The Greater Port Harcourt City Development authority says it is set to develop all designated areas into world class cities within the fund available.
The governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi gave the indication during the opening of a two day workshop organized by the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority.
The workshop which was held on 12th and 13th of December, 2011 took place at the Atlantic hall of Hotel Presidential Port Harcourt.
The governor who was represented on the occasion by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, stated that the present administration is determined to restore Port Harcourt to its garden city status.
Governor Amaechi said the Greater Port Harcourt City Development can be transfer into a robust development destination, saying the law establishing this agency is to ensure the implementation of the master-plan.
The Rivers state Governor in his key note address stated that government will provide adequate funding, but warned that offenders and defaulters against the master plan will be prosecuted.
In her remarks, the administrator of the GPH, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, positioned that the master plan of the Greater Port Harcourt is to chart a new way from the way we do things in the past. She said the workshop became necessary to design a framework on the legislative and administrative framework for planning and development control in the new city.
Also speaking, the chairman of the Board of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba, says for the desire of the authority to effectively discharge this mandate to develop the city to manifest, the authority requires the corporation of the chairmen of the affected local government councils, the state and other government agencies for greater investment and tourism.
The chairman said one of the roles of the workshop is to harmonize the entire system where roles of different government agencies are clearly defined and such deliberation will be sent for approval by the State House of Assembly.
The chairman of the occasion, Prof. Dagogo Fubara, informed the participants that the occasion is used to check the laws that established the authority and urged all stakeholders to contribute and participate effectively.
Papers were presented by the partner from South-Africa, Mr. Nico Kriek of Arcus Gibb, similar development authority from Abuja, Owerri and the professional bodies.
Earlier, the chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo, had blamed most failures of the local councils due to constitutional lapses, but advocated for a formidable back-up.
In another development, the Commissioner for Urban Development, Dr. Danny Dagogo, in his presentation, said the people of Rivers State needs re-orientation, massive enlightenment and firm enforcement, monitoring with arrest of those who violated the urban renewal programme. ###
Pius Dukor/Mene Gbarabe
