Connect with us

Rivers

‘Effective Planning, Panacea For Service Delivery’

Published

14 years ago

on

The Chairmen of Local Government councils in Rivers State have been urged to ensure a better service delivery through effective planning, budget and implementation of projects.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Isaac S. Harry, made the call at a meeting organised by the State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning last Friday, to sensitise policy makers at the third tier of government on the need to achieve overall development of the local government areas, in the state.

The Permanent Secretary who was represented by Chief M.D. Wodu, therefore appealed to the chairmen to redouble efforts towards achieving the developmental vision of Governor Chibuike Amaechi in the state.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Prince Timothy Nsirim advocated for total independence of the local government areas for better and effective service delivery.

He maintained that without the independence of the LGA, effective planning and overall development at the grassroot would remain an elusion.

Prince Nsirim, who described Chairmen of Local Government   Councils as prisoners of war said that the Chairmen were at liberty to exercise their right under the present arrangment.

The Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government, Mr Chimbiko Akarolo commended the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for putting together the meeting on development, planning  and budget, pointing out that it is important for planned budgets to be properly studied and followed for effective service delivery.

Earlier, a Director in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Gabriel Ikpe, said that the meeting was aimed at sensitising policy makers at the third tier government, review planning experience in the LGA, identify gaps in planning, budgeting process and adopt best practices to improve service delivery.

Describing planning as a continuous, conscious and deliberate efforts to influence and direct solid economic events in order to achieve higher  standard of living, Mr Ikpe reiterated the need for Nigerians to compete favourably with other developed countries like the United States and Britain by the year 2010.

He also challenged those at the helm of affairs at the LGAs to follow up planned projects for implementation and not to divert funds for such projects to other inconsequential projects that have no direct bearing on the people. According to him, monitoring and evaluation remain critical elements in service  delivery and called for its re-establishment in  the local government councils if the grassroot is to be effectively developed.

Mr Ikpe insisted that the input of the local government areas in the state’s medium term development plan was imperative in order to help the state meet up the Federal Government’s vision 2020 plan for the country.

Isaac Nwankwo

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Rivers

NGO Builds Awareness On Digital Violence Against Women, Girls

Published

6 days ago

on

January 2, 2026

By

As part of activities marking 16 Days of Activism, A Non-Governmental Organizatio (NGO), OLEGH, has organised a one-day awareness creation workshop on digital violence against women and girls, for civil society and media groups in Rivers State.
OLEGH’s Executive Director, Henry Eferebo, said the programme was intended to draw attention to the theme for the 2025 16 Days of Activism tagged, “Unite To End Digital Violence against all Women and Girls.”
Eferebo said the event is an annual global campaign that focuses on violence against women, affords persons and groups all over the world the opportunity to embark on activities aimed at eliminating all forms of women and gender abuse.
“As individuals, we don’t pay attention to the things we see on the social media. We pay less attention to the abuse on the internet. Today, you can abuse a woman or a man physically, emotionally and otherwise, and go scot-free”, he noted.
According to him, women and girls have suffered the most from online violence and cyber-bullying, particularly on platforms such as TikTok, making them ready victims online and offline.
“So, in line with the United Nations principle on 16 Days of Activism and this year’s theme, there is a need for OLEGH Center to create awareness on issues resulting from the online abuse of women and girls.
“We decided to bring in a resource person who will tell us how to avoid being abused online”, he said.
He urged participants at the event to put hands together, rise up and speak against digital violence online.
The NGO’s arrow head, also explained that OLEGH was working towards creating an online help-desk for victims of online abuse and digital violence.
He urged participants to improve their security awareness while online, and adopt security protocols that would protect them in the digital space.
The Resource Person, Jacob Iniodu, in a paper titled, “Understanding Digital Abuse within the 16 Days of Activism”, listed forms of online violence to include, cyber-bullying, dozing, cyber-stalking, and invasion of privacy.
By: King Onunwor
Continue Reading

Rivers

Foundation Distribute Bags N5m Worth Christmas Gifts In Bundu Ama

Published

6 days ago

on

January 2, 2026

By

Armslent Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), in Rivers State, has distributed Christmas gifts worth over N5million to aged mothers, orphans and less privileged persons in Belema, Bundu Ama (Community) in Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA).
The Foundation also gave cash gifts of N150,000 to the Community.
Presenting the gift items, comprising 5 bags of rice,10 Cartons of indomie noodles,10 Gallons of groundnut oil, 3 bags of salt and cartons of maggie cubes, to Chairman of the Community, David Oba, and the community leaders, the founder of Armslent Foundation, Comrade Richard Boma Briggs, said the foundation decided to show love and togetherness to the community by providing the gifts.
He noted that the provision was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the community aimed at alleviating poverty and create a sense of belonging as Christian faithfuls celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Briggs described Bundu Ama as one of its pillars in partnership, stressing that the foundation was inspired by the spirit of love to impact and rejoice with the residents of the community.
“The foundation was moved by the spirit of Christmas to give these gifts and rejoice with the people of community”, Briggs said.
Accompanied by the Managing Director of the Foundation, Richard Osigbo, and other top Executive Members, Briggs called on the leaders of the community to always pray for the foundation, promising that in 2026, it would embark on a tangible project at UPE Modern Primary School Waterfront, Bundu Ama.
Receiving the items, Chairman of Bundu Ama, David Oba, thanked the foundation for empowering the less privileged persons, assisting physically challenged persons, and aged mothers in the past.
“The foundation had done a lot for this community and today we are witnessing these gift items for the Christmas celebration”,he emphasised.
He called on the leaders of the community, women group, youths and residents to emulate the humanitarian gestures of the foundation and pleaded that they also borrow a leaf from the gesture,in order to also give to society whenever they can.
Earlier the leaders of Belema Bundu Ama, led by Oba, former Chairman, Benneth Kalio, and Secretary, Promise Mangibo, presented an Award of Excellence to the Founder of the Foundation for his Humanitarian and selfless service to the community.
Highlight of the event was the offering of a special prayer to the management of the foundation by aged mothers, youths and leadership of the community.
By: Chinedu Wosu
Continue Reading

Rivers

Youths Condemn Killings In Andoni

Published

6 days ago

on

January 2, 2026

By

The Obolo Youth Coalition, Rivers State Chapter, has condemned the recent spate of killings in Andoni Local Government Area, describing the renewed insecurity as alarming and constituting a threat to peace and stability in the area.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comr. Jonathan J. Eyina, the group expressed deep concern over what it described as brutal and senseless acts of violence, while extending condolences to the families of the victims.
The coalition said the resurgence of insecurity in Andoni has continued to undermine communal harmony and called for urgent steps to halt the trend before it escalates further.
It appealed to youths in the area to shun violence and embrace peace, stressing the need for tolerance, mutual respect and collective responsibility in safeguarding the community.
According to the group, restoring peace in Andoni requires a coordinated approach involving government, security agencies, community leaders and residents to identify and address the root causes of insecurity.
It noted that increased security presence, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained community engagement are critical to preventing further violence, adding that underlying social and economic challenges must also be addressed.
The coalition called on the Andoni Local Government Chairman, Hon. Lucky Promise-Otua, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, to take decisive actions to restore security.
It further demanded that those responsible for the killings be apprehended and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
By: King Onunwor
Continue Reading

Trending