Rivers need peace for sustained development ---Gov Wike
(Nigeria) Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has said
that his principal interest was to
create a peaceful environment for the development of the state,
adding that despite all the contrived distractions, his administration has recorded superlative achievements.
Governor Wike also said
that his administration is premised on truthful relationship
with the Rivers people as he would fulfil all his campaign promises.
The governor spoke on
Easter Monday during a special appearance
on television programme monitored in Port Harcourt.
He explained
that his administration has taken concrete measures to
improve the security
of the state through funding of security
interventions and provision of
necessary logistics for all security
agencies. He noted, however, the security
in the state has been impacted negatively by the frequent unnecessary
transfer of security chiefs masterminded by
the former Governor of Rivers
State, Rotimi Amaechi.
He said: "I won't make a promise that I will not
fulfil. The problem most politicians have is the bid to satisfy everyone. I
don't politicise development. My interest is to deliver the best for Rivers
people.
"In spite of distractions, we have succeeded in
completing many abandoned projects left by the previous govt. We have cleared
backlog of unpaid salaries and pensions left by the previous government. We
have succeeded in restoring the judiciary and reopening courts shutdown by the
previous government."
He added: "The Federal
Government needs to allow Security Chiefs remain in Rivers State to do
their jobs and douse the tensions.I have had over three Commissioners of
Police removed since I became
governor."
Commenting on the death of the youth corps member during
the rerun elections, Governor Wike
said it was unfortunate and
painful. He said an independent investigation
and post mortem on the corpse of the corps member must be
carried out to ascertain the
type of gun and bullet that killed
him and those who carry such
weapons.
He explained
that he had to increase the allowances
of youth corps members serving
in the state
in line with the present
economic reality. He said funds for the increment have already
been approved. Corps
members serving in Port Harcourt
will receive N10,000 instead of the
N5000 they were getting while those outside the
State Capital will be paid N15,000 instead of
N10,000.
He said: " I have told the NYSC, we must know the kind
of bullet that killed the Corper. We want to know those who killed the Corper.
The death of a Corper during the rerun is painful. Investigation of his death
has been ordered"
The governor noted
that majority of the media reports about violence in the
state were politically motivated and negatively influenced to cast the state in bad light.
He said: "In spite of the bias media tag: 'Rivers of
blood', our IGR is improving and there is peace in Rivers State. There are no
political killings in Rivers State. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA crisis is cult related and is being
tackled."
The governor
noted that he has no regret warning those who plotted to rig the polls.
"Election rigging, subverting the will of the people is
one of the worst crimes. I don't regret warning election riggers from rigging
elections in Rivers State.
"The strength of PDP is overwhelming in Rivers State
and it is evident on the streets. PDP is
popular in Rivers State and has won all elections since 1999,"Governor
Wike said.
He pointed out that
it was his commitment to
credible polls that took him to the Mile One Police Station where the Ward 10 collation
officer who was abducted by suspected APC
agents was held.
He pointed out that
even in Opobo/Nkoro where INEC
declared APC winner, polling units
results indicate that PDP emerged victorious.
He regretted
that former Governor of Rivers
State, Rotimi Amaechi has taken the politics of
the state personal, insisting on creating
crisis to further his anti-people interests.
He said: "The battle for Rivers State has become
personal to Chibuike Amaechi and he is escalating tensions in the State.
Security Chiefs must be allowed to remain and do their work to help tackle
insecurity."
The governor stressed
that despite his commitment to
the completion of the numerous
projects abandoned by Chibuike
Amaechi, monorail will not
be one of them.
"Rivers people have told me not to touch the Monorail
left behind by the other government," he said.
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