Politics
Flood: RVHA Calls For Post-Impact Study
Following the receding of flood and the closure of various camps, Rivers State House of Assembly has directed the Ministry of Environment to conduct post impact studies on the flooding that ravaged some parts of the state.
The Assembly gave the directive after a robust debate on the report of the House joint committee on Environment and Social Welfare/Rehabilitation on flooding in the state presented by Hon. Victoria Nyeche at Tuesday’s plenary session.
The House unanimously resolved that the post flood study was important to guide future occurrence, adding that the Ministry of Water Resources was thus directed to liaise with the local government councils to provide water plants and rehabilitate existing ones in the flood affected communities.
The lawmakers accepted the recommendations of the committee that the executive set up a post flood impact committee, which should also include chairmen of the affected local government councils and Hon. Members representing the flood devastated constituencies.
Similarly, the House also directed the Ministry of Environment to immediately commence the fumigation of all the affected communities that suffered especially where the flood has dried up, in order to check the scourge of reptiles, mosquitoes and other insects inimical to the body system before the victims go back to their homes.
Announcing the rejection of the committee’s recommendation to invite the commissioner for Environment for failing to appear before the committee after several efforts, the Speaker, Rt Hon. Otelemaba Dan Amachree warned the Environment Commissioner and other commissioners who do not honour House committee invitations to stop forth with.
Rt. Hon. Amachree warned that the incident should serve as last warning to all the commissioners as the House will not tolerate any failure to honour House committee invitations because every committee has the weight of the entire House.
The speaker directed the clerk to convene the resolution of the House to the relevant authorities for necessary action even as it rejected the suggestion to summon the members of the state flood committee to brief the House on how their assignment was carried out.
Meanwhile, the House committee found out that the flood affected the entire Oru-Sangama and parts of Elem-Sangama communities, about 15 nautical miles from Soku Gas Plant in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, noting that apart from the donation of relief materials from Hon. Dawari George and Hon. Benibo Anabraba.
Legislators representing the constituency, relief materials from the state government did not get to the two communities.
The committee, however, commended individuals, corporate bodies, and groups for identifying with the plight of the flood victims noting that government alone could not have successfully handled the devastation caused by the flood and the resettlement of persons back to normal life.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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