News
GPHDA Pays Landlords N5.5bn
The Rivers State Government yesterday said it paid at least N5.51 billion compensation claims to 216 landowners of the new Port Harcourt city currently under construction.
Administrator, Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA), Mrs Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, disclosed this during the authority’s board retreat in Tai Local Government Area of the state.
Our correspondent reports that the retreat had as its theme: “Road Map To 2015”.
It would be recalled that the state government in 2009, unveiled a 50-year development plan to build a new city out of the state capital tagged: “Greater Port Harcourt”.
Cookey-Gam said the authority was presently assessing other claims toward compensating those affected by the M10 road (eight-lane freeway) at Igwuruta axis.
She said that the state government had in the last three years also awarded several contracts to fast track the development of the new Port Harcourt city.
The administrator said some of the projects included the N30.9 billion construction of an M10 (eight-lane freeway), 11-kilometre road and five bridge projects.
She said other projects included the construction of priority roads at the cost of N4.5 billion; the construction of 1, 080 housing units at N25 billion; and provision of internal township services at N9.5 billion.
She said, “we have also completed the engineering design for bulk and interim infrastructure services, bulk sewage lines and electrical distribution and reticulation of phase 1A of the city.”
Cookey-Gam said that the N709 million water reticulation contracts had been awarded and that the projects were at various stages of completion.
“We are gradually moving to the last stage of our project cycle in the provision of bulk infrastructure for our Phase 1A new city development.
“We have moved from planning to preliminary design to detailed engineering designs, tenders, procurement, award of contracts, implementing. Now we are moving on to operation and maintenance; that is a very critical part of our work.
“We must take critical steps to ensure that we put processes in place and the requisite personnel to ensure that the operations and maintenance of our facilities are efficient, effective, well priced and sustainable.”
She called for public, private partnership and improved funding to fast track the development of the new city.
In her remark, the Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Amal Pepple, said the new city initiative would provide employment opportunities, and improved standard of living and for the people of the state.
Pepple lauded the state government for its commitment to reducing the housing deficit faced by the people of the state and other Nigerians.
The minister, who was represented by Mrs Georgie Ogbutor, an official of the ministry, said the Federal Government would implement the National Urban Development Policy soon.
According to her, the policy would promote a dynamic system of urban settlements which would foster sustainable economic growth and promote efficient urban and regional planning and development.
She said the Federal Government would partner state governments willing to develop new settlements and model cities for their people.
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.