools that each cost the state, at least, N6billion.
“In this country, we believe that we must destroy to make our own name. These are schools that have produced prominent Nigerians and Rivers people.
“We have the Government Comprehensive School, Enitonia High School, Birabi Memorial Grammar School, County Grammar School, and others. All they do, is to bring down these schools and build their own.”
Wike insisted that only the best quality would be accepted from the contractor, and directed that every fund required for the project should be released in order to speed up the work.
The governor also said that a police station would be built near the school as part of the policy to beef up security around learning institutions where boarding facilities were provided for students.
Performing the flag-off, the senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Senator Barry Mpigi, expressed appreciation of Ogoni people for the several educational and road infrastructure projects, including police station provided in the area by the Wike-led administration.
“This school was established in 1976 but it started academic activities in 1979. This school has produced three prominent persons, among the ones we can mention. A professor in Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, one of your commissioners and the auditor general in the local government system. Such a school deserves more. People have ignored this. But thank God today, you have remembered this school.”
Giving the description of the project, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, George-Kelly Alabo, said that the event marks another phase of planting of the seed of development characteristic of the Wike administration.
“We have structures here that are dilapidated, and you have graciously approved the reconstruction of this school”, he said.
He explained that 20 structures would be built in the school comprising of two dormitories of 288-capacity each, one for males and another for females (totally 576).
“There will also be two one-storey structures, and each will have 12 classrooms.
“There will be workshops, science and art laboratories, Assembly Hall. Quarters for the matron, principal, vice principal, staff, and of course, external wall works, water and electricity supply.”
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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