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Gas Eruption: RVHA Moves To Protect Citizens

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Rivers State House of Assembly on Tuesday took steps to protect the people of Egi Clan in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area over the gas eruption in four communities.

The house mandated its committees on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources to ascertain the situation by visiting the affected areas.

Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree, directed the two committees to liaise with the commissioners of the ministries to find out the extent of the hazards to the people for necessary action that would bring succour to the communities.

This followed a motion by Hon. Gift Wokocha, member representing Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni constituency on matter of urgent public importance on the disaster in Egita, Obiebe, Obite and Ogbagu in  ONELGA as a result of gas eruption from Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited facility.

Hon. Wokocha reported that on April 2, 2012, there was a rig equipment failure belonging to total (E&P) Limited at Obite Gas Plant in Egi Clan which resulted in fire outbreak and to put the fire under control, the well was shut down by the company.

He further stated that the sudden shut down of the well caused blocking of gas and the outcome was the eruption of gas from the ground, circulating within the communities’ farm lands and fish ponds, while the people were barred from going to the farm or cooking for fear of possible fire that may devastate the area.

The lawmaker lamented the economic deprivation occasioned by fear, unsafe environment and distress that now pervade the area and appealed to the assembly to save his constituents.

Hon. Wokocha, therefore, prayed the house to invite the Managing Director of the company to appear before the assembly to explain measures taken so far to avert further deterioration of the situation.

He also called for the evacuation of the indigenes of the four affected communities, while the company be compelled to do everything technically possible to stop further spread of relief materials to reduce the level of hunger and starvation on the communities.

Debating the motion, leader of the House, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, Ikuiniyi Ibani, representing Andoni and Victoria Nyeche, Port Harcourt constituency I, sympathised with the people and wondered why the company had not taken steps two weeks after the incident.

They argued that the motion affected the existence of the people as host communities to the oil firm and urged the lawmakers to invite the company to appear before the house for questioning.

Also contributing, Hon Ben Horsfall, Asari Toru Constituency II, Augustine Ngo, Abua/Odual and Hon Nname Ewor, Ahoada East Constituency I, opted for a systematic approach involving all stakeholders like Mr President, Minister of Petroleum Affairs and members of the National Assembly representing the area to join forces to bring the situation under control.

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New Council Chairman Promises Development Of LGA

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The newly elected Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon. Vincent Reuben Obu, has  resumed office with the resolve and assurance to govern the LGA with a deep sense of responsibility and consultation with stakeholders to bring sustainable development in the area.
Hon Obu disclosed this while speaking with news- men at Ayama, Abua Central shortly after swearing into office, the vice Chairman of the Council, Hon Eruka Enanaapu and new councilors representing the 13 Wards of the LGA and constituting the 9th Legislative Assembly, with Rt Hon Memonye Wariboko representing Ward1 elected as the Leader.
The chairman dissolved all standing committees and political appointees from the previous administration, and announced the appointment of Dr. Otuoye Asher as the new  secretary of the council.
He affirmed his campaign promises to commission projects within 100 days in office, stating  that the Abua/Odual rural electrification project would be one of the key initiatives to be commissioned within his first 100 days in office.
Hon Obu condemned the recent unleashing of mayhem and destruction of some local government secretariats by hoodlums, and urged  residents to remain law-abiding and key into the peaceful leadership of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara which is bringing total transformation and development in Rivers State.
In their remarks, the Chairman Local Government Service Commission, Pastor Goodlife Ben Iduoko, and Bar Daniel Atemie, congratulated the new Abolga Council Boss and expressed confidence in his capabilities to dispense good governance and democratic dividends in the area.

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LG Polls: NCSU Hails Fubara’s Courage

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The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the outcome of last Saturday’s local government elections in Rivers State, and commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his uncommon courage,  forthrightness and resilience which made it possible for his candidates to win the elections.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who made the commendation in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the Governor demonstrated uncommon courage, forthrightness and resilience during the build-up and countdown to the elections which paved the way for the successful conduct of the elections and emergence of his candidates as winners of the elections, describing the elections as generally peaceful.
He noted that many people in the State did not give Governor Fubara a chance of successfully weathering the political storm during the build-up to the elections, as they had thought that the entire process was going to be a disaster.
Osumah thanked Governor Fubara for overcoming all odds and ensuring that  the entire process was hitch-free,   peaceful and credible, describing the successful outcome of the elections as a victory for democracy.
The labour leader also condemned in strong terms the invasion of local government councils in the State by  political thugs, shortly after the successful swearing-in of elected council chairmen by the Governor, and expressed joy that Governor Fubara has constituted a panel of inquiry over the development, contending that all those responsible for the mayhem inflicted on the affected councils would pay dearly for their actions.
Osumah equally applauded Governor Fubara for proving that he is truly the Chief Security Officer of the State, before, during and after the elections, adding that it was a great feat that the elections were successful, peaceful and hitch-free without the prying eyes of the police.
He noted that the Governor’s detractors had taken his peaceful disposition for granted, and affirmed that  Governor Fubara has truly proved to the world that he is capable of ruling Rivers State.
He, however, appealed to the elected council chairmen and councillors to continue to support Governor Fubara and work for the collective good of Rivers people, insisting that the enemies have not yet gone to sleep but are still awake, to cause more havoc to the State.
He said the Governor as a former civil servant who rose from the ranks to the top echelon of the Civil Service, would continue to enjoy the support of civil servants in the State, and expressed optimism that his administration is going to implement the new minimum wage, as the Governor had promised, particularly now that the local government elections are over.
Osumah carpeted the Inspector General of Police over his roles in the political crisis rocking the State, saying instead of protecting democracy by virtue of his professional calling, he  is rather destroying democracy.
According to him, the IGP has a question to answer over his roles in the Rivers political crisis, and has a lot of explanations to make to President Bola Tinubu.

He expressed delight that police operatives several council secretariats in the State, describing it as a welcomed development.

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Rivers Assembly Backs RSIEC

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The Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo has endorsed the October 5, 2024 local government elections in Rivers State.
Rt Hon. Oko-Jumbo said this on the floor of the House during its legislative sitting on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
He said the House aligned itself with a recent Supreme Court’s judgement which directed all states in the country to ensure democratically elected councils in their respective states.
According to the Speaker, the forthcoming election is also in line with the recent Supreme Court’s judgment which outlawed unelected councils’ leaderships in the country.
Rt Hon Oko-Jumbo also said the election is also in compliance with the order of a Port Harcourt High Court that mandated the state electoral umpire to use the 2023 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter register for the election.
The Speaker said the House was also satisfied with the preparations so far made by both the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the state government for the conduct of the elections.
The number one lawmaker in the State urged security agencies to ensure adequate security of lives and property during the elections, while calling on eligible voters to turn out en mass and vote for candidates of their choice.

 

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