The senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe on Wednesday October 3, 2012 declared his innocence of the having anything to do with money concerning Gokana people.
d “I have never taken anything that does not belong to me,” he said.
Magnus made this declaration while delivering a key note address in the second Gokana summit organized by the Gokana local government council at Kpor, emphasizing that there was no way he as a senator would steal money belonging to the Gokana people, having condemned the act and asked God to punish him if he ever did that.
Answering questions from news men, the senator pledged confidence in the council chairman, Hon. Deemua Ledee Deemua, adding that he should get up and prove himself to the people of the local government area.
He further said that Nigeria has a course to celebrate Nigerian 52nd independence anniversary in spite of its many challenges.
He pointed out that Nigerians have confidence in Nigeria now than before, arguing that what was going on would have destroyed Nigeria if it were before.
Magnus opined that soon the country would turn for the better and that the change will come from everybody.
Explaining his trip with the leadership Ogoni to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan, the senator said that the journey provided answers for the Ogonis’ long agitation as Jonathan accepted their request and gave them promises which he advised him (Abe) to follow up with the secretary of the federation to make sure all he has promised them come to pass.
According the senator, President Jonathan assured the Ogonis that oil exploration will not commence on the land until proper negotiations are done with the people of Ogoni and that environmental cleaning up will take precedent.
Senator Abe used the medium to warn oil bunkerers in Gokana to stop it as it destroys the environment, adding that there was no way cleaning could be done while the activities continue.
In his welcome address, the council chairman, Hon. Deemua Ledee Deemua said the theme of the summit was “Paths To Sustainable Development In Gokana”, adding that the theme was chosen as the government will be focusing on sustainable development strategies.
According to Ledee, this administration placed high premium on human capacity development and pointed out some achievements made by the administration such as graduating over 750 students in different areas of computer literacy education with international certificates, engaged over 40 teachers to teach Gokana language as a way to develop the language.
Ledee maintained that the council has revisited skill acquisition via workmanship and training centres in Bori, formation of Gokana United Football club that is engaging over 30 youths from the local government area which has gained promotion to National Division two.
He also pointed out that renovation and construction works are done on Town Primary School, Mogho, Primary School Nwebiara and health centres in Biara and Deken while Gokana central stadium is progressing to advanced stage. ####
Mene Gbarabe
