News
Protesters Shut PHED Station In Diobu
Thousands of protesters drawn from various streets in Diobu, in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area Wednesday shut down the UTC substation of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) over the epileptic power supply in the area.
The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, also expressed their outrage over the high electricity bills and extortion by officials of the company.
The protesters, who later stormed the premises of The Tide, Silverbird Television and some Radio Stations, threatened to blacklist the company in the area, warning that officials of the company will no longer be allowed into any of the streets in Diobu to collect bills.
The leader of the protesters, Mr. Chizi Ezeh, said that the company was not living up to the expectation of providing light to the people, stating that no household in Diobu will be made to pay electricity bills, if the station did not improve.
In their separate speeches, Mr. Wisdom Akpan and Hon. Innocent Jagu said that the protest was to draw PHED’s attention to the issue of poor electricity supply in the Diobu area of Port Harcourt.
They claimed that PHED has not been giving electricity to residents of the area but takes delight in extoring money from the poor people, who are forced to pay bills as high as N5,000 to N30,000 per month.
The alleged that PHED officials were found of giving the people light a day or two before serving them bills to pay.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government recently approved increase in electricity tariff across the country, just as it also acknowledged early this week that power generation has dropped to 2,450MW.
The drop in power generation, The Tide, learnt may ultimately affect the government’s goal of uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians, and undermine the power reform agenda.
Residents of Diobu protesting at Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution, station over poor power supply and high bills last Wednesday
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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