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Rivers

Wike’s Road Projects Excite Stakeholders

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10 years ago

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Stakeholders across the
divide have expressed excitement over the numerous world-class road infrastructure development projects embarked upon by the Rivers State Government in the 23 local government areas of the state within the last one year.
Speaking in an interview with The Tide shortly after flagging-off construction work on the dualisation of the Saakpenwa-Bori Road, President, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Legborsi Pyiagbara, said that the commencement of the construction work on the road would not only assuage the feeling of marginalization of Ogoni people, but will reassure them that the Wike administration will not abandon any of the promises made to the people during the electioneering campaign period.
The MOSOP president said that the road project would no doubt create thousands of direct and indirect new job opportunities for Ogoni people, and charged them to take advantage of the construction work to better their livelihoods by actively supporting the two tiers of government to deliver genuine dividends of democracy to the people.
Also speaking, Chairman of Ogoni Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, and former Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Gbenemene Tai, HRM Godwin Giniwa, described the project as a welcome development as it will alleviate the suffering of the people, and challenged the contractor handling the project to ensure completion of the road in record time, and within design specifications.
Similarly, Caretaker Chairman of Tai Local Government Area, Hon. Belekalo Sua lauded the vision of the Wike administration for initiating the project, noting that, “It will improve the economy of the area from Ogoni to Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro people.”
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Works, Bathuel Iheanyichukwu Harrison, explained that the Saakpenwa-Bori-Kono road stretches 16.077kilometres in length and 7.3metres width on both sides, with median of 2.0metres, and would become the first-ever dual carriage way connecting three Ogoni local government areas of Tai, Gokana and Khana to other local government areas of the state.
The commissioner said that the project would boost business and social activities in that critical part of the state, and assured that the Wike-led government would leave no stone unturned to complete the road with the agreed timeframe, and tasked the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) to comply strictly with all terms of the contract, and deliver the project to serve the people for which it is meant for.
Earlier, the works commissioner had given details of some other road projects undertaken by the Wike administration, especially in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor local government areas, and added that the premium placed on construction of roads was to fast-track the development process in the state.
Iheanyichukwu listed road projects to include the 14-kilometre Rumuokurusi-Eneka-Igwuruta Dual Carriage Road connecting Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway. and East-West Road in Obio/Akpor to Airport Road through Igwuruta, in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The works commissioner further listed other roads to include the 6–kilometre Rumueprikom-Rumuolumeni Road, the 3.5-kilometre Elioparanwo Road, the 12-kilometre Tam David West Boulevard, and Mogho/Bodo Road.
The rest are the Eliozu-Rumunduru-Elimgbu (Oro-Igwe) Road, Rukpokwu-Eneka Road, the former SARS (Nelson Mandela) Road at Rukpokwu, now renamed Sir Celestine Omehia Road, Rumuagholu  Road, as well as Azikiwe and Bishop Okoye streets.

 

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

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Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.
Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.
She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.
“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.
Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).
Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.
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Youth Body Condemns Killing Of Member … Demands Immediate Suspension Of Bike Operation

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta,  Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.
The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.
According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.
The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.
It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.
The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.
It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.
Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.
It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.
While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.
The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.
As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.
By: King Onunwor
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NDDC, REA Seal Pact On Sustainable Electricity Expansion In N’Delta

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.
The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.
Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”
According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.
The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.
“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.
He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.
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