News
Fashola Hails Wike’s Urban Regeneration Of PH
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has applauded the massive urban regeneration and renewal programme of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Fashola made the observation while inaugurating the Rebisi Flyover Bridge in Port Harcourt, last Saturday, which is one of the five flyover bridges that are under construction simultaneously in the state.
The minister, who took a walk on the 969.4metres’ long Rebisi Dual Carriage Flyover Bridge with his host, Governor Nyesom Wike, said that such development efforts would promote peace among residents, boost tourism and return Port Harcourt to its Garden City status.
Fashola, who had earlier visited the Rumuogba, Okoro-Nu-Odu, Rumuola and GRA Junction flyovers, said: “What I witnessed is a massive urban regeneration and urban renewal of Port Harcourt”.
He said that ministers have been mandated to support the developmental initiatives and aspirations of every state in the country.
This, he said, also informed the initiative to refund money spent on federal roads to states.
According to him, the first tranche of refund was about N577billion, while the second tranche, for which, Rivers State is a beneficiary, is N148billion.
“In the second tranche, it was five states. Out of those five states, I think only two were APC states, and it was a total of N148billiion, and Governor Nyesom Wike and Rivers State got lion share. He got N78billion. Don’t sit here and think he has received N78billion, he still has to go to the National Assembly because this is part of Nigeria’s borrowing plan”, he said.
The minister commended the governor for naming the Rebisi Flyover which is located at Garrison Junction, after the community.
“This place used to be known as Garrison. But, clearly, as we begin to shed our military toga and our democracy ages and deepens, we will see a rebirth in our unity, our oneness and our shared developmental aspirations” he said.
Speaking, Governor Nyesom Wike said when the state government flagged off the Rebisi, Okoro-Nu-Odu and Rumuogba flyovers simultaneously in October, 2019, many skeptics, had questioned the possibility of the state completing the projects within the estimated timeframe of 16 months.
The governor explained that the contractor, Julius Berger, worked assiduously, even during the Covid-19 lockdown, just to ensure that the projects were delivered on time.
“By December, we have to commission Okoro-Nu-Odu flyover. By February, we have to commission Rumuogba and Rumuola; by March-April, we will commission the GRA flyover”, he said.
Wike expressed satisfaction that his administration has been able to fulfil the promise of constructing five flyover bridges, with one of them achieved in 12 months.
The governor said that the flyover bridge by CFC/Corpus Christi Bus Stop would be expanded to make it the sixth flyover project under construction in the state.
Wike, who noted the leadership role played by Mr Babatunde Fashola in the assessment of the application for refund to the state money spent on federal projects, also appealed that the new flyover projects should be considered for refund.
The governor, who frowned at the refusal of traders to obey government’s directive not to display their wares along the roads in order not to inconvenience road users, said that an executive order would be signed today to discourage the practice.
He said that with such executive order in force, any landlord who allows traders to display wares for sales in front on their buildings would forfeit them to government because they would be acquired for public use.
In his remarks, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Mr Eloka Tasie-Amadi, said that when the Rebisi Flyover Bridge was flagged off on October 24, 2019, it was to be delivered in 16 months but it has been achieved within 12 months.
He said that the project has not only improved the aesthetics of the city, but enhanced traffic flow, relieved transport time, eradicated traffic conflict at the junction, and reduced vehicular damage that bad roads cause.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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