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Three Flyover Bridges: Wike Seeks Traders, Residents’ Cooperation …As RSG Moves Ease Of Doing Business Council Inauguration To Monday …Sets Up Task Force To Enforce Illegal Private Schools’ Closure
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on traders and residents to cooperate with the Rivers State Government to deliver the Rebisi, Rumuogba and Okoro-Nu-Odo flyover bridges on schedule.
Wike, yesterday, moved from Shop to Shop at Rebisi (Former Garrison) and Rumuogba (Former Artillery) flyover bridges sites, personally appealing to the traders and residents to vacate the buildings marked for demolition.
The governor urged the traders and residents to make sacrifices, since the flyover bridges will be in the interest of all residents of the state.
He said: “I have come to speak to them, let them appreciate our efforts better. Now times are hard, but they have to understand with us.
“I took it upon myself to personally explain to them that the time we notified them has elapsed. But I have extended it to Tuesday next week, after which demolition will start.
“I am here because I don’t want Julius Berger to have excuses. These bridges must be delivered on schedule”.
Wike said that though the exercise is painful, all residents must contribute to ensure the flyover bridges are delivered.
“I am here to personally appeal to the people because I feel their pain. But this is a sacrifice everyone must make for the state to move forward.
“To do three flyover bridges the same time is not an easy task. Therefore, we must work hard to achieve the target. The Target is that Julius Berger must hand over the three flyover bridges on February 20, 2021.
“It is about one year from now, the time will elapse and people will start saying nothing was done. We don’t want such a situation”.
Wike said that the Rivers State Government has paid compensation to the owners of the marked houses, pointing out that they were duly notified that the demolition would take place. He, however, said that he decided to visit the traders to give the entire process a human face.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has moved the scheduled inauguration of the committee on Ease of Doing Business originally scheduled for today, to next Monday.
A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, yesterday, said that the postponement was due to other pressing engagements of the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The statement reads: “This is to inform you that the earlier scheduled inauguration of members of ‘The State Ease of Doing Business Council (EoDBC)’ by His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has been postponed, due to other pressing state engagements.
“The inauguration will now hold on Monday, January 13, 2020.
“The time and venue remains the same – 11:00 am, the Executive Council Chamber of Government House, Port Harcourt.”
Earlier in a statement, the commissioner had indicated that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike would inaugurate the members of the State Ease of Doing Business Council (EoDBC), today.
The statement had said that the event will take place at the Executive Council Chamber of Government House, Port Harcourt by 11am.
According to the statement, the council will be chaired by the state Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, while the Commissioner, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning would serve as Secretary/Coordinator.
The statement further said the chairman, or representative of the House Committee on Commerce, the chairman, or representative of the Internal Revenue Service, representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the President, Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, as well as one other to be appointed by the governor on public interest would serve as members.
It, therefore, urged all members to be seated by 10:30am.
The statement had read, “The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, will on Friday inaugurate the members of ‘The State Ease of Doing Business Council (EoDBC)’.
“Members of the Council are: Deputy Governor, Chairman, Commissioner, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning — Secretary/co-ordinator, Commissioner, or representative of Ministry of Commerce, member, Attorney General and Commissioner or representative, Ministry of Justice, member.”
Others include are, Commissioner, or representative, Ministry of Finance, member, Chairman, or Representative, House Committee on Commerce, member, Chairman, or representative, Internal Revenue Services, member, a representative of the Central Bank, member, President, Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, (Rivers State), member, President, Nigeria Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum (Rivers State), member and one other to be appointed by the Governor on Public Interest.
“All members are expected to be at the venue by 10:30am,” the statement said.
“I am here to give this construction process a human process. You supported me, but this is for the good of the people”, he said.
Wike was accompanied by officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Works and Engineers of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
The governor also inspected ongoing reconstruction of major roads in the Old GRA Residential Area of Port Harcourt.
Also, the Rivers State Executive Council has approved the setting up of a Task Force to enforce the closure of illegal private schools across the state.
Addressing journalists after the First State Executive Council meeting presided over by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday, the Commissioner of Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim said that the Task Force will ensure that only approved schools operate in the state.
He also stated that the State Executive Council set up two committees to allocate stalls at the Ogbunabali Fruit Garden Market and the Rumuwoji Market.
He said that the two Executive Council Committees have up to the end of the month to conclude the allocation of the stalls.
He said: “Government is desirous to ensure that the people of Rivers State enjoy the dividends of democracy during the second term of Governor Wike.”
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.