Wike Swears in substantive chief judge of Rivers State

Following the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, NJC, and the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Tuesday swore in Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra as the Substantive Chief Judge of the state.

Governor Wike advised the judiciary not to be influenced by the antics of politicians, saying that that they must uphold the rule of law at all times.

Performing the Swearing in of Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra who is an indigene of Edo State, Governor Wike charged judges of the Rivers State Judiciary to be courageous in their dispensation of justice in line with the tenets of the law.

The governor assured the Judiciary that he will continue to support the arm of government to dutifully serve the people of Rivers State.

He noted that he worked towards the emergence of the substantive Chief Judge on the premise of laid down precedents and traditions, despite the petitions by some persons against Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra on the basis that she is not an indigene of the state.

Governor Wike said: "Judges should not allow politicians to manipulate them to cause crisis in the judiciary."

The governor said that he has sworn to oath of office to always do what is right.

He said: "They claimed that this administration not allow non-indigenes to breath. They said if we are voted in, we will chase non-indigenes away. But I believe in the laid precedent and the promotion of the best practices in governance.”

Governor Wike said those opposed to the emergence of Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra on the premise that she is not an indigene of Rivers State, must realise that she was appointed Magistrate and Judge in the state without anyone raising questions on her state of origin.

He added that though the arms of government must work independently, there must be cooperation for the development of the state.

The governor urged Justice Iyayi-Lamikanra to carry her brother-judges along for stability in the judiciary.

Responding, the newly sworn in Substantive Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra assured the people of Rivers State that she would dispense justice in line with the law.

She said that she will ensure that the Rivers State Judiciary develops to the envy of others in the country.

Rivers State Government To Acquire Boats For Marine Transport

Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry

Rivers State Government is to acquire big boats for sea transportation in coastal communities.

Deputy Governor of Rivers State Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo disclosed this on Saturday, during a courtesy visit to the palace of the Amayanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, HRM, King Edward Asimini Dappa Pepple, Perekule IX, in Bonny Island,  Dr. Banigo said the acquisition of the boats would boost economic activities in the area and guarantee safety of lives and property.

On the reconstruction of Bonny Jetty, she said Governor Nyesom Wike recently visited some jetties, and promised to reconstruct the Bonny and Port Harcourt jetties within the shortest time to ease hardship experienced by the people.

The Deputy Governor expressed the preparedness of the State Government to collaborate with the efforts of Bonny people towards the actualization of the Bonny master plan project, stressing that the vision would be realized if the people take the driver’s seat in the project implementation, and enjoined other stakeholders to identify with the vision.

Dr. Banigo said she was in the Amanyanabo’s palace to thank the King, the Council of Chiefs and the entire Bonny people for the support given to her and the Governor during the April 11, 2015 elections which the Supreme Court had reaffirmed.

Responding, the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny, HRM, King Edward Asimini Dappa Pepple, said the Bonny Council of Chiefs owe the Governor and his Deputy a duty to support the present administration, particularly knowing their pedigree in fulfilling promises.

He recalled that Governor Wike, as Coordinating Minister for Education, promised the establishment of a Polytechnic in Bonny, and today the institution has commenced academic activities.

King Dappa Pepple used the occasion to advise Bonny politicians to avoid unnecessary bickering and divisive tendencies that would deny them the benefit of governance, adding that the kingdom is endowed with a lot of human and material resources that could be used to advance development of the State.

He noted that Bonny utility company is seeking for partnership to ensure that the area enjoy better electricity power supply and urged the state government to support the process.

Culled from www.thetidenewsonline.com

RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT TO CREATE 3000 JOBS

In a bid to create 3000 direct and indirect jobs for the people of Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that his administration will complete the new phase of the Integrated Medical Industries in Port Harcourt.

Governor Wike made the statement on Friday after inspecting facilities at the Integrated Medical Industries, IMI, a company wholly owned by the Rivers State Government.

He said that the state government will apply to Federal Government for the required sovereign guarantee for the European Bank loan to complete the project.

He directed the State Attorney-General, Commissioner for Finance and Commissioner for Health to liaise with the managers of the Integrated Medical Industries, IMI, to conclude work on the application to the Federal Government for the required sovereign guarantee.

The governor expressed satisfaction with the steps taken by the managers of the project to sustain it for the production of relevant medical consumables .

He said : "I am satisfied that this project will create 3000 direct and indirect jobs in the state. We shall take appropriate measures to complete the company which will be the biggest in the country.

"My motivation to further invest in this project is the fact that it will conserve foreign exchange and stop the import of some key medical consumables".

In a presentation, Facilitator of the IMI, Dr Ikedife Uba said that the project is 70 percent completed with all the relevant machines already fabricated by manufacturers in Europe.

He said that the new phase of the company will be the biggest in the country will produce 1 billion syringes and other critical consumables that will stem the tide of import and give Nigerians access to high standard products.

He said the total project cost is N69.8billion, with the Rivers State Government already expending N35.7billion, with N34.1billion left to be expended for the project to be completed and put to use.

According to a statement issued by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Theophilus Odagme said the project is strategic to the nation’s health sector.

Governor Wike continues to keep campaign promises

The Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has said he is not a party to making policy statements that his administration will not fulfill, reiterating that his administration is committed to quick completion of projects across the State.

The Governor made this known during the Ground Breaking Ceremony of Rumuwoji (Mile 1) Market Phase 11 construction on Thursday 3^rd March, 2016 in Port Harcourt.

Governor Wike recalled that during his political campaign in Rumuwoji he assured that he will rebuild the market.

“During the campaign I told you that if you agree to vote for us then leave the rest for us. You have done your own part by voting for us and it is now our turn to pay back, that is why we are here.

“I believe that anything you cannot do then don’t tell people you can do it. As I stand here, I have urged MCC (Monier Construction Company) to complete the market on time too as it’s not easy for a community to give land to government as we shall complete the market,” the Governor said.

“You must agree with me that I said if you vote for us, one of the things we will do is to make sure that all the bad roads in Diobu will be resurfaced and today Diobu has seen total revolution on road construction,” he said.

The Governor said he has also directed the Commissioner of Housing to negotiate acquiring the closest property to the market to ensure all traders be accommodated in the new market when completed.

Governor Wike also urged community members of Rumuwoji  to comply with the contractors, Monier Construction  Company Ltd. (MCC) who would provide them with jobs.

He further cleared the air that he is not gender biased as he is giving total support to Blessing Isiegbe who is vying for a position in the forthcoming National Assembly election in the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Housing, Barr. Emma Okah, whose ministry is the supervising ministry of the project said Governor Wike’s assurance to bring smiles to the people and end the political story of the Mile 1 market has seen the light of day.

Barr. Okah said, “the market project which will be absolutely modern is to have a total of 1356 shops of various sizes, 3 clinics and 8 elevators.

“The market would also have 6 union and other offices, 72 toilets, 2 levels of underground parking for 230 cars, offices for the Rivers State Inland Revenue and banking halls, fire high drive and sprinklers and a solid perimeter fencing with 24 standby generating set.

“There is no doubt that the project stands to rescue the state from the path of poverty, raise the living standard of the people and raise the revenue of the state in line with the NEW vision,” Emma Okah said.

The Chairman of the Care-Taker Committee (CTC) of PHALGA, Sir Samuel Soni Ejekwu, expressed joy that Governor Wike’s administration is already correcting the pitfalls of the phase 1 of the mile1 market as the design and provision of modern facilities for the phase II sets the state for a new socio-economic vibrancy and safe environment for all.

He brought to mind that the first fire outbreak was experienced in 1982. Another fire incident occurred in 2004 and then 2007. The last fire incident was experienced in 2013.