News
As RSG Begins Enforcement, NURTW Hails Wike’s Ban On Illegal Markets, Parks
As the Rivers State Government officially commences enforcement of the ban on street trading, illegal motor parks, taxi ranks and mechanic workplaces in the state, today, stakeholders have lauded the government for taking proactive steps to rein in rule of law and order in the state.
One of the key stakeholders is the powerful National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), which described the decision to enforce the ban as a laudable step that would bring sanity and guarantee safety of travellers in the state.
A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, last Saturday, said that, “with effect from Monday, January 4, 2021, the state government will begin the enforcement of the ban on street trading, illegal motor parks, taxi ranks and mechanic work places”.
It warned all those involved in such illegal activities along the streets and other public places to desist forthwith as defaulters would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The release further directed law enforcement agencies and other relevant government agencies to arrest and prosecute defaulters.
The statement reads, “This is to inform the general public that with effect from Monday, January 4, 2021, the state government will begin the enforcement of the ban on trading, illegal motor parks, taxi ranks and mechanic workplaces.
“All those involved in these illegal activities along our streets and other public places are advised to desist forthwith or face the full wrath of the law.
“Law enforcement agencies and relevant government bodies have been directed to arrest and prosecute defaulters”, it added.
Reacting to the decision by the Rivers State Government to enforce the ban on street trading, illegal motor parks and illegal mechanic workshops in the state, the Abali Park branch Chairman of NURTW, Comrade Stephen Orlu, said that the state government’s decision was a laudable step that would bring sanity, guarantee safety of travellers and also improve on the revenue base of the state.
Orlu stated this in an interview with The Tide, last Saturday, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
He frowned at a situation, particularly in Port Harcourt, the state capital, were motor parks are scattered everywhere, with nobody checkmating the operators of the illegal parks.
“In fact, commercial transport operators, including those from other states, come here, operate and evade tax and go scotch free. They don’t pay any revenue to the state government.
“Well, we have held a meeting with the Commissioner for Transport. He told us that this Abali Park and Mile 3 Motor Park will operate as central motor parks. The Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, also emphasised in his New Year Broadcast to the state that the government would, from Monday, begin to enforce the ban on such illegal motor parks.
“If the state government do that and the board of internal revenue wants to generate revenue from motor operators, that will be very good because it will generate huge amount of money to the state.
“As at now, inside this Abali Park, all the Aba-bound commercial buses, and other buses coming from other states don’t enter here. They have turned all the bus stops to their motor parks”, Orlu lamented.
He noted that if the state government would go ahead and enforce the ban on illegal motor parks, it would complement the urban renewal efforts of the Wike-led administration, and also guarantee the safety to travellers and their goods, especially in this era of insecurity across the country.
The NURTW boss hailed Wike for the massive road infrastructure projects across the state, stressing that all parts of Port Harcourt, have become the huge construction site, with flyover bridges and roads that would transform the city to the envy of most other cities in the country.
He emphasised that the massive infrastructure projects have marked Wike out as a governor who loves his state.
By: Chris Oluoh
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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