News
…Slams FG Over Environmental Disaster Management …Swears-in New HOS
Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Rivers
State, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, has lashed out at the Federal Government,
saying the measures it put in place to combat environmental challenges in the
country are gassy.
The governor, who was speaking against the backdrop of
worrisome environmental degradation, and rampaging floods in the Niger Delta,
wants the Federal Government to quickly put in place ‘’workable measures’’ that
would adequately address the growing problems of environmental degradation and
flooding in the region and the country as a whole.
Amaechi passed this seeming ‘Save Our Souls’ message to the
authorities in Abuja, through the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology.
Members of the committee, led by the Chairman, Dr. Bukola
Saraki, had paid the governor a courtesy visit at the
Government House, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, where Governor
Amaechi argued that if adequate measures were not urgently put in place to
address the problems suffered by oil producing communities in the region,
‘’state resources will not be enough to contain the humanitarian crisis that
will arise from official inaction’’.
According to the chairman of the governors’ forum, ‘’we all
know that derivation funds are paid to the states, but all of us must work
together and ensure that the problems faced by these communities should be
addressed.
“We should do something fast to help our people, that is why
I said, you need to champion the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that addresses
issues of oil producing communities, and that is our concern because it will
bring succor to our people”.
He said the issue of flooding had become worrisome in the
oil and gas region and called on the central government to take urgent steps to
remove silt from River Niger in a bid to address the menace of flooding.
‘’The reason why you have flooding is because the Federal
Government need to remove silt from River Niger, and if we don’t do that, we
can’t stop flooding”, he said, while thanking the Senate committee for their
concern and commitment to finding a lasting solution to the environmental
challenges suffered by the people of the region.
Earlier, Committee Chairman, Sen. Saraki had said they were
in the state as part of their oversight functions to verify complaints relating
to issues of environmental pollution and devastation in oil producing
communities in the state.
Saraki expressed disappointment over the level of oil
pollution in Obite, Ebubu, Bori and Joinkrama communities in Rivers State.
‘’We visited some oil producing communities where there were
complaints of oil degradation and devastation of their water, farmlands and
environment, and the people could do nothing for their livelihood, because no
remediation was paid to them by those oil companies’’, the Senate committee
chair said.
He stated that, it was wrong for host communities to suffer
such level of pollution from oil companies operating in their areas without
adequate compensation paid to those affected.
Saraki also stressed the need for the speedy passage of
NOSDRA Amendment Bill 2012 before the National Assembly to address problems of
compensation, polluter pays and spill affecting oil producing communities in
the Niger Delta.
He commended Governor Amaechi for restoring peace in the
state, and thanked the oil affected communities for their cooperation and for
making their inspection visit a success.
Meanwhile, barely two weeks after erstwhile Head of Service
bowed out of office, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has sworn-in Barrister
Samuel Long-John as the new Head of Service, as he urged him to drive his
administration’s bid for an efficient civil service.
Rt Hon Amaechi said the appointment of Long-John is in line
with service rules, since according to him he is the most senior permanent
secretary.
Long John has so far put in 17 years before his recent
appointment, as he joined the state civil service in 1995.
Amaechi while speaking during the swearing-in-ceremony of
Barrister Long-John at Government House, Wednesday in Port Harcourt,
congratulated the new head of service on his appointment, and assured him of
his administration’s commitment to make the civil service an effective and
efficient body to ensure stability in the current political dispensation.
“I have made the decision to stabilize the civil service.
Right from the time I took over power in 2007, I thought of putting in place an
efficient and effective civil service to ensure stability. We have chosen
Barrister Samuel Long-John as the most senior civil servant, this is not the
time to play politics, and we have taken the best decision so far”, Amaechi
said.
Governor Amaechi also charged the new head of service to
improve on the good works of his predecessor, Mrs Esther Anucha and set up
useful structures that would enhance standards in line with the vision of his
administration.
“As the new head of service, you need to continue the
overhaul of the civil service, by ensuring that it is pro-ICT. You have the
duty to make them understand that every civil servant should be ICT-compliant”,
Amaechi further said.
The state chief executive also expressed the commitment of
his administration to enforce the distribution of computers to every ministry,
department and agency to ensure full compliance by all civil servants for
effective service delivery.
On his part, the new Head of Service, Barrister Samuel
Long-John said, he would put in his best to ensure that the vision of Governor
Amaechi is achieved.
“We all know that the civil service is the engine room of
government, and we will do everything possible to sustain it to serve the
current administration better than expected”, he said.
News
Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
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