News

Ogonis Laud Buhari Over Work On East-West Road … As IPMAN Backs FG’s Deregulation Policy

Published

5 years ago

September 28, 2020

There was excitement in the air as chiefs, elders and youths of Ogoniland trooped out enmasse at the Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) Yard, Eleme, Rivers State, to welcome the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who was on scheduled projects’ inspection tour of the area at the weekend.
The minister, who was accompanied by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Babayo Addo and the Acting Executive Director of Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Akwa Effiong, inspected Sections 3 and 4 of the East-West Road.
Speaking on behalf of the communities along the East-West Road, representative of the traditional rulers, Chief B.P. Festus, and the Leader of Ogoni Youths Federation, Comrade Legborsi Yamaabana, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his renewed commitment towards the completion of the East-West Road, and pledged the total support and cooperation of the people in ensuring the timely completion of the project.
Conducting the minister round the Okuru Bridge in Aleto, along the East-West Road, the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Barrister Philip Okparaji, lamented the state of the bridge, which he said was constructed in 1956 but was in serious state of dilapidation.
Okparaji said the road and bridge, which lead to Akwa Ibom and Cross River State and eight local government areas of Rivers State, needed urgent attention, and appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action on the road and bridges which were the gateways to multinational oil and gas companies in the Niger Delta.
In his response, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godwin Akpabio, said the President has shown the political will in completing the East-West Road, which was started by the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration.
He commended the President for the release of funds for the project, and hinted that the contractors have already been mobilized to the sites.
Akpabio said that because of the importance of the East-West Road to the economy of the country, the ministry would work with other agencies to source for funds to complete the project by the end of 2021, adding that he has directed NDDC to make provision in the budget for the completion of East-West Road.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), South-South Zone, Dr Joseph Obele, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the reform in the oil and gas sector, especially the removal of oil subsidy and deregulation of the petroleum sector.
“The subsidy was a racket to a cabal, and the President has taken a bold step by removing the subsidy. We want to appeal to our brothers in the labour unions to shelve the proposed strike action and engage in dialogue and negotiations,” he said.
He gave kudos to Akpabio for his zeal in getting the East-West Road completed.
The IPMAN chairman said that Section III of the East-West Road, which construction started six years ago, would have been commissioned before now, but for lack of commitment the project suffered a lot of setbacks until the minister was appointed and the project transferred to the ministry.
Obele appealed to the minister to look into the payment of compensation for property owners affected by the expansion of the road.
Earlier, Senator Godwin Akpabio and his entourage were similarly received at Ikot Usekong, Eket Local Government Area section of the East-West Road where the community defied the rains to welcome the inspection team.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.