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Business Operators

June 28, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Street traders, hawkers displaying wares on top of drainages and other public utilities in major Abia cities particularly Aba and Umuahia have been given up to July 1,2024 to vacate, or face the full weight of the law by the Abia state Government.

They are either to relocate to thousands of empty shops and other business premises available inside the various markets or close shop.

The Source reports that street trading and business activities outside of lawfully designated areas over the years have been the norm among many traders and business actors ,especially in Aba, the commercial hub of the State.

Efforts by successive administrations, though most times feeble, and usually over ridden by personal and political interests, to halt the ugly trend have been largely futile.

The result has not only been the destruction of public infrastructural facilities, but loss of humongous revenue by the Government.

While several thousands of taxable empty shops and business premises lay fallow in the markets, street business operators continue to oil the pockets of hordes of illegal levy/rent collectors.

From Etchie/Mosque/Old Court Roads Market ,Ngwa Road Market ,Good Morning Market to the popular Ariaria International Markets, all in Aba, illegal revenue collectors feeding on levies from roadside traders continue to smile to the banks.

Conversely, Government continues to reel under excruciating and often debilitating impacts of abysmal internally generated revenue.

While the Abia State Government and the market authorities at Etchie/Mosque Road Market get near zero revenue ,about six families, controlling over 2000 street traders, smile home with N100 Million annually.

The six families, The Source findings have authoritatively confirmed collect N50,000 from each of the 2000 traders under their bait.

Instructively, these street traders who occupy major streets, sanitary lanes and the entrance of the Abia State owned College of Health Sciences and Management Technology Aba, not only do not pay a dime to the State coffers ,but also not recognize the Government appointed leadership of the market.

Only last December, the Abia State Taskforce on Abuse of Public Infrastructure had after a two-month sensitization campaign, warned that effective January 2024, it will commence the enforcement of a total ban on street trading and other abuses of public infrastructures.

Yet, its operations have also been mired by the same age long problem- lack of political will.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday, June 27, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Izuchukwu Onwughara,the Abia state authorities, warned that they will no longer tolerate the wanton destruction of infrastructural facilities, under the guise of conducting business activities.

“Government is, by this announcement, reminding the general public that transacting businesses on the newly constructed and reconstructed roads in the state and other unwholesome activities like dumping of refuse in the drainages, channelling of borehole and sewage water into the asphalted roads and mechanics repairing vehicles along the roads are prohibited.

“Such activities will no longer be tolerated as they are detrimental to the life span of the roads.

“Consequently, Government is warning defaulters to stop forth with and those who display their wares on asphalted pavement, particularly along Owerri Road in Umuahia, Kent Road ,Jubilee Road ,Ngwa Road ,Port Harcourt Road ,Obohia Road and Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway by Ariaria market junction all in Aba, to vacate the roads within seven days of this announcement or be prepared to face the law.” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Traders in Aba on Thursday, held their periodic prayer section, aimed at seeking the face of God.

Speaking at the occasion held at the Eziukwu Road market Aba ,Chairman of All Chairmen of Aba Markets, urged traders and other business actors to always conduct their activities with the fear of God .

He appealed to the traders to refrain from unwholesome conducts and activities capable of undermining Abia state Government, the market leaderships and their personal characters.

Chief Udeigbo,who is also the President General of Abia State Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, particularly urged traders in the state to make efforts to pay their 2024 Abia State Government, statutory levies/rents .

He insisted that the only way traders and business actors in the State can appreciate the good works being done by the Government is to be alive to their obligations, including prompt and regular payments of their levies and taxes .

He assured that ,there are enough spaces/shops inside the various markets to accommodate all genuine and interested traders and business actors desirous to relocate to the markets.

FAAN MD/CE: We Will Support Plateau State Become Leader In Agriculture

The Source

June 28, 2024

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has assured the Plateau State Government of the Authority’s support in the state’s ambition to become a major hub for agricultural products and improve Nigeria’s economy through airline cargo. She said this while receiving the Governor of Plateau State, Mr Caleb Mutfwang. at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos.

The MD/CE who led top management staff to the meeting, described the state as rich in agrarian products worthy of trade locally and globally. She demonstrated the Authority’s readiness to collaborate with the state government in setting up its cargo terminal. Still, she advised that the state should not wait for major infrastructure before it can benefit from selling and marketing its farm products.

“Your Excellency, Plateau State is poised to stand as one of Nigeria’s leaders in producing and transporting agricultural products,” she said. “My team is willing to work very closely with you and the expanded aviance cargo team. While we may need to put up some major cargo infrastructure, I don’t think we need to wait. I will suggest that we make this modular. Let’s start within our immediate environments. We can start marketing some of your perishable items and creating market days when we invite people from across the country to fly in and buy these products. That will spur those who are willing to invest in testing, packaging, crating, storing and transporting these produce all across the country. The possibilities are endless.”

The Governor thanked Mrs Kuku for FAAN’s enthusiasm for the cargo business and promised to push on until the state’s ambitions are met.

The MD/CE spent the rest of her visit to the Jos Airport on a tour of the facilities and had a fruitful engagement with the staff.

Drügs & Money Laündering: List Of Private Jets Owners In Nigeria

James Orji

June 28, 2024

Some private jets owners in the Nigeria have been deploying their aircrafts for money laundering and drug trafficking, according to Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

The minister made the remark during the inauguration of the ministerial task force committee to curb illegal chartered operations in the country on Thursday, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Apart from drug trafficking and money laundering, Keyamo stated that private jets owners are also involved in other illicit crimes in the country.

Keyamo, however, did not mention the identities of those allegedly involved, but a few insist that ownership of private jets in the country cuts across private and public personalities.

According to checks by the magazine, there are more than 200 private jet owners in Nigeria as of January 2024.

These includes, politicians, businessmen, bankers and foreign firms, particularly, International Oil Companies, IOCs operating in the country.

Analysts however insist that most Nigerians claiming to own private jets are liars, that they only used hired private jets which they claim to be their own, to boost their ego and popularity.

Checks indicate that real private jets owners include, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, fromer Vice President Atiku Abubakar, fromer Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Ifeanyin Uba, Globalcom owner Mike Adenuga and Africa’s Richest Man Aliko Dangote.

Others include, oil mogul Femi Otedola, United Bank for Africa, UBA Chairman, Tony Elumelu, Chief Arthur Eze, Deji Adeleke, owner of Pacific Holdings and father of music star, David Adeleke aka Davido, amongst others.

They also include some General Overseers of Pentecostal churches in the country, including Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Christ Embassy, and Benin, Edo state-based Pastor Johnson Suleiman.

Speaking yesterday, Keyamo stated that the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, has alerted the federal government that the use of private jets to conduct illicit businesses has been on the rise, “unregulated and unchecked.”

The illicit use of private jet to commit crime, according to him, is done in conjunction with some unscrupulous aviation officials, the minister said, adding that a committee has been set up to tackle the menace in the country.

Keyamo said: “Last week, the National Security Adviser wrote to us, alerting us of the spike in money laundering, drug trafficking and other illegal activities through the use of private aircraft in the country.

“It appears that Private Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) operators have become increasingly emboldened, continuing their illegal operations with the assistance of Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders who collect tolls and list these illegal charters under their AOCs.”

EFCC Harassment: Nigerians Demand Probe, Punishment Of Officials

Tosin Olatokunbo

June 28, 2024

Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has ordered the arrest of some operatives of the agency involved in assaulting a female hotel staff in Lagos.

The anti-graft agency officials had manhandled the staff of Regional Hotel, Ojo, Lagos, during a sting operation.

The video of the assault had gone viral eliciting mixed reactions form not a few Nigerians, who are now demanding accountability from the EFCC.

Not a few Nigerians have called on the federal government to call the EFCC to order amidst recent allegation of excessive use of force during their operations.

In one of the recent cases in Akure, Ondo state, armed EFCC officials had during, a raid, broken into a students’ hostels with hammers and other dangerous weapons, assaulting some students in the process.

For instance, Lere Olayinka, an aide to former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, in a statement, on Thursday in Abuja, called for the sack of the EFCC chairman.

Reacting to the incident, Olukoyede said the officers who were sighted in a viral video assaulting the hotel staff in Lagos has been arrested, and are currently being interrogated.

He assured Nigerians that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against any of the officers found to be culpable, adding that the EFCC would continue to do its job professionally in line with the rule of law.

According to Olayinka, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the action of the EFCC officials is shameful, noting that some of them are operating without the approval of their boss, Olukoyede.

He said the EFCC boss has failed in his responsibility to provide leadership in the commission, and should be sacked immediately.

Part of the statement, read, “The way EFCC is going, one day, and very soon, its operatives will be mounting road blocks to stop commercial vehicles and arrest their passengers.

“Olukoyede that announced to Nigerians on November 1, 2023 that he had banned sting operations at night should be asked why operatives of the agency are still carrying out sting operations at night and assaulting innocent Nigerians in the process.

“Or is 4am that EFCC operatives invaded Regional Hotels, Isashi, Ojo, Lagos State yesterday, in the afternoon?

“1am that armed EFCC operatives invaded clubs and lounges in Akure, Ondo State a few weeks ago was in the afternoon?

“It is becoming obvious that those in charge of the EFCC outside Abuja do not listen to Olukoyede and it can only be a function of incompetence on his side.

“He should just be shown the exit doors before we witness another #EndSARS protest.”

However, not a few Nigerians insist that the EFCC has been doing a yeo-man’s job in combating economic and financial crimes in the country, excess for the excesses of some of its men which need to be curtailed immediately.

Economic Hardship: Nigerians To Get Food Worth N150bn, N50,000 Monthly Support

Tosin Olatokunbo

June 28, 2024

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N50,000 to uplift the economic conditions of there million Nigerians in view of the current hardship in the country.

According to the details provided by the Presidency, no fewer than 100,000 will benefit from the support for three months.

Under the programme, the federal government has also deployed N155 billion for the purchase and sale of assorted foodstuff to be distributed across the nation, amongst other painstaking efforts to turn the country around economically.

The programme , under the under the National Construction and Household Support Programme, will benefit for 3.6 million Nigerian families, according to Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.

Ngelale made this known on Thursday in a statement.

Below Ngelale statement:

“To boost agricultural productivity, strengthen the economy by creating opportunities in the real sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, and construction, as well as provide urgent economic relief for Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate rollout of the National Construction and Household Support Programme to cover all geo-political zones in the country.

“Under the programme, the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which will traverse Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos, is prioritized.

“Other road infrastructure projects, such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which is underway, and the Trans-Saharan Highway, which links Enugu, Abakaliki, Ogoja, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja, are also prioritized.

“The President has also approved full counterpart financing for Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Railway; to traverse Rivers, Abia, Enugu, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe and Borno, as well as for the Ibadan-Abuja segment of the Lagos-Kano Standard-Gauge Railway; which will traverse Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Niger, Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano.

“The Sokoto-Badagry road project is specially prioritized for its importance as some of the states it will traverse are strategic to the agricultural sustainability of the nation.

“Within the Sokoto-Badagry Highway corridor, there are 216 agricultural communities, 58 large and medium dams spread across six states, seven Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), 156 local government areas, 39 commercial cities and towns, and over 1 million hectares of arable land.

“In addition, other items under the National Construction and Household Support Programme include:

(1) One-off allocation to states and the Federal Capital Territory of N10 billion for the procurement of buses and CNG uplift programme.

(2) Delivery of N50,000 uplift grant each to 100,000 families per state for three (3) months.

(3) Provision for labour unions and civil society organizations.

(4) Deployment of N155 billion for the purchase and sale of assorted foodstuff to be distributed across the nation.

“Speaking during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja, President Tinubu urged state governors to work together to meet the needs of citizens, stating that he is willing to provide the needed support to ensure that Nigerians are relieved of hardship.

“While emphasizing the urgency of boosting food production, the President noted that the Sokoto-Badagry Highway is a pivotal project as the states within this axis form the food belt of the nation, and with Badagry being an important artery for food export.

“Our states must work together to deliver on the critical reforms required of us to meet the needs of our people. Time is humanity’s most precious asset. You can never have enough of it. It is getting late.

“We are ready and able to support you in the form of the mechanization of your agricultural processes and the provision of high-quality seedlings.

“We are prepared to provide solar powered irrigation facilities to support our farmers across seasons, but we must now produce. We must produce the food our people eat, and it will require coordination and intentionality between members of the National Economic Council (NEC).

“There is nothing we are doing that is more important than producing high-quality food for our people to consume, buy, and sell. We create jobs in the production of it. And that is before we generate wealth by exporting the excess. It is not beyond us to achieve this for Nigerians.

“How much support do you need from me and in what form? I am prepared to provide it. But we must achieve the result. We must deliver on our targets at all levels. Please report back following your consultations and submit to my office within seven days,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, not a few analysts have urged the federal government to live up to its promises of providing palliatives to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship on many families. Many promises made since President Tinubu came office over a year ago, including the plan to cultivate over 500, 000 hectares of land for food production, across the country have yet to be fulfilled, they insist.

“We Will Find You, We Will Stop You; And The Full Force Of The Law Awaits You” NAFDAC To Fake Product Dealers

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 28, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Substandard, counterfeit and expired drugs, and products worth about one billion Naira, were on Thursday, June 27, 2024, destroyed by the National Agency For Food, Drugs and Administration Control NAFDAC in Kano.

This is even as the Director General, DG, of the regulatory agency Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has noted that the removal of fake and unwholesome products from the market will ensure a healthier atmosphere for Nigerians.

The burnt products which include medicines, food items, alcoholic beverages and other essential materials were seized from the North-west states of the country.

Represented by the Director Northwest Zone, Mrs Josephine Dayilim, the DG lamented that the uncoordinated and often times chaotic distribution chain in the country, has tended to frustrate the efforts of NAFDAC in effectively curbing the productions and sales of adulterated items.

Prof. Adeyeye stated that the products destroyed represent a grave threat to Nigerians.

“They are not mere substandard products. They are potential instruments of harm that could devastate families and derail our nation’s progress.

“By destroying these items, we are sending a clear message; there is no place for counterfeit and unsafe products in the country.

“The handling and disposal of NAFDAC’s waste ,like today’s exercise ,is in line with our strategy aimed at eradicating fake drugs and other spurious NAFDAC regulated products from circulation in Nigeria.” the DG noted .

Part of the burnt items also include cosmetics products, agro-industrial chemicals and medical and diagnostic equipments.

The NAFDAC DG informed that the Agency has upscaled its activities from mere destruction of counterfeit items to the institutionalization of necessary frame works for an enhanced surveillance.

According to her, there is, also, collaborative efforts with both local and international bodies to control the influx of unwholesome products in to the country.

While appealing to Nigerians to shun dealings on counterfeit items, the DG however warned that there will be no hiding place for those who are bent on destroying innocent lives.

“We will find you .We will stop you. And the full force of the law awaits you”, Adeyeye warned.

Tinubu Approves Immediate Rollout Of National Construction And Household Support Programme

The Source

June 28, 2024

To boost agricultural productivity, strengthen the economy by creating opportunities in the real sectors of agriculture manufacturing, and construction, as well as provide urgent economic relief for Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate rollout of the National Construction and Household Support Programme to cover all geo-political zones in the country.

A statement signed by Presidential Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale said that under the programme, the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which will traverse Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos, is prioritized.

Other road infrastructure projects, such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which is underway, and the Trans-Saharan Highway, which links Enugu, Abakaliki, Ogoja, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja, are also prioritized.

The President has also approved full counterpart financing for Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Railway; to traverse Rivers, Abia, Enugu, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe and Borno, as well as for the Ibadan-Abuja segment of the Lagos-Kano Standard-Gauge Railway; which will traverse Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Niger, Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano.

The Sokoto-Badagry road project is specially prioritized for its importance as some of the states it will traverse are strategic to the agricultural sustainability of the nation.

Within the Sokoto-Badagry Highway corridor, there are 216 agricultural communities, 58 large and medium dams spread across six states, seven Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), 156 local government areas, 39 commercial cities and towns , and over 1 million hectares of arable land.

In addition, other items under the National Construction and Household Support Programme include:

(1) One-off allocation to states and the Federal Capital Territory of N10 billion for the procurement of buses and CNG uplift programme.

(2) Delivery of N50,000 uplift grant each to 100,000 families per state for three (3) months.

(3) Provision for labour unions and civil society organizations.

(4) Deployment of N155 billion for the purchase and sale of assorted foodstuff to be distributed across the nation.

Speaking during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja, President Tinubu urged state governors to work together to meet the needs of citizens, stating that he is willing to provide the needed support to ensure that Nigerians are relieved of hardship.

While emphasizing the urgency of boosting food production, the President noted that the Sokoto-Badagry Highway is a pivotal project as the states within this axis form the food belt of the nation, and with Badagry being an important artery for food export.

“We are ready and able to support you in the form of the mechanization of your agricultural processes and the provision of high-quality* seedlings.

” There is nothing we are doing that is more important than producing high-quality food for our people to consume, buy, and sell. We create jobs in the production of it. And that is before we generate wealth by exporting the excess. It is not beyond us to achieve this for Nigerians.

” How much support do you need from me and in what form? I am prepared to provide it. But we must achieve the result. We must deliver on our targets at all levels. Please report back following your consultations and submit to my office within seven days,” President Tinubu said.

PDP Knocks Speaker Abia House Of Assembly For Sending Out Journalist Out Of Press Conference

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 27, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Peoples Democratic Party PDP has condemned what it described as a recurring hostile disposition of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emereuwa to established institutions of democracy, particularly the Judiciary and Journalists.

The PDP said its observation is coming on the heels of information that the Speaker on Thursday June, 27, 2024, sent out a journalist Mr Kingsley Chibuike of the Enyimba Television and Radio Aba from a press briefing at the House of Assembly Complex without any explanation.

In a statement issued by its Vice Chairman/Acting Publicity Secretary Abraham Amah, the PDP also expressed concern that the Speaker had earlier restrained journalists from asking questions relating to his refusal to inaugurate Hon.Aaron Uzodike the PDP member-elect for Aba North state constituency, seven months after being declared winner by a Court of Appeal.

The PDP said that intelligence at its disposal authoritatively revealed that the actions of the Speaker may not be unconnected with concerns he had earlier voiced in some quarters that Enyimba TV and Radio were giving him and the state Government unfavourable coverage.

The Party expressed worry that the Speaker is gradually descending into dictatorship, instead of standing up to defend the independence of the legislature.

“The Abia PDP has observed the recurring hostile disposition of the Speaker of the Abia state House of Assembly Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa towards established institutions of democracy, especially the judiciary and journalists who are members of the fourth estate of the realm and the real watch dogs whose responsibility it is to protect our democracy.

“Today Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa, in an unheard of act in the annals of Abia’s democracy, sent out a journalist Mr Kingsley Chibuike of Enyimba TV and Radio, from a press briefing at the House of Assembly Complex without any explanation.

“Information available to the PDP revealed that Mr Chibuike was asked to leave the venue of the press briefing by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker Mr Henry Madubuike on the order of the Speaker.

“The Abia PDP is concerned that the Speaker who had earlier restrained journalists from asking questions relating to his refusal to inaugurate Hon.Aaron Uzodike of the PDP, member representing Aba North state constituency ,seven months after the Court of Appeal restored his mandate ,could go so low as to exhibit ,such a callous, insensitive and dictatorial tendency of sending out a journalist from a press briefing.

“Abia PDP intelligence authoritatively revealed that the actions are not unconnected with concerns he had earlier voiced in some quarters that Enyimba TV and Radio were giving him and the State Government unfavourable coverage ,especially on the station’s insistence that the Speaker should provide the court injunction restraining him from him swearing-in Hon Aaron Uzodike as he is claiming,and also because the media station had scored the 8th Assembly under Emeruwa low for passing only five bills into law in an entire year.

“We are even more concerned that Emmanuel Emeruwa is gradually descending in to dictatorship ,instead of standing up to defend the independence of the legislature as enunciated by the framers of the principle of separation of powers.

“The last time we checked, Emmanuel Emeruwa had not lived up to his responsibility of checking the excesses of the state Governor Dr Alex Otti, who rides roughshod over the legislature ,but he tries to muscle the press into submission”, part of the statement reads.

Nollywood Titan, Asiegbu, Apologises To Uzodimma Over Scandalous Video Recording

The Source

June 27, 2024

A veteran of the Nollywood, Mr. Ejike Asiegbu, has apologised to Governor Hope Uzodimma on behalf of his colleagues over the recent scandalous video recording at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport which had long gone viral.

The said video which brought out the faces of Mr. Asiegbu, Fred Amata, Keppy Ekpenyong, Gloria Nobert Young, Grace Amah and Uche Nnanna-Maduka, and was anchored by the latter, had portrayed the Governor as responsible for the power outage at the arrival lounge of the Airport when the Actors and Actresses arrived the place about a fortnight ago for an event at Ohaji Egbema area of Imo State.

Uche Nnanna-Maduka had also in the video pejoratively called out Governor Uzodimma and his Government in most condescending manner as well as the administration of his Party at the centre.

In a veiled response on The News Giant, an online platform, over the public outrage generated by the video, Asiegbu not only regretted the action of his colleague, but urged Governor Uzodimma to find a place in his heart to forgive them.

He wrote: “I most respectfully apologise on behalf of my colleague, Uchenna Maduka, to my friend, brother, elder statesman, and Governor, His Excellency, Chief Dr. Hope Uzodimma for the embarrassment this video may have caused him.

….”While I do not come from Imo State, I am married to a wonderful and loving wife from Imo State. Besides, we Abia State people, were part of the old Imo State and so would always want the very best for Imo State and its people because we are all brothers and sisters.

….” Let me state for the records that we are men and women of honour and integrity and not swayed by apples and carrots as Mr Oguwike has maliciously adduced and it is a testament to unsubstantiated claims with a view to giving a dog a bad name just a hang it….”

Earlier, Mr Asiegbu had distanced himself from the video recording by Uche Nnanna-Maduka, in a message he sent to his colleague who is part of Governor Uzodimma’s administration. He said: “Tell His Excellency that I apologise and not aware of this until you brought it to my notice. But we don’t further need to exacerbate this matter.”

Governor Fubara Lashes PDP, Says Party Betrayed Rivers People

Akinwale Kasali

June 27, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has berated the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for its role in the political wrangling in the State.

The Governor showed his displeasure on the Party’s role in the crisis rocking the State, and stressed that the State is currently relying on what it can do based on truth instead of Party politics.

He made this statement while hosting the delegation of the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialization, led by its Chairman, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, to Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Fubara said the State would no longer be held back by party affiliation, but would, instead stand firm on its own soil to defend democracy.

He said: “In our State today, we are no longer doing Party. We are doing a movement, so you don’t blame me if I don’t go to the side of the Party too much.

“The Party has failed us here, so what we are doing here is to stand with our two legs on the soil of Rivers State, so that we can defend democracy.”

Fubara told members of the committee to factor in the interest of Rivers State as they recommend the privatisation and commercialisation of public companies, saying that when the State buys stakes in such companies, it can be protected and supervised to be viable.

He said: “I will also appeal to you that in this process of privatisation, anything that has to do with our own State here that needs to be privatised, the Rivers State Government will be interested. Because you can’t come here and own our property when we have the resources to have shares or to acquire some portion of it.

“So, as a Committee, if there is anywhere you can support us; if they is anyone that is still available, let us know, and let us get the details so that we can own it.

“It is only when we own it that those assets can be protected. It is only when we own it, that is when those assets become viable to the State, and also become viable to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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