Connect with us

News

We’ll Build Rivers Into Industrial Hub, Reliable Economic Gateway, Fubara Assures …Promises To Set Up Investment Promotion Agency 

Published

on

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has vowed to spend his days in office working assiduously towards rebuilding the economy of the State beyond crude oil and gas so that it can be reckoned as a reliable economic gateway, investment destination and hub of robust industrial activities.

 

The Governor explained that it is for this reason that the economic and investment summit was organised in the State to congregate key players in the sector to share experiences, brainstorm and dissect ideas, and provide a roadmap that will put the State back on the lane for the expected accelerated industrialsation.

 

Governor Fubara gave the explanation when he received the report on the Rivers State Economic and Investment Summit 2024 from the Central Organising Committee at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

 

The Governor pointed to how the economic summit served as a gateway through which the world saw the investment potentials of the State, and said that the government will leverage on the opportunity created to attract investments into the State to make life better for the people.

 

Governor Fubara said in putting the summit together, everything was done to avert failure but regretted that some elements who do not want the State to make meaningful economic progress worked behind the scenes against its success.

 

He said, “I can boldly say here that most of the people that were invited as guests, some elements who didn’t wish us well, called them privately, asking them not to be part of the programme.

 

“They went as far as even, on the second day of the programme, because they did not expect somebody, a very notable person to be part of it, they tried to dissuade the person.

 

“These same elements organised a protest so that we will not have our way. But at the end of the day, God also made it possible that we had the programme and the programme was successful.”

 

Governor Fubara appreciated efforts of members of the committee, and especially the good people of Rivers State who stood by the government, and provided the need support that eventually made the summit a success.

 

The Governor insisted that what his administration is doing is to chart an enduring course for economic prosperity of the State.

 

Governor Fubara said: “Our State used to be one of the best. We had all the companies here, and all the oil companies were here also. They started here, and life was good (for our people) here.

 

“I know fully well that no matter how strong a man is, the strong man will die (one day). But when you have a strong policy, and you have strong institutions, those institutions will live forever.

 

“So, what we did and what happened, we tried bringing intellectuals to brainstorm for the purpose of building a State with strong economy so that tomorrow, people will not be struggling to become governors because of the good economy of the State.”

 

Governor Fubara said he wants to rebuild the State and see that it becomes economically stronger so that posterity will remember him for how he improved on what he inherited, and not killing it.

 

He noted the 15-point recommendations of the report submitted to him, and assured that his administration will take steps to establish an Investment Promotion Agency that will serve as a one-stop-shop for all business-related engagements.

 

The Governor emphasised, “I read flashes of thoughts written by one Prince of Dubai. How did Dubai start? They started with having an Investment Promotion Agency. That means, if you are coming into the State, you have where to go, you are asked of what you have to offer, and you say these are the things I have to offer.

 

“The agency will have all the solutions to inquiries. If any of such inquiries is beyond them, they know where to seek the attention of the higher authorities.

 

“With that, you can see business moving smoothly, investors will have opportunity to interact. Even if they are not seeing the Governor directly, they are interacting with the right body. Assurances are there, confidence is there, quick decision making is also there,” he added.

 

Governor Fubara said the support of everybody is required in investing energy in productive ventures that will strengthen the economy of the State and grow it into becoming the envy of other states.

 

He stated, “I will also assure, not just this committee because I know by next year, you might not even be the people that are going to coordinate it, but we must have it as a policy of the State, that every year, we will bring people together. Look at what we have done, what we need to do, and what we can also achieve, then plan for the future.”

 

Governor Fubara further said: “I can say it boldly, when we came on board, we looked at the activities of the internal revenue board. They were doing so little. So, we had to set up a technical committee. This technical committee worked out some modalities that improved our IGR.

 

“Today, I can make bold to say that our IGR in a year, so far, what they had then cannot be compared to what we have now. So, I strongly believe that if we come together, work as a team, we will have a better State where these issues that we are having today: economic hardship, which is the main thing, will be addressed.”

 

Governor Fubara spoke concerning the nationwide protest and the apprehension expressed in some quarters, and said that when the petrol subsidy was removed by the Federal Government, his administration was the first that took steps to provide palliatives to cushion the harsh effects.

 

He said, “Just like we did, after the issue of subsidy removal, we were one of the first states that launched free transport scheme for students and citizens of Rivers State, and we have sustained it. We didn’t end there, we brought a credit line of N4billion for our traders. Those people that are genuine ones that are struggling keyed into it.

 

“These ones are not stories. They happened live at the summit where we gave people money for them to invest to improve their businesses. Whatever Europe is today, it is because of small scale businesses that are encouraged.

 

“This is where you strengthen the economy of a country. On our part, we will continue to do that, because at the end of the day, if everybody is fine, crime rate will be reduced in our State,” he said.

 

Presenting the report on the Rivers State Economic and Investment Summit 2024, Chairman of the Central Organising Committee, Mr Chibeoso Aholu, said the summit held on 22-23 May, 2024, and with the support from the Governor, they achieved huge success in executing it.

 

Mr Aholu listed the 15-point recommendations made in the report that should receive immediate and future attention of the state government for implementation.

 

They included that the government should, “initiate appropriate policy and legislative framework that will improve ease of doing business and create a conducive business-friendly environment in the State; revive and recapitalise PABOD Finance, Ministry of Finance Incorporated, and Micro Finance Bank, to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

 

“The immediate establishment of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency as recommended by the summit. A draft Executive Order for the establishment of the Agency is here attached.

 

“Take measure to resuscitate the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout and establish new industrial business districts, including the agricultural processing zone and a Free Trade Zone in the State.

 

“Take steps to provide necessary policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks to promote and advance the development of the Rivers State Blue Economy; and take practical steps to address the incessant demands and unending disruptions from communities, community groups, youths, which have caused the departure of many companies in the State”; among others.

Continue Reading

News

Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

Published

on

Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

Continue Reading

News

College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

Published

on

The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

Continue Reading

News

Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

Published

on

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

Continue Reading

Trending