Niger Delta
Monarch Tasks FG On Super Highway’s EIA
The Obong of Calabar,
His Eminence, Edidem Okpo Okon Abasi Otu V, has joined and other eminent prominent Cross Riverians to call on the Federal Ministry of Environment to expedite action on the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the construction of the state’s 260-kilomtre superhighway.
This was even as they separately decried the activities of some local and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) believed to be working against the commencement of the state’s superhighway.
Accusing the NGOs of playing petty politics with a project as massive as the superhighway that will add value to the lives of Cross Riverians, the royal father urged the Federal Government not to pander to the narrow interest of a few collaborators who do not mean well for the state.
Okon Abasi Otu, who advised politicians and ethnic jingoists to see the superhighway beyond political and ethnic lines, said: “When it comes to issues of development, party line or ethnic grouping should not be promoted at the detriment of the people you claim to represent. We are endowed with a large chunk of forest cover that stretches up to the Cameroons, so opening up a small portion to bring about development to the state as well as make the people feel a sense of belonging and the impact of this administration should not be stalled for whatever reasons.”
Faulting claims that the 260km superhighway will impinge on the state’s vast forest cover, Abasi Otu said: “As far as I am concerned, the construction will not distort conservation as more trees will be planted to replace the few trees that will be taken off in the cause of construction. This will also boost conservation effort of the government because people will have access to the forest as it is the practice globally.”
Speaking in the same vein, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa said that the superhighway had the potential of changing the economic landscape of the state and lamented that bad politics and ethnicity were being introduced to kill the project.
“Honestly, it is unfortunate that people are playing politics with a project as massive as the superhighway. They should not undermine a project that will be of great benefit to the people. Even in America and other advanced countries, when they undertake massive projects, large area of land is always cleared. Governor Ayade is an environmentalist, who is passionate about the environment. So he will not engage on any project that will be counter-productive to the environment and the people,” Ita-Giwa said.
Similarly, the senator representing Cross River Southern Senatorial District, Senator Gershom Bassey maintained that when completed, the superhighway and the Bakassi Deep Seaport had the capacity and the magic wand to aggressively and positively change the economic fortunes of not only Cross River and its people but also the economy of the entire nation.
From Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
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.