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‘Rivers Monorail Project On Course’: As Semenitari Debunks Reports …On Lassa Fever Deaths
The Rivers State Government says its monorail project is still on course despite speculations that the project has been abandoned.
The commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Gogo Levi Charles who said this yesterday in Port Harcourt during the break-down of the 2012 budget also said that the first phase of the project will be extended to the Waterlines junction.
Charles said that the administration is also determined to complete all ongoing projects within the fiscal year.
He said that the government intends to pursue the provision of potable drinking water, and the construction of the model secondary schools of which six have been completed, while the on-going construction of model primary schools will be completed.
The commissioner also said that government would complete the 250-bed mother to child hospital, while the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) will not only be relocated to its new site, but will be transformed into a world class university.
The commissioner said that agriculture will be given its pride of place in the scheme of things with the development of the oil palm initiative, while massive road rehabilitation and construction will be vigorously pursued.
Mr Charles said that the 2012 budget which is N23billion higher than that of 2011 is predicted on a benchmark of $60 dollars per barrel of crude oil.
Improvement in federation allocation to the state owing to the return of some oil wells to the state as well as improvement in internally- generated revenue owing to the relocation of NLNG corporate headquarters to Port Harcourt.
While stressing that the board of internal revenue is being computerized to ensure efficient service delivery, Mr Charles said that the government also intends to cut down on its administrative cost this fiscal year.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has denied reports that the state recorded 48 deaths from lassa fever.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari who said this yesterday in Port Harcourt, during the 2012 budgets breakdown briefing , said that only one death was recorded in respect of Lassa Fever in the state.
Mrs Semenitari said that the state Ministry of Health has setup medical teams to deal with lassa fever in all government heath centres.
She said that government has upgraded the Gokana Water Scheme, while the Ataba Water Project has been completed, noting that the effort of the government in the provision of water to the people of the state has attracted the assistance of the World Bank.
The commissioner also said that the ban on the sale of fuel in jerry cans is to reduce scarcity of the product in the state.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, told newsmen yesterday in Port Harcourt that the decision was not aimed at hurting any specific group of people in the state.
Our correspondent reports that last month, the state government banned the sale of fuel in jerry cans in the state to check the activities of some petrol stations.
Semenitari explained that some filling stations refused to sell fuel to cars and preferred to sell in jerry cans to make more money, adding that the policy was aimed at stopping what was going on at the petrol stations.
‘’ A situation where filling stations refused to sell petroleum products to cars and were selling only in jerry cans so that they could re-sell at a premium to road users, we found to be unacceptable”.
‘’ And, we have to sometimes take decisions that will benefit the majority of the people and that decision meant that needed to stop the sale of petroleum products in jerry cans to enable cars get petrol.
‘’ It is not meant to be a long term policy. It is an intervention to change what was going on.’’
The commissioner said the state government had tried to reduce the incidence of fuel scarcity in the state.
She said the Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources had been monitoring the loading of petroleum products from various depots and fuel tank farms in the state.
She said government was determined to ensure that major road projects in the state were completed on schedule.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.