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NCSU Lambasts Rivers LawmakersOver LG Reforms

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2 years ago

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Apparently taking a cue from some opposition members in the House of Representatives, the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) has vehemently opposed the moves by some members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to veto and override the assent of Governor Siminalayi Fubara on controversial bills to reform local government administration in the State, as well as extend the tenure of serving Council Chairmen and Councillors in the State.
The union said the action of the lawmakers is unknown to any extant law in the country and therefore is condemnable and unacceptable.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the lawmakers must now tread with caution in order not to incur the wrath of Rivers people who have risen stoutly in defence of the Governor in the wake of the current political crisis in the State.
According to him, the action of the lawmakers is a recipe for chaos, anarchy and lawlessness, and goes contrary to the peace accord brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He noted that in spite of the fact that Governor Fubara had taken steps to abide by the terms of the peace accord, and has continued to preach peace, the lawmakers and their co-travellers have rather continued to stoke the ambers of chaos, violence and needless bloodletting in the State.
Osumah, therefore, opined that if the lawmakers fail to retrace their steps and give peace a chance, the union would without hesitation, in conjunction with other labour unions in the State mobilise workers across the country to storm Rivers State, in order to call the legislators to order.
He regretted that the lawmakers have in a hurry forgotten that by virtue of their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), they had ceased to be elected members of the State House of Assembly, and advised them to purge themselves of the tendencies of taking the laws into their own hands.
He said the time has come for the National Assembly to take over the functions of legislating for the Rivers State House of Assembly since majority of the state lawmakers had lost the mandate and legitimacy to continue to perform their legislative functions for their constituents and the State, by virtue of their defections.
While describing the moves by the lawmakers to amend the Local Government Law of the State without recourse to the Governor’s assent as legislative rascality, Osumah said civil servants in the State can no longer fold their arms and watch while some individuals take pleasure in insulting the Governor with impunity and denigrating the office of the Governor.
He maintained that the civil servants are united in their unalloyed support for the Governor Fubara administration and would continue to support the Governor to succeed in office as one of their own. This is even as he called on all civil servants in the State to continue to support and pray for the Governor and be prepared to march out whenever they are called upon.
Osumah also appealed to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to take keen interest in what is happening in Rivers State, particularly when one of its members in the person of Governor Fubara is being haunted and maligned.
He called on the Governors to rise up in defence of their colleague, by sending a strong message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The Governors should be reminded that there is an adage that says, ‘wetin reach old pot must surely reach the new pot’. If this rascality is allowed to thrive, any one of them could be the next victim. Folding their arms and sleeping while one of them is being maligned is dangerous. It could spell disaster”, he said.
Osumah also condemned the recent call by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Governor Fubara to publicly face the press, describing the comments by the Minister as infantile, unnecessary and frivolous.
According to him, Governor Fubara should be left alone and be allowed to concentrate on governance.
The labour leader expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would put smiles on the faces of civil servants in the State as Christendom prepares for this year’s Easter celebrations.

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NDDC Provides Lifeline To Flood-Hit Ogu-Bolo Community

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7 days ago

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April 2, 2026

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In response to the recent flood disaster that displaced families, destroyed farmlands, and worsened economic hardship in Ogu/Bolo Community, The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has distributed relief materials to residents of the community.
Presenting the items on behalf of the Managing Director, the Director II, Education, Health and Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Onolejoloni, said the intervention underscores the commission’s commitment to alleviating the plight of vulnerable communities across the Niger Delta.
According to a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the gesture followed the devastating impact of flooding on livelihoods in the community.
The Managing Director noted that the commission, in collaboration with the Derek and Davia Foundation, provided financial support to facilitate the distribution of essential food items and household materials to affected residents.
He described the initiative as part of efforts to address pressing needs, adding that it also reflects government’s solidarity with citizens facing economic challenges.
“This intervention goes beyond palliatives. It is a demonstration of government’s presence, compassion and commitment to supporting families in distress, in line with the renewed hope agenda of the President,” he said.
He urged community leaders to ensure fair distribution of the items and encouraged residents to sustain peace and support development programmes.
The Paramount Ruler of Ogu-Bolo, Chief Joachim Amachiri, commended the Commission for the timely intervention, noting that it would provide much-needed relief to victims of the flood.
He reaffirmed the community’s support for NDDC initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in the region.
Also speaking, a consultant on the programme, represented by Dr. George Smile, praised the commission’s responsiveness to disaster-affected communities, disclosing that plans were underway, in partnership with development stakeholders, to extend similar support to neighbouring areas.
Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick
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Don Traces Nigeria’s Highway Woes To Design Failures  … Proposes Mechanistic-Empirical Design Approach

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7 days ago

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April 2, 2026

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A lecturer at the Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Emmanuel Osilemme Ekwulo, has called for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s highway pavement systems, stating that poor design practices and weak standards, not just inadequate funding, are at the heart of the country’s persistent road failures.
Delivering the 128th inaugural lecture at the Rivers State University, titled “Removing Roadblocks: Rebuilding The Foundation For Reliable Highway Pavement Infrastructure”, Ekwulo argued that Nigeria’s roads will continue to deteriorate prematurely unless critical engineering principles are strictly applied and enforced.
According to him, recurring defects in the nation’s highways stem from a combination of faulty design processes, substandard construction materials, weak regulatory enforcement, poor drainage systems, and widespread disregard for professional ethics.
He stressed that these systemic failures have undermined the durability of road infrastructure despite significant financial investments.
“Premature pavement failures in Nigeria are not due to lack of funds alone, but largely due to poor design decisions, weak material standards, and absence of accountability,” he said.
Ekwulo proposed the adoption of the mechanistic-empirical design approach, a scientifically grounded method for predicting pavement performance, as a pathway to improving road quality.
He also advocated for the development of a localized framework, the Nigerian Empirical and Mechanistic Pavement Design System (NEMPADS), to reflect the country’s unique environmental and material conditions.
He further recommended stricter quality control measures, including independent audits, the establishment of a national database for material characterization, and compulsory traffic load analysis for all road projects.
The use of modified binders and advanced materials, he added, would enhance pavement resilience.
To ensure sustainability, the Professor called for the implementation of a National Pavement Management System to coordinate maintenance and monitoring efforts nationwide, noting that consistent upkeep is essential to prolonging road lifespan.
Ekwulo emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry, urging universities to lead applied research initiatives and pilot projects that can deliver practical solutions to Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, said universities must play a frontline role in addressing national development issues through research-driven interventions.
He described the lecture as timely, noting that the neglect of core engineering standards has contributed significantly to the country’s failing highways.
The event, held at the Dr. Ezenwo Wike Senate Building in the campus, also featured the formal decoration of Ekwulo as the institution’s 128th inaugural lecturer.
Reiterating his position after the lecture, Ekwulo stated that with proper design methods, quality materials, and strict adherence to global standards, Nigeria’s roads can achieve their intended lifespan of 10 to 20 years or more.
“Without a return to engineering fundamentals and accountability, investments in road infrastructure will continue to yield poor results”, he concluded.
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CP Reaffirms Commitment To Human Rights, Community Policing In Rivers

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7 days ago

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April 2, 2026

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The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has assured residents of the command’s commitment to upholding human rights and delivering people-oriented policing.
He stressed that officers under his watch would continue to operate within the confines of the law, while strengthening community relations.
Adepoju gave the assurance  during a sensitisation walk organised by the  State Police Command as part of activities marking the National Police Day in Port Harcourt.
He noted that the exercise was aimed at fostering trust and enhancing cooperation between the police and the public.
While expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a special day for the Nigeria Police to celebrate its achievements, he described the gesture as a morale booster that would spur officers to greater efficiency and professionalism in service delivery.
The CP also commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for initiating a week-long celebration, which he said had provided an opportunity for the police to reconnect with citizens and showcase reforms within the force.
According to him, the large turnout of residents, stakeholders and members of the business community during the exercise was a clear indication of the growing confidence reposed in the police by the people of Rivers State.
He reiterated that the Command would sustain its sensitisation efforts, adding that officers had been adequately briefed to respect the rights of citizens, maintain professionalism and work closely with the media to promote transparency and accountability.
Adepoju disclosed that the week-long activities commenced with environmental sanitation across commands and divisions, alongside public enlightenment campaigns targeted at strengthening police-community relations.
He further revealed that the Command had also embarked on free medical outreach for both officers and members of the public, as part of its corporate social responsibility and commitment to public welfare.
The CP added that financial support would be extended to widows of fallen police officers through the presentation of cheques, in line with directives from the police high command, to cushion the effects of their loss.
In his response, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in the state, Voke Emore, said the initiative was geared towards rebuilding trust between the police and the communities they serve.
Emore noted that the renewed synergy between the police and residents in Rivers State had created an enabling environment for effective policing, urging the public to continue supporting security agencies with useful information.
Also, a representative of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Chima Nnaji, said the group participated in the walk to show solidarity with their spouses.
 The event drew attendance from senior police officers, members of the PCRC, and stakeholders from various sectors of the state.
King Onunwor
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