News
Flood: RSG Predicts Hard Time
The Rivers State Government says, the state is in for a hard
time as flood continue to ravage some communities in the state.
Commissioner for Environment Dr. Nyema Weli who said this at
the weekend while addressing newsmen during this month’s environmental
sanitation exercise also said that government is helpless in keeping away the
water from submerging the communities.
He however said that gov ernment would continue to advise the
people in the impacted areas to move to higher grounds for their safety, while
efforts would be made to provide the needed assistance to them.
“We would be educating them on measures they can take to
help themselves, in addition to whatever help that is coming from government.
“I want to use this medium to communicate to our people that
the flooding season is not over, first thing you must do, is to make sure you
and your family evacuate and go to a higher ground, where it is safe for you”,
he said.
Meanwhile the Rivers State Ministry of environment says, the
state environmental sanitation Authority has no power to issue exemption letter
to anybody during sanitation exercise.
Speaking against the background of claims by some company
drivers especially from Onne axis, that
they have been exempted from the exercise the commissioner said that
such exemption letter must emanate from the ministry of Environment.
He also deplored the attitude of some secretary officials
particularly the police for violating sanitation rules, staressing that such
situation is not in the interest of the state.
Dr. Weli however said that the state would soon come up with
a legal fromeword that would check all unwholesome activities during sanitation
exercise.
The chairman Eleme local government area, Hon. Orji Ngofah
said that the council is working hard to ensure cleanliness in the area 33
persons were arrested during he exercise.
Following the ungoing flooding sweeping across the state,
the people of Enughan in the Abual/Odual local government area of the state has
lost their farms to the flooding.
Investigations revealed that all the communities that make
up Enughan Clan were now into forced harvesting of Cassava, yams and other farm
produce.
Beginning from Okoboh, Emabu, Obarany,Emesu, Egunughan,
Aminighoko and Owerewere, farmers were seen paddling canoes full of farm
produce.
A cross Section of
the farmers spoken to said in times past, they had time to harvest their
produce at their own pace, but now the reverse is the case.
He said most of them lost substantial parts of their farms
to the flood due to the speed with which the water was moving.
According to the Community Development Committee chairman of
Aminigboko, Mr. Chukwudi Georgewill, “hard times awaits the people” because
they have harvested and even lost a lot of farmlands and crops to the flood.
King Osila
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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