News
RSG Pays Abonnema Wharf Landlords Compensation, Today
The Rivers State Government yesterday commended the process
of payment of about N2.1bn compensation to landlords and property owners at the
Abonnema Wharf waterfront in Port Harcourt in line with its urban renewal
policy.
Addressing the landlords and other stakeholders at the
auditorium of the Ministry of Justice at the state secretariat, Port Harcourt,
the Hon Commissioner for Urban Development, Hon Tammy Danagogo assured that the
process of payment of the compensation which begins today will be transparent
and inclusive of all genuine interest as no property owner will be left out.
Hon Danagogo, disclosed that modalities had already been put
in place to ensure that the complaints that trailed the payment of compensation
to Njemanze waterfront landlord is properly addressed.
Apart from the valuation, assessment and verification of
existing properties at the Abonnema waterfront, the commissioner said two
committees will be set up to supervise the process of payment and receive complaints from property owners
respectively.
He explained that the two committees will comprise of the
consultants involved in the exercise and nominees from the ministry.
According to the commissioner, the initiative is to ensure
that the process of payment of the compensation is to a large extent,
independent of the ministry’s involvement.
Hon Danagogo further appealed to the property owners to see
the acquisition of the area as part of their contributions to the development
of the state, and restated the commitment of the Rivers State Government
towards the transformation of the area.
Also speaking, the Hon commissioner for Information and
Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari called for the cooperation from the people
of Rivers State to make the urban renewal effort of the government a reality.
The commissioner, said the acquisition of the land was not a
punishment for the people but was geared towards the promotion of the standard
of living of the people.
Stakeholders at the event commended the state government for
its gesture, and called on the government to deal directly with the property
owners in the payment of the compensation.
The Tide recalls that as part of its urban renewal policy,
the Rivers Government had planned demolition of all waterfronts in Port
Harcourt since 2008.
Also at the event were representatives of the World Bank
NGOs and foreign observers.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has ordered the
immediate stoppage of work on all dredging activities in the state.
A statement signed by the state commissioner for
environment, entitled: “Stop Work Order” and made available to The Tide in Port
Harcourt, last Wednesday, listed the form of dredging activities affected by
the order to include surface mining of laterite in the state.
According to the ministry, the order became necessary
following the quest by the state government to protect the environment from the
negative impact of indiscriminate and unregulated dredging operations.
“This became necessary as the government, in her quest to
protect the environment from the negative impact of indiscriminate and
unregulated dredging operations, has decided to re-evaluate and re-engineer
dredging and surface mining of sand and laterite in Rivers State, particularly
around Greater Port Harcourt City axis,” it said.
While warning that any violation of the order shall be met
with the appropriate punishment, the ministry also directed all operators in
the dredging and surface mining industry in the state, to contact the dredging
and monitoring unit of the ministry for further directive.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Ministry of Environment has
invited all environmental consultants, analytical laboratories and other
professionals to apply for registration with the ministry to undertake services
such as sand search, bathymetric survey and hydrological survey.
They have also been tasked to apply to undertake
hydro-graphic survey, environmental impact assessment (EIA), and environmental
assessment report (EAR).
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.