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‘Wike Has Invested N40bn In Kalabari’
The Chairman of Rivers State Elders’ Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, has revealed that Governor Nyesom Wike has spent over N40billion in Kalabari Land project-wise since he assumed office in 2015.
Alabraba disclosed this at the civic reception held for Wike, last Saturday, at Abalama Community in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the developmental projects the governor executed in Kalabari were worth over N40billion.
Alabraba, in his speech, told Wike: “We have come to say thank you to you because you’ve done for us what no other governor has done for us in Kalabari Land. During the campaigns, you went round the three Kalabari local governments and made promises. Today, all the promises have been fulfilled.
“Your Excellency, recently, we decided to take stock and carry out a forensic audit of all the developmental projects we have received, and our audit revealed that you have invested over N40billion in Kalabari area since your administration.
“This is unprecedented. This represents the highest investment in Kalabari area by any administration since the creation of Rivers State. Your Excellency, we cannot thank you enough.”
It was gathered that some of the projects done by Wike in Kalabari include the Trans-Kalabari Road; reconstruction of Nyemoni Grammar School, Abonnema; sandfilling and land reclamation in Kula Community, Akuku Toru LGA; Abonnema General Hospital; Abonnema-Obonoma Ring Road, Phase II; expansion of Kalabari National College, Buguma, Asari Toru LGA; reconstruction of State School 1&2, Obonoma; construction of Abonnema Fire Service Station; sandfilling and land reclamation in Abonnema; reconstruction of State School, Ilelema, ASALGA; sandfilling and land reclamation in Abalama; reconstruction of 8-classroom block at UPE Model Primary School, Buguma; construction of Degema Zonal Hospital; construction of Bille Primary Health Care Centre; reconstruction of Kalabari Girls High School, Buguma; sandfilling and land reclamation in Bakana Community; construction of Bille Waterfront/Jetty; etc.
Alabraba particularly thanked Wike for granting their request to construct the all-important Trans-Kalabari Road, and for appointing some of their sons and daughters into positions in his administration.
“Your Excellency, recall that in December, 2019, Kalabari people, led by our traditional rulers, visited you in Government House to felicitate with you on your re-election as governor of Rivers State. One key request we made during that visit was the construction of the Trans-Kalabari Road. This laudable project, conceived 17 years ago, has been so politicised by successive administrations that it remained a dream for our people all these years. You graciously granted our request.
“Today, the dream of the Kalabari people has turned into a reality as the construction of the phase one segment of the Trans-Kalabari Road is currently ongoing, and we know that like all projects initiated by your administration, it will be completed and commissioned before the end of your tenure. Your Excellency, we thank you.
“Coming to appointments, Your Excellency, we cannot fail to thank you for the choice of our proud daughter, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, as the deputy governor of Rivers State for the two terms of your administration; the appointment of our son, Dr Tammy Danagogo, as secretary to the state government, and of course, the appointment of many other Kalabari sons and daughters into positions of trust in government.”
Alabraba further thanked Wike for naming some landmark monuments after illustrious sons of Kalabari Land.
“Your Excellency, your love for the Kalabari people was again demonstrated recently when you named the Port Harcourt Campus of Nigerian Law School after an illustrious Kalabari son, Dr Nabo Graham-Douglas, SAN.
“We cannot forget that you have earlier named the Rivers State Cultural Centre after Rex Lawson. Thank you very much,” he said.
In his response shortly after his conferment with the traditional title of Seibi Dokubo of Kalabari Land (which means he who does good things for Kalabari), Governor NyesomWike thanked the Kalabaris for honouring him.
He promised to award contract for the construction of the second phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road if he gets certain funds he is expecting.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.