No fewer than 22,430 cultists have surrendered and returned 911 assorted arms to Rivers state Amnesty Committee, Governor Nyesom Wike, said on Monday.

Wike said at a Town Hall meeting and accountability Forum in Port Harcourt to mark his administration’s second anniversary.

He stated that the amnesty programme had reduced cult related violence and other criminal activities in the state.

The governor noted that the programme had also recovered 7,661 assorted ammunitions and 147 explosives by the repentant cultists.

Wike stressed that the government provided over 150 patrol vans to the security agencies to fight crime in the state.

He said that the government also handed over some gun boats to the Nigerian Navy to patrol and protect the Rivers waterways.

The governor stated that the administration had in the last two years made unprecedented investments in infrastructure, which had led to economic boom.

He noted that 13 General Hospitals in 13 local government areas were undergoing reconstruction with the completed ones awaiting furnishing and inauguration.

“We are also completing the regional hospitals started by the immediate past administration, located in Etche and Degema councils to serve as referral centres for secondary and tertiary health care,” he added.

He said that the government released over four million US dollars to equip and upgrade the Braithwaithe Memorial Hospital to international standard.

Wike stated that the gesture was to enable it serve as the Teaching Hospital for the Rivers State University Medical School, pending the construction of its permanent site.

He noted that moribund businesses were gradually re-opening in the state, while fresh local and foreign businesses were being attracted to the state.

The governor disclosed that the administration has streamlined multiple taxation in order to enable business to thrive to the benefit of the people and to attract more investors.

“We are also supporting the growth of indigenous entrepreneurs through contracts as well as encouraging small and micro-enterprises with financial support to revitalise local economies,” he added.

Wike said that in the administration had invested over N145 billion on the construction of roads, bridges, pedestrian walkways and underground drainage systems.

“As we speak, several road construction works are either underway or completed in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Abua/Odual, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Akuku Toru.

“Also in Degema, Etche, Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Ikwerre, Emohua, Khana, Gokana, Okrika, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Oyigbo, and Tai local government areas of the state,” he said.

The governor pointed out that his administration was improving the quality of education by creating enabling environment for the system to produce graduates with skills and knowledge to drive development.

He noted that 300 primary schools were being refurbished and equipped across the state, while infrastructure at the Rivers State University was being upgraded to ensure successful accreditation of courses. (NAN)

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