News

I’ll Continue To Stand By Rivers People …Sets N10bn Monthly Revenue Target For RSIRB – Amaechi

Published

12 years ago

May 12, 2014

One of the burnt cars during yesterday’s Muslims, Christians clash in Kaduna State

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi says he remains fully committed to courageously defending and protecting the interest of Rivers people, come what may.
Governor Amaechi said this Saturday during the 4th Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Okrika, held at St. James (Anglican Church), Ogoloma in Okrika Local Government Area of the state.
Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, the governor stated that he has always been truthful to the people of the state and proactive in identifying critical areas of interest to the welfare and wellbeing of Rivers people.
“While we were trying assiduously to tackle the menace of militancy in 2007, we were also concerned with taking the necessary step to make sure it does not resurface in the future. This explains why we paid serious attention to the education sector,” he said, adding that the administration has always been driven by the ideology to quench an evil tendency in its toothing stage as it might be difficult to contain when it matures; hence it’s zero tolerance for cultism and other forms of violence.
The governor said there was need for the Anglican Church to review its method of administering the Holy Communion to its faithful from a single cup, in light of prevalent health issues in modern society.
Earlier, President of the Synod and Bishop of the Okrika Diocese of the Anglican Communion, speaking on the theme of the synod, “The Joy of the Cross”, observed that joy is not the absence of sorrow or difficulties, neither is it the same thing as pleasure, instead it is the deep-seated peace given by God, in spite of prevailing circumstances.
He explained that the cross displays the fact that by the act of God, life can be introduced into the house of death, light can shine in darkness and hope can be seen in despair.
The session, which also featured the launch of the synod report, also had in attendance the Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA), Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, chairmen of Okrika and Ogu/Bolo local government areas, Barr. Tamuno Williams, and Hon. Maureen Tamuno, respectively, amongst other dignitaries.
The Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has given a new revenue target to the state Internal Revenue Board (RSIRB) to hit and maintain N10billion monthly mark to cover recurrent expenditure and ongoing infrastructure development projects.
Speaking shortly after inaugurating new Chairman of the board of RSIR, Mrs. Onene Osila Obele-Oshoko on Friday in Government House, Port Harcourt, he assured her of government’s continuous incentives to ensure the board meets the new target.
He said, “If you don’t improve in the next two months, then something is wrong with the appointment. So, we believe that in the next two months, you people should work very hard, it does not require new things to improve, but to block the loopholes. If you reduce the number of touts that hang around you, you will see that you will improve.”
According to him, the new board is expected to rake-in between N9billion to N10billion monthly to cover the state’s recurrent expenditure, which has risen to N8.9billion monthly.
Besides that, he stated that the state government has numerous capital projects, including the new University of Science and Technology to be commenced next month, the ongoing Trans-Amadi Road expansion and the Dr Peter Odili/Woji/Akpajo Link Road, all of which require huge funding in order to be completed.
The governor explained that roads construction were not for political gains but to tackle the city’s growing traffic challenges, reasoning that more flyovers need to be built on the Trans Amadi Road and Dr Peter Odili Link Road to decongest Port Harcourt/Aba Road.
He added, “we are introducing two toll gates on the Dr Peter Odili Road. So, if you want to get out of Port Harcourt fast, then you have to pay us some money or alternatively follow Aba Road”.
The governor, however, congratulated the new revenue board chairperson for raising the state revenue profile, and assured her of more motivation as she improves on the current milestone.
On the other hand, Governor Amaechi has charged the State Judicial Service Commission to discharge their duties fairly without prejudice.
Shortly after swearing-in three members of the commission, he expressed the hope that the present crisis in the judiciary will be decided by the courts, and congratulated them on their appointment.
Members of the commission include, Tom Jackson Orage, Tonye Winston Lolomari, and High Chief Ambrose Nwuzi Igbokwe.

News

Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD

Published

2 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has sued for patience on the ongoing installation of the state’s new independent power project.

The Tide gathered that the 60-megawatt gas turbine project, which installation commenced in October this year, was earlier scheduled to be completed by December but suffered logistics related delays.

The governor called on people of the state to have an open mind about the project, which he said now requires a new completion date due to unforeseen challenges.

?The Tide further reports that the State’s Chief Executive who undertook an on-the-spot-assessment of the project at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area on Wednesday, said like other citizens of the state, he was also disappointed that the December completion deadline could not be met.

However, he stated that his reaction to the delay had been that of understanding rather than being angry as had been noticed, particularly on the social media.

?”You can see I’ve gone round the whole facility. It was based on the working agreement and information available at my disposal that I gave the December date. But as it is with every human endeavor, we must all have an open mind, when it comes to issues, particularly technical matters like this.

?”I am as disappointed as any other Bayelsan because I believed that we were going to celebrate the 2025 Christmas with our own independent power, but it turned out not to be so.

?”I call on Bayelsans to have an open mind. These technical experts are working virtually 24 hours, but delays like this will certainly come”, he said.

He implored the people 9f the state to appreciate the work of the engineers, stressing that a minor mistake was capable of jeopardising the millions of dollars expended on the project.

?”For 29 years Bayelsa has been in darkness or has endured epileptic power supply. Now that we are getting close to the day of liberation, some people have become impatient.

“Let us not behave like the proverbial tortoise in the prison for years that asked to be released immediately as the place was smelling the moment he knew it would regain freedom the next day”, the governor added.

?The Bayelss Governor gave a thumps up to the technical partners, Jampur Group, and its team on ground as well as the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, saying they were working round the clock to ensure the job was completed.

?”Those who have been following me on this inspection would know that work has not stopped even for one day since it started. I am sure the job is more than 90 per cent complete. So let us hold our fire.

“Engineer Olice, I am not putting you under any pressure. From the reports I have, Olice is one of the best electrical engineers in Nigeria”, governor Diri said.

The governor, however, hinted that the government was looking at inaugurating the project during its sixth anniversary in February.

The MD of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Kemenanabo, who also spoke, said the state was on the right track towards actualising the project and assured that the alignment of the entire system, including the gas generator and alternator were on course.

He also stated that the remaining two turbines would be delivered to the project site in a few days.

?Speaking on behalf of the Jampur Group, Mr. Sherrif Abu-Anif said the company was in good position to meet its own end of the bargain and appreciated the state government for playing its part very well.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

News

Akpabio Withdraws All Defamation Suits After Priest’s Sermon

Published

2 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.

Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.

He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.

“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”

In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.

In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.

Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.

Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.

The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.

With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.

News

‘Best Way To Show Gratitude Is To Deliver Tinubu in 2027’

Published

2 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.

Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.

“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”

Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.

He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.

“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.

Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.

In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.

She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.

Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.

“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.

In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.

He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.

The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.

Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.

Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.

Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.

By: Taneh Beemene