News
Road Projects: RSG Reads Riot Act To Contractors
Contractors handling various road construction projects in Rivers State have been ordered to go back to site and complete the projects on schedule, or risk sanctions by the state government.
Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Hon Victor Giadom, who gave the charge in his office recently, said the contractors need to return to site in order to cope with the terrain and climatic conditions in the state which do not permit long dry period.
In a bid to deliver on its promise of providing durable roads for the people, the commissioner said, the state government had kept its part of the obligation in disbursing adequate funds to contractors for their construction services and would not entertain any excuses for delays.
Hon Giadom warned that contractors, who would not complete their projects on schedule, would not be awarded any other contracts by the state, threatening that the state would “impose sanctions on any contractor who collects our money and goes back to sit at home with the money while the people abuse us for non performance”
The Commissioner further hinted that the Rivers State Government would commission three major roads in 2013 which include, Ada George Road, General Andrew Azazi Road, formally Nkpogu Road and Isiokpo/Airport Road.
Aside the three major roads, the commissioner said more roads would be delivered during the year. Among them, he said are Woji Road in Government Reserved Area (GRA), which is being handled by Stemco Construction Company, and a section of the Peter Odili/Akpajo link road being handled by JDP construction company.
According to Hon Giadom, the construction of Garrison/Trans-Amadi/Elelenwo/East-West road would commence in two weeks time, adding that RCC had been instructed to complete the re-construction of Airforce base bridge within thirty days to avoid traffic congestion.
He assured that the present administration would complete the Garrison/Trans-Amadi/Woji/Elelenwo/East-West Road before the end of its tenure.
The commissioner also disclosed that the construction of Iwofe road suffered little setback because property owners along the road’s right of way had not been compensated.
He assured that the Ministry would pay the compensation within the next two weeks when the Bureau of Public Procurement (BoPP) would have ascertained the compensation bill.
When The Tide visited some of the roads under construction such as the General Azazi and Airforce roads, the contractors were seen working on the roads.
At Iwofe, residents appealed to the Rivers State Government to do everything possible to fix the road before the rains.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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