Rivers
… ‘ll Not Spend Money From the Monthly Savings Account – Amaechi
The Rivers State Government says it would not utilize the Nl billion monthly saving in the State’s Compulsory Saving Account as the law setting up the savings stipulates.
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi disclosed this last Friday at a quarterly interactive meeting with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Base Organisations (CBOs), Faith Based Organisations (FBOs)and Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) in Port Harcourt.
Governor Amaechi, said the state compulsory savings account, which is credited monthly with Nl billion is backed by law and it is meant for future use, should the need arise and his government intends to maintain it.
According to him, “I will not touch the money in the Special Savings Account because the money is meant for future needs of the state”, noting that those doubting the existence of the money should check the accounts details with Skye Bank Pic for confirmation,
The governor explained that his administration has tried to be as transparent as possible in handling government business, and cited the publication of revenue receipts from the Federation Accounts to the state, as well as internally generated funds on quarterly basis, as examples of the transparency of government.
He remarked that the establishment of the public procurement commission and the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Law were meant to check the process of regulating the transaction of government activities with a view to ensuring openness and compliance with due process,
“We also hold Town Hall Meetings to give account of our stewardship and we have maintained transparency record since assumption of office .. , I have a brand name and my brand is honesty and transparency which I have kept”, Governor Amaechi declared.
Responding to questions, the State Governor, highlighted some of the achievements of his administration, explaining that out of the 150 Health Centres completed, 70 of them are now functional with nurses and doctor attached to each, while appealing to the residents of the state to use the nearest health centre to them for minor ailments.
The governor said the state government’s collaboration with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has began to yield results as the city of Port Harcourt is recording an improvement in power supply, while the Ogoni axis of the state would have light before November in keeping with his promise to the people
On 2011 elections, the governor said no aspirant should claim to be the government candidate, because the Peoples Democratic Party (POP) insists on free and fair primaries, while advising citizens of 18 years and above to ensure that they register for the forthcoming voters’ registration exercise, as “votes will count in the elections and the only way to choose candidates of one’s choice is to have a valid voters card”,
On the judgment cutting his tenure short, Governor Amaechi said “we are studying the judgment but we have no problems obeying the law because we are products of the law. However, we are not disturbed by it stressing that the attention is to make functional some of the completed health institutions and schools in the state.
Highlight of the meeting was questions and answers from participants.
Rivers
Rivers High Court Restrain Trustees, Knights of St. John International, Others From Conducting Election
The High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has restrained the registered trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria, and four others from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920 CIWA, Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery elections, and Supreme Subordinate elections of the Knights of St John International, Nigeria, pending the determination of the substantive matters before them.
Justice G.C. Aguma and Justice V.C. Ugoji, in their separate interim orders of injunction issued in Suit No: PHC/4410/CS/2025 and Suit No: PHC/4359/CS/2025, respectively, restrained the defendants, whether by themselves, their privies, agents, servants, or any person or group of persons working under them, from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery, Port Harcourt Commandery, and Supreme Subordinate of Knights of St John International, Nigeria.
The claimants, Sir Njoku Chukwuemeka Andrew and Sir Chukwuemeka Martin Mba, in separate suits, through their legal representatives, dragged the defendants to court, seeking an order to restrain them from appointing or installing any interim caretaker executive or leadership to run or pilot the affairs of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.
The defendants in the matter are: Registered Trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria; Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Ufuoma Okene, the Grand President, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery, Knights of St John International; Noble Brother Viktor Benebo, the Chairman Investigation Committee set up by the 2nd Defendant to investigate the claimants; Sir Architect Prempeh Ebiware, the District 48 Commander, Knights of St John International, Port Harcourt; and Sir Harry Oruma, member of Knights of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.
The two judges, after listening to the counsels in the matter, granted the claimants’ request and adjourned the matter to 10/12/2025 and 16/12/2025, respectively, for hearing of the motion on notice.
