News

Aleto-Eleme Bridge Collapses?

Published

8 years ago

August 11, 2017

The Omu Okulu Aleto Bridge, the major bridge linking Aleto community to Eleme in Rivers State, has reportedly caved-in.
The news of the partial collapse of the bridge in the early hours of yesterday took most people in the community by surprise.
When The Tide visited the scene, yesterday, eyewitnesses described the bridge as the conduit which takes almost all vehicles, trucks and tankers coming from Trailer Park-Eleme Junction axis of the East-West Road to companies around Eleme and Onne.
They lamented that with this development, Aleto community has been invariably cut off from Akpajo and other parts of the world, regretting that the only way left for the people to communicate with the outside world would be through the Okrika waterways.
A former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, who did not want to be named, blamed the Federal Government for the collapsed bridge, alleging that if the government paid priority attention to the total rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Eleme-Onne section of the East-West Road, the Omu Okulu bridge in Aleto, constructed in 1964, would not have collapsed.
He challenged the Federal Government to immediately put urgent measures in place to rehabilitate the bridge, and the entire stretch of the East-West Road, from Eleme Junction Interchange in Obio/Akpor to Onne Junction in Eleme Local Government Area.
Also speaking, Mike Ngofa regretted the collapse of the Omu Okulu Aleto bridge linking the community to some Eleme communities.
He noted that as a federal highway leading to some major federal industrial complexes, such as Port Harcourt Refinery, Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, Naval College, Intels, Notore Fertiliser Company, the government ought to have taken the rehabilitation of the road and bridge seriously.
Edafe Oghenebrume lamented that the caving-in of the Okulu Aleto bridge has left a dangerous trap on the major federal highway, stressing that most travellers to and from Ogoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni communities in Rivers State as well as Akwa Ibom State would now find it difficult to do so.
He also complained that most people who work in companies located around the Eleme-Onne axis of the East-West Road may have difficulty going to work, following the caving-in of the bridge.
In his remarks, another eyewitness, Friday Tobins said the partial collapse of the Aleto-Eleme bridge was a thing of shame on Nigerians civil engineers who were part of the team that designed and constructed the bridge.
Tobins, therefore, called on the Federal Government to take urgent measures to save the bridge from total collapse.
The Tide investigations reveal that some years ago, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) had carried out repair work on the bridge following discovery of weaknesses on certain sections of the bridge.
Further checks show that vehicular traffic has been redirected to the Agbonchia-Oyigbo link road, hitherto abandoned by motorists following persistent attacks and kidnapping attributed to suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The Tide investigations reveal that the Agbonchia section of the link road also has another bridge across the Okulu river, which flows through Aleto to Okrika.
As at the time of this report, last night, most vehicles plying the road, were having difficulty crossing to the other side of the road, through the only section of the bridge left.
The Tide also noticed some emergency traffic officers from the community, trying to control vehicular traffic around the bridge to forestall total collapse of the remaining section of the bridge owing to expected congestion.
All efforts to reach the Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Obari Ollormate, proved abortive, as he refused to pick several phone calls or respond to two SMS requesting for his comments on the collapsed bridge in his LGA.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

3 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor