Rivers
How We Restored Peace, Security In Andoni -Awortu
The chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Barrister Erastus Awortu, has attributed the peace and tranquility being currently enjoyed in the local government area to proactive measures he put in place.
Awortu disclosed this on Wednesday when he received a delegation of journalists who visited the council on an assessment tour of the local government area.
Recall that prior to Awortu’s administration, the local government area was ravaged by cult wars, with eight communities totally sacked by cult boys.
Giving insights into how peace was restored in the area after protracted cult wars that sacked some communities, the council boss said that apart from engaging warring youths and community elders in dialogue, his administration deployed contingents of police and soldiers to maintain peace in the area.
He also said that the council provided vehicles for both the police and soldiers to assist them in providing security in the various communities.
Awortu recalled that before he came to office, there was high level of insecurity in the area with eight communities sacked by cult wars and many people relocated to a nearby community called Kaa.
According to him, “Before I came into office, this area (LG) was ravaged by insecurity and all kinds of negative impressions, such that the cult boys were parading guns and collecting taxes. Even to allow you or your visitors come into the local government, you had to settle the boys.
“In fact, there was high level of insecurity in eight communities in the area, they were sacked by cult wars such that the whole area was totally deserted; everybody had scampered for safety. We had our people as refugees at Kaa.
“So, the first task before my administration was to provide relief materials for them at Kaa and later brought them back to their various communities. We had to deploy and maintain several contingents of police in the communities for security for close to two years”.
He continued, “You can see there is peace in the area now, but this took a lot of efforts maintaining security presence at various areas. We have three divisional police offices in Andoni; we have provided vehicles for two of them while the third division will be provided vehicle at the end of this month.
“For detachments of soldiers, we also provided vehicles for them; now we have the civil defence (National Security and Civil Defence Corp), we are going to provide Hilux vehicle for them at the end of the month”.
In the area of empowerment, Awortu said that the council has provided many indigenes across the various communities in the area with generators, 50-inches television sets and DSTV with subscription to encourage them to set up small scale businesses and viewing centres to keep them busy and watch premier league.
“We also sent 15 cadets to Charkin Maritime Institute for training in maritime and other engineering courses. They have done a two-year diploma programme and will soon aboard international vessels. No one was less than N10million, but we have an arrangement with the institution, we are paying gradually. Luckily, all of them came out well, no one failed. About 40 or 50 graduated from the school, the best ones are from Andoni. We are very sure they are going to be gainfully employed very soon”, he said.
To further stimulate the economy, the council boss said his administration has empowered several groups of women, widows and people with disabilities with between N100,000 and N200,000 each.
According to him, “We have not done less than 50 for each group each time. The last one we did was for about 50 people living with disabilities. We trained them for one week with PoS and starter pack of N100,000 each”.
Awortu also disclosed that his council revived the abandoned magistrate court and general hospital in the area while paying the NYSC medical doctors and nurses he engaged N100,000 and N50,000 each per month, respectively.
Earlier, the visiting Journalists under the aegis of Like Minds Journalists had told the chairman that they were in Andoni on assessment tour of what Awortu’s administration had been able to record in the last three years.
The spokesperson of the group, Ilaye Jumbo, at the end of the tour, said they were not disappointed by what they saw.
She urged other local government chairmen in the State to emulate Hon. Awortu, and also embark on peer review mechanism for the development of their respective council areas.
By: Boye Salau & Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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.
National Youth Council of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, under the dynamic leadership of Amb. Ambrose Sopuruchukwu Okpor, has called on the result-oriented National President, Amb. Sokubo Saraigbe Sokubo, to re-contest.
This call stems from the overwhelming confidence reposed in him by Nigerian youths, based on his outstanding track record, charismatic leadership, and unwavering commitment to youth development.
This was contained in a statement made available to news men, yesterday.
Amb. Akpor explained that under the leadership of Amb. Sokubo the NYCN has experienced unprecedented progress in youth empowerment, advocacy, and national unity.
“I want to say that Amb. Sokubo’s ability to maintain harmony, sustainable peace, and foster an inclusive atmosphere within the youth leadership structure is a testament to his visionary and tactical approach to leadership.
“The Rivers State Chapter, with other progressive and stakeholders, believes he is best positioned to continue piloting the affairs of the Council towards greater heights”,he said.
The youth council chairman in the State further appeal to Sokubo to answer this noble call to serve once again, for the sake of continuity, growth, and the collective aspirations of Nigerian youths across the country.