News

2000, N’ Delta Communities Get EU Projects

Published

13 years ago

April 5, 2013

A total of 2,000 Niger Delta communities are currently benefiting from the European Union (EU) supported Micro Projects Programme in the nine states of the area (MPP9),

The Minister of National Planning and Economic Development, Dr Usman Shamsuddeen, disclosed this yesterday in Port Harcourt during the launching of the implementation of MPP9 in Rivers State.

Dr Shamsuddeen, who was represented by the secretary, National Planning Commission, Mr Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo, said the EU-supported programmes had successfully provided some communities with socially and economically relevant micro-projects that had contributed to the reduction of poverty in the states, thereby assisted in curtailing restiveness.

He explained that the MPP9 was designed to work with reform – minded local government areas where the authorities are ready and willing to cooperate in implementing micro-projects in a transparent manner.

According to him, the Financing Agreement for the MPP9 was signed in 2008 with a total budgetary allocation of €71.5 million (Euros).

Out of the amount, the EU is to provide €45.5 million while the beneficiaries are to provide the balance of €26 million as a mark of commitment and ownership.

The minister said the lessons learnt in the implementation of the MPP3 and MPP6 projects were brought to bear in the articulation of the MPP9 to attain greater service delivery.

The EU Ambassardor, Dr David Macrae said the launching of 100 micro projects in Rivers State alone covered water projects, educational blocks, civic centres, open and locked up markets, cassava and palm oil processing mills.

Dr Macrae explained that the European Development Fund (EDF) contribution to the construction of these projects was estimated at over N500 million while the Niger Delta Support Programme (NDSP) would be coming soon to inject about N9.23 billion to the region with Rivers State as major beneficiary.

“The progress we are recording has been made possible through the support and commitment of the state and local governments in Rivers State, and we look forward to this fruitful relationship as we move to the future”, EU Ambassador said.

He noted that interactions with stakeholders at various stages of the project had led to deep cross fertilization of ideas that would strengthen the sustainability of the projects.

According to him, the progress towards good governance and democracy was encouraging, and we hope that working with the state and local government administrations will continue far into the future.

bringing along it mutual benefits.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Gogo Levi Charles, said the MPP9 programme is a development strategy aimed at transforming the rural communities in line with developmental aspirations of the rural people.

Mr Levi Charles said a total of 100 projects have been earmarked for implementation in 13 local government area of the state with 44 projects at advanced stages of completion while work on the remaining 56 projects will commence soon.

The Commissioner lauded the Governor for allowing fruitful collaboration between the state and its development partners as it jointly delivers development to the people of the state.

Launching the programme, the State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, represented by his Deputy, Tele Ikuru, said the State government had made giant strides in education and would soon achieve uninterrupted power supply.

He urged the operators of the programme to ensure that the projects meet standards, saying that the State government’s Primary Schools are of internationals standard.

John Bibor

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.