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I’ll Promote States’ Competitive Edge For Growth -Wike …Berates FG For Doing Nothing About Insecurity
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has vowed to exploit the gains of comparative advantage that each state of the federation has to revive the nation’s economy.
Wike stated that such approach was also capable of creating jobs for the growing youth population on a sustained basis.
The governor gave the hint when he met with leaders and delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, last Monday, to solicit their votes and give him the presidential ticket during the party’s primary on May 28 and 29, 2022.
“We are importing everything in this country. We are not also exploiting our comparative advantage. What can Kaduna State really produce? What can Kano really produce? What can Gombe really produce?
“We need to ask to know in what areas they really have advantage. Such consideration is very important.”
Wike lamented that Kaduna and Kano States used to be places that manufacturing industry thrived, but lamented that all of those economic activities are gone.
The governor said his presidency would take steps to stem the tide of the free fall that the Naira continues to suffer.
“For example, if Kaduna can only produce rice, what we will do, will be to tell the governor of Kaduna State, and with the Federal Government agreeing, that we want it to be the hub of rice production in Nigeria.
“In that sense, it is not only to feed Nigerians but also to package for export. Therefore, we can say we need 40 hectares of land from the state government.
“The Federal Government will bring N40billion. It will be a special purpose fund. Government will not run it so that the venture doesn’t collapse.
“For example, if Rivers State can produce palm oil. We will say, give us 10,000 hectares of land where we will be planting palm oil seedlings. Federal Government will bring the money. It will not be given to the state, but it will be put in a special purpose fund. We will engage experts to operate it as a business venture. That is also to create a lot of jobs.”
Wike stated that the Anchor Borrower Scheme of the Federal Government steered by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was a total failure.
According to him, despite the N800billion that CBN claimed to have spent, foodstuffs remain very expensive.
The Rivers State governor, who reiterated his stance on the establishment of state police, said it was the best measure to adopt to solve the intractable insecurity across the country.
Wike said it was disheartening that President MuhammaduBuhari has not done anything tangible about it or visited the scene of the bomb blast in Kaduna.
“Look at it, the bomb blast that happened, up until now, I have not seen any serious thing that government at the federal level has done. President has not even made a statement, not to talk of visiting the scene of the incident.
“I want to say that one way to end this insecurity is to have state police. Don’t go political; saying it’s about the governors. I am a governor today, and I will soon leave office.
“Those who operate a federal system of government have a national police, state police and local police. It will engage people who are within the environment because they know it better to be able to give us intelligence.”
Speaking further, the governor assured that if PDP delegates voted for him during the party’s presidential primary, he was confident of committing his first six months in office to solve the problem of insecurity.
He said that the protection of lives and property was one basic thing that anybody in office should do first after taking oath of office.
According to him, any government that cannot protect lives and property has no business in government.
The governor announced the donation of N200million to support the victims of violence in Kaduna State.
In his remarks, former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, expressed profound appreciation to Wike for providing succour to victims of violence in Kaduna State.
“I did not anticipate the enormous gesture you announced for the displaced and those affected by violence and banditry in Kaduna,” Makarfi said.
“We are positively shocked by the huge donation you have given to the state to help the victims of banditry.
“We have not seen a single kobo from anybody in this direction. You gave this through the party because of the respect you have for the party. We are happy to be the facilitators. We really appreciate you.”
Makarfi, who was a former acting national chairman of the PDP, also commended Wike for ensuring that agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not hijack and destroy the PDP.
He acknowledged the zest with which Wike has been pursuing his presidential aspiration by canvassing for the support of delegates.
He assured him that delegates are not oblivious of those who have steadfastly sustained the party.
“You are vigorously working for it. Of all the investment you have made, you are not sitting back at all to say because I did, A, B, C, D, this should come to me. Day and night, you are working, that shows commitment that shows genuine desire.”
Makarfisaid that if he had the power, he would make Wike, the president of Nigeria, adding that Wike’s contributions to the “survival” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during its trying moments were enough to earn him the party’s ticket.
According to Makarfi, many people contributed to the PDP in so many ways, “but there is no single individual who contributed as he (Wike) did for us to have the PDP that we have today.
“When the Court of Appeal judgement came out against us, and we knew we were right, everybody was running away,” Makarfi said.
“Then,Wike called me and asked me: ‘Are you ready for this fight?’ I said yes. He said: ‘We are going to reclaim our party; what do you need? How do we go about it? And the rest is history’.
“If it is appointment, and I have the power to appoint, I would simply just appoint you and you will go home and rest. But it is democracy; it is convention; the delegates know those who have been with them and will continue to be within them; the party people know.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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