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Flooding: RSG Reads Riot Act
The Rivers State Government has again vowed to deal decisively with anyone found hoarding and stockpiling petroleum products or dumping refuse into water channels in the state capital and its environs.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Emergency and Relief Services, Hon Ben Bereni Irisofe, who gave the warning when he visited the family of a couple who lost their four children following kerosene explosion in Ozuoba and flood victims in Eneka, both in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, said the present administration will no longer tolerate the frequent fire incidents in the state.
Irisofe said despite several efforts by the state government to control the use of petroleum products and campaigns against indiscriminate dumping of refuse on waterways, some residents have failed to comply with government directives.
He further warned that the fact that government has listening ears does not mean that it will fold its arms and watch other innocent ones suffer in the state.
While sympathising with the victims of the explosion and flooding, the governor’s aide assured that he will make a comprehensive report to the governor for immediate relief measures.
According to him, ’’I want to appeal to all residents of the state affected by the recent flooding to have strong faith in the ability of this administration to proffer solutions and tackle this ugly menace’’.
He said while the government was seriously finding solutions to the negative impact of the menace with respect to the topography, water channels and landscape, residents are advised to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainages, and periodically clean all drainages around their areas of abode.
‘’This is one of the reasons for the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. I also would want everybody to be cautious of certain household petroleum products purchased for use that fall short of their actual chemical properties’’, he warned.
The Tide reports that the governor’s aide visited Rumuoha in Eneka, Rumuoguta-Airport link road, Dick Avenue and Aurion Drive, Off Obi Wali Road and Chief Onwuzurike Close in Nkpolu-Rumuigbo.
The Tide learnt that goods and properties worth millions of Naira were lost following the fire incident in Ozuoba where a couple lost four of their children.
Similarly, residents of Eneka are now living as refugees following the devastating flooding that ravaged the community, recently.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.