Niger Delta
Bayelsa Elders Hail Diri On Infrastructure Development …Governor Slams APC Candidate On Angiama-Oporoma Bridge Comment
The Bayelsa Elders Council (BEC) has given thumbs up to Governor Douye Diri for the developmental strides of his administration.
The elders expressed satisfaction particularly with infrastructure projects embarked upon by the Prosperity Administration in the state.
They gave the commendation during their meeting on Thursday in Yenagoa, which was attended by Governor Diri.
Chairman of the BEC, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), in his remarks, described one of the roads among others constructed by the administration as the best in the state.
He said: “The dualized Glory Drive is one of the best roads in town today, which was not affected by last year’s flood.
“The other day l was coming from Nembe and l saw that the Igbogene-AIT ring road is almost complete. One important road that touches me is the Nembe-Brass road that you are undertaking.”
Jonah, an engineer and immediate past deputy governor of the state, also lauded Senator Diri ‘s efforts in the education sector.
He however urged the government to explore ways of developing the power sector as it has been liberalized to improve power supply and also reminded the governor on the issues of stipends and land allocation for their members.
Responding, Governor Diri expressed appreciation to the elders for the support and encouragement to his administration, its policies and programmes, and assured that their support would not be taken for granted.
The state’s helmsman restated his commitment to infrastructural transformation of the state, particularly on the capital-intensive three senatorial road projects.
He disclosed that the completed Glory Drive project would be inaugurated before November this year and the contract for the second phase to link Onopa would be awarded.
On the issue of security and the ban on commercial tricycles at night, he thanked the elders for supporting government’s decision, saying the policy has helped a great deal to reduce criminal activities in the state.
Diri disclosed that there has been tremendous pressure on him to lift the restriction on tricycles but said the ban will remain as the newly launched taxi cabs and buses would operate during the day and at night.
“I like to applaud our elders for working with government towards ensuring the security and development of Bayelsa. Security cannot be 100% perfect across the whole world. With your support, our security has improved to an appreciable level. That is why we established the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps and we will soon introduce its riverine component.”
On comments made by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of the State that the government was constructing a metal bridge across the River Nun at Angiama to link Oporoma, Governor Diri said it was unfortunate and smacked of ignorance.
He explained that the structure was a temporary bridge, which aids the company facilitate the construction of a solid bridge across the river.
His words: “I like our elders to know that we are constructing a solid and not a metal bridge across River Nun. The temporary metal bridge hosts every heavy duty equipment of the construction company with which they are now launching the bridge being built.
“It is unfortunate when people speak out of ignorance, especially a governorship candidate who had been governor of this state; deceiving people that we are constructing a metal bridge to link Oporoma.”
On the issue of flooding and erosion, the governor advocated the dredging of rivers as well as a comprehensive state-wide study on how best federal and state governments should address the twin problems simultaneously.
He also suggested that the federal government build dams to check flood waters, stating that it was not enough to always issue flood alert to states.
Diri said his administration had almost completed rehabilitation works on failed portions of some roads impacted by last year’s flood along the Sagbama-Toru-Orua axis of the Sagbama-Ekeremor toad as well as the Amassoma and Opokuma roads.
The governor further stated that he raised the issue of flooding and its impact at the National Economic Council meetings where it was agreed that each geo-political zone should come up with a road project to be handled by the federal government.
He said the South-South governors chose the East-West road for the federal government to take immediate action.
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.