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Mayor of Housing Reveals Fubara’s Strongest attraction For Investors 

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The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China,  has revealed one of the strongest attractions Governor Siminialayi Fubara holds  for investors like him. He called it “humility for continuity”.

China, who is also the CEO of  Housing and Construction Mayor Limited, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to him, for any governor to focus on completion of projects of his predecessor was a huge act in humility.

“Governance in Nigeria is such that politics is prioritized over valuetics.

“To know you did not start this project, but because you have the interest of the people at heart, you continue it, even in the midst of political crisis.”

“I have a quote that ‘without delivering tangible dividends of democracy, politics is the greatest liability any society can have”.

He gave examples of good projects that were stalled in Rivers State because of discontinuity as “the Rivers State Geographical Information System  (RivGis) and the Rainbow Estate in Trans-Amadi”.

He said a huge loss had been incurred in the two projects just because  successive administrations did not like the previous administrations that initiated those projects.

He said: “So, one of the reasons RivGis has not worked is because successive governments have come to truncate the good works of previous administrations.

“And when people are saying that the present governor has scored ‘zero’ because he continued and completed the projects that his predecessor started, I am wondering what planet these guys are speaking from.

“Because what has been killing any policy or project started by an administration is discontinuity by the next administration.

“Now, if any administration says it wants to continue the ones he inherited for the sake of the people, what makes that an offence”, he said.

He, therefore, called for the revival of RivGis, saying the way out is to systematize lands and housing subsector.

“I did not become Mayor of Housing in Port Harcourt, but in Abuja. I can tell you that the ease of doing business (EoDB) in Abuja is 100 times faster than in Rivers State.”

The Mayor of Housing revealed that Nigeria at the moment needs about N21 trillion to close the over 28 million housing deficit.

The Mayor of Housing advised  Gov. Fubara on what  to do to move the economy of the oil-rich state back to the front seat.

“Many business leaders point to the crisis of obtaining land papers in Rivers State and say this deserves urgent attention to attract investors.

“They also think housing deficit in Nigeria is getting out of hand.

Rivers State is the 7th most populous state in Nigeria with about seven million people. By December 2018, Nigeria posted about 20 million housing deficit, needing N21 trillion to close the gap.

“Gov. Sim Fubara of Rivers State has started with 20,000 low-cost houses that may be scaled up to 100,000. This looks promising. There is hope for more estates to spring up if ease of land papers, ease of regulation, etc can be enthroned.

Mayor of Housing attributed the bane of the housing sector in Rivers State to three major issues.

“First, let’s look at the Rivers housing situation. The housing deficit in Rivers State is worse because it is a one-city state, making most persons to cluster in the state capital, the oil city.

“By this, of the population of about 7 million people in the state, over 5 million people are congested in the state capital, Port Harcourt. In terms of city congestion, Port Harcourt is second most congested.

“Other states may have their population spread around, but in Rivers, it’s all in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, and Eleme. When you have sequestration or concentration in one place, the ones that have houses in the villages come to the city to be homeless. They add to the housing deficit. There is exacerbation of deficit in the city.

“Next, there is absence of housing data in Rivers State. There are the superlative and fundamental factors in the Rivers housing analogy.

“The fundamental is that there is no agency in charge of all matters relating to lands and housing. In Rivers State, there are about five ministries and agencies looking after the sector.

“A single agency would have been the Rivers State Geographical Information System (RIVGIS), but because it is not fully functional, you now have the Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Housing, Ministry of Urban Development, the Surveyor-General’s Office, and more. In this situation, none has responsibility to collate all matters and interface with the public.”

According to him, the second most lucrative sector after oil in Nigeria right now is property.

“Until RivGis is so digitalized that there is no or minimal human interference just like in the banks, the state will not surge forward in development.

“The governor has said he started real governance in February 2024. We know that things are not where they should be, but we are very optimistic they are going to be far better because of the body language of the governor. The way the governor spoke shows he means business.

“He said at the summit that the state is now open for businesses. We in the private sector want to see more PPP initiatives and projects.

On what investors wanted from the Fubara administration, he said: “As an offshoot from the summit where investors expressed difficulty in getting land papers (certificates of occupancy), access to land, etc. I am sure this governor will follow through.

“The summit itself is a success for the mere fact that it took place, because that is the first one the state has had in 13 years. It shows that this governor means business. That is how the investors feel about the summit.

“Two: The continuity from the previous administration’s projects despite having issues with that administration, and he didn’t take out any of those projects because of malice of anything; that alone is a boost of confidence for the private sector.

“Third: Flag-off and actual start of construction of the 20,000 low-cost housing units under a PPP is also a confidence booster. Please, people should not underrate that project, because there has been hardly any FG housing project above 2,000 in a particular locus. The biggest FG housing project in Rivers State is the Trans-Amadi Garden which is not up to 1,000. Agip Housing Estate is also a FG housing project, and I am not sure it is over 2,000. So, 20,000 is actually a new city.

“This is one of the reasons real estate investors are comfortable with the 20,000 and in PPP.”

“My sincere advice to Gov. Fubara is to increase the number and size of PPP schemes. It is not only in projects but in planning. World class businesses often engage consultants to get them the information and finished reports to work with.

He also called on Gov. Fubara to endeavour to bring out a white paper on the summit.

“The governor needs to, as a matter of fact, sit down with group leaders, especially captains of industry and technocrats and develop a white paper from the summit’s panel discussions. The governor can ask, who do you know that can actually do this or that. Just like the way the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) wanted to use Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to remove election irregularities, though it was abused.

“We can ask for who has the expertise to map Rivers State and plan it vis-à-vis the part that has not yet been developed. Then, not only to have this in the system but have it in the public domain that everybody knows that this is the plan.”

 

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Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

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Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

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College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

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The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

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Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

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The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

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