TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE RIVERS STATE CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL OF NIGERIA(NYCN).
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
1. On behalf of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, I express our profound gratitude to you for finding time to attend this press conference which is intended to throw further support Rule of law equity and justice for River people, call for the entrenchment of a responsible and accountable government in Rivers State.
We begin with the following resolutions,
2. Firstly, we give our total support to all issues raised by the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Rt. Hon. MARTIN CHIKE A MEANWHILE, on the 29 march 2024, AS FAILURE to have done this would have incurred the wrath of teeming Rivers youths against the assembly. In fact, there were plans to write to them that their silence to the unabated spendings of the Sir Siminalayi Fubara’s LED Government was an indication that they are collecting plates of porridges against the wellbeing of Rivers people. We hereby commend their timely response and call as they are now vindicated.
Secondly, we further call on Gov. Siminalayi Fubara to stop using the revered Rivers State Government House as a hideout for high profile wanted criminal elements Chijioke ihunwo and his likes who committed arson against Rivers people for their role in the burning down Rivers State House of assembly complex.
3. We advise Gov. Siminalayi Fubara to without delay present the 2024 appropriation bill to the properly constituted Rivers State House of Assembly and stop further spendings without any known backed law. No matter the enemies of true democracy and alias praise singers who sorrounds him today, when those advises turns sour, they will all desert him.
4. In the same. Vein, We condemn in total terms the use of our taxpayers money to fund mega Press conferences, programmed solidarity protests, court cases, etc. These frivolities add no value to Rivers People who yearn for Developments. Going forward, Rivers youths will not take it likely with any person(s) who de-market River State as means of survival like some leader who just returned from political exile under the guise of former PDP PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL LED by Dr. Abiye Sekibo professed anarchy, nor be hoodwinked into supporting anarchy. We shouldn’t recircle enemies to our nascent democracy in Rivers State.
6. We commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose renewed hope agenda is bringing strength to the naira against the dollar. We also advise the presidency to be very careful about the subtle means through which some said Rivers elders intends to come into his Government through the back door. These are people who describe the Mr. President’s economic plan as ‘RENEWED POVERTY’ just a few months ago. The question now is, what has changed?
5. We also commend our proud Rivers export and FCT Minister, His Excellency, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for his visionary leadership acumen which has truly connected Rivers State to the centre, placing us as a grade A state in the decision making process of the national government. Who has attracted more goodwill to Rivers State than all the detractors put together. Under his Leadership, Rivers State has got more National Appointments than Any State In Nigeria.
7. Ultimately, We throw all our support for the Rivers State House Of Assembly ably Led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule. Our decision is born out their resolve to stand for the Rule of Law and not to be held hostage by the Executive Arm as “Rubber Stamp.” We shall never be cajoled into supporting illegality and undemocratic tendencies. This Rivers State House Of Assembly has changed the Narrative.
8. The recent amendment of the Rivers State Local Government Act and the Rivers State Public Procurement Act by the Rivers State House Of Assembly is highly commendable. The Rivers State LGA act is expected to close the vacuum created by tenure expiration at the eventuality where elections are not conducted. Previously, there have been no provision for tenure Expiration and this Law have closed that Gap. Also, the Rivers State Public Procurement Act has come to address various Key Issues as regards the appointment of the Leadership and the Amounts and Methods of Mobilization of Contractors who handle State Jobs. In the past, our Laws had allowed Contractors get away with Rivers Money and not properly execute Jobs. The Law now frown at appointments of the Leadership of the Rivers State Bureau of Public Procurement without Recourse to the State Assembly. These Laws are highly commendable and we therefore support it.
9. Rivers People are now updated to the reality of the Doctrine of Seperstion Of Power and that of Checks and Balances. For the first time, we are witnessing an Assembly who have taken the bull by the horn to ensure that the excesses of the executives are checked.
10. We wish to to sincerely thank the Rivers State House Of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule for their heroic disposition to save Rivers State at a time like this. With these tendencies, we are assured that the Executives will be up and doing to ensure the people gets the dividends of democracy.
11. Consequently, we pass a Vote of Confidence on the Rivers State House Of Assembly Led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule and charge them not to be deterred because Rivers Youths Stands Solidly behind them. They should take up courage and dish appropriate actions against any individual who deserves to be Punished in-line with Laws of the Land. We therefore stand by the Rule Of Law.
Long live Rivers State long live YOUTH
Long live NYCN RIVERS
ROTR. COMR. NWISABARI BANI SAMUEL
Chairman NYCN Rivers State
