The Rivers State Government has announced plans to draft a blueprint for the development of the state to span the next 50 years.
Governor Nyesom Wike said this while receiving the final report of the Rivers State Golden Jubilee committee at government house, Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike accepted the recommendation of the committee to establish a technical group to develop a working document to enhance the growth of the state.
He said: “We will set up a committee for the production of a document to enhance the development of Rivers State in the next fifty years.”
The Rivers state governor also lauded the committee for projecting the state in a good light during the celebration of the state’s golden jubilee last year.
“Everybody is happy with the quality of documentation by the committee. The Rivers at 50 book is a comprehensive document that chronicles the entire celebration.
“My colleagues are very impressed with the Rivers at 50 book. It touches all sectors of our development. No aspect was left out.”, Governor Wike said.
He commended the committee for being the first committee to return unspent funds, a development which under-scored the integrity of members of the group.
“I am very satisfied with the quality of the work of this committee. I didn’t expect anything less in view of the calibre of members”, he said.
Speaking during the presentataion of the final report of the Rivers State Golden Jubilee Committee, Chairman of the Committee, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba said that celebration was a landmark in the history of the state.
He said that the committee was prudent in the expenditure of available funds leading to the return of un-spent funds. He noted that the committee was funded through governnent grant and private donations.
Chief Anabraba said that the committee recognised the need for adequate documentation, hence it produced Rivers at 50, the Echoes of Golden Jubilee, Golden Jubilee DVDs, Golden Jubilee Commemorative Brochure, Golden Jubilee Award/Honours Brochure, Anniversary Lecture Book and the commemorative stamp.
“The committee recognised the need to adequately document the 50th Anniversary activities for posterity. The committee therefore sponsored a number of publications and documents”, he said.
He recommended the establishment of a State Archive for the keeping of all public records in the state.
He appreciated Rivers people for participating actively in the events that marked the 50th Anniversary of the state, which showed the world that Rivers People are united with one common destiny.
