Wike Restores Omehia’s Rights As Ex-Gov

 

                   Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Thursday, restored the benefits and entitlements of Mr. Celestine Omehia as a former governor of the state.
This came on a day the governor, at the opening of South African Visa Application Centre, in Port Harcourt, assured investors that Rivers State was a safe place for investment


Wike, who performed the exercise at Government House, Port Harcourt, said though Omehia later lost his seat to Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, he functioned as a governor between  May 29, 2007 and October 25 of the same year.

The governor further ordered that the official portrait of Omehia be mounted among former governors of the state at Government House.

He said: “I, hereby, put back his official portrait among those of former governors. He is now entitled  to  the  benefits  of  all former governors. “
Wike said the era of bitter politics was over in the state, wondering why Omehia, who discharged the functions of a governor for about four months, would be denied his benefits as a former governor.

An elated Omehia described yesterday as his happiest day, thanking the governor for restoring his rights as a former governor of the state.
It would be recalled that Omehia was relieved of his office as governor of the state by a Supreme Court verdict which installed Amaechi as the governor of the state.

The court had said in its ruling that Amaechi was the rightful candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in the eye of the law that brought in Omehia as governor.

The event  was witnessed by  the  Secretary  to the State  Government, Kenneth  Kobani,  Rivers  State  Housing  Commissioner,  Barrister  Emma  Okah, and the State Attorney-General,  Chinwe  Aguma.

Meanwhile, Governor Wike has assured investors that Rivers State was a safe place for investment

Wike, who spoke yesterday while formally opening a South Africa Visa Application centre operated by VFS in Port Harcourt, enjoined investors to come to the state, assuring that it was peaceful for business.

He lauded the South African government for its move in the state, saying that it would send the right message to other investors that Rivers State was a safe business haven.

He said: “I wish to  commend the South African government for letting the world know that Rivers State is safe for local and international  businesses.

“We will continue to work  with the South African government  and other investors to ensure  that the business environment  is improved. We will continue  to improve on the security of  the state to attract more investors.”

While promising to collaborate with the Federal Government to further develop the Port Harcourt International Airport, the governor said other countries are free to come and invest in the state.