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Flood Relief: RVHA Decries Rivers’ Exclusion …As RSWA Bill Scales First Reading
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday decried the exclusion of the State among the 15 States that received relief materials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) following flooding that ravaged some states early this year.
Miffed by what the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani said amounted to discrimination against Rivers State, the House resolved to invite NEMA in order to be briefed on why the State was excluded to benefit from the relief materials.
Motion on the matter was raised by Hon. Tekena Granville representing Asari-Toru Constituency 1, who expressed sadness that despite being hit by flooding sometime in April this year, the State supposed to have benefitted from the NEMA relief effort.
While he commended the effort of the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike who after tour and inspection of the affected communities donated relief materials, the lawmaker expressed sadness that the federal agency neglected the State.
According to Hon. Granville, the situation is made worse by the fact that many coastal communities that face perennial flooding, as a result of their location were also neglected.
The lawmaker as part of the motion prayed that the House among others compel the federal authorities to include Rivers State in the N1.6billion NEMA relief programme.
He also sought for the setting up of a state taskforce on flood control which will liaise with NEMA in the future to tackle flood problems in the state.
The motion sparked off series of debates by the lawmakers. Opposition lawmakers who include member representing Port Harcourt Constituency 1, Victoria Nyeche and that of Gokana Constituency, Dr. Innocent Barikor had called for the setting up of a commission referred to as Climate Change Commission.
Nyeche specifically argued that there was no need for a taskforce, but that proactive measures on flooding should be put in place, as she claimed that her constituents in Nkpogu did not benefit from the last state sponsored relief materials provided to flood victims.
After taking votes on the floor over the matter with majority supporting the motion, the Speaker declared that, “the Federal Government is duty bound to protect our interest”, while insisting that “there should be no discrimination of any sort by NEMA in the distribution of relief materials”.
The Speaker recalled that early this year after the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predicted that there will be flooding, Rivers State was the foremost state hit by the disaster, “I believe that the motion is key because the welfare of our people is very important to us”.
At its plenary last Wednesday, the House passed the bill seeking to establish the Rivers State Waterways Authority (RSWA) at its first reading.
The Speaker held that the bill will control and prohibit indiscriminate building on waterways when passed into law.
The bill is expected to address the establishment and composition, tenure of office, removal and remuneration of the governing board of the agency and others.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.