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How We Achieved Seamless Delivery Of Democratic Dividends In Rivers -Wike …Inaugurates Internal Roads In Okochiri, Elekahia
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, says the delivery of development projects, started and completed in various communities, without disruption was possible because of the enduring partnership his administration cultivated with the people.
Wike made the assertion while inaugurating phase two construction of internal roads in Okochiri Kingdom in Okrika Local Government Area, last Friday.
The governor harped on the importance of such partnership between the government and the people, because residents in such communities were not antagonistic to contractors handling various projects.
“Here, you’ll see a lot of commercial activities springing up because of good road network. And if you have not supported the contractors, probably they would have used that as excuse, saying that the community is collecting so much money from them, therefore they cannot continue.
“And I have always spoken about partnership between government and the people, and we are happy that we are getting that support from your (Okochiri) kingdom”, he said.
Wike stressed that because the people have owned up the projects, and have also provided support. They are eventually gaining from the benefit of the completed projects.
He recalled how he had, during his first tenure, started and completed the first phase of internal roads in Okochiri, with a promise to start and complete the second phase in his second tenure.
“To the glory of God, we are here today, promise made, promise fulfilled. I’m sure, Amanyanabo, (of Okochiri) you’ll now know, we are not those politicians that will make promise without fulfilling the promise.
“I’m sure, it has made your kingdom to be one of the areas that benefited from good road network. Coming here, you won’t know that here is not part of the city. But with the internal roads now, you can say for sure, you are trying to compete with those of us who are from the city”, he said.
The governor reiterated that he is a man of conscience, who is bonded by his words and returns to fulfill promises made.
According to him, such attribute has marked him out from other politicians who are not bothered about the import of their political promises made to the people.
Earlier, Wike had inaugurated the internal roads in Elekahia community in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, where he mocked those who in December 2022 mobilised Elekahia people against the government, because they doubted that the roads would be reconstructed.
He insisted that the roads, now completed, bears evidence to the fact that he will never fail on his promise to his people.
He stated, “I laughed at them and of course, you know the leader of those miscreants. You know him by his name. Shame on him. I hope he will not use those roads. I know one of the roads is leading to his hotel.
“You know, people who are not trust worthy, think that others are not also trust worthy.”
Wike, who said he has fulfilled every promise made to the people, assured that even if it were on his last day in office, he would flag off the construction of the palace of Eze Apara Rebisi.
Providing the description of the phase two internal Roads in Okochiri Kingdom, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. George-Kelly Dakorinama Alabo, said the roads are 13 in number of various length, with the longest measuring 1.6 Kilometers.
According to him, all the roads together, measure 5.6 Kilometers in length, have 7.3 meters width, and have drains on both sides.
Speaking on the Elekahia community internal roads, Dr. Alabo, said 28 separate roads were reconstructed of various length and width, but all of them together measure 5.45 kilometers in length and 8 meters wide.
On his part, Chairman of Okrika Local Government Area, Akuro Tobin, thanked Wike for several projects delivered in the area that have given the people sense of belonging.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Allwell Ihunda, expressed gratitude to the governor for the numerous projects executed in the area under the urban renewal programme of his administration.
He noted that the reconstructed internal roads in Elekahia community would increase and improve economic activities of the people in the council.
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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