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We’ll Tackle Flooding Headlong – Wike …As PH Residents Count Losses

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Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike yesterday evening assured  residents of Port Harcourt and other flooded communities that his administration will tackle  the environmental challenge  headlong.
He empathised with all residents  affected by the flooding, assuring that  his administration  will work with  relevant agencies  to resolve  the issues thrown  up by the flooding.
Speaking  after he inspected some areas impacted by flooding caused by two days of torrential rainfall, Governor Wike directed the relevant  government  agencies  to take immediate remedial measures.
The governor inspected the flooded areas in Port Harcourt  with Julius Berger engineers  and officials of the State Ministry of Works.
He directed the continuous  de-silting of all major  canals in the  town.
Governor Wike advised  residents of Port Harcourt  to stop dumping  refuse in water channels. He said such actions lead to blockage  of  water  channels, which leads to flooding.
The governor  stressed that he will take some tough steps to ensure that the state will not experience  such devastating flooding.
Sam Ngbor, Liaison Manager of  Julius Berger Plc assured the governor  that the company will work  with the state government to resolve the challenges  posed  by the  flooding.
Meanwhile, the state government also advised the people to avoid building residential houses on natural water ways.
The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Environment, Dr. Emmanuel Urang, gave the charge while he and other Permanent Secretaries monitored the flooding situation in parts of Port Harcourt at the weekend.
Urang advised residents of the city to complement government effort by desilting the drains in their vicinities and avoid building residential houses on natural water channels.
Meanwhile, thousands of Port Harcourt residents are still counting their losses, following heavy flooding that ravaged most parts of the city and its environs.
The flooding submerged thousands of houses, roads, streets, and destroyed valuable belongings and rendered many homeless across the city.
The flooding was as a result of the heavy rains, which started in the wee hours of last Saturday, and lasted till yesterday afternoon, leaving a tell tale of agony and frustration.
Some of the worst hit areas were the Rumukalagbor, Elekahia, Nkpogu, Abuloma, Azuabie, Amadi-Ama, D/Line, some parts of Diobu, including Sangana, Bende, Uyo and Afam streets, Elioparanwo, Ogbogoro, Rukpokwu, Rumuodomaya, Mgbuoba, Rumuigbo and communities along the Ohiamini, Nta-Wogba, Waja, among others in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt local government areas.
At GRA  Phase three,  many residential and business areas were flooded. This include parts of the  mechanic village, close to the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority in Mile 3.
At the Immanuel Anglican Church, GRA Phase Three, the Vicar  in-charge, Rev Soye Young-Itiye said the flood was knee-deep and worshippers had to relocate to a  mechanic shed opposite for yesterday’s service. Young-Itiye appealed to Rivers State Government to construct  a drainage  in the area to ease the flooding in the area.
At Rumukalagbor, residents were completely displaced.
According to one of the victims, Miss Mercy Nwifii, who spoke with The Tide, houses were entirely flooded, making people to keep vigil all night as there was no place to sleep.
Narrating their ordeals, Nwifii said, “all the houses were flooded, with their properties floating on the water. We did not sleep throughout the night, as we were busy, trying to re-arrange our belongings above water level. It was a terrible experience.”
Another victim, Mr. Chinedu, Amadi, said, his electronic appliances and other belongings were destroyed by the flood.
He further disclosed that children suffered most in the disaster, but added that the adults were quick to adjust to ease the pains.
According to Chinedu, his material loss was huge, but immediately added that he was more bothered about the damage done to his intellectual property (books).
“My greatest loss is the damage done to my books, all my collection of books, has completely gone”, he lamented.
At the Ohiamini axis of Port Harcourt, residents were spotted scooping the drenching water from their houses.
One of the residents, Maria Naabura, said the debris from the flood emptied into people’s houses.
She called on the state government to, as a matter of urgency, address issues of perennial flooding in the state capital to save the residents from suffering colossal damages.
The Chapel of Victory Road that leads to Mummy B Junction at the GRA link road to Stadium Road was entirely flooded with vehicular movement heavily obstructed.
The Elekahia-Nkpogu Junction axis of Trans Amadi in Port Harcourt under construction by Ronnier Construction Company (RCC) was also flooded and impassable.
At Aba Road axis of Port Harcourt by the Nta-Wogba Creek, residents were displaced and many valuables submerged, with their property completely damaged.
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) building on Port Harcourt-Aba Road was taken over by flood, with all the vehicles packed in the premises submerged in water.
Some residents of the adjoining streets of the Aba Road axis, who spoke with The Tide blamed the flooding on the overflow of the Nta-Wogba Creek’s bank.
Others attributed the heavy flooding to the sandfilling project at Eastern Bypass, and called for proper channelling of water to the sea to reduce flooding in the affected areas.
A senior officer of the commission, who confirmed the incident, in a telephone interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said that some officers were also trapped in their various offices.
The officer, who spoke under condition of anonymity, however, said that something was being done to bring out those trapped as a result of the submerging of the FRSC premises by flood.
A visit by The Tide to the affected areas, show that apart from the FRSC premises, many houses on Sangana, Uyo, Bende and Afam Streets, parts of D-Line and GRA were submerged, while residents are now counting their losses as a result of the flood.
Some of those who spoke to The Tide blamed the situation on the overflowing of the Nta- Wogba Creek, occasioned by the two-day down pour.
Speaking with The Tide, the Chairman, Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Committee, Chinwo Town, in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Prince William Chinwo, blamed the flooding on the continuous building of structures on water rights of way.
Chinwo, also condemned the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on rivers and creeks.
He said that the continuous dredging and reclamation of land without recourse to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was harmful to the city and its environs.
According to him, people must ensure regular desilting of drainages as well as clean their surroundings.
Also speaking, another resident, Jude Uzodinma, called for the enforcement of extant environmental laws against the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainages in the city.
Uzodinma also called for laws to check the proliferation of structures along water rights of way while urging government to come to the aid of residents of Sangana and neighbouring streets, who have lost their property to the flooding.

Taneh Beemene

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Be Firm In Fight Against Oil Theft, Fubara Tells CNS …As Navy Moves Training Hqtrs To Rivers …Seizes 14 Vessels In Three Months

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has encouraged the Nigerian Navy to be firm in the fight against all forms of economic sabotage, particularly crude oil theft, in the nation’s waterways.
The Governor noted with delight the positive results already recorded by the Navy in the State due largely to the tremendous support it has received from his administration.
Governor Fubara spoke when he hosted on courtesy visit, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla with his delegation of top officers of Navy High Command at Government House in Port Harcourt,yesterday.
The Rivers State Governor stated that Nigeria was facing myriad of crises, including economic challenges, rising insecurity and criminal activities that threaten the national economy, which should not be overlooked.
He said, “We are working together, we will give you all the support to make sure that you deliver on your mandate.
”And what is the mandate? You were appointed at a time when our country is facing a lot of crises, and your duty, among others, include to reduce, if it cannot be eliminated completely, the criminalities perpetrated on the waterways; oil theft and others.
”And I am happy that they are positive and commendable records of achievement so far, in the course of your tenure.”
Governor Fubara said the good news of reduced level of oil theft in Rivers State is evidence of the many positive things that are happening in the State beyond the much hyped negativity, and assured that such positive achievements will be sustained.
The State Chief Executive insisted: “The success of the Nigerian Navy in our State, in the areas of oil theft, is because the State Government has given you all the necessary support.
”We have collaborated with the command here. We supported them morally, and with all the necessary logistics.
”We have also maintained good relationship with the communities to make sure that whatever it is that is required for these operations to be successful were granted. I am happy to be associated with these very laudable achievements.”
Governor Fubara said: “So, I have to say that I am happy that the Chief of Naval Staff, today, is commending the success of the exercise. He is commending the doggedness of the men in fighting oil theft, not just in the Niger Delta, but particularly in our State.
”I want to assure you that we will continue to give them the support, and discourage any act that would be a sabotage to the economy of our State.”
Governor Fubara said that Rivers State was not named in error: there are several water channels that can boost the operations of the Navy. This is why we are requesting that the Nigerian Navy move all its bases to the State.
”It was not a mistake they called it Rivers State. It is surrounded with all forms of rivers. You want the Atlantic region, you can get it here. You want those small creeks, you can also get it here. Maybe, if you want an Island, you can also find it here.
”So, it is proper if we work with you and you have all that is required within this geographic region, to have all your bases relocated to Rivers State,” he said.
He further said: “We must continue to give you the necessary support to make sure that you succeed. I am happy to also say that, as the Governor of the State by the special grace of God, we are still here, not minding the dramas here and there. We will not let our people down in ensuring that we protect their interest.
”We will support the genuine course of governance; the protection of lives and provision of basic amenities. And these can only be achieved when there is a peaceful environment.
”And the peaceful environment can only come when there is a collaboration with security agencies to prevent crimes, and protect lives and property of residents.”
In his address, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, reiterated that the Nigerian Navy and Rivers State are like conjoined twins who cannot do without each other.
This is because, he said, they needed collaboration on various aspects of their activities ranging from training, operations, logistics, adding that Rivers State is key to their performance.
”My purpose of coming here today are three folds. The first is to inform His Excellency that on Saturday, we are graduating a set of former civilians who have been trained at our Basic Training School, Onne, and are graduating to join the ranks of the Nigerian Navy as ratings in order to beef up our strength.
”The second reason is to first appreciate the Governor and the entire Rivers State Government for the schools they donated to us: the Ambassador Nne Krukrubo Model Secondary School at Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area, and the Model Secondary School, Egbelu in Oyigbo Local Government Area.”
Vice Admiral Ogalla stated further: “We also want to use this opportunity to inform His Excellency that following that donation, and based on our strategic plan of moving our facilities to areas where we have enough space to be able to carryout out duties, we have renovated the school at Eleme.
”We are happy to report, today, that the erstwhile location of Headquarters of Naval Training Command, Lagos, is moving to that particular school location in Eleme, tomorrow.’
Speaking on the operational successes recorded thus far, he said that propelled by the charge given to them by President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Navy, under his watch, has impounded 14 vessels caught to be conveying stolen crude oil and several other individuals arrested, adding that investigations into their culpability were ongoing.
”I am here today to report Sir, that, with the “Operation Delta Sanity”, launched in January, 2024, we have been very successful, and within the period, we have recorded tremendous successes and achievements.
”Over 14 large crude carrying vessels have been arrested within that period. Most of them are at various levels of investigation. We have also arrested several barges and other companies and organizations that are involved in oil theft.
”As a result of the operations, we are happy to report that there has been tremendous improvement in terms of security in the maritime environment,” Ogalla added.

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118 Inmates Escape As Rainstorm Destroys Niger Prison

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A heavy downpour has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, resulting in extensive damage to the facility and facilitating the escape of 118 inmates.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the spokesperson, Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Adamu Duza, yesterday.
Duza noted that the downpour which occurred on Wednesday night, caused severe damage to the custodial centre’s infrastructure, including a breach in the perimeter fence, which allowed the inmates to flee.
However, 10 fleeing inmates had been recaptured following a swift response by the NCoS in collaboration with other security agencies.
Duazu promised that efforts were ongoing to recapture the remaining fleeing inmates, adding that their database would soon be made known to the public.
Recognising the vulnerability of ageing facilities, many of which were built during the colonial era, Duza acknowledged that the NCoS was committed to modernising its infrastructure.
The statement further noted that the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, assured the public that the situation was under control and urged them to carry on with their daily activities without fear.
The public was encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or sightings of escaped inmates to the nearest security agency.
The statement read in part, “A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying parts of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of 118 inmates of the facility.
“The service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies, has so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot pursuit to recapture the rest.
“The service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era and that they are old and weak. The Service is making frantic efforts to ensure that all aging facilities give way to modern ones.
“The Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, wishes to assure the public that the service is on top of the situation and that they should go about their normal businesses without fear or hindrance.”
Meanwhile, the United States has underscored the significant challenge of overcrowding in Nigerian prisons.
The US, according to its ‘2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria,’ published on its website on Tuesday, noted that numerous correctional facilities were grappling with a staggering 50 per cent increase in the number of inmates beyond their intended capacity, revealing a systemic issue.
Furthermore, it disclosed that a notable proportion of these prisons, some with histories dating back 70 to 80 years, faced difficulties in meeting even the most fundamental standards of living.

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Rivers’ll Be Known For Peace, Not Crisis -Fubara

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.

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