Rivers
HYPREP Inaugurates Water Project’s WCA In Rivers Community
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) in conjunction with the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, has inaugurated members of the Water Consumers’ Association(WCA) for the Alesa community water project, provided by HYPREP.
The inauguration ceremony, which held at Aleto community’s Town Hall in Eleme Local Government Area recently, was performed by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Barrister Patience Omereji, who was represented by the Acting General Manager of Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Dr(Mrs) Queen Amachree.
Eleven members of the Water Consumers’ Association were inaugurated at the event, with Rev Loveday Nwafor serving as the chairman of the association.For gender balance, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey, however, promised to expand the membership by later appointing two females into the body to bring the number to 13.
At the event, the former General Manager of Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Engr Martins Mmeo presented a lecture, and highlighted the need for the WCA to ensure that the Alesa-Eleme water scheme is not only owned by the community but also make it sustainable. He also harped on the need for the water to be kept safe and clean at all times.
In his opening remarks, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey said the inauguration of the WCA marks a new chapter in HYPREP’s shared commitment to ensuring sustainable access to clean water for the people of Alesa, Alode, Agbonchia, Aleto and some Ogale communities.
According to him, HYPREP’s mission is clear: to restore the environment and community livelihoods, strengthen public health, and improve the quality of the Ogoni communities. “Today, we take a critical step in realising an aspect of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) Assessment Report on Ogoniland”, he intoned.
Zabbey noted that the operational sustainability strategy for the water scheme in Ogoniland is robust, as the contractor handling the project runs it for a year upon completion, followed by two years of managing it by HYPREP, after which, the operations and management of the facility are transferred to the WCA and the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development.
He further hinted that during the two years of HYPREP’s operation of the water scheme, members of the WCA are trained for effective management, including sensitising and mobilising beneficiary communities for ownership.
The Project Coordinator said establishing the WCA, with membership drawn from the benefiting communities is a cornerstone of HYPREP’s operational sustainability plan to sustain operations after completion, adding that it would replicate same across all its water facilities in Ogoniland.
He further indicated that HYPREP recognises that the long term success of its efforts hinges on empowering the community to take ownership and manage the resources and infrastructure it has put in place.
Zabbey reiterated that HYPREP would build the capacity of the WCA members and the wider community to manage and sustain the water facility effectively, contending that the association would be instrumental in ensuring the continued functionality and efficiency of the water infrastructure.
“By taking this responsibility, the people of Alesa and other communities serviced by this water scheme will be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to maintain their water supply, address issues promptly, and safeguard this vital resource for future generations,” he said.
According to him, HYPREP’s commitment to the WCA includes comprehensive training programmes, technical support and other resources for effective management.
While thanking the leaders and members of the serviced communities and the people of Eleme Kingdom for their support and cooperation, Zabbey said their active involvement has been crucial in reaching this significant milestone, stressing that, “together, we are creating a legacy of community stewardship and wellbeing as we take ownership of and protect the water scheme”.
He, therefore, charged members of the WCA to embrace their responsibility with pride and dedication, saying, “the success of this initiative depends on the community and our collective effort and commitment”.
“The association is more than an organisation; it symbolises our shared vision for participatory shareholder engagement. HYPREP is doing its part, and we expect the communities to complement our efforts”, he said.
A member of HYPREP’s Central Representative Advisory Committee (CRAC), Rev Canon Abraham Olungwe said, in a goodwill message that there had been plethora of water projects in Eleme Local Government Area which he noted had gone moribund after some time.
He indicated that the water projects put in place in the area by HYPREP are durable and sustainable, for which reason, the WCA for the Alesa-Eleme water scheme was being inaugurated, to enable the various benefiting communities to own the water facility.
Olungwe, however, regretted that instead of the people to access and utilise the water provided to them, by paying little tokens as tariffs, they rather prefer to buy water from other sources, saying, this is in spite of the fact that the water provided by HYPREP is of global and international standard.
Also speaking, the King of Eleme Kingdom, Emere Philip Osaro-Obele thanked HYPREP for the water project and the inauguration of the WCA, saying he was happy with what the Project was doing in the area, and urged it to keep the flag flying.
The monarch, who addressed the participants through the Paramount Ruler of Alesa community, Emere J. D.Nkpe appealed to HYPREP to execute more projects in the Kingdom as well as create more employment opportunities for the people of Eleme.
In his speech, the Chairman of the Water Consumers’ Association, Engr Loveday Nwafor gave the historical background of water projects in the area, and listed several technical challenges facing the people, particularly in terms of the provision and supply of potable water to the area.
He solicited for the support and cooperation of the people, and promised that the WCA would deliver on its mandate.
By: Donatus Ebi
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.