Towards strengthening the efforts of the Rivers State Government in the education sector, Senator Magnus Abe representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly has commenced the construction of two primary schools.
The schools located in Rumusoya community of Oyigbo and Sogho community in Khana Local Government Areas of the Senatorial Districts are Senator Abe’s constituency projects for 2012.
The Senator, who disclosed this during the 10th Annual Conference of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria (ASN) at the University of Port Harcourt, said Governor Amaechi’s quest for an educationally advantaged Rivers State deserves support.
He explained that monies for constituency projects were not given to legislators but put in the budget, awarded by the Executive and the Lawmakers saddled with the responsibilities of ensuring that the jobs are executed.
Senator Abe pledged to push for the building of a laboratory for the Department of Anatomy in the university through the National Assembly since according to him “UNIPORT has contributed immensely to capacity building in Rivers State and the Nation at large”.
The former Secretary to the Rivers State Government insisted that government alone cannot satisfy the people without the participation, involvement and contributions of the citizens.
“The idea that government at whatever level can provide everything for everybody is totally wrong” he declared, urging political leaders to educate their people on the fact that government does not have the resources and capacity to solve all problems.
The Senator who is also Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) frowned at the flamboyant and extravagant life style of some politicians, maintaining that they should be held responsible for the impression that government can provide all the society need.
On his part, Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker urged scientists, in the University to prioritize better services through the removal of barriers preventing them from effective practice, lamenting that the foundation of medicine was failing.
Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Joseph A. Ajienka who witnessed the induction of Senator Abe and Dr. Parker as Advocates of the Anatomical Society of Nigeria, said the conference was initiated to enable scholars and critical stakeholders interact and share information in medical education.
