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17 Oil Wells: Ariolu, MOSIEND Hail Wike Over S’Court Victory
The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Barrister George Ariolu, has lauded the Supreme Court of Nigeria, for delivering a firm judgement on the disputed 17 oil wells involving Rivers and Imo states.
Ariolu, while addressing newsmen, yesterday, also hailed the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for his bold and courageous approach towards recovering the state’s assets.
He described the verdict of the apex court as victory for the rule of law, democracy and the people of Rivers State.
Following the verdict by the apex court, he expressed optimism and confidence that Wike would continue to fight and win more battles in the interest of Rivers people.
Speaking further, he said the ultimate victory was another validation of Wike’s popularity among Rivers people, especially on his programmes, which have continued to impact positively on the people.
Describing Wike as an architect who has erected political structure for good governance, Ariolu urged Nigerians to support him, stressing that they should give the governor fresh mandate in 2023.
He, however, maintained that the recent verdicts of the Supreme Court have restored and re-affirmed the hope of the common man in the nation’s judicial sector.
Ariolu noted that the lawyers and judges who delivered the landmark ruling have written their names in gold, adding that they would be remembered as revered legal practitioners.
He said, “It is now glaring that the Judiciary is the last hope of the common man.
“We are very happy with the judgement given by the Supreme Court and that is why we are affirming our loyalty and commitment to the governor of the Rivers State.
“I think we are now having a Judiciary we are supposed to have.
“The Supreme Court has done the right thing by affirming that the 17 oil wells in dispute belonged to Rivers State,” he continued.
The council boss, who described the ruling as good development for the sustainability of the country’s democratic experiment, pointed out that the landmark judgement has relieved the state of oppression, pervasion of justice, disunity and disharmony.
Similarly, a frontline socio-cultural organisation in Niger Delta region, Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has commended Governor Nyesom Wike, over the Supreme Court judgement on 17 oil wells ruled in favour of the state.
The oil wells, the group said, were located in Ndoni and Egbema communities in Rivers State, respectively.
The group, in a statement by its Zonal Secretary, Godwin Opiuyo, commended the Judiciary for living up to its responsibility for fair judgement.
MOSIEND said the judgement brings to an end the lingering and prolonged boundary dispute between Rivers and Imo states.
The statement described Wike, a Presidential aspirant hopeful of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as not somebody you can intimidate, adding that Rivers properties remains safe under his care.
The group said they were pleased with the ceding of the 17 oil wells to Rivers State by the court judgement.
The statement commended Wike for resisting the forces of evil against the financial prosperity of Rivers State.
“We commend the Wike for his resolute in recovering the communities and the 17 oil wells for Rivers State”.
Opiuyo further appealed to the governor to make massive investment in human capital development across the 23 local governments of the state to reduce poverty.
MOSIEND said the proposed Wike decision to embark on stomach infrastructure is strategic and aimed alleviating poverty and improved lives amongst youths.
Recall that in 2019 there was a disputed 17 oil wells in Akri and some other communities when a presidential directive conjured a certain boundary adjustment arrangement that transfers all revenues accrued within those locations to our neighbouring Imo State.
By: Chinedu Wosu
The Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has unveiled measures to enthrone ease of doing business and win back the confidence of the business community.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, unveiled the plans at the Breakout Session of RSIPA at the ongoing 18th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre, in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Peterside said the agency was poised to free the state from accumulation of wrong narratives that branded it over the years as unsafe for business.
He, however, admitted that many things had gone wrong in the past where regulators joined to make the business environment difficult for investors.
He announced that the agency was rather focused on actions, solutions, and results as adopted in the mission statement of the Board.
“Our task is no mean feat. We are dealing with the perception risk that over several years branded the state as unsafe. We are also faced with the challenges of dealing with the lack of cohesion amongst MDAs, policy inconsistencies, multiple taxation, incessant harassment by miscreants, red tape and delays in obtaining operating permits, high cost of operations and opaque public sector,” he said.
“It is about listening to the investors in the field and ensuring that MDAs are carried along, hence the imperative for the setting up of our One-Stop-Center”, he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who represented the state governor, said the Fubara administration was ready to listen to the business community to see ways of reducing impediments to investments.
He listed the stages of actions being undertaken by the governor as outlined in his 37-page blue print to revive the economy of Rivers State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was presented at the event as a star investor and promoter of Rivers State reputation, said for the plans of the investment promotion agency to materialize, an enabling law should replace the Executive Order that established the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
He said this would insulate the agency from political instability and remove fear in the minds of investors about its sustainability.
According to him, protection precedes promotion and Local Direct Investment (LDIs) is what attracts and promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs).
“It is the rat at home that reveals to the one in the bush that there is fish in the kitchen”, he added.
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?The Mayor of Housing who is also the CEO of the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City said that Port Harcourt is like a business empire under lock and key because it is not protecting its own and also not promoting its own enough for investors to come in.
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?In the area of land documentation and inventory, China urged Rivers State Government to borrow a leaf from Abuja and adopt the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in dealing with land and property registration and documentation for ease of doing business.
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?He said Lagos understood the power of business information, adding “this creates the impression that if you are not doing it in Lagos, you are not doing it in Africa.
“We need to shout louder than Lagos, because we need more investments than Lagos and the structural integrity of Abuja. When you marry both, Rivers State would be wonderful and become green with investments,” he said.
In her speech, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, called on the state government to look into the menace of parked trucks now turning Trans-Amadi into a risk zone.
She outlined the activities of the PHCCIMA and invited investors and businesses to the Port Harcourt economic hub, saying peace has returned.
The Director, Investors Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Lovina Kayode, urged Rivers State to make haste and catch up on Ease of Doing Business, saying the Council has come to help businesses in the state.
Mrs Kayode, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, commended the Mayor of Housing and his counterpart, Mr. Oliver Biedima of Rainbow Heritage Group, for their decision to invest in Rivers State, saying it is a proof that Rivers State is safe for investors and their investments.
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In his remarks, Oliver Biedemi of Rainbow Heritage Group urged government to give the private investors chance to develop the economy, saying ordinarily government does not have the funds to develop the economy.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
