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RSG Plans Against Impending Floods
The Rivers State Government says it has put in proactive measures to avert an impending flooding in the state.
The Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Barr. Kenneth Kobani disclosed this in Port Harcourt shortly after a stakeholders meeting on flooding in the state, which was attended by Chairmen of Local government Areas, LGAs and Permanent Secretaries of Ministries incharge of natural disaster emergency management among others.
The SSG said the meeting was to evolve strategies of managing the disaster and avert untold consequences, adding that sensitization campaign would be carried out across the state on the issue.
Kobani, warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in water ways and canals which affect free flow of water in the drainages and other outlets.
He further disclosed that flood control committees would be set up in the flood-prone LGAs, as well as state Emergency Management Authority, which would supervise directly, matters relating to natural disasters.
He pointed out that the bodies would work in conjunction with relevant Ministries and agencies charged with the responsibility of managing flood disaster.
The SSG, also disclosed that the Rivers State Government will monitor the distribution of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to avoid theft and diversion of the materials. He added that the Government will also check illegal dredging activities noting that defaulters will face the full wrath of the law.
Kobani restated the commitment of the state government to partner with relevant donor agencies such as Unital in the management of flood disasters.
The flood prone LGAs include; Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Abua/Odual, Degema, Asari Toru, Akuku Toru, Ahoada West, Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema/Ndoni LGAs.
It would be recalled that residents of most of these LGAs were displaced by a devastating flood few years ago.
Meanwhile, following imminent flood alert by the Nigerian Meterogical Agency (NiMET) the Rivers State government and local council authorities are currently synergizing and collaborating on how best to combat the devastating effects of the impending flood on lives, properties and farms.
While the state government team is headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Kobani, the councils have their chairmen in the attendance with a view to averting the pitfalls witnessed during the 2006, 2007 and 2012 floods which devastated several communities with attendant hardship on the people.
The interface between the second and third tiers of government in the state, The Tide gathered was occasioned by the complaints by the councils that they did not have the financial capacity to handle such natural disasters.
Our Correspondents who visited Abua/Odual, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada East and West councils interviewed the council chairmen and a cross-section of the people and the lamentations were virtually the same: lack of funds and infrastructural facilities to cater for the victims of the impending flood.
Issues bordering on relief materials such as food stuff, medicals, (drugs and personnel) shelter, security, water-borne diseases and financial constraints topped the agenda of the councils, most of which are relying on schools, churches and other public buildings to accommodate the victims of the impending flood.
The Tide investigations revealed that most councils have inaugurated flood management committees to oversee matters relating to the flood when it eventually surfaces.
In the four flood-prone local government areas of ONELGA, ABOLGA, AWELGA and AELGA, the committees have set out for work, sensitizing the locals on the imminent flood and the need to go for early harvest of crops to avoid total destruction.
ONELGA Chairman, Augustine Ahiamadu told The Tide that the council has commenced full sensitization of communities in the area to create awareness but appealed to the state government to bail out the council from the impending disaster as it does not have the financial muscle to battle the menace.
Ahiamadu explained that the three Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) centres located at Omoku, Egbema and Eerema will be used as camps for refugees of flood victims but appealed to the state government to release funds from the State Ecological fund to battle the menace. He also called for the dredging of Orashi and Sombriero Rivers to avert over-flow of the rivers to communities and farmlands.
The council boss contended that the way to avert the mistakes of the 2012 flood disaster was to ensure that adequate food items, security, medicals and shelter were in place to ameliorate the effect on the people.
His counterpart and Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Area, Oyiekuoto Isaac Ukwe said the council has braced up for the flood as the issues of shelter, poor sanitary condition of camps, insecurity, personnel, which were hallmarks of the 2012 flood had been addressed.
On sensitization of the people and communities prone to flood, the Chairmen stated that the council held several meetings with traditional rulers, chiefs, farmers, community leaders and the youth of 27 communities to create awareness and also set up a 12-member flood management committee to address the flood issue.
He said over 12 camps will be used to shelter victims of the flood in Abua/Odual noting that evacuation of victims will commence as soon as the council witnesses the flood.
The Tide visited the Ahoada East Local government area, and observed that construction work was on-going at a permanent site for Internally Displaced Persons which will also be used for flood victims.
Goodluck Ukwe/Taneh Beemene
The Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has unveiled measures to enthrone ease of doing business and win back the confidence of the business community.
The Director-General of the Agency, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, unveiled the plans at the Breakout Session of RSIPA at the ongoing 18th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, at the Obi Wali International Cultural Centre, in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Peterside said the agency was poised to free the state from accumulation of wrong narratives that branded it over the years as unsafe for business.
He, however, admitted that many things had gone wrong in the past where regulators joined to make the business environment difficult for investors.
He announced that the agency was rather focused on actions, solutions, and results as adopted in the mission statement of the Board.
“Our task is no mean feat. We are dealing with the perception risk that over several years branded the state as unsafe. We are also faced with the challenges of dealing with the lack of cohesion amongst MDAs, policy inconsistencies, multiple taxation, incessant harassment by miscreants, red tape and delays in obtaining operating permits, high cost of operations and opaque public sector,” he said.
“It is about listening to the investors in the field and ensuring that MDAs are carried along, hence the imperative for the setting up of our One-Stop-Center”, he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, who represented the state governor, said the Fubara administration was ready to listen to the business community to see ways of reducing impediments to investments.
He listed the stages of actions being undertaken by the governor as outlined in his 37-page blue print to revive the economy of Rivers State.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who was presented at the event as a star investor and promoter of Rivers State reputation, said for the plans of the investment promotion agency to materialize, an enabling law should replace the Executive Order that established the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency.
He said this would insulate the agency from political instability and remove fear in the minds of investors about its sustainability.
According to him, protection precedes promotion and Local Direct Investment (LDIs) is what attracts and promotes Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs).
“It is the rat at home that reveals to the one in the bush that there is fish in the kitchen”, he added.
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?The Mayor of Housing who is also the CEO of the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City said that Port Harcourt is like a business empire under lock and key because it is not protecting its own and also not promoting its own enough for investors to come in.
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?In the area of land documentation and inventory, China urged Rivers State Government to borrow a leaf from Abuja and adopt the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in dealing with land and property registration and documentation for ease of doing business.
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?He said Lagos understood the power of business information, adding “this creates the impression that if you are not doing it in Lagos, you are not doing it in Africa.
“We need to shout louder than Lagos, because we need more investments than Lagos and the structural integrity of Abuja. When you marry both, Rivers State would be wonderful and become green with investments,” he said.
In her speech, the President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, called on the state government to look into the menace of parked trucks now turning Trans-Amadi into a risk zone.
She outlined the activities of the PHCCIMA and invited investors and businesses to the Port Harcourt economic hub, saying peace has returned.
The Director, Investors Relations of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Mrs Lovina Kayode, urged Rivers State to make haste and catch up on Ease of Doing Business, saying the Council has come to help businesses in the state.
Mrs Kayode, who represented the Executive Secretary/CEO of NIPC, Aisha Rimi, commended the Mayor of Housing and his counterpart, Mr. Oliver Biedima of Rainbow Heritage Group, for their decision to invest in Rivers State, saying it is a proof that Rivers State is safe for investors and their investments.
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In his remarks, Oliver Biedemi of Rainbow Heritage Group urged government to give the private investors chance to develop the economy, saying ordinarily government does not have the funds to develop the economy.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
