Port Harcourt — Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State says his administration plans to launch its free education policy on October 1, 2010.

Governor Amaechi who disclosed this Tuesday in Abonnema during a Town Hall meeting with the people of the local government area, said the free education and health care policy would be dependent on the passage of the bill "Social Contributory Levy" by the State House of Assembly.

He said the bill would require parents to pay a certain amount of money to complement what the state government would provide to enable the students that would gain admission into the new model secondary schools enjoy free uniforms, sandals, books and feeding.

According to him, if the schools charge fees, many poor parents cannot afford to send their wards to the school, and urged the people to plead with their representatives to consider the importance of the bill to the common citizens and pass it into law.

The State Chief Executive remarked that in addition, the state government would also in October inaugurate its Songhai Model Farm to enable those trained by the state in Benin Republic practice the skill they have acquired.

On the ongoing construction of Model Primary Schools and Health Centres, the Governor assured the people that contract for the remaining ones would be awarded before the end of September 2010, while those yet to be completed would be monitored to ensure early completion.

Governor Amaechi observed that another project the people of Abonnema need dearly is land reclamation, to enable them have more space to expand, and called on the Amanyanabo of Abonnema and his council of Chiefs to choose a site for the state government for the on land reclamation.

"No matter the amount of pressure on government, the point remains that the most important thing you need is land for the expansion of the community", Amaechi stated.

Responding to a question during the interactive session, the governor said the state government does not share political positions for the people, but advised that smaller communities be carried along to enable them have a sense of belonging.