Rivers

Govt Unveils six-Year Plan To Curb HIV/AIDS

Published

15 years ago

December 7, 2009

Following success recorded in checking the menace of HIV/AIDS in the state, the Rivers State Government has unveiled a six year plan to tackle the malaise head on.

State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker at a rally to commemorate the World AIDS/HIV Day in Omoku disclosed that the State government would not relent to combat the disease until it is reduced to its barest minimum.

To this end, he stated a mass anti-AIDS/HIV campaign would be embarked upon to educate the rural populace, saying the disease is now more prevalent at the grassroot than the city, where awareness have gone up.

Already, he stated, Local Action Committee on AIDS/HIV had been established in 21 local government councils and that the state spends over N100 million yearly on HIV/AIDS campaign and programme.

A report made available to The Tide from the Ministry indicate that the sum of N23 million was released by the State Government to the State Agency on Control of AIDS (SACA).

About N120 million worth of anti-retroviral drugs were also purchased within the period for the eight ART/Sites in the state.

Currently about 6,721 subsides on ART drugs offered free of charge by the State government to patients. HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) centres have now swollen to 110.

The report also reveal that centres for the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) have now increased to 61 in the state.

Out of the 25,713 pregnant women that were tested about 1,407 were positive, while 868 babies passed through PMTCT services.

Last year, out of 14,860 people that were tested about 1,281 tested positive with 2,755 children under ART care.

Rivers

Julius Berger reiterates commitment to Bodo- Bonny Road Project

Published

5 days ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has reaffirmed its steadfastness in its mission to delivering transformative infrastructure projects that align with Nigeria’s developmental priorities.

In a statement issued by the leading construction firm and signed by its Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeiseifa James Agama, Julius Berger noted that, “For over 50 years, we have partnered with the Federal Government, communities, and stakeholders to deliver transformative infrastructure solutions with professionalism, transparency, and adherence to the highest standards”.
“The Bodo-Bonny Road project exemplifies our unwavering commitment to progress, despite significant operational and financial challenges. Extreme inflation, rising input costs, and FX volatility necessitating the declaration of Force Majeure and the suspension of works in November 2023. Nevertheless, Julius Berger resumed work in good faith in August 2024, five months before the formal execution of the contract, following a verbal agreement with the Federal Ministry of Works to adjust the contract value from NGN200 billion to NGN280 billion”.
“Although inflationary pressures on materials have risen between 200% and 600% (and even higher in some cases), the relatively modest adjustment to the contract value was a welcome step. Julius Berger’s acceptance at the time reflects our commitment to addressing challenges impacting projects and fostering mutual agreements with the Federal Government to ensure their successful delivery”, the statement further read.
Julius Berger further noted that, “The absence of a tripartite funding agreement between the Federal Government, NLNG and Julius Berger continues to impact payments, requiring Julius Berger to pre-finance significant portions of the project. Despite these challenges, we have continued to make progress, including through the yuletide season, reaffirming our commitment to delivering this critical national asset”.
“It is important to note that Julius Berger is the only contractor to have taken on this project in a challenging terrain previously abandoned by other contractors. Connecting Bonny Island to the mainland for the first time underscores our commitment to innovation and national development.
We remain focused on fostering constructive engagement with all stakeholders to ensure the timely and successful delivery of the Bodo-Bonny Road, a project critical to Nigeria’s economic and social advancement and a cornerstone for the long-term development and prosperity of the Niger Delta”, the statement read.

Rivers

JONAPWD Elections: Commissioner Inaugurates 5-Man Committee

Published

5 days ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Ilamu Arugu, has inaugurated a 5-man electoral committee to oversee the forth-coming elections of the Joint Association of Persons Living with Disabilities in the State (JONAPWD).

Members of the committee were carefully selected from five clusters, representing various categories of persons with disabilities, including visually and hearing impaired, spinal cord injury, physically challenged, and persons with albinism, to ensure that the electoral process is inclusive.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held in his office in Port-Harcourt, Mr. Arugu emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, and fairness in the electoral process and charged the committee members to “conduct the election with integrity, impartiality, and the fear of God”.

The Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Commissioner also tasked the committee with developing a comprehensive plan for the election within two weeks and to report any challenges they encounter within the same timeframe to ensure prompt solutions to facilitate a seamless election.

In his acceptance speech, the newly appointed Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr. Nwankwo Ndubuisi, expressed his gratitude to the Commissioner on behalf of his colleagues for entrusting them with the mandate and pledged to work tirelessly to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process.

“I’d like to thank the Commissioner for this opportunity, and I assure him that we’ll work diligently to ensure a successful election”, the Chairman said.

Mr. Ndubuisi also thanked his colleagues for their support and cooperation, saying, “We’re dedicated to making this election a reality, and we’ll work together to achieve our goal”.

This inauguration marks a crucial milestone in addressing the leadership vacuum created by the expiration of Mr. Kie Obomanu’s tenure as Chairman of JONAPWD.

A statement by the Head of Press, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Martha Igbiks, said, “the Ministry’s initiative is a welcome development which demonstrates its commitment to promoting inclusivity, transparency, and accountability in governance, ensuring that persons with disabilities have a voice and are actively involved in the decision-making process”.

Rivers

Orazi Gas Explosion: 3 Confirmed Dead

Published

5 days ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

Three persons have been confirmed dead in the Orazi Gas explosion in Port Harcourt , Rivers State, which occurred last weekend.

Recall that the Rivers State Government confirmed that 16 persons were initially admitted into the hospital as a result of the explosion.

According to information, the dead, which include a father and two of his daughters, were among those receiving treatment at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, saying the 16 survivors from the incident were carried immediately to the RSUTH.

She also confirmed that some of them were in critical conditions when they were taken there.

“In fact, we are currently managing 16 patients that arose from the explosion at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

“They have various degrees of burns and thankfully we have a highly specialized unit that is providing expert attention and care to the patients”, she said.

Dr. Oreh said the explosion took place in a residential area without proper guidelines.

“The gas explosion took place in a residential area without adherent to guidelines on how gas cylinders that are commercialized should be operated.

“This is definitely beyond the ministry of health and that emphasizes the fact of what we call social determinants of health and so we work very closely with other ministries”she said.

She also said the Rivers State Government, through the various ministries, is carrying out activities with the view to streamlining the activities of such service providers so that clear guidelines are communicated to them to ensure that the lives of and property of the people of Rivers state is protected.

John Bibor