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Gov To Talk With Traders Over Street Trading
As part of moves to clean up Port Harcourt, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, says he would hold a meeting with traders at the Creek Road Market and other markets in Port Harcourt to stop them from trading on the roads.
Governor Amaechi said this yesterday at an Interdenominational Church Service, marking the 2011 Children’s Day celebration in the state, at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt.
The Governor hinted that the meeting with Creek Road traders would afford him the opportunity to know why the traders prefer to sell their wares on the road rather than enter the main market, pointing out that Creek Road is a dualised road, but traders had blocked one lane with trading.
He explained that the interactive meeting with the stakeholders in the market would be part of the process to clean up Port Harcourt and restore the glorious past of the city as Nigeria’s “Garden City”.
“I will clean up the city of Port Harcourt, the city is very dirty and there is need to make a change in the system”, he said, adding, “traders of the Creek Road Market should undertake their business within the confines of the market and leave the road”.
In the same vein, the governor said other areas in Port Harcourt and its environs such as the Flyover Park, would be affected by the exercise, adding that the area constitutes an eye sore, as refuse was disposed there indiscriminately.
The State Chief Executive, remarked that any society which plans to change must purge itself of abnormal practices, arguing that non-payment of taxes was responsible for Nigerians not being able to hold government accountable, emphasising that, “if you pay your tax and the government fails to utilise the funds to provide social services, you will ask questions as a matter of right”.
In the area of electricity, the governor said, “we have assured the Federal Government that if given the right to distribute power within the state, we shall ensure 24hours power supply, noting that a committee inaugurated by government had commenced work on the process.
He used the opportunity to thank Rivers people for casting their votes for his return to office, promising not to let them down, and urged them to attend the inauguration celebration scheduled for May 29, at the Liberation Stadium, Elekahia.
Earlier in a sermon at the church service, the Vicar in-charge of St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt, Venerable Amavey Abbey-Kalio, commended Governor Amaechi for the priority given to the education sector as it would produce a multiplier effect in building the future manpower base of the state.
Ven. Abbey-Kalio who spoke on the theme of this year’s celebration, “Good Governance: The Impact on Children”, said children should fear God and obey those in authority, adding that those in government must lead with the fear of God and uphold the rule of law, transparency, equity and justice at all times .
In another development, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the wedding ceremony between former Miss Rita Benjamin and Mr. Erefagha Turner, son of HRH King Amalatei Turner, the Chairman of Federal Inland Waterways Authority at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
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