Niger Delta
Deltans Task Okowa On Healthcare For Rural Dwellers
Delta State Youth Parliament has passed a resolution urging Governor of the State, Ifeanyi Okowa, to strengthen the State’s healthcare services to ensure that rural dwellers, especially those living in coastal areas, have unfettered access.
The resolution was sequel to a motion by member representing Patani Constituency, Mr Paul Ohwofataro, during plenary on Thursday in Asaba,
The Governor had on September 8, 2020 inaugurated the first assembly of the State Youth Parliament with a call on it to use the platform to create awareness, build confidence and leadership capacity in youths.
Moving the motion, Ohwofataro urged the Governor to direct the State Ministry of Health to employ and deploy more health workers to all the rural areas of the State, especially the coastal communities.
He said deploying more health workers would go a long way in reducing the rate of deaths in the rural communities.
Ohwofataro recalled how some ‘minor ailments’ had resulted in the death of many residents in most of the rural communities, particularly the riverine dwellers.
He said except an urgent step was taken to address the trend, the situation might escalate.
Seconding the motion, member representing Ndokwa West constituency, Mr Chukwubueze Obi-Ojinka, stressed the need for the State Government to address the health needs of residents of the area.
Obi-Ojinka, while underscoring the importance of health in any given society, expressed regrets that some residents in the rural communities in the state were allegedly denied access to good health.
“In some health facilities in some rural areas, there may be a medical doctor, but fewer health assistants/workers, while some other areas do not have doctors at all. The situation is indeed worrisome.
“We call on the State Governor to direct the State Ministry of Health to engage in massive recruitment of health workers and ensure that our primary health care centres are equipped with the requisite health care facilities,” he said.
The motion was unanimously adopted by the Youth Parliament when put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Dr George Ohwoekvwo.
Also at Thursday’s plenary, the parliament passed a resolution calling on Okowa to direct the State Ministry of Basic and Primary Education to employ and deploy more teachers to schools in coastal areas.
The resolution followed a motion by the member representing Ndokwa East Constituency, Mr. Princewill Ogbolu.
Moving the motion, Ogbolu said recruiting and deploying of teachers to the areas would help to address the increasing educational gap in the area.
He said that insufficient teachers in most schools in the rural communities was a major challenge in the area.
Ogbolu said that some schools in his community have few pupils because parents were withdrawing their children and wards to the city where there were enough teachers.
The member, representing Bomadi constituency, Miss Besta Ekede, seconded the motion.
She appealed to the parliament to support the motion, saying that most of the schools in the rural communities do not have teachers for core subjects.
The motion was also unanimously adopted by the parliament when put to a voice vote by the speaker.
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.