News

Senate To Conclude Action On PIB

Published

13 years ago

January 11, 2013

The Nigerian Senate has described as unfounded the statements from some quarters, insinuating that the Senate has no plans to treat or pass the Petroleum Industry Bill which is currently on its second journey to the chambers.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Solomon Ita Enang during a chat with Senate correspondents yesterday in Abuja expressed the Senate’s readiness to conclude actions on the bill as soon as the lawmakers resume from Christmas break.

Senator Enang who also intimated the correspondents on the activities of the Senate from September to December last year and also on activities in focus for the Senate for 2013, said the Senate would on resumption also consider the reports on Dana Crash, Fuel Subsidy probe, Niger Delta Development Commission 2013 Appropriation Act, Public Procurement Act, among others.

On the PIB, Senator Enang said that the people who had believed that forces, local and international, were working against the Petroleum Industry Bill and may mar the passage of the bill are just expressing their personal feelings, adding that all the issues raised in the media concerning the Bill would be considered when deliberation of the Bill for second reading comes up.

His words, “A bill sees the light of the day when it is listed on the floor of the Senate to be considered. So the contributions that are being made by senators intended to heighten interest in the bill, enlighten the public more and we also thank the media for their contributions. All these, we will take account of when considering the Bill for second reading.”

He confirmed that the Executive submitted the budget of Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), to the National Assembly while responding to questions.

“I had mentioned earlier that the president submitted to all of us and to the National Assembly along with the National budget, the budget of the statutory corporations.

“And this is one of the things we will give priority to as we resume. And budget of SEC and others are contained here. What we said in that clause of the bill which we have forwarded is that there should not be any implementation except as would be approved. Just an emphasis,” he said.

The House of Representatives had earlier declined passage of the 2013 budget of SEC pending the action of President Jonathan on their resolution for the sack of the SEC Director General, Ms Arumah Oteh.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business said the Senate had between September and December, 2012 received a total of 163 new Bills. This consists of 25 Executive Bills while the rest are private member (Senators) Bills.

Enang further explained that 32 bills were read for the second time and referred to the relevant committees.

According to him, some of the passed bills include; 2013 Appropriation Bill, The National Automotive Council Act (Repeal and Re-enactment), The Money Laundering Act (Amendment), Terrorism Act (Amendment), The Prison Act (repeal and re-enactment)

Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has cancelled the ongoing opinion poll on the autonomy of the local government.

According to a press statement from the office of the Special Adviser to the Deputy Senate President on Media Matters, Uche Anikwe the cancellation was necessitated by the need to preserve the integrity and credibility of the process as there are attempts by some persons to manipulate the ongoing SMS and online opinion poll on key issues in the present constitution amendment project.

According to the statement, there is a text message currently being circulated across the country claiming that the Senate is presently voting on a Bill aimed at carving out some large portions of land in certain parts of the country as grazing reserves for the Fulanis.

The text message therefore invites Nigerians to send “NO” response to 20052 which is the same short code being used by the Committee to poll the opinion of Nigerians on issues in the constitution review.

Condemning the act, the Senate Committee urges Nigerians to disregard the SMS as it is a mere devious propaganda to manoeuvre the outcome of the efforts of the Committee to ensure popular participation by Nigerians in the constitution amendment project.

The Senate Committee also advised Nigerians to be vigilant and only respond to the questions advertised by the Committee in the mass media.

Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.