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Wike Unveils Abua Central Market, Omelema Hall

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike,last Friday, formally inaugurated the Abua Central Ultramodern General Market and the Omelema Town Hall projects built and equipped by the Chairman of the Local Government Council, Hon. Daniel E. O. Daniel.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Tammy Danagogo, the governor expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Daniel-led administration in the area of project delivery.
Danagogo said, the governor has asked him”not only to come and commission the projects, but to also see how the local government is faring and how thechairman is performing, and come back to report to him.
“I want to commend your chairman for embarking on projects that really touch the lives of the people. I also want to extol the chairman, for stamping his feet, as one of the performing chairmen in Rivers State.
“What you have done today, you have declared to us that indeed, you are a son of the governor.
“The governor is only interested in chairmen who are performing. What I have seen here shows that, indeed, in this local government, the governor has a true son who is towing his steps of delivering quality projects”.
The SSG stated that “the only way to progress forward as a chairman after your tenure is performance”.
He hinted that the governor rose to limelight today because of his sterling performance while he was a local government chairman, adding that the LG chairmen under PDP ought to emulate the governor.
Speaking further, he disclosed that the governor hasreserved appointments and projects for the people of Abua/Odual Local Government Area before the expiration of his tenure.
According to him, “the governor has the intentions of developing every part of the state, what we have to do is to give him the enabling environment.
“Before he leaves office, the appointment you are looking for, you will get it, the projects you are looking for, you will get them.
“Whatever you want starts by appreciating the ones you already have, when you appreciate what you have, every other thing follows”, he added.
On his part, the member representing Abua/Odual Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Solomon Sokolo Kirifa, cleared the air on some unfounded speculations that Abua/Odual Local Government Area was not captured in the Rivers State 2022 Appropriation Bill.
The member took his time out to highlight key projects that would be executed in Abua/Odual LGA, as captured in the 2022 Rivers State Budget including the construction of Abua to Degema, Emoh, Iyak and Ighom, Elogh to Egbolom access road; construction of Agada 1, Agada 2, to Dighiriga, Emelesue to Serebia and Ogbokuma; Ayama, Omokwa and Otari Road; renovation and equipping of Aminigboko General Hospital; among others.
Sokolo urged the people to disregard conspiracy theories from naysayers, and continue to believe in the Rivers State governor to deliver quality projects to the people of Abua/Odual Local Government Area.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Chairman of the PDP in Abua/Odual LGA, Hon. Oye Fubara Igenewari said that the chairman has turned the LGA into a construction site, and that the market project was located at the hub of the Abua/Odual economy, adding that it was strategic to the overall development of the LGA.
Providing the project description, the Supervisor for Works in the LGA, Hon. Zinami Fyneroad Iwariso said: the market was awarded first in 2011 by the previous administration but was abandoned.
He added that with the advent of Daniel-led administration, a need assessment was conducted, and it was ascertained that the market was key to the economy of the LGA; hence the urgency for its completion, adding that market was re-awarded in September, 2019.
Zinami said that the market was made up of 120 lock up shops in a storey building in three blocks and that it was at 40percent completion when the Daniel-led administration came on board and completed it for the benefit of the people of Abua/Odual.
Earlier, the Chairman of council, Hon. Daniel E. O. Daniel had stated that he was overwhelmed by the turn out of the people to witness the epoch-making event, and thanked everyone for turning out en masse to grace the occasion.
He pledged his unflinching commitment towards providing the needed development for the people he has so sworn an oath to serve.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion are the Deputy Chairman, Hon. Ibura Igoma Emmanuel; former EDFA NDDC and Leader of the party in the LGA, Hon. I. H. Ogiri;Leader of the Local Government 8th Assembly, Hon. Mercy Igenewari; and all councillors.
Others were former council chairman, Hon Raphael Muzan Ekpelu; Dr. Oyekwutor Ukwe; permanent secretaries, principal officers of the LGA, elders and chiefs of various communities.

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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