News
RSG Commences LG Audit Exercise
The Rivers State Ministry of Local Government Affairs, has commenced audit of local government councils across the state with a directive to make available their nominal rolls and salary wage bills.
Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon Samuel Eyiba, who said this during a visit to Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, stressed that allocation to councils have to be well utilised.
He said the essence of the visit was to ascertain the number of personnel and their activities, saying, without them, the councils cannot perform and funds must be translated into projects.
He, therefore, solicited for the cooperation of council authorities so that the exercise would achieve its objectives.
Hon Eyiba requested that nominal rolls, salary wage bills of councils be made available to the Ministry so that they could be properly guided, and commended the chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Hon Raymond Nwokuha for improving the security of the area.
The commissioner used the visit to inspect some of the road projects executed by the council, and commended Hon Nwokocha for the quality of the projects.
The projects included the Ibewa Internal Road, two-storey administrative block containing more than 48 office spaces.
Hon Eyiba further challenged the chairman not to relent in the good work he was doing by ensuring that no project was abandoned before leaving office.
On his part, Hon Nwokocha intimated the commissioner that the administrative block was exclusively built for civil servants and would be completed before March this year.
Commenting on the 1.8km Ibewa Internal Road, Hon Nwokocha stated that the project was constructed within six months at the cost of N120 million, while assuring that his administration would not incur debt for the next administration.
He disclosed that the Erema Motorpark was a constituency project by the leader of the Legislative Assembly, Hon Uzah Douglas, and would be completed since the second payment had been made to the contractor.
He further disclosed that so far, his administration had put in place one or two projects in each ward in the LGA to ensure that the people enjoy the dividends of democracy.
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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