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Workers, Group Hail Wike’s New Pension Law …As Gov Assents To Four Bills
The successful passage and eventual signing into law of a new pension bill in Rivers State by Governor Nyesom Wike, is generating positive reactions by workers and groups in the state.
A senior civil servant in the state, Mr Chidi Amadi, said the new law has rekindled the hope of workers in the state.
According to him: “The past few years have given workers a sleepless night on what would be their fate if they get to retirement period considering the hell of experience by retirees.
“Because of the Contributory Pension Law, which delayed retirees from getting their pension money. This obnoxious law unfortunately denied some late retirees who suffered, and could not get their pension money while alive.
“I commend Governor Wike for signing the new law as it has brought an end to such a sad moment in the history of pension in the state”.
Another worker, George Barine, also expressed gratitude to the law makers and the governor of the state for the actualisation of the new pension law.
He said: “I will be due for retirement next month and all this while I have been imagining how I would retire and loose my pension benefit as a result of the contributory pension scheme that exposes pensioners to such a nightmare.
“Governor Wike has done so well in the state. But the joy of this new law being passed by the state assembly and now accented to by the governor is great. I commend the Governor for this show of concern”.
Reacting in a similar vein, Mrs Gladys Wegbom, another senior civil servant in the state lauded the speed with which the 8th Assembly concluded the bill and the eventual signing into law by the governor.
“In spit the suffering by retirees, the new bill has ushered in a new hope.
“Thank you my governor for bringing to an end the regime of contributory pension scheme which has done so much harm to innocent workers who served the state diligently but were allowed to suffer while some even died without enjoying their rewards”.
Also expressing happiness to the new pension law, Publicity Director of South-South Youth Consultative Enlightenment and Mobilisation Council (SYCEMOC), Comrade Christian Nnodim, said the new era is a source for celebration.
Nnodim said the old pension law was anti- progressive and a landmark setback for workers.
He said: “In all ramifications, the old contributory pension law was poorly initiated and poorly implemented. I give kudos to the governor of Rivers state and the immediate past assembly for changing the ugly narrative”.
Another group, the Niger Delta Youth Coalition (NDYC), hailed the governor for signing the new pension bill into law, saying it would alleviates the hardship being faced by retirees in the state.
The National Coordinator of NDYC, Prince Emmanuel Ogba, stated that it unfortunate that some innocent retirees who served the state died without their pension because of the old law.
“But it is a source of joy that the administration of Wike saw the need to quickly reverse the ugly trend. He has done well.
“However, let the government consider the interest of workers and pay them arrears of promotion which were denied them for past years in the state”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has assented to four key bills passed by the House of Assembly for the good governance of the state.
The bills signed into law by the Rivers State Governor include: Rivers State Multi-Door Courthouse Law (No 2 of 2019), Rivers State Arbitration Law (No 3 of 2019), Rivers State Pension Reform Law (No 4 of 2019) and Rivers State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology Law (No. 5 of 2019).
Wike said that the (No 3 of 2019), Rivers State Pension Reform Law (No 4 of 2019) will help in resolving the challenges generated by the Contributory Pension scheme.
He said that the state government was committed to ensuring that civil servants and pensioners are catered for, with the challenges they faced completely addressed.
The governor said that the Arbitration Law will help in the resolution of several legal conflicts without resorting to litigation.
He, however, explained that he was likely to seek an amendment of the Rivers State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology Law (No. 5 of 2019) because some stakeholders have raised concerns.
The governor commended the Rivers State House of Assembly for their commitment to the development of the state.
“If you are given the privilege to serve, put in your best for the people. These four years given to us, we will do more for our people.
“I urge the House of Assembly to continue to make laws for the development of Rivers State”, he said.
He called on the state House of Assembly to pass more bills during his second term.
In his remarks, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ikuinyi Ibani congratulated the Rivers State governor on his second term inauguration.
“What you are doing for Rivers State serves as a beacon of hope for the present generation”, he said.
He said the goal of the state Assembly was service to the people of Rivers State.
“In the Assembly, our goal is Service First. That is why you can assent to four Bill’s in one day”.
The Rumuokania 2 New layout Landlords Association in the Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State is seeking the intervention of the Rivers State Government in the desilting of the canal which transverses several communities including Mgbaraja,Ogbogoro,Egbule,Elioparanwo,Ozuoba and other communities in the area.
The Association which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also lauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline internal roads.
The landlords said the canal impede the free flow of water from the affected communities thereby causing severe flooding whenever it rains in the area.The Association also commended the governor for the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of road across the state, adding, the gesture has not only rekindled hope of Rivers people for a better tomorrow,but has bought prosperity across communities in the state.According to a Press release made available to news men during the briefing,”We are gathered here today to express immense appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State,Sir Fubara, GSSRS,for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline Internal roads.“We also wish to use this medium to request the desilting of the Canal transversing the area and the construction of adjoining roads to the area.“We acknowledge with profound gratitude the transformative governance going on in Rivers State under the purposely and impactful leadership of Governor Fubara.“The visible impact of his administration across all sectors, particularly the rehabilitation and construction of new roads,has rekindled hope among the people and brought prosperity to our communities”The Association said.The landlords particularly praised the Governor for the successful completion of the Rumuoke Road from Okilton junction off Ada George Road to Road 9-2nd & 3rd Avenue, Road 10-2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, and Pipeline Road upto the canal, expertly executed by Monier Construction Company (MCC).They noted that,prior to the intervention of the Governor,the road was in an extremely deplorable state, impassable, and prone to flash floods whenever it rains.“Most houses and business premises were often flooded as people could hardly leave or access the area,while economic activities were completely paralyzed.“The newly constructed internal roads have completely eased traffic in the area, boosted economic activities, and improved the quality of life of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”The release which was jointly signed by pastor Joel Gbandi, chairman of The Association and Lucky Ashley Atiegoba secretary,on behalf of the Landlords also expressed gratitude to the Governor for the construction of all internal roads in the area..It however drew the , attention of the Governor to an emerging issue which they said poses threat to the durability of this critical road infrastructure.According to the landlords,”at the terminus of the newly constructed pipeline road, the adjoining canal is severely blocked, impeding the free flow of water .“The canal serves as a vital waterway, traversing several communities, including Rumuokania, Mgbraja, Ogbogoro, Egbelu, Elioparanwo, Mini-Orlu, Rumue-vorlu, Rumuokwachi, Ozuoba, Iwofe, Rumuolumeni, Rumuepirikom, and Mini-kete, among other communities.“This obstruction has caused water to back up onto the surface of the newly constructed road, leading to accelerated erosion and hazardous conditions for surrounding buildings, motorists, and pedestrians alike within RumuokaniaRumuoke communities.“It is against this backdrop that we respectfully request the kind intervention of our dear Governor in this regard:” We humbly request the desilting of the canal to restore proper drainage and prevent water overflowonto the newly constructed internal roads and flooding within the communities.“. We also request the construction of adjoining roads to the area to provide alternative pathways and improve overall accessibility in the area.“Addressing these germane concerns will not only safeguard the investment of the state government in road infrastructure in the area but will also mitigate flooding, enhance safety, and further elevate the living standards of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”the landlords said.
Judges of the High Courts of Rivers State will proceed on this year’s Christmas and New Year vacations on Tuesday, 23rd December 2025.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar, State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, on behalf of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Chibuzor Amadi, and made available to newsmen over the weekend.
The statement stated that judges will commence the yuletide vacation from Tuesday, 23rd of December 2025, and resume on Monday, January 12, 2026.
According to the statement, the directive is in compliance with the provision of Order 49 Rule 4(C) of the High Court of Rivers State Civil Procedure Rule, 2023.
The statement added that during the period of the vacation, all judicial divisions of the High Court of the State shall remain closed, while a vacation judge shall be designated to entertain only urgent applications and matters filed during the vacation.
By: Akujobi Amadi
Land grabbing and crisis of fraudulent land sales may soon be a thing of the past as Rivers State begins experimenting the community land development committee system.
The experiment saw the light of day in Alesa Eleme where the Alesa Land Development Commiittee (ALDEC) was inaugurated last Friday by the paramount ruler of Alesa, Emperor J.D. Mkpe.
The Alesa community where the Port Harcourt refineries are situated has implemented the recommended formula with the strong support of the paramount ruler said to be a respected leader known for his commitment to peace, education, community development, and support for law enforcement, often advocating for better infrastructure and governance in his area.
Inaugurating the committee headed by a businessman, Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, the paramount ruler recounted the contributions of his community to economic development of the nation.
“Alesa is one of the 10 communities in Eleme and we are the first community in Nigeria that has refineries. The Port Harcourt Refinery (1&2) that has a lot of pipelines surrounding us. We have done a lot of contribution in making sure Nigeria stands great among all nations.
“We are made up of about 13 communities due to expansion. When I say 13 communities, Alesa is a community that has embraced other people. You can see here some people from the northern community. All the communities are here. That is why Alesa is known as a cosmopolitan community.
“Because we have got a lot of information about sale of land, and because we now have a situation whereby other persons will go into another person’s land and sell without the owner’s notice. We have also got information about minors who are not qualified to sell landed property, now selling land without letting their elders know.
“And that is why today, we are going to inaugurate a land development committee whose duty is to see into all these issues and bring up report about them. This will make both buyers and sellers feel very free in Alesa.
“We seize this opportunity to warn thus: if you sell any land to anybody without this committee’s knowledge or consent, you are doing it at your own risk. If you are buying any land from Alesa, this committee will know. By this, we will track those selling the land to you so that you don’t buy land from a wrong person. We also do not want you to buy land from an under-aged persons (children) who will sell land and run away.
According to him, we are also partnering with the Rivers State government on the project because those who buy land in Alesa with due process would be backed all the way to acquisition of certificate of occupancy (CofO).
“We are duly registered and we hereby show the world our certificate of registration and recognition. This is not a shabby arrangement. We have the registration and the authority which we have here as a body approved by the government to go into this development. This also is the registered constitution of the body.
“We will also make sure that whatever land you buy here, will be registered with the government of Rivers State through the office of the Surveyor-General and the Ministry of Land and that of Housing. This is to permanently stop land grabbers,
“We want you to buy and develop, not to keep for decades. Failure to develop your land after five years, the land will be forfeited to the government of Rivers State as a ‘waste land’ that you do not want to develop. So we are here not to maltreat any individual, we are not here to punish anyone, but to make sure your money is safe.
“We are optimistic that this strategy will work for us all. One of the greatest persons who has been able to identify with us is the Mayor of Housing. He has been friendly to us and to our aspirations.
Speaking immediately after the inauguration, the chairman of Alesa Land Development Committee, Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, vowed never to betray his community.
“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Alesa Council of Chiefs, the women, the youths, for nominating me to be the chairman of the Alesa Land Development Committee. I want to say this afternoon that I, Emmanuel Olaka, a bonafide son of Alaka, from Uwueke community, I will never disrespect this community. I will always do what is right, so that my God will always stand by me. I will not be biased.”
Also speaking, the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who is behind the Alesa Sustainable Green Smart City, commended the community for leading the way and the war against land grabbing and land fraud.
He said the development would augur well for the green city being initiated in the area and other projects coming to Alesa.
He urged other communities in Rivers State and beyond to move fast and inaugurate such committees to put an end to land grabbing.
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