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Floods: Rivers Protests ‘C’Rating …Ikuru Says, 164 Communities sacked, 670,582 Homeless
The Rivers State House of Assembly has rejected the category
‘C’ rating ascribed to the state by the Federal Government on its list of flood
ravaged states in the country.
In a unanimous resolution, the House after deliberations on
a motion brought by six members and presented by Hon Nname Ewor, on Wednesday,
questioned the criteria used in the allotment of category ‘C’ by the Federal
Government without visiting the state.
Speaker, Rt Hon Otelemaba Amachree urged the Federal
Government to explain how the flood which is ravaging more Rivers communities
daily came under category C, instead of placing it properly.
The Tide last Monday reported that the Federal Government’s
categorisation of states, affected by the floods in A,B,C and D, with grants
ranging between N500million and N250million.
Category A states which include Oyo, Kogi, Benue, Plateau,
Adamawa, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra will receive N500 million each.
The B category comprising of Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna,
Niger, Nasarawa, Cross River, Taraba, Imo, Lagos and Edo will receive N400
million each.
The C category which has Kwara, Katsina, Gombe, Ogun, Ondo,
Ebonyi, Abia and Rivers will receive the sum of N300 million each.
The last category, which is D, with Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara,
Yobe, Enugu, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom Borno, Osun states and the Federal Capital
Territory will receive N250 million.
Rivers State as placed in category C for a N300million
relief grant, a gesture which the law makers consider inadequate in view of the
level of devastation.
The Assembly said the number of displaced communities was on
the rise, noting that six local government areas have already been submerged as
the flood covered roof tops, and
wondered how Bayelsa State, which share similar volume of water could be two
steps ahead of Rivers.
They advised the state government to find out how the
federal authority arrived at the faulty categorization, pointing out that while
what the people are facing is a natural disaster which magnitude should be
correctly stated.
The resolution urged the federal and state governments to
quickly intervene and save lives of people affected by the flood, stressing
that the authorities should assist in evacuation of people to avoid losing more
lives.
Hon Amachreee, therefore directed the House committee on
Environment and Social Welfare and Rehabilitation to visit the affected
communities and report back to the House within one week while sympathising
with the displaced and bereaved families.
In his contribution, Hon Augustine Ngo said local government
areas of Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogbia/Egbema/Ndoni, Abua/Odua that
constitute the entire Orashi region have been displaced with over 300,000
families affected.
He explained that the displaced persons need food, shelter,
clothing and mattresses as well a medical facilities to assist the victims of
the natural disaster, adding that the flooding, which started in the northern
states was now emptying into the Niger Delta areas.
Meanwhile, a total of 670,582 persons have been displaced by
ravaging flood in the state.
The state Deputy Governor and Chairman, Rivers State
Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, Engr Tele Ikuru, yesterday said
43 communities were affected in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, 25 in Abua/Odual, 26 in
Ahoada East and 70 in Ahoada West Local Government areas.
The Deputy Governor also announced the commencement of flood
victims evacuation in the affected four local government areas of the state to
the temporary rehabilitation camps to ameliorate the sufferings.
Engr Ikuru, who expressed concern over the hardship
unleashed by the flood, assured the people that government would ensure that
the situation is urgently addressed to alleviate their plight.
However, relief materials have been distributed in enormous
quantities to the victims in one of the camps in Ahoada West. Relief materials
distributed in Ahoada West include, food, cloths, drinking water, mobile
clinics to address health challenges and tents.
Engr Ikuru urged the victims to conduct themselves properly
and in most orderly manner, and assured them of adequate security, saying that
more security operatives would be sent to the area to avoid unnecessary
criminality in the area.
Enoch Epelle
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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