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US Assistant Secretary of State visits Amaechi

US Assistant Secretary of State visits Amaechi

PORT HARCOURT — The United States of America Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilisation Operations, Mr. Rick Barton, has led a delegation of U.S. diplomats on a courtesy visit to Rivers State governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Also in the delegation were the Director of Africa Operations, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilisation Operations, Mr. Neal Kringel and the Consular-General of the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, Jeffrey Hawkins.
Conflict resolution
Mr. Barton told Governor Amaechi that they were in the state to find possible ways to assist the state government in any conflict situation.
He highlighted the good relations between the United States of America and Nigeria and commended Amaechi for his work in Rivers State and his ability to resolve problems.
“Thank you Mr. Governor, it’s a great pleasure to be here with you. We have had the chance to savour your hospitality and enjoy your state  in the last 24 hours and it’s been a great pleasure. We’ve had the chance to drive out to the countryside and visit with some of your constituents to get a feeling of what you and your cabinet are doing here in the state to advance the confidence of the public and the state of the cordial life of your citizens.
Listening to Rivers people
“We are spending as much time as we can listening to the voices of Nigerians (Rivers people), because at the end of the day our respect for you (Amaechi) and for your ability to solve problems is great and we want to help in any way we can but we know that this is your world and we are only here to help as a friend would naturally do.”
Amaechi on Niger Delta
Governor Amaechi in his response noted that things were improving tremendously in the Niger Delta, adding that foreigners now live in safety in the state and drive around Port Harcourt. He called on the United States to allow their businesses flow back into the state.
Amaechi said: “I think that in the course of resolving conflicts, going further to ensure that we also allow businesses from the U.S. and other parts of the world to come back to Port Harcourt because if you can’t create employment, you will certainly not be able to resolve the problem because the problem actually is not of oil alone, it’s of poverty and unemployment and if we don’t as a government create employment and create opportunities for which people can be employed, then we will continue to have crisis in the Niger Delta.
“Whether it’s in Niger Delta or it’s in Borno or Yobe, the issue is the same. It’s the issue of unemployment and poverty. I thank you for finding time to come to Port Harcourt.”
….As community elders warn against threat to Gov’s life
By EGUFE YAFUGBORHI
PORT HARCOURT — AS uneasy calm hangs over the political impasse rocking ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP,  in Rivers State, elders and chiefs of Ubima, the Ikwerre community, where Governor Rotimi Amaechi hails from have warned against perceived threats to the life of their son.
During a council meeting, yesterday at the Community Square, the Ubima leaders of thought under the umbrella of Ogbakor Ubima Consultative Assembly, OUCA, assured the governor of their unalloyed support and prayers while describing his detractors as “jokers.”
Chairman of Ogbakor Ubima, Chief Anwuzuruike Daniel, noted that being silent over the issue affecting their son should not embolden outsiders to take the community folks for granted over the unfolding development.
Anwuzuruike, who expressed Ubima’s dismay over the way desperate politicians have taken the matter,  said: “We are saying that he (Amaechi) should not be afraid. We are solidly behind him. I know God will not take our prayers for granted.”
“We are angry because he has done nothing to deserve the persecution by these politicians. We are proud of his achievements in the past six years for Ubima, Ikwerre and Rivers State at large and God will not allow the detractors rubbish his good deeds.”
Adding his voice, Elder Sylvester Ehirim, Head of the Elders told those allegedly threatening the governor’s life, “You only know a stray goat has an owner when you harm it.”

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