Rivers

Rivers Judiciary Workers To Resume Strike Feb, If…

Published

16 years ago

January 24, 2010

The suspended Rivers State branch of the Nationwide Judiciary Workers Strike may resume in February if promises made to them are not met.

This hint was given on Tuesday by the Chairan of Judiciary staff Union of Nigeria, Rivers State, Comrade Ahiakwo Ugorji in an interview with The Weekend Tide.

Comrade Ugorji, who barred his mind on the eminent resumption of strike, stated that the strike was suspended in Rivers State in respect of appeals made by the Attorney- General, Mr. Ken Chikere and the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Hon. Magnus Abe and the State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Chris Oruge.

“The Attorney General appealed to us with the promise that the Committee will be set up to handle the matter and come up with a resolution immediately, hence there was no need to continue the strike.

“In actual fact, though, it was after we embarked on the strike on January 4, 2010 that we received a letter informing us that the committee has been inaugurated by the SSG, and that the resolution of the committee will be communicated to us”, he said.

Ugorji, explained that within that same week, a fire-man committee was inaugurated.

“We were made to inderstand that the Attorney General and SSG were acting on the Governor’s mandate, and so we heeded their demand for us to suspend the strike.”

According to him, the 5-man committee, headed by Hon. Austine Nwakoh had the Permanent Secretaries in Ministries of Justice (Mrs M. Benibo), Establishment, Mr. Chima Ake and of finance, George Nweke as well as a Director in the office of the SSG as members.

:All these people appealed for the negotiation to suspend strike action before the committee will swing into action.

“But to our greatest surprise, the Rivers State Governor , Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi during the opening of this year’s legal week said he was not privy to what ever arrangement that was made and so will not pay anything”, Comrade Ugorji said.

He continued that, “This is why we are willing to give the government up till the month to at least have a rethink over the issue.

“We are still very ready to go into dialogue. We do not see strike action as the ultimate to arrive at resolution”.

It only applies where the Government is not responsive to the plight of workers.

“We are still pleading with the Government to have a rethink of his position knowledge that he has a lot of developmental challenges.

It will recalled that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, under the auspices of the National Judiciary Institute called for the nationwide strike in November, 2009 following failure by state governments to implement the scheme of service and enhance welfare condition of service for all staff of the Judiciary in Nigeria.

The nationwide strike commence November 2, 2009. But in Rivers State, in response to intervention of the Attorney-General, SSG and NLC Chairman, it was suspended on 13th of November and commenced again on the 14th of January after promises made by the government was not fulfilled, according to Comrade Ugorji.

Rivers

NDDC Provides Lifeline To Flood-Hit Ogu-Bolo Community

Published

10 hours ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

In response to the recent flood disaster that displaced families, destroyed farmlands, and worsened economic hardship in Ogu/Bolo Community, The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has distributed relief materials to residents of the community.

Presenting the items on behalf of the Managing Director, the Director II, Education, Health and Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Onolejoloni, said the intervention underscores the commission’s commitment to alleviating the plight of vulnerable communities across the Niger Delta.

According to a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the gesture followed the devastating impact of flooding on livelihoods in the community.

The Managing Director noted that the commission, in collaboration with the Derek and Davia Foundation, provided financial support to facilitate the distribution of essential food items and household materials to affected residents.

He described the initiative as part of efforts to address pressing needs, adding that it also reflects government’s solidarity with citizens facing economic challenges.

“This intervention goes beyond palliatives. It is a demonstration of government’s presence, compassion and commitment to supporting families in distress, in line with the renewed hope agenda of the President,” he said.

He urged community leaders to ensure fair distribution of the items and encouraged residents to sustain peace and support development programmes.

The Paramount Ruler of Ogu-Bolo, Chief Joachim Amachiri, commended the Commission for the timely intervention, noting that it would provide much-needed relief to victims of the flood.

He reaffirmed the community’s support for NDDC initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in the region.

Also speaking, a consultant on the programme, represented by Dr. George Smile, praised the commission’s responsiveness to disaster-affected communities, disclosing that plans were underway, in partnership with development stakeholders, to extend similar support to neighbouring areas.

Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick

Rivers

Don Traces Nigeria’s Highway Woes To Design Failures … Proposes Mechanistic-Empirical Design Approach

Published

13 hours ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

A lecturer at the Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Emmanuel Osilemme Ekwulo, has called for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s highway pavement systems, stating that poor design practices and weak standards, not just inadequate funding, are at the heart of the country’s persistent road failures.

Delivering the 128th inaugural lecture at the Rivers State University, titled “Removing Roadblocks: Rebuilding The Foundation For Reliable Highway Pavement Infrastructure”, Ekwulo argued that Nigeria’s roads will continue to deteriorate prematurely unless critical engineering principles are strictly applied and enforced.

According to him, recurring defects in the nation’s highways stem from a combination of faulty design processes, substandard construction materials, weak regulatory enforcement, poor drainage systems, and widespread disregard for professional ethics.

He stressed that these systemic failures have undermined the durability of road infrastructure despite significant financial investments.

“Premature pavement failures in Nigeria are not due to lack of funds alone, but largely due to poor design decisions, weak material standards, and absence of accountability,” he said.

Ekwulo proposed the adoption of the mechanistic-empirical design approach, a scientifically grounded method for predicting pavement performance, as a pathway to improving road quality.

He also advocated for the development of a localized framework, the Nigerian Empirical and Mechanistic Pavement Design System (NEMPADS), to reflect the country’s unique environmental and material conditions.

He further recommended stricter quality control measures, including independent audits, the establishment of a national database for material characterization, and compulsory traffic load analysis for all road projects.

The use of modified binders and advanced materials, he added, would enhance pavement resilience.

To ensure sustainability, the Professor called for the implementation of a National Pavement Management System to coordinate maintenance and monitoring efforts nationwide, noting that consistent upkeep is essential to prolonging road lifespan.

Ekwulo emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry, urging universities to lead applied research initiatives and pilot projects that can deliver practical solutions to Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, said universities must play a frontline role in addressing national development issues through research-driven interventions.

He described the lecture as timely, noting that the neglect of core engineering standards has contributed significantly to the country’s failing highways.

The event, held at the Dr. Ezenwo Wike Senate Building in the campus, also featured the formal decoration of Ekwulo as the institution’s 128th inaugural lecturer.

Reiterating his position after the lecture, Ekwulo stated that with proper design methods, quality materials, and strict adherence to global standards, Nigeria’s roads can achieve their intended lifespan of 10 to 20 years or more.

“Without a return to engineering fundamentals and accountability, investments in road infrastructure will continue to yield poor results”, he concluded.

Rivers

CP Reaffirms Commitment To Human Rights, Community Policing In Rivers

Published

13 hours ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has assured residents of the command’s commitment to upholding human rights and delivering people-oriented policing.

He stressed that officers under his watch would continue to operate within the confines of the law, while strengthening community relations.

Adepoju gave the assurance during a sensitisation walk organised by the State Police Command as part of activities marking the National Police Day in Port Harcourt.

He noted that the exercise was aimed at fostering trust and enhancing cooperation between the police and the public.

While expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a special day for the Nigeria Police to celebrate its achievements, he described the gesture as a morale booster that would spur officers to greater efficiency and professionalism in service delivery.

The CP also commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for initiating a week-long celebration, which he said had provided an opportunity for the police to reconnect with citizens and showcase reforms within the force.

According to him, the large turnout of residents, stakeholders and members of the business community during the exercise was a clear indication of the growing confidence reposed in the police by the people of Rivers State.

He reiterated that the Command would sustain its sensitisation efforts, adding that officers had been adequately briefed to respect the rights of citizens, maintain professionalism and work closely with the media to promote transparency and accountability.

Adepoju disclosed that the week-long activities commenced with environmental sanitation across commands and divisions, alongside public enlightenment campaigns targeted at strengthening police-community relations.

He further revealed that the Command had also embarked on free medical outreach for both officers and members of the public, as part of its corporate social responsibility and commitment to public welfare.

The CP added that financial support would be extended to widows of fallen police officers through the presentation of cheques, in line with directives from the police high command, to cushion the effects of their loss.

In his response, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in the state, Voke Emore, said the initiative was geared towards rebuilding trust between the police and the communities they serve.

Emore noted that the renewed synergy between the police and residents in Rivers State had created an enabling environment for effective policing, urging the public to continue supporting security agencies with useful information.

Also, a representative of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Chima Nnaji, said the group participated in the walk to show solidarity with their spouses.

The event drew attendance from senior police officers, members of the PCRC, and stakeholders from various sectors of the state.

King Onunwor