News
…Accuses RMAFC Of Dividing South-South
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has accused the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Boundary Commission (NBC) of brewing tension in the South-South geo-political zone, through its decision to cede some oil wells indiscriminately to some states.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi made the remark, Monday, when a team from the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission visited him to present a report of the Downward Review of the Remuneration package for political public and judicial office-holders, at Government House Port Harcourt.
He said the role of both the RMAFC and the NBC were in conflict with the implementation of the Political solution adduced by the Obansanjo administration, which is recommended by the Supreme Court in handling issues of boundary disputes.
He regretted that the decision of the Commissions has torn apart the governors of the South-South states who hitherto spoke with one voice, and urged them to go back to the Supreme Court judgment on the matter in the interest of Peace and justice.
I plead with you to tell the NBC to implement the Supreme Court judgment. The judgment is clear, if you doubt it pick the Justice Oguntade’s Judgment and read it, it is stated in that judgment that the boundaries between territorial states would be determined by uncloss”, Governor Amaechi said, adding, “please apply uncloss to us, if the uncloss takes all our oil wells to Akwa lbom. we’ll clap for them, that’s all we ask for”.
Governor Amaechi accused the RMAFC and NBC of compromise in their decision to adopt historical means to take back some of the oil wells from Rivers State to Akwa lbom State as against the judgment of the Supreme Court, which earlier ceded 172 wells to Rivers State.
The governor averred that Rivers State would no longer compromise its stand on its oil wells, as it was determined to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion, noting “I am not willing any more to cede any of our oil well”.
While expressing sympathy for Cross River State, whose oil wells were also seeded to Akwa Ibom by the Commissions on political ground, Governor Amaechi pointed out that it was not the role of Federal Agencies to cause disaffection among the federating states.
“We pretended as if it does not exist, we were holding meetings between ourselves and seeking ways to move the zone forward, but you have arrived and disintegrated us”, he stressed insisting. ·’tell NBC to implement that judgment”.
Responding, the leader of the team, Chief Tom Uloko said they were at Government House to present the report on the downward review of the remuneration package for political, Public and Judicial officer holders, to the governor who will in turn forward the document to the House of Assembly for necessary legislative backing.
Chief Uloko, who represented the Chairman of the Commission Mr. Hamman Tukur said that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua initiated the downward review in response to the need to reassess the economy of the nation in view of the global recession.
According to him, in carrying out the assignment, RMAFC held consultations with stakeholders with a view to obtaining their input towards achieving set objectives.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
