The Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has warned that henceforth, business houses with refuses littered around their precincts would be sealed up by the state government.
Governor Wike who gave the warning last Thursday during the inspection of four ongoing flyover projects in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of the state also warned those operating illegal motor parks and business activities around the flyover project sites to desist or be ready to face the wrath of the law.
The Governor said the decision was informed by the carefree attitude displayed by members of the public towards issues of sanitation, adding that his administration has the political will to implement the new order for the highly needed change of behaviour on sanitation.
“So all those who litter refuse, and operate motor parks will have themselves to blame. This is not the time people will tell you that the economy is hard , does it  mean that you will sell your goods and litter the places with refuse?
“ Why do you have to litter the area, thinking that government will come and clean them up for you. Nobody will do that any longer “, Governor Wike said.
The flyover projects inspected were the Rumuola, the GRA Junction, Orochiri/ Worukwo, and Oro-Abali flyovers.
As Muslims celebrated Eid-el- Kabir last week, the Rivers State Chief Executive enjoined Nigerian Muslims to emulate Holy Prophet Mohammed by imbibing the ideals of sacrifice examplified by the prophet.
Governor Wike, in his Sallah message, described Eid-el-Kabir as a season of love,  peace, friendship and sacrifice.  He urged Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance so as to promote peace across the country and enhance national development.
He thanked Muslim community in the state for their sustained support to his administration, promising that his government would continue to partner with Muslims to move the state forward.
Also last week, Governor Wike was at the site of the new official quarters of members of the Rivers State House of Assembly under construction, to see the extent of work done so far.
He lauded the harmonious relationship existing between the executive and the other two arms of government in the state. According to him, the good working relationship existing between the arms of government engendered the accelerated development being achieved by his administration.
“ Frankly speaking, it would have been difficult if we do not have a good, robust relationship between the three arms of government. Yes ,  we are independent but we work cooperatively to see that the state moves forward.
“ If we have the relationship that is not good with the legislature, then how would they have passed the budget for us to implement “, he said.
He stated that the numerous projects being embarked by his administration had created huge employment opportunities for the youths in the state and expressed delight over the quality of job at the project site.
“ Look at the number of people who are working here. Assuming we don’t have this kind of project. This is one particular project , but look at the number of people that are being employed , and then multiply it with the number of projects going on simultaneously in the state, that will tell you the number of persons who are being employed in the state “, Wike said.
Also last week, the state government raised alarm over a plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to denigrate the administration of Governor Wike, using selected media houses in the state.
A release by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, said the orchestrated campaign spear headed by the former Governorship aspirant of APC , Dr Dakuku Peterside was mischievously designed to portray the government of Gov Wike as one that has failed to meet the developmental spirations of Rivers people.

The release stated that no matter how hard the distractors push their propaganda, Gov Wike will never be distracted in executing his social contract with the people of the state.

Also within the week under review, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Kim Young-Chae, was in Government House, Port Harcourt on a courtesy visit to the state Governor .

Their discussion centred on partnership between Korea and the state on the areas of agriculture, technical or vocational education, health , construction , among others.

By: Chris Oluoh