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Tag: Nyesom Wike

  • Police: we’re not overwhelmed by insecurity in Rivers

    The spokesman of Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), has said the command is not overwhelmed by insecurity in the Niger Delta state.

    He spoke on Tuesday on phone while assuring residents of the safety of their lives and property.

    The immediate past Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, who is a former Rivers State governor, recently accused his successor, Nyesom Wike, of lacking the capacity to effectively govern the volatile state.

    Amaechi, a chieftain of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), insisted that there was insecurity in all the 23 local government areas of the state, especially with penultimate week’s killing of 40 innocent persons in a community in Ogoni community.

    Wike, who is one of the leaders of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), urged Rivers residents and other Nigerians to ignore Amaechi’s “lies”.

    The governor described the former minister as frustrated.

    Read Also: Wike inaugurates ninth Rivers Assembly

    Wike said he remained focused with investors trooping into the state as a result of the acclaimed improvement in security across the state.

    Omoni said: “The police in Rivers State are doing their best to contain criminal activities. We indeed have pockets of criminal activities in the state, but we are on top of the situation. We are not overwhelmed.

    “It must be pointed out that insecurity is not peculiar to Rivers State, but we are doing our best to provide tight security for more investors to be moving into the state.”

    He urged the public to continually give useful and timely information to the police to ensure the safety of lives and property.

     

  • Wike raises committee to address soot

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has inaugurated a technical committee for the implementation of the recommendations of the Rivers State government report on soot.

    Wike, who inaugurated the panel on Monday, directed the Head of Service to also invite the Army, Navy and Police to participate in the implementation committee.  The governor said his administration is committed to addressing the environmental and health issues raised by the presence of soot.

    He said: “I have told the committee chairman to ensure that everybody gets the report so the committee can act for us to see positive changes. As a government, we owe our people the duty to tackle soot.

    Read Also: I’ll put Rivers first, says Wike

    “So many people have complained that the government is not doing something to reduce the soot. This is not true. We have studied the situation. It took not less than five months to identify the causes. This implementation committee is made up of environmental experts/scientists, environmental lawyers, doctors, civil society, oil majors and security services. This is a fundamental move to address the soot crisis.

    “As a Government, we are concerned and we will do everything to ensure that it is resolved. This soot does not know the governor; it does not know a poor or rich man. It affects everyone. Right here in Government House, I see it everywhere.”

    Chairman of the committee Prof. Roseline Konya assured the governor that the committee will work hard to resolve the soot crisis. She noted that most of the committee members were conversant with the process of identifying the causes of soot; hence they will bring their wealth of experience to address the challenge.

  • Wike inaugurates ninth Rivers Assembly

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has inaugurated the ninth Rivers State House of Assembly. He urged the lawmakers to work for the development of their constituencies and the state.

    The governor urged the lawmakers to work with the executive arm to ensure the implementation of policies and programmes for the good of Rivers people.

    Relying on Section 105 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the governor proclaimed: “Now therefore, I, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, (CON, GSSRS, POS AFRICA), Governor, Rivers State of Nigeria, in exercise of the power conferred upon me by section 105 of the Constitution, and all other  powers enabling me in that behalf, hereby proclaim that the eight Assembly of the fourth Republic of the Rivers State House of Assembly stands dissolved, while the first session of the ninth Assembly shall hold on this day, third day of June, 2019, at the Assembly Complex, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

    “As we usher in the new term of this August House, I pray and hope that your deliberations will be constructive, democratic, progressive and people-oriented. I also hope that you will continue to strive hard with total commitment and sense of accountability, and facilitate the implementation of our policies and programmes to enable us set new benchmarks for development and shared prosperity for our people.

    Read Also: Wike to investigate activities of Local councils

    “On this positive note, it is my honour and privilege to official proclaim the first session of the ninth Legislative Assembly of Rivers State.”

    Wike assured the lawmakers that his administration will promote the independence of the state legislature.

    “We will continue to respect and uphold your independence as a separate arm of government as our constitution demands; in the same way that we will provide every support that you need to discharge your constitutional responsibilities to the government and people of Rivers State. Ours should continue to be that of mutual respect, partnership and progress, the governor added.

    The lawmakers have re-elected Ikuinyi Owaji-Ibani (Andoni constituency) as Speaker. The lawmakers also elected Eddison Ehie (Ahoada East 2) as Deputy Speaker.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has a majority of 30 members while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has two seats.

    The Clerk, Stanford Obah administered the oath of office on the lawmakers.

  • Gov. Wike dissolves Rivers Executive Council

    The Rivers Executive Council has been dissolved.

    Gov. Nyesom Wike announced the dissolution of the State Executive Council on Wednesday during the Valedictory Session of the executive council.

    Wike said he would continue to promote Rivers first at all times, adding that the interest of state was ahead of all other considerations.

    He thanked members of the former state executive council for their contributions to the development of the state.

    He said: “It has been a rewarding experience and I am quite impressed that one worked with these persons of capacity.

    Read Also: Why Wike declared war on me, by GOC

    “All the achievements we recorded were made possible because you worked.’’

    The governor said that some of the members of the dissolved executive council would make it back to the new executive council.

    Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, also commended the governor for providing purposeful leadership that helped to transform the state.

    She assured the governor of her unflinching support, adding that she would always work for the success of his administration.

    Former Commissioners, Attorney-General, Dr Zaccheus  Adango,  former Head of Service, Rufus Godwins, former Secretary to the Rivers Government, Sir Kenneth Kobani,  former Chief of Staff, Chukwuemeka Woke, separately praised the governor  for developing the state.

    Kobani moved the motion seconded by former Commissioner of Transport, Mr Michael West, for the dissolution of the State Executive Council.

    High point of the valedictory session was the presentation of special congratulatory card to the governor by former members of the council.

    NAN

  • Wike: commander of GOC 6 Division engaged in illegal bunkering

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has accused the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 6 Division of the Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarhem of promoting oil theft in the Niger Delta.

    Wike made the allegation when Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) of “Operation Delta Safe”, Rear Admiral Akinjide Akinrinade, visited him at the Government House yesterday.

    The governor, in a statement  by his media aide, Simeon Nwakudu, accused Gen. Sarham of operating an illegal oil bunkering squad to finance his ambition to be Chief of Army Staff.

    He advised that any attempt by the Army to succumb to Sarham’s desperation would spell doom for the country’s failing security.

    The statement reads: “The GOC is involved in illegal bunkering to finance his quest to become the Chief of Army Staff. He has his own team making money for him through oil bunkering.

    “We will have a security meeting and he will release the details to criminals, yet the Chief of Army Staff has left the man here because he is playing their role.

    “How will such a man be in charge of the state’s security? He will compromise when fighting to reduce crime. They sent us a GOC who destroys the security architecture of the state.”

    Wike wondered what the JTF would do when its encounters the illegal oil bunkering team of the GOC.

    He, however, assured Akinrinade of the government’s support in JTF’s mission to defend the Niger Delta, especially Rivers.

    Read Also: Breaking: Wike sacks commissioner

    “Anybody who wants to help us fight crime, I will support. I will never support those involved in illegal refineries,” the governor added.

    Admiral Akinrinade thanked Wike for the supply of gunboats, security vehicles and finances for security operations in the area. He assured him that the JTF will not relent in fighting crime in the State.

    He said: “Governor Wike is a consummate politician and grassroots leader. As a man who understands National Security, he understands that national security itself is local. We praise you for your achievements.

    “I also congratulate the governor on the renewal of your mandate to serve the people of Rivers State for another four years.”

    The Army has challenged Wike to produce evidence of his allegations.

    Spokesman of 6 Division Aminu Iliyasu said: “There is no reaction from us, neither from the GOC nor the Army, but we say that as the Nigerian law says, the onus of proof lies on the accuser. Wike should come up with verifiable evidence of his allegations.”

  • Wike accuses GOC of engaging in illegal bunkering

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on Wednesday accused the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarhem of promoting in oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

    Governor Wike made the allegation when he played host to the commander Joint Task Force (JTF), “Operation Delta Safe, Real Admiral Akinjide Akinrinade during a courtesy visit to the State House.

    The Governor in a statement by his Personal Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakudu, accused Major General Sarham of operating an illegal oil bunkering squad to enable him finance his ambition to be appointed the Chief of Army Staff.

    Wike said: “The GOC is doing illegal bunkering, which he is using to finance his quest to emerge as the country’s Chief of Army Staff.

    “He has his own team that is making money for him through oil bunkering”.

    He accused the GOC of compromising security in Rivers State through illegal actions.

    “We will have a security meeting and he will release the details to criminals. And the Chief of Army Staff will leave the man here because he is playing their role.

    Read also: Oshiomhole, other APC leaders behind my ordeal, says Okorocha

    “How will security of the state be with such a man as the GOC? He will compromise when fighting to reduce crime, they sent us a GOC who destroy the security architecture of the state”.

    The governor wondered what the JTF Operation Delta Safe would do when they encounter the illegal oil bunkering team of the GOC.

    He recalled how the people of the state bravely stopped the GOC and his accomplices from imposing a Governor during the elections.

    “A man came to plot coup. The people resisted him for plotting coup. You want to impose a party that has no candidate for National Assembly and State Assembly elections on the people.

    “How will such a party win the Governorship election?  A party that nobody has seen their posters? Rivers people said no.

    “He has result sheets.  Let him bring the result sheets to the tribunal.  Army now has result sheets. That is now part of their mandate “.

    Governor Wike assured the visiting JTF Commander that the State will support their operations to ensure that they defend the Niger Delta, especially the State.

    He said: “Anybody who wants to help us fight crime, I will support.  I will never support those involved in illegal refineries”.

    Real Admiral Akinrinade thanked Wike for the supply of gunboats, security vehicles and finances for security operations in the area.

    He assured him that the Joint Task Force will not relent in fighting crime in the State.

    He noted that the troop has recorded successes in the protection of oil and gas facilities and the maintenance of internal security in the area.

    He appealed to leaders to engage youths to shun crime and criminality for the development of the state.

  • Rivers citizens embarrassed by Wike’s needless allegation against Army GOC- Group

    Rivers Progressive Council has warned the state Governor Nyesom Wike to stop ranting and face business of governance.
    RPC asked Wike to find other ways of proving his popularity among Riverians rather than resorting to what they termed ‘utterances that amount to ranting that add no value to the state.’
    The group said Wike’s recent incendiary comments following the general elections were unbecoming of a leader.
    Tony Chris, President in a statement was reacting to the recent war of words between Wike and the Army over the latter’s claim of oil bunkering by the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army.
    The group in the statement said Wike’s cantankerous behaviour on his part made it impossible for Rivers State people to productively and effectively review his dismal first term in office while setting agenda for his second term and that is assuming the Election Petition Tribunal and the judiciary as a whole allow him to cling onto the stolen mandate.
    The group urged Army not to be distracted by Wike’s remarks.
    The statement below.
    To ensure that he causes maximum distraction to prevent Riverians from having issue base engagement with his government, Governor Wike opted for a highly valuable target like the Nigerian Army to unleash his umbrage upon, knowing full well that Nigerians will not take kindly to one of the country’s best performing institutions being maligned. His permutation must have been that people will be so outraged with this kind of behaviour that they will forget the other evil deeds he has committed against Rivers state.
    We have news for the governor. Irrespective of his heating up the polity in Rivers state, we shall continue to fine-tune modalities for holding him to account, even more so in his second term, for which his mandate remains contentious. At no time shall we allow his resort to verbally abusing others scare us from performing the sacred duty we owe to ourselves individually as leaders in our communities to hold those in position of authority to account.
    The Council, like other law abiding citizens of Rivers state, has zero tolerance for thuggish and cultist behaviour irrespective of how highly placed the offender is. We therefore unequivocally disown Governor Wike’s comments against the Army, the Federal Government and politicians from other parts of the country that have been victims of Wike’s tantrums.
    We want to categorically state that the views and claims he has expressed or made about these persons and institutions are private to him and in no way represent the high esteem in which Riverians hold the Nigerian Army and politicians of other ethnic nationalities; Rivers state is also unquestionably loyal to Nigeria.
    Even as we seek the understanding of those that have been offended by Governor Wike for them to know that he acted pursuant to his private agenda, RPC nonetheless find it irresponsible for a full grown adult, one occupying a position of trust for that matter, to make unfounded allegations against an institution and individuals that have made so much sacrifices for the people of Rivers and helped to stabilize the security situation such that the state is making economy recovery.
    It becomes more incomprehensible with the realization that the militancy and cultism that the Army helped to curtailed in the state were the products of his administration.
    It is only delusion that will make Governor Wike think that his verbal attacks on people make him popular but we dare him to test this so called popularity by walking on the streets of Port Harcourt without the detachment of security agencies that accompany him and see the outcomes. He certainly would be lynched for the crimes the people of Port Harcourt know he committed against them. If he wants popularity he should find other means that positively impact the lives of the people instead of engaging in theatrics that benefit no one.
    RPC therefore directs Governor Wike to unreservedly apologize to the military and all the officers he has maligned with his spurious claims so that he will not be compelled to take that walk of shame at the appropriate time. The apology must be accompanied by an undertaken to be of good behaviour going forward.
    Meanwhile, we urge the military, particularly the Nigerian Army, not to allow Wike’s behaviour to define their perception and appreciation of Riverians, who are naturally peace loving and collaborative towards the attainment of the Nigerian aspirations. We use this opportunity to reassure the Army that it has the backing of the people especially as it will soon have to curtail the activities of those threatening to declare a Niger Delta Republic on June 1; these urchins are acting at the behest of top politicians from the region and do not represent the desire of the peace loving people of Rivers state.

     

  • ‘Criminals won’t be spared’

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has vowed that kidnappers and cultists will face the full weight of the law.

    According to Wike, his administration has taken steps to plug all loopholes which negate the prosecution of suspected cultists and kidnappers.

    The governor spoke at the Government House in Port Harcourt yesterday when the Akuku-Toru Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs visited him.

    He said: “We should do well by ensuring that our children turn a new leaf. Once any cultist or kidnapper is caught, the law will be applied. We will apply the big stick. If any person is caught, the person should forget it. The period they go to the Ministry of Justice to stop them being charged to court is over.”

    Governor Wike said his administration will support different communities to scale up peace efforts to discourage cultism and kidnapping.

    He appealed to parents to advise their children against cultism and kidnapping for the stability and development of the state.

    Wike praised the Akuku-Toru Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs for working to enthrone peace in the area.

    He also approved the setting up of a peace and security committee for the council.

    The Amayanabo of Abonnema, Disrael Bob-Manuel, congratulated Wike for his re-election. He praised the governor for standing with the people of Akuku-Toru during their time of despair after the military invasion during the presidential election.

    King Bob-Manuel said the people have sworn that the kind of bloodletting experienced during the last elections will not re-occur.

    He appealed to Wike to approve a peace and security committee for the area, and added that the people are also working to improve employment through a relationship with a private investor.

  • Rivers: Group hails Army for liberating opposition from Wike’s strangulation

    Indigenes of Rivers state under the auspices of League of Rivers Progressives (LRP) has applauded the Nigerian Army for its efforts in maintaining law and order in Rivers state, as well as its display of professionalism in the conduct of its affairs in the state.
    In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Vincent King and made available to press, it stated that the Nigerian Army has proven to be an unbiased organization that has continually acted in the best interest of the people of Rivers state.
    “The Nigerian Army in Rivers state has been outstanding in the discharge of its core responsibilities, which is responsible for the relative peace enjoyed in the state.”
    The statement further stressed that the Nigerian Army has always risen to the occasion when the need arises and displayed that it is an unbiased organization that is out to protect the common man and woman on the streets.
    “The Nigerian Army has indeed come to the rescue of the oppressed people of River state whose rights have been trampled upon by political thugs loyal to governor Nyesom Wike. The activities of political thuggery, kidnappers and militants have been curtailed due to the numerous sacrifices of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army in Rivers state,” it stated.
    The League of Rivers Progressives further accused the state governor of attempting to frustrate and blackmail the Nigerian Army in Rivers state because it has refused to avail itself to do the bidding of the governor who has a penchant for attacking anyone that criticizes his unpopular policies in the state.
    “With the support of the Nigerian Army has extended to other security agencies in River state, Rivers people can now go about their normal business without fear of political persecution by the governor and its cohorts.”
    The group further appealed to the Nigerian Army authorities to ignore the calls and political pressure mounted on it to transfer the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Rivers state, Major General Jamil Sarhem, as the GOC is indeed non-partisan, and one of the best GOC’s the Nigerian Army has had in Rivers state.
    “We call on the leadership of the Nigerian Army to ignore calls made by some influential people to transfer the GOC 6 division from Rivers state as the calls are made out of selfish interest and not in the interest of the generality of the Rivers people.”
    It further stated that the calls were politically motivated because the GOC has frustrated their efforts at using the Nigerian Army against the people and has refused to do their biddings.
    “The GOC of 6 Division has stood on the side of the truth, and the people of Rivers state and this has been a source of frustration for those that have been in the habit of oppressing the people of Rivers state.”
    It would be recalled that the Governor of Rivers state had accused the GOC 6 Division of engaging in crude oil bunkering, a claim that has been refuted by the army authorities as unsubstantiated and lacking in merit.

  • Youths give Wike seven days reopen NDDC office in Rivers

    Irate youths of the Niger Delta states have given Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state seven days ultimatum to unseal the headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission situated along Aba road in Port Harcourt.

    The youths drawn from the nine states of the oil rich region asked the governor to reopen the commission’s office within the period of the ultimatum or face stiff and sustainable protests and unrests from them.

    They spoke under the aegis of the Consolidated Youths of Niger Delta (CYN)led by its National Coordinator, Comrade Frank Naday.

    Naday, who addressed newsmen after their emergency meeting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, explained that the office was sealed about a week ago over non remittances of revenues by   the government of Rivers state

    “From our findings and the information made available to us, it is clear that the Commission has paid the backlogs of revenues it owes the Rivers State Government.

    “We want to ask Rivers State Government to as a matter of urgency, unseal the Commission’s office complex to enable workers gain access to their various offices.

    “Niger Delta Development Commission is bigger than Rivers State because it covers the Niger Delta region and not Rivers alone.

    ”We are aware that Rivers State Government is trying so hard to play Politics with the Commission because the system feels threatened that Prof Nelson Brambaifa-led administration at NDDC is doing tremendously well”

    Read Also: ‘Wike should address insecurity’

    The youths, who expressed worry that their efforts at addressing their plights through the Federal Government agency were being thwarted by the government of Rivers state, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, to intervene as the prevailing peace in the region maybe truncated. .

    “In a couple of months that the new leaders assumed office, they have been able to pay contractors and return them back to sites, they have addressed the problem of water hyacinths too.

    “It is also on record that the students studying abroad in various Universities in United Kingdom, have received their stipends and their schools have also been taken care of by the Commission.

    “The rate of construction in Niger Delta region is really on the increase as almost all the states in the region are experiencing massive road construction”, he stressed.

    Besides, Naday disclosed that “the Niger Delta Development Commission led by Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, has electrified a lot of communities in the Niger Delta region and has also given them water project to enable them have good water”.

    Speaking further, Naday said: “We condemn the actions of Rivers state government in its entirety. We urge the state Government to leave NDDC alone because shutting the office down, is doing more harm than good

    “Imagine where thousands of youth that are employed by the various contractors are shut out because of the shutdown of the Commission. It will lead them to various criminal activities in order to make earns meet”,

    He, therefore, impressed it on President Buhari to work towards the confirmation of Prof. Brambraifa, as the substantive MD of the NDDC, noting that “he is the first among his predecessors who is not suing the agency as a spring board to aspire to any elective political office”