News

Group To Sue FG Over Abandoned Bonny-Bodo Road

Published

9 years ago

October 21, 2016

A non-governmental group, “the Bonny Kingdom Advancement Front (BKAF)”, says it will explore legal and civil means to ensure the Federal Government accepts its part on Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) offer to provide 50 percent of the funding (about N60 billion) for the completion of Bodo/Bonny road.
In a press statement signed and made available to The Tide, it lamented that the failure of the Federal Government to approve NLNG offer to complete the road, started by the military President Ibrahim Babangida administration has put untold hardship on the people, and a waste considering the huge amount already expended on the project.
They further observed that failure to complete the road has exposed the people to frequent security and safety challenges ranging from sea piracy, kidnapping and loss of persons to turbulent sea voyages in outboard boats.
It said, “NLNG offered the Federal Government N60 billion for Bonny-Bodo Road on February 3, 2016. NLNG called on the Federal Government and relevant agencies, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to partner it in the development of Bonny-Bodo road, a long-standing government project which will help improve the infrastructure in the Niger Delta.”
The body recalled that before the Senate Committee on Niger Delta in Abuja made fresh call to complete the project, the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited(NLNG) had restated its offer to provide 50 percent of the funding, worth N60 billion, provided the partnership was accepted and matched by the Federal Government.
According to them, during a visit of Bonny Kingdom led by King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple XIII and his delegation to the Presidential Villa during the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, the former president promised to look into the stalled project.
Recalling that the ex-president had complained of lapses in the first procurement of the Bodo Bonny road, as responsible for the stalling of the project, first awarded 11 years ago under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, he said this led to its eventual cancellation under his administration.
However, it regretted that the project was yet to be completed after 12 years.
“In any project, a time frame is established by the bidders. The winning bid is obliged by the contractual laws to complete it on schedule, and before you publish a bid, the project should have a final design. You do not go to the construction phase without a final design,” the statement said.
The body said the failure to complete the project was an indication that Bonny people have been marginalized.
“We have been measured, scaled, weighed and then prioritize. We call on the Federal Government, President Muhammadu Buhari and the minister of transportation to look into the Bodo/Bonny road, resurrect all efforts for its completion, and muster the political will and sincerity to liberate the Bonny kingdom and the plight we have suffered for more than 15 years.”
While enumerating some of the Federal Government abandoned projects in Bonny, the body pointed out that all capital projects that would be of great benefit to the Bonny people have either been abandoned or uncompleted.
These include: Federal Housing Estate Bonny, Bonny Ring Road flagged off but abandoned, including the Federal Polytechnic(Oil and Gas), which is 90 pet cent completed but currently not operational, among others.
“This is really sad for a kingdom that contributes so much to our National GDP, and if these issues raised are left unaddressed, we would no longer keep mute and watch. Bonny people might resort to legal, civil and democratic means to drive home our demands.
We call on all agencies involved to act fast and now, Bonny kingdom refuses to be prioritize”, the statement further said.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.