Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Says his Administration has done a lot to build up synergy for peace prosperity and development in our section of the Niger Delta Region.
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| Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo being welcomed by the Bishop, Diocese of Oleh, Rt. Revd. John U. Aurakpor to the 1st Session of the 7th Synod at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Otor-Iyede in Delta State on 25th May 2018. |
The State Chief Executive stated this while speaking as a Guest Lecturer during the 1st Session of the 7th Synod 2018, of the Diocese of Oleh , Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion at St Peter’s Church Otor-Iyede, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State on Friday 25th May 2018.
Represented by his Deputy Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Governor Wike who spoke on the theme “Building Synergy For Peace, Prosperity And Development In The Niger Delta Region” said shortly after his assumption of office in 2015, the State Government attended Wilton Park’s Niger Delta Development Forum, which is considered as one of the world’s leading institutions for in-depth discussion of international policy issues and challenges. He said it was a roundtable meeting aimed to build upon the work of the Niger Delta Partnership Initiative and its public, private and civil society partners as they collaborate to promote equitable economic growth in the Niger Delta.
He said Rivers State has accountable and independently monitored institutions of governance, noting that he flung open the gates of the courts that were locked by his predecessor for over two years and appointed two female Chief Judges back to back for the first time in the history of the State.
The State House of Assembly according to Governor Wike, has also been encouraged to enact appropriate legislation to fast track development, such as the elimination of double taxation.
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| L-R. Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan with the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo and the Bishop, Diocese of Oleh, Rt. Revd. John U. Aurakpor at the 1st Session of the 7th Synod at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Otor-Iyede in Delta State on 25th May 2018. |
According to him no peace, progress and development can be attained in an environment threatened by insecurity. “We embarked on an amnesty programme tagged ‘Rivers State Amnesty Programme’ which took place on 16th September to 15thNovember, 2016. It was a-60-day disarmament where 22,430 cultists accepted amnesty and a total of 911 assorted arms, 7661 assorted ammunitions and 147 explosives were recovered. Weapons destroyed were 6 general purpose machine guns, 70 AK 47 rifles, 5 pistols, 2 crowd disposer, 1 RPG 7 bomb charger, 4 sub-machine guns, 2 local sniper rifles, 443 single-barrel locally-made guns and 266 locally-made pistols. In addition, we have amended some of our laws and made new laws to ensure the security of lives and property in our State. These include the following: Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition) (Amendment No. 2) Law No 7 of 2018 which is a follow up to Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition) Law No. 3 of 2009. Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition0 (Amendment) Law No. 6 of 2018 which is a follow up to Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law No. 6 of 2004. Rivers State Neighbourhood Law of 2018”.He stressed.
The State Chief Executive also informed his audience that his Administration has constructed several roads across the 23 Local Government Areas as part of deliberate efforts to create a favourable environment for investors, stressing that over 33 roads are billed for commissioning, and others for flag off to commemorate his third year in office.
He however expressed regrets that the Federal Government is not cooperating with the Rivers State Government in building synergy to eliminate insecurity to make way for peace, prosperity and development.
“Rivers State has had postings of more Commissioners of Police than any other State in Nigeria since the inception of the APC-led Federal Government. These frequent postings affect the security architecture of the State. The situation is worsened by the activities of SARS operatives in Rivers State which runs like a parallel government and would not cooperate with the security effort of the State.” The Governor stressed.
According to him “the Ogoni Clean-up exercise is more political than the reality. There is nothing on ground as I speak to you. The Federal Government is not carrying Rivers State Government along in the whole process” Governor Wike further stressed.
He said the state was dedicated to God as part of efforts to build synergy for peace, prosperity and development. “This is the greatest synergy needed for peace. We have built synergy with the Churches in the State, making us the first State to build an Ecumenical Centre as a Centre for unity for all Christians to come together and intercede for the peace, progress and development of not only the Niger Delta Region but for Nigeria as a nation.”
Governor Wike called on the Church to wake up to its responsibilities to produce a godly generation which will guarantee peace, progress and development in Nigeria. “I believe that the greatest synergy for peace can only be a synergy with God”. He quipped.
He thanked the Bishop of Diocese of Oleh, the Rt. Rev. John Aruakpor and the Synod Planning Committee for finding him worthy to be the guest Lecturer.
Also speaking the immediate past Governor of Delta State Dr. Uduaghan Eweta, who was the Chairman of the occasion, expressed the need for leaders of the Niger Delta Region to synergise efforts to fast track development in the Region.
The Bishop Diocese of Oleh Rt. Rev John Aurakpor had earlier preached on the theme “The Holy Spirit And Our Assignment”
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