News
2023 Guber: Rivers PDP Receives Fubara’s Certificate Of Return …Dismisses Attack On EFCC Operatives …Urges Anti-Graft Agency To Leave RSG Alone
The Rivers State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb Desmond Akawor, has congratulated the PDP candidate for the Rivers State gubernatorial race, Amaopusenibo Siminialayi Fubara, for successfully receiving the certificate of return from the national leadership of the party in Abuja, last Tuesday.
Akawor led other party leaders to the PDP Wadata House National Secretariat in Abuja where Fubara was presented his certificate of return amid pomp and pageantry.
Speaking of the epoch making event during a reception in honour of the candidate at the party’s State Secretariat in Port Harcourt, Akawor expressed satisfaction with the choice of the Rivers people and their show of support towards Fubara.
Akawor noted that the primary focus of the party now was to retain the winning streak the party has sustained in the state since 1999, which Fubara was set to do.
He added that the party had no rival in the state, adding that the election would be a walk over for the party whose leader, Chief Nyesom Wike, has worked assiduously in the last seven years, through strategic projects’ delivery with meagre resources, to change the landscape of the state, stating that the projects of the governor would be the selling point in the campaign of the party to win and consolidate on.
While putting the records straight regarding the story making the rounds that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made an attempt to arrest the Gubernatorial candidate of the PDP on arrival from Abuja at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Akawor stated that workers of the airport stationed at the tarmac were the ones who restricted Rivers youths from accessing the private plane of the candidate and his entourage, after a long wait due to harsh weather conditions.
Akawor stated that the videos making the rounds have buttressed his point, adding that the men at the airport on reflective jackets did not carry the EFCC logo or crest.
He clarified that PDP members did not at any point attack or assault EFCC operatives.
It was learnt that the EFCC operatives were reportedly beaten as they made to arrest the PDP flag bearer who had gone to Abuja to receive his certificate of return.
It is, however, unclear if the anti-graft agency officials suffered serious injuries.
Akawor said that while the purported incidentwas regrettable, it raised a high sense of excitement and apprehension among party members and leaders.
The state PDP chairman made it clear that there was no corruption case against Fubara as the courts have handled the purported case and delivered judgement on the matter, years ago.
He appealed to operatives of the EFCC to leave officials of the Rivers State Government alone, insisting that the commission has no powers to arrest and prosecute the state government officials.
Akawor advised the leadership and operatives of the EFCC to look elsewhere for corrupt officials in government, saying that many reported cases of corrupt Federal Government officials and appointees were being ignored by the anti-graft agency.
Responding during the reception, Rivers State PDP Governorship Candidate, Siminialayi Fubara, thanked the PDP for believing in him and his ability to continue and consolidate on the giant strides of the leader of the party in the state, Chief Nyesom Wike, noting that his desire was to unite the party, because only a united party can win elections.
He expressed gratitude to the elders, leaders and party faithful for their relentless support and for the hands of fellowship extended to him by other aspirants, which has boosted his confidence that the PDP was an indivisible party, with a common goal to better the lives of Rivers people after winning elections.
Reacting to the alleged attack, the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said its operatives were rudely intercepted from arresting the Rivers State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.
The anti-graft agency alleged that thugs who breached the security of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State, last Tuesday night, blocked the operatives from carrying out their lawful duty.
A statement by the Head, Media and Publicity of the commission, Wilson Uwajeren said, “The armed thugs assaulted operatives of the commission who demonstrated commendable restraint under extreme provocation. The commission condemns the blatant attempt to obstruct justice, warning that its civility should not be taken for granted”.
The Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has unveiled measures to enthrone ease of doing business and win back the confidence of the business community.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, unveiled the plans at the Breakout Session of RSIPA at the ongoing 18th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre, in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Peterside said the agency was poised to free the state from accumulation of wrong narratives that branded it over the years as unsafe for business.
He, however, admitted that many things had gone wrong in the past where regulators joined to make the business environment difficult for investors.
He announced that the agency was rather focused on actions, solutions, and results as adopted in the mission statement of the Board.
“Our task is no mean feat. We are dealing with the perception risk that over several years branded the state as unsafe. We are also faced with the challenges of dealing with the lack of cohesion amongst MDAs, policy inconsistencies, multiple taxation, incessant harassment by miscreants, red tape and delays in obtaining operating permits, high cost of operations and opaque public sector,” he said.
“It is about listening to the investors in the field and ensuring that MDAs are carried along, hence the imperative for the setting up of our One-Stop-Center”, he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who represented the state governor, said the Fubara administration was ready to listen to the business community to see ways of reducing impediments to investments.
He listed the stages of actions being undertaken by the governor as outlined in his 37-page blue print to revive the economy of Rivers State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was presented at the event as a star investor and promoter of Rivers State reputation, said for the plans of the investment promotion agency to materialize, an enabling law should replace the Executive Order that established the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
He said this would insulate the agency from political instability and remove fear in the minds of investors about its sustainability.
According to him, protection precedes promotion and Local Direct Investment (LDIs) is what attracts and promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs).
“It is the rat at home that reveals to the one in the bush that there is fish in the kitchen”, he added.
?
?The Mayor of Housing who is also the CEO of the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City said that Port Harcourt is like a business empire under lock and key because it is not protecting its own and also not promoting its own enough for investors to come in.
?
?In the area of land documentation and inventory, China urged Rivers State Government to borrow a leaf from Abuja and adopt the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in dealing with land and property registration and documentation for ease of doing business.
?
?He said Lagos understood the power of business information, adding “this creates the impression that if you are not doing it in Lagos, you are not doing it in Africa.
“We need to shout louder than Lagos, because we need more investments than Lagos and the structural integrity of Abuja. When you marry both, Rivers State would be wonderful and become green with investments,” he said.
In her speech, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, called on the state government to look into the menace of parked trucks now turning Trans-Amadi into a risk zone.
She outlined the activities of the PHCCIMA and invited investors and businesses to the Port Harcourt economic hub, saying peace has returned.
The Director, Investors Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Lovina Kayode, urged Rivers State to make haste and catch up on Ease of Doing Business, saying the Council has come to help businesses in the state.
Mrs Kayode, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, commended the Mayor of Housing and his counterpart, Mr. Oliver Biedima of Rainbow Heritage Group, for their decision to invest in Rivers State, saying it is a proof that Rivers State is safe for investors and their investments.
?
In his remarks, Oliver Biedemi of Rainbow Heritage Group urged government to give the private investors chance to develop the economy, saying ordinarily government does not have the funds to develop the economy.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
News
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.
