News
Protect Our Democracy From Disaster, Amaechi Tells Reps
Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has called on the National Assembly to apply political and parliamentary activism as part of their oversight functions to protect the nation’s democracy from further disasters.
He noted that the lawmakers were voted into power to help the citizens when the need arises.
Amaechi spoke Wednesday when the Chairman, House Committee on Emergency and Disasters in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde led other members of the committee to pay a courtesy call on the governor at Government House, Port Harcourt.
According to him, “When you see the citizens not able to react, we must see how we will appraise them through some level of parliamentary and political activism. You seat in the parliament to think of ways to help the citizens, because, if the citizens are helpless, the parliament must be the avenue that the helpless can be redeemed, because that is the reason they were voted into power.
“The judiciary deployed judicial activism in 2007 when I got the Supreme Court Judgement. You can also be progressives in PDP. If the parliamentarians don’t do that, then one day, the citizens will wake up and start running for their lives. That is why you (Reps) and I (Amaechi) have the responsibility to repair the damage. We need to protect our democracy”, he said.
Amaechi tasked the lawmakers to see their responsibility as an extensive commitment that borders on economic, social and political disasters affecting the citizenry.
“I must say that, at different occasions, you have risen to defend democracy. You have a big assignment. The assignment is not only natural but also man-made disasters. The disasters include those in Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa. We are living in a disastrous country where there are disasters everywhere; there is even disaster in the revenue that we are sharing.
He said, “There is the huge disaster that you need to face, and that is the disaster of hunger. Nigerians are extremely hungry and we seem not to be responding positively to the problem of hunger, including the disaster that we are gradually dwindling from democracy to dictatorship.
While thanking the lawmakers for coming to the state to commiserate with the victims of Rumuwoji Market over the inferno that razed the market in which properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed, Amaechi appealed to the Federal Government to assist the state government in the development of the market and payment of compensation to those grossly affected by the December 17, 2013 inferno.
“So, when you go, having found time to come, I will urge you to thank Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, and ask the Speaker to expand the commitment of your committee so that you will help us address some of these disasters”, Amaechi said.
Explaining further, Amaechi noted that “I don’t know which one is more disastrous: The death of the children in Yobe, I think is more disastrous than any other disaster. If we take the Mile One Market inferno, we can all gather here and build a new Mile One Market, and also buy them their wares and products, but, we cannot buy the lives of the children who died in Yobe. All of us must rise to condemn this executive impunity and lawlessnes”..
Earlier, Chairman, House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde said, the visit was predicated on the House Resolution of Thursday, January 30th, 2014, which mandated the committee to commiserate with Governor Amaechi and the victims of Rumuwoji Market inferno in Port Harcourt.
He also said the committee will assess the level of damage caused by the inferno, taking into cognizance the statistics of the affected victims with a view to seeking redress for them from the National Emergency Management Agency which the committee has constitutional power of oversight.
The committee further commended Governor Amaechi for resolving to build a befitting Rumuwoji (Mile One) Market.
They described it as one of Amaechi administration’s outstanding achievements in terms of provision of infrastructure and democracy deliverables.
“I want to assure you that the committee will do all that is humanly possible within the confines of the law to seek adequate redress for the victims of Rumuwoji Market inferno in Port Harcourt”, he added.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi