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RSG Won’t Allow Illegal Markets On East-West Road, Wike Vows
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has ordered the demolition of illegal sprawling market along the axis of Elele-Alimini and Ahoada towns on East-West Road in the state.
He has directed all engaged in illegal activities in the area to quit because every standing structure at the affected places would be demolished with effect from Wednesday, June 9, 2021.
Wike gave the warning during the flag-off of construction works at the Ahoada Campus of Rivers State University, and the dualization of Ahoada-Omoku Road in Ahoada Town, last Tuesday.
“Let me tell you, the state government has not authorised any market from that Ahoada Junction on East-West Road, keeping to your right and going back to Port Harcourt. Everything there are illegal structures.
“It doesn’t matter who own them. Whether you come from the South, East, West or North, if you have any of those illegal market structures, from that junction down to Elele-Alimini, I will bring all of them down.
“I did not authorise any market and nobody can build market on the road. Not even a local government can do that. So, all of you who have been going to them to collect tolls; be prepared. No market must be on the East-West Road.”
Wike also warned trespassers who have built private residences within the Western Ahaoda County High School, Ahoada, to await the demolition team from the state government on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.
“I have warned you severally and most of you think that nothing will happen. From next week’s Wednesday, anybody that has private residence built within the Western Ahoada County High School, I will bring it down. The land belongs to government and we will not pay any compensation.”
Speaking further, Wike described as shameful the news of some traditional rulers who sell employment chances meant for their subjects to satisfy their selfish interests.
“I cannot bring develop to this place and criminality will be on the increase. We want companies to come to Ahoada but how will you get employment without companies? Every day, you cry of unemployment when the few companies that have come, you’ll not allow them to stay. You and your traditional rulers will chase them away with your demands.
“You even sell chances of employing your own people. Woe betide that traditional ruler that I will catch one day, that is selling what belongs to (his) your people because you want to collect money, I will dethrone that traditional ruler that day.”
Wike also warned one ‘Comasi’, a notorious criminal terrorising entire Ahoada axis, to note that he cannot continue to kill people and go unpunished because time was up for him.
The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, who performed the flag-off of the Ahoada-Omoku Road, described the event as historic, propelled by Governor Wike’s love for the Ekpeye people.
According to him, what matters in politics is the sense of value the people enjoy, and it is bad when it is about putting people down instead of lifting them up.
Similarly, while performing the flag-off of the Ahoada Campus of Rivers State University, former Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, commended Wike for using the multi-campus system to drive educational and community development that will also create access to education.
He urged the governor to transform the state university into an entrepreneurial institution where the products of teaching and researches will be developed to provide ready employments.
“I want to thank you for bringing a campus of the university to Ahaoda. Like I hinted, universities today have gone beyond teaching and research to entrepreneurship.
“The operators of universities today are able to transform the products of research into goods and services to contribute to development of start-up companies to employ more people to develop the economy. I will plead that for the remaining part of your tenure, try and transform the Rivers State University to an entrepreneurial university.”
Earlier, the state government and Julius Berger signed the contract for the dualization of the Ahoada-Omoku Road Phase 1 at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Wike noted that though the Ahoada-Omoku road ought to be a federal project, the state government cannot to sit and watch her citizens suffer.
According to him, work is progressing rapidly on the Egbema-Omoku section of the road.
In his remarks, Julius Berger Director of Finance, Martin Brack, thanked the Rivers State Government for awarding the job to the company, and promised it will be completed within 12 months.
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.