News
Flood Relief: RVHA Decries Rivers’ Exclusion …As RSWA Bill Scales First Reading
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday decried the exclusion of the State among the 15 States that received relief materials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) following flooding that ravaged some states early this year.
Miffed by what the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said amounted to discrimination against Rivers State, the House resolved to invite NEMA in order to be briefed on why the State was excluded to benefit from the relief materials.
Motion on the matter was raised by Hon. Tekena Granville representing Asari-Toru Constituency 1, who expressed sadness that despite being hit by flooding sometime in April this year, the State supposed to have benefitted from the NEMA relief effort.
While he commended the effort of the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike who after tour and inspection of the affected communities donated relief materials, the lawmaker expressed sadness that the federal agency neglected the State.
According to Hon. Granville, the situation is made worse by the fact that many coastal communities that face perennial flooding, as a result of their location were also neglected.
The lawmaker as part of the motion prayed that the House among others compel the federal authorities to include Rivers State in the N1.6billion NEMA relief programme.
He also sought for the setting up of a state taskforce on flood control which will liaise with NEMA in the future to tackle flood problems in the state.
The motion sparked off series of debates by the lawmakers. Opposition lawmakers who include member representing Port Harcourt Constituency 1, Victoria Nyeche and that of Gokana Constituency, Dr. Innocent Barikor had called for the setting up of a commission referred to as Climate Change Commission.
Nyeche specifically argued that there was no need for a taskforce, but that proactive measures on flooding should be put in place, as she claimed that her constituents in Nkpogu did not benefit from the last state sponsored relief materials provided to flood victims.
After taking votes on the floor over the matter with majority supporting the motion, the Speaker declared that, “the Federal Government is duty bound to protect our interest”, while insisting that “there should be no discrimination of any sort by NEMA in the distribution of relief materials”.
The Speaker recalled that early this year after the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predicted that there will be flooding, Rivers State was the foremost state hit by the disaster, “I believe that the motion is key because the welfare of our people is very important to us”.
At its plenary last Wednesday, the House passed the bill seeking to establish the Rivers State Waterways Authority (RSWA) at its first reading.
The Speaker held that the bill will control and prohibit indiscriminate building on waterways when passed into law.
The bill is expected to address the establishment and composition, tenure of office, removal and remuneration of the governing board of the agency and others.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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