News
RSG Begins Rural Electrification …Lights Up 39 Stations
The Rivers State Government has pledged to pay more attention to the electrification of rural communities across the state.
Commissioner for Power, Hon. Michael Anwari disclosed this in an interview with newsmen during a thanksgiving service/ reception organised in his honour by the Anwuri Royal Family of Rundele in Emohua Local Government Area.
Anwuri also said that the state government was working to ensure 24 hours power supply to the Port Harcourt metropolis.
On the issue of electricity tariff, the Commissioner said that government cannot do much about tariff, stressing that the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) was privately owned and that government can only appeal to the company as far as the issue of tariff was concerned.
He stressed the need for the people of Emohua and the entire Rivers State to give their full support to the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, promising that the government will provide quality service to the people in the coming years.
Also speaking with newsmen, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Emeka Woke, commended the Anwuri family for the honour done to their son, describing the Commissioner as a brilliant fellow.
He also said that the restoration of light to the Rundele Community was in line with the New Vision programme of government.
In his welcome address, the Chairman, Ogbakor Ruonu Anwuri, Chief Christopher Anwuri, said that the familyand the entire Rundele Community were proud of the State Commissioner for Power.
Anwuri also advised youth of the community to shun quick money syndrome and other vices.
He expressed the hope that the commissioner will bring his wealth of experience, acquired over the years, to bear on his new assignment.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has commenced operation light up the roads and streets project with 39 stations already operational.
The State Commissioner for Power, Michael Anwuri, who flagged-off the campaign, told newsmen, that the project was aimed at returning Port Harcourt to its Garden City status, improve night life, as well as night vision for motorists and security personnel.
So far, he stated that the route stretching from Ikwerre Road to Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area; and Port Harcourt-Aba Express Road have been lit up while those of NTA-Mgbuoba-Ozuoba-Choba and Trans-Amadi roads are on-going.
Anwuri revealed that the street lights will be powered by generating plants stationed at specific locations with a transformer and power switch to regulate operations.
The Commissioner, however, lamented that the exercise was being frustrated by vandalism and theft of electrical installations.
“We are worried because while the project is on-going, vandals and thieves have continued to steal our equipment. Sometimes, they lay wait for our men and contractors to leave site, and they quickly remove what we have installed”, Anwuri lamented.
Anwuri called on the communities to help protect the equipment, recalling that last week at Oginigba in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Trans-Amadi, some of its armoured cables were stolen.
Stating that members of the public should either call the police or reach out to the ministry to report any incident, the Commissioner said the ministry was working with security agencies to help protect government property.
He also enlisted the support of the media to help enlighten the public, especially host communities on the need to protect government property and ensure the exercise was sustained.
In the same vein, the state Commissioner for Power has hinted that the government was working towards providing electricity to rural communities across the state in the near future.
He explained that the current economic crunch has contributed in delaying the plan, assuring that once the revenue profile of the state improves, many communities will be connected to the national grid.
John Bibor/Kevin Nengia
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.
-
News2 days ago
Obuah’s Victory Excites Former Lawmaker as APC Primaries Conclude in Rivers West
-
Politics4 days agoAPC PRIMARIES: FUBARA’S WITHDRAWAL, HISTORIC SACRIFICE FOR NATIONAL STABILITY ……. GROUP
-
News4 days agoCourt Sentences Seven To Death Over Murder Of Cleric In Rivers
-
News2 days ago
105 Nigerians Killed In S/Africa In Seven Years
-
Sports4 days agoPH Arsenal Community Set For Streets Procession, Saturday
-
Niger Delta2 days agoRoyal Father Endorses PH Arsenal Community, Pledges To Support
-
Politics4 days agoIPAC Flays INEC Over Election Guidelines Judgement
-
Politics4 days agoNDC To Adopt Electronic Voting For Future Primaries