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RSG Charges Unity Road Contractor To Speed Up Work

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The Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Dr. Dax Alabo George-Kelly, has asked the construction firm handling the Andoni stretch of Ogoni-Opobo-Andoni Unity Road to speed up work because there was no much time left.
He bemoaned the slow-pace of work in spite of the fact that the state government has paid over 90percent of the contract sum.
George-Kelly made the charge when he visited the project site as part of his routine project inspection tour in Rivers South East Senatorial District.
“When you juxtapose the amount of money we have paid and the level of work done so far, you would see that your pace is not proportional to our effort. We are almost done with payment, and you are still at just about 65percent.
“You don’t have to put all your workforce and equipment in one section of the road, split them to about three sections, and tackle the work from all sides simultaneously.We do not have much time left.
“CRE, please do a site instruction, tell them to speed up because their pace is not encouraging, and then, sit down with them and map out a work programme that will ensure the completion of this project in six months because that is what we agreed.
“We must have activity-by-activity that will be running each week, and for us to be able to achieve this speed, certain activities must occur concurrently,” the commissioner added.
The Unity Road has a total length of 43.40KM.
The already completed and commissioned Opobo axis is 11.15KM long.
The remaining 32.25KM on the Andoni stretch of the road, which is currently under construction,is expected to be completed in six months’ time.
It has a total of 11 bridges, 10 have been completed, one is still under construction.
Earlier, the commissioner and his team had inspected the ongoing construction of the 17.2KM 2nd phase of Saakpewan-Bori-Kono Dual Carriageway, which starts after Bori Divisional Police Headquarters and terminates at Konowaterfront.
The 1st phase, which begins at Kira Junction and ends at Bori, is 16.06KM, and had been completed and commissioned.
George-Kelly commended Chinese Civil and Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the quality of job done,saying that the pace at which the construction work was going; the project has attained about 83percent completion.
However, the commissioner cautioned host communities to desist from harassing contractors, advising instead that they should channel every genuine complaint to the Ministry of Works, not contractors.
“It is wrong to attempt to stop contractors from working, if you have any genuine complaints or observations, kindly write to the state Ministry of Works, our doors are always open, we will look into it and address it, if necessary and possible.
“You have no business going to the contractors to tell them about the structure of the project, they are only answerable to the state government that contracted them to do the work for your own good. Trying to stop their work for any reason is harassment, and we will not tolerate that.
“When you go to them and start making certain demands that were not captured in the scope of the project, they will not listen to you because they did not sign any contract with you.It is the Rivers State Government that they know. And when you keep disturbing them instead of writing to us, that may cause issues that may lead to project abandonment, which would be entirely to your own detriment.
“Like when the issue of drainage structure and flooding came up in Kono axis of the road, the community leaders wrote to us, we looked at it and saw that it was a genuine concern. We instructed the contractor on what to do. Today, the drains have been channelled to terminate at the river, and everybody is happy at the end of the day,” he said.
Botem-Ggbene-ue-Horo Road project in Tai Local Government Area that is being constructed by Rivers State Government was also inspected by the works commissioner.

By: Nelson Chukwudi

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Elder Statesman, Others Emerge PH Boat Club’s New Officials

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The Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 has elected new officers to pilot its affairs.
An elder statesman and staunch supporter of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart emerged the club’s Secretary.
Sir Hart’s emergence followed an election conducted by the electoral committee over the weekend which threw up new officials to pilot its affairs at its corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt.
The election which was adjudged one of the most credible, fairest and freest elections in the annals of the Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947, saw the emergence of Dan Harrison as Chairman.
Other members elected to run the activities of the body are Chief Coker Jimmy, Dr Oma Awoh, Chief Bib- Manuel Afonya, Dawari Dingo, Dango Kala- Otaji, Bara Alagoma and Dago George.
Recall that Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 was founded by the former Military Governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff.
Many years after its inception, the club is still waxing strong with notable personalities as members.
Former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Chief AbiyeSekibo is also a prominent member of the club.
The elected officials including Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart were subsequently sworn in, signalling a new chapter for the revered group of bigwigs in the oil- rich region.
With the likes of an elder statesman, Sir Kingsley Fubara Hart on board, the narrative has changed for Port Harcourt Boat Club 1947 as expectations are high.
The newly elected boat Secretary, Sir Fubara Hart promised to work assiduously with the chairman and other members to chart a new course for the esteemed club.
He said efforts are in top gear to enroll new members who will contribute their quota to the advancement of the club.
Sir Hart described his emergence as an act of God, promising to support the new leadership to achieve the desired objective.
He hinted that the core values of the club would be upheld with vigour, saying working in synergy with the principles laid down by its founders remains their watchword.
He said the rules and regulations of the club shall be sustained in the interest of the club and every legitimate member.

 

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New Oneh Eta Akpajo Emerges

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The Akpajo Clan in Eleme Local Government Area was recently agog with activities following the coronation of HRH Emere Sunday Obo as the Oneh Eta Akpajo XII/paramount ruler of Akpajo clan in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Emere Obo was crowned by the traditional staff bearer of the clan,  Chief Joseph Goka on behalf of the land priests at the community square.
Before his coronation, the new King was an acting traditional ruler of the community since the death of his predecessor, Emere Friedrich on the 11th of January, 2023.
He was also a member of the late King’s Council of Chiefs and member of Nchia and Eleme Council of Chiefs respectively.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after his coronation,the new Akpajo monarch said his reign will usher in peace and prosperity to the Kingdom.
He said he intends to work together with the government and companies operating in the Kingdom to attract development to Akpajo clan.
According to the monarch, he will always seek the advice of his elders and other clansmen before taking any decisions.
“I have promised them that I cannot use my authority to do anything without hearing from them first,” he said.
Emere Obo also stressed the need for the youths in the area to toe the path of peace, adding that as a traditional ruler, his responsibility is to ensure that Akpajo clan remains peaceful.
He also assured the government of support and praised both past and current administrations in the State for siting projects in the community.
Also speaking , the traditional staff bearer of the clan, Chief Joseph Goka said Emere Obo’s installation was in line with the customs and traditions of Akpajo Kingdom.
He also told newsmen that the king makers have not received any protest from any quarters concerning the installation since the process started months ago.
Chief Goka  equally said his crowning of the monarch was based on instructions from the clan’s land priests and expressed optimism that Emere Obo is capable of representing the clan Traditionally and other wise.
Chief Goka described Emere Obo as trustworthy and law-abiding, adding that having worked with the late traditional ruler, Emere Obo has a full knowledge of the customs and traditions of not only Akpajo clan but the entire Eleme Kingdom.
He assured the new monarch of the support of the people of Akpajo and the entire traditional institution in the area.
Also speaking, one of the community’s land priests, Levy Kattey Jumaa said the installation of the new Akpajo monarch was in line with the customs and traditions of Akpajo and Eleme kingdom.
According to him, the new King has all the qualities expected from a chief in Eleme land, stressing that Emere Obo was only ascending the throne of his fathers having come from the royal family of Akpajo Kingdom.
He urged the public to disregard any insinuations concerning the installation, ”if at all there is any,” adding that it is only the land priests families that talk about kingship installations in Akpajo and Eleme and no other persons outside the land priests families can do that.

By: John Bibor

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Awo Idemili Community May Become Ghost Town If

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If urgent steps are not taken by concerned authorities, the Awo Idemili community in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State may become a ghost town, due to incessant killings, arson and kidnapping of residents by some alleged criminal elements suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB).
The Tide’s sourc learnt that a certain family, the Emenikes, said the only possible solution to save the lives of the family members and that of others was to seek protection in a foreign land.
According to sources, one of the family members, Mr Peter Emenike was adbucted and murdered in a gruesome manner by people believed to be members of the IPOB recently.
It was further learnt that Peter Emenike, now deceased, was the Personal Assistant to the Imo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Traditional Matters and was never a member of any secret organisation as to warrant the fate that befell him.
His only offence as further gathered, was an alleged intelligence leaked to the Imo Government which the IPOB framed up in order to get him and his family members nailed.
It also learnt on a good authority that Peter Emenike’s lifeless body alongside that of his wife was found at their residence in Awo – Idemili, Imo State on 14th November, 2024 .
It was also reported that few days later, some family members of the Emenike family were declared missing and as one of them was found dead by a bush path, while others were still held hostage as at when this report was filed.
The Tide’s source claimed that a letter purportedly written by the IPOB members was delivered and dropped inside the car of the deceased bearing the insignia of the IPOB with the inscription: ‘None of your family members can hide for long’.
Unconfirmed report has it that the family, out of fear could not immediately report the matter to the Imo State Police Command as the group is believed to possess some spiritual powers to identify their perceived enemies from afar.
The family members of the deceased including oneMr Daniel Emenike, Boniface Emenike , Paul Emenike and others are now under serious threat by the separatist group (IPOB), thus the urgent need for protection especially in a foreign land.
A security analyst who pleaded anolmity, warned that the assassination of Peter Emenike and the serial killings and abduction of his family members stood as a signal to a new phase of IPOB’s operations .
“ This is not an attack on one family , but on the nation and our collective safety . The government must act swiftly not just to rescue the family but to reaffirm their stance on zero tolerance to terrorism “ he said .

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