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Support PDP, Wike Urges Rivers Communities ….As Ugwuanyi Unveils Tombia Road Extension
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said that when communities support government, they attract more development projects that are better than cash gifts.
The governor made the statement to appreciate the support given by the people of Rumueme community to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-controlled Rivers State Government.
Speaking at the inauguration of Tombia Road Extension in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area that was performed by the Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Wike said the project was another fulfillment of promise made to them.
“One of the communities that have always supported Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is Rumueme community. It is a community that when they say they’re with you, they’re with you.
“And to God be the glory, they have seen the fruit for supporting PDP. The Law School is in Rumueme community. What support can you need; facilities can bring out the name of a community.
“If the Nigerian Law School opens tomorrow, Rumueme will be household name in the entire Nigeria. It is not only money that you get and you think you’ve gotten dividend of democracy. But the name alone that so and so institution or establishment is in your community, money cannot buy it.”
Wike said he had often reiterated the need for people to understand that government was not only about making promises but also includes a commitment to fulfilling those promises.
He said that the best way to ensure that those promises were fulfilled, he explained, was to hold politicians accountable to what they say and do.
This, he said, would ensure that such politicians do not turn around later to offer excuses for their failure in keeping the promises they made when another opportunity pushes them to come seeking fresh political support.
“Not tomorrow, you forget and somebody will come and tell you, you know we made mistakes, but now, we are ready to correct the mistakes. Tell them, there is nothing to correct again.
“The party we know that has told us yesterday that they’re going to do this, they have done it. So, we want to continue to remain with that party that made promises to us and fulfilled those promises.”
Performing the inauguration, Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi noted that the strategic and high utility road was at the heart of Port Harcourt metropolis.
He said the road would significantly reduce commute time and make life more meaningful for road users.
“I recall that on the 5th day of January, 2021, I had the occasion to be with you on a similar invitation to commission the then newly dualised Saakpenwa-Bori Road that serves Ogoni heartland.
“It was a fulfilling experience and I returned to the Coal City state with good tidings of exciting progress and great hope for infrastructural development in Rivers State, the Treasure Base of the Nation.
“Today’s experience evidences a quantum leap in the infrastructural development of this great state, and I dare say that my brother, the governor of Rives State is truly Mr. Project.”
Speaking further, Ugwuanyi said Wike was a veritable source of pride to the PDP, and represents the best of the best in project implementation.
According to him, Wike inspires great choice and confidence in the nation’s Constitution and democracy.
In his remarks, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Hon. Elloka Tasie-Amadi said prior to the reconstruction and dualisation of the Tombia Extension Road, it was a 6.5m wide single carriageway with open drains, no sidewalks, and no streetlights.
But today, he stated that, it is a dual carriageway, 7.3m wide headed in either direction, separated by a 0.75m wide median, with covered drains and walkways on either side.
He pointed out that on the whole, a total project width of 18.35m is seen that is beautifully adorned with street lighting.
“As it is our standard, the road pavement starts with a sub-base of sharp sand, stabilised with a 5% sand cement mix, topped with stone base course, primed with bituminous coating to receive the first asphaltic concrete layer after which we top it off with the second asphalt wearing course, leaving you with a total asphalt thickness of 10cm or 4 inches, if you may.”
Tasie-Amadi further said that the difference between what then was and what now is, makes a world of difference in terms of speed, travel time, convenience, aesthetics, property value appreciation and much more.
He stated that these and more were some goals of the Urban Renewal Programme of Governor Wike, who was determined to leave the state in better infrastructural shape with each passing day.
“This dualisation offers to commuters a world of ease, and to property owners, great improvement in their property location, accessibility and value”, he added.
The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.