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FG Begins Aquatic Weeds Clearing In 25 States
The Integrated Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds Project of Federal Ministry of Environment says that it has started the removal of invasive aquatic weeds in 25 states.
The Coordinator of the Project, Mr Simon Ighodaro, said this while speaking with the journalists in Abuja.
He said that the project, which involved the removal of aquatic weeds from the country’s waters, had begun in Lagos, Ogun , Kwara, Ondo, Imo, Abia, Bayelsa and Benue states, among others.
Ighodaro said that the states were chosen because of the peculiar challenge they were facing in dealing with the menace of invasive aquatic weeds.
He said that the project would remove aquatic weeds from the water surfaces and convert them into organic manure that would be used to boost agricultural production in the country.
The coordinator said that about 50 communities in different states had been empowered with tools like cutlasses and other equipment, while they were also educated on how to control aquatic weeds.
Ighodaro also said that the five-year project would come to an end in December this year, adding that the empowered communities were, nonetheless, expected to carry on with the weeds’ clearing after the end of the project.
He described aquatic weeds as water pollutants which reduced the level of the oxygen in the water, thereby causing the death of fish, among other harmful effects.
He said that the weeds also hindered the free flow of water.
In a related development, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Robert Enogha says the ministry is working to procure water weeds harvesters to make the state’s waterways and creeks navigable.
Enogha told newsmen in Yenagoa recently that the clearing of the waterways and creeks would make them navigable all through and promote the economic growth of the state as it would boost agricultural activities and tourism.
He said the ministry had the exclusive responsibility to maintain the waterways and ensure the clearing of water hyacinths and other weeds in the rivers and creeks within the state to ease marine transportation and other voyages.
The commissioner said that the government was in the process of procuring a water weed harvester to remove the menace from the water front, including the Ogbia waterways, when the equipment arrived.
According to Enogha, the menace of water hyacinths hinders navigation on the rivers and creeks in the state, especially during the flood season in August, September and October, when the tide is usually high.
He also said that in some communities in the interior of Southern-Ijaw, Ekeremor and Ogbia Local Government Areas, the river remained the major source of potable water for the people.
Enogha expressed concern that even the river had been polluted through the activities of multi-national
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PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
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Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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