Niger Delta
Monarch Tasks Community On PVC Collection
Even as the permanent
voters cards registration exercise commences today in Rivers State, the Paramount Ruler of Oginigba Community in Obio/Akpar Local Government Area of the State, Eze G. B. Odum (JP), has called on the people of the community to come out enmasse and participate in the exercise, as that would guarantee them the inalienable right to choose among the candidates gunning for various political offices in the state come 2015.
The monarch who gave the charge in an interview with newsmen at his palace yesterday said the registration exercise was a good thing and a welcome development, saying, by the time the Oginigba people came out enmase and identify with the registration exercise, their political future would be guaranteed, as they would be at liberty to vote for candidates of their choice at the polls.
Eze Odum, however, expressed concern over the discrepancy between the announcements made by the Obio/Akpor Caretaker Committee Chairman, Chief (Dr) Lawrence Chuku and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega on the registration exercise, and regretted that OBALGA was not among the first seven local government areas in the state to take their turns on the day of commencement.
He, however, charged INEC and other agencies entrusted with the responsibility of making the exercise a huge success to rise up to the occasion and make the exercise hitch-free.
The Ogingba monarch also stressed the need for the people to conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner throughout the period of the exercise, saying, securing the permanent voters cards was their legitimate right to enable them exercise their franchise at the polls come 2015.
The Second Class Paramount Ruler equally urged politicians eyeing various positions in the state come 2015, particularly governorship aspirants to consider the interest and wellbeing of the State, stressing that the state today needed somebody as Governor who would be able to unite the people when the incumbent Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi bows out after serving his tenure in 2015.
He also remarked that criticising the present administration was not what the state needed now but that the people needed somebody with the vision to take the state to another level at the end of the tenure of the present administration.
Eze Odum particularly called on the Hausa community at the Slaughter Market in Oginigba community to abandon their legitimate businesses and come out enmasse to register during the exercise, saying, they should not see their business as a barrier, as the voters registration exercise was for the good of all indigenes and non-indigenes resident in the state.
In a related development, the Chairman of Butchers Union of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, Oginigba Trans Amadi Slaughter, Alhaji Musa Baba Ahmed described the permanent voters cards registration exercise as a good thing to happen to the area, and called on traders at the market to embrace the opportunity and register for their permanent voters cards.
The chairman who made the call in an interview said the permeanent voters cards would enable them cast their votes at the polls come 2015, stressing that the executive committee of the union had adequately sensitised and mobilised the members for the exercise.
He also stressed the need for traders at the market to embrace peace at all times, as his administration was prepared to carry all along.
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.