News

PH To Face Blackout,August …As Afam Power Plant Shuts Down

Published

14 years ago

July 22, 2011

Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and its environs will experience a major blackout that would last for one month, beginning from August 1, 2011.

The new business Manager, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Diobu Business Unit, Engr Festus A. Nmegbu, who dropped this hint yesterday in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said the interruption in electricity supply would be as a result of a reconstruction job on PHCN’s 132 KV Line from Afam to Port Harcourt.

“This is to enable contractors handling the reconstruction of the line to conclude their job. On conclusion, power export to Rivers State from Afam is expected to improve”, Engr Nmegbu explained.

According to the Business Manager, the interruption, which would affect all classes of the company’s customers, will last from 8am till 6pm daily.

He said only the areas covered by Rivers State Power Station, Omoku and Ahoada, which are fed from Owerri 132 KV line would have their normal supply.

Engr Nmegbu, who appealed to numerous customers of PHCN to bear with it while the job lasts, stressed that the reconstruction was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve on the existing power supply in the country.

Diobu Business Unit, he further disclosed, intends to hold a meeting next week with customers to properly discuss the development to enable them adjust while the interruption period lasts.

Meanwhile, some electricity consumers in Lagos have threatened to sue the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for approving an increase in tariff without resolving the nation’s epileptic power supply.

The consumers told newsmen yesterday in separate interviews that it was inconceivable for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to increase electricity tariff when the citizens were battling the effects of power outages.

Alhaji Salami Badru, Chairman, Bariga Community Development Area, warned that if NERC failed to reverse the tariff increase, the association would not have any choice than to seek legal redress.

Badru said the PHCN should provide adequate electricity supply before increasing tariff.

“We are tired of the whole billing system of PHCN; despite inadequate electricity supply, they still enforce increase in tariff”.

“We will not hesitate to take legal action against PHCN and NERC over arbitrary charges of various forms included in the electricity payment on pre-paid metres payment vouchers,’’ he said.

Mr Jola Ogunlusi, Chairman, Festac Town Residents Association (FTRA), criticised the tariff increase, saying it was wrong for NERC to have endorsed the hike.

Ogunlusi said that the government should have addressed the national electricity supply problem and other ancillary issues such as estimated billing and non-availability of prepaid metres before increasing the tariff.

“While we appreciate the current reforms in the power sector by NERC, we are really concerned about the increase in electricity tariff. Consumers cannot just continue to pay for what they don’t consume”.

“Power should be made available first before NERC thinks of tariff increase. We are concerned about this issue because any increase in tariff should be matched with increased power supply,’’ he said.

Another consumer, Mr Andrew Johnson, Managing Director, Ocean Sea Pure Water in Ikorodu, urged the government to critically evaluate the new electricity tariff in the face of economic constraints.

Johnson said that his factory depended on generator for production though it pays about N2,400 monthly as metre maintenance charges outside the usual electricity consumption bill.

He said a critical study of current PHCN billing system would show the level of “illegality within the national electricity company”.

“Government should see reason to respond to the yearnings of the people and urgently address those abnormalities in the bill for justice to prevail; customers should not be left to suffer.”

In her contribution, Mrs Abimbola Talabi, a banker, said the tariff increase was a mockery of the Federal Government’s avowed commitment to the welfare of the citizenry, stressing that the new tariff was another effort to compound the woes of the masses.

“How can they increase tariff at this point in time when there is no electricity? We are still in darkness and they want to make us pay more. It is really a shame. If their argument is that it is part of reforming the power sector, then they should have first made the power available before asking the people to pay more,” she said.

Our correspondent recalls that PHCN had from July 1, 2011 increased electricity tariff to N10 per kilowatt from N5.90, while the tariff for commercial concerns rose from N11.20 to N22 per kilowatt under the Multi-Year Tariff Order Act of 2008.

Chris Oluoh

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

2 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

2 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor