Rivers

RIVCARES Enrols 15,000 For 3rd Batch Labour Intensive Works

Published

2 years ago

January 26, 2024

About 15000 Rivers men and women have been enrolled for the 3rd batch of the Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPW) Unit of the Rivers State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Scheme (RIVCARES).
A break down of the figures by senatorial sone shows that 5,100 enrolled in the Rivers East Senatorial zone; 4,990 for Rivers West, and 5,001 for Rivers South East.
Head, LIPW, RIVCARES, Engr. Prince Enyindah, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen during the beneficiaries’ training for Rivers East in Port Harcourt.
He said the training was to impact the rudiments of public works to them.
Enyindah said the beneficiaries are expected to do their community services with a view to justifying the money being paid to them.
According to him, “they are expected to do the community services they are expected to render to justify the money that is paid to them every month”.
Enyindah said the beneficiaries are expected to carry some public works in their Communities, including cleaning of public places such as the markets, gutters and drainages, chief’s palaces and play grounds.
He particularly urged them to take the issue of tree planting seriously in order to combat desertification and climate change.
“So, because of deforestation, tree planting in their various Communities is a necessity under the RIVCARES labour intensive public works”, he said.
He pledged to personally go round the various Communities to ensure that the beneficiaries are carrying out tree planting.
Enyindah also charged them to desilt gutters and drainages in their various Communities to check flooding.
“They will desilt their drains because of this problem of flooding,so that those particular water bodies will not accumulate in their places , resulting to sickness and other things”, he said.
Enyindah continued that the beneficiaries are also expected to invest their monthly earnings on petty businesses that will keep them occupied, at the end of the one year duration, so that their minds will not go into committing evil and crime.
“It is one of the core indicators of this programm, reduction in crime rate and reduced abject poverty, so that people can have money in their pockets”, he stated.
According to him, the programme has led to a reduction in crime rate since its inception, as well as boosting the income of many families across the state.
Enyindah also called for the extension of the programme to enable more Rivers people benefit from it.
The Head of LIPW commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalaye Fubara for consistently releasing money for the programme.
A cross sections of beneficiaries who spoke to newsmen during the training said the programme has alleviated their sufferings.
Some of the traineea from Ibaa in Emohua Local Government, Okrika, Ogu/ Obolo and Omuma Local Government Areas also confirmed receiving their three months stipends.
They pledged to put the money into judicious use.

John Bibor

Rivers

NDLEA Loses Officer, Arrests Six Suspects In Bonny Raid

Published

15 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

An operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been killed during a raid on a notorious drug enclave at Ama Hausa, Bonny Island, Rivers State, while six suspects were arrested.

The agency said a significant cache of illicit substances, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, skunk and tramadol, were recovered during the operation.

The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

According to the statement, the deceased officer, Chief Narcotic Agent, Sadiq Bako Mujahid, sustained severe head injuries when suspected drug dealers mobilised armed hoodlums to attack operatives during the raid.

Babafemi explained that despite the violent resistance, the operatives successfully apprehended the six targeted suspects, including the alleged gang leader, Genesis George Benson.

Other suspects arrested in the strategic operation carried out on Friday, February 6, 2026, were identified as ThankGod Okon, Shamsudden Isah, Muhammed Musa, Adamu Muhammed, and Muhammed Yusuf.

The agency described the Ama Hausa area of Bonny Island as a well-known hub for criminal activities and drug trafficking.

The statement further noted that the operation took a tragic turn when Benson allegedly mobilised armed hoodlums in a bid to evade arrest, leading to a confrontation with NDLEA personnel.

Mujahid was immediately rushed to the General Hospital in Bonny Island for emergency medical attention but later succumbed to his injuries.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the bravery and resilience of the officers who carried out the operation.

Marwa said the operatives refused to be intimidated by criminal elements and ensured that the assailants were subdued and the illicit substances confiscated.

He extended condolences to the family of the deceased officer, his colleagues and the Rivers State Command, warning that any attack on NDLEA personnel would attract dire consequences as the agency remains committed to ridding the country of illicit drugs.

King Onunwor

Rivers

MOSIEND Seeks Potable Drinking Water In Opobo … Decries Absence Of Hospitals

Published

15 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Rivers State Government and Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Barrister James James, to provide potable drinking water for Opobo Communities.

The Group called on the State Government and Council Chairman to provide an affordable hospital in the area for pregnant mothers to deliver their babies.

The Chairman, Ibani/Opobo Clan, Comrade Favour Obani, and his counterpart in Kalama, Evangelist Anderson Africa, representing MOSIEND Eastern Zone, made this known in a radio programme, “Talk of the Town”, on Rhythm 93.7FM.

On lack of potable drinking water in Opobo, Comrade Favour Obani said Opobo people drink from river and well waters and sometimes buy satchet water from Bori Town for their daily consumption.

She expressed regret that Opobo Town had produced prominent personalities, such as the former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, Director General, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, and the present Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminilayi Fubara, yet lacks potable drinking water and modern hospitals and delivery centres.

Comrade Obani insisted that there is total absence of good governance and government presence in the entire Opobo Communities over the years, despite producing prominent politicians in the state.

On lack of hospitals and maternity in Opobo, Obani said pregnant mothers deliver their babies in untrained traditional birth attendant places which she described as harmful to modern day mothers.

She called on the Opobo Council Chairman, Barr. James James, to build modern market facilities for Opobo women to do business.

“We need empowerment and training of the youths across the communities in Opobo Kingdom”, she stated.

She also decried the absence of filling stations in Opobo, noting that motorists and villagers travel to Bori to buy fuel for their use.

On his part, Comrade Anderson Africa called on Rivers State Government to build shores protection in Opobo Town to protect their fast eroding lands.

According to him, Opobo need shores protection in Queenstown and Kalaibiama to protect the communities from extinction.

On NDDC street light installation in Opobo, Evangelist Africa said the street light is not enough to go round as the community needs more to light-up the communities.

He noted that Opobo Communities did not enjoy electricity during the Christmas celebration as most homes were on darkness.

“We need proper electricity in Opobo, we want to feel the real dividend of good governance and democracy”, he said.

Both Speakers from Opobo Clans blamed their sons and daughters who have held various political offices in the state for the backwardness and under-development witnessed in the communities.

They added that students and pupils in ancient Opobo schools do not have comfortable chairs and desks to write on.

According to them, the only presence of governance in Opobo is the road linking to the Town to Bori.

Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Ariks Air Divert Aircraft From Port Harcourt To Benin

Published

15 hours ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

Following a loud bang heard on the left engine of an Arik Airline, Boeing 737-700, with registration number 5N-MJF, the aircraft from Lagos to Port Harcourt has been diverted to Benin Airport as a precautionary measure.

The aircraft, operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt, on Tuesday morning, was on descent into the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident occurred.

The airline’s Corporate Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, disclosed this in a statement, saying all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked.

The statement reads: “Arik Air’s Boeing 737-700 (5N MJF) aircraft operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt on February 11, 2026, diverted to Benin Airport after the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine.

“The aircraft was on its descent to Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident happened and as a precautionary measure, the crew had to make a safe diversion to Benin.

“There were no injuries to passengers and crew as all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked.

“Arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination.

“We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The safety and well-being of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air”, the statement said.

The statement assured that Arik Air is committed to continue serving the public with safety consciousness and for ultermost care for passengers.

Enoch Epelle