Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Governor Nyesom Wike has defended his resort to loans from the bank to fund capital projects maintaining that nothing will deter him from ensuring that the state remains on track despite the cash crunch besetting the country.
Wike made this declaration at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Executive Meeting (NEC) held at Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre Port Harcourt, and reiterated that the state did not receive any financial bailout from the Federal Government.
He however said that the situation will not deter him from moving the state forward,
“We expect the opposition to also acknowledge the fact that these are challenging times in the country and Rivers State is not different. Therefore there is nothing wrong from obtaining loans from financial institutions to fund developmental challenges and advance on the road to progress and prosperity.”
He intimated the body that since assuming office he has repositioned the state through the rehabilitation and construction of abandoned road projects, opening of the courts and funding the judiciary, paying of salary arrears to civil servants, pensioners, sportsmen, and payment of bursaries to students studying abroad.
Wike said his administration holds the judiciary in high esteem and is poised to harmonize, reform the courts for effective justice delivery.
In line with the policy of granting autonomy to the courts, he revealed that so far about N500million has been released by his administration to the judiciary in carrying out capital projects, while noting that plans are underway to provide conducive accommodation, vehicles to magistrates and top judicial officers in the state.
He assured the NBA that in the next one year a befitting secretariat will be built for the body in Port Harcourt as funds has already been released on the project by government.
The Rivers State governor while commending NBA for hosting its meeting in the state, urged the body not to abandon its basic ideals of being advocate of rule of law and better governance in the country.
On her part, Acting Chief Judge of the State, Justice Daisy Okocha said under her administration the judiciary is working towards building a stronger and vibrant legal system, “an independent arm of government, ensuring the protection of rights and delivery of justice,” Okocha emphasized.
She tasked NBA not to veer from its founding principles, “We must strive to preserve from decadence and the meddlesome hands of politicians.”
Earlier, President of the NBA, Augustine Alegeh thanked the state branch of the NBA and the governor for hosting the body’s NEC meeting, stating that the meeting will afford them opportunities to get first hand information about developments in the state.
Alegeh lauded Wike for the efforts made in re-opening the courts, funding the judiciary and for creating a robust relationship between the bar and the bench, as he expressed hope that Rivers State will remain a beacon of light and hope in promoting judicial activities.
He assured that the body will ensure that the crisis that rocked the judiciary in Rivers State does not occur again, “the bar stands for independence of the judiciary. The lesson we have learnt is that we should come together and fight against interference.”