News
2017: Rivers Residents Blast FG, Laud RSG
Stakeholders in Rivers State have lamented the difficult operating environment in all sectors, arguing that Federal Government’s policies have made things difficult for millions.
In separate interviews with The Tide, some residents of Port Harcourt appealed to governments at all levels to initiate policies and programmes to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians in 2018 to cushion the negative impact of government actions and inactions in 2017.
One of the respondents, a lawyer, Barrister Temple Weje said, “The year 2017 which has just ended was quite traumatic economically, and as legal practitioners, we are at the receiving end.
“It is so pathetic that our clients, even in the heat of the economic down-turn, when they decide to dispose property to make ends meet at ridiculous rates, the prospective buyers are never coming, apparently on the account of fear of insecurity or being arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The multiplier effect is that money is not circulating from one hand to the other, which is the hardship we all experience today.
“We also find situations where our clients (litigants) cannot afford the minimum requirement financially to prosecute their cases, which by implication, means sacrificing their rights because of poverty,” Weje added.
A businessman, Vintage Mart Supa Centre, Mr McDonald Lordswill said, “Every businessman would always expect a better year, even though the previous year was not that successful.
“In the year 2017, we experienced a lot of setbacks. In my business, we deal on imported products, and those time, bringing in goods from outside Nigeria has not been easy because of harsh economic policies and non-availability of Forex. All these setbacks affected our business negatively.
“Nevertheless, we believe that we are going to have successful and business breakthroughs in 2018. We hope that the experience witnessed in the 2017 Christmas period due majorly to fuel scarcity, which also adversely affected businesses will not continue in 2018.
“If there is a change in policies that directly affects our businesses negatively, it would be a way forward. I believe that it would have positive impact on our business, especially most of us that deal on imported goods,” he said.
A commercial bus driver, Elder Friday Elijah said “This business recorded a very low return last year due mainly to the use of old vehicles. Majority of the buses used by Port Harcourt commercial drivers are very old, and as such, if we work for a day, the next day, the bus is in the mechanic workshop for repairs which makes it difficult for us to save any reasonable money. The drivers mostly affected are those on hire purchase.
They find it very difficult to eat, not to talk of balancing the bus owners.
“No driver can be proud that he has achieved much with such condition in the commercial bus business. We are, however, looking forward to a situation where the government would support bus drivers in Port Harcourt through an empowerment scheme. This would go a long way in reducing the hardship being faced by commercial bus drivers.
A civil servant, Joyce Tonye said, “2017 was not that bad. We thank God for life, and pray that the year 2018 will be better than 2017. I commend the Rivers State Governor, Mr Projects, Chief Nyesom Wike for ensuring the prompt payment of workers’ salaries. The workers are happy with all the achievements he has recorded thus far.
“I appeal that he should ensure workers’ prompt promotion and payment of their promotion arrears. I also humbly appeal that the governor ensures that in 2018, he pays priority to the payment of arrears of annual increments, gratuity and pensions,” she pleaded.
A medical doctor, Dr Simon Lazarus said, “Our business as private doctors in the year 2017 increased tremendously, as we received highest number of patients. But it is sad to say that in the midst of all these, returns on income were very low. Many patients that came to register could not afford the cost for treatment and some simply died due to the delay in raising money for treatment.
“We hope that in 2018, there would be enough cash flow in the system so that people can afford their medical bills and even those not sick would be able to go to the hospitals for some routine check-ups, and treatment where necessary.
“Some challenges confronting private doctors are the inability to afford all the needed equipment due to exorbitant cost, and in a situation where one is able to afford these equipment, patients are not able to afford cost of treatment. Also, the epileptic power supply by Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) is not encouraging at all.
“We believe that if the Rivers State Government really wants to boost its Internal Revenue Generation (IRG), it needs to look particularly into the problem of PHED and ensure that there is always constant power supply everywhere in Rivers State, and not just some segments of the state,” he added.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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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