News

Sack Amaechi Now, Obuah Urges FG

Published

8 years ago

May 12, 2017

The Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro Felix Obuah has called for the immediate sack of the former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a Minister in the federal cabinet following the revelations of the judicial commission of inquiry that probed his administration.
Obuah made the call in a statement in Port Harcourt last Tuesday in which he commended the judgement of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal which upheld the legality of the Justice George Omereji-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry that probed the sale of state assets by the Amaechi administration.
The court had held that Justice Simson Amadi of the Rivers State High Court was right when he ruled that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry had power to sit and make recommendations.
Obuah said the recklessness and financial waste that characterised the Amaechi administration in the state was such that must not be left unscrutinised.
These, he said, include the sale of the Omoku 150MW Gas Turbine; Afam 360MW Gas Turbine; Trans-Amadi 136MW Gas Turbine; and Eleme 75MW Gas Turbine; the sale of Olympia Hotel; the waste of funds on the construction of the mono-rail project; the failed construction of Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital; the disbursement of N2billion under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme; the accrued sum total of money from the mandatory monthly contribution of N1billion by the Rivers State Government into the Rivers State Reserved Fund, and many others.
He further noted that some of the recommendations of the commission, which the former governor must act fast to comply with include, the refund of N4,633,440,000 illegally paid to CLINOTEC under the failed Public Private Partnership; answer questions in respect of the 38 unregistered co-operative societies that benefited from the agricultural grants, the former Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Emmanuel Chinda, who compiled the list of the benefitting cooperative societies, should be made to refund all grants so disbursed and should also be prosecuted for defrauding the government and people of Rivers State. The Permanent Secretary and all members of the disbursement committee should be made to face disciplinary action for not following the guidelines of the loan before recommending disbursement to the co-operatives.
Other issues to be addressed include, the approval for the disbursement of the sum of N3billion obtained under the agricultural loan scheme without regard to the guidelines issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); as well as the illegality surrounding the withdrawals, including the N53, 936, 000,000.00 between February, 2014 and January, 2015, and N30billion on 13/2/2014, the former governor made on the State Reserve Fund, and urged the office of the Attorney-General to take appropriate legal steps to recover the sums of money withdrawn from the fund.
The PDP also called on the former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr. George Feyii, to refund the N4 billion unlawfully withdrawn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund on the 20th of February, 2014, for the purpose of “settlement of various outstanding obligations relating to security issues in SSG’s Office”; the N400million unlawfully withdrawn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund on the 21st of March, 2014, for the purpose of staff armoured vehicles”; N117million withdrawn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund on the 25th day of March, 2014, for “revalidation and renewal of lease on the property at F29 Sani-Abacha Road, GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt”; as well as the N447,200,000.00 withdrawn from the Rivers State Reserve Fund “for payment of 2012 and 2013 Premier League Session Sign-On Fees for (3) three football clubs in Rivers State”.
Obuah also tasked the owners of Orosi House at No. 28, Forces Avenue, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, to refund to the Government of Rivers State the sum N300million which they received from Government of Rivers State as five years rent for the lease of the complex to SUBEB- Ministry of Education Office, knowing full well that the property had been destroyed by fire in 2007.
He further requested that the principal officers of the Rivers State House of Assembly at the said time, who facilitated the adoption of the House Resolution on 13/2/21, authorizing the former governor of Rivers State to withdraw the billions afore-stated, should be prosecuted for authorizing the illegal withdrawal from the fund.
The PDP chairman expressed optimism that doing justice to the above recommendations by a legitimate commission will go a long way in making Rivers people happy again, and also enhance the Rivers State Government’s ability in carrying out more development projects across the 23 LGAs.
“We demand justice in this matter and we would pursue it to the end”, Obuah said.
It would be recalled that Justice Simeon Amadi of the Rivers State High Court, had in 2015, dismissed the suit filed by former Rivers State governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, challenging the constitution of the Justice George Omereji–led Judicial Commission of Inquiry by Governor Nyesom Wike, to probe the sale of state assets by the immediate past administration.

News

Group Doles out N13m To Market Women In Isiama

Published

20 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The peaceful Town of Isiama in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was at the weekend agog with activities following the donation of over N13million to market women by Engr. Justus Ngerebara in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiatives, a non-governmental organization, as part of its first phase empowerment programme.

According to Justus Ngerebara, who is also the Executive Director of the organization, the women, numbering 108, will receive various sums based on their business proposal.

He stated that the organization will carry out an annual review of the performances of the beneficiaries, with a view to rewarding those who put the money into good use.

According to him, the initiative was a collaborative effort between himself and his wife, Dr. Unyime Ngerebara, in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiative (FDI), an organization committed to youth capacity building and community development.

He said the family believe deeply in the transformative power of women’s empowerment as a catalyst for economic growth, especially in rural communities.

“As the saying goes, when you empower a woman, you empower a community. This truth resonate strongly with us, knowing that empowered women uplift households and inspire generational change”, he stated.

Ngerebara described the programme as the beginning of more things to come and urged the beneficiaries to view the gesture “as a reflection of our deep love for the community and our commitment to easing the burdens of economic hardship.

“We encourage you to invest wisely, channel these resources into your business not frivolities.

“We will continue to follow up with each participant to monitor progress and Offer guidance.

“It is our goal to see thriving business, creative solutions to households hunger and a ripple effect of prosperity through Isiama.

“We also call on the men to stand beside their spouses, offering support and encouragement to ensure these resources are maximized for growth”, he said.

In an interview, Ngerebara said the second phase of the empowerment programme will start very soon, stressing that since inception the organization has done so much for the community.

He listed some of the programmes carried out by the group in the community to include the installation of solar powered lights, and solar powered water.

While declaring the event open, a former coymmissioner for Works in Rivers State, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, described the event as the first of its kind in the community.

Engr. Ngerebara said the programme will go a long way to improve the conditions of not only the beneficiaries, but also the entire Isiama Community.

He also charged them against wasting the resources on frivolities, adding that their success will attract more of such empowerment programme to Isiama community

Giving a brief talk on women empowerment, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr. Awajimogobo Felix MacLean, warned the beneficiaries to justify the effort of the donor by avoiding wastages.

Dr. MacLean also urged them to be consistent in their line of business as well as avoid unnecessary competition.

She also stressed the need for them to network among themselves, while working out ways of helping the community to develop.

Guest of Honour at the occasion, Professor Uriah Oboada Alafonye, said Engr Justus Ngerebara, the initiator of the programme, has set a standard for present and future generations of leaders both in the community and the rest of Andoni to follow.

Prof Alafonye who is of the department of Arts Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, also appealed to the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity provided by the programme to reduce poverty in the community.

Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Hebron Mercy Fyneface, a crayfish seller and an interior designer, said it was the first time she was receiving such gesture from any organization or government.

She thanked Engr Justus Ngerebara for remembering the women of Isiama and urged others to emulate him.

By: John Bibor

News

Fubara’s Return Excites NCSU … As Hope Rises For Civil Servants

Published

20 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The umbrella body of civil servants in Rivers State, the Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the lifting of emergency rule in the State and the return to office of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly, saying, the development portends good omen for workers, the people and the State.

The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the return of the Governor to office portends good omen and better days for civil servants in particular, stressing that the union heartily welcomes the Governor back to office, to resume his good works in the State, after six months of the emergency rule, as well as his deputy and members of the House of Assembly.

He noted that civil servants in the State are not only elated over the development but are also full of hope that the Governor would start from where he stopped in attending to their welfare needs.

He contended that the political crisis that recently engulfed the State and the six-month emergency rule had for over one year pulled the State backwards, but expressed delight that a permanent solution has been found to stem further political upheavals in the State, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making this possible; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leader of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor Fubara; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule; members of the House; and other stakeholders for agreeing to amicably resolve all contending issues.

The labour leader said this is the right time for all political gladiators in the State to bury the hatchet, work together and embrace peace and genuine reconciliation in the overall interest of the State.

He described as too hasty the resolution of the House, mandating the Governor to present a supplementary budget to it, and pleaded with members of the House to be calm, to tread with caution, and harmoniously work with the Governor.

He said the return of democratic governance in the State would fast-track progress and development in the State, and enjoined the people of the State, particularly civil servants to continue to give their support and cooperation to the Fubara administration.

Osumah expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would give prompt attention to challenges facing civil servants in the State, being a former civil servant himself, stressing that the workers truly have hope, now that the Governor has returned to office, and knowing the kind of Governor he is.

According to him, he is going to look into the controversial and contentious contributory pension scheme; rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex; recruitment into the state civil service; extension of service and retirement years for civil servants; provision of vehicles to industrial unions; as well as provision of befitting staff quarters for civil servants; among others.

News

NDDC Organizes ADR Capacity Building for Staff

Published

20 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organized a one-day sensitization program for its personnel on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches to promote workplace compliance on transparency and due process.

The workshop, themed “Promoting Transparency and Due Process in the Workplace using ADR Approaches in Building a Culture of Accountability and Integrity,” aimed to equip staff with the skills to resolve disputes effectively.

Declaring the event open on thursday in port Harcourt,The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the importance of using ADR mechanisms to resolve conflicts in the workplace.

Dr. Ogbuku represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo,noted that ADR approaches can encourage a culture of honesty, fairness, transparency, trust, and reduce conflicts among staff, ultimately promoting efficiency and productivity.

He averred that those disputes and quarrels if not proper resolved can derail the vision and objectives of the commission to the people, noting that the commission must as a team and unity as service provider in order to render a profitable service delivery to the people.

“ADR approach will encourage culture of honesty,fairness, transparency ,trust and reduce back bitting and the workforce, noting that such tendency would in turns promote efficiency and increase results in workplace.

when integrity and honesty becomes the operandi of an organisation and employees begins to trust that their matters will be handled with fairness it will breed team work and increase in productivity.”he stated

He commended the department of DCR for organising the workshop and urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity and imbibe the culture of tolerance, integrity and teamwork in workplace.

Also speaking,the NDDC acting director of DCR ,Mr Godwin Ayewumi Ogedegbe noted that the theme of the captures the core of what the commission seeks to achieve a workplace where every action is expected to be guided by openness, fairness, and a steadfastness commitment to due process, where conflicts are not merely resolved, but prevented through structured,principled processes , and where accountability and integrity are not aspirational ideals but every day practice.

In his keynote presentation on the theme “workplace Ethics and alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation,

Prof. Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, delivered a keynote presentation on “Workplace Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation.” He stressed the importance of due process, transparency, integrity, and accountability in the workplace, noting that these values are essential for productivity and organizational goals.

The workshop aimed to promote a culture of accountability and integrity in the NDDC workplace. By equipping staff with ADR skills and promoting transparency and due process, the commission can build a more efficient and productive work environment.

By: Akujobi Amadi