THE Rivers State government offered to grant amnesty to militants who would embrace a peaceful pursuit of their demands.
The state government explained that there was nothing wrong with granting the demands of militants if they were reasonable, but maintained that it would not negotiate with them against the law.
In an interactive section with journalists yesterday in Port Harcourt where six commissioners took stock of the first year of Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s administration, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbunna Nwuke said the administration had been faced with the challenge of unrest and anarchy when it assumed office in October last year. He pointed out however, that the administration had done its best in restoring peace in the state.
“We have been able to lay the foundation for peace and we have acted on projects that have affected the lives of people positively,” Nwuke said.
According to Nwuke, though the state government will not negotiate with militants who go astray in their demands, the administration would abide with the position of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
“There is nothing wrong in giving amnesty to militants who are willing to change, but we will not support them if their demands go against the law because criminality is not part of the struggle,” Nwuke noted.
The Commissioner for Works, Mr. Dakuku Peterside disclosed that the state government had spent over N15 billion to improve the power sector in the state.
He also disclosed that the state was on the verge of commissioning the Omoku power supply scheme and had also remitted N11 billion debt in the gas turbine project inherited from the past administration.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, added that the state government was rebuilding the health care system to provide the people good heath care delivery.
The Commissioner for Urban Development, Mr. Osima Ginna debunked the allegation that the demolition of alleged illegal structures around the state capital was targeted at some group and that the exercise rather than beautify the city had littered the whole environment as a result of improper planning.
He explained that the demolition was aimed at restoring Port Harcourt to its original garden city concept, stressing that the ministry was currently at the demolition stage and would soon embark on the beautification stage.
Other commissioners at the briefing were the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya and the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. George Tolofari.
Meanwhile, Governor Amaechi is to give an account of his stewardship over the past one year of his administration.