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Legislature, Judiciary Synergy, Key To Our Success -RSG
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says the existing robust relationship between the three arms of government in the state was creating a very good environment for Rivers people to enjoy democratic dividends.
The governor made the assertion shortly after inspecting the progress of the ongoing civil construction works at the official residential quarters of lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Wike said every arm of government in the state knows, understands and performs its role without interference.
Such independence, he pointed out, has engendered a good work environment for each other to perform their duties.
“So, for us in the state, we believe in the autonomy of each of the arms of government. At the same time, we believe that working together for the interest of the state is better. Autonomy does not mean that each arm of government will begin to antagonise the others.
“If they do that, then at the end of the day, it is the state that will lose. Working in harmony, independently and cooperatively, will bring a lot of benefits to the people.”
Wike stated that it was the posture that has helped his administration to continue to deliver on its mandate, in terms of projects’ delivery and provision of services, to Rivers’ people.
“Frankly speaking, it would have been difficult if we do not have a good, robust relationship between the three arms of government. Yes, we are independent but we work cooperatively to see that the state moves forward.
“If we have the relationship that is not good with the Legislature, then how would they have passed the budget for the Executive to implement?”
Speaking about the legislators’ quarters, Wike stressed that the project is executed deliberately in order to provide the lawmakers and their families a befitting residence.
Wike said his administration has already built similar facility for the Judiciary with almost all the judicial officers in the state having their own accommodation.
“Having done that, we also felt, the second arm of government, which is the Legislature, should also have their own residence. It will be where they can put their heads together; their families can stay and have a good environment where they can work.
“This is four (4) bedroom duplex of 32 units meant for every member of the state House of Assembly. We have 32 constituencies, which means we have 32 members of the House of Assembly.”
The governor, who expressed his delight over the quality of work done already by the contractor, Lubrik Construction Company, said he expects them to handover the completed project to the state government in December, 2021, for commissioning by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
Wike, who was accompanied by Senator Lee Maeba and Senator Sam Anyanwu, explained that the Legislature deserves the best because they represent the people directly.
According to him, the Legislature is as important as the other arms of government, particularly because they do not conclude their work without having a direct input of the people before passing any law.
“You cannot say that such arm of government that directly represents the people should not have a befitting accommodation.”
Wike also noted the amount of jobs the project has provided for youths in the state.
The governor, who also spoke with the workers, encouraged them to be committed to their work and maintain cordial relationship with the management of the company.
“Look at the number of people who are working here. Assuming we don’t have this kind of project. This is one particular project but look at the number of people that are being employed, and then, multiply it with the number of projects going on simultaneously in the state, that will tell you the number of persons who are being employed in the state.”
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.
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