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Aleto-Eleme Bridge Collapses?

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The Omu Okulu Aleto Bridge, the major bridge linking Aleto community to Eleme in Rivers State, has reportedly caved-in.
The news of the partial collapse of the  bridge in the early hours of yesterday took most people in the community by surprise.
When The Tide visited the scene, yesterday, eyewitnesses described the bridge as the conduit which takes almost all vehicles, trucks and tankers coming from Trailer Park-Eleme Junction axis of the East-West Road to companies around Eleme and Onne.
They lamented that with this development, Aleto community has been invariably cut off from Akpajo and other parts of the world, regretting that the only way left for the people to communicate with the outside world would be through the Okrika waterways.
A former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, who did not want to be named, blamed the Federal Government for the collapsed bridge, alleging that if the government paid priority attention to the total rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Eleme-Onne section of the East-West Road, the Omu Okulu bridge in Aleto, constructed in 1964, would not have collapsed.
He challenged the Federal Government to immediately put urgent measures in place to rehabilitate the bridge, and the entire stretch of the East-West Road, from Eleme Junction Interchange in Obio/Akpor to Onne Junction in Eleme Local Government Area.
Also speaking, Mike Ngofa regretted the collapse of the Omu Okulu Aleto bridge linking the community to some Eleme communities.
He noted that as a federal highway leading to some major federal industrial complexes, such as Port Harcourt Refinery, Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, Naval College, Intels, Notore Fertiliser Company, the government ought to have taken the rehabilitation of the road and bridge seriously.
Edafe Oghenebrume lamented that the caving-in of the Okulu Aleto bridge has left a dangerous trap on the major federal highway, stressing that most travellers to and from Ogoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni communities in Rivers State as well as Akwa Ibom State would now find it difficult to do so.
He also complained that most people who work in companies located around the Eleme-Onne axis of the East-West Road may have difficulty going to work, following the caving-in of the bridge.
In his remarks, another eyewitness, Friday Tobins said the partial collapse of the Aleto-Eleme bridge was a thing of shame on Nigerians civil engineers who were part of the team that designed and constructed the bridge.
Tobins, therefore, called on the Federal Government to take urgent measures to save the bridge from total collapse.
The Tide investigations reveal that some years ago, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) had carried out repair work on the bridge following discovery of weaknesses on certain sections of the bridge.
Further checks show that vehicular traffic has been redirected to the Agbonchia-Oyigbo link road, hitherto abandoned by motorists following persistent attacks and kidnapping attributed to suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The Tide investigations reveal that the Agbonchia section of the link road also has another bridge across the Okulu river, which flows through Aleto to Okrika.
As at the time of this report, last night, most vehicles plying the road, were having difficulty crossing to the other side of the road, through the only section of the bridge left.
The Tide also noticed some emergency traffic officers from the community, trying to control vehicular traffic around the bridge to forestall total collapse of the remaining section of the bridge owing to expected congestion.
All efforts to reach the Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Obari Ollormate, proved abortive, as he refused to pick several phone calls or respond to two SMS requesting for his comments on the collapsed bridge in his LGA.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

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NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam

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The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.

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Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence

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The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.

The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.

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Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027

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A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.

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