Rivers

Rivers CP Urges Officers To Fish Out 2Baba, Others

Published

1 year ago

November 17, 2023

Determined to win the war against crime and criminality, the new Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Tunji Disu, on Wednesday gave a marching order to Police combatant operatives posted to Ahoada communities and their environs to ensure that the dreaded 2Baba and his gang members are arrested and brought to book as soon as possible.
CP Disu gave this order when he led the management team and other tactical commanders of the River State Police Command to visit the troubled Ahoada East Local Government Area of the State facing security challenges, to see things for himself and also psych up the combatant officers in the area.
This visit by the CP underscored his avowed commitment and dedication to service and determination to win the ongoing war against criminality, cultism and kidinaping in the State.
The State Police boss, while addressing the officers and men at the Ahoada East Police Area Command on Wednesday, told the officers that he was aware of how difficult it is for them to go into those difficult terrains in the area to look for the criminals .
He assured them of his administration’s resolve to support them with all the required logistics that will enable them win the battle.
“I want you all to know how important we take your job. My first assignment was to come here and see you, to tell you how important you are to us, and to encourage you and stand with you all.
“Give me success by arresting the culprits. Nobody will kill a Police officer and go away scot free, and also keep safe to avoid injuries and fatality”, he stated.
The State Commissioner for police and his entourage later visited Odieremenyi Community to ascertain the level of protracted security challenges in the Area after gunmen killed five indigenes on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Disu, before visiting the troubled community, had assured the Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Ben Eke, that the Command under his watch would do everything possible to bring lasting peace to the local government area and ensure that all the criminal elements terrorising the area are arrested and made to face justice for their crimes committed against humanity.
CP Disu, while commending the council chairman for all he is doing for the Police in the area, said his visit to the LGA was his first assignment on assumption as Commissioner of Police in the State.
Responding, the Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Council, Hon Eke, expressed appreciation for the visit and his team upon resumption, saying it clearly demonstrates that he has Rivers State at heart.
“I must tell you the truth, the Police is trying. Several arrests have been made. What happened days ago is just a display of frustration and they want to blackmail the government.

“I must commend the Police and the Police too should not be deterred at all. As a government, we are ready to provide the necessary support to ensure that those hoodlums are arrested and that the proper thing is done.

“We will give you every support to ensure you succeed as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State. For the Area Command, Division and other security agencies in the area, we will give them the necessary support so that at the end of the day, we will get the culprits.

“Knowing again that the Yultide is just around the corner, if the culprits are not arrested and brought to book, our people will not come home. People are leaving the area”, Eke said.

CP Tunji Disu assumed office as the 45th Commissioner of Police in the state.

In a brief remark during his assumption of office, CP Disu promised to work with people and for the people, noting that his posting to the State was a “home coming”, having worked in the State before.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Rivers

Expert Demands Full Implementation Of PIA In N’Delta Oil Communities

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

An expert in Natural Resource Governance, Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the development of oil communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Uzoigwe made the appeal during a training for community representatives under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He noted that five years after the PIA was enacted, funding under the HCDT framework for member communities had yet to be fully implemented.

He attributed the slow pace of implementation to oil companies’ failure to remit funds, ongoing litigations, internal community disputes, and regulatory challenges, among other factors.

According to him, these challenges have made it difficult to properly assess the effectiveness of HCDT implementation in host communities.

Uzoigwe also expressed concern that several communities were yet to establish HCDTs, which are essential for accessing funds designated for local development.

“Fortunately, there are communities that have successfully leveraged the HCDT to advance development in their localities.

“However, we want every host community to access these funds to accelerate development in their respective areas and contribute to the broader transformation of the Niger Delta”, he stated.

Uzoigwe urged host communities to familiarise themselves with the provisions and regulations of the PIA to enable them to fully benefit from the Act.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, explained that the training was organised for HCDT communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers States.

According to her, the objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the PIA’s provisions, conduct needs assessments and undertake community development planning.

“We examined how the HCDT can be made effective and efficient in utilising the three per cent operational cost allocation for community development projects, as stipulated in the PIA.

“This allocation is structured as follows: 75 per cent for project execution, 20 per cent for savings, and five per cent for administrative costs.

“HCDT members are responsible for identifying and prioritising community needs through a transparent, sincere, and people-centred decision-making process in managing these funds”, Okon explained.

She encouraged host communities to engage actively with various stakeholders, including women, youth, farmers, and community leaders, to identify development projects that reflect the genuine needs of their communities.

Rivers

Opobo/Nkoro SOLAD Pledges To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Sole Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, says he will run an all-inclusive government for the betterment of the local government.

He stated that his priority is workers’ welfare in all ramifications and the good people of the area.

Apiafi stated this recently while addressing workers at the council’s headquarters in Opobo, saying that his direct mandate is to ensure that the existing peace is sustained.

According to him, he is a technocrat, hence he will carry out his functions accordingly.

“Thank you all for welcoming me as your administrator. My mandate here is to ensure that you, workers, are well treated, with your salaries paid promptly, and give you what you deserve.

“You all are my brothers, sisters and friends. I know that together we can take this local government to an enviable height. What I need from you is cooperation.

“I solicit for your support to enable us all succeed because I alone cannot achieve the desired development”, he urged.

The administrator used the forum to thank the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) for giving him the opportunity to serve his people and pledged that he will not disappoint him in any aspect, while promising to discharge his duties in strict compliance to the charge of the Sole Administrator.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the LGA, Comrade Diri Dandison, commended the administrator for placing workers’ welfare top on his list.

According to him, what workers want in the LGA is someone who can give them listening ears, and also give them what they deserve.

“I am happy that Mr. Fredrick Apiafi has placed welfare of workers first, but we pray he fullfills his promises. What we want is for people at the grassroots to also enjoy dividends of governance”, he said.

By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso

Rivers

Navy Saves 99 Persons From Drowning In Rivers

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER have saved 99 persons from drowning in Rivers State during an operation.

A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.

He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.

According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.

“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.

“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain”, Adams Aliu said.

By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso