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Youth Group Opposes Rivers’ N200B Ring Road Project
The South South Youth Initiative (SSYI), has kicked against the planned N200 billion Port Harcourt Ring Road project, to be executed by the state government.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, had on Friday, signed the state N200 billion supplementary budget, tagged: “Rivers State Supplementary Appropriation Law No. 4 of 2023”, which was passed by the State House of Assembly on Thursday into law.
Fubara said with the development, his administration is poised to begin construction work on the proposed Port Harcourt Ring Road project that will connect communities across several local government areas.
The governor announced that he will soon sign the contract papers and eventually flag-off the Port Harcourt Ring Road as a legacy project of his administration.
But, SSYI in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday by it’s president, Imeade Saviour Oscar, wondered why Fubara will concentrate the project in Port Harcourt metropolis where his predecessor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, carried out all his acclaimed developmental projects.
The statement reads in part: “The leaders and members of South South Youths Initiative (SSYI) are in deep worry over the N200 billion approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly for Governor Siminialaye Fubara to construct new projects in Port Harcourt including, a ring road in Port Harcourt.
“We hear that Governor Fubara has conceived the ring-road project to be sited in Port Harcourt the same place the former administration, his benefactor, carried out all his acclaimed developmental projects.
“While we condemn the move to resume a visionless leadership in the state, ignited by the immediate past administration of Chief Nyesom Wike, we urge Governor Fubara to think of spreading development to all the other 21 local government areas of the state.
“What has stood Lagos State out among other states of the nation is simply that development is equitably spread among its local government areas. This has ensured due development on all sides. Go to Lagos State today you will observe that every nook and cranny of lagos state has turned into city.
“One act that has placed Rivers State below the mark of competing with Lagos State is that leaders of our dear Rivers State have concentrated development just within Port Harcourt, leaving all other local government areas in depraved situation.
“They have also deliberately abandoned the three satellite cities, Abonnema, Bori, Omoku, put in place by nature and founding fathers of this state to give attention to only Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor.
“It is regrettable that our leaders have failed to spread meaningful projects out of Port Harcourt, and even more shameful that Fubara who should make a difference in this area has resumed this same error of concentrating projects in Port Harcourt only.
“No nation or state can make boost of development when only its city has light while rural communities with vibrant towns still live in squalors.
“Although, we are not surprised that Fubara would do everything to please his political godfather who compromised the INEC and the police to install him as governor. But we thought that as an intellectual he would have be judicious in his judgement.
“The previous administration concentrated its projects in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas, we are surprised to observe that the newly installed government in Rivers State has resumed the ideology of concentrating its projects in the same two local government areas.
“Are the other 21 local government areas not part of the state. We believe that the state does not deserve to be punished by its leaders, who have overtime derailed the vision of the founding fathers of our dear state.
“However, we believe that for there to be jobs in the state that development should be spread out to other local government.
“The said N200 billion can change the fortune of other smaller cities in the state that will attract investors into the state, Port Harcourt is already congested and we should be thinking of how to decongest port Harcourt city.”
The Nigerian electricity sector slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with the electricity production index declining by 1.64% year-on-year (y-o-y).
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says this marks a reversal from the 5.55% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024).
Average estimated electricity generation rose by 2.34% to 4,206.50 megawatts per hour (MW/h) from 4,110.47 MW/h in Q3 2024.
Similarly, electricity consumption saw a modest increase of 2.63%, reaching 4,105.66 MW/h from 4,000.24 MW/h in the preceding quarter.
This is as the Nigerian economy witnessed widespread expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with 21 out of 22 subsectors recording positive growth.
On a quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, however, the subsector showed signs of recovery, as the index rose by 22.50% compared to a significant decline of 49.46% in the previous quarter.
The broad-based economic expansion in Q4 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including improved business confidence, increased consumer spending, and enhanced performance in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
The government’s fiscal and monetary policies, aimed at stabilising inflation and boosting investment, also contributed to the positive momentum.
According to the CBN, the improvement was largely attributed to enhanced gas supply to thermal power stations and the continued implementation of the Siemens Power Project, which has positively impacted power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.
Notably, the oil and gas sector benefited from relatively stable crude oil prices and improved domestic production, which provided a boost to overall economic output.
The data also stated that the non-oil sector, particularly fintech and digital services, also played a significant role in driving economic activities.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara speaking when he received Muslim leaders from 20 Islamic-based groups in Port Harcourt.
Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured residents that the ongoing political crisis in the state will ultimately strengthen the people rather than weaken them.
Fubara made this statement when he received Muslim leaders from 20 Islamic-based groups, including the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, at his private residence in Port Harcourt during an Eid-El-Fitr Sallah visit.
Addressing the delegation, Governor Fubara urged them and his supporters to trust in God’s process, saying: “This season is one of love, sharing, and sacrifice. You have come to share in our pain and have made a great sacrifice through your prayers. As Christians, we believe that everything happens for a purpose, and I strongly believe that this situation is leading us toward a greater purpose.”
He acknowledged that the current political tension might leave many feeling depressed but emphasised that supernatural forces may be at play beyond human understanding.
“No matter what we see, we must remain steadfast. In all things, we give glory to Almighty God. I believe that in the end, we will emerge stronger,” he added.
He reaffirmed his commitment to justice and equality, stressing that his administration envisions a society where no one is oppressed.
“We believe in egalitarianism, and if our beliefs bring us some pain, so be it. The most important thing is that we stand on the side of truth and righteousness,” he stated.
He regretted that he was unable to formally reach out to the Muslim community during their celebrations but promised that the relationship between religious groups and the government would be strengthened once the current uncertainties are resolved.
He also assured the leaders that their pending requests would be addressed after the crisis subsides.
Urging patience and perseverance, Governor Fubara drew an analogy from religious history, saying, “If God could be patient with Noah to allow even the snail to enter the Ark, then patience remains an essential virtue in our struggle.”
He also cautioned against falling prey to those who want engineer violence by fanning provocative acts, warning his supporters and Rivers people to avoid certain elements who sought to destabilize the state.
“Their goal is to create problems and deny people their means of livelihood. We will not allow that. We will continue to operate peacefully and respect constitutional authority to ensure that our state remains a model for others in Nigeria,” he concluded.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the Muslim community, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor, declared their solidarity with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, assuring him of their prayers and support as he navigates the state’s current political challenges.
Alhaji Uhor stated that the majority of Muslims in Rivers State stand with Governor Fubara due to his inclusive approach to governance and his recognition of the Islamic faith.
He noted that unlike the previous administration that declared Rivers a 100% Christian state, Governor Fubara, upon assuming office, acknowledged the state as Christian majority while allowing room for inclusiveness.
Encouraging the governor to remain steadfast, Uhor reminded him of the Islamic belief that Allah rewards patience.
He said the present challenges align with the teachings of Islam, where the Creator tests His people through wealth, power, and authority.
He further called on President Bola Tinubu to review the emergency rule in Rivers State and restore Governor Fubara’s full authority, emphasizing that the governor has been performing effectively despite the crisis.
During the visit, prayers were offered for suspended Governor Fubara, his family, Rivers State, and Nigeria as a whole.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising junta-led Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso have imposed a 0.5 percent import duty on goods from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member nations.
The move further strains relations between the three junta-led nations and the ECOWAS, which they withdrew from earlier this year following a series of military coups and economic sanctions.
The AES, which began as a security pact between the military rulers of the three countries in 2023, has now metamorphosed into an aspiring economic union with plans for biometric passports and closer economic and military ties.
In a joint statement last week, the AES said the levy aims to generate revenue to fund the alliance’s activities.
The tax, which came into effect on Friday, applies to all imports from ECOWAS countries, except humanitarian aid.
The taxes also disrupt the free trade once enjoyed by all countries in the West African region.
The economic implications could be severe, leading to higher consumer prices, supply chain disruptions, and strained regional economic stability.
While it may provide short-term revenue for the junta-led governments, it risks other long-term consequences, including weakened regional integration.
ECOWAS has maintained that it will keep diplomatic channels open with the junta-led states until July, despite announcing their permanent expulsion from the bloc earlier this year.