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RSRMA Spends N600m On 48 Roads …As RVHA Tasks Agency On Roads’ Repairs
The Rivers State Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Agency (RSRMA), has revealed that the agency has so far received the sum of N600million since it was inaugurated on February 9, 2016.
The agency has also explained that the money has been used “wisely to ensure the people of Rivers State enjoy the dividends of democracy”.
The Chairman of the agency, Mr Okey Okah, who disclosed this while responding to remarks by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Committee of Works, at a visit as part of their oversight function, further revealed that so far, a total of 48 roads have been rehabilitated across Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Oyigbo and Abua Odual local government areas.
Okah, while noting the areas of concern of members of the committee to enhance human and vehicular traffic in the state, promised to always do the right thing.
The chairman particularly stated that the agency would not only fix the Circular Road in Elekahia, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area but also the NTA-Mgbuoba Road and the Elioparanwo Road in Obio/Akpor Local Govvernment Area, and blamed the past administration for the poor construction of the roads.
Okah also noted that the terrains in the state were also responsible for damaging the roads but assured that his agency had devised new methods of tackling the challenge to make the roads durable.
“Rivers State is a place where we have too much water, and that is why most of our roads get bad after construction, but this agency has devised a means to ensure that we fix any road, and we promise to give the highest quality”, he assured.
Earlier, the State House of Assembly Committee on Works had called on the Road Maintenance Agency to immediately carry out repair works on the deplorable portions of Circular Road in Elekahia, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area in the state capital.
The House Committee Chairman on Information, Hon Sam Ogeh, who represented the Chairman of the Works Committee, Hon Michael Chinda, expressed concern on the bad state of the road, and some other roads in the city, and charged the agency to remedy the situation.
“The Circular Road has become impassable. I want to urge you to see what you can do very urgently to make the road passable for the residents of that area”, Ogeh said.
He, however, expressed satisfaction on the performance of agency so far, and urged RSRMA to keep the pace, noting that from their performance, there was no doubt that they have put their funds to judicious use.
“We will say that you are really working hard. We will commend you also considering the amount of money that you have received from the government. Rivers people can attest to the fact that they have the value for their money. We are happy with the quality of work going on, and we just want to say thank you and keep the pace”.
According to Ogeh, the Rivers State Government has passed the era of just filling potholes but has gone into road rehabilitation, and cautioned the agency not to engage in acts that would draw the state back to the old era.
“We should be moving forward and we have to keep it up. This mark we are giving you today, we want you to keep it up, and improve on it. Anything short of that, we will come back, and ask some questions”, he noted.
Josephine Atagana
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.