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Rivers Professionals Hail Wike’s Dev Strides

The leadership of Rivers Professionals Forum (RPF) has commended the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for what they described as his audacious efforts to transform the lives of Rivers people.
They expressed their commendation after inspecting some on-going projects in the state.
The Leader of the forum, Hon. Enemi George, said it was baffling to see Governor Wike developing the state fearlessly in the face of dwindling revenue accruing to the state.
George, who is also the member representing Asari-Toru Constituency Two in the Rivers State House of Assembly, noted that the governor has remarkably achieved the urban renewal programme intended to restore the lost glory of Port Harcourt.
“We have gone to the various sites. We have seen and can measure the extent of work that has been done.
“What we have seen today can best be described as an infrastructural revolution. We saw five iconic flyover bridges going on at the same time. The Rumuogba flyover bridge is the longest of such flyovers in the state.
“This is an audacious effort to transform the lives of Rivers people. What is shocking is that it is happening at a time the revenue from federal allocation to the state is dwindling.
“As professionals in the state, we are non-state actors. We believe that we are part of a system, and we want to see a system that works.
“We are seeing massive projects and real investment in the lives of our people. We are happy with what we have seen. The governor has done very well”, he said.
On his part, Rivers State Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Prince Nyekwere described as awesome the accommodation facility provided by the Rivers State Government on owner-occupier basis for judges.
“With this, they will concentrate on their jobs. This will reduce a lot of pressure on them. Any judge that lives here and is worth his salt will give quality judgment”, he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Okrika Branch, Golden Tamuno, said the projects were people-oriented and would address critical socio-economic challenges.
“The flyover bridges, Mother and Child Hospital, and the Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma Judges’ Quarters are critical projects.
“The very essence of the existence of a city is to have the convenience to move around and retire home in good time. Road network is part of the indices of a civilised society.
“This is taking away pressure from the corporate bodies, private individuals, and from those who do not have vehicles. This is what makes life worth living, and businesses to thrive.
“About the houses built for judges, it will actually encourage the Bench to do their work with rest of mind. With it, they can and should deliver justice on time.
Mrs. Sophia Harry, who is a safety professional, noted the safety standards in all the projects inspected.
She commended the governor for insisting that such provisions be put in place for the overall good of the people.
The Rivers Professionals inspected the Rebisi, GRA Junction, Rumuogba and Okoro-Nu-Odo flyover projects, Mother and Child Hospital, and the Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma Judges’ Quarters.
Other projects inspected include, the urban renewal programme at the Old and New Government Reservation Areas in the state capital.
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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman

The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
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