News
PH-Enugu Rail Line Begins Operation …As SURE-P Spends N80bn On East-West Road
The Federal Government it was determined to transform Nigeria through the implementation of people-oriented projects.
Vice President NamadiSambo who made this remark while flagging off the Enugu-Port Harcourt-Enugu intercity train service at the railway terminus in Port Harcourt, said the President Goodluck Jonathan administration had given priority to infrastructural development.
Sambo explained that the current administration had kept faith with Nigerians through the fulfillment of its electoral promises. He described the rail rehabilitation project as a demonstration of President Jonathan’s transformation agenda.
Sambo pointed out that President Jonathan was interested in providing qualitative and transformational change and added that the rehabilitation of railway transport remained a landmark achievement of the current administration.
Describing the railway interchange project as significant in service delivery, the Vice President stated that the new development in the rail sub-sector would reduce the transport challenges faced by Nigerians.
He said, “Our administration has given top priority to infrastructural development, one of which is the railway sector as the component of transformation agenda of President Jonathan. The Federal Government initiated and articulated the strategic plans for the railway development in Nigeria, which has suffered neglect in the past 30 years.
“We are determined to transform Nigeria to a very viable height. We have kept faith with the Nigerian people in keeping all our electoral promises. We are gradually implementing our projects that will transform the lives of Nigeria people. With the continued support of Nigerians, we shall see all those projects through. This flag-off of Enugu-Port Harcourt-Enugu Intercity. I am glad that this will extend to other parts of the country by January. The ongoing modernization of the rail system is progressing steadily,” Sambo said.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. AdeseyiSijuwade, stated that the Eastern line rehabilitation was challenging as a result of the extent of its dilapidation.
Briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, shortly before the commissioning of the project, the Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, Sure-P, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), said the successful completion and official flag off of the railway line was a proof of the commitment on the part of the Federal Government to infrastructural development.
He said the reintroduction of railway system of transportationin Nigeria will enhance safer trasnsportation and boost commercial activities across the country.
Recalling the beauty of rail transportation, the Sure-P Chairman, said rail transportation was one of the most convenient means of movement and integration of all zones of the country.
Also, the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme said it had expended the sum of N80 billion on the East-West Road project.
SURE-P Chairman, General Martin-Luther Agwai, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, explained that the amount was spent towards the completion of the project since 2012 when SURE-P entered into a partnership with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
Agwai, who had earlier inspected the East-West Road, added that the project had reached 82 percent completion.
According to him, the Federal Government attaches much importance to the dualisation of the road being a major trunk outlet for the transportation of petroleum products from Port Harcourt and Warri refineries to other parts of the country.
Agwai also disclosed that contract for the upgrading of Port Harcourt-Eleme Junction Flyover to Onne Junction (15 kilometres), to three-carriageway had been awarded adding that another contract had been signed for the extension of East-West Road from Oron in AkwaIbom State to Calabar in Cross River State.
Agwai, however, blamed the delay in the completion of the project on the terrain, adding that the East-West Road has over 16 bridges that have been constructed, noting that before SURE-P intervened in the project, inadequate funding, cost escalation and difficult community leaders had also contributed to the delay in the completion of the multi-billion naira project.
“This is my first time to travel from Warri to Oron and I will tell you that it is not possible to complete the road on December 31, 2014. All things being equal, by May 2015,” Agwa stated.
He lauded the federal government for its efforts in rehabilitating the road and pointed out that the road construction had impacted positively on the people.
According to him, “We, as Nigerians, must understand that government is working in the interest of all and has not interfered with the funding. Over 3,500 have benefited from the job. It has impacted on the people, both skilled and unskilled. “We have been able to meet our mandate. SURE-P came up after the partial removal of oil subsidy. SURE-P will work with integrity and will not connive with anyone to waste tax payers’ money.”
Taneh Beemene
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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