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For South-South Regional Integration
Last Wednesday, the Federal House of Representatives passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a development commission for the South-South geo-political zone, also popularly known as the Niger Delta region.
Sponsored by Rep Awaji-Inombek Abiante, the bill was first read on the floor of the House on December 19, 2019. The bill, if eventually passed into law is to establish the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) whose primary mandate will be to receive and manage funds from the Federation Account Allocation, other sources, including grants, donations and aids for the sole aim of developing, integrating and addressing the infrastructural deficit, militancy, communal crisis, insecurity and ecological and environmental challenges facing the region.
The vision of the SSDC may not be too different from the objectives of the ill-fated BRACED Commission set up by Governors of the region some 10 years ago, but for obvious reasons, was slowed down. Luckily, in a recent meeting held in Asaba, Delta State capital, the governors under the aegis of the South-South Governors Forum resolved to resuscitate the BRACED Commission.
Interestingly, the forum also agreed to float a regional security outfit that will, among others, tackle the security concerns bedeviling the zone in the wake of increasing insecurity in the country.
Hitherto, states in the region had made bold attempts to tackle insecurity in their respective states without synergising with neighbouring states to adopt a multi-dimensional approach to solving the twin problem of crime and criminality in Rivers State, for instance. Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration during its first tenure established the Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Agency which bill was duly passed by the state legislature and assented to by the governor.
But for political reasons, the Federal Government, using the Nigerian Army, scuttled the lofty idea and the agency has not been functional and effective till date despite a Federal High Court order declaring the Army’s action as illegal and unconstitutional.
Other States in the region, also made similar attempts at combating the rise in criminal activities in the zone, but most of such moves, if not all had not yielded the desired result possibly because of lack of synergy and collaboration among the governors of the region.
Stakeholders in the region therefore hail the latest move by the governors, not only to resuscitate the BRACED Commission but also to float a regional security outfit, like Amotekun in the South-West to tackle head on insecurity in the area. Herdsmen/farmers clashes, militancy, kidnapping, pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, cultism and other social vices have been a reoccurring decimal in the zone and the need for such security network has become inevitable.
Indeed, it is now imperative that we as a people with a common destiny and peculiar challenges must come together to battle the common enemies in our midst. Methuks that the only path to follow is have a common platform such as the BRACED Commission and a regional security architecture and network to confront squarely the real and present danger.
The Nigerian conventional security outfits- the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Armed Forces, from all indications appear to be overwhelmed by current security challenges and the most viable option is to establish zonal or regional security outfits that will complement their efforts.
It is, therefore, my candid opinion that all well-meaning Nigerians, especially the Niger Deltans must support our leaders to ensure that the BRACED Commission and the regional security outfit succeed.
Such arrangement will not only facilitate economic co-operation and development of the South-South States, but will also pave way for regional integration and cross-fertilisation of ideas.
All we require now is adequate funding to hit the ground running.
In the same vein, let all our lawmakers in the Senate and the House of Representatives support the SSDC Bill to sail through just as the North-East Development Commission. That’s the right path to follow.
Goodluck Ukwe
Featured
RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.
Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.
He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”
The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.
Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.
He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.
“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.
“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.
The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.
He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.
The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“
“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.
She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,
expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.
“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”
He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.
The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.
The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.
According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.
APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.
The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.
Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.
Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.
Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.
Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.
The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.
Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.
National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.
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