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Ogoni Dev: Wike Slams Abe …Pledges To Support Police
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has reiterated his desire to give even development to all parts of the state.
He made the pledge while addressing a huge crowd of Ogoni people at Bodo Town, ,Gokana Local Government Area, Wednesday, during an inspection of abandoned projects by the immediate past administration in the area.
He said, “just like I love Ikwerre people, that is how I love Ogoni people. When I was a Minister, I attracted projects to Ikwerre land.
I also attracted N500million fund to Kenule Beeson SaroWiwa Polytechnic,Bori. As a governor, am committed to development projects across the state and the proofs are everywhere.”
He accused Senator Magnus Abe of embezzling funds meant for the construction of critical roads and primary schools in Ogoni land, declaring that he will complete the Kpopie-Bodo City Road deliberately abandoned by the Former Secretary to the Rivers State Government.
He added that his administration is also upgrading facilities and equipment at the Bori Zonal General Hospital which was also neglected by the immediate past APC government in the state.
The governor said that his projects in Ogoni land are targeted at empowering the people and keeping his campaign pledges, unlike the immediate past administration that denied the people development projects even after releasing funds for same.
Contrary to the falsehood being peddled by Senator Magnus Abe, the governor explained that the Sakpenwa-Bori Road is being constructed by CCECC, an internationally recognised company that executed the Abuja-Kaduna Light Rail project.
The governor also submitted that CCECC won the bid to construct the road, adding that his administration works with first grade road construction companies like Julius Berger, Setraco, CGC and CCECC to deliver development to the people.
He said: “The former administration gave Senator Magnus Abe a contract of over N4billion to construct this Kpopie-Bodo City Road and he embezzled the money. I am here to physically inspect this road. I hereby direct the State Ministry of Works to complete the road,
“It is unfortunate that he abandoned the Bodo section of the road because of his dislike for Bodo people. I have also directed that the road be fitted with street lights for beautification ”
He added that the former Federal Lawmaker wasted for years in the Senate without attracting development to his people, noting that he will never get the votes of the people because of his anti-people politics.
“I have disgraced the immediate past administration of APC in Rivers State by working where they failed to work. I have reached out to Ogoni people through projects that is why they are pained by the acceptance we enjoy. I will continue to develop Ogoni land and ensure that the people enjoy the benefits of good governance denied them by the immediate past APC administration where Senator Magnus Abe played a prominent role in defrauding Rivers State “, the governor said.
The governor said steps will be taken to address the issue of embezzlement of state funds by the Rivers State APC leaders.
In his remarks, Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Architect Harrison Iheanyichukwu said his ministry will start the reconstruction of the 6.9 kilometre road in the course of the week.
An indigene of the area and Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani said the people are appreciative of Governor Wike’s commitment to their development.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike says the State Government will give the Nigeria Police the necessary support and backing on the ongoing arms mop-up exercise in the state.
He made the declaration when he received the new Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Francis Mobolaji Odesanya on Wednesday in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Chief Wike commended the new Rivers State police boss for starting on a good note urged him to sustain the tempo saying, “ do your job effectively and if anybody is involved please do not look back. Don’t give politicians the opportunity to mount pressure on you.”
The governor reiterated that the current success recorded in curbing crimes and returning peace to the state must be sustained, while emphasising the need for the police to be proactive.
Chief Wike further advised the State police chief and his men to be apolitical during the forthcoming rerun elections as the people of the state will resist any plot to use instruments of State to rig elections .
He noted that the police should work professionally to create the right atmosphere for the people to exercise their franchise without molestation.
The governor stated : “If anyone uses instruments of State to rig elections, we will not fold our hands”.
He reminded the police of the need to weed out compromised officers with political affiliation, pointing out that he has written to the Inspector-General of Police on the issue.
Governor Wike maintained that the state government will continue to support the police to fight crime at all levels.
“For the past one year, we have bought over 100 vehicles for security agencies. We will always support the police to improve security.
“We have to work together to fight crime. I am happy with the level of policing in the state which has reduced the level of crime”, Governor Wike said.
The governor announced that the state government will supply additional vehicles to the police. He also directed the local government councils in the state to provide logistics support to police divisions across the state.
Earlier, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Francis Mobolaji Odesanya said that the police under his leadership will ensure the mop up of arms to promote security of lives and property.
He said that Rivers State will not be home to crimes as measures are being implemented to root them out.
He assured the people of the state that he will be apolitical and professional in the discharge of his duties.
The new commissioner of Police is the fifth police chief working with Governor Wike since he assumed duty on May 29, 2015.
News
Let’s Fight To Save Rivers’ Soul Together
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has lamented that there is a fierce fight over the soul of the State to destroy it but noted that only the well-meaning persons who are standing firmly with him can wield the force of unity to save it.
Governor Fubara made the remark at the country home of Sir Celestine Omehia in Ubima community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday.
The Governor, accompanied by some elders of the State, was in Ubima to commiserate with Sir Omehia, who had just laid his late mother, Mrs Ezinne Cecilia Omehia, to rest after 95 years.
Governor Fubara said the visit was to demonstrate love and show support to Sir Omehia who, as a son, had satisfactorily performed the duty of giving his mother a befitting burial.
He said, “I have come here with a few of us; very respected elders of the State, to come and support you and say to you that ‘we sorrow with you’.
”The most important thing is to show our concern and love. Any human being that shows enmity to death, that person is not even normal.
”We also rejoice with you for a life lived well to fulfillment by Mama. We wish Mama safe journey. Let her stay well where she has gone.”
Governor Fubara told the elders of the need for every true lover of the State to synergise and be resolute in the fight to safeguard the soul of Rivers State.
The Governor decried the evil of politics of bitterness and the telling danger it has on the progress of the State, which according to him, should be discouraged as a bad political culture in contemporary times.
Governor Fubara said: “Anybody who claims to love this State should not be party to anything, directly or indirectly, that will bring us backwards. We will continue to support every course that will advance the interest of our dear Rivers State.
”And I am happy to say, and I’ve said it over and again, it doesn’t matter the number of people that are standing with me, I will stand on that side of truth.”
The Governor emphasised: “I will not, I repeat, I will not govern our dear State on my knees (bending). If that was the purpose, I will not do that. I will stand to govern our dear State and stand continually on the side of right.
”But politics of bitterness will not take us anywhere. So, I want to thank you that, at this stage, we have a few of you who understand that Rivers State belongs to everyone of us. We must, therefore, fight together to sustain the soul of this State,” he added.
Governor Fubara also spoke about the tanker inferno that has become a sad episode in the State with over 120 vehicles razed and about five lives lost, describing it as “great tragedy and very unfortunate.
”It is a very sad day in our dear State. Something happened in Eleme, along the route of Indorama Petrochemical and Fertiliser Company Limited. A tanker had an issue with a tipper, and there was an unfortunate situation that caused the State a very devastating loss.
”I went there this morning to see for myself what really happened, and I can tell you, I’ve not been happy since then. With all the dramas in our State, it is not even proper for us to add that to it.
”But it wasn’t our fault. It was just what impatience caused. The tanker driver, knowing the state of that road was not patient, and it resulted in that colossal loss. Over 120 vehicles were completely burnt and five lives were lost. It was very unfortunate.”
He commiserated with those who lost loved ones and others whose vehicles were burnt beyond repairs, and added that the State Government mourns and grieves with them.
In his speech, Sir Celestine Omehia, expressed appreciation, on behalf of his family, to Governor Fubara, his delegation and other friends, among whom, were those he described as matured elders, for the show of love.
He said his mother died at 95 years, which is 25 years of grace added to the 70 years as specified in the Bible, and assured that he will sustain her legacy because she was their role model.
Sir Omehia also said that he was well known as a man who takes decision and stands by it no matter the consequences.
He, therefore, declared: “I have taken a decision to be SIMplified. Where ever you go (Fubara), is where I will go. If you say tomorrow, you are no more interested in this position, I will also stop fighting for anything in Rivers State.
”But, God who gave you the opportunity will also give you all the wisdom, strength, power and everything that it takes to govern the people of Rivers State and beyond.”
He assured the Governor that almost the entire people of the State, including chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, women, youths, civil society groups and professionals across all spectrums of the State were praying and working assiduously for the success of his Administration.
Sir Omehia told the Governor that it is that support and prayers of the people that he needs to succeed, because, according to him, one with God, is with majority, and will always excel and succeed.
He, therefore, urged the Governor to continue in his strides to deliver good governance, peaceful and prosperous State to the present and future generations.
Highlights of the event were the offering of prayers by leaders of Ikwerre Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers for the Governor and his Administration as well as the symbolic presentation of gifts to Governor Fubara in appreciation of his peaceful disposition and quality leadership of the State.
Breaking News
Tanker Inferno: We’re Saddened By Extent Of Carnage -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described as very unfortunate the fire incident caused by a tanker conveying premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol which burnt motorists and commuters beyond recognition and destroyed a good number of vehicles.
The incident occurred between Indorama Gate and Aleto Bridge on the popular and ever busy Eleme section of the East-West Road now undergoing major reconstruction by the Federal Government.
Governor Fubara expressed his sadness at the gory sights that he saw when he visited the scene of the incident, accompanied by the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the State Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Uchechukwu Nwafor, on Saturday morning.
The Governor explained that he got a call from the Managing Director of Indorama Petrochemical and Fertiliser Company Limited in Eleme Local Government Area, informing him of the incident.
At the news of the incident, Governor Fubara stated that he immediate routed a call to the security agencies and instructed that they visit the scene to take charge of the security of the area to avoid escalation of the situation.
Governor Fubara said: “We are here to see for ourselves and get a first hand information of the incident of what happened yesterday night.
“About 7.30 – 8pm, we got information of the gravity of the incident. I was told that it was caused by a tanker vehicle that was conveying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“In fact, I got the information through the MD of Indorama, and I immediately alerted the security agencies to make sure they take control of the security situation in the area.
“And from what we are seeing this morning, it was not a pleasant case. We recorded a huge number of vehicles being destroyed and lives lost.
Governor Fubara explained that he had already requested the relevant government agencies to provide him a detailed account of their findings to enable the State Government take appropriate decisions and actions to significantly remedy the situation and reduce the negative on the affected people.
“I have already asked the relevant agencies to give us a full brief so that we can come into the situation fully by seeing to how much we can support the families that are bereaved, and also cushion the effect of the loses, which I believe, is no fault of a good number of them.
“We all know the situation of this road. It is really unfortunate. Most of our people, when plying this road, should ply it with caution.
“I believe very strongly that this situation would have been avoidable, if the motorists had behaved properly. But it is late already. The damage has happened. This is the situation we have found ourselves. We will see how we can control the aftermath,” he added.
News
82nd Birthday: Odu Eulogises King Dandeson Jaja
Rivers State Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has described King Dandeson Douglas Jaja as a great and humble King who has continued to be a light to the Kingdom of Opobo and Rivers State.
Prof Odu stated this during a thanksgiving service to mark the monarch’s 82nd birthday at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Opobo Town, yesterday.
According to the Deputy Governor, on a special day like this, she wishes him God’s grace and innumerable blessings, stressing that his reign shall be long in good health.
In his testimony, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, who disclosed that he is nothing without God, said his life has been God’s Gift and Grace all these years, stressing that it is the Grace of God that has brought him this far.
The king seized the moment to announce the conferment of the King Jaja Manila Tree Award, which is the highest honour in Opobo Kingdom to the State Chief Executive, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and the BALOLO of Opobo Award to Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, the Deputy Governor on a date to be announced later.
In his Sermon, drawn from Psalm 122: 6,7,8, Ven. Emanuel Nwuju, the Vicar of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Opobo Town, who spoke on the theme “Good Gifts Comes from God “said God has given us everything we enjoy in life, adding that whatever you are today is a gift from God.
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