News
Court Jails Two For Vandalising PHED Facilities
A Magistrate Court in the Eket Chief Magisterial District at Eket in Akwa Ibom State has sentenced two vandals of facilities of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc to four years imprisonment each.
The convicts would serve their terms at the Nigerian Correctional Services, Eket.
The convicts: Aniekan Samual Sampson, and Akaninyene Samuel, had on November 3, 2021, vandalised and stolen cables identified to be XLPE Cables from the UDOFA QIC Sub-station of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc.
The culprits were sentenced for offences punishable under Section 556(1)(1) of the Criminal Code Cap. 38 Vol. 2 Laws of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 2000.
The judgement comes as a relief for PHED in the pursuit of justice over the years.
Reacting to the judgement, the MD/CEO of PHED, Dr Henry Ajagbawa, said it was the best news he has received of recent, and gave kudos to the Judiciary, noting that this was the beginning of a new dawn in the fight for justice against business and economic sabotage in the energy sector.
He affirmed his belief that the judgement was the antidote needed to combat the existential threat of vandalism and energy theft in the country.
Ajagbawa harped on the fact that any individual or group of persons involved in vandalism or energy theft would not be spared.
Earlier while speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of a media parley, the MD/CEO of PHED, Dr Henry Ajagbawa, prayed governments at all levels to establish focused and consolidated legislation to help expedite judicial processes involving criminals and criminal activities in the energy sector with a view to ensuring that justice was delivered to offenders expeditiously.
It would be recalled that PHED has suffered huge losses with over 210 transformers of various sizes and other electrical accessories have been vandalised by criminals over the years.
In another development, the Port Harcourt DisCo has lamented the incessant assault suffered by its staff in the hands of members of the public, and warned that persons or communities who assault staff of PHED would suffer the consequences stipulated by the organisations in-house rules and be prosecuted for justice.
In a statement signed by the Head, Corporate Communications, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc, John Anonyai, said that the recent assault caused severe injuries of a staff of the company, Mr Itoro Essienobom in Uyo.
The incident occurred at Oron on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, where two fierce looking men indebted to PHED attacked the lines worker simply because he advised them to make payment to avert possible disconnection.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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