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Tambuwal, APC, Others Seek Probe Of NIS Deaths
L-R: Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr Benjamin Dikki, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Dr Godknows Igali and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Mabi Daniel-Nwaobia, at a news conference after a joint meeting of NCP and Governing Board of Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited in Abuja, last Friday.
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has described as “unfortunate” the death of some Nigerians on Saturday at recruitment centres of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
This is contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam yesterday in Abuja.
Some applicants died at some of the recruitment centres as a result of stampede.
According to the speaker, the death of the innocent youths was sorrowful and regrettable.
He said it was more regrettable considering the fact that they were at the screening centres in search of jobs that would better their lots and that of their loved ones.
Tambuwal urged the authorities concerned to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the tragedy, and advised them to map out strategies to prevent future occurrence.
He urged governments at all levels to work closely with the Organised Private Sector to tackle the unemployment problem facing the nation.
The speaker condoled with the families of those who lost their loved ones, and prayed for quick recovery of injured ones.
Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday called for investigation into the ‘needless deaths’ of some job seekers at some venues of job test of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).
Not less than 19 people were reported dead among the over one million applicants on Saturday at some centres of the test for the NIS jobs.
APC interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement in Lagos, described the incidence as a direct consequence of unemployment problem plaguing the nation.
The party, according to the statement, expressed ‘great distressed’ at the deaths of the job seekers, adding that the minister of interior should bear the direct responsibility for the deaths.
The statement said that APC commiserated with the families of the victims and wished those injured speedy recovery.
It decried government’s inability to create jobs for the nations teeming youths, stressing that the number of jobless Nigerians had reached alarming rate.
“Massive mindless looting of the public funds that could have been used to create millions of jobs end up in the deep pockets of corrupt government officials without any consequence.
“The truth has been laid bare – 5,000 or so vacancies declared by NIS attracted over six million applicants, from which over half a million was shortlisted, according to published reports,’’ it stated.
The statement said that the ministry of interior had many questions to answer over the arrangements made for the job tests in 37 venues nationwide.
“Is it true that the minister directly presided over the recruitment?
“Why was such an arrangement made for the test when so many people were invited?
“Could the test not have been done in batches to avoid a stampede?’’ it queried.
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called for immediate investigation of the death of some Nigerians who died during stampede at the recruitment exercise at the National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Olisa Metuh, made the call in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
He also called on the Ministry of Interior and relevant government agencies, to immediately swing into action to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the stampede.
Metuh further urged government agencies and parastatals, as well as all PDP elected and appointed officials at all levels of government to redouble their efforts in curbing unemployment in the country.
He said the party was shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the untimely death of the young citizens who were at the exercise.
He said the victims were not at the venue only to secure jobs but also to be allowed the opportunity to contribute toward the development of the nation.
He commiserated with the families of the deceased, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the wounded.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro, has described Saturday’s stampede at some Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment centres, that claimed lives of some Nigerians, as “unfortunate and a national tragedy.”
The minister spoke yesterday in Abuja, when he addressed newsmen after he visited the Abuja National Stadium, where seven persons died.
Moro, described the incident as “unfortunate and a national tragedy,’’ adding that this was not the time to apportion blame.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the ongoing construction of the brand new 13.52-kilometre Ngo-Atlantic-Oyorokoto Road as a bold and visionary effort by his administration to open up the coastal region for economic growth and harness the full potential of the state’s blue economy.
The Governor made this remark during an inspection visit to the project site in Andoni Local Government Area. The road, being constructed by Monier Construction Company (MCC), cuts through challenging coastal terrain and leads to a newly identified beachfront facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Governor Fubara explained that while the original plan was to construct a road leading to Oyorokoto Town and its popular beach, his administration decided to expand the project to create an entirely new route that would open access to another pristine beachfront.
“We are doing another inspection today. This particular one is a virgin road, 13.52 kilometres of a new pathway to the blue economy,” Governor Fubara stated.
“Initially, we were constructing a road to Oyorokoto Beach, one of the finest tourist centres in this area. But as we progressed, we discovered another beach directly facing the Atlantic Ocean. It became clear that we shouldn’t limit development to just one site. We want to harness this new beach front as part of our broader plan to develop the blue economy.”
The Governor emphasised that the project, once completed, will not only improve access to coastal communities but also stimulate tourism and economic activities, boosting revenue for Rivers State.
Describing the area’s difficult terrain as challenging, he commended the contractor for its dedication, and expressed confidence that the road would be completed and commissioned by March next year.
“You can see for yourself, it’s a brand-new road in a very difficult terrain, just like the one we saw yesterday. But I strongly believe we will overcome it. From what we’ve seen today, the contractor, MCC, is doing their best, and by next year, hopefully by March, we’ll have the cause to commission this project and give God all the glory,” the Governor affirmed.
Governor Fubara also visited Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area to assess the progress of work on the Epellema axis of the ongoing 5.2km Kalaibiama-Epellema road project featuring a 450-meter bridge.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed satisfaction with the level of progress recorded on the ongoing Trans-Kalabari Road project, revealing that about 75 percent of the critical piling work has been completed.
Governor Fubara made this known while addressing journalists after an on-the-spot inspection of the 12.5-kilometre road project, which will connect the state capital to several Kalabari communities across the sea.
The Governor rode on a boat from a jetty at Rumuolumeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area through the rivers and creeks on the project route during the inspection.
The project was awarded to Lubrik Construction Company Limited, on May 15, 2024, with an initial 32-month completion timeline.
The Governor said the visit was aimed at verifying reports from the Ministry of Works regarding the project’s advancement. He commended the contractors for their dedication, and described the progress as “a true reflection of hard work and commitment to excellence.”
“The first phase of the project takes us to Bakana, and features four major river-crossing bridges and nearly five deck-on-pile structures. The terrain is difficult, and the engineering work required is complex. But to the glory of God, I can confirm that the reports I’ve been receiving are accurate. Almost 75% of the piling job, which is the most critical part of the project, has been achieved,” Governor Fubara said.
He emphasised that the Trans-Kalabari Road is one of the most technically demanding infrastructure projects in the state due to its challenging marine terrain but reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to deliver it on schedule.
Governor Fubara highlighted the strategic importance of the road in connecting the Kalabari Kingdom to Port Harcourt, and stimulating economic growth across riverine communities.
“This is a key project that will turn around the lives of the Kalabari people immediately it is concluded. By the grace of God, in the next six months, if we return here for inspection, we might be driving across the bridge,” he said.
Governor Fubara assured Rivers people that his administration remains focused on delivering transformative infrastructure projects that will improve lives and bring lasting development to rural communities.
“We have made a promise to our people to embark on projects that will change lives and bring development, and this is a testament to that commitment,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says that the impact of flooding and erosion on the inhabitants of Rivers State, especially those living in coastal communities, are of great concerns to the government.
Governor Fubara lamented the consequences of flood on both human and biotic life, which sometimes lead to loss of life, property, and degradation of the environment.
The Governor made the remark in Port Harcourt during the launch of a book titled, ‘Coastal Zone Flooding And Erosion in Developing Communities, Principles, Cases and Strategies,” written by Emeritus Prof. Wiston Bell-Gam.
According to the Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, his administration, would continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies to combat flooding.
In his words: “The Rivers State Government will continue to undertake and encourage adaptation strategies, such as construction of seawalls and breakers, canals and channels, restoring coastal ecology and ecosystem for coastal resilience and where necessary, the relocation of communities on the coastline.
“These issues are currently receiving the much needed attention and intervention by the recent approval of the construction of shoreline protection along the coastlines of more than five communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs respectively.”
“It is important that as stakeholders in the protection and preservation of marine environment, we all act and advocate for mitigation strategies such as reduction in emission of Green House Gasses that causes climate change and rise in sea levels. Let us promote the use of clean energy and against fossil fuel.
Governor Fubara further cautioned residents to desist from building on waterways.
“We also need to encourage our people to stop developing buildings on and along natural water courses, indiscriminate sea mining and dredging activities on our coastline without consideration for mangroves and swamps,” he stressed.
He appreciated the author for his advanced contributions to the body of knowledge in both Rivers State and globally.
Also speaking, a former Military Governor of the old Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Ditte-Spiff, who was Royal Father at the Event, stated that the book was timely to enable stakeholders manage the challenges of global warming.
“Global warming is real. If it’s not addressed globally, a time will come coastal areas will find themselves under water. The coastline of Nigeria is shocking with many mangroves gone,” he noted.
The Reviewer of the Book, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Ondo State, Prof Temi Ologunorisa, explained that the 14-chapter book is timeous as it fills literary gaps between desire and available knowledge on coastal flood and erosion in developing communities.,
“A major beauty of the book that sets it apart is the detailed consideration of flood and erosion control from around the world,” he stated, adding that the book is based on detailed field investigation.