News
RSG Plans Shore Protection For Bille
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike on Monday put smiles on the faces of Chiefs, leaders and people of Bille kingdom in Degema Local Government following promise of constructing a shore protection, completing abandoned model school and health centre and to consider elevating their chieftaincy stool.
Though he said the shore protection project will be included in next year’s budget since it’s capital intensive, he however assured that the abandoned health centre and model school will be completed within the year, including relief materials sent to them over a recent flood that ravaged the riverine community.
The Bille Kingdom Chiefs Council and community leaders paid a courtesy call on the governor at Government House, Port Harcourt decrying long years of marginalisation and neglect.
Governor Wike assured them that he will look into their requests as his administration is poised to give all communities a sense of belonging.
He described Bille Shore Protection as vital to the sustenance of Bille Town, noting that it will be executed in phases.
The governor said: “We shall complete the abandoned Primary Healthcare Centre and Model Primary School in Bille. These are projects that we shall tackle immediately”.
He said that the State Government is constructing the Bonny/ Bille/ Nembe Jetty in line with approved specifications, assuring the Bille Kingdom that their interest in the project will be protected.
On the request for appointments for indigenes of Bille by the leaders of Bille Kingdom, Chief Wike said that he will address the issue . He decried the marginalisation of minority communities, which he said his administration is already addressing.
Earlier, the Amanyanabo of Bille Kingdom, Chief Ibitamino Minapaka (Opu Angula XVII) in an address read on his behalf by Barrister Iyalla Igani lauded the governor for the construction of the Bille/ Bonny/Nembe Jetty which he said will create safe and secure marine transport to the kingdom.
He appealed to the governor to complete the Primary Healthcare Centre and Model Primary School in Bille Kingdom abandoned by the immediate past APC administration.
The Amanyanabo of Bille Kingdom condemned the withdrawal of the governor’s police details and the sack of six policemen attached to his convoy by the Inspector-General of Police.
The Bille Kingdom representative observed that so far, the developmental projects executed by the governor are in line with the yearning of the people and so far the governor has displayed resourcefulness in managing the state resources.
They further remarked, “ Your Excellency, we are indeed, elated with you. In less than two years on assumption of office, you have done two significant things that touched us as a community”.
Among them are the government intervention in the recent flooding, the ongoing construction work on Bonny/ Bille Jetty.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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