Rivers
Delga CTC Chair Flags-Off Potable Water Scheme In Obuama … Honours Late Marshal, Tonye Harry … Inaugurates LGA Chapter Of RWUS
Towards forestalling outbreaks of waterborne diseases across communities in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State , the Caretaker Committee (CTC) Chairman of the LGA, Hon. Anthony Soberekon, has flagged off a potable water scheme for the LGA.
According to the CTC Chairman, the scheme, billed to commenxe immediately, would prevent the perennial outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
Flagging off the scheme in Obuama recently, the CTC Chairman disclosed that his decision to embark on the project was informed by his desire to ensure that the people have safe drinking water, in order to be healthy.
“As we approach the dry season, which is usually associated with scarcity of water, our people will be exposed to cholera and other waterborne diseases as they draw water from the contaminated wells. So, this move is aimed at preventing such avoidable occurrences”, he explained.
Hon. Soberekon noted that his decision to flag-off the pilot scheme in Obuama, the country home of two late political sages and illustrious sons of Kalabari cum Rivers State: late Chief Marshal Harry, pioneer Chairman of Rivers State PDP, and late Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry, former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, was in acknowledgement and appreciation of their invaluable contributions towards the development of Degema and Rivers State.
He stated that moribund water schemes would be resuscitated, where such existed, while new ones would be established in communities without potable drinkable water.
Soberenkon also used the occasion of his visit to Obuama to interact with the market women, and supported them with some cash gifts to boost their businesses.
Meanwhile, the CTC Chairman also inaugurated the LGA Chapter of the Rivers Women Unite For Sim (RWUS).
Inaugurating the group at the Council headquarters in Degema, the CTC Chairman commended the women for their firm support and prayers for the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, assuring his continued support to the group.
Hon. Soberekon described the administration of Sir Siminalayi Fubara as a divine mandate, which enjoys organic support, commending the Governor for embarking on the Trans-Kalabari Road project for the Kalabari people, which he described as the biggest project and achievement of the administration.
On her part, founder of the RWUS, Mrs. Sotonye Toby Fulton, while inaugurating the LGA Chapter, commended the women for remaining steadfast with the Governor in prayers.
Represented by Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Onyiri, Fulton emphasized the need for women of the LGA to work together for the good of society.
She encouraged them to go out and fish for more women, saying the women constitute a larger population that can be used to better their lots.
Also speaking, wife of the CTC Chairman, Mrs. Asikitamunopiri Soberekon, lauded the women of the LGA for their steadfastness with the Siminalayi Fubara administration, assuring them of greater opportunities and inclusivity.
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The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.
Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.
She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.
“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.
Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).
Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.
Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta, Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.
The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.
According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.
The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.
It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.
The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.
It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.
Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.
It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.
While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.
The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.
As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.
The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.
Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”
According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.
The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.
“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.
He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.
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