The Joint Security Services in Rivers State comprising the Police, Army, Airforce, Navy, State Security Service, Immigration, Customs, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have assured the combat readiness towards the conduct of the the Saturday’s local government council elections across the state.

To this effect, a movement restriction has been declared by the joint security services in the state starting from Friday 12 midnight to Saturday 6pm during the period of the scheduled Saturdays local government council elections across the state.

The restriction order affects all entries and exit borders across the state and only those on essential duties are permitted to move during the election period.

The order is geared towards achieving a free and fair election across the 23 local government areas of the state as well as to protection of live and property during the period of the election.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju announced this restriction during a joint press briefing between the security Services in the state and the State Independent Electoral Commission,(RSIEC) yesterday, to reiterate their preparedness for the conduct of the local government area elections holding on Saturday 30th August, 2025 across the 319 wards in the state.

Adepoju who is the chairman of the group accompanied by other sister service commanders in the state disclosed that the security agencies in the state are fully prepared for the exercise especially in the areas of manpower and security deployment.

“We have done due diligence, we are all synergizing for the election and we will participate fully and want it to be a successful.

Adepoju urged members of security agencies providing security during election to be careful and civil while dealing with members of the public and adhere strictly to the rules and regulations governing the elections.

“We don’t want to hear complaints against security agencies. No arms and weapons carrying at polliing boot. VIPs are not allowed to come with their armed security aides to the the polling boots. All hands should be on deck.

“The security operatives and LGA administrators have alot to do to ensure the election is a success” he stated.

He averred that prior to the election, the security services in the state carried a joint operations across some criminal hideouts where many criminals were arrested and cultists chased out of the state.

According to him, all arrangements are have been put in place for a peaceful election and will be achieved.

Adepoju used the opportunity to announce that a joint control room has been designated at the state police command headquarters where each of the security agencies will be represented to receive compliant from members of the public on election related issues.

He further disclosed that the security agents will conduct show of strength across major streets in Port Harcourt and it’s environs to announce their full readiness and strength as well as boast public confidence.

He called on trouble makers to run away from the state because adequate security officers have been mobilised on ground to respond to any distress calls and deal decisively on trouble makers during the election.

Adepoju further enjoined eligible voters to come out and vote for candidates of their choice as their safety and security is assured.

On his part, Chairman of RSIEC, Michael Odey described security as an integral part of the election and assured that the commission will deliver a credible election in the state.

He explained that the commission took assessment of terrian of LGAs in course of preparation for the election taking into consideration riverine and upland terrain.

The RSIEC Boss disclosed that movement of non sensitive materials have started leaving commission to LGAs, while sensitive materials will be dispatched to LGAs accompanied by security agencies today.

He further disclosed that ADHOC staffs for the election have been adequately trained for a smooth exercise.

A coalition of Community Based Organization (CBOs) under the auspices of ATM Network has organized a two-day intensive training programme to empower its members to carry their objectives in compliance with the regulatory framework.

The coalition of CBOs, whose activities is centered on enhanced community health services and optimal benefits, held the training in Port Harcourt on 14th and 15th of August, with participants from various platforms rekindling their commitments towards improved service delivery in communities.

The centre piece of the training was to promote the operational mechanisms, compliance and adherence to the Community System Strengthening (CSS) and Community Led Monitoring (CMS) frameworks.

The training also harped on the objective of educating communities on how to take control of ownership and management of health facilities and rest for improved and better service delivery.

Participants at the training were educated on the operational modalities of the national community led monitoring plan and the importance of accurate data collection, presentation analysis and validation for optimal health services.

A lead discussant at the training, Pastor George Ihua Maduenyi, during his lectures urged the participants to take advantage of the training to enhance their capacity in community health services delivery, particularly in the collection of data, monitoring, accuracy, validation to foster sustainable community led health advocacy and impact.

The training emphasized on the need for collective efforts among the CBOs to encourage communities to take lead and pivotal roles in the management of resources, surveillance, gathering of data, sustainable community led health initiatives, and advocacy for health rights.

Lead discussants and facilitators of the training from various health based CBOs lent their wealth of experience and expertise during the sessions which were participatory and highly interactive.

Another major focus of the training was on governance structure, partnership, sponsorship, financial sustainability, monitoring, evaluation, research, learning, accountability and creating a template for public, private trust funds for long term benefits.

Bemene Taneh