News
PHED, RSNC Chart Path To Improve Service Delivery
The managements of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) and Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC) have agreed on strategic partnership to improve service delivery to their various customers and publics.
Both organisations made the commitment during a courtesy visit by the management of the corporation to the electricity distribution company (DisCo) in its Moscow Road headquarters in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of the company, Dr Henry Ajagbawa, said that PHED was committed to working with the newspaper outfit to increase public awareness on the challenges facing the DisCo, the opportunities offered by the operating environment, and the prospects for improved services to energy consumers in the four franchise states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers.
Ajagbawa, who was represented by the Chief Services Officer, Ochuko Amah, said the company was doing its best to create the necessary awareness on its obligations to energy consumers and the people’s responsibilities to the DisCo in the four states, but added that PHED was willing to do more as there were rooms for improvement.
He noted that since the birth of PHED about eight years ago, enlightenment campaigns have been consistently implemented across all the franchise states to create awareness on the dangers of vandalisation of electricity assets, consequences of energy theft, and the blow-back of refusal to pay for electricity consumed by customers.
The managing director added that in addition to media campaigns and public education initiatives, special community liaison officers/teams have been engaging beneficiary communities to further deepen interactions with the aim of fostering understanding and cooperation while creating buy-in of stakeholders to protect PHED facilities and also ensure improved revenue inflow.
He said that PHED has also been implementing impactful corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes that contribute to national development in many ways through interventions to enhance quality education, healthcare delivery and social development in communities, particularly among the vulnerable ones.
Ajagbawa said, “On our CSR, during the COVID-19 pandemic era in 2020, we donated over 1,400 bags of rice, we held a women’s week in 2020; we visited the Motherless Babies’ Home in Port Harcourt in 2020; we supplied complete set of school bags to one of the state government-owned primary schools in Port Harcourt.
“We sponsored Innovate Arts Academy for schools worth over N2.8million in Bayelsa State in 2021; we sponsored school children’s competition in 2021; and most recently during the 2022 Children’s Day, we donated over 1, 000 writing materials to schools in Rivers and Cross River states,” he said.
He said that the initiatives were designed to build confidence in the people as a good corporate citizen working to enhance the livelihoods and living conditions of customers in the franchise states, adding that people in communities need to see PHED staff as friends and facilities as critical infrastructure they should protect at all times.
Responding to the corporation’s request for smoother working relationships and collaborations, Ajagbawa said that PHED was ready to escalate its media penetration and presence to reach more target groups and customers, just as it was committed to fashioning novel strategies to improve partnership with RSNC to deliver quality services to the people.
In his remarks, the General Manager, RSNC, Chief Ernest Chinwo, thanked the management of PHED for the warm reception, and said that the management of the corporation was at PHED to seek areas of mutual collaboration.
He said that as a newspaper publishing outfit, which was also involved in other commercial printing jobs, the corporation desperately needed the support of the DisCo in the regular supply of electricity, especially on its production days: Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Chinwo said that the partnership has become even more compelling because of the rising cost of alternative sources of energy due to high cost of petroleum products and inflation, and suggested possible channels of collaboration that could add value to their respective businesses.
“The RSNC, most people know us as publishers of The Tide, but we are more than just that: We do all kinds of commercial printing jobs. In fact, we have a full commercial printing department, and we can do a lot of content designs and printing for agencies, organizations and individuals.”
He said that although the corporation was paying its bills regularly, it was also ready to open more areas of synergy to guarantee a win-win business solution to both partners and their various stakeholders.
The general manager expressed surprise at the huge investments PHED has made to sharpen its CSR interventions in the four franchise states, and the serious challenges it was facing, and added that The Tide was desirous of working with the DisCo to further engage the people with a view to improving the operating environment for profitability.
“Most people are not aware of the many CSR interventions you have been making in your franchise states and the serious challenges posed by the massive vandalisation of your infrastructure and assets, sustained energy theft, huge debts owed by electricity consumers who refuse to pay bills, and frequent attacks on your staff by people who are deliberately trying to run away from their responsibilities.
“Maybe, you are not communicating the issues enough to the populace. Therefore, you need to do more. We offer you our platform to tell your stories on a regular basis,” Chinwo said.
He also said, “Of the state government-owned newspapers in the whole of South-South and South-East, and indeed, Nigeria, we make bold to say that we are not just outstanding but we are the most regular on the newsstand. We come out three times a week and we are reliable and steady. Sometimes, when special occasions demand, we come out four or five times a week. We have been in the business of serving the Government and people of Rivers State, and of course, Niger Deltans and Nigerians for more than 50 years. And we are still very strong competitors in the business and confident about the future”, he added.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor