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Rivers Commissioner Promises To Boost Water Supply
President, PHCCIMA, Dr. Fmi Membre -Otaji (middle), with members of the chamber, during a thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt, recently Photo: Egberi .A. Sampson
The Rivers State Government says it inherited from the past administration only two per cent functionality of water supply facilities in the state, meaning they met virtually dry taps.
The Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Chief Ibibia Opuene Walter who disclosed this in Port Harcourt in an interview with The Tide, yesterday said the sad statistical data was contained in the handover brief by the permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Paulinus Nwakwaola.
Chief Walter who lamented the gory state of water supply in the state wondered how any administration, worth its salt would fail to appreciate the importance of water in the lives of human, animals and even plants.
That water facilities in the state functioned at about two per cent translates to the fact that the citizenry was left to search for other alternatives, namely satchet water, boreholes, or even stagnant water which health conditions could hardly be ascertained.
None, Chief Walter lamented, could imagine how many lives might have been lost through health condition caused by ill-treated water and assured that the Wike-Administration is determined to address the situation.
The commissioner said that the ministry has already set targets that would change the trend and bring relief to the people of the state.
Such targets include: To increase water supply facilities functionality in the state by 80 peer cent in the next four years, meaning 78 per cent increase by 2019; ensure the approval and inauguration of board of agencies/ parastatals of the ministry, to ensure completion of development plans for all local government areas and ensure rehabilitation of existing/ abandoned water supply schemes.
The others include, to finalise arrangements with private sector partners to undertake operations and maintenance of small town water schemes and ensure the state’s counterpart fund for the EU-NDSP and EU-UNICEF assisted small town water supply and sanitation programme in order to facilitiate the successful take off of the project in Akuku-Toru and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas.
According to Chief Walter, the Wike administration would effectively meet all loans conditions for Africa Development Bank (AFDB) and World Bank so as to commence work on the Port Harcourt/Obio/Akpor water supply project which would adequately provide for between 40-45 per cent of active Rivers population.
He called for patience among Rivers people, assuring that the Wike administration would not leave them to their fate in the area of potable water supply.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.
