The Rivers State security council is to meet and review the situation in Oyigbo Local Government Area after members of proscribed Indigenous Peoples Organisations of Biafra (IPOB) killed ten security agencies and burnt court buildings.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who disclosed this, has also reinstated the commitment of his administration to protect life and property of everybody in the state.

Governor Wike stated this when he met leaders of Igbos, Hausas, Yoruba and other ethnic nationalities living in the state at Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.

The governor dismissed insinuation that he ordered soldiers to kill Igbos in Oyigbo Local Government Area amidst the curfew imposed by the Security Council.

“It is not correct that soldiers are going from house to house to kill. When the IPOB killed the Army officers, they took their guns. It is normal for them to recover those guns. In any case, there are consequences when soldiers are killed. Maybe they are retaliating in order to rebuild the moral of other soldiers. How can I now have such powers to order soldiers on any operation?

“Now, you carry propaganda that Wike is killing Igbos. They live everywhere in the state. So, am I also killing them elsewhere? No tribe gave us the kind of support Igbos gave to me, but that does not mean we should allow IPOB to destroy the state.”

He explained that Security Council was compelled to impose curfew in Oyigbo to prevent further loss of life and property. According to him, there is no way he will order any offensive action against Oyigbo, which is where the chairman of Peoples Democratic Party in the state hails from.

The Governor declared that it will be absurd for IPOB to assume the role of speaking for the Igbos when there are credible and outstanding people who can speak for them. To this end, he warned against allowing IPOB to continue misrepresenting the Igbos ethnic nationality.

“Let IPOB not give Igbos bad name. Any people that allow a criminal to speak for them, that tribe is finished,” he stated.

He charged residents of the State appalled by the nefarious activities of IPOB, to resist the group and whatever it stands for.

Explaining why curfew was imposed in the Ikokwu area of Port Harcourt, the Governor said the State security council took the decision following intelligence report that Ikokwu host to a lot of IPOB cells in the State capital.

He described the recent clash between Hausas and Igbos following IPOB instigated attacks against the former as unfortunate.

The Governor said while government is creating conducive environment that will promote business, social and cultural life of residents, they must also learn to live together without causing trouble.

“Any decision we take is for the good of everybody. It is not against any tribe. We have lived peacefully with people from other tribes. So stop fighting yourselves and creating the impression that there is war here. Don’t also make disagreements between business partners appear as tribal war. Allow them to settle the matter as businessmen.

“There is need for all of us to live in peace. From today, I don’t want to hear Igbo fighting Hausa. If there is any trouble, there is no need to take laws into your hands. Report the matter to us and we will address it, ” he said.

Governor Wike announced the plan of government to rebuild the Slaughter-Oginigba Market in Trans-Amadi industrial layout in Port Harcourt and hand it over to competent people to manage.

He further enjoined cattle rustlers who are breeding cows to stop using them to destroy the farmland of others.

Governor Wike warned operators of illegal motor parks, street and rail line traders in the state to desist or be ready to face the wrath of government.

He also called on the Federal Government to give consideration to lessons learnt from the EndSARS protest.

“What has happened is a lesson for Nigeria. Don’t under rate the youths. It was a protest by intelligent and professional youths who have suffered enough.

“It is a signal and the youths as graduates are getting restless. Federal Government should ask, how do we use this opportunity to reduce unemployment. My executive council has taken action already to employ 5000 youths,” he added.

Following recent looting and burning of several shops and stores at Circle Mall in Lekki by hoodlums following the hijack of the EndSARS protests, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised to assist the tenants and shop owners at the mall for them to bounce back to business.

Speaking on Sunday during a condolence visit and meeting with tenants and shop owners at the Mall in Lekki, Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State Government will give tax break and some financial assistance to all the business owners affected by the ugly incident.

It would be recalled that some hoodlums went on rampage on Wednesday October 21, after the EndSARS protests were hijacked, and looted property worth billions of naira at Circle Mall and also set parts of the building ablaze.

Speaking on his administration’s readiness to assist those affected by destruction in Circle Mall, Lekki, Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State Government will not leave the people to bear the pains alone, noting that government will assist them to returm to their respective businesses.

The Governor said Lagos State Government will give all business owners in the burnt Circle Mall tax break of PAYE and also appealed to Federal Government to ensure that they get tax relief from from the Federal Internal Revenue Services (FIRS).

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the State Government will give victims of the Circle Mall financial support, which will be in form of grant or loans to cushion the effect of the looting and destruction of their respective shops and stores.

Sanwo-Olu said the grant support is a non refundable financial support to the victims. He said the affected businesses are not expected to pay back while the lending support would be in form of a loan, adding that he is already discussing with some financial institutions to assist people with zero interest loans.

Sanwo-Olu also asked the shop owners to reach out to the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and urged them to make use of the opportunities being provided by the agency in assisting people who are in business, especially small scale businesses.

The Governor further implored people on reorientation of value system and civil responsibility for everybody to be agent of positive change in their community and anywhere they found themselves.

Reiterating his administration’s commitment to security of lives and property in the state, Sanwo-Olu said that Lagos State will no longer tolerate hoodlums looting and destroying government and private businesses and properties.

He said though Lagos State Government cannot stop people from coming into the state, the Governor warned people with criminal intentions to go elsewhere before being smoked out by the government.

The Governor said his government is ready to encourage people who are in Lagos for business and would go extra mile to protect businesses in the state.

Speaking earlier, the tenants at Circle Mall, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for showing empathy in the face of daunting challenges. They asked him to assist them financially so as to get back on their feet.

They also appealed to Lagos State Government to strengthen security around the Circle Mall to prevent future occurrences of the two attacks they suffered in the last 13 months.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, rolled out a major infrastructural overhaul in the Epe Division of the State, flagging off the reconstruction of Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway 40 years after.

The Governor flagged off the first phase of the road project on Sunday at a ceremony held at the Pan African University in Eleko, Ibeju Lekki area. The first phase, which will be completed in 20 months, will cover 18.75 kilometres, stretching from Eleko to T-Junction in Epe.

The residents, who heaved a sigh of relief, thronged the ceremony where Sanwo-Olu formally kick started the project.

The road was constructed in 1981 as a single carriageway, but underwent an upgrade to a two-lane carriageway in 2006. Its condition, however, became deplorable as a result of population growth and increased vehicular traffic.

Sanwo-Olu’s intervention would see the entire stretch from Eleko to Epe dualised on rigid pavement, with three lanes on each side. A lane on each side will be dedicated as toll weighbridges only for heavy-duty vehicles.

The Governor, while declaring the project open, said the ceremony symbolised his administration’s revolutionary efforts at making life better for Lagos citizens and improving the ease of doing business in the State.

He said the Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor was strategically important to the State’s economic prosperity, stressing that the completion of the project would further strengthen his administration’s commitment to inclusive development.

The Governor vowed that no part of Lagos would be left behind in his Government’s quest for transformational projects.

He said: “We recognise the importance of the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway Road to the economic prosperity of Lagos and its citizens. We are aware of the agitation and concerns of people about this strategic infrastructure. This is why we initially declared a state of emergency on the road and put in place temporary measures last year November.

“Today, I am delighted to be at the historic flag-off of the rehabilitation and upgrading of this 40-year-old Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway. This effort will culminate in a three-lane dual carriageway reinforced concrete pavement road with a dedicated lane in each direction for trucks and a rigid pavement to accommodate the envisaged axle loadings expected to ply the road when it is completed.

“When completed, this road will complement the new network of roads in Epe and ease transportation of goods and services through Epe to other neighboring states. This will, in turn, lead to improved socio-economic activities in the Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe Corridor.”

Sanwo-Olu said the contract for the second phase of the project, which will cover 26.7 kilometres from Abraham Adesanya Roundabout to Eleko Junction, will be awarded before the completion of the first phase.

The project, he said, sent a “strong signal” about his administration’s desire to overhaul our state’s entire infrastructure, especially those that have exceeded their design lifespan.

In the coming weeks, the Governor said more infrastructure projects would be unveiled, pointing out that he remained resolute to restoring the State to the path of economic growth despite the negative impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on Lagos’ economic fortunes.

He said: “In line with our resolve, we will continue to initiate and execute people-oriented projects that fulfill the need and aspirations of the average Lagosian. With our shared vision and resources at our disposal, it is time to redouble our efforts while looking towards the future with confidence as we rebuild Lagos together.

“We stand to accomplish more when we have a common ground and purpose. I urge all residents to sustain their unwavering faith in our administration as we partner to honor our State’s legacy of excellence, courage, and great resilience.”

Sanwo-Olu urged residents of the area to take ownership of the project and support the contractor for timely completion. He also urged the youths in the area to take advantage of the construction work to improve their skills.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, said the ceremony indicated another effort being made by the Sanwo-Olu administration in improving residents’ standard, noting the investment in infrastructure would support business and promote economic development.

She said: “Residents and road users along this axis have clamoured for a solution to the suffocating nature of the perennial traffic gridlock along the Lekki-Epe Expressway especially at the Ajah Junction. This Project will help to resolve the gridlock at Ajah/Ado-Badore Roundabout and environs while ensuring the Lagos bound traffic is effectively channeled.”

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Olujimi Hotonu, said the State Government settled for the rigid pavement option for durability and longer life span of about 40 years.

When completed, the road will connect several communities, including Eleko, Onosa, Alatishe, Aiyeteju, Ajaganagbe, Oko Orisa, ilasan, Lekki, Ibeju Lekki and Epe.