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Work Against Petro Act Dep Senate President –Amaechi
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has urged the National Assembly not to allow the new Petroleum Act before it to succeed, because it will further deepen the injustice already done to the people of the Niger Delta.
Governor Amaechi made the call on Monday while declaring open the 40th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African region Conference at the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, Port Harcourt
The governor, who described the new bill as anti- Niger Delta, said it seeks to take away the total royalty of the people of the area without recourse to the environmental hazard suffered by them, adding that such intention would not in anyway represent justice, but impunity.
He advised that in considering the bill, both chambers of the National Assembly should rise above social and ethnic interests to ask the question, “ is the Niger Delta fairly treated in the content of this bill”?
Governor Amaechi lamented that instead of allowing the National Assembly consider the 5%, 25% and 70% allocated to the community, state and Federal Government, respectively as contained in the oil bill earlier submitted to it, a new one which seeks to erode all benefits to host community and states is now under consideration.
The crisis of the Niger Delta, he said, would only be resolved in the parliament, no where else, not even in court, it is only the parliament that can forget ethnicism and solve the problems of the Niger Delta”, Governor Amaechi stressed, and called on the National Assembly to protect the Niger Delta people “from the impunity and marginalisation of the majority, protect us from oppression and suppression of our right’, by enacting legislations that will protect the weak from the strong.
“ I do not support violence, Never!, he noted while emphasising that since the oil was for the common good of all Nigerians, management of the proceeds should be in such a way that communities and states who bear the direct brunt of these exploration should have something to show for it.
The governor recalled that even in the constitution of Boards of management of the oil industry, not one Niger Delta person was involved, noting that such actions were further promoting the under-development of the region and called on those involved to beat a retreat.
He congratulated parliamentarians from the African Region and the Commonwealth for coming in their numbers to deliberate on better ways of bringing the interest of their people to the fabric of their legislature, adding, the success or failure of a democracy rests in the two most important arms of government i.e the legislature and the judiciary ‘, and called for all hands to be on deck in efforts geared towards reversing most of the conflicts in Africa through people-centred legislations.
Also speaking, the outgone chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, African zone, Rt Hon Amusaa Mwananwambwa had commended the Rivers State Government for being a good host for the event.
Hon Mwanamwambwa, who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia said the 39th Conference of CPA in Cape Town, South Africa, deliberated on a number of issues, cardinal among which were strings of resolutions and urged members to give quality thoughts to the deliberation in course of the meeting.
Earlier in his welcome speech, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Tonye Harry said the event was duty call to all parliamentarians and thanked Governor Amaechi for the support the state legislature needed to host a successful conference and wished parliamentarians well.
More than 1,000 parliamentarians and support staff from the commonwealth nations are attending the confab in Port Harcourt.
Meanwhile, Deputy Senate President, Hon Ike Ekweremadu says the reactions trailing the new Petroleum act before the National Assembly from people of the Niger Delta region was “uncalled for”.
According to him, it was wrong for people of the region to express the belief that the original petroleum bill presented to the national assembly has been withdrawn and substituted with a new one, explaining that no new bill has been introduced to that effect.
‘I have told the Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi that no bill was withdrawn, saying that the bill being considered by the national assembly is still the original one sent to them.
Hon Ekweremadu stated this yesterday while addressing newsmen shortly after delivering a lecture titled ‘ the global Economic Crisis: Implications for Africa” at the on-going 40th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Africa region, holding at the Rivers State House of Assembly, Port Harcourt.
He gave the assurance that the National Assembly would organise a public hearing on the bill where all Nigerians, including the people of the Niger Delta would come to explain their own view in respect of the bill”.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu (right) listening to member of Parliament and CPW Representative, Prof Shiela Tlow during the opening ceremony of the 40th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Conference, in Port Harcourt, last Monday. Photo: Chris Monyanga.
The Rumuokania 2 New layout Landlords Association in the Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State is seeking the intervention of the Rivers State Government in the desilting of the canal which transverses several communities including Mgbaraja,Ogbogoro,Egbule,Elioparanwo,Ozuoba and other communities in the area.
The Association which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also lauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline internal roads.
The landlords said the canal impede the free flow of water from the affected communities thereby causing severe flooding whenever it rains in the area.The Association also commended the governor for the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of road across the state, adding, the gesture has not only rekindled hope of Rivers people for a better tomorrow,but has bought prosperity across communities in the state.According to a Press release made available to news men during the briefing,”We are gathered here today to express immense appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State,Sir Fubara, GSSRS,for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline Internal roads.“We also wish to use this medium to request the desilting of the Canal transversing the area and the construction of adjoining roads to the area.“We acknowledge with profound gratitude the transformative governance going on in Rivers State under the purposely and impactful leadership of Governor Fubara.“The visible impact of his administration across all sectors, particularly the rehabilitation and construction of new roads,has rekindled hope among the people and brought prosperity to our communities”The Association said.The landlords particularly praised the Governor for the successful completion of the Rumuoke Road from Okilton junction off Ada George Road to Road 9-2nd & 3rd Avenue, Road 10-2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, and Pipeline Road upto the canal, expertly executed by Monier Construction Company (MCC).They noted that,prior to the intervention of the Governor,the road was in an extremely deplorable state, impassable, and prone to flash floods whenever it rains.“Most houses and business premises were often flooded as people could hardly leave or access the area,while economic activities were completely paralyzed.“The newly constructed internal roads have completely eased traffic in the area, boosted economic activities, and improved the quality of life of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”The release which was jointly signed by pastor Joel Gbandi, chairman of The Association and Lucky Ashley Atiegoba secretary,on behalf of the Landlords also expressed gratitude to the Governor for the construction of all internal roads in the area..It however drew the , attention of the Governor to an emerging issue which they said poses threat to the durability of this critical road infrastructure.According to the landlords,”at the terminus of the newly constructed pipeline road, the adjoining canal is severely blocked, impeding the free flow of water .“The canal serves as a vital waterway, traversing several communities, including Rumuokania, Mgbraja, Ogbogoro, Egbelu, Elioparanwo, Mini-Orlu, Rumue-vorlu, Rumuokwachi, Ozuoba, Iwofe, Rumuolumeni, Rumuepirikom, and Mini-kete, among other communities.“This obstruction has caused water to back up onto the surface of the newly constructed road, leading to accelerated erosion and hazardous conditions for surrounding buildings, motorists, and pedestrians alike within RumuokaniaRumuoke communities.“It is against this backdrop that we respectfully request the kind intervention of our dear Governor in this regard:” We humbly request the desilting of the canal to restore proper drainage and prevent water overflowonto the newly constructed internal roads and flooding within the communities.“. We also request the construction of adjoining roads to the area to provide alternative pathways and improve overall accessibility in the area.“Addressing these germane concerns will not only safeguard the investment of the state government in road infrastructure in the area but will also mitigate flooding, enhance safety, and further elevate the living standards of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”the landlords said.
Judges of the High Courts of Rivers State will proceed on this year’s Christmas and New Year vacations on Tuesday, 23rd December 2025.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar, State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, on behalf of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Chibuzor Amadi, and made available to newsmen over the weekend.
The statement stated that judges will commence the yuletide vacation from Tuesday, 23rd of December 2025, and resume on Monday, January 12, 2026.
According to the statement, the directive is in compliance with the provision of Order 49 Rule 4(C) of the High Court of Rivers State Civil Procedure Rule, 2023.
The statement added that during the period of the vacation, all judicial divisions of the High Court of the State shall remain closed, while a vacation judge shall be designated to entertain only urgent applications and matters filed during the vacation.
By: Akujobi Amadi
Land grabbing and crisis of fraudulent land sales may soon be a thing of the past as Rivers State begins experimenting the community land development committee system.
The experiment saw the light of day in Alesa Eleme where the Alesa Land Development Commiittee (ALDEC) was inaugurated last Friday by the paramount ruler of Alesa, Emperor J.D. Mkpe.
The Alesa community where the Port Harcourt refineries are situated has implemented the recommended formula with the strong support of the paramount ruler said to be a respected leader known for his commitment to peace, education, community development, and support for law enforcement, often advocating for better infrastructure and governance in his area.
Inaugurating the committee headed by a businessman, Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, the paramount ruler recounted the contributions of his community to economic development of the nation.
“Alesa is one of the 10 communities in Eleme and we are the first community in Nigeria that has refineries. The Port Harcourt Refinery (1&2) that has a lot of pipelines surrounding us. We have done a lot of contribution in making sure Nigeria stands great among all nations.
“We are made up of about 13 communities due to expansion. When I say 13 communities, Alesa is a community that has embraced other people. You can see here some people from the northern community. All the communities are here. That is why Alesa is known as a cosmopolitan community.
“Because we have got a lot of information about sale of land, and because we now have a situation whereby other persons will go into another person’s land and sell without the owner’s notice. We have also got information about minors who are not qualified to sell landed property, now selling land without letting their elders know.
“And that is why today, we are going to inaugurate a land development committee whose duty is to see into all these issues and bring up report about them. This will make both buyers and sellers feel very free in Alesa.
“We seize this opportunity to warn thus: if you sell any land to anybody without this committee’s knowledge or consent, you are doing it at your own risk. If you are buying any land from Alesa, this committee will know. By this, we will track those selling the land to you so that you don’t buy land from a wrong person. We also do not want you to buy land from an under-aged persons (children) who will sell land and run away.
According to him, we are also partnering with the Rivers State government on the project because those who buy land in Alesa with due process would be backed all the way to acquisition of certificate of occupancy (CofO).
“We are duly registered and we hereby show the world our certificate of registration and recognition. This is not a shabby arrangement. We have the registration and the authority which we have here as a body approved by the government to go into this development. This also is the registered constitution of the body.
“We will also make sure that whatever land you buy here, will be registered with the government of Rivers State through the office of the Surveyor-General and the Ministry of Land and that of Housing. This is to permanently stop land grabbers,
“We want you to buy and develop, not to keep for decades. Failure to develop your land after five years, the land will be forfeited to the government of Rivers State as a ‘waste land’ that you do not want to develop. So we are here not to maltreat any individual, we are not here to punish anyone, but to make sure your money is safe.
“We are optimistic that this strategy will work for us all. One of the greatest persons who has been able to identify with us is the Mayor of Housing. He has been friendly to us and to our aspirations.
Speaking immediately after the inauguration, the chairman of Alesa Land Development Committee, Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, vowed never to betray his community.
“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Alesa Council of Chiefs, the women, the youths, for nominating me to be the chairman of the Alesa Land Development Committee. I want to say this afternoon that I, Emmanuel Olaka, a bonafide son of Alaka, from Uwueke community, I will never disrespect this community. I will always do what is right, so that my God will always stand by me. I will not be biased.”
Also speaking, the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who is behind the Alesa Sustainable Green Smart City, commended the community for leading the way and the war against land grabbing and land fraud.
He said the development would augur well for the green city being initiated in the area and other projects coming to Alesa.
He urged other communities in Rivers State and beyond to move fast and inaugurate such committees to put an end to land grabbing.
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