Rivers will Continue to Promote Rule of Law : wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has stated that his administration will continue to promote the rule of law in order to enhance the security of the state.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new Port Harcourt branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday, Wike said his administration had taken proactive steps to encourage the bar and bench to promote the rule of law.

He said the state government resolved to construct a new Law Centre for the NBA because of its commitment to enhancing law practice in the state with befitting facilities.

Governor Wike said: “We had to relocate the law centre to create room for the construction of more courts in the High Court Complex. We also relocated the law complex for the purpose of providing befitting facilities for lawyers to practice in the state.”

The governor also formally handed over the certificate of occupancy of the premises to the NBA.
He said the project would be completed on schedule by August.
According to him, N200million has been released for the commencement of the project which is expected to cost N498million.

In his remarks, NBA President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), commended the governor for facilitating the promotion of the rule of law through his support to the bar and bench.
He said that the construction of the new Law Centre will enhance the rule of law as the lawyers in the state will have access to facilities for improved practice.

The NBA President praised the governor for the seamless transition in the state judiciary where seniority has been observed.

Also speaking, the state Acting Chief Judge, Justice Adama Iyayi-Lamikanra said the construction of the new Law Centre has further proved that the governor is a worthy partner of the Bench and Bar in the promotion of the rule of law.

Chairman of the NBA Port Harcourt, Dennis Okwakpam said the Wike is the biggest benefactor of the NBA in the history of the state.

The state Attorney-General, Emmanuel Aguma announced that the plaque containing all the donors of the old Law Centre would be transferred to the new complex.

The highpoint of the occasion is the laying of the foundation of the new Law Centre by the President of the NBA, Augustine Alegeh.