Gladys Nweke
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has decried the absence of Federal Projects in Rivers State and non-representation of Rivers people in federal appointments.
Declaring open a sensitization workshop on socio-economic and infrastructural facilities in the South-South region organized by the Federal Character Commission (FCC) in Port Harcourt recently, Wike said the deplorable condition of the section of the East-West road leading to Onne industrial hub was the height of neglect by the federal government.
Governor Wike, represented by his deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, also decried the non representation of Rivers State in the FCC.
He stressed the need to address the cries of marginalization by various groups in the country, even as he charged FCC to live up to its statutory mandate by ensuring fairness, justice and equity in appointments and distribution of projects across the country.
The Rivers State Chief Executive noted that addressing the imbalances in the federal appointments and distribution of projects in parts of the country would go a long way in giving a sense of belonging to the Nigeria Project.
In his speech, the Acting Chairman of the FCC, Dr Shettima Bukar Abba said the commission was designing programmes that would enable it identify challenges, especially data collection to enhance even distribution of projects and programmes throughout the country.
Abba assured that the commission was working out modalities to remedy areas of imbalances in federal appointments across the various states of the country.
Also speaking, Head of Lead Consulting Partners to the FCC, Mr Charles Ovien-Obi commended Governor Wike for providing support and the enabling environment for the successful hosting of the workshop.
The event had in attendance representatives of State Governors in the Niger Delta region, Heads of Federal Parastatals, traditional rulers, among others.
