News

RVHA Backs Down On Move To Sanction Commissioners …Sets Up Committee To Wind Down 7th Assembly

Published

11 years ago

May 20, 2015

The Rivers State House of Assembly, for the second time, barked but could not bike after four persons subpoenaed by the legislators could not show up at the seating last Monday.
The House, in its seating penultimate Tuesday, had threatened to issue warrant of arrest to government officials who refused to honour the House’s invitation, but surprisingly, the legislators could not act as they threatened after five out of the nine they invited could not show up last Monday.
Four commissioners, Hon Augustine Wokocha, Emmanuel Chinda, Victor Tambari Giadom and Mrs Ibim Semenitari and the Chairperson of the state Internal Revenue Service, Mrs Obele Ochoko Osila responded to the invitation.
But the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, Health, Sampson T.Parker, Transport, Hon George Tolofari, the Accountant General, and the chairman, Assembly Service Commission,Omubo Pricewill could not make it to the House, seating on Monday.
Earlier, the Leader of the House, Hon Chidi Julius Lloyd had informed the House that the Accountant General, the Commissioner for Finance and Health Commissioner, sent words to the leadership that they were in Abuja attending state assignments.
Hon Lloyd also regretted that those invited had last week submitted their briefs but were unable to make them available to members due to their crowded engagements.
The commissioners were, however, requested to give highlights of how they spent funds allocated to their various ministries.
Addressing the House, the Commissioner for Power, Hon Augustine Wokocha said the ministry was on a mission to stabilize power supply in the state, stating that the power sector in the state has been positioned.
He noted that the ministry was able to build more sub stations and power lines in the state.
According to him, ‘’ we delivered Afam power station and built three transmission stations at Afam, Rumuosi and Elelenwo’’, to service those areas.
He disclosed that N70 billion was earmarked for the project but the ministry received only 30billion.
‘’ Eight sub stations were built and 200 transformers were installed in different parts of the state capital’’, he said.
The Chairman of the Internal Revenue Service, Mrs Obele Ochoko Osila, in her submission, said the commission was able to create foundation and built system that will continue to generate revenue for the state.
She noted that people now pay taxes due to the power given to the service, as she commended the legislators for granting the service autonomy.
The Commissioner for Works, Hon Victor Giadom, explained that the ministry constructed 306 roads between 2011 and now.
He said out of the 306, the ministry was able to complete 118 roads while the rest are at different stages of completion.
According to him, ‘’ The ministry was able to complete 22 dual carriage roads which have helped ease off traffic in the city of Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Emmanuel Chinda, informed the House that the ministry’s mandate was to ensure food production and security in the state.
While explaining reasons some persons from Khana Local Government Area were yet to get their agricultural loan, Chinda said the ministry has egibility criteria to access the loans.
According to him, “They have loans and grants given to the people within the past years”.
In her submission, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari said that her ministry was a service ministry and not project-driven, , explaining that the ministry had to collaborate with the Nigeria Union of Journalists to build a Press Centre for the Union.
She noted that the Press Centre would also House a Resource Centre, adding that the ministry was able to purchase modern Rotary Machine for the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Publishers of The Tide Newspapers, procured Outstation Van for Radio Rivers, but could not carry out similar project for Rivers State Television due to lack of funds.
Meanwhile, the Assembly has set up a committee to wind down the 7th Assembly, preparatory to the official handover to the 8th Assembly on the 29th May.
The Speaker, who announced the committee, noted that the idea was to ensure smooth and peaceful transition as required by law.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon Leyii Kwanee, who presided over the seating on Monday announced Okechukwu Akara as the chairman of the valedictory session, Hon Onari Brown will head the strategy committee while Hon Golden Chioma will serve as the chairman of winding down committee.
Kwanee also announced the Deputy Leader, Hon Ewor Nname Robson as the chairman who will coordinate all the committees to ensure that everything was in placed.

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.