Niger Delta
A’Ibom Plans 486 Rural Road Repairs To Boost Agric

Akwa Ibom State Government has pledged to rehabilitate 486 rural roads across the three senatorial districts of the state to create accessible links between the rural areas and the urban centres.
State Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Offiong Offor, disclosed this in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, during a ministerial briefing on Arise Scorecard Season 1.0, tagged: “Food Security and Sufficiency”.
She said the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, sponsored by the State Government, in collaboration with the World Bank and French Development Agency, would open up the rural areas, where agricultural activities are mainly carried out.
At the briefing were the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Ini Ememobong, the Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Emem Bob, and the Chairman of the Bulk Purchase Agency, Mr Dan Akpan.
Offor said, “When the rural roads are fixed, there will be a reduction in post-harvest losses, as farm produce will be easily conveyed to the urban areas.
The Commissioner highlighted the government’s commitment to food production through the distribution of farm inputs to different farmers and cooperative groups, adding that the AK-CARES project is another state government intervention, also in collaboration with the World Bank, which has contributed to poverty alleviation, hunger eradication and reducing the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.
She emphasized the importance of cooperative groups in increasing food production, adding that when people come together, they crossbreed ideas, easily access finance, and stand a better chance of having more resources for production as group farming was encouraged over individual farming.
The commissioner said the Young Farmers Club has been revived in public schools to foster interest and participation of students in farming activities.
“Governor Eno has supported public secondary schools and boarding schools in providing food for their students, by giving them farm inputs”, she said.
On his part, the Information Commissioner, Comrade Ememebong, underscored the significance of the briefing in effectively communicating the government’s efforts towards achieving food sufficiency and addressing multi-dimensional poverty, particularly in rural areas.
The Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Bob, said the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the removal of petroleum subsidy by the President Boka Ahmed Tinubu-led administration prompted the idea of the AK-CARES project to support vulnerable households and farmers across the state.
Bob disclosed that the state social register has about 2.3 million vulnerable households, who will benefit from the Bulk Purchase Intervention.
Consultant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, commended the initiatives on food availability, affordability, and stability.
Umanah urged Akwa Ibom people to embrace farming and support the government’s investment in agriculture.
Throwing more light on the essence of the Bulk Purchase Intervention, the chairman of the agency, Rt. Hon. Dan Akpan assured the public of the quality of food items distributed and called for the people’s support for the intervention to succeed.
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

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.
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