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Biometrics: RSG Recovers N1bn
The Rivers State Government says it has saved N1billion in salaries and wages bill through the current biometric exercise for all civil servants and public officers in the state.
The government noted that the exercise, which is still on-going, is expected to save more money for the state government and correct the bloated salary wage bill.
The Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who disclosed this, yesterday, at the first Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Business Luncheon held at the Dr Obi Wali International Conference Centre, said the state government has also reduced current overhead expenditure to 40 per cent in keeping with the prevailing economic reality.
Wike, represented by his Deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, said efforts are being made to enable government generate enough funds to address infrastructural decay in roads, hospitals, schools and to ensure adequate social services for the people of the state.
He explained that in the face of dwindling federal allocation and steep commodity price fall, the government was committed to shoring up its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to meet developmental needs of the state.
The state chief executive said the present administration has a deliberate policy to eradicate multiple taxation to encourage investors, stressing that to achieve the purpose, it has set up a Tax Appeal Commission.
“We are committed to promoting commercial agriculture as a means of creating employment opportunities for the teeming youth. We shall focus would be on oil palm and cassava production which will also improve the economy of the state,” he asserted.
Wike assured investors of an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, pointing out that the security challenges are being tackled with the support of security Agencies to ensure the protection of life and property throughout the state.
He lauded the leadership of PHCCIMA for providing a platform for discussion, with the theme: ”Business Opportunities in Nigeria, Beyond Oil and The Ease of Doing Business in Rivers State”, pledging to collaborate with the body to ensure that the state returns to its former glory as investors’ haven.
Earlier, President, Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Mines and Agriculture (PHACCIMA), Dr. Emi Membere Otaji, said Nigerian economy has been over stressed as a result of over dependence on the oil sector and called for urgent diversification.
He noted that there was need for government to embark on massive sensitization and education of investors on the ease of doing business in the state.
In his paper, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment, Mr. Isaac Okemini, said the state was regaining its investment haven status, as government effort in tackling the issues of insecurity and building of more road network in the state is yielding positive results.
The keynote Speaker, Mr. Foluso Philips, remarked that the country’s over- dependence on oil has robbed it of her creative prowess as the nation now solely depend on oil to survive.
The event also featured the unveiling of the Commerce Port Harcourt Magazine by the deputy governor and an award of excellence to Governor Wike by PHCCIMA.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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