Anita Ogona
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has charged the Civil Society Organisations in the State to shelve the nationwide planned protest billed to commence tomorrow as information available shows that detractors of his government have perfected plans to use the avenue to cause mayhem in the State.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society Organisations in Rivers State comprising 12 different bodies unanimously announced their withdrawal from tomorrow’s nationwide protest, expressing satisfaction with the dialogue and efforts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the State.
Governor Fubara made this known at a meeting with the members of Civil Society and students bodies in Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The governor revealed that mercenaries from neighbouring states have been recruited to invade the state in the cause of the protest to orchestrate destruction that may destabilise the State, and appealed to the civil society organizations and the student bodies not to yield themselves to such enemies of the State by shunning the protest.
“You are aware of the political situation in our State, where people are looking for every avenue to destabilise the State. We don’t need to give them that opportunity to carry out the act. And that is the reason why the service commanders and I have been in touch with you pleading that we should shelve this protest. And even if we have to do it, we should do it in a manner that it will not get out of control.”
“I have information that you don’t have. I am aware of the people that are being hired to come into the State to cause mayhem. If anything happens here we are going to be the greatest losers. Our property and our economy will be destroyed. When they finish, they will go back.”
He said though it is your right to protest but when it is done at the wrong time the purpose will be defeated, urging them to have a rethink and support the government to make things better for the people as they are prepared to improve the system for the benefit of all.
“We are aware that you want to protest against hunger and bad governance. There is nothing wrong with that. You have the freedom and right to feel aggrieved when a system does not favour you.”
“We as a government, we are doing everything that we can with the support of the Federal Government to make life a bit easy for our people. In your demands, one of them has to do with the provision of CNG cars and buses to ease transportation. We are the first government in Nigeria to roll out free buses for students and the people of Rivers State, and we still sustain it. It is a sign of our commitment to our people.”
“We know that the cost of living is very high and that is one of the reasons we floated a N4billion loan scheme for traders in the State. This facility is to help our traders, mothers, fathers and even youths who are in business. You can see our concerns for our people.”
While appealing to the group to maintain the prevailing peace by not participating in the protest, the governor assured of reactivating the bursary scheme and promised to reconstitute the State Scholarship Board in the early weeks of the month of August, adding that besides processing bursary for the student community, the Board will also be saddled with the responsibility of awarding scholarship to students in specialized fields of studies such as medicine, nuclear physics, and not for regular courses that are not technology based.
“I promised our people that we are going to give scholarships, but it must be in specialized areas. Areas that will bring development and advance our people. I strongly believe that when our scholarship board is reconstituted lots of our people will be happy that we are doing it right again in the State.”
Governor Fubara stated that though it is a known fact that the economy is biting but the federal government is trying its best and pleaded for patience as decisions of government today are for future development, charging them to be part of the disciples to carry the message to the grassroots that everything will get better, assuring that he will implement most of the demands that is within the ability of the State while he will transmit others to the presidency for further attention.
He solicited for their continued support as they have always stood by his government, stressing that the major concern of his government is to ensure that life is made easier for them, promising to improve the health and education sectors to enable them have access to healthcare and quality education that are affordable.
“So, we need not be part of anything that will be a problem or that will destabilise our State. I assure you that I will never be part of anything that will bring violence. I will never support anybody to shoot at you. I have also appealed to the security commanders that are here to operate within their standard rules. They will make sure that the lives and property of our people are protected.”
The governor who later briefed the press said the meeting yielded positive results as the group resolved to shelve the protest and enjoin the public to go about their normal businesses and assured of security protection for all.
Speaking on behalf of the Civil Society groups made up of over 12 different bodies, President of Niger Delta Activists Forum, Comrade Success Jack, noted that they were in the meeting to express their dissatisfaction before the governor as a channel to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the current harsh economic realities in the country.
While acknowledging the situation in Rivers State and the efforts of the State government he announced the unanimous withdrawal of the group’s from the protest and highlighted 14 point demands to be conveyed to the President to include immediate reduction in the pump price of automotive Gas and premium motor spirit; declaration of a state of emergency on the economy with critical measures to address the current hardship; Federal Government should accelerate the completion of the East/West road to enhance movement of persons, goods and services; the urgent turnaround maintenance of Port Harcourt and Warri refineries to reduce price of petroleum products, among others.
Comrade Jack further requested the State Government to deploy CNG vehicles to reduce cost of transportation and activate all agricultural farms in the state to improve food sufficiency.
On his part, the Coordinator of National Association of Nigeria Students, Zone B, Comrade Levi Sam Okuru, commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and pleaded for the immediate payment of bursary to students across the State, provision of buses to the student body, building of hostel facilities at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, and offer of employment to past Union leaders in the ongoing recruitment at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.
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