Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Governor Nyesom Wike

  • Nigeria: Ogoni Unity ‘Road to Development’ Becomes Priority for Rivers Govt

    Nigeria: Ogoni Unity ‘Road to Development’ Becomes Priority for Rivers Govt

    The completion of the Opobo axis of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity road has been declared top priority by the Rivers State Government in order to attract development to Opobo kingdom.

    The declaration was made by Governor of the State, Nyesom Wike at a ceremony to mark the 150 years anniversary of the establishment of Opobo Kingdom in Opobo Town on Monday.

    The governor, who expressed delight that Opobo people and friends could drive by the road to participate in the 150 years anniversary of the kingdom, assured that the road will be completed and commissioned in January 2021.

    “As you’re coming from the Ogoni area, you’ll see that we have finished the first phase of Sakpenwa -Bori road; full dualisation. Now, we believe that the second phase will take it to Kono with street lights installed.

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    “That will ease movement and reduce the level of crime in that place. We are happy that you can drive from Bori and within five minutes, you’re heading to Opobo.

    “When that road is completed, it will bring development. I’m glad that I made a promise to the people of Opobo. We believe that by ending of January 2021, that we will come back to commission the road.

    The governor also noted the efforts of federal lawmaker who represents Andoni-Opobo -Nkoro federal constituency,  Awaji-Inombek Abiante in connecting Opobo kingdom to the national grid in a bid to solve the age long problem of lack of electricity in the area.

    Governor Wike said his administration will continue to support developmental plans of the kingdom that will make life easy for them.

    “I’m happy with the move to connect you to the national grid. That project, is a constituency project of one of your own who represents Andoni/ Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, that is Awaji-Inombek Abiante.

    “It is important for us to elect those who have commitment, who believe in the development of the people and that young man has shown that connecting Opobo to National Grid is very important”.

    The governor also donated 50miliion Naira to support the building of a befitting palace for king Jaja of Opobo.

    Amayanabo of Opobo Kingdom,  King Dandeson Douglas Jaja said the sitting of Opobo on the banks of the Imo River was well calculated plan in 1870, because the kingdom strategically became an important commercial settlement to compete with Lagos in volume of Nigerian International Trade.

    King Jaja, Chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council.

    King Jaja, who is also the Chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, said in the wake of World War 11, the British closed the Opobo sea port, which destroyed the commercial strength of Opobo kingdom. According to him, the Nigeria Government has since failed to acknowledge the subsisting commercial potentials of Opobo.

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    “The road, today, we are glad to acknowledge,  opens up a new page in the development process of Opobo, a page that will see our youths,  instead of migrating to Port Harcourt and other cities, will be attracted to remain here because they can be gainfully employed as well as enjoy the befits of modern living”.

    Rivers State Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo Jaja said Opobo people had lived together in peace without violent attacks on each other during and after the 20 years of legal war in the kingdom.

    Dr.  Gogo-Jaja said the people of Opobo particularly thanked Governor Wike for demonstrating love towards them by his commitment to complete the Opobo axis of the Ogoni Unity Road to enable them drive him by road.

  • Wike Denies Commenting on CBN’s Deal to Purchase N5bn Worth of Gold from Zamfara Govt

    Wike Denies Commenting on CBN’s Deal to Purchase N5bn Worth of Gold from Zamfara Govt

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has denied news item circulating in the social media platforms, accusing him of making some remarks in connection with a report that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) would purchase N5 billion worth of gold from Zamfara State Government.

    The governor described the report as “a completely false and misleading story.”

    According to him, “The purveyors of this barefaced fallacy suggested in their warped story, that Governor Wike was unhappy with the decision of CBN to buy gold from Zamfara State.

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    “They claimed that Governor Wike who lamented that the same privileged attention has not been given to the oil from Rivers State, demanded that gold should be made a national cake, adding that he too would proceed to own a gold well in Zamfara State.

    “Let us state here categorically that Governor Wike never made such a statement. In fact, we note with a sense of relief, that no major, mainstream news media or press organisation, either print, electronic or online, attached to Government House in Port Harcourt, carried this concocted story.

    “So it is a wonder where the mushroom, less than credible social media outlets got the comments, which they claimed Governor Wike made ‘while addressing the press.’”

    Wike, in a statement by Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, added: “It has indeed become the ugly penchant in recent times, of some cynical and dubious detractors, to drop or insert Governor Wike’s name in their calculated crusade to ignite unprovoked conflict with the hidden ploy to disrupt the recently emerging warm cordiality which has defined the relationship between him and some leaders across geopolitical divides in the country.

    “These naysayers have also commenced a devious gambit to insidiously tarnish the overwhelming goodwill which the burgeoning image and reputation of Governor Wike has been enjoying across the country and this latest story is simply the latest installment of their failed efforts.

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    “Those familiar with Governor Wike will know that he does not need to resort to such churlish and petty grandstanding portrayed in the silly story, to speak up on any matter whatsoever.

    “The write up is thus just another figment of the convoluted imagination of its authors. They goofed big time on this one.

    “Nigerians are therefore advised to completely disregard the story, especially now that the Federal Government, CBN and Zamfara State Government have all come out to speak clearly on the matter and set the records straight.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Wike signs revised N300bn 2020 Budget, promises quality projects in Rivers

    Wike signs revised N300bn 2020 Budget, promises quality projects in Rivers

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Monday signed into law the revised 2020 Appropriation Bill.

    This followed the presentation of the budget documents by the Majority Leader of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, to the governor at Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The revised budget for 2020 fiscal year signed by Wike now has a total figure of N300,370,071,183.33.

    It’s a 48 per cent reduction from the N530,813,357,619.00 originally budgeted for 2020 fiscal year.

    Speaking while signing the revised financial instruments, Wike said the unfortunate effect of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly in Nigeria, necessitated the review.

    He explained that the implication of the review of the budget was that budgetary allocations including capital and recurrent expenditure have been reduced.

    But, he argued that the reduction would not affect the delivery of quality developmental projects and services to Rivers people.

    “It is most unfortunate that everybody is living a different life now because of the pandemic, which forced us to face a new economic reality.

    “The COVID-19 has affected economic activities and revenues of government, and so it has become necessary to review our budget.

    “By the revised budget, it means that so many things have to change. We have cut down the capital and recurrent expenditure to face the reality.

    “We are the only state that has not cut down the salaries of political appointees and elected officers. Virtually all the states have cut down 20 to 30 per cent of salaries of political appointees. Having cut down the recurrent expenditures, the overhead will no longer be the same,” he said.

    The governor also stated that his administration was determined to ensure that the proposed reconstruction of the Assembly Quarters stands the test of time.

    “One thing I can assure you is that we are working with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to reconstruct the Assembly Quarters. We want something that will stand the test of time.

    “A good living environment and quality houses will enhance your input and services to our state,” Wike said.

    The governor promised to release the balance of funds for the 2018 constituency projects of the legislators.

    Also speaking, Amaewhule said the Rivers State Revised Appropriation Law No. 7 of 2020 is intended to make provision of services to fall into current reality.

    “The House passed this Bill and it is intended to provide for a law to revise the Rivers State Appropriation Law No. 12 of 2019 to make provision for services of Rivers State for the year ending on the 31st of December 2020.

    “Against the approved figures of a sum of N530,813,357,619.00 which the House approved in 2019, as a result of the prevailing economic circumstances of the country, the House now approved a total sum of N171,33,409,454.55 for capital expenditure.

    “For the recurrent expenditure, N129,336,662,028.77 was approved, bringing it to a total of N300,370,071,183.33,” he added.

    In his remarks, Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, noted that Wike has conscientiously implemented policies and programmes to benefit Rivers people.

    He said the revised budget and revised medium term expenditure framework stipulated actions of government to better the fortunes of the state and establish enduring legacy for posterity.

     

  • NDDC Drama: Pondei walks out on Reps as Wike rescues Nunieh from arrest

    NDDC Drama: Pondei walks out on Reps as Wike rescues Nunieh from arrest

    Acting Managing Director of Interim Management Committee (IMC) for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Kemebradikumo Pondei, and his team Thursday in Abuja walked out on the members of the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC.

    This was coming as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, allegedly rushed into the Port Harcourt residence of a former NDDC Managing Director, Joy Nunieh, to rescue her from a purported house arrest following alleged police invasion of the house. 

    Pondei and the team, while addressing the committee members, said they were not prepared to make any presentation before the lawmakers.

    The Acting Managing Director raised objections that the Chairman of House Committee on NDDC, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, presiding over the investigative hearing, could not preside over a matter in which he’s an accused.

    Members of the committee, including Benjamin Kali, Ben Ibakpa and Shehu Koko, told the Acting MD that since there was no document before them, he’s constitutionally bound to answer their queries.

    While members were still making contribution on the issue, Pondei sought permission to leave and walked out before the committee could grant or reject his request.

    Furious members of the Committee accused the Interim Management Committee of trying to frustrate legislative functions and ordered a warrant of arrest be issued against him.

    The Committee also unanimously passed a vote of confidence on its Chairman.

    Meanwhile, Wike was said to have arrived Nunieh’s house, which was surrounded by over 15 armed policemen in the early hours of Thursday.

    The governor allegedly bulldozed his way into the building and took the embattled ex-NDDC managing director to the Government House in Port Harcourt.

    Nunieh was supposed to be in Abuja on Thursday to testify before the ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives investigating alleged corruption in NDDC.

    Idowu Sowunmi