Business

Still In Projects’ Business: The NEW Example

Published

8 years ago

September 3, 2018

It was our Lord Jesus Christ who declared in Luke 9:62 that : “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God”. This is the guiding principle of Nigeria’s best performing governor , Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
Despite the electioneering period, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has continued the funding and delivery of key projects in different parts of the state.
The governor remains committed to the completion of ongoing projects in the interest of the people of the state. In Rivers West and Rivers South-East Senatorial Districts, key projects are ongoing to improve the living condition of the people.
Speaking on projects delivery recently, Governor Wike said that his administration will never abandon any project because the revival of Rivers State is more important than any other consideration.
The governor said that the reason why he is in politics is to move the state forward and transform the lives of the people.
In Rivers West Senatorial District, Government Secondary School Okarki in Ahoada West Local Government Area flagged off for reconstruction by Governor Wike is progressing satisfactorily.
The people of the area are happy with the progress of work. They endorsed Governor Wike for a second term, stating that he needs time to continue with his projects delivery.
Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Honourable Hope Ikiriko, captures the importance of Governor Wike’s projects in the area.
He said: The governor has done two basic projects in Ahoada West Local Government Area. One in the educational sector and the other in basic infrastructure,which is a road project. Government Secondary School in Okarki is an old school that has been there since the 60s and subsequent administrations just watched the school, go down and decay. The school was no more, in fact we can’t even remember students who go there again, just one structure that was there but he came in and saw that the dreams of our founding fathers were eroded and he took it upon himself to bring the school back to life.
“So what we have there now is a complete high school facility, which has to do with laboratory, classrooms, administration blocks, hostels, dining , ICT and sports facilities. It has brought back the basic dream and vision of any government as it was before, if you go there now the project that started few months ago is nearing completion.
“The other one is the road project at Ojoko. The road was abandoned for so many years. Our governor now has come back, to reconstruct the road. If you go there now,it is a wonderful road. These two projects, I can say, if you carry out the need assessment in the area, you will realise that these are the two major things that the people need. That is why I give credit to our Governor for feeling the pains of the people. He does not just site projects here and there. He sites projects that impact on the people, like the secondary school, it has brought up several great men in Ahoada West Local Government Area.”
Also, Mr. Gift Ade from Okarki community thanked the Rivers State Governor for his investment in the reconstruction of the Government Secondary School, Okarki. He said that the community will repay him by voting massively for him in 2019.
Ade said: “We are voting him to power for him to continue his job. Previously, the place was not functioning. The building was not in good order. They are bringing back the secondary school to life. We pray that God should give him more grace so that he will continue doing our projects. He is trying for us, he even promised to do our road. We thank Governor Wike very much, we welcome him, by 2019,we will endorse him to continue”.
Harry Ogono, a native of Okarki, had this to say: “I was a civil servant before, a retired civil servant. We thank our Governor so much. We don’t know that he can do such a good thing for us, here in Okarki. This project will lift us up and give us a name.”
The intervention of Governor Wike in Asari-Toru LGA is legendary. The General Hospital, Buguma has been reconstructed. The project will be delivered in the coming weeks. The state government is ready to equip the health facility in line with the goal of the administration.
In addition, the Rivers State Governor is expanding the landscape of Asari-Toru Local Government Area through the sand-filling and land reclamation project at Abalama.
Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area Chief Odiari Princewill, praised the Rivers State Governor for the two projects that have impacted the lives of the people.
He said: “His Excellency, Ezenwo Wike, the Governor of Rivers State, I say thank you for giving us something like this. This hospital has been neglected for long. For more than twenty years , nobody was coming here. Now everything has changed. The hospital is now alive”.
On the Abalama sand-filling project, Mr Ofori Brown said: “I am a bonifide member of Abalama, the Alabama of Kalabari land . Right here, where I am standing had been a mangrove, entirely covered with mangrove trees and water, but because Abalama is entirely for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and because our sons, Alabo George Kelly, Enemi Alabo George and the rest of us worked tirelessly with his Excellency, Mr Project, he promised us a project and today it is a living testimony because where I am standing, there is a beautiful sand-filled project ongoing and the Governor has also in his magnanimity done couple of projects in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, like the General Hospital particularly in Buguma.”
Also on the project in Abalama, Mrs Tamunotonye Iyalla said the people of Asari-Toru Local Government Area will remain grateful to the Rivers State Governor for the Abalama sand-filling project which has improved the economy of the area.
In Khana Local Government Area, the dualisation of the iconic Sakpenwa-Bori road started by the Wike administration is nearing completion and getting ready for commissioning.
It is the same story at the Zonal Hospital, Bori . This project abandoned by the failed Amaechi administration at less than 20 per cent completion is about to be completed. Work has reached 85per cent completion.
The governor has vowed to continue the execution of projects, irrespective of the political reality of the time. From day one till when the governor’s mandate will be revalidated in 2019, work will continue unabated.
Governor Wike came for projects delivery and he is still in this life changing business. No local government area has been excluded from the rollout of projects. This is a united Rivers State, where everyone is given a sense of belonging.
Nwakaudu is Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media.

Simeon Nwakaudu

Business

SMEs Dev: Firms Launch N100m Loan Scheme

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Coalition of Microlending and Cooperative Institutions in Nigeria (COMCIN), the umbrella body of non-bank microfinance institutions and cooperative societies in Nigeria, in partnership with NEAT Microcredit, has unveiled a N100 million joint loan facility aimed at supporting small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.

The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.

Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.

“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.

He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.

According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.

“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.

Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.

He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.

“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.

He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.

“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.

Business

Yenagoa’s Radisson Hotel Ready December — NCDMB, Other

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has expressed confidence that the five-star Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, would be completed and commissioned this December .

He said this while addressing visiting top executives of Edison Corporation and Megastar Technical and construction company at the conclusion of a one-day project management tour and workshop at the headquarters of the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), Yenagoa, weekend.

The Board in a statement from the Directorate of Corporate Communications said all other stakeholder assured of the delivery of world-class services in the hotel upon it’s completion.

Ogbe described the hospitality facility as a top priority project of the Board whose progress he would be following up every day and week.

“This project is critical to the Board, critical to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and Nigeria. With this hotel becoming functional at the end of the year, I believe there will be tourism in Bayelsa State, and that’s one of my dreams.

“When I took up this job as Executive Secretary in December 2024 I said I must make this hotel work”, the NCDMB boss said.

He commended the team from Edison Corporation and the project contractor, Megastar Technical and Construction Company, for the quality and pace of work, adding “much is required from the Management to meet up the schedule delivery

“Most of the critical aspects of the project have been resolved in terms of mark-up room, scope of work in terms of financing and contracting strategies”

The Board’s Scribe said he was sure all hands would be on deck to ensure that work proceeds unhampered.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Edison Corporation, Mr. Vivian Reddy, said the team from Edison Hotel Group was very excited to come into a contractual arrangement with NCDMB, assuring the project will put the city on the world map.

“What is so important with the group Radisson International is that, if anyone around the world looks for Radisson Yenagoa, they will see this place pop up, and it’s going to help to uplift the area in terms of visitors and tourism.

“Our role is to make sure we deliver a world-class quality hotel from start to finish. We will open the hotel, we’ll furnish it. We’re working with the main contractor to make sure the facility meets world-class standards”, he said.

Speaking on the sealing of the contractual deal with the NCDMB, he noted it took great efforts, saying “getting Radisson in the agreement was not easy, and it took several months and cumulative one and a half years of discussions and documentation”.

The Edison boss, who is reputed to be the first South African businessman to lead a high-level business delegation from that country to Nigeria during the tenure of President Thabo Mbeki in 1999, was full of commendation for the NCDMB boss, describing him as “a great and visionary leader”.

“The vision and dream of the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB are going to become a reality. We’re going to help him and make it a reality and it’s going to be the best hotel in this region”, the boss noted.

Mr Reddy also commended the project contractors and professional teams involved, stating that his team has every confidence in their technical competence.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Business

RIRS Sets Tomorrow As Deadline For Individual Tax Returns Filing

Published

2 days ago

March 30, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) has set tomorrow as the deadline for the filing of all Annual Individual Income Tax Returns for all taxable residents of the state.

This was contained in a public notice by the Service to the taxable residents of the state in compliance with statutory provisions.

The notice was signed by the Executive Chairman of the agency, Sir Israel O. Egbunefu, and made available to the public in Port Harcourt recently.

Egbunefu stated that the directive was in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, which mandates individuals to declare their income for the preceding year of assessment.

According to the notice, the obligation covers all categories of income earners, including employees in both the public and private sectors, self-employed individuals, business owners, and professionals operating within the state.

The agency reiterated that the timely filing of tax returns remains critical to promoting transparency, accountability and efficient tax administration in Rivers State.

It further noted that compliance with tax obligations plays a vital role in enabling the government to meet its developmental goals and provide essential public services.

RIRS urged all eligible taxpayers to ensure that their 2025 tax returns are properly completed and submitted through its approved channels before the stipulated deadline .

The Service warned that failure to comply with the directive may attract penalties and other sanctions as prescribed by relevant tax laws.

It also stated its commitment to enforcing compliance while maintaining a taxpayer-friendly approach in its operations.

Taxpayers requiring assistance were advised to visit any RIRS office or access its official platforms for guidance on the filing process.

The agency assured residents of continuous support, including professional advisory services, to facilitate a seamless and stress-free compliance experience.

The notice forms part of ongoing efforts by the Rivers State Government to strengthen revenue generation and enhance voluntary tax compliance across the state.

Residents are therefore encouraged to take advantage of the available support systems and meet the deadline to avoid unnecessary penalties.

By: King Onunwor