Rivers

Work Within Ambit Of Law, RSG Tells Workers

Published

8 years ago

April 6, 2018

The Rivers State Government has charged officials of the Compliance Team of the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning to work within the ambit of the law with a view to realising set targets of boosting revenue and achieving standardised town planning.
The State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Dr Reason Onya, who gave the charge during a meeting with chairmen and secretaries of the team in his office in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday, said that by playing by the rules, they would have synergised with other stakeholders to move the ministry forward.
Onya pointed out that the meeting became imperative following the low revenue contribution of the ministry to the state government’s coffers and called for concerted efforts of all stakeholders, particularly the Compliance Team, in activating needed impetus to reinvigorate and re-energise the revenue prowess of the ministry.
The commissioner frowned at a situation where a few key actors in the field connived with unscrupulous members of the public and developers to defraud the state government of much-needed revenue through illegal transactions and solicited the support of members of the Compliance Team to enable the ministry achieve its mandate.
He warned those not willing and ready to assist the ministry achieve set goals to voluntarily withdraw their services, and cautioned that anyone caught defrauding the state government through any illegal transactions would be apprehended and handed over to the police for prosecution.
While responding to the Compliance Team’s complaints of obvious challenges and difficulties in the course of their duties, Onya assured the total support of the ministry, pledging the provision of adequate security to enable them perform their legitimate duties.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dirokweni Joseph Amiofori, who said that the activities of the Compliance Team had dented the image of the ministry, re-emphasised the urgent need for change of attitude before the full weight of the law caught up on the black legs amongst them.
Earlier, spokesperson of the Compliance Team representing the various zones within Port Harcourt and its environs, had expressed readiness of members of the team to work in synergy with the leadership of the ministry to realise the dreams and vision of the state government.
The representative, however, enumerated the litany of handicaps impeding the effective performance of the duties, listing boundary encroachment on Greater Port Harcourt lands, floods, the deluge of fake building plan permits, interference and hostilities by host communities, lack of official vehicles, lack of adequate security personnel to provide cover to the team, lack of proper identification instruments, and stipends for members of the team, among others.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Rivers

MCDI Inducts 150 Professionals In PH

Published

15 hours ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Mentoring and Career Development Institute of Nigeria (MCDI) has inducted about 150 new members into various categories of membership during a special induction ceremony and dinner in Port Harcourt.

Aimed at expanding the institute’s membership base, the event offered new inductees an opportunity to engage with senior members and integrate fully into the organisation’s professional network.

The induction ceremony was part of the 2025 national conference of the institute.

National President of MCDI, Dr. Collins Edebiri, administered the oath, while the new members promised to carry out their duties faithfully, following the institute’s rules and constitution.

Dr. Edebiri emphasised the institute’s core mandate of instilling values that will shape individuals and institutions.

He emphasised the theme of the conference, “Mentoring for Individual and Corporate Leadership”, noting that last year’s focus centred on national development and value reorientation.

Edebiri explained that the induction ceremony is a key feature of the institute’s annual conference, though inductions also occur quarterly.

On the criteria for membership, he said the most important factor is the desire to be mentored or the readiness to mentor others, and urged the new inductees to become ambassadors of value-driven leadership in their respective workplaces.

Guest Speaker at the ceremony, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who was a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), shared her experiences from her early days in journalism, attributing much of her professional growth to strong mentorship.

She encouraged members to embrace mentorship as a catalyst for personal and societal advancement.

Seminitari was later presented an award.

New members, including Wisdom Egberi Woniepiriye, and Mrs. Grace Ajinwanyiekwu, expressed their excitement and hope to be mentored well so they can eventually mentor others.

There were a dinner and networking session, marking another success for MCDI in its efforts to build leadership values nationwide.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Fisherman Gets Thumbs-Up Over Patent Creation

Published

15 hours ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has commended a renowned fisherman, Mr. Ricky Brown Owunari, for what it described as a remarkable stride in global engineering content creation.

In a congratulatory message signed by the Association, weekend, the SPE said the patented “Dewaxer Flow Enhancer and Downhole Tool” had secured official endorsement under U.S. Patent No. 12,448,868 B2.

They said the development has been highlighted as a significant indicator of Rivers State’s growing intellectual and technological capacity, with observers noting that such breakthroughs position the state as a rising hub for innovation.

According to those familiar with the innovation, the achievement serves as proof that Niger Deltans have moved beyond the era of militancy and are now producing world-class content, research outputs, and technical solutions.

The SPE officials described the patented technologies as timely tools designed to tackle wax deposition in crude oil wells, a major challenge that frequently disrupts production and increases maintenance costs.

They further stressed that the milestone underscores the need for Rivers State to invest more in supporting innovators whose works demonstrate global potential.

Industry experts revealed that the tool originated from years of field observation, experimentation, and rigorous research aimed at improving flow assurance in challenging well conditions.

They also urged the Federal Government to show greater appreciation for home-grown innovations, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally recognise and encourage technological breakthroughs emerging from the Niger Delta.

Stakeholders at the event warned against piracy, emphasising that unauthorised copying of patented technologies undermines national progress and discourages genuine innovators.

Analysts observed that the breakthrough strengthens the narrative of a new Rivers State built on creativity, content development, and technical excellence rather than conflict.

The session concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government authorities and industry players to protect intellectual property and position Rivers State as a greenhouse for innovation-driven content.

The content, The Tide gathered, is expected to solve critical challenges in the oil and gas sector, as well as other relevant areas of the national economy.

By; King Onunwor

Rivers

NBA Seeks End To Mass Abductions, Targeted Killings

Published

15 hours ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned against mass abductiond and targeted killings in Nigeria.

President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, who gave the warning, noted that Nigeria was faced with a growing wave of violence following fresh attacks in Kebbi and Borno States.

The association issued the warning after terrorists attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga on November 17.

According The Tide’s source, the gunmen killed a teacher and abducted at least twenty-five students during a shootout with security personnel.

The President said the latest attack shows the country has become unsafe for schoolchildren and civilians.

He further noted that Nigeria also lost Brigadier General M. Uba earlier that day in an ISWAP ambush in Borno State.

According to Osigwe, the nation was witnessing a rise in terrorism, kidnapping, and lawlessness that has overwhelmed security agencies, adding that rural communities, travellers, farmers, and security officers are all exposed.

The NBA President also warned that Nigeria was facing a dangerous breakdown of public safety.

Quoting recent reports, he said about 145 people went missing in mass abductions across Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara within four days.

“The country must stop recording deaths while hoping for peace through negotiations with terrorists”, he said.

The NBA further revealed that recent intelligence alerts, including the DSS warning of ISWAP plans to strike in Ondo and Kogi, show a widening threat.

Osigwe questioned why terrorists still control forests and highways without challenge, with criminals levying taxes on communities, displace families, and attack convoys.

The NBA demanded an urgent national security overhaul with transparency and strong political will.

Osigwe, however, praised the teacher who died in Kebbi while protecting students.

By; King Onunwor