Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim has said that the contents of the New Year broadcast made by the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike was a clear expression of his love for Rivers people.
Nsirim said Wike’s New Year message, which touched on issues such as artisanal crude oil refining which has polluted the environment with soot, notorious activities of cart pushers in scavenging manhole covers, and menacing activities of nightclubs and commercial sex workers along major residential areas, amongst others, was a clear indication that the governor means well for Rivers people.
The commissioner, in a statement signed by his media aide, Amieyeofori Ibim, said the directives the governor gave to local government chairmen to work to end the menace, would give Rivers people a sigh of relief.
“Also, the directive to undeveloped and abandoned property owners to develop their properties or have them forfeited to the state government is commendable because criminal elements use those properties as safe haven to perpetrate all sorts of crimes.
“No government will sit down and watch abandoned buildings serve as safe haven for criminals. Governor Wike has given the people a new year gift that will make them live a better life,” he said.
Nsirim called on security agencies and everyone living and doing business in Rivers State to cooperate with the state government to ensure that the good intentions of the government are successfully achieved.
“All hands must be on deck to ensure sanity in the state. This is not the time to play to the gallery or politicise serious issues as addressed by the governor in his New Year broadcast,” he said.
The commissioner advised all those involved in the illegal activities enumerated by the governor to have a rethink or be prepared to face the full wrath of the law because there would be no sacred cows.