Opinion
Civil Servants And Govt Housing Policy
Tonye Fuayefika
Previous governments in Rivers State, in their efforts to provide accommodation for the populace and embrace the global policy on Urban Housing Renewal Scheme, built low-cost houses at Ndoki, and Marine Base Waterfronts as a test case. The Marine Base Waterfront Housing Scheme was divided into three phases. As a follow-up of past government‘s effort, the Sam Ewang administration, embarked on the Igbo-Etche Housing Scheme, while the Peter Odili administration embarked on the construction of 1,000 housing units across the twenty-three local government areas of the state.
The original intention of government was to build and sell these houses to civil servants and other indigenes to alleviate the acute accommodation problem in the state. Accordingly, the Ndoki, Aggrey Road, and Marine Base (Phase 1) Waterfronts houses were sold out on owner-occupier basis, the Igbo-Etche. The 1,000 housing units built by the Odili administration also followed the same concept of owner-occupier basis.
In June 1996, seventy semi-detached two-bedroom flats constructed by the Ada George administration in 1993 were completed at the Marine Base Housing Estate (Phase II). Fifty of the flats were allocated to senior civil servants as official quarters, while the remaining twenty flats were given to the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt. This marked a drastic shift from the original policy to sell the houses on owner-occupier basis.
It is pertinent to point out that the Komo administration, in order to hurriedly complete the houses at the (Phases II) of the estate before leaving office, pressurised the contractors and so left many works uncompleted. Most of the houses did not have all the fixtures and fittings required. For instance, the road and gutter in lane one (opposite the Marine Base plank shed) and the main drainage for the estate were not constructed, while the transformer for the estate was not supplied. Twenty flats were connected to two or three shallow soakaways.
Tell-tale signs of leaking and broken ceilings, broken louvre blades, brought about by corroded and ill-fitted louvre frames, peelings, cracking and depressing floors, and dust from termite-eaten woods abound in most flats, which shows the low-quality materials and poor workmanship of the buildings. Even, necessary amenities such as portable water, central refuse receptacle, fence-wall and play ground for the comfort of residents of the estate were not provided for in the physical structures.
So also, past governments failed to register the allottees with NEPA. So the allottees were forced by NEPA to register with them and pay for new metres which unfortunately, had then risen to N25,000 per meter. The brunt of the above problem was borne by the allottees as several letters written to government did not yield any fruit.
Compared to other waterfront estates, the Marine Base (Phase II) estate was built on a very low, marshy, saline soil. No sand-filling was done. Apart from the buildings being hastily carried out, workmanship too was very poor. Workers waded through two to three feet deep of water to carry out construction work, and the porousness and mashiness of the soil has caused the buildings to crack in some flats. Right now, the houses are fast deteriorating and dilapidating, and the allottees have taken up the responsibility of maintaining the houses at their own expense, in addition to paying high rents to government.
Findings have revealed that from inception to this moment successive governments have not done any maintenance or renovation work on the said buildings. It was the allottees who took the onerous burden upon themselves to put in fittings and fixtures not provided by government. The policy implementation of owner-occupier principle will definitely justify all financial obligations made by the allottees concerning the maintenance of the buildings.
The population of Port Harcourt is increasing by the days hence, the need to embark on more new housing estates for the populace. Revenue derivable from the sales of flats in the Marine Base Estate (Phase II) will enable government to embark on the building of more estates to meet the ever-increasing housing needs of the state.
Already, the allottees have registered with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) scheme which entitled them to housing loan at the eventual release of the houses in view. The policy implementation of owner- occupier principles as pronounced in the allocation of the Phase III of the Marine Base Housing Unit, should also apply to the Phase II of the same estate.
It is a known fact that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a civil servant to build a house from his monthly salary. Thus, frustration arising from homelessness has sent many civil servants to a terrible life and untimely death. And since shelter is undoubtedly the third most important thing after air and food. The Rivers State government should consider the implementation of the Federal Government’s “Monetisation” Policy for Rivers state workers. This will definitely lesson the burden of the resident occupants of Phase II, and make their eventual retirement in service a worth while dream.
Fuayefika wrote in from Port Harcourt.
Opinion
Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Opinion
Checking Herdsmen Rampage
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
Opinion
Is Nigeria Democratic Nation?
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.
-
Business3 days ago
CRG Partner JR Farms To Plant 30m Coffee Seedlings
-
Foods/Drinks3 days ago
What To Know About Your Menu
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
NDLEA Intercepts 584.171kg Hard Drugs In Bayelsa … Arrests 559 Suspects
-
Rivers3 days ago
Four Internet Fraudstars Get Different Jail Terms In PH
-
Business3 days ago
Food Security: NDDC Pays Counterpart Fund For LIFE-ND Project
-
Business3 days ago
PH Women Plan Alternative Stew, Shun Tomato High Prices
-
Sports3 days ago
Nigerian Athletes Serving Doping Bans
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Ex-IYC President Lampoons Atiku’s Presidential Ambition … Declares It Negative Impact On N’Delta