News
Closure Of Courts By Amaechi, Coup Against Judiciary, Wike Insists
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has described the closure of courts in the state for nearly two years by the immediate past administration of Chibuike Amaechi as a coup against the Judiciary.
He regretted that Nigeria was the only country where those who violate the sanctity of the third arm of government go unpunished.
The governor made the assertion at the New Year state banquet held in Government House, Port Harcourt, last Sunday night.
Wike said it was preposterous for his predecessor, who closed courts for almost two years and denied people access to justice, to claim that Rivers State had been badly governed since 2015.
“There will be bad administration, if there is no good governance. What is good governance? There cannot be good governance if it is not predicated on the rule of law and due process. Who can you actually accuse of bad administration? We came to this state in 2015. There was no court.
“There was a coup against the third arm of government. It is only in Nigeria where you can stage a coup against the Judiciary and you will go free. Nobody can stage coup against the Judiciary in any developed society and go scot free. You can never. You deny people liberty; and access to justice.”
Wike said it was ludicrous for Amaechi, whose eight years’ reign in office epitomised maladministration, to accuse his government that was hinged on rule of law, of bad governance.
“I am happy that even if we did not achieve anything, we did not shut down the courts. I did not drag the Legislature to Government House to pass budgets.”
He took a swipe at the National Assembly for confirmation of Amaechi as a minister, despite his atrocious attacks against the Judiciary while as governor of Rivers State.
“You suffered a whole state not to have access to justice, and nobody is saying anything. It is only in this country where I see parliament can even screen somebody to be a minister that had shut the gates of justice.”
According to the governor, “We came, opened the courts. Who was the first person that rushed to court when the courts were opened? The same man who closed the courts, the man who denied other people liberty.”
He observed that Amaechi often bragged about building modern secondary schools while in office.
According to him, a report of the Rivers State Economic Advisory Council set up by Amaechi had denounced sitting of the schools in locations far from the communities.
The governor noted that any government that provides the people infrastructure, but denied them liberty and access to justice could best be described as a failed government.
Wike reiterated that Amaechi was yet to account for the $308million proceeds from the sales of the state gas turbine power stations to Sahara Energy, which was co-founded by Rivers State’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Tonye Cole.
“Who’s behind Sahara? The one he is presenting to be governorship candidate.”
The Rivers State governor said if Amaechi had conscience, he would not meddle in the affairs of a state that he wasted N54billion of her resources on the now abandoned 1.1 kilometres monorail project.
Wike listed the dualised Saakpenwa-Bori-Kono Road, Ahoada-Omoku Road, Egbema-Omoku Road, Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt Campus, Trans-Kalabari Road and several other projects as some of his landmark achievements, adding that, “To the glory of God, we have done very well.”
The governor commended the legislative and judicial arms of government for working in synergy with the executive for the collective good of Rivers people.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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