Niger Delta
New CP Unveils Policing Plan In A’Ibom

The newly appointed Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Edgal Imohimi has unfolded a new policing plan for the state.
Imohimi gave the hint while inaugurating a new Divisional Police Station in Ikot Udota village in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom at the weekend.
The commissioner also inaugurated a community vigilance group that would aid the Nigerian Police Force spread their security tentacles to the remotest areas in Eket.
Imohimi, who was on a familiarisation tour to Eket Senatorial District, added that the reasons for his visit was to introduce his policing plan to the people that would curb criminal activities in the state.
He said that his policing plan was powered by the strategy and philosophy of community policing and community partnership, which he said was a guide to police as a process and not as a function.
“My policing plan is powered by the strategy and philosophy of community policing and community safety partnership, “ he said.
The commissioner described policing as a grassroot item that begins and ends with the people and it is the people that can best police the community hence, the need for the police to communicate and partner with the people to have first hand information on security challenges in the community.
“Policing is a grassroot item and it is the people that can do that effectively, so the police has to partner with the people to get it right, “ he added.
Imohimi said he was aware that each local government in the state was being greeted with different security challenges and since the police could not be everywhere in the remote areas, there was need to invoke the clause of partnership in community policing and community safety to ensure that policing was pushed to the remotest of the grassroots.
He said that the vigilance group would be at the direct supervision of the Divisional Police Officer and it would be their responsibility to go ahead of the police under strict supervision.
. of the police, gather information and form a part of police operations in the remote areas.
The commissioner said that in forming the vigilance group, the modalities must be based on what were obtainable under the laws of the federation, which meant that they must operate without firearms or any lethal weapon and must not establish any detention center in their area of jurisdiction.
“We want to establish in Akwa Ibom, the people’s police and not the state police, a police force that belongs to the people, that partners with the people to find solution to their policing challenges, “ imohimi said.
He urged the communities to setup a Community Development Association that would create the needed room for interaction between the people and the police.
Earlier in his remark, the Eket Local Government Chairman, Frank Archibong, said the visit of the commissioner was timely, owing to the fact that Eket was one region that needed security attention in terms of population, crime rate after Uyo Local Government.
He said that from the antecedents of the commissioner of police in service, he would not have difficulty fighting crime in Akwa Ibom, having been a commissioner in a state like Lagos.
“Security is everyone’s business, so everyone must rise up in collaboration with the police to ensure that in his or her community lives and property are protected,” he said.
Archibong, who is also the ALGON Chairman in Akwa’Ibom , said that the coastal nature of Eket had subjected the people to some sort of disadvantages as the waterways now served as an alternate and ready escape routes to criminals.
Archibong, who presented security gadgets to the vigilance group, appealed to the youths to rise in unison to address the trend of criminality in the area. (NAN)
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.