News

SEEFOR Spends $24m In Rivers

Published

7 years ago

August 22, 2018

The World Bank says, over $24million has so far been spent to implement the State Employment and Expenditure Results (SEEFOR) budget of 2017 in Rivers State.
The World Bank Tax Team Leader, Mr. Paminder P.S. Brar disclosed this, last Monday, in an interview with journalists in Port Harcourt.
According to him, the $24million was part of $79million budgeted for Rivers State in three years.
Brar said the $79million was expected to run for a period of three years in Rivers State, adding that with the sum expended thus far, the state was the biggest beneficiary among the SEEFOR participating states in Niger Delta region.
“We are here as part of the SEEFOR’s implementation support mission.
“The SEEFOR’s projects across the four participating states in three years are estimated at $270million, which Rivers State is the biggest beneficiary.
“The amount of money allocated to Rivers State is $79million and the money spent last year for the state was $24million”, Brar disclosed.
The World Bank Tax Team leader also disclosed that the bank supported SEEFOR projects in Port Harcourt Polytechnic with N500million for renovation of buildings and provision of equipment to run technical and vocational training in the state.
He said the full session of the technical and vocational training was billed to commence in September, 2018, adding that another team from World Bank would be expected in October and November to inspect the level of development of the project in the state.
The World Bank leader expressed satisfaction with the level of achievements by SEEFOR in the state, and promised to increase the number of starter-parks for the trainees of the Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic in Bori.
Speaking, the Rivers State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Isaac Kamalu commended the effort of SEEFOR in the state, saying that some schools in the state have been revived to encourage skills acquisition through the World Bank programme.
He expressed optimism that the gesture would boost self-employment in the state in the nearest future.
The commissioner reiterated the state government’s support as partner in the programme to achieve set goals in the development of the state.
Kamalu thanked the World Bank representative for the acceptance of the state’s request to increase the number of starter-parks in accordance with the number of the trainees in the state.
On his part, the state Coordinator of SEEFOR, Mr. Kelsius Amos said the organization has achieved over 70 per cent of its target in some development areas across the four participating states in Niger Delta.
He expressed optimism that the organization would meet its target for the state by 2019 when the programme would end in the state.
Amos called on the youth to make good use of the opportunity provided them to better their future.
He said the programme that was about to start in Port Harcourt Polytechnic would be of good benefit to the youth and elders of the state, irrespective of the education level.
The SEEFOR coordinator also commended the state government for its support to achieve people-oriented projects in the state.
It would be recalled that the World Bank Tax Team was in the state last Saturday as part SEEFOR implementation support mission to ascertain the level of projects in line with the budget for the state.

Enoch Epelle

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

12 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

13 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

13 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.