News
We’ll Renew Hope Of Widows, Widowers With Inclusive Policies – Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has explained that the various programmes of his administration are designed to provide sundry opportunities to the weak and vulnerable as well as the strong in the society to enable them address their socio-economic challenges.
The Governor stated that by ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare services at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels; revamping commercial agriculture; and strengthening the services derivable in the education sector; his administration will be providing all residents access to living better lives.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance when he received a delegation of Rivers Widows and Widowers’ Forum (RWWF) on a Solidarity Visit, led by the Coordinator of Rivers State Chapter, Mrs Victoria Osagie Omoniyi, at Government House in Port Harcourt, recently.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, the Governor noted with delight their determination to stand in defence of the interest of the State as demonstrated by their solidarity walk, undertaken under the rains, and urged them to ensure they key into the government’s ‘people-first’ policies and programmes to adequately benefit from them.
He said: “When I came and saw you under the rain, in fact, I said I must be here to receive you. But I want to leave you with this message: your Governor cares for you.
“I want to thank all of you for coming, and to tell you that the policies of the Governor are inclusive, to cover and cater for every person.
“One of the programmes that is coming on fast is agriculture. With agriculture, we will create jobs for all of us, and it will bring food to our table. I would want you to key into such laudable programmes of the Government.
“The good schools that the Governor wants to build, your children will learn in them. You won’t have to borrow and cry for your children to be in school. The hospitals and health programmes that the Governor is embarking upon, you’ll be one of the greatest beneficiaries,” he said.
Governor Fubara said things are being done differently now in the State, and in an orderly manner with every group of persons having the chance to benefit, if they key into what the Government is doing.
The Governor emphasised: “This our State does not discriminate. Even your group has acknowledged that. As a detribalised State, we will ensure that you continue to enjoy the State in that way. Whoever behaves well is a Rivers person. The only people that are not Rivers people are the ones that are not behaving well.
“You have to be up and doing because everybody will have equal chance to opportunities that are being created. So, try as much as possible to follow up, and play your part.
“By the time all these programmes are fully rolled out, and when you key in, you’ll find out that a lot of the issues that you’re having now will be reduced,” he noted.
Governor Fubara thanked the widows and widowers for their support and prayers, noting that God hears their prayers.
In her remark, Coordinator of the Rivers Widows and Widowers’ Forum, Mrs Victoria Osagie Omoniyi, said that the solidarity visit was to express their unalloyed support and loyalty to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who they described as a peaceful leader who listens, cares and shows empathy and compassion to those he governs.
Mrs Omoniyi noted that though the Governor is a man of few words, his leadership of the State has renewed and restored hope in the minds of all residents, who are also benefiting from the peaceful atmosphere and economic opportunities created, as well as other programmes in the health, education and agriculture sectors.
The group assured that they still have their permanent voter cards (PVCs) and will massively mobilise themselves to vote to return Governor Fubara for a second term when the time comes to re-elect him in 2027.
She also assured that they will continue to take advantage and participate in the various people-orirnted programmes and projects of the administration for the growth and prosperity of the State.
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.
