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Waiver Of User Fees For PLWA: RSG Begins Implementation …Commences Payment Of 800 Pensioners
The Rivers State Government says it has made significant progress in curbing the HIV epidemic in the state.
The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike disclosed this during the flag- off ceremony of Wike’s Waiver of User Fees and Antenatal Care Charges at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The Governor, who spoke through his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, said at the advent of the present administration, there were only 15 sites for Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of AIDS, which today, has risen to 112 sites accessible for PMTCT.
According to him, “Our aim is to extend PMTCT services to every health facility in the state”, noting that “all user fees for People Living with HIV/AIDS who are accessing services including antenatal registration for new enrolees has been abolished in the state”.
The State Chief Executive, who expressed commitment to meet all the healthcare needs of Rivers people said: “we are on the verge of kicking polio out permanently in the State and Nigeria”.
He noted that the State Immunization coverage has improved from 44.6% in 2016 to 82.6% in 2018 and gave the assurance of more improvement.
Wike, who said his administration is encouraging baby friendly initiative in health facilities across the state, further said the Wife of the Governor, Hon Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike was the number one Nutrition Champion, while stressing that his administration was developing creative ways to reach communities with family planning services.
He thanked all partners like Human Virology Institute, Nigeria, Rotary International, WHO, Rivers Field UNICEF, the Challenge Initiative, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Religious Bodies, Traditional Rulers, Non-Governmental Organisations, Civil Societies, the Media, Corporate Organisations, the Armed Forces, especially the Nigeria Police Medical Services and the Air Force, the academia and all stakeholders for their support and continued participation towards improved access to quality health services for all.
In their goodwill messages, Dr. Jahun Jbrahim of the Centre for Disease Control and Dr. Patrick Dakum, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria commended the Rivers State Government for this bold initiative, noting that it would not only give succour to people living with the virus but would go a long way to stemming the spread of the disease.
The Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Health, Mrs. Caroline Wali, said the waiver of user fees for Persons Living with HIV by Wike was unprecedented in the country.
Meanwhile, in fulfillment of the pledge made by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike after he signed into law, the Rivers State Pensions Reform Law (No 4 of 2019), the Rivers State Government has commenced the payment of pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
The Head of Service of Rivers State, Barrister Rufus Godwins, who disclosed this in an interview, clarified that 800 pensioners under the scheme, who had completed their biometrics, have been paid.
The Rivers State Head of Service said that further biometric capture of other pensioners under the scheme has been scheduled by the state government in line with the directive of the governor.
“We have placed over 800 of them on the payroll, and we have started paying them. The window for biometric capture is open, and we shall continue the process for the purpose of payment of all outstanding benefits.
“Now that the process has started, none of those who fall into this category, and the labour unions have gone out to talk about it on the radio, the way they did when the administration was working to address the challenge it inherited”, he said.
He said by initiating the amendment of the state pension law, Wike set out to comprehensively tackle the challenges he inherited under the Contributory Pension Scheme from the immediate past administration in the state.
Godwins recalled that other pensioners, who were not under the Contributory Pension Scheme have been receiving their monthly pensions since Wike assumed office on May 29, 2015.
The governor, he noted, also cleared the four months’ pension arrears he inherited from the Chibuike Amaechi administration, before entrenching the regular payment of monthly pensions.
He said that “ahead of the last elections, the opposition in the state misinformed members of the public regarding the true position of pensions in the public service.
“They created the wrong impression that all pensioners were being owed by the state government, whilst those owed were under the defective contributory pension law operated by the immediate past APC administration,” he said.
“The Wike administration had to follow due process to amend the law and create the platform for payment of those under the Contributory Pension Scheme,” he added.
It would be recalled that Governor Nyesom Wike had said that the Rivers State Pension Reform Law (No 4 of 2019) would help in resolving the challenges generated by the Contributory Pension Scheme.
He assured that the state government was committed to ensuring that civil servants and pensioners were catered for, with the challenges they faced completely addressed.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
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