Rivers

RSG Uncovers 1,000 Ghost Workers … Insists On Biometrics Before Salary

Published

10 years ago

May 16, 2016

National President, University of Nigeria Alumni Association (UNAA), Chief (Barr) Andrew Oru (right), welcoming the Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo to the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the association in Port Harcourt, recently.

The Rivers State
Government has uncovered massive fraud in its monthly wage bill through the on-going biometric data capture for civil servants in the state.
According to the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, over 1,000 workers collect two different salaries monthly in various ministries of the state.
Wike while playing host to members of the Governing Council of Kenule Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, at Government House, Port Harcourt, decried a situation where a handful of corrupt officials siphon half of the monthly wage bill into their pockets.
He, therefore, declared that salaries will only be paid to civil servants in the state who have concluded their biometric capture data.
While wondering why government will be paying over 50,000 civil servants monthly, and few people will be collecting half of the wage bill, Wike made it clear that he will stop the trend, as according to him, he has the political will to do so.
“I don’t know how we can have 50 something thousand civil servants we are paying salaries. As at yesterday, from the record I saw, we have gotten over 1,000 people who collect double salaries. The same persons, two ministries, taking two salaries, you can’t believe it.
“They say we have 50 something thousand; now we have gone up to 4,000, people are not coming to do biometrics, they must come. If you do not do your biometrics, no salary. If you like put it on the pages of newspapers, ‘workers have not been paid salaries’, I am not owing you. Go and do your biometrics.
“There are cabals in the civil service making money. I have the political will, and I will stop the trend whereby government will be paying over N5billion as salaries, and some people will be taking half of the money,” Wike added.
While noting the dwindling federal allocation to the state in view of the decline in oil prices and the state wage bill, Wike urged management of the polytechnic to strive to improve on their internally generated revenue.
“Source for your own revenue. No university or institution can survive by solely depending on government. It is not possible. Look at the oil price. As at last month, we got N3.5billion, which is like $10million and our salary is over N5billion. If we do not drive our IGR up, we won’t survive, and that is why we are seriously trying to reduce our wage bill,” he said.
Wike, said that the polytechnic was set up to produce middle level technical manpower to tackle the needs of the state.
as well as equip the workshops and laboratories to meet the desired standard of the institution.
He assured them of government’s desire to assist the institution in order to meet the required standard for accreditation of courses run in the institution.
Earlier, the Chairman, Governing Council of the Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, said the priority of the council was to make the institution the best in the country.
He lauded the governor for his developmental strides, and solicited for government support to enable it tackle some challenges faced by the institution.

Rivers

Rivers To Honour Veterans In 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day

Published

9 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr. Benibo Anabraba, has reiterated the commitment of the Rivers State Government to the welfare of military veterans, widows of fallen heroes, and officers currently serving in the State, saying they will be honoured this year.

Dr. Anabraba made this known during the Central Planning Committee meeting for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held in Port Harcourt.

He commended members of the Committee for their contributions to the successful Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently conducted in the State and urged them to intensify efforts to ensure a resounding success in the remaining activities lined up for the celebration.

According to him, activities commenced with Juma’at Prayers on Friday, January 9, at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township.

As part of events marking this year’s event, a special engagement was also hosted by the wife of the State Governor, Her Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, to honour, celebrate, and interact with widows and veterans.

On Saturday, January 10, a Humanitarian Outreach, Family and Community was hosted for widows and veterans by Her Excellency, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, wife of the State Governor.

Yesterday, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service was also held at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township.

The grand finale, the Wreath-Laying Ceremony, is billed to take place on Thursday, January 15, at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt.

Dr. Anabraba noted that a major highlight of the programme would be the laying of wreaths by the Governor alongside heads of security agencies in the State.

Rivers

Police Recover Remains Of Missing Man, Arrest 2 Suspects In Rivers … 12 More Suspects Over Mbodo-Aluu Attack

Published

9 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Rivers State has recovered the remains of the late Sampson Worianime, who was declared missing on November 11, and arrested two suspects linked to the case.

The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, stating that the suspects were arrested following investigations into the crime.

Iringe-Koko recalled that Worianime was declared missing after accompanying an unnamed community youth leader from Ogbogbo Community in the Okrika area of Rivers State to inspect and measure a parcel of land.

She explained that following the report to the police, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding Worianime’s disappearance.

“Upon receipt of the petition, we commenced intelligence-led policing, which led to the arrest of two suspects, including the Chief Security Officer of Aleto-Eleme Community”, she said.

According to her, the suspects, during investigations, confessed to abducting two youths from Okrika Local Government Area.

She said one of the victims, whose identity was not disclosed, escaped, while Worianime was killed.

She added that the suspects later led police operatives to the location where the victim’s remains were recovered from a shallow grave.

“The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with investigations.

“Efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend other accomplices involved in the crime”, Iringe-Koko stated.

In a another development, the Police Command also announced the arrest of 12 suspects in connection with a violent attack of Unity Estate on Mbodo-Aluu Road in Port Harcourt.

Iringe-Koko said the suspects, alleged to be members of a vigilante group, alongside hired thugs, reportedly invaded the estate on January 5, armed with pump-action guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

“The assailants allegedly fired gunshots indiscriminately, causing panic and fear among residents”, she said.

She continued that the estate suffered significant damage, with several vehicles destroyed during the attack.

“One of the residents, Stephen Nmacha, sustained a shattered leg from gunshot injury and was subsequently abducted by the attackers.

“He was later rescued by police operatives and is currently receiving medical treatment at a healthcare facility”, she said.

Iringe-Koko further disclosed that several other residents sustained varying degrees of injuries while fleeing into nearby bushes to escape the violence.

She listed the items recovered from the suspects to include one automatic pump-action gun, a live cartridge, spent cartridges, charms, five motorcycles, two minibuses and a Sienna bus.

Speaking on the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olugbenga Adepoju, described the attacks as reckless and reprehensible.

He noted that vigilante groups were legally required to operate strictly under police supervision, and questioned why the group failed to coordinate with the police.

Adepoju said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects involved in the attacks, including the Akpor Commander of vigilante group, currently at large.

“We call on members of the public to provide credible information that will assist the Command in apprehending the fleeing suspects”, Adepoju urged.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Community Warns TotalEnergy, Others Over Entitlement In Bonny

Published

9 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The people of Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community of the Jumbo Chieftaincy House in Bonny have accused TotalEnergies, Amni International and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited of sidelining legitimate landowners in Bonny, Rivers State, in a manner community leaders warn could trigger unrest.

This, they said, will likely negatively affect ongoing construction projects along the Bonny 48” Offshore Loading Line.

A statement issued by the Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community of the Jumbo Chieftaincy House spokesman, Dr. Fidelis Jumbo, alleged that the companies have been dealing solely with the Brown House while neglecting the joint ownership structure legally established for the land where the project sits.

“This stretch of land belongs jointly to the Jumbo House, the Brown House, and Bonny Kingdom on a 30-30-40 basis.

“For the Brown House to present itself as the sole landlord is bereft of altruism and sincerity. TotalEnergies, Amni and Renaissance must retrace their steps to forestall avoidable crisis”, Dr. Jumbo said.

The land in contention hosts the pipeline route being constructed by TotalEnergies to convey gas from Amni International’s offshore facility to the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal (BOGT) operated by Renaissance.

Referencing a 1972 agreement signed by representatives of the Jumbo House, Brown House and Bonny Kingdom, Dr. Jumbo noted that all six original signatories had long passed, stressing that no party has the authority to unilaterally alter the established structure.

Chairman of the Jumbo Akatikpo Park Community, George Sunju-Jumbo, said peace in Bonny depends heavily on respect for due process.

“We want peace in this Kingdom. Whatever our forebears agreed on must be upheld. Why should the Brown House present themselves as the only family TotalEnergies should talk to? We cannot take it. We will not allow it”, Sunju-Jumbo said.

He stressed that the Kingdom ought to show greater interest in the project, given its implications for the two primary families and Bonny’s traditional authority.

Despite protests, checks at the project site confirmed that construction continued uninterrupted, a development some observers described as “corporate insensitivity.”

Community leaders allege they were excluded from a November 12, 2025, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review meeting in Port Harcourt.

A former senior oil and gas executive, who requested anonymity, criticized the companies’ posture.

“In this age where everything is being done to de-escalate tension in the energy sector, such corporate misdemeanour is shocking”, he said. “How do you disrespect and disenfranchise landowners of their own property? Bonny Kingdom is taking a whole lot of nonsense.”

As of press time, TotalEnergies and Amni International were yet to react on the matter.

By: Enoch Epelle