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Tag: Amaechi

  • NFF wants Amaechi to head AFCON delegation

    NFF wants Amaechi to head AFCON delegation

    The Nigerian Football Federation has appealed to the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amechi, to head the delegation to the African Nations Cup kicking off in South Africa on Saturday.

    Sources in Port Harcourt told futaa.com that the pair of NFF chairman Aminu Maigari, and the head of technical committee, Chris Green, were at the Rivers State House in Port Harcourt on Monday, to put the request to the governor.

    The sources further confirmed that the governor politely turned down the request.

    He was said to have told the NFF officials that he is too busy at the moment to take on such an assignment that will remove him from his desk for the entire durations of the Eagles stay at the tournament.

    He only promised to be at the first game of the Super Eagles, and the Final, if they make it that far.

    The reasons for trying to appoint the Governor as Head of Delegation is not clear, given his past scathing remarks about the way the NFF handles its finances.

     

  • We’ll employ better strategies in governance, says Amaechi

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has assured that his administration would employ better strategies in governance, by laying the foundation for a future the people would be proud of.

    He said his administration was conscious that posterity would not forgive it, if it failed to make use of the opportunity given by the Rivers people to make significant progress.

    Governor Amaechi said this in his New Year broadcast.

    He said his government carried the lessons of the past with it and looked forward to guaranteeing the survival of the present and future generations.

    The governor said his administration was conscious of the fact that the impact of the decisions taken today would have consequences for the people, noting that small actions taken collectively could add up to real change.

    Amaechi, who is also the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), said: “Leadership lives and dies by its ability to engage, influence and care for the people. Leadership is about trust, stewardship, care, concern, service, humility and understanding.

    “This is the type of bond that will survive challenges, and downturns, and this is the reason we have worked to improve the past and give hope for the future. We believe that we can only earn your trust and loyalty if we add value to your lives.

    “As you know, we inherited a near, comatose education sector, our health infrastructure had broken down, power remained a major challenge despite our huge investments in that sector and our road infrastructure was in dire need of urgent intervention.

    “In addition, the challenges of militancy and its attendant insecurity had brought our economy to a standstill. Our once thriving economy was worse than a shadow of its old self.

    “Our development approach this year will balance competing needs against the social and economic challenges that we face.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Amaechi praises NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Rivers State has been lauded for supporting the government.

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi spoke yesterday at the fifth anniversary and thanksgiving service for the NLC State Chairman, Chris Oruge, at the St Georges Anglican Church, Oduoha, Emohua Local Government Area.

    He said labour has supported the administration.

    Amaechi urged labour leaders and Nigerians to use the yuletide season to show love to one another.

    “Christmas brings peace so we should share love to each other.”

    Oruge called for quick completion of the Oduoha -Elibra road.

    As a follow up to that, the governor directed the Commissioner for Works to ensure that the Oduoha road is constructed and completed in due time.

    Amaechi said: “This is not the kind of road we envisioned, we would invite the contractor to explain to us what we need to do to the road to make it better.”

  • Why I support state police, by Amaechi

    Why I support state police, by Amaechi

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said the country will be better policed, the people better secured and crime reduced, if the constitution allows states to have their own police.

    He spoke at the opening of the State Security and Technology Innovation Forum 2012 in Port Harcourt yesterday.

    “We are doing our best to secure the citizens. Our investment in security is very huge, that is why I am an apostle of state police, because if you give us state police, we will do far better,”he said.

    Amaechi urged the Federal Government to fund the police and provide them with the necessary facilities to enable them combat crime across the country.

    “The Federal Government must fund the police. It is not good enough to give them uniforms and they will be walking on the streets, in a community where you have robbers carrying AK-47 rifles.

    “The police are overwhelmed by the number of crimes committed in the country.

    “Police are not being properly funded in Nigeria. Even the man on the street knows.”

    “No matter how you abuse the police, I do not believe that their reward is in heaven, like teachers. Every reward is here on earth. I will continue to pray for you (policemen) to get your reward.

    The governor also said the state has acquired two police security helicopters to provide 24 hours d security network across the state.

    Amaechi called for the collaboration between the government and the private sector to create employment for the citizens, which he explained would reduce the spate of crime in the society.

    “We must realise that one thing is necessary, government and the private sector must fight poverty, because if you don’t create employment, jobs for the citizens, they will create their own jobs, so if we collaborate, the more jobs we create, the lesser the spate of crime in our society.

    “So while we provide physical protection, we must also provide social protection, that is why we are pursuing free education, free healthcare, to reduce funding by parents on their children,” Amaechi added.

     

     

     

  • Amaechi: tax defaulters’ll be jailed next year

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi yesterday said the state’s law will be amended to ensure that tax evaders go to jail.

    He said the state government would be ruthless in tax collection next year.

    The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) decried the delay in the dispensation of justice.

    He assured members of the legal profession that his administration’s policies would aid prompt and effective justice delivery.

    Amaechi spoke at the maiden Town Hall Meeting on the Roadmap to Effective Justice Administration, which was held at the Chief Judge’s Ceremonial Court at the Rivers High Court Complex in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    The theme of the meeting was: “Justice delayed equals justice denied”.

    The governor said his administration was doing everything possible to ensure even development in the state.

    He said: “There are many ongoing development projects and I assure you that we will complete all of them. We will be ruthless in tax collection next year. Everybody must pay their taxes.

    “We will amend the law to ensure that those who do not pay taxes go to jail. We need the money to provide free education and health care.

    “We will stop our brothers from collecting taxes on the roads and stop multiple taxation. We have sent the bill to the House of Assembly and are waiting for them to pass it into law.”

    Amaechi said his administration would continue to fund the judiciary.

    He said not only funds makes the judiciary independent, but the ability to be assertive and say no to any arm of government, individual or organisation, no matter how highly placed.

    Amaechi said: “The day you compromise is when you will know that independence is beyond funding.

    “It also has to do with the discipline of the leadership, not followership. If a judge says he will sit at 9am and punishes anyone who comes late, you will be punctual next time.”

  • Amaechi stops salaries of striking varsity workers

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has stopped the payment of salaries to striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, who are protesting the reappointment of Prof. Barineme Fakae as Vice-Chancellor.

    Amaechi spoke yesterday during a Town Hall meeting at the Secretariat of the Port Harcourt City Local Government.

    He said: “RSUST is not on strike. Some lecturers refused to teach. I have directed the Ministry of Finance not to pay them. No work, no pay.

    “The university’s law states that the governor should appoint the VC. ASUU members should not tell me how to govern. I have appointed a VC, whether they like it or not. Lecturers are to teach and not to appoint the VC. “RSUST ASUU members earn the highest salary in the country. Before I leave in 2015, we will upgrade RSUST to a standard university.”

    RSUST ASUU members have been on strike for over six months

    The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) said most of his critics were complaining because he did not allow them to steal the state’s funds as they used to do before he assumed office.

    He said the government was paying N488 million monthly to refuse clearing contractors, who were mostly politicians, until he terminated their contracts because they were not performing.

    Amaechi said: “My government is fair in the development of the 23 councils. The problem in Rivers State is that of sharing money. They have started forming groups again and are lying to you. God will not allow them. We will stop them. All the thieves stealing our money will be stopped.

    “I started living in Diobu, Port Harcourt, when I was five years old. Shortly after my inauguration as governor, I was saying Rivers money for Rivers people, but most of the indigenes who were awarded contracts did not do well.

    “It is no longer Rivers money for Rivers people. It is now Rivers money for anybody in the world, who can deliver the services. My administration is determined to transform the state.”

    The governor said N6 billion was paid as compensation to land owners at Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government, for the Greater Port Harcourt City project.

    He said the project would cover Ikwerre, Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Etche, Eleme, Oyigbo, and Okrika councils.

    Amaechi debunked rumours that plots of land at the Greater Port Harcourt City would be shared by the elites. He said they would be sold to interested persons without sentiments.

    He said over 300 indigenes had been benefiting annually from the administration’s overseas scholarship.

    The governor said there would be no going back on the ongoing demolition of over 40 waterfront communities.

    He said anybody who dumps refuse on roads in the state capital would be jailed for three months and anyone whose house is near the illegal refuse dumps would be prosecuted and, if found guilty, imprisoned.

  • Governors Uduaghan, Amaechi, Fayemi mourn late jurist

    Governors Uduaghan, Amaechi, Fayemi mourn late jurist

    Similarly, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has described the death of Justice Kayode Eso as a great loss to the country.

    In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sunny Ogefere, on Friday in Asaba, the governor said Justice Eso’s death, coming on the heels of that of Oloye Abubakar Saraki and former Governor Lam Adesina, was indeed saddening and a great loss to the country.

    “Once again, we have lost a true Nigerian, a patriot, a statesman and a professional to the core. Here goes another great Nigerian, his type are few in this our time.

    “Late Justice Eso was an eminent and respected jurist who fought and stood for credibility of the judiciary,” the governor said.

    He prayed God Almighty to grant the family and the nation the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Also, in his condolence message, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, expressed shock at the demise of Justice Kayode Esho.

    In a statement by his Spokesman Mr. David Iyofor, Governor Amaechi described Justice Esho as an accomplished jurist, a rare breed of uncommon wisdom and sharp intellect who always stood on the side of the law and what was right.

    Amaechi hailed Justice Esho’s enormous contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s legal and justice system and the good work he did as a justice of the Supreme Court.

    “Justice Esho was a man of uncommon virtues. His work in the Apex Court would not be easily forgotten. Most important to us here in Rivers State was his commitment to the Rivers State Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) which he chaired, contributing to the return of peace and sanity in the state.”

    “We are particularly grateful for the thorough and comprehensive work he did at the TRC. Rivers people hold him dearly and will always remember him for that,” Amaechi said.

    The governor condoled with the Esho family, the judiciary and the entire country over this great loss, and prayed for the repose of his soul.

    Also, the Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, expressed regret over the death of Justice Eso, describing his passage as a “big blow to the judiciary in particular and the nation at large.”

    Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, described Eso as “an incomparable legal giant whose contribution to jurisprudence will remain indelible in Nigeria and Africa.”

    The governor further described Eso as “an impartial, incorruptible and fearless judge who did justice to all cases before him, regardless of personalities involved.”

    Describing Eso as “the conscience of the nation’s judiciary”, Fayemi recalled that the late judge was fothright in arriving at his decisions as a judicial officer and never allowed anybody to initimidate him.

    Fayemi noted that Oso was a role model to upcoming lawyers and judges in commitment, dedication, industry and discipline which helped him to maintain a scandal-free career both at the Bar and on the Bench.

    He stated that Oso’s death has created a big void in the league of eminent Nigerian jurists whose counsel and contribution will be crucial as thenation embarks on another round of constitution amendment process.

  • Oil wells crisis about 2015 election, says Amaechi

    Oil wells crisis about 2015 election, says Amaechi

    A new twist has been added to the oil wells dispute between Bayelsa and Rivers states.

    It is all about 2015, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi said yesterday in Port Harcourt.

    “There is rumour that they are emasculating me because of 2015. It is unfortunate. It is a non-issue,” Amaechi said at a press conference.

    He added: “For now, I have no plan for 2015. I was shocked to hear of Lamido/Amaechi 2015 campaign, with branded vehicles in the North and many people are panicky.

    “I am exhausted. I have not attended any 2015 meeting. If they are taking Rivers oil wells because of 2015, they should leave us alone.”

    Amaechi said President Goodluck Jonathan had ordered a ceasefire in the dispute.

    But, according to the governor, Rivers has just lost 46 oil wells to Abia State.

    This is besides the ceding of five of Rivers oil wells in Soku to Bayelsa State.

    It would have been worst, said the governor, but for last Monday’s protest in Abuja by Kalabari leaders from Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru and Degema local government areas. About 71 oil wells in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru council areas would have also been ceded to Bayelsa State that day, Amaechi said.

    The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) said President Jonathan called and directed him and his officials to stop speaking with journalists on the boundary dispute and oil wells. The same message was to be passed to Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, to ensure peace, according to Amaechi.

    It was gathered that both governors have been invited to the villa in Abuja by the President on Friday.

    The Abuja protest was followed by a massive protest and news conference in Port Harcourt, with the Kalabari declaring that the move to cede their communities, oil wells and Soku Gas Plant to Bayelsa would be vehemently resisted.

    Amaechi said: “46 oil wells belonging to Rivers State have just been given to Abia State. Soku is a Kalabari town in Rivers State. Mr. President directed this (yesterday) morning that we should stop addressing the press on the oil wells’ dispute with Bayelsa, if not for the journalist’s question on the issue.

    “Seventy one oil wells in Abonnema (headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State), would have been given to Bayelsa State on the same Monday the Kalabari people went to Abuja to protest. They were not sponsored. They protested on their own. The boundary between Degema and Brass is not in dispute.

    “If I am not the NGF chairman, I would have known what to say. As a people (Rivers) with one destiny, we will fight for our rights. Rivers people are happy with President Jonathan.”

    Amaechi said the state government had no information on the disputed oil wells, adding that lawyers and stakeholders from the communities supplied the information.

    President Jonathan is to meet next week in Abuja with stakeholders from Rivers and Bayelsa states on the boundary dispute and oil wells.

    On the controversial Rivers State Contributory Social Services Levy (CSSL), which workers have been complaining about, Amaechi, who earlier yesterday met with the civil servants at the State Secretariat Complex, said he had ordered the stoppage of deduction from their pay.

    He expressed displeasure that the deductions were made before Christmas, without considering the hardship the workers would face.

    The governor said allocations of Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre local governments areas had been seized in the last two months over their refusal not to ensure a clean environment, especially for being unable to curtail the dirt from auto mechanics.

    As soon as the mechanics’ workshops and the local government areas are kept clean, he would direct the release of the allocations, said the governor.

    According to him, the action is to ensure a clean Rivers state, especially the state capital and its environs .

    Amaechi said the government, next month, would obtain a N100 billion bond, to fund the 2013 budget.

    But, he promised not to leave any debt for his successor.

    The governor stated that the monorail project, for now, would be from the old Port Harcourt Township, popularly called Town, to Waterlines Bus Stop on Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, which he described as economically viable.

    The dualisation of the Garrison-Trans-Amadi Road in Port Harcourt has been awarded for N47 billion. Ada-George Road and the road off Peter Odili Road, which is to link Ogoni axis and Aba Road were his priority road projects.

    The NGF chairman said Port Harcourt roads were being rehabilitated and would later have asphalt overlay to last for 15 years, with the reconstruction beginning immediately after the rains.

    Amaechi noted that he targeted the construction of 750 model primary schools, but he decided to slow down a bit to furnish the completed 250 model primary schools. New ones would be storey buildings because of land constraint.

    He assured that three of the model secondary schools in Eleme, Etche and Saakpenwa would soon be admitting students. The foreign teachers have arrived, with the local teachers being hired. He said schools would be completely free.

    On power, the NGF chairman assured that the promise of uninterrupted electricity supply in Rivers State next month would be fulfilled, stressing that his administration was having challenges with the Power Holding of Nigeria (PHCN), which did not allow the state government to hook up to its system.

    The governor said there had been improvement in the security situation in Rivers State, with no successful robbery in Port Harcourt in the last two months.

    He, however, admitted that there had been security challenges outside the state capital, especially kidnapping.

    Many policemen have been sent to Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

     

  • Illegal salary deductions: Rivers workers give Amaechi 7-day ultimatum

    Illegal salary deductions: Rivers workers give Amaechi 7-day ultimatum

    Rivers State civil servants and teachers are heading for a show down with the state government over what they term illegal deductions from their salary.

    They have given Governor Rotimi Amaechi a seven-day ultimatum to stop all such deductions or face an industrial action.

    Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Mr. Chris Oruge, who issued the ultimatum at the weekend in Port Harcourt said government has been taking the workers for granted with the introduction of the Rivers Sate Social Services Contributory Levy (SSCL).

    The Contributory Levy (SSCL) Law, No. 9 of 2010 had earlier been rejected by stakeholders at the public hearing on the bill only for government to insist that it must be embraced effective from September 2010.

    Workers’ contributions were graduated based on individual’s grade level and the backlog of deductions to be made over a period of time.

    However, the Ministry of Finance, Office of the state’s Accountant-General and Board of Internal Revenue reportedly disregarded the agreement and made huge deductions from the September and October salaries.

    The SSCL in an August 1, 2012 circular entitled “Notice to pay your Rivers State social Services Contributory Levy,” said: “Pursuant to Section 15 of the Social Services Contributory Levy Law of Rivers State (No. 9 of 2010), I am directed to inform you to immediately commence implementation of the monthly deductions of the above levy from all employees in your organisation and remit it to any of the Rivers State designated Internally Generated Revenue collecting banks.

    “Please note that the deduction is distinct from PAYE monthly deductions and both are to be deducted at source from all employees. The effective date of this levy is September 2010.

    “We have attached herewith the list of designated banks and payment schedule (Section 1 (3) of the Rivers State Law No. 9 of 2010 (SSCL) for your guidance.

    “Please note that you shall make recourse to Section “19” of the Rivers State Law (No. 19 of 2010), where there is a default by any employee in deducting and remitting the levy as prescribed by the Act.”

    However, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, who spoke to our reporter on phone last night, said the deductions from workers salaries have been suspended. “Until we finish the necessary arrangements. For now, it will no longer appear on the payslips of the workers.”

    He said the deductions made in September and October are for the contributory pension scheme, adding that the workers should be very grateful to the state government, for assisting them to plan their retirement.

     

  • Presidential sport retreat: NFF is corrupt – Gov . Amaechi

    Presidential sport retreat: NFF is corrupt – Gov . Amaechi

    THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has been labelled as the most corrupt institution in the country.

    This was the verdict of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who also called for the immediately dissolution of the board.

    The dissolution, the governor argued, was the key to Nigeria regaining its lost glory in football.

    NFF is currently being led by Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

    He spoke at the Presidential Sports Retreat with the theme: “Harnessing the Potential of Nigeria’s Sports Sector: From Playground to Podium.”

    Speaking on the topic, “State government and sports development” Ameachi said it was the high level of corruption in the football house that discouraged most governors from funding sports in the country.

    Ameachi who was articulating the position of the governors said the enormous corruption in the board prompted the then members of the Presidential Task Force in which he chaired, to recommend the dissolution of NFF and damn the consequence of the Federation of International Football Association banning the country for two years.

    He said: “We recommended that to stop FIFA from banning we should withdraw from international competition for two years. Let us come back home and start afresh. We will perform better later. Today what you have is an NFF that is corrupt.”

    He said what was sustainable was for the country to revive primary school sports and for the country to train qualified coaches if it wants to see result.

    Ameachi revealed that the presidential task force also recommended a total overhaul of the coaching crew in football. “We said that clearly the present coaching crew do not have what it takes to coach. We said they should be sent abroad for training while we hire a foreign coach to handle our team for a while just like Westerhof did.”

    Amaechi also listed bad implementation of policies as part of the country’s problem.

    “Part of the problem is the implementation. Mr. President you must insist on implementation else we will gather gain in 2015 to discuss sports,” he said.

    The governor further said he knew that State governors are capable of funding sporting activities if there was transparency.

    He said it was not right that public fund should be mismanaged as currently being done by some sports administrators.

    “Those who administer public institutions should do so judiciously and transparently,” he posited.