Rivers

Displaced Traders Lament Losses As Govt Destroys Makeshift Stalls

Published

9 years ago

April 28, 2017

Traders doing business around the Mile 1 Flyover are lamenting the losses incurred from the recent destruction of their make-shift stalls and goods by the Ministry of Urban Development.
The demolition exercise which took place last Tuesday is not going down well with the traders as they claim there was no prior notice to that effect before the demolition exercise.
One of the traders, Prince Izito regretted that “Governor Wike never promised them of demolition during his electioneering campaign, but promised them that nobody would move them from their market places”, adding that “they voted him for positive change and he is rewarding them with bad”.
His words “ I was called this morning by my brother that the Ministry of Urban Development is demolishing and burning down our make shift stalls. No prior notice from anybody was given to us.
During the campaign time, Governor Wike came here and promised the marketers that if voted into power, the market would remain. I’m surprised that he could not even fulfill his campaign promises up to this moment”, he added.
Izito lamented that the Mile One Market they are asking them to move into was burnt down years back and has not been rebuilt, adding that the market is too small for the number of traders.
He appealed to the state government to provide a temporary site to enable them continue with their businesses considering the present economic situation in the country.
In his reaction, the Commissioner for Urban Development, Hon Chinyere Igwe said the illegal trading activities were defacing the Port Harcourt City.
He stated that conventional markets have been built for them, but wondered why they prefer to sell on the railway, under electricity tension thereby endangering their lives.
He advised that since the Mile 1 Market cannot accommodate them now, they should move to other spacious markets, where their lives could be saved.
“For the place not to be invaded by traders after this exercise, Governor Nyesom Wike would ensure that he takes proper action to beautify the place to restore its Garden City Status”, Igwe said.
On his part, the Caretaker Committee (CTC) Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA), Christian Chiokwa said that after the demolition, there would be frequent patrol by security agencies to ensure the place is rid of illegal activities.
He stated that the marketers were given more than three weeks notice to vacate the area for the demolition exercise to take place, but marketers never complied.
The Local Government Authorities have been having meetings with them for the past two weeks now; I am surprised they are saying there had not been any prior information or notice given to them.
The Wike-led administration places more emphasizes on the safety of its people and have human feeling that is why he has directed the traders to stop selling on the railway and under high tension cables, in order for them not to endanger their lives”, he stressed.

Susan Serekara-nwikhana

Rivers

Dep Gov Seeks Collaboration, Transparency Between RIVCHPP, PHCMB

Published

2 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has called for renewed commitment, transparency, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the health sector, particularly between the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) and the Primary Health Care Management Board.

She made the call today, during the First Quarter Review Meeting of the Task Force on Primary Health Care, held at Government House, Port Harcourt.

She emphasized the importance of honesty in addressing challenges within the healthcare system, urging all parties to remain open and truthful in their engagements.

According to her, transparency is critical to identifying and resolving underlying issues affecting service delivery.

“If we are not truthful, we will not cure the disease, but merely cover it up,” she stated.

The Deputy Governor recounted a personal experience at a primary health centre, where a patient, despite being duly registered under the RIVCHPP scheme with completed biometric capture, was still asked to pay for services.

She explained that intervention by relevant authorities later confirmed the patient’s eligibility, thereby exposing a communication gap between the scheme and healthcare providers.

Prof. Odu warned that such incidents could discourage community members from enrolling in the scheme and ultimately undermine its objectives.

“When this happens, we are disenfranchising our people. The message that goes back to the community is that even when you register, you are still made to pay,” she stated.

While commending the leadership and staff of the Primary Health Care Management Board, the Ministry of Health, development partners, and other supporting units for their efforts, Prof. Odu cautioned against complacency.

She urged stakeholders to continuously strive for improvement, raise standards, and ensure lasting positive impact within the healthcare system.

Rivers

Experts Converge To Tackle N’Delta Business Challenges

Published

2 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

As part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s economy, about 600 experts are billed to converge in Port Harcourt in a business conference to uplift middle-class businesses in the Niger Delta region.

The convener of the convergence, Lanre Oluseye, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, said the conference, scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt for the first time, would equip middle-class businesses with the knowledge required to overcome challenges and scale up their businesses.

He explained that the convergence was conceived in response to challenges stalling business growth, particularly at the mid-level.

Oluseye noted that while Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) benefited from various interventions, middle-class businesses were often neglected despite facing significant constraints.

He added that the conference would bring together accomplished professionals and business leaders to mentor mid-level entrepreneurs on how to overcome barriers and attain greater heights.

“Convergence is a conference where thoughts, ideas and strategies come together to create a catalyst that enables business people to move to the next level.

“It is a platform that accelerates growth by bringing great minds together to chart a course for others to follow.

“Our objective is to move the Port Harcourt-based middle-class businesses to cross the barriers that are holding them down”, he said.

Oluseye continued that the conference, slated for April 18, would attract about 600 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and middle-level managers to address business challenges in the Niger Delta through innovative ideas and strategies.

He emphasised that the event would not be a mere social gathering, but a knowledge-driven platform designed to transform participants and provide networking opportunities to enhance their businesses.

He assured that participants would gain new insights, build valuable networks and engage with like-minded professionals.

Oluseye further said that top industry leaders expected at the conference included the Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Leye Falade; former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; and the MD/CEO of Aradel Holdings Plc., Gbite Falade.

Others are Tope Aladenusi of Deloitte Africa; the Partner, Chief Economist and Lead, Strategy and West Africa, Segun Zaccheaus; and a global thinker and futurist, Olakunle Soriyan.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Monarch Urges Residents To Abstain From Crime

Published

3 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Traditional ruler of Evo Kingdom, His Majesty, King Leslie N. Eke, has called on residents of the Kingdom and Rivers State at large to shun all forms of crime and embrace peaceful coexistence in the interest of sustainable development.

He made the call recently while briefing newsmen at his palace in Woji Community , Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

While stressing that crime remains a major setback to growth and stability in the state, the monarch expressed deep concern over the rising cases of insecurity in some communities, noting that such acts not only endanger lives, but also discourage investment and meaningful development.

According to the royal father, traditional institutions must continue to play a pivotal role in promoting peace and guiding the conduct of youths within their domains.

King Eke, who is also the Chairman of the Forum of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, urged community leaders to collaborate with security agencies to rid their areas of criminal elements.

He emphasized that lasting peace can only be achieved when residents consciously decide to uphold law and order, adding that no meaningful progress can thrive in an atmosphere of fear and violence.

He also used the occasion to throw his weight behind the peace initiative of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, describing it as timely and necessary for the unity of the state.

He commended the Governor for prioritizing peace and stability, noting that such efforts would create an enabling environment for governance and socio-economic development.

King Eke called on youths in the state to resist the temptation of being used as instruments of violence, urging them instead to engage in productive ventures that would enhance their future.

He appealed to parents and guardians to instill moral values in their children, stressing that the fight against crime begins at home.

The traditional ruler reaffirmed the commitment of the Ikwerre traditional institution to support all genuine efforts aimed at maintaining peace and security across the state.

He also urged all stakeholders, including community leaders, security agencies and residents, to work collectively towards building a safer and more prosperous Rivers State.

King Onunwor