WIKE APPROVES N300m SALARY ARREARS FOR SPECIAL ATHLETES

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has approved the payment of eight months’ salary arrears worth N300m owed the Rivers State Special Sports men and women by the Rotimi Amaechi administration.

The Governor who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Emeka Woke, made the disclosure when he assured the athletes that the money has been approved and would soon be paid into their respective bank accounts.

“I am a sports loving Governor and I also believe that a labourer is worthy of his wages. I have approved 100% payment of your salaries. I am sure you are aware that it is not my administration that owed you this money,”  Governor Wike said.

Governor Wike who emphasized that governance is a continuum, said he had paid other allowances and sponsored other sporting activities since his administration came on board in May this year.

The State Chief Executive also reminded the athletes that he facilitated the playing of all national and international football matches in Port Harcourt because there is peace and the need to attract investors.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr. Musa Kimo who was also accompanied by the Director of State Security, Rivers Command, commended the sports men and women for their decorum.

“I want to commend you for conducting your selves peacefully. It shows that you people are patriotic, law abiding and responsible Nigerians.” Mr. Kimo said.

Responding, the representative of the athletes, Mr. Peregba Martins, said he and the group were happy with the assurances of the Governor and promised to reciprocate the gesture by getting his team to win many medals in the upcoming Sports festival taking place in Calabar in December 2015 or March 2016.

I remain in charge in Rivers – Nyesom Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he remains the governor of the oil-rich state, despite the conspiracy of the ruling party and the election tribunal in Abuja.

Governor Wike made the declaration over the weekend while addressing a crowd of party supporters at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

The governor who was accompanied by his deputy, Ipalibo Banigo, and other high ranking party officials of the Peoples Democratic Party, said his legal training did not allow him criticize the ruling of a judge, saying that the verdict given by the tribunal was not God’s ruling.

“By my training I am not supposed to criticize any Judge for his opinions, but I have to say that the tribunal has given its verdict, but we know by the special grace of God, it is not God’s verdict,” he said.

He declared that nobody could steal the mandate of Rivers people no matter how they gang up against him and his supporters.

His words: “Let me tell you that despite all the gang ups in Abuja against Rivers State, we must protect the interest of our state. If they like let them use all the powers they have, but their powers can never be superior to God’s power. I want to urge you all to be calm and peaceful because I am still the Governor of Rivers State.”

Governor Wike said his team of lawyers would appeal the judgement of the tribunal on Monday, after which he would go to the Supreme court if need be.

He said: “We believe that we have a good case. I have never seen where a lower court will over rule the verdict of a higher court. In Lagos state PDP went to court with the governorship candidate of the APC. One of PDP’s grouses was that INEC did not comply with use of card readers, but at the court of appeal, it was held that the issue of card readers has no place in the electoral act. But today we have heard that the card reader is part of our electoral act as far as the Rivers state Election Tribunal is concerned.”

Governor Wike also asserted that the APC did not give the mandatory 21 days notice to INEC and therefore did not have a candidate, but the Rivers Election Tribunal did not acknowledge the charge by PDP’s lawyers.

He maintained that whatever the opposition does he will not be intimidated out of office.

“If they like let them summon the justices as they have been doing, but one day God’s own pronouncement will come. So I don’t want you to make trouble.

Conduct yourselves as people who expect good governance. Do not panic, the law and the facts are on our side, because we have a competent legal team that will handle the matter.”

Wike condemns MASSOB agitators’ protests in Rivers

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has warned that his administration would not tolerate a repeat of the protest embarked upon by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

Members and supporters of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra and the IPOB had on Tuesday demonstrated in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Both MASSOB and IPOB had demanded for a breakaway from Nigeria and the unconditional release of one of their members, Mr. Nnamdi Kalu.

The protesters had marched through Ikoku, Ikwerre and some major roads in the state capital.

But Wike, who spoke through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, said he was peeved by the protest.

The governor stressed the indivisibility of Nigeria and added that the actions of the protesters were capable of stimulating chaos in the state.

“The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has warned against insidious actions by anybody or group in the state.

“The governor, who was peeved by the protest by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra in Port Harcourt, warned that such demonstrations will not be brooked by his administration.

“Emphasizing the indivisibility of Nigeria, the governor said the actions of the IPOB members are capable of stimulating chaos in the state,” the statement read.

Wike warned that as the chief security officer of the state who swore to protect lives and property, he would not tolerate actions that would lead to the breakdown of law and order in the state.

He, however, dissociated himself and the state from the protest and cautioned that a coercive legal machinery would be set in motion against any group that would breach the peace in the state.

The governor called on residents and those transacting businesses in the state to go about their lawful duties without fear, assuring them of safety.

Culled from www.punchng.com

Governor Wike congratulates Rivers Federal Lawmakers.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has congratulated six Federal Lawmakers from the state whose elections were upheld by the tribunal on Monday.

Governor Wike described the tribunal judgements as confirmation of the overwhelming mandate the Federal Lawmakers received from their constituents on March 28.

The governor said that the confirmation of the electoral victories of the lawmakers is further challenge for them to be more committed in their service to their constituents, Rivers State and the country .

It will be recalled that the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Monday upheld the election of Senator George Sekibo and that of five members of the House of Representatives.

Wike sacks 22 caretaker council chairmen

By Okafor Ofiebor

The 22 Caretaker Committee Chairmen of the 22 out of the 23 local Government areas of Rivers State, southern Nigeria,  were this morning sacked by Governor Nyesom Wike.

A  statement signed by Opunabo Inko Tariah,  Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, said:  “The dissolution is with immediate effect. The twenty two Caretaker Committees are to handover to the various Heads of Local  Government  administration.”

The statement further explained that the statutory three month allowed by the constitution and the state government law for the tenure of caretaker committees expires today.

Governor  Wike on July 9, swore in the 22 caretaker committee chairmen to replace the elected council executives of the All Progressives Congress, APC, dissolved via a ruling delivered by Justice Lambo Akanbi, of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

Meanwhile, the ousted 22 APC local Government chairmen are in the Industrial

Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State still challenging their  July sack

Culled from www.thenewsnigeria.com.ng

Wike orders release of teachers’ arrears

By Victor Azubuike

As part of measures to boost the morale of Teachers, the Rivers State Government has directed the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission to ensure the prompt release of teachers’ promotion and payment of arrears due them.

The State Governor, Nyesom Wike stated this, in commemoration of the 2015 World Teachers’ Day Celebration, in Port Harcourt with the theme “Empowering Teachers, Building sustainable societies.”

Governor Wike, who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, was optimistic that with the zeal displayed by the New Management of the State Civil Service Commission, issues of promotion and the associated entitlements for workers would be adequately addressed.

He described Teachers as critical elements in the enhancement of society, noting that the Present Government is a ‘Teacher-friendly’ administration that holds the teaching profession in high esteem.

The State Chief Executive noted that the present administration was committed to addressing the welfare needs of the Teachers to enhance increased productivity.

According to him, “Rivers State Government attaches importance to the teaching profession and therefore declared Monday School free to celebrate the day”, he asserted.

The Governor commended the teachers for their massive turn out at the event, pointing out that as character moulders, they must live up to their responsibilities, adding that the State Government would strive to fulfill its promises to the people, by giving education priority attention.

On his part, State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Rivers State Wing, Comrade Nkpogone Lucky, said the World Teachers Day was created by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 1966, as a Day for employers and employees to exchange ideas and plan the best strategies towards realizing objectives of education.

Comrade Lucky, said sustainable society could only be built through quality education where teachers were drivers and therefore called for adequate incentives to motivate educators to give their best.

AVOID PUBLIC SPACES MISUSE - OKAH (Press Release)

As Nigeria joins the international community to celebrate the 2015 World Habitat Day on Monday 5^th October, 2015, the Rivers State Commissioner of Housing, Hon Emma Okah, have called on resident of Rivers State to avoid misuse of public spaces.

Barr. Emma Okah stated this in a press release while noting that, the 2015 World Habitat Day theme, “Public Spaces for All” is necessary for all, including government, stakeholders and the general public to reflect back on the importance and need to sustain public spaces for all.

The Housing Commissioner said, residents should avoid the misuse of public spaces already provided while adding that, the NEW administration led by Barr Nysesom Ezebunwo Wike, would provide more public spaces in the areas of housing, recreational centres, streets, gardens, etc, to foster urbanization and development of Rivers State.

He said the NEW administration is awareness about the need for well designed and managed public spaces and streets in the state and would develop a process to ensure public spaces are conducive and safe for women and children as well as older persons and persons with disabilities.

The commissioner, congratulated the United Nations led by the General Secretary, Ban Ki-Moon and Member States for ensuring that human habitat, the oldest infrastructure known to mankind is celebrated, protected and made open to all despite gender, socio-economic or educational status.

It would be recalled that, the United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day to enable the world reflect on the state of towns and cities and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. The day is also intended to remind the world that persons have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of their cities and towns.

World Habitat Day was established in 1985 by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 40/202, and was first celebrated in 1986.

Wike assures on quality roads

By Jimitota Onoyume

PORT HARCOURT— Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has assured that his administration will deliver quality roads in the state.

The governor spoke, weekend, during an  unscheduled inspection of work on Rumuomoi/Orosi/Psychiatric Road in Obio/Akpo Local Government Area.

Governor Wike said he was satisfied with the quality of work by the contractor handling the project, noting that the way residents of the area trooped out to see him was also an indication that they were happy with the quality of work,

“The happiness on the faces of the people shows that they appreciate what the state government is doing for them. But the quality of the job is what is important to my administration. For some time now, this road was impassable, but today you can see that businesses are thriving and the value of properties will improve,“  he said.

The governor also promised judicious use of every kobo belonging to the state, saying that his administration was determined to take the state to greater heights.

Culled from http://www.vanguardngr.com