Rivers

Tobin Presents N4.2bn ‘Budget Of Consolidation’ Target Projects Completion

Published

3 years ago

April 10, 2023

The Chairman, Okrika Local Governmemt Area (LAG), Hon. Akuro Tobin, has presented to the Okrika Legislative Assembly a budget estimate of N4,279,735,667.02 for the 2023 fiscal year.
Presenting the budget tagged, “Budget of Consolidation”, Hon. Tobin stated that the budget is intended to conclude all ongoing projects as much as possible, consolidate his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, poverty alleviation through sustained human capital development and empowerment, as well as strengthening of the existing peace and tranquillity in the LGA, amongst others.
The “Budget of Consolidation”, according to the Chairman, is categorised into “Total Recurrent Expenditure” of N2,798,931,673.62, representing 65.4%, and “Total Capital Expenditure” of N1,480,803,993.40, representing 34.6%.
Hinting on key capital projects in the 2023 budget, the chairman stated that his administration’s fundamental intents include: Completion of the 50 rooms two storey council administrative building with furnishing; and reconstruction and furnishing of Okochiri Health Centre; re-roofing of the Legislative Assembly.
Others are; construction of Chief Tomonitemeka Koko Link Road from Ogoloma to ATC; ccnstruction of Anyungu Biri Sand Field Market, Phase 2; fencing of Community Secondary School (CSS), Abam-ama; and reconstruction of UBE building at Ekerekana.
Still included in the projects are; continued installation of solar powered streetlights in Okrika; construction of modernised drainage slabs from Edereme Biri to Bulome Biri; and hosting of Okrika Cultural Carnival.
On the 2022 budget performance, the Council boss revealed that notable accomplishments of his administration in the year under review include: the completion of an ultra modern market at Ibaka town; as well as completion of the Legislative Assembly Complex and furnishing.
There is also the reconstruction and remodeling of Works Department, Finance and Procurement Annex, Agric. department/State Parastatals block, Primary Health Care block, and the construction of Council security building with gate.
Council also embarked on the ongoing construction of 50 rooms two storey council administrative building; the rural electrification project and installation of two 500KVA electricity transformers in designated communities in Okochiri kingdom; electrification of Koni aka Town Hall; reconstruction of a befitting Chairman’s guest house; and installation of solar powered streetlights from Edereme Biri to St. Peter’s Square.
Concluding the presentation, Hon. Tobin expressed gratitude to the Leader of the Legislative Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul G. Abam, and his colleagues for their cherished cooperation and support since the inception of his administration, stressing that the legislative assembly has been the bedrock of his administration’s equilibrium.
In his remarks, the leader of the legislative assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul G. Abam, on behalf of his colleagues, applauded the Chairman for entrenching peace and good governance in Okrika.
Abam assured the Council boss and the people of Okrika of a thorough debating exercise and expeditious passage of the 2023 budget, stating that the councillors will work harmoniously with the Chairman to ensure that he fully actualise his lofty programmes and policies for Okrikans.

By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Michael Abraham

Rivers

Rivers High Court Restrain Trustees, Knights of St. John International, Others From Conducting Election

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has restrained the registered trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria, and four others from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920 CIWA, Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery elections, and Supreme Subordinate elections of the Knights of St John International, Nigeria, pending the determination of the substantive matters before them.

Justice G.C. Aguma and Justice V.C. Ugoji, in their separate interim orders of injunction issued in Suit No: PHC/4410/CS/2025 and Suit No: PHC/4359/CS/2025, respectively, restrained the defendants, whether by themselves, their privies, agents, servants, or any person or group of persons working under them, from conducting elections into Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA Port Harcourt, District 48 Commandery, Port Harcourt Commandery, and Supreme Subordinate of Knights of St John International, Nigeria.

The claimants, Sir Njoku Chukwuemeka Andrew and Sir Chukwuemeka Martin Mba, in separate suits, through their legal representatives, dragged the defendants to court, seeking an order to restrain them from appointing or installing any interim caretaker executive or leadership to run or pilot the affairs of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Rosary Local Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.

The defendants in the matter are: Registered Trustees of Knights of St John International, Supreme Subordinate Commandery, Nigeria; Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Ufuoma Okene, the Grand President, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery, Knights of St John International; Noble Brother Viktor Benebo, the Chairman Investigation Committee set up by the 2nd Defendant to investigate the claimants; Sir Architect Prempeh Ebiware, the District 48 Commander, Knights of St John International, Port Harcourt; and Sir Harry Oruma, member of Knights of St John International, Our Lady of Holy Commandery No 920, CIWA, Port Harcourt.

The two judges, after listening to the counsels in the matter, granted the claimants’ request and adjourned the matter to 10/12/2025 and 16/12/2025, respectively, for hearing of the motion on notice.

Rivers

Police Arrest Workman Over Attack On Supervisor

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Boundary Police Division in Aluu Community, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, has arrested a workman identified simply as Joshua for allegedly attacking a site supervisor, Sopiriala Sokari, with a broken bottle, leaving him in coma.

According to information gathered by The Tide, the suspect remained in police custody over the weekend while medical personnel struggled to save the victim’s life at an undisclosed hospital in Aluu.

Speaking with journalists after regaining consciousness, Sokari explained that he had hired the suspect to carry out some work at the site for ?20,000.

Trouble reportedly began when Joshua rejected a ?10,000 part payment, which Sokari had offered with a promise to complete the balance after inspecting and confirming the work.

Sokari narrated how the suspect later trailed him to an eatery near the Obiri-Ikwerre Flyover, where he attacked him with a broken bottle even after a food vendor handed the full ?20,000 to the suspect in an attempt to prevent the incident.

“I am calling on Nigerians to help me. I have spent a lot of money. I need justice”, the victim pleaded.

An unverified video clip circulating online showed Sokari with multiple injuries allegedly sustained during the attack.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.

“Yes, the suspect has been arrested. An in-depth investigation is ongoing”, she said.

By; King Onunwor

Rivers

Degema LGA Affirms Ngeribrama As Autonomous Community

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The authority of Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State has affirmed the autonomous status of Ngeribrama Community in Kalabari land, in the LGA.

A letter signed by the Chairman of the LGA, Dr. Michael John Williams, said to he affirmation was to give clarity and uphold dignity of the traditional institutions.

In his words,”the Council wishes to formally communicate its position regarding the status of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities.”

He disclosed that “following review of historical and administrative records, and confirmation of existing traditional structures, the Degema Local Government Council affirmed that Ngeribrama and its satellite communities were officially recognized as a fully autonomous community within Degema Local Government Area.”

He also noted that the community enjoys a distinct and independent traditional institution, acknowledged under local customs and traditions.

Against this backdrop, he emphasized the Council’s recognition of HRH, Daniel Ngeribrama (Ikata II) as the legitimate and duly acknowledged Amayanabo of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities.

The recognition, the Council’s Chairman further stated, “reflects the Council’s commitment to strengthening traditional authority, enhancing community identity, and promoting peaceful coexistence across all communities in the Local Government Area.”

Affirming the legitimacy and status of the amayanabo, Dr. Williams reiterated the Council’s readiness to collaborate with the traditional ruler to advance development, peace, and unity across Ngeribrama and Degema LGA at large.

Meanwhile, in an earlier statement the Amayanabo, chiefs and community leaders of Ngeribrama in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have condemned recent attempts to diminish the status and autonomy of the ancient Kalabari community.

A statement signed by the Secretary of Ngereribrama and Satellite Communities, Prof. Olomabo Gillis Harry, said the clarification has become pertinent as there have been recent attempts to diminish their status and role in Kalabari land.

The statement said, “The leadership of Ngeribrama and its satellite communities wishes to issue this public clarification for the benefit of the general public, stakeholders, and the wider Kalabari Kingdom.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Ngeribrama and its satellite communities do not fall under the authority of any town or village within the Kalabari Kingdom.”

It explained that Ngeribrama constitutes a fully autonomous community, with a long-established and widely acknowledged traditional institution headed by His Royal Highness, Daniel Ngeribrama, Ikata II, the Amayanabo of Ngeribrama and Its satellite communities.

The statement noted that the autonomous status of Ngeribrama was recognised across Kalabari Kingdom and affirmed historically, culturally and traditionally.

It urged the public is to disregard any claims, statements, or insinuations suggesting that Ngeribrama is under the jurisdiction of any other community.

“Ngeribrama, located within Degema Local Government Area (DELGA), maintains its own traditional governance structure”, the statement emphasised.

Enumerating the traditional structure and levels of leadership in the community, it stated that the Amayanabo of Ngeribrama has other supporting structures with a duly constituted Council of Chiefs.

One of the chiefs is a senior member of the Royal Family, Chief Hon. Dr. Dax Kelly George, who is Da-Daigbani II.

The community, it further stated, has Elders’ Council, as well as Women and Youth Leadership.

“For historical clarity, our revered progenitor, Ngeribra, had only one child, his daughter, Princess Iwori, whose lineage forms the foundation of the Ngeribrama Community”, the statement continued.

It concluded that “Ngeribrama and its satellite communities remain committed to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and continued collaboration with sister communities within the Kalabari Kingdom, Rivers State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

By: Kevin Nengia