The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Rivers State Governor

  • Wike to implement New Rivers Vision Development Blueprint  

    Wike to implement New Rivers Vision Development Blueprint  

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the state government will diligently  implement  the  New Rivers Vision  Development  Blueprint  to ensure  that  the people  of  the  state  feel the impact of  good  governance.

    Addressing the  closing  session  of the two-day  retreat  for top government  officials  at Onne Multi-Purpose Centre on Friday,  Governor  Wike  said  that  government  functionaries  have been  equipped  with  the  relevant  strategies  to contribute  meaningfully  to governance.

    He noted that having surmounted  the  initial  challenges  posed by the failures of  the  immediate  past  administration, his administration  has already started the implementation  of  projects and programmes  aimed at empowering  the people.

    He said: “This retreat has been helpful to top government officials.  In six months,  we shall return  to  evaluate  the  progress made as a result  of  renewed knowledge  based implementation  of  programmes.

    “This administration is centred on the pursuit of the best for the people of Rivers State.  All programmes and projects are targeted at improving the living condition of the people.”

    He directed public  officials  in the state  to be transparent in their use of  resources  as they will be  held to account  at the  appropriate  time.

    Former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Dapo Afolabi in his paper titled: “Understanding the imperatives of Cooperative Relationship in Public Service “urged public officials to always avoid friction in their interaction if they want the state to grow.

    He noted that building areas of cooperation between Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and other political appointees creates room for faster implementation of programmes  and policies.

    A Former Federal Permanent Secretary, Ambassador John Gana urged public servants to work within approved code of conduct to ensure productive governance.

     

  • Rivers State to attract private investors – Wike

    Rivers State to attract private investors – Wike

    The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Wednesday  declared  that  the  state will continue  to  attract private investors  who know the true situation.
    Commissioning the Intercontinental Diagnostics Centre in Port Harcourt  built by Dr Tombari Gbeneol,  a prominent  medical  investor, Governor  Wike  said  that investors have confidence  in his administration’s security  measures  which are yielding  positive  fruits.
    He said  that  the State Government  is working  with  security  agencies  to tackle cult wars and kidnapping  in some communities  of the  state.
    “This state is safe for investment. Several investors are coming to the state because  they have  confidence  in  our security  situation.
    “We are happy  that Dr Tombari Gbeneol is investing in  the  state . It shows he has confidence in the prevailing  security  in the state.  The International  Diagnostics Centre will help in reducing  the  number  of  persons  who  will  seek medical help abroad,” he said.
    He said  that  the state government  will continue  to  promote  investment  opportunities  as employment  for the  state
    The governor  particularly  assured Dr Gbeneol of the support  of  the  state  government.
    In his remarks, Gbeneol said the investment  was aimed at developing  quality  medical  facility  for  the region.
    He said with the  existence  of  the  diagnostic centre,  there is no need for  people  to  travel abroad  for medical reasons

  • Rerun: Wike swears in Judicial Commission of Inquiry

    Rivers  State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Wednesday  swore in  the  Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the violence / killings that negatively affected  the March 19 rerun  legislative elections,  with  a charge to the commission  to get to the root of the matter.

     

    The governor  also  on Wednesday  swore in Mr  Ugbana Isaruk  as a Commissioner  in the  Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.  Mr Isaruk replaces a late member  of  the  commission.

     

    Swearing in the members of  the  Judicial Commission of Inquiry under the  chairmanship of  Justice  Monima Wenike Danagogo, Governor  Wike  decried  the  violence witnessed during  the  rerun elections,  saying  that  it  was necessary  to  ascertain the  root causes with a view to checking  a recurrence in the  future.

     

    He charged the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to  identify  those involved  in the killings,  those killed  and the scope of violence  during  the  elections.

     

     

    The  governor  also  charged the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to identify  property  damaged in the course of the violence  and the owners of such  property.

     

     

    He urged the Chairman  of  the  Judicial Commission of Inquiry to use his experience  to guide other members  towards making necessary recommendations  that will enhance  political  stability  and  peace in the  state.

     

    He said : “The commission  has one month beginning  today  to submit  its report.  We must know those involved  in the violence  and killings.

     

    “We must get to the root of the violence  and  killings  during  the  March 19 rerun elections.  Since we were not at the location  of  the  violence,  we rely on the  Judicial Commission of Inquiry to  investigate what took place,” Wike concluded.

  • Photos: Wike bids late mother of Gov Umahi farewell

    Photos: Wike bids late mother of Gov Umahi farewell

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi on Thursday night at Umunaga Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area during a wake keep for the Mother of the Ebonyi State Governor, Late Mrs Margaret Umahi.
    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi on Thursday night at Umunaga Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area during a wake keep for the Mother of the Ebonyi State Governor, Late Mrs Margaret Umahi.

     

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs Rachel Umahi and Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi on Thursday night at Umunaga Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area during a wake keep for the Mother of the Ebonyi State Governor, Late Mrs Margaret Umahi.
    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs Rachel Umahi and Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi on Thursday night at Umunaga Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area during a wake keep for the Mother of the Ebonyi State Governor, Late Mrs Margaret Umahi.
  • Rivers rerun election: Wike sets panel of inquiry

    Rivers rerun election: Wike sets panel of inquiry

     

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the violence and killings that occurred during the March 19, rerun legislative elections in the state.

    In a state broadcast on Wednesday, Governor Wike said: “in order to forestall a repeat of the needless violence and fatalities in future elections, I hereby establish a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to investigate the violence, killings and other related acts that occurred in parts of the State during the March 19 2016 re-run elections and make appropriate recommendations to Government for implementation.”

    The governor noted:  “The members of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry are as follows: Hon. Justice Monima Wenike Danagogo  – Chairman; Venerable John Adubasim – Member, Mrs. Douye Green – Member; Barr. Joseph Zabbey – Member, Engr. Luke Nwanodi – Member,Mrs. Uche Uriri – Secretary.”

    The Judicial Commission of Inquiry will be sworn-in  by the Governor on Thursday, March 24, 2016 by 10am at the Government House, Port Harcourt by the  Governor.

    The  governor  said  that  as a responsible  government the administration  will continue  to  be  alive  to  its responsibility to protect  lives and property in Rivers State.

    He said: “I wish to assure Mr. President of our continuous commitment to do everything within our powers and resources to support the security agencies to fight crime and criminality and ensure that Rivers State is secure, safe and peaceful for people to live, enjoy and go about their legitimate social and economic activities.

    “Furthermore, I wish to on behalf of the State Government express my deepest sympathies to the family of the late National Youth Service Corp member, Mr. Dumiebi Samuel Okonta who unfortunately lost his life while faithfully serving the nation on election duty during the March 19, 2016 re-run elections in the State.”

    Speaking  further,  Governor Wike noted:”I wish to re-emphasize that I fully share Mr. President’s position that we must as a people and as a nation exterminate the scourge of recurring flawed elections and join the rest of the civilized world in conducting relatively flawless and credible elections at all times.

    “I therefore call on the INEC and all other agencies in the management of the electoral process, including the political parties and the candidates, to play by the established rules and ensure that the re-run elections to be conducted in the remaining eight Local Government Areas are devoid of malpractices and violence of any kind.

    “Once again, I call on all eligible voters from the affected Local Government Areas to come out and freely exercise their franchise whenever the re-run elections are fixed.”

    He described as fifth columnists all those persons, including highly placed politicians, INEC staff and security agencies who deliberately worked to sabotage the re-run elections in the state.  He said such persons are enemies of progress who were out and determined to undermine the electoral process and perpetuate the old discredited ways of electioneering process.

    The governor said: “I wish to, with profound humility and appreciation thank you all for your peaceful conduct and effective participation in electing your representatives during the re-run legislative elections of March 19 2016 despite the provocations from some overzealous security personnel and their political collaborators.

    “I wish to also express my profound gratitude and loyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Mohammadu Buhari for his uncompromising commitment towards entrenching a permanent culture of free, fair and credible elections in the country.”

     

  • Wike: we’re working for organised development

    Wike: we’re working for organised development

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said his administration is working to achieve an organised development of the state.

    He said the construction of a modern complex for spare parts dealers and automobile technicians was a manifestation of his administration’s efforts to develop every sector.

    Wike spoke at the weekend when he performed the groundbreaking of the complex at Kilometre 17, Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

    The governor recalled that since the creation of the state on May 27, 1967, spare parts dealers and automobile technicians had operated haphazardly in unplanned locations and uncertain sections in Port Harcourt and its environs, especially at Ikokwu and Olu Obasanjo Road.

    He said this had hindered the development of the areas.

    Wike acknowledged the service technicians rendered to the state, despite the worry to residents and visitors, who share in the vision of making Port Harcourt one of the best cities in the country.

    The governor hailed the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA), in partnership with SPATMART Limited, to provide accommodation for spare parts’ dealers and automobile technicians.

    He said: “While we contend with the high population of the city and the need to move them to a more suitable and comfortable location, we cannot but also appreciate the value of the services they provide to the commercial viability of the state.