Business

Empowerment And Rivers People

Published

11 years ago

July 10, 2015

Human resources re
main of primary importance to the development or growth of a nation. Development is enhanced through a continual improvement in the life of the citizenry together with rising economic index. Realistically, a country or state can look forward to a future of successful results and great satisfaction only if the signs and vision are excellent. And to actualize an excellent vision, there is need for innovation and understanding in order to best face future challenges.
This is why the Rivers State Governor, Chief (Barrister) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, acknowledges that the prosperous future of the state depends on making it economically strong and self-reliant. To realize this, he said his administration shall develop and implement an economic blueprint that leverages on our strengths to make Rivers State the industrial hub of Nigeria in oil and gas, agriculture, maritime and tourism businesses. In addition, the state’s chief executive stated that in growing and managing our economy, we will focus on poverty alleviation or reduction through job creation and expanding business opportunities for our people.
“We intend to achieve this in part, by encouraging Rivers people to participate in both the upstream and down-stream sectors of the oil and gas industry and also through a strategic engagement drive, ensure that our people benefit from the local content policy of the oil, gas and maritime industries”, he emphasised.
He further disclosed that the present administration would ensure that the fruits of development get to every part of the state, including the rural areas by implementing an integrated action plan that takes the entire state into consideration.
There are dissenting opinions that incoming or new government-federal and state are very good at making bogus promises and exaggerating their intentions for the people, which sometimes generates controversies at the end of the day among critics. With the abundance of high valuable resources bestowed on Rivers State, it is hoped that the Governor Wike-led administration would utilize the available resources to speed up or fast-track the economic growth of the state. What we witnessed during the immediate past regime in the state was a seeming exploitation and extortion of Rivers natural and human resources as well as destructive ethnic rivalries that stalled industrialization and prosperity in the state. Rivers people have not had an equal opportunity to develop in the ways that suit them. Acute or abject poverty is staring on the faces of the people and they are yearning for the alleviation of the scourge.
At a presentation ceremony of refrigerators, power generators and other empowerment facilities to members organized by an NGO, the National Clergy forum (NCF) at Igwuruta recently, the Rivers State Government said that one of its cardinal objectives is to alleviate poverty among the people through different forms of empowerment scheme.
The government, which spoke through the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Hon. Prince Obi Wali K., at the occasion, said it would partner with and support organization with the objective to fight poverty among Rivers people and commended the NCF for the bold step to help people.
Also speaking at the occasion, the National President of the NCF, Bishop Hyginus Ndukaife, said that apart from distributing equipment, the organization helps members to access loans to establish or expand their business. “We do it to help the people at the grassroots as a way of poverty reduction and to check youth restiveness among youths”, he stated.
Rivers State Chairman of the NCF, Bishop-elect Emmanuel Onyebuchi explained that the organization was a non-denominational one with a broad objective and vision to collaborate with banks in Nigeria to provide financial and material assistance to its members. According to him, the NCF aims to provide means of eradicating poverty through active grassroots participation in a financial relationship between the organization and its members.
The National Clergy Forum is registered and inaugurated both at national and state levels with a clear set of objectives which include eradication of poverty among believers and non-believers that registered through grassroots approach and provision of financial and material assistance through collaboration with banks and government agencies.
Rivers State needs rapid development now more than ever before and emphasis should be placed on poverty eradication or reduction. The people need more food and money to feed, own their houses, establish their businesses and provide standard education for their children and many others, including access to good drinking water, electricity and healthcare services.
Globally, the issue of poverty reduction has become unavoidable considering the increasing population, which means that more and more resources are being consumed and not all are renewable. Rivers people are not happy about their conditions, they must develop to assert themselves, to compete with the wealthy ones, and to create structures and institutions that can withstand the present economic trend. In short, the high poverty level and poor economic situation calls for an aggressive economic system that can meet the multi-faceted environmental, economical and social challenges militating against sustainable development in the state.
There seems to be a lack of political will to address squarely the economic challenges confronting the state as it is common in the Niger Delta region, where unchecked oil drilling and exploitation have inflicted tremendous damage on the ecosystem, health and livelihoods of the people. It is the wish of Rivers people that the present administration would make significant investments in social and economic infrastructure across the state and particularly and urgently too, build the economic capacity of the various communities to give them a sense of belonging.
Infrastructural development at the grassroots is very important in driving and sustaining the states growth momentum. The state has over the years built the human capacity and expertise to package and support the government to put in place the right infrastructure deals that would deliver value to the majority of Rivers people and support economic growth.
It is believed that the Wike-led administration recognizes the significant efforts and foundations already laid in this direction to showcase the state’s infrastructure investment, so it now behoves it (government) to critically increase the required finance and industrial base to develop and implement the state’s unparalleled infrastructure investment opportunities to tackle poverty among the citizenry.
It is also pertinent that the government creates a more conducive environment for both foreign and local investors. This has been a major challenge facing the state due to insecurity and lack of steady electricity supply.
This government should create an enabling environment where manufacturers could operate at optimal level and turning out quality products. All the moribund government companies should be revived and repositioned with innovations that could appeal to different segments of the society, including the youth and women.
There is a great need for full inclusion of the youth in our new approach to development if we must move forward.
The truth is that most indigenes of Rivers State are finding it hard to cope with the daily rising economic hardship and inflation due to the fact that prices of commodities have gone through the roof and out of their reach coupled with low cash flow into their hands, thereby escalating the crime rate. Something should be done urgently. Over 85 per cent of Rivers people are living below the poverty line and they need a rescue from the present administration.

Shedie Okpara

Business

Bayelsa To Spend N1.24trn As Diri Presents 2027 Appropriation Bill …Works, Education, Sports, Others Gulp Lion’s Share

Published

1 day ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has presented the 2027 Appropriation Bill of the State to State House of Assembly.
Christened the ‘’Budget of Assured Prosperity for Sustainable Growth and Development”, the appropriation bill was based on a projected revenue of N1,242, 688,970,520,22.
The Governor said the 2027 proposals were derived from broad stakeholder engagements involving traditional rulers, technical experts, the organised private sector and citizens across the state, noting that it was a historic budget being the first as the state was beginning its fourth decade and presented at a time sustained investments were visible in all the local government areas.
“Our fiscal priorities remain clear: roads and bridges that connect communities, better health and education services, reliable power and an environment in which businesses and families can thrive”, he said.
Presenting the estimates, governor Diri said N840.791 billion representing approximately 68 per cent was proposed for capital expenditure while recurrent expenditure was put at N401.897 billion representing approximately 32 per cent.
He observed that the proposed budget was approximately 22 per cent larger than that of the 2026 fiscal year, which was N1.016 trillion, just as he listed some strategic projects that would continue to receive priority attention in 2027, saying they were all at advanced stages of completion.
The projects according to the governor, include the Ekeremor–Agge Road Phase I, Nembe–Brass Road Phase I, Akaba–Ayakoro Road with spur to Otuegwe 1, Glory Drive Phase 3, Agbere-Elemebiri Road, the 30,000-seater stadium at Igbogene, and the nine-storey state secretariat complex.
The governor expressed the conviction that with work progressing on the three senatorial roads, all local government headquarters would be connected to the state capital and boost socio-economic activities across the state.
“With work progressing on all senatorial causeways, we are moving closer to an ambition our people have held since the creation of the state: to connect the capital to every local government headquarters and open up access to our coastal communities. This will boost fisheries, marine and blue economy enterprises, and tourism.
“These projects demonstrate that our beautiful terrain should not limit our ambition. With resolve, sound planning and prudent management, Bayelsa is building what many once thought were impossible”, he added.
Giving a breakdown of the sectoral allocations, Works and Infrastructure got the lion’s share of N422.84 billion followed by Education ¦ 126.97 billion and Sports ¦ 68.50 billion.
Also, Health was allotted ¦ 53.32 billion, Security N24 billion, Public Utilities N22.94 billion and Agriculture got N17.74 billion.
Diri charged the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to enforce coordination, transparency and accountability and ensure effective implementation of the budget.
According to him, government would continue to improve its model schools, support accreditation of programmes in tertiary institutions, strengthen science and technical education and introduce digital learning tools in schools.
He added that the administration would pursue the upscaling of its 60 megawatts independent power plant to 100 megawatts and prioritise water provision in 2027.
He also remarked that the allocation to the sports sector would enable government accelerate work on the stadium project as the state prepares to host the National Sports Festival.
In his remarks, Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Michael Ogbere, commended Governor Diri for the successful implementation of the 2026 budget, and appreciated him for his visionary leadership.
Hon. Ogbere described Diri as a peace maker, bridge builder and a leader who has constructed roads and bridges across 80% of all communities in the state, expressing confidence that the projects outlined were achievable.
The Deputy Speaker assured the governor of the 7th Assembly’s support and speedy passage of the budget while the Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou, moved a motion for the members to pass a vote of confidence on Governor Diri and the administration, which was unanimously endorsed by the lawmakers.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Business

NNPC Targets Two Million Bpd Productions In 2027

Published

1 day ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has said that ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector have lifted national crude oil production by 600,000 barrels per day, from about 1.2 million barrels per day to 1.8 million barrels per day.
According to the company, the improvement has strengthened Nigeria’s position as a destination for international energy investment.
Group Chief Executive Officer ( GCEO) of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, made the remarks last week at an Energy Talk titled “Nigeria’s Reform Agenda: Competing for Energy Capital”, moderated by John Defterios, Chairman, MENA, APCO, at the 2026 Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Ojulari linked the production growth to the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, an improved investment climate, better investment decisions, and stronger collaboration between NNPC Limited and its partners.
He said the current output level is a milestone in NNPC Limited’s journey towards its 2 million barrels per day target by 2027.
The Company, he explained, is focused on maintaining infrastructure, protecting base production, increasing output from existing assets, and advancing new projects designed to lift production further.
“The figure of 1.8 million barrels per day is a stage in a journey towards our objective.
We are concentrating on the basics, which are maintaining our infrastructure, protecting base operations and executing the projects that will take production higher,” Ojulari stated.
On the domestic market, the GCEO said the removal of petrol subsidy has been accompanied by an expanded Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) programme.
He noted that over 400 CNG conversion centres have been established, while more than 1,000 trucks are transporting petroleum products

Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Business

SEREC Demands Independent Forensic Audit Of NIMASA CVFF Funds

Published

1 day ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has call for an independent forensic audit of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), following conflicting claims over the management and currency status of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).
The centre said the controversy surrounding the fund had reinforced its earlier concerns about transparency, accountability and the possible erosion of contributions through currency conversion and administrative decisions.
In a reaction titled, “Cocks Crow at Dawn — On the CVFF Audit Crisis,” forwarded by SEREC’s representative, Eugene Nweke, the organisation said the latest revelations had vindicated its earlier calls for a comprehensive examination of NIMASA’s accounts from 2004 to date.
SEREC said former NIMASA Director-General, Temisan Omatseye, had disclosed that dollar-denominated contributions were converted into naira and invested in fixed deposits during his tenure, while the incumbent Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, maintained that the fund remained in dollars with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The organisation said the conflicting accounts raised questions about the actual value, location and management of the fund, which was to provide financing support established for indigenous shipowners under the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act.
It argued that shipowners, as contributors to the fund, deserved documentary evidence showing how much had accrued, where the money was domiciled, the interest generated and the amount currently available for disbursement.
SEREC also warned that converting dollar contributions into naira exposed the fund to significant foreign exchange losses, given the depreciation of the local currency over the years.
According to the organisation, if the contributions were converted into naira and retained in that currency, the fund could have suffered a substantial erosion in its real value, undermining its original objective of strengthening indigenous shipping capacity.
It maintained that the CVFF was contributors’ money and should not be treated as government largesse, stressing that shipowners had a legitimate right to demand accountability.
The centre further criticised maritime industry stakeholders, particularly shipowners’ associations, for allegedly prioritising access to the fund over sustained demands for transparency in its management.
SEREC insisted that no disbursement should take place without a comprehensive forensic audit to establish the fund’s financial history and current position.
It said the audit should cover all contributions, currency conversions, investments, accrued interest and administrative transactions relating to the fund from 2004 to date.
The organisation said the findings would provide the necessary clarity on the financial position of the CVFF and help restore confidence among indigenous shipowners seeking access to the facility.

Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos