Gov Wike hosts American Ambassador, seeks true federalism
Rivers State governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has declared that Rivers people are insisting on true federalism
because they crave a country where all federating units are allowed to develop
in line with their respective potentials and resources.
The governor emphasised
that the demand for true federalism simply means that Rivers people
believe in a united Nigeria, where no section
is denied the control of her resources.
The governor who
spoke at the Government House Port Harcourt on Tuesday night when the Rivers
State Government hosted the Ambassador
of the United States of America to Nigeria, Mr William Symington to a State
Banquet, also called on the Government of the United States of America to set
up a Visa Office in Port Harcourt
to cater for the South-South and South-East.
He said: "We are clamouring for true federalism. When you talk true federalism, they
think you don't want to be part of the country. We talk about true federalism as
practiced in America. A true
presidential system where all the Federating units will be allowed to enjoy
their resources and contribute to the centre.
"That means we believe that there must be a country
called Nigeria. All of us will work
together for the unity of the country."
He explained that
Rivers people seek equity, fairness and
justice in the country, stating that the right framework must be established to ensure that all states excel at their
pace.
On the request for
the United States Government to set up a Visa Office in Port Harcourt, Governor
Wike said the visa will resolve the
issue of equity and justice as the Abuja
office serves the north and Lagos office serves the South West.
He assured that the American Ambassador that the state is safe for business, pledging that
his administration will partner with investors, as the right environment has already been created.
"Forget about the media propaganda. This state is an opposition state .
Therefore, don't expect them to say it is the best. But, we are the best state. We are doing everything to ensure that investors do profitable business under the ambit of the
law," Governor Wike said.
In his remarks, the Ambassador of the United States of
America to Nigeria, Mr William Symington commended Nigerians for the unity of
the country.
He said that Nigeria is a great country because of the
contributions of Nigerians.
"Nigeria will be great and I expect a super power and a
super partner," he said.
The Ambassador of the United States of America to
Nigeria was accompanied by the Consul
General, John Bray.
Head of Service of Rivers State, Mr Rufus Godwins, in a
welcome remark on behalf of the Rivers State Government, pointed out that
Rivers State shares a lot of similarities
with the United States of America, especially in the
area of the presence of oil resources, love of human rights, justice and fair
play.
He, however, pointed out that while United States practices fiscal federalism where federating
states own their resources, Rivers State suffers untold hardship as her
resources are exploited to the benefit of others.
The Head of Service of Rivers State further brought to the
notice of the United States of America Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Williams
Symington to murderous attack on the democratic
rights of Rivers people by Federal forces during the repeated
legislative reruns. He urged the United States of America to take very
profound steps to check the rape of democracy by Federal forces and
their cohorts during future elections.
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