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Port Harcourt Ring Road Remains Our Signature Project – Fubara

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that the ongoing Port Harcourt Ring Road project being handled by Julius Berger Plc remains the signature project of his administration.
Governor Fubara, who disclosed this while speaking to news men shortly after inspecting the project on Wednesday, explained that the contract for the Port Harcourt Ring Road was one of the first contracts and agreements he signed on assumption of office as governor.
He expressed satisfaction over the level of work done and assured that the necessary support will be provided to enable the company deliver the project on schedule.
The inspection was conducted through the Elikpokwuodu Community, Rumuosi, Ozuoba, UTC Junction axis of the Ring Road project, cutting across three local government areas of the state – Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City.
“Considering the understanding we have with Julius Berger, we find out that this project will be done and delivered on schedule, and with what we are seeing, they’re meeting up that target.
“I think we had a little problem with pricing at that time, but what ever it is, I’ve assured them I will give them all the necessary support to make sure they deliver .
“This project is very important to us, it’s one of the first things I signed when I became the governor of this state. it’s a signature project to me which ever way any body want to look at it, we signed for and we’re paying dearly for it”, he said.
In his remark the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria, Plc, Dr Lars Richter, who accompanied the Governor on the inspection, said the company was working hard to deliver the project on schedule, despite some few challenges associated with payments of compensation and relocation.
Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday hosted leaders of the Christian Council of Nigeria on a delegation to Government House, Port Harcourt.
The meeting, which held behind closed door, focused on the policy thrusts of his administration in revamping the agriculture, health and education sectors of the Rivers economy.
The leader of the delegation and National President of Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), Most Reverend David Onuoha, who spoke with newsmen after the meeting, said they were excited with the Governor for making peace central in his administration.
“We are so excited, first at his peaceful disposition. For him, peace is central in everything. He is quoted as saying that no sacrifice is too much for the peace of Rivers State. I think that is very commendable.
“We gave him an award as a ‘Pillar of Ecumenism’ because of his peaceful disposition and cordial relationship with churches in this State, irrespective of denominations. So, we felt we should encourage him to do more.
“And again, he has intimated us with his plans of placing emphasis on agriculture, health, and education. These are very laudable.
“We can only pray that God will give him the grace to actualise and implement all these,” he added.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, also on Thursday attended the send forth reception in honour of Justice Mary Odili as she bowed out as the 51st Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BoB) after one year (April 2023-March 2024) of meritorious service to the body.
The event, which held at the Halimatu Abdullahi Turaki Hall of the Body of Benchers Complex in Abuja, witnessed her Vice, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, taking over the mantle as the new Chairman of BoB.
Speaking at the event, the Rivers State Governor commended Justice Odili for her invaluable contributions to the enrichment of the body of jurisprudence and the legal profession throughout her years of meritorious service to the State and country.
Governor Fubara also expressed satisfaction with her record of exemplary performance and sacrifices within her one year as Chairman of the Body of Benchers in Nigeria.
He said, “The Government and people of Rivers State are proud of your contributions to the advancement of jurisprudence, and indeed, the legal profession in Nigeria.
“I have no doubt that your one year tenure as Chairman of the Body of Benchers has ushered in reforms to ensure discipline, due process and respect for rule of law among lawyers.
“As a Government, we thank you for your immeasurable service both to our dear State and the nation”.
In her remarks, Justice Mary Odili expressed deep appreciation to the Body of Benchers for the honour done her, and promised to always support them in whatever way possible to enable the Bench succeed.

By: Taneh Beemene

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Nwodo, Secondus Hail New PDP National Secretary, NWC

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Two former National Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo and Prince Uche Secondus, have congratulated the new National Secretary of the party, Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye.
They also expressed gratitude to members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for standing firm in defence of the rule of law and party discipline.
The two former national chairmen said this in a joint statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.
Media adviser to Prince Secondus, Mr. Ike Abonyi, made this public in a statement he signed on their behalf.
He quoted both men as saying that by recognising Chief Ude-Okoye, the party leadership had demonstrated its total commitment to the rule of law and rightly portrayed the party as a truly democratic institution.
He said, “Nwodo and Secondus warned the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Federal Government to allow the opposition parties to breathe, as a strong opposition is the right measure for vibrant democracy all over the world.”
According to him, the two former chairmen also commended the PDP Governors Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), and particularly the chairman of the Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, for being resolute in defense of the rule of law.
The experienced party leaders advised the new secretary and the members of the NWC to work towards strengthening the party to position it as the party to beat in the subsequent elections.
The party leaders also advised the party leadership to be forward-looking and not allow their acrimonious past to affect their vision for the party.

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No Delta Assembly PDP Lawmaker Defecting To APC – Majority Leader

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the Delta State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, said that none of the assembly members was warming up to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Majority Leader of the House, Mr Emeka Nwaobi, said this in Asaba while reacting to the allegation that 10 out of the 22 members of the assembly were planning on joining the APC.
Mr Nwaobi said that all the 22 PDP members in the House were irrevocably committed to the thrust of the party, and their loyalty to the PDP was unquestionable.
He, however, disclosed that five out of the seven APC members in the assembly were already indicating interest in joining the PDP, adding that their defection plan was already in the pipeline.
Similarly, the Speaker, Rt Hon. Dennis Guwor, advised residents of the state, particularly PDP faithful, to discountenance such allegations.
According to him, members of the party were solidly loyal to the party’s ideals in the House.
“There is no doubt that the 22 members of the PDP in the state house of assembly are intact. There is no indication anywhere that any member of the party is planning to join any other party.
“Rather, there is strong indication that no fewer than five out of the seven members of the APC in the House are already warming up to join the PDP.
“So let me use this forum to inform them that the umbrella is wide enough to accommodate as many that are interested in joining us,” he said.

 

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Rivers Assembly Tasks LGAs On Youth Restiveness …Confirms Assembly, LG Service Commissions

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has called on local government chairmen in the state to aggressively tackle violent disturbances in the local government areas through empowerment schemes.
Deputy Speaker and Chairman, House Committee on Local Government Affairs, Rt Hon. Timothy Adolphus, gave the charge when the Committee visited Akuku-toru, Degema and Asari-toru local government areas on an on-the-spot assessment of projects inspection as part of its oversight function.
The Deputy Speaker, who noted that lack of empowerment or job creation brings about agitations, said the youths’ involvement in criminal activities could be reduced to the barest minimum if they’re meaningfully engaged.
Also speaking, the House Leader, Hon Sokari Goodboy, said the committee’s visit was not to ridicule any chairman, adding that the administration in the state has placed emphasis on the principle of checks and balances.
Hon. Goodboy stressed the need for council chairmen to replicate the good examples of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in their various councils, especially in projects execution and empowerment of the people.
According to him, Governor Fubara had spread development projects to all the 23 local government areas in the state and therefore enjoined them to replicate same in their council areas, adding that it is by so doing that the people at the grassroots would feel the impact of Governor Fubara’s administration.
The Committee, however, commended the various council chairmen for doing a good job and urged them to redouble their efforts in projects execution and empowerment of the people.
In Akuku-toru Local Government Area, the Chairman, Mrs Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, said her administration was following in the footsteps of Governor Fubara.
She said her mantra is service before self, adding that her administration had embarked on impactful projects that will benefit the people such as renovation of Obonoma health center and the doctors quarters; renovation of the local government headquarters to provide conducive work environment for the staff and strengthened security in the area.
According to her, the Abonnema cemetery was being reconstructed and remodelled, while her administration has given the people of Abonnema 18 hours power supply while empowering them in various capacities.
On his part, the Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Dr Agiriye Harry, said his administration had carried out several renovation work at the council secretariat, procured 150 solar lights, configured and renovated some health centers and empowered about 200 widows.
The Chairman of Asari-toru Local Government Area, Engr Sule Amachree, on his part, informed the Committee that all projects executed by his administration followed due process as transparency is his watch word.
He said his aim was to embark on projects that would increase the internally generated revenue of the council, adding that his administration has made arrangements to attract the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to the local government, functional judicial system as well as sustainable housing programme to create jobs for the youths.
The committee had earlier visited Abua/Odual ,Ogba Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas where similar charges were given.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed chairmen and members of the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission and the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission.
Those screened and confirmed for the Rivers State Assembly Service Commission were: Dr Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja, chairman; Barr Jones Ogbonda; Dr Kennedy Ebeku; Mr Soberekon Clark and Engr Kingston Sylvanus.
For the local government service commission, the House screened and confirmed GoodLife Ben as chairman, Chief Emmanuel Jaja, Mrs Betty Warmate, Barr Jerome Chimenem, Barr Philip Okparaji and Mr Christian Amadi.

John Bibor

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