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Crisis: Fear in Rivers as seven-day Budget ultimatum expires

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Tension in Rivers State, as the 7-day ultimatum by the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resubmit the 2024 budget expires this week.

The ultimatum, issued on July 8, will expire today if weekends are counted, or on Wednesday if they are excluded.

The Assembly’s order came after a motion by Dumle Maol, the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary.

Maol, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the Pro-Nyesom Wike Assembly, urged the House to formally notify the governor to present the budget in light of a recent court ruling, which they believe affirmed their membership and validated Amaewhule’s leadership.

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The re-presentation of the budget was a key element of the presidential peace pact in December, aimed at resolving the political crisis in the South-South state.

Previously, Governor Fubara had submitted the ₦800bn budget to the Assembly led by Edison Ehie who now serves as the Governor’s Chief of Staff.

The budget, which was passed and signed into law, is still being implemented, suggesting that the peace agreement has faltered.

Last week, Governor Fubara announced that his administration is already preparing the 2025 budget, indicating that the demand for the re-presentation of the 2024 budget is unrealistic.

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The crisis in Rivers State, which began about eight months ago, has continued to evolve.

It started with a fire at the State House of Assembly in October, followed by an attempted impeachment of Fubara, massive resignations from the executive cabinet, and unrest over local government administration. This phase culminated in a failed attack on the Presidential Hotel.

With the deadline for the 2024 budget presentation set for this week, the political climate in the state appears tense, as the assembly and the governor navigate the ongoing crisis.

Meanwhile, Chijioke Ihunwo, a pro-Fubara politician from the same community as Amaewhule, has dismissed the 7-day ultimatum on the governor as laughable.

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Ihunwo, who was appointed by the governor as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, urged Amaewhule to accept his fate as a former assembly member, after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

He encouraged the people of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality, comprising Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, and Emohua Local Government Areas, to continue supporting the Governor under the leadership of former Senator John Azuta-Mbata.

The politician, who was criticised for appointing 100 aides last week, said the decision which other CTC Chairmen are also implementing is aimed at bringing local government administration closer to the grassroots.

He announced that more appointments would be made in the coming days, to demonstrate that the Fubara-led government is inclusive.

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Rep Amos reacts as Dutsin-Ma Varsity honours Appropriation chair, Bichi with Doctorate degree

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The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on House Services, Rep. Dan Amos, has joined other well wishers to congratulate Rep. Abubakar Bichi, for bagging Doctorate degree Honoraris Causa, from Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

Rep. Bichi, the Member representing Bichi Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, was honoured at the weekend for his commitment to the university.

Over the past five years, he has contributed to funding infrastructure projects and providing scholarships for students in his constituency, helping them achieve their academic goals.

In a message of felicitations personally signed Monday morning by Rep. Amos, who currently represents Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, the Lawmaker ascribed the honorary Doctorate degree to the selfless and dedicated services of Rep. Bichi to his Constituency and promotion of good governance and national development.

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“I am thrilled to extend my warmest congratulations to you on receiving an honorary doctorate from the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.

“This prestigious recognition is a well-deserved acknowledgment of your tireless efforts and exemplary leadership in promoting good governance and development in Nigeria.

“Your commitment to your constituents and the nation at large is truly inspiring. Your achievements in infrastructure development, education, and healthcare have made a lasting impact on your community. Your dedication to transparency, youth empowerment and development has positioned your constituency as a model for progress.

“Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on this remarkable achievement. May this honour continue to motivate you to strive for greater heights”, the message read.

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Other notable Nigerians honoured at the weekend by the university include, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Goodwill Akpabio; and former Governor of Sokoto State and Chairman, Senate Committee on Security, Senator Aliyu Wamako.

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Drama as Band A customers request downward review of high tariff

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By Francesca Hangeior

Many electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Band A, have appealed to the Federal Government to lower the high tariff amid the economic hardship.

Reports have it that Band A customers are those who enjoy at least 20 hours of electricity daily and are expected to pay N209.5/kilowatts per hour (KWh).

The consumers who live at Lugbe, Area 10, Apo resettlement area, and environs spoke with NAN in Abuja on Sunday.

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They said that Band A was okay because they enjoy constant power supply but added that the tariff was too high and so could not cope with the present situation.

Mrs Amen Odigie, a civil servant residing in Lugbe, said that she found herself paying so much to enjoy power supply, which was okay.

Odigie said that what she paid for electricity in the two-bedroom flat she occupied was more than N30,000 in a month.

“This is really telling on me, as what I earn as salary cannot go anywhere with the present economic hardship in the country.

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”I want to appeal to the government to review the high electricity tariff as this Band A is taking most of my income, ” she said.

Mr Ugochukwu Okafor, also residing in Lugbe, said that the electricity tariff for Band A customers was too high.

Okafor, a Vulcaniser, said that his income in a month could not pay for the Band A tariff.

According to him, he wants the Federal Government to do something about the Band A tariff, as it is too high, in view of the present hardship in the country.

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Mrs Anita Adaje, a fashion designer residing in Apo resettlement, said that she used electricity a lot to run her business, and with this Band A tariff, she was not making any profit.

”When you bill customers so high, they will refuse to pay, and this is really affecting my business.

”My appeal is that government should look into this high tariff and do something about it,” she said.

Mr Festus Ogunbor, a printer in Area 10, said that he recharged more than N30,000 daily to run his printing machines.

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Ogunbor said that the high cost of electricity was affecting his business as he could no longer do much work.

”How much do I make that I have to be paying so much for electricity? Please, I want the government to look into this high tariff as it is seriously affecting businesses and cost of living,” he said.

Mr Chidi Okeke, also a printer in Area 10, said that he had been finding it difficult to power his printing machines because of high electricity tariff.

Okeke said that the government should look for a way of reducing the high cost of electricity to boost businesses as well as encourage more Nigerians to go into business.

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Valencia ask for another Copa del Rey postponement after floods

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By Francessca Hangeior

Valencia requested their postponed Copa del Rey first round clash with Parla Escuela be delayed again on Monday because of the devastating flooding in the region.

At least 217 people died, with many more still missing, after an intense storm hit the east of Spain last week.

Valencia’s Copa del Rey game was originally due to be played last week but was pushed back to November 6 by the Spanish football federation (RFEF).

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The Spanish club’s La Liga match due to be played last Saturday against champions Real Madrid was also postponed and Los Che asked the club to delay their cup game again.

“The club thinks that, at this time of great difficulty, all energy, attention and support must be focused on helping those affected by the tragic events of (the storm),” said Valencia in a statement.

“Football is in the background. We wish to convey our deepest condolences and our love to the families and friends of the deceased and those affected by this catastrophe that leaves us devastated.”

Several coaches and players from La Liga teams suggested all fixtures should have been postponed at the weekend instead of only Valencia’s match and Villarreal against Rayo Vallecano.

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Atletico coach Diego Simeone said it made “no sense” to play matches, while Barcelona’s Hansi Flick said if it was up to him he would have cancelled the whole round of games.

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