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Reps Oppose Deregulation
Although the Senate has endorsed plans for the deregulation of the Nigerian oil sector, some members of House of Representatives have kicked against the policy.
Agreed that the idea is lofty one, the House members opposed the timing while others feared that the implementation of the policy may inflict hardship on the people whose interest it is supposed to protect.
Abdullahi Farouk (PDP Kebbi) said “the deregulation in itself was not defective because the concept is good. But the way and manner it is implemented is what will make it bad.”
But Moruf Fatai (AC Lagos) said we always have good policies in the country but that when it comes to implementation there are bottlenecks.
The lawmakers said before implementation of the policy, there should be necessary precautionary measures in place before the full implementation of deregulation policy in the country for the interest of the people.
Also reacting to this policy, another House of Representatives member, Stanley Ohajirika (PPA Abia) wondered what would have been fate of the country if it had no oil at all.
“So which means that if we do not have oil at all, government would probably deregulate the air we breathe?”, he asked.
“I think that this is not a step in the right direction. Nigerians expect that because God has given us abundant availability of this resources, Nigerians are equally supposed to benefit from it as it were,” he noted.
Suggesting a way out, Hon. Emmanuel Bello (PDP Adamawa) said there was the need to ensure efficient operation of refineries in the country.
He also suggested that the federal government should encourage investors to establish private refineries in Nigeria, and noted this would enable micro economic forces to balance themselves.
“We must make sure that refineries are working in Nigeria and that even private refineries are floated if you want to do business in Nigeria so that micro forces can balance themselves,” Bello said.
A situation where only one or two persons are importing oil, we have monopoly and your are saying that you are going to deregulate, you are going to remove your hands completely from subsidy. Who are you deceiving,” he queried.
Hon Fatai in his own suggestion on the way forward, called on the government to first put aside some money to make sure there were enough petroleum products in the system to enable investors come in with their products.
He said with necessary precautionary measures, investors would be encouraged to get involved, noting that such would stabilize the price, and wondered why the government always thinks of subsidizing fuel to the detriment of citizens of the country.
Chris Oluoh
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.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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