Peterside condemns Wike’s move to repeal Rivers Reserved Fund Law

NIMASA boss Dakuku Peterside

Director-General of Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has lambasted Governor Nyesom Wike, accusing him of lacking the foresight and capability to take the state to a greater height.

Peterside also criticized a bill presented before the Rivers State House of Assembly seeking to repeal Rivers State Reserved Fund Law No 2 of 2008 which made the state save money for the future.

In a statement, he said: “I am shocked over Wike’s decision to repeal such a landmark law among states in Nigeria,” stating that the governor seemed to lack creative ideas on how to govern the state.

According to him, “At a time when countries of the world are working hard to secure a sustainable future for their people, looking for more avenues to increase their savings for future needs, when the Federal Government is doing all it can to increase our foreign reserves, Governor Wike is doing exactly the opposite.

The immediate past governor of the state, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, had upon assumption of office in 2007, informed Rivers people of the expediency to save for future needs, hence the passage of the bill in 2008 and was assented to by ex-Governor Amaechi.

“Rivers people are worried that the governor lacks a sense of accountability and responsibility. This is a state where nobody saw 2016 budget, where 2017 budget recently signed by the governor is yet to be made available to anybody, including members of the state House of Assembly. Wike should not make the future of our state hopeless. Not too long ago, the Federal Government refunded over N15 billion to the coffers of Rivers State from excess deduction over Paris Club exit.

“Till date, the state governor has not told Rivers people what he intends to do with the money, nobody knows what has happened to the money. Doctors, teachers, fire service men, pensioners, amongst others, are protesting unpaid wages and lack of working tools.”

The NIMASA DG added: “The governor has borrowed over N100 billion since he assumed office with nothing on ground to justify such huge debt. The same man is now seeking to repeal the law that makes it compulsory for the state to save monthly from its federal allocation. I am calling on Rivers people to call Governor Wike to order over his desperation to compromise all known policies, programmes and institutions created by his predecessor because it is capable of throwing the state into chaos.”

Why Nigeria is in recession

A group of Nigerian professionals has attributed the current economic challenges facing the country to the inability of government at all levels to seek professional advice from experts.

The professionals, who spoke under the aegis of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, lamented that government had always relied on politicians for advice.

President of the APBN, Mr. Foluso Fasoto, explained that Nigerian would not have experienced recession if professionals had been involved in policy making and the art of governance.

Fasoto, who spoke during the inauguration of Rivers State Chapter of APBN in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, called on the government to partner the body, adding that the association’s advice was capable of leading the nation out of recession.

He said, “Government at all levels should work closely with professionals. In the past, politics took priority over professionalism and that is the reality we are facing.

“But if government at all levels work closely with professional bodies and they adhere strictly to professional advice, we will soon get out the economic problem.

“We are currently, as country, in recession and we have no business being in recession. This is the time the government needs the professionals most to advise it.

“Government should monitor its programmes and activities so that we can tap into all the resources of the nation and bring Nigeria to be among the first countries in the world.”

Mother Of Triplets Killed In Rivers

(Deceased) Mrs comfort Ikunga

Comfort Ikunga, a mother of five girls and a set of triplets, has been allegedly killed in her home in Rivers state, by persons yet to be identified.

The recent killing took place in Rumuekini community in Obio Akpor local government area in Rivers state.

Her killing has continued to send shock waves around the neighborhood.

The 38-year-old woman was said to be stabbed while asleep, a fact which made the incident more questionable.

Husband of deceased, Mr Ikunga

As residents decried the security situation in the state, some have also wondered if neighbours were all asleep or carried away by other activities, while the deceased was being attacked.

While speaking to Channels Television, husband of the deceased expressed shock, as he explained that he only went out to watch football and on returning, his wife had been stabbed to death.

Residents and concerned bodies have in time past, expressed worries at the security situation in River State, and have called on the Police and other security agencies to step up their activities in order to provide safety for residents.

Following several attacks that have recently plagued Rivers State, the State Police Command said nothing would be left to chance in investigating the murder.

The police promised to continue to do their best in ensuring that the security situation in Rivers State was not left in the hands of common criminals.

They have also continually urged citizens to join efforts with security agents and be more vigilant, as “fighting crime requires the efforts of all citizens”.