News
Tai LG Boss Flags Off Kpite Ultra-Modern Market
The Chairman of Tai Local Government Area, Sir Mbakpone Okpe has flagged off an ultra-modern market in Kpite Community.
Okpe explained that the project was in fulfilment of the campaign promise he made to the people and the beginning of many other things to happen in the area.
The chairman further declared that the people of Tai LGA supported him massively in the last Local Government Election, and therefore, pledged to keep the trust and confidence repose on him by the people.
In his remarks, the former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Marcus Nle Eji, who performed the flag-off, said that he has no regret supporting Okpe for the chairmanship election, noting that with the magnificent edifices of the Tai Divisional Police Station and the DSS office, it was clear that the chairman has achieved significant milestone in just 100 days in office.
In his speech, the member Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Matthew Dike stressed that Okpe was elected to replicate the developmental strides of Chief Nyesom Wike at the local government level, adding that the chairman has come to change the narratives.
The Gbenemene Tua-Tua Tai and Paramount Ruler of Kpite Community, Mene Samuel L. A. Nnee, thanked the chairman for siting the structure in Kpite community, while emphasising that as a people, Kpite would give every desired support to the chairman to ensure the actualisation of the market.
Other dignitaries who were present at the event includes, former member RSHA representing Eleme Constituency, Hon. Josiah Ossai Olu; Chief Monday Ngbor; Vice Chairperson of Tai LGA, Hon. Caroline Amanda; PDP Chairman, Tai LGA, Hon. Baride Nkayi; Eleme PDP chairman; and host of others.
The proposed ultramodern market building would be constructed at the current location of Kpite local market.
The total space available for the proposed ultra-modern market is approximately seven plots of land, and structured to include, main market building comprising a two-storey building of 72 shops.
“All shops have equal dimensions of 2.7 m by 3.2 m. The ground floor contains 36 shops including two WC that contain 2 male and 3 female toilets.
“The first floor contains 36 shops, two WC that contain two male and three female toilets and a conference hall for meetings. Three stair cases are provided at strategic locations, including a ramp for ease of movement of goods. All shops will be fully electrified”.
Other specifications include 200-identical open shades each of 1.5m by 1.5m dimension for petty trading, with electricity.
The Administrative Building contains a reception and four offices and four toilets, all isolated from the shops and open shades buildings, all of which are fully electrified.
“It was observed that high intensity storm water from the back may cause severe flooding of the entire market, therefore, it was deemed necessary to construct drainage of dimensions 400mm by 480mm high.
“At the back, a masonry fence of length 61.73m and 2.7m high would be constructed. To enhance visibility of the market, a see through wire mesh fence of 45.26m and 47.51m respectively would be constructed perpendicularly to the main road. To provide adequate security of the market, an entrance gate is provided including a road of length 47.51m made with rigid pavement. Other spaces available are fully interlocked. Electricity is also provided along the perimeter fence”.
By: Beemene Taneh
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
