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Mark Calls For Speedy Transformation Of Power Sector
Senate President David Mark on Wednesday called for urgent transformation of the power sector to enhance the nation’s economic development.
Mark spoke while inaugurating the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy at one of the Senate committees’ hearing rooms.
He decried the poor level of power supply inspite of the huge funds that had been expended on the sector in recent time.
“There is still no improvement in power supply even though huge funds are continually pumped into the sector.
“The whole plan about developing our economy cannot come to reality without a change in the current power situation.
“The ministry, PHCN and the Senate Committee have to do everything possible for us to generate and transmit enough power to the people, ‘’ Mark said.
Inaugurating the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Sen. Mark urged the Police to intensify its crime prevention mechanism and ensure that where crime was committed, the perpetrators were apprehended immediately.
Mark urged the police authorities to pay attention to the welfare of its officers and men, noting that this would check disenchantment.
“You must look after the welfare of officers and men. When they are due for promotion and it’s not forthcoming, they become a nuisance to the society,” he said.
Inaugurating the Committee on Navy, the Senate President also stressed the need for adequate funding of the Navy to ensure maximum performance.
He said the Navy had several challenges over the years which could not be addressed due to inadequate funds.
Speaking while inaugurating the Senate committee on the Niger Delta, Mark said the recent dissolution of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) revealed that it worked against the interest for which it was established.
“The dissolution of the NDDC Board has put a question mark on the body set up by government to alleviate the lives of the Niger Delta people.
“All the board members should hide their faces in shame. They were given the mandate to manage their resources and develop the area, but they failed their own people,’’ he said.
He urged the committee to strengthen its oversight functions over the NDDC to avoid any further misappropriation of funds allocated for the development of the region.
Inaugurating the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Mark called for adequate funding of the security agencies to enhance their performance.
Mark also urged the security agencies to be proactive to check the high level of insecurity in the country.
“All we need to do is to equip the security agencies so that they can fish out criminals once anything goes wrong.
“ They need to train and retrain to meet with the current security challenges in the country, ‘’ he added.
The Chairman of the Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Sen. Philip Aduda, observed that its assignment called for tremendous effort to harness the nation’s power resources for revival of Nigeria’s industrial growth.
Aduda gave an assurance that the committee would address all issues that had been militating against efficient power supply and the development of the steel industry.
“The committee will address issues of power shortage by ensuring that power generation is boosted. Adequate
measures must be put in place to enhance the NIPPs as well as revive our steel plants,’’ he said.
The Chairman of the Committee on Police Affairs, Sen. Paulinus Igwe, said the committee would ensure that the Police were properly equipped to carry out their responsibilities.
He also promised to enhance collaboration between the police and vigilance groups to improve the nation’s security.
“The Committee is poised to encourage the police to explore new vistas in its operations.
“The activities of vigilance groups across the country will also be examined and the possibility of their
collaboration with the police in fighting crime will also be explored,’’ he said.
The Chairman of the Committee on Navy, Sen. Chris Anyanwu, implored the Navy to go beyond just defending the nation against external aggression.
She urged the Navy to look into issues of terrorism, piracy and illegal oil bunkering.
Meanwhile, the Senate referred a motion on the urgent need to safeguard night movement of commercial buses on Nigeria’s highways to its committees on Police Affairs and Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
News
Elder Statesman, Others Emerge PH Boat Club’s New Officials
The Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 has elected new officers to pilot its affairs.
An elder statesman and staunch supporter of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart emerged the club’s Secretary.
Sir Hart’s emergence followed an election conducted by the electoral committee over the weekend which threw up new officials to pilot its affairs at its corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt.
The election which was adjudged one of the most credible, fairest and freest elections in the annals of the Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947, saw the emergence of Dan Harrison as Chairman.
Other members elected to run the activities of the body are Chief Coker Jimmy, Dr Oma Awoh, Chief Bib- Manuel Afonya, Dawari Dingo, Dango Kala- Otaji, Bara Alagoma and Dago George.
Recall that Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 was founded by the former Military Governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.
Many years after its inception, the club is still waxing strong with notable personalities as members.
Former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Chief AbiyeSekibo is also a prominent member of the club.
The elected officials including Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart were subsequently sworn in, signalling a new chapter for the revered group of bigwigs in the oil- rich region.
With the likes of an elder statesman, Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart on board, the narrative has changed for Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 as expectations are high.
The newly elected boat Secretary, Sir Fubara Hart promised to work assiduously with the chairman and other members to chart a new course for the esteemed club.
He said efforts are in top gear to enroll new members who will contribute their quota to the advancement of the club.
Sir Hart described his emergence as an act of God, promising to support the new leadership to achieve the desired objective.
He hinted that the core values of the club would be upheld with vigour, saying working in synergy with the principles laid down by its founders remains their watchword.
He said the rules and regulations of the club shall be sustained in the interest of the club and every legitimate member.
News
New Oneh Eta Akpajo Emerges
The Akpajo Clan in Eleme Local Government Area was recently agog with activities following the coronation of HRH Emere Sunday Obo as the Oneh Eta Akpajo XII/paramount ruler of Akpajo clan in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Emere Obo was crowned by the traditional staff bearer of the clan, Chief Joseph Goka on behalf of the land priests at the community square.
Before his coronation, the new King was an acting traditional ruler of the community since the death of his predecessor, Emere Friedrich on the 11th of January, 2023.
He was also a member of the late King’s Council of Chiefs and member of Nchia and Eleme Council of Chiefs respectively.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after his coronation,the new Akpajo monarch said his reign will usher in peace and prosperity to the Kingdom.
He said he intends to work together with the government and companies operating in the Kingdom to attract development to Akpajo clan.
According to the monarch, he will always seek the advice of his elders and other clansmen before taking any decisions.
“I have promised them that I cannot use my authority to do anything without hearing from them first,” he said.
Emere Obo also stressed the need for the youths in the area to toe the path of peace, adding that as a traditional ruler, his responsibility is to ensure that Akpajo clan remains peaceful.
He also assured the government of support and praised both past and current administrations in the State for siting projects in the community.
Also speaking , the traditional staff bearer of the clan, Chief Joseph Goka said Emere Obo’s installation was in line with the customs and traditions of Akpajo Kingdom.
He also told newsmen that the king makers have not received any protest from any quarters concerning the installation since the process started months ago.
Chief Goka equally said his crowning of the monarch was based on instructions from the clan’s land priests and expressed optimism that Emere Obo is capable of representing the clan Traditionally and other wise.
Chief Goka described Emere Obo as trustworthy and law-abiding, adding that having worked with the late traditional ruler, Emere Obo has a full knowledge of the customs and traditions of not only Akpajo clan but the entire Eleme Kingdom.
He assured the new monarch of the support of the people of Akpajo and the entire traditional institution in the area.
Also speaking, one of the community’s land priests, Levy Kattey Jumaa said the installation of the new Akpajo monarch was in line with the customs and traditions of Akpajo and Eleme kingdom.
According to him, the new King has all the qualities expected from a chief in Eleme land, stressing that Emere Obo was only ascending the throne of his fathers having come from the royal family of Akpajo Kingdom.
He urged the public to disregard any insinuations concerning the installation, ”if at all there is any,” adding that it is only the land priests families that talk about kingship installations in Akpajo and Eleme and no other persons outside the land priests families can do that.
By: John Bibor
News
Awo Idemili Community May Become Ghost Town If
If urgent steps are not taken by concerned authorities, the Awo Idemili community in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State may become a ghost town, due to incessant killings, arson and kidnapping of residents by some alleged criminal elements suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB).
The Tide’s sourc learnt that a certain family, the Emenikes, said the only possible solution to save the lives of the family members and that of others was to seek protection in a foreign land.
According to sources, one of the family members, Mr Peter Emenike was adbucted and murdered in a gruesome manner by people believed to be members of the IPOB recently.
It was further learnt that Peter Emenike, now deceased, was the Personal Assistant to the Imo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Traditional Matters and was never a member of any secret organisation as to warrant the fate that befell him.
His only offence as further gathered, was an alleged intelligence leaked to the Imo Government which the IPOB framed up in order to get him and his family members nailed.
It also learnt on a good authority that Peter Emenike’s lifeless body alongside that of his wife was found at their residence in Awo – Idemili, Imo State on 14th November, 2024 .
It was also reported that few days later, some family members of the Emenike family were declared missing and as one of them was found dead by a bush path, while others were still held hostage as at when this report was filed.
The Tide’s source claimed that a letter purportedly written by the IPOB members was delivered and dropped inside the car of the deceased bearing the insignia of the IPOB with the inscription: ‘None of your family members can hide for long’.
Unconfirmed report has it that the family, out of fear could not immediately report the matter to the Imo State Police Command as the group is believed to possess some spiritual powers to identify their perceived enemies from afar.
The family members of the deceased including oneMr Daniel Emenike, Boniface Emenike , Paul Emenike and others are now under serious threat by the separatist group (IPOB), thus the urgent need for protection especially in a foreign land.
A security analyst who pleaded anolmity, warned that the assassination of Peter Emenike and the serial killings and abduction of his family members stood as a signal to a new phase of IPOB’s operations .
“ This is not an attack on one family , but on the nation and our collective safety . The government must act swiftly not just to rescue the family but to reaffirm their stance on zero tolerance to terrorism “ he said .
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