Rivers
Ozuaha Stakeholders Support Amaechi
Some Concerned citizens and opinion leaders from Ozuaha Town in Ikwerre Local Government of Rivers State have pledged their unalloyed support for Governor Amaechi second term bid.
The stakeholders made up of politicians, youths and traditional rulers from the community made their view public in a chat with pressmen at Ozuaha during the weekend.
Spokesman of the group, Barrister Cashmir Ofurum told newsmen that since the inception of Governor Amaechi administration, the community has witnessed unprecedented development in infrastructure and social amenities.
He remarked that no administration since the creation of the state has given attention to the plight of the people of the area than the Amaechi administration hence their total support for his second term bid.
“The only way we can repay him is to demonstrate our gratefulness and we have promised that we would massively vote for him … Because if he wins, in the next four years, Ozuaha would be transformed than it is today”, Ofurum declared.
A member of Ozuaha Council of Chiefs, Chief Eugene Amadi noted that some of the projects done by the Amaechi administration in the community have brought succour to the people.
Aside the Health Centre, New Model Primary School and the Ozuaha-Omagwa Road, the traditional ruler urged the state government to dualise the Ozuaha-Omagwa Road to reduce the frequent accident and robbery along the route.
Chief Amadi also challenged government to provide good drinking water, in order to curb the menace of water-borne disease in the community.
The royal father however, thanked the governor for including the community in the Greater Port Harcourt project, but called for the upgrading of the secondary school from Junior Secondary to senior Secondary level.
Chairman of Ikwerre Youth Movement in the community Ekwubiri Charles thanked the governor for the development he has brought to the area, and pledged the support of youths to the victory of Amaechi at the pools.
Rivers
RSG Gives Illegal Dump Site Operators Quit Notice
The Rivers State Government has issued a seven-day ultimatum to operators and occupants of an illegal dumpsite located in a residential and an industrial area along Danjuma drive, off Peter Odili Road, in Port Harcourt, to vacate or be forced out.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, issued the order during an on-the-spot visit to the area along with the enforcement team of the Ministry.
He condemned the use of the large hectare of private land by scavengers as a dumpsite in an unauthorised area to gather and sort solid waste for recycling.
Hon. Bipi said operating such dumpsite in a residential and industrial area portends grave environmental and health risk.
He also condemned the conversion of the area to a slum accommodation with shanties and illegal structures by the scavengers and other individuals.
Bipi wondered why the property owner would allow such illegal activities in his property in an area designated as residential and industrial zone.
He warned that the State Government would commence the clearing of the dumpsite and demolition of all shanties and illegal structures in the area at the expiration of the seven days deadline.
The Commissioner reiterated the unwavering determination of the Ministry under his watch to mitigate the proliferation of illegal structures and slums in Port Harcourt and other parts of the State.
On his part, the Chairman, Special Committee on Development Control of the Ministry, Tpl. David Ogbanga, said the existence of such slum is impeding the efforts of the Ministry in promoting sustainable urban development in line with the United Nations Goals on Sustainable Development.
He said besides its negative impact on urbanization, slums act as a breeding ground for miscreants and promotion of social vices. Ogbanga decried the pollution of the environment as a result of activities of the operators of the illegal dumpsite and the slum dwellers.
He vowed that in the coming days the Enforcement Team will go tough on slum dwellers and operators of such unauthorized dumpsite in Port Harcourt and its environs.
By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Charity Amiso
Rivers
Lawmaker Tasks Govt On Indigenous Cultures, Languages Promotion
The House of Representatives member representing Port Harcourt Constituency 11 in the National Assembly, Hon. (Mrs) Blessing Amadi, has called on government at all levels to give more attention to the promotion of indigenous cultures and languages.
She stated this at the just-concluded Ogbakor Ikwerre OPA Branch Cultural Day at Rumuekini, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The lawmaker, who expressed concern over the danger of extinction being faced by indigenous languages and culture, said the situation needs serious government attention.
She also called on Ikwerre parents to bring their children up in the ways of the culture and traditions of the Ikwerre nation and commended the organisation for its effort in sustaining Ikwerre cultures and traditions.
Also speaking, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Eze Godspower Onuekwa, said Ikwerre as an ethnic nationality has distinct dressing, language and culture
Onuekwa said the organisation is working hard to ensure that the Ikwerre language and culture do not die.
He also tasked parents in Ikwerre land to teach their children the Ikwerre language and culture.
Speaking on the topic, “Dressing As An Expression of Cultural Identity”, Professor Matthew Wegwu explained the need for an ethnic group to strictly ensure its traditional attires are not abused, but worn in a proper manner in order to prevent misidentification.
He said parents must do more by advising their children on proper dressing in order to avoid being abused by following current trends in the society.
The OPA Branch Chairman of the association, Eze Chris Onunwor, and the Programme Planning Committee Chairman, Dr. Ovuchi Agwu, said the programme was organised to celebrate Ikwerre cultural heritage and urged all hands to be on deck to ensure the preservation of Ikwerre culture.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of awards to distinguished and long serving members of the association, drama presentations and wrestling bouts.
By: John Bibor
Rivers
Rivers Seals Firms Over Non-Compliance With Physical Planning Law
The Rivers State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development has sealed some oil and gas service Companies and training firms at the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout of Port Harcourt over non-compliance with the Physical Planning Law and Regulations of the State.
The Commissioner, Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, who led the enforcement team on the action, accused the companies of flagrant violation of standards and procedures of the Nigerian building codes and regulations of the Ministry while carrying out development projects in their premises.
He said the companies failed to comply with the requirements on the monitoring, verification and compliance exercise carried out by officials of the Ministry.
The Commissioner also frowned at the companies for also failing to honour invitations extended to them by the Ministry over the issues.
Hon Bipi said the sealing of premises of the defaulting companies was done with human face and within the ambit of the law.
He clarified that it was not meant to disrupt the operations of the companies but a necessary action to compel them to comply with safety, quality and other regulatory standards of the building industry.
The Commissioner assured that the affected companies will be unsealed as soon as they send their representatives to the Ministry to resolve the outstanding issues.
On his part, the Chairman of the Special Committee on Development Control of the Ministry, David Ogbanga, explained that the companies failed to provide relevant documents required of them, which include previous and current plans with elevations and setbacks, previous and current development permits and approval on fencing and renovation as well as Urban Infrastructure Support Plans.
He said others include Demand Notices and evidence of original receipts of payment, Reports of relevant professionals on subject plan, as well as Location Map and Survey Plan.
Ogbanga said the companies were duly served with notices of enforcement, which include that of contravention, stop work and seal-up, in accordance with relevant sections of the Physical Planning and Development Law of the State before the execution of the action.
He said the affected companies will remain sealed until their Managements demonstrate seriousness and willingness to resolve the outstanding issues.
The Chairman of the Special Committee on Development Control further stated that this will serve as a deterrent to non-compliant companies and corporate organisations in the State.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
-
Politics2 days ago
Alleged Ugochinyere’s Expulsion, Null, Void, No Effect – PDPNWC
-
Niger Delta2 days ago
Woman Petitions IGP Over Husband’s Murder In Cocoa Farm
-
News2 days ago
Tax Reform: SERAP Urges NASS To Assess Human Rights Impacts
-
Opinion2 days ago
Child Rape: A Global Menace
-
News2 days ago
Stakeholder Hails Fubara Over Ekpeye Chieftaincy Title
-
Politics2 days ago
After S’Court Victory, It’s Time To Work, Soludo Urges APGA
-
Maritime2 days ago
MOWCA, NIMET Collaborate On W’Africa Maritime Safety
-
News2 days ago
Kwara Hospital Threatens Mass Burial For Unclaimed Corpses