The federal Government suspended RUGA policy that is meant to help the herdsmen, most of whom are foreigners with dangerous weapon, ready to evade, kill and occupy other peoples landed property has been described as a mischievous, dangerous and able to cause civil war in the country.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chief Telema Jonathan Duke, (PhD, Ksc, JP) stated this over the weekend in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to him, “the fulani herdsmen across the continent are using the opportunity with the tacit support of the presidency to evade, kill and occupy our ancestral lands to actualize their hidden agenda which of course must be resisted by all means”, he stated.
Dr. Duke made it clear that Rivers people are in support of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in his effort in protecting and defending Rivers State interest. He said that the governor’s stand, utterances and actions in this regards contributed to the people voting overwhelmingly for him in the last election which brought the governor into the second tenure inspite of the enemies plans to deny him of the opportunity.
The PDP chieftain disclosed further that this accounts for the total support of the churches in Rivers State to pray for his electoral victory and the subsequent organized thanksgiving service meant to return all glory to God for prayers answered.
On what the Christians are doing over the RUGA controversy, Sir Duke said they would still rely on prayers which he noted, is a potent weapon of Christians in warfare. “That God who has been doing it for us will diffuse the seeming tension in the land miraculously”, he declared.
On the second term administration of Governor Wike, he appealed to him to concentrate efforts this time around on the area, he did not do well in his first tenure.
“He should give priority attention to human capital development especially the conduction of teachers promotion and settlement of retirees allowances for this sector to be happy.
The PDP Chieftain also advised the state government to look into the area of introduction of mechanized agriculture to encourage massive food production for the hungry populace.
“It would also be proper for the government to re-introduce the school to land programme for young school leavers which was discarded to engage the restive youths and also for food production.
Dr. Duke equally appealed to the state government to consider the party ward leaders at the communities for group petty contracts and stipends to keep them going.
On the state government’s free education policy, Chief Duke said it is a welcome development as it will bring a huge relieve to parents especially the indigent one’s who had long withdrawn their children from school.
On the just inaugurated committees for the Accreditation and Approval of Private Schools in Rivers State, he described it as a good and worthwhile venture, adding that no reasonable leader would sit back and watch while the base of education continue dwindling.
He however, appealed to the governor to consider approving Imprest Accounts for the head teachers and principals for the day-to-day running of the schools. He also advised the committee to meticulously take their assignment serious as most teachers in this private schools don’t have more than WAEC certificates even as the lack passion for teaching job.
On the public schools, Chief Duke said in addition to the free education, their facilities should be improved for effective teachings and learning.
On the insecurity, Sir Duke commended the state governor over all his efforts to combat criminality in the state especially the drafting of security agents to the waterfronts for constant patrol.
He however appealed for the introduction of gun boats to patrol the riverine communities including Tombia, Bille and Bonny Town. He equally advised that police posts should be established in these riverine communities to forestall the activities of criminal elements.
