News
RSHA Passes Street Trading, Illegal Motor Parks Prohibition Bill
After heated debate, yesterday, the Rivers State House of Assembly passed the Rivers State Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Motor Parks’ Prohibition Bill 2019.
The bill was given a third reading on the floor as the Speaker, Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani directed the Clerk to forward the bill for the governor’s assent.
The speaker maintained that the bill covers all urban centres in the state with the intent to check street trading and restore sanity to the city centres.
Part of the amendment made on the 14 recommendations in the report submitted by the House Ad-hoc Committee chaired by Hon. Sam Ogeh, was to give exemptions to vulcanizers whose operations were vital for vehicular and traffic movements.
On the regulations of the bill as regards implementation, the speaker averred that the Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice had powers of delegated legislation.
For the enforcement of the law, Ibani opined that, “there is need for inter-agency collaboration as to the parent ministry.”
The issue of enforcement had drawn diverse views from the legislators who were sharply divided on whether it should be Transport Ministry or Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning to be conferred with the power.
On another grey area of the law regarding nomenclature of the taskforce, the speaker said though the task force gives a military colouration, overtime, the name has expanded in usage even in democratic setting.
Some members held that it should be called “Enforcement Committee.”
Earlier, Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Martin Amaewhule averred that the bill was planned by the Executive arm to address the current chaos arising from swelling street trading, road side mechanics and motor parks.
He assured the people that it was not targeted at any group or section, but for the general good.
Amaewhule thanked his colleagues for giving the bill the attention it required.
It would be recalled that the bill was first read a week ago with a public hearing held, last Friday, to allow stakeholders made input to the new law.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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