RIVERS: APC Vows To Revive ONELGA Economy
FeaturedPolitics October 24, 2018 Dianabasi Effiong
. Promises to complete state-owned refinery, Polytechnic in Rivers
Tonye Cole
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed to revive the economy of communities in oil and gas-rich Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State when elected into power in 2019.
ONELGA, as the local government area is popularly known is the largest oil and gas producing area in Rivers State and host to several multinational companies.
Governorship candidate of APC in Rivers State, Architect Tonye Cole, disclosed this when he addressed a consultative meeting with members and supporters of the party at Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of the state.
Cole said that if elected, an APC-led government in the state will run an all-inclusive administration where communities and the traditional institution will make input into the governance of the state.
He expressed worry over the closure of several businesses, including banks in communities in Omoku and environs, saying the development is an indication of insecurity.
The APC governorship candidate said his administration will build schools health facilities and create job opportunities for youths from the local government area.
Cole said: “Our government will provide health centres, our government will build schools and our government will provide jobs for the youths. Our government will create jobs for women. We will work with women leaders to create jobs for our women.”
He called on electorates in Omoku and neighbouring communities to vote and protect their votes, assuring them that their votes with count during the 2019 elections.
Cole said: “You have to come out and vote and ensure that you protect your votes. It is your responsibility to ensure that you vote and protect your votes. My responsibility is to provide for you what you requested for.
“We will do everything we can to ensure that your votes count. We will not allow you to be intimidated. Violence will not be visited on voters. We will not allow that.”
Also speaking, Director-General of Tonye Cole Campaign Organization, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, said the violence that greeted the 2015 election in the state led to the killing of many youths in the state, leading the increase in the number of widows.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of APC, Ward 1, Omoku, Mr. Emeka Okwuosa, appealed to the APC governorship candidate to ensure the dredging of Omoku River, as well as the construction of a community town hall and employment of the youth.
Cole, who was accompanied by the Director-General of True Rivers Development Initiative (TRDI), Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, amongst others, had earlier paid a visit to the traditional ruler of Obosi Community in Omoku, Eze Friday Ekoji Okoro at his palace.
In another development, the APC in Rivers State has said it will complete the on-going construction of the Rivers state government-owned “Rivers Refinery” as well as the Rivers State Polytechnic, all located at Ndoni District of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area if elected into power in 2019.
Governorship candidate of APC in the state, Architect Tonye Cole disclosed this at Ndoni while addressing members and supporters of the party in Ward 13 and 14 of the local government area.
The party also promised to construct an access road linking Ndoni Town and other communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area.
Cole said: “First of all, we have come to Ndoni because of you. We came so that we can see you, so that we can meet you; so that we can hear from you. So that we can also tell you that you are important to us. This work that we are on is not an easy work but it is a job that we must complete. Why must we complete it?”
“Your request for the completion of the refinery shows that the people of Ndoni are ready to be employed. Your request for the completion of the polytechnic shows that the people of Ndoni see education as an important thing. Your request for an assess road will be attended to.
“We have heard your request and we will take it back with us. We are preparing a working document and all your requests will be part of that working document. God willing, if we are able to create the kind of wealth we believe we create, then everything is possible. But it means that we have to work together to ensure that is done.
He called on the people of Ndoni to work with the APC to ensure that the party takes over power in 2019, saying that he has the ability to create wealth, create access and create jobs for the people of the state.
The APC governorship candidate said: “My responsibility is to make sure that we galvanise every resource that we can so that we can ensure that the people will get what they deserve. That is my responsibility. We are going to work together to achieve that. But before we can do that we have to win an election. If we don’t win the election we cannot do anything that you have asked for. It is impossible.
“So the next thing we will do is that we must win an election. Everybody who believe in APC and everybody who believes in my ability to create wealth I have done it before; my ability to distribute wealth, I have done it before; my ability to create employment, I have done it before: my ability to create access, I have done it before.”
Also speaking, Director-General of APC Campaign Organisation, Dr. Chidi Julius Lloyd, said the party’s decision to kickstart its consultative visit to Ndoni shows the importance it attaches to the people of the district.
The APC governorship candidate, who was accompanied by Prince Tonye Princewill, Hon. Asita Honorable Asita, Professor Imegi and sever other chieftains of the party, had earlier paid a visit to the Regent of Ndoni, High Chief Emmanuel Akponor at his palace.
Dianabasi Effiong
