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PH To Face Blackout,August …As Afam Power Plant Shuts Down

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Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and its environs will experience a major blackout that would last for one month, beginning from August 1, 2011.

The new business Manager, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Diobu Business Unit, Engr Festus A. Nmegbu, who dropped this hint yesterday in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said the interruption in electricity supply would be as a result of a reconstruction job on PHCN’s 132 KV Line from Afam to Port Harcourt.

“This is to enable contractors handling the reconstruction of the line  to conclude their job. On conclusion, power export to Rivers State from Afam is expected to improve”, Engr Nmegbu explained.

According to the Business Manager, the interruption, which would affect all classes of the company’s customers, will last from 8am till 6pm daily.

He said only the areas covered by Rivers State Power Station, Omoku and Ahoada, which are fed from Owerri 132 KV line would have their normal supply.

Engr Nmegbu, who appealed to numerous customers of PHCN to bear with it while the job lasts, stressed that the reconstruction was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve on the existing power supply in the country.

Diobu Business Unit, he further disclosed, intends to hold a meeting next week with customers to properly discuss the development to enable them adjust while the interruption period lasts.

Meanwhile,  some electricity consumers in Lagos have threatened to sue the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for approving an increase in tariff without resolving the nation’s epileptic power supply.

The consumers told newsmen yesterday in separate interviews that it was inconceivable for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to increase electricity tariff when the citizens were battling the effects of power outages.

Alhaji Salami Badru, Chairman, Bariga Community Development Area, warned that if NERC failed to reverse the tariff increase, the association would not have any choice than to seek legal redress.

Badru said the PHCN should provide adequate electricity supply before increasing tariff.

“We are tired of the whole billing system of PHCN; despite inadequate electricity supply, they still enforce increase in tariff”.

“We will not hesitate to take legal action against PHCN and NERC over arbitrary charges of various forms included in the electricity payment on pre-paid metres payment vouchers,’’ he said.

Mr Jola Ogunlusi, Chairman, Festac Town Residents Association (FTRA), criticised the tariff increase, saying it was wrong for NERC to have endorsed the hike.

Ogunlusi said that the government should have addressed the national electricity supply problem and other ancillary issues such as estimated billing and non-availability of prepaid metres before increasing the tariff.

“While we appreciate the current reforms in the power sector by NERC, we are really concerned about the increase in electricity tariff. Consumers cannot just continue to pay for what they don’t consume”.

“Power should be made available first before NERC thinks of tariff increase. We are concerned about this issue because any increase in tariff should be matched with increased power supply,’’ he said.

Another consumer, Mr Andrew Johnson, Managing Director, Ocean Sea Pure Water in Ikorodu, urged the government to critically evaluate the new electricity tariff in the face of economic constraints.

Johnson said that his factory depended on generator for production though it pays about N2,400 monthly as metre maintenance charges outside the usual electricity consumption bill.

He said a critical study of current PHCN billing system would show the level of “illegality within the national electricity company”.

“Government should see reason to respond to the yearnings of the people and urgently address those abnormalities in the bill for justice to prevail; customers should not be left to suffer.”

In her contribution, Mrs Abimbola Talabi, a banker, said the tariff increase was a mockery of the Federal Government’s avowed commitment to the welfare of the citizenry, stressing that the new tariff was another effort to compound the woes of the masses.

“How can they increase tariff at this point in time when there is no electricity? We are still in darkness and they want to make us pay more. It is really a shame. If their argument is that it is part of reforming the power sector, then they should have first made the power available before asking the people to pay more,” she said.

Our correspondent  recalls that PHCN had from July 1, 2011 increased electricity tariff to N10 per kilowatt from N5.90, while the tariff for commercial concerns rose from N11.20 to N22 per kilowatt under the Multi-Year Tariff Order Act of 2008.

Chris Oluoh

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Acting Provost Dismisses Alleged Missing Equipment Claims At Rivers Health College

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The Acting Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Chigozirim Amadi has refuted claims circulating in the media suggesting that laboratory equipment went missing from the college.
In a recent statement, Dr. Amadi described the reports—particularly those attributed to certain publications—as false and misleading. She emphasized that all laboratory equipment at the college remain intact.
“I am here to set the record straight. No laboratory equipment disappeared from my college. Nothing is missing,” Dr. Amadi said, challenging anyone with contrary claims to provide evidence, including the names of the equipment and their supposed locations.
She further noted that the college recently underwent an accreditation exercise, during which significant investments were made in laboratory equipment. According to Dr. Amadi, these items are fully accounted for, and the college maintains a robust security system to protect its assets.
“Everything is intact. Nothing disappeared. The information being circulated is false and should be discarded,” she reiterated.
Beyond addressing the allegations, Dr. Amadi also called on media practitioners to exercise professionalism and verify stories before publication. “I want to plead with journalists to always verify their stories. Junk journalism does not help anyone. No matter the information you receive, it is important to hear the other side before publishing,” she said.
While social media posts have occasionally raised concerns about various issues in the region’s health education sector, including extortion and examination malpractice at related institutions, there is no independent evidence from credible news sources confirming that equipment went missing from Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.
The college, a public tertiary institution based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is accredited to offer a variety of health-related programs, including Nursing, Midwifery, Laboratory Technology, and Environmental Health. It has consistently emphasised integrity, safety, and transparency in its operations.
Dr. Amadi’s statement seeks to reassure the public, students, and stakeholders that the college remains secure, well-managed, and free from the alleged equipment losses, while urging journalists to prioritise accuracy in reporting.

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Hausa Leader Lauds Fubara For Sustaining Peace, Security In Rivers

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The Chairman of the Arewa Traditional Council of Chiefs in Rivers State, Alhaji Hussaini Isa Madaki, has commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State for his efforts in sustaining peace and security of lives and property across the state.
Madaki, who is also the Sarkin Hausawa in Rivers State, described the governor as a leader who has embraced the Hausa community as part of the larger family in the state.
Speaking with journalists at his office in Port Harcourt during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr celebration, Madaki noted that Governor Fubara has demonstrated fairness and inclusiveness by not segregating any ethnic group, particularly the Hausa community.
He added that the governor’s peaceful disposition has positioned Rivers State as one of the most accommodating and peaceful states in the country.
Madaki further assured that the Hausa community would continue to give maximum support to the Fubara-led administration until the end of its tenure.
He also urged members of the community to remain peaceful and law-abiding as they go about their lawful activities.
On community development, Madaki disclosed that district and ward heads have been appointed and crowned across Hausa settlements in the State to ensure proper coordination and profiling of residents. According to him, the initiative is aimed at strengthening security, enhancing identification, and improving crisis management at the grassroots level.
He explained that the move became necessary due to recurring security concerns, including disturbances allegedly caused by some scavengers and cart pushers.
Madaki called on the newly appointed leaders to promote inclusiveness, harmony, and peaceful coexistence in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Those appointed include Alhaji Abubakar as Port Harcourt City District Head; Alhaji Buba Usman (Eleme axis); Malam Adamu (Eagle Island); Alhaji Tanlasuki (Gborokiri Yam Zone); Abdullahi (Rumukwurushi); Adamu Suleiman (Aboloma); and Useni Umaru (D-Line).
He appealed to Governor Fubara to formally recognise the efforts of the Hausa leadership structure in the State and extend further support in the spirit of inclusivity and unity.

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Spread RIVCHPP Message, Dr Agala Urges Rivers Residents

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Residents of Rivers State have been called upon to actively promote the programmes of the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) to enhance awareness and boost enrolment across the state.
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of RIVCHPP, Dr. Vetty Agala, made the appeal during a sensitisation and enrolment engagement held at the palace of the Eze-elect of Oyigbo, Eze Samuel N. Azuh, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Dr. Agala was represented at the event by the Head of Planning of the agency, Dr. Juliet Aleme.
She emphasised that increased awareness of the health insurance scheme would enable more residents to understand and benefit from the initiative, which is designed to provide access to quality healthcare services without financial hardship at the point of need.
According to her, RIVCHPP is a comprehensive health insurance scheme open to residents across the 23 local government areas of Rivers State. She noted that the programme reflects the commitment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to improving the welfare of citizens, particularly by ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare.
Dr. Agala further disclosed that both the federal and state governments have already covered health insurance premiums for a segment of the population classified as vulnerable, urging more residents to enrol and take advantage of the scheme.
In his response, the Eze-elect of Oyigbo, Eze Samuel N. Azuh (Eze Oha III), expressed appreciation to RIVCHPP and Pamo University for bringing the sensitisation and health outreach to the community. He commended the state government for sustaining the initiative and assured that his people would embrace the opportunity to enrol.
The traditional ruler, however, appealed for an expansion of the vulnerable category to accommodate more citizens. He also urged the agency to include coverage for eye-related ailments and surgical procedures in its benefit package.
Earlier, the Head of Community Medicine at Pamo University, Iriebe, Dr. Chidinma Opara, revealed that research conducted by 600-level medical students indicated low awareness of RIVCHPP programmes and poor utilisation of primary healthcare centres in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
She explained that the findings prompted the institution to collaborate with RIVCHPP to intensify awareness campaigns, particularly targeting underserved communities, to ensure wider access to the scheme’s benefits.
As part of the collaboration, a facility visit was conducted to the Pamo University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, for an on-the-spot assessment of its facilities. Discussions are currently underway between RIVCHPP and the hospital’s management to onboard the facility as a service provider for enrollees under the scheme.
The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by RIVCHPP to expand its reach and strengthen healthcare delivery across Rivers State.

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