Niger Delta
Waste Management: C’River Begins House To House Enumeration

General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mr Celestine Ogolo (middle), in a group photograph with members of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Central, durinmg their facility visit to the corporation in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson
The Permanent Secretary,
Cross River State Ministry of Environment, Barrister Achu Takim Achu, has appealed to the residents of Calabar Municipal Council to cooperate with the waste management disposal housing enumerators presently gathering data for effective waste evacuation and disposal in Calabar.
Speaking in his office, the permanent secretary stated that, “it is not only about the tariff but also to enhance a clean, decent and better way of life,” urging Calabar residents to encourage the government in this venture”.
Takim observed that, despite the fact that Waste Management Agency had used her own staff to enumerate 26,450 houses, he said much needed to be done, hence, the cooperation of all is needed to yield better result.
According to him, “due to the professionalism of the enumerators, the enumeration exercise promises to be fruitful”, adding that, they should be diligent in compiling the data, be proactive in handling any unprecedented challenges encountered in the field and above all, should relate well with the residents. This he said, is a necessity for the success of the exercise.
The General Manager, Waste Management Agency Mr. Elegance Edim, revealed that, the housing enumeration which commenced in Calabar would last for a week, and cover the Calabar metropolis and Calabar South.
In the same vein, , Deputy Director, Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Dr Ibiang Eteng Ibiang observed that, the exercise might not be without some challenges. He therefore, admonished the enumerators to be polite and should not be confrontational in their manner of approach.
He told the enumerators that they are expected to capture the addresses of all the houses, the occupants, be it a landlord or a tenant, the various types of properties and their usages, be it places of worship’ commercial buildings, hostels, institutions amongst others.
This, he said, would enable them to have the correct data on the volume of the waste being generated from each of the houses for effective management.
Some of the enumerators expressed delight for being able to serve in this capacity, say that they are ready to help the government achieve her set objective on waste management.
One of the enumerators, Mercy Udemadu, Ministry of Justice, stated that, “this would enable the government to generate revenue, keep the environment clean and create a data base of all houses for effective waste management and disposal.
Also speaking, Uren Ikwa of the Ministry of Environment stated that, embarking on this exercise is their own little contribution to ensure that the state government succeeds in this venture.
Residents of Calabar municipality expressed their desire to embrace this new system of waste collection/disposal but appealed that effective mechanism should be put in place to enhance consistency and efficiency of the process, and also build their trust in the system.
Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

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.