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Don’t Test Our Strength, Rivers Assembly Warns Commissioners …Threatens Warrant Of Arrest
The Rivers State House of Assembly has threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against any government official, including commissioners who fail to honour it’s invitation.
The House gave the warning when five out of nine appointees surmoned by the legislators appeared before it yesterday. Four did not appear but sent apologies.
The Deputy Speaker,Hon. Leyii Kwanee, who presided over the sitting, warned the appointees not to test the strength of the 7th Assembly, He frowned at the excuses given by most of the commissioners who were summoned to appear before the House yesterday.
The House, in its sitting on Monday, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Leyii Kwanee, had summoned nine commissioners and four board chairmen over the state’s economy.
Kwanee while speaking during yesterday’s sitting, when three, of nine commissioners that were summoned appeared, said the House was out to serve the people of the state and not to witch-hunt anyone.
The lawmakers had rigorously debated whether or not to question the three commissioners or adjourn till tomorrow when other commissioners promised to be available.
The commissioners that were present are: George Tolofari (Transport); Austine Wokocha (Power), and Gogo Levi Charles (Budegt and Planning), as well as the Chairman, Rivers State Assembly Service Commission, Ombo Princewill.
But as the House adjourned till Thursday, Kwanee, read the riot act, saying,”Whatever I need to do to strengthen our democracy and put smiles on the faces of our people, I will do it. We will be remembered for what we did as lawmakers.
“Nobody should attempt to try the will of the House… No matter how short the days are, we will continue to make laws until May 29, 2015, and nobody can intimidate this House.
“At the next sitting, the House would like to get all those invited to be present. We will not tolerate any excuses,” he said.
Kwanee, however, disclosed that three commissioners, including that of Finance, informed him why they could not appear before the House, an explanation that forced the House Leader, Hon. Chidi Lloyd to move for an adjournment to Thursday, explaining that some commissioners were on special assignments.
But the Deputy House Leader, Hon. Nname Ewor, who originally moved the motion for the suspension of three local government council caretaker chairman and the summoning of the commissioners, wondered what kind of assignment would prevent them from honouring the invitation of the House.
He said: “I took pains to present these issues yesterday (Monday).There were salient issues I raised. If we want to screen people for positions and appointments, even if they are in America, they would rush down here.
“What special assignment are other commissioners doing now? We should take on those that are present. We should ask them one or two questions instead of asking them to leave. The ones that are not here should come and explain to Rivers people,” he said.
Earlier, the House adopted a petition filed against the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Emma Chindah, who was accused of conniving with the suspended Caretaker Committee Chairman of Asari Toru Local Government Area, Ojukaye Flagg-Amachree, wherein he was accused of keeping to himself an unspecified sum of sum of meant for agricultural empowerment of the people.
In the petition titled: “A case of fraud and outright denial of poverty eradication beneficiaries of the agricultural loan in Asalga,” the Commissioner was accused of refusing to hand over the money to members of the cooperative, that were to use the money, even as the House referred the petition to a committee.
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Mr Minabelem Micheal-West, Government and Community Relations Manager East, SPDC, Mr Edesiri Akpormudjere and Mr Karibi George, during the Safe Routes To School, Child Road Safety Initiative, recently
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