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RVHA Backs Down On Move To Sanction Commissioners …Sets Up Committee To Wind Down 7th Assembly
The Rivers State House of Assembly, for the second time, barked but could not bike after four persons subpoenaed by the legislators could not show up at the seating last Monday.
The House, in its seating penultimate Tuesday, had threatened to issue warrant of arrest to government officials who refused to honour the House’s invitation, but surprisingly, the legislators could not act as they threatened after five out of the nine they invited could not show up last Monday.
Four commissioners, Hon Augustine Wokocha, Emmanuel Chinda, Victor Tambari Giadom and Mrs Ibim Semenitari and the Chairperson of the state Internal Revenue Service, Mrs Obele Ochoko Osila responded to the invitation.
But the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Chamberlain Peterside, Health, Sampson T.Parker, Transport, Hon George Tolofari, the Accountant General, and the chairman, Assembly Service Commission,Omubo Pricewill could not make it to the House, seating on Monday.
Earlier, the Leader of the House, Hon Chidi Julius Lloyd had informed the House that the Accountant General, the Commissioner for Finance and Health Commissioner, sent words to the leadership that they were in Abuja attending state assignments.
Hon Lloyd also regretted that those invited had last week submitted their briefs but were unable to make them available to members due to their crowded engagements.
The commissioners were, however, requested to give highlights of how they spent funds allocated to their various ministries.
Addressing the House, the Commissioner for Power, Hon Augustine Wokocha said the ministry was on a mission to stabilize power supply in the state, stating that the power sector in the state has been positioned.
He noted that the ministry was able to build more sub stations and power lines in the state.
According to him, ‘’ we delivered Afam power station and built three transmission stations at Afam, Rumuosi and Elelenwo’’, to service those areas.
He disclosed that N70 billion was earmarked for the project but the ministry received only 30billion.
‘’ Eight sub stations were built and 200 transformers were installed in different parts of the state capital’’, he said.
The Chairman of the Internal Revenue Service, Mrs Obele Ochoko Osila, in her submission, said the commission was able to create foundation and built system that will continue to generate revenue for the state.
She noted that people now pay taxes due to the power given to the service, as she commended the legislators for granting the service autonomy.
The Commissioner for Works, Hon Victor Giadom, explained that the ministry constructed 306 roads between 2011 and now.
He said out of the 306, the ministry was able to complete 118 roads while the rest are at different stages of completion.
According to him, ‘’ The ministry was able to complete 22 dual carriage roads which have helped ease off traffic in the city of Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Emmanuel Chinda, informed the House that the ministry’s mandate was to ensure food production and security in the state.
While explaining reasons some persons from Khana Local Government Area were yet to get their agricultural loan, Chinda said the ministry has egibility criteria to access the loans.
According to him, “They have loans and grants given to the people within the past years”.
In her submission, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari said that her ministry was a service ministry and not project-driven, , explaining that the ministry had to collaborate with the Nigeria Union of Journalists to build a Press Centre for the Union.
She noted that the Press Centre would also House a Resource Centre, adding that the ministry was able to purchase modern Rotary Machine for the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Publishers of The Tide Newspapers, procured Outstation Van for Radio Rivers, but could not carry out similar project for Rivers State Television due to lack of funds.
Meanwhile, the Assembly has set up a committee to wind down the 7th Assembly, preparatory to the official handover to the 8th Assembly on the 29th May.
The Speaker, who announced the committee, noted that the idea was to ensure smooth and peaceful transition as required by law.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon Leyii Kwanee, who presided over the seating on Monday announced Okechukwu Akara as the chairman of the valedictory session, Hon Onari Brown will head the strategy committee while Hon Golden Chioma will serve as the chairman of winding down committee.
Kwanee also announced the Deputy Leader, Hon Ewor Nname Robson as the chairman who will coordinate all the committees to ensure that everything was in placed.
News
COAS Tasks Troops To Dominate Battlespace, Intensify Offensive In N/Central
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
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Navy Upgrades Training, Infrastructure To Tackle Security Threats
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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