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We’re Delivering Critical Projects, Social Services To Impact Lives Directly – Fubara …Inspects Key Projects …Says Opobo Ring Road To Be Ready In Three Months

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the critical projects and social services, including business opportunities being delivered to various communities across the State are targeted at addressing the immediate and remote needs of the people.
The Governor maintained that governance should be people-focused genuinely, and his administration understands that concern, which is why great care is being taken to ensure that the quality of life lived by the people is improved on a sustainable basis.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance when he addressed newsmen shortly after embarking on an inspection tour to assess the extent of work done on the 5.75km Kalaibiama-Epellema Link Road and bridge, and the Opobo Town Ring Road projects, all in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, and the 13.3km Bori Town Internal Roads project in Khana Local Government Area on Tuesday.
Governor Fubara, who had defied the rains to undertake the inspection tour, said he was out on inspection of some critical projects that will certainly have direct bearing and genuinely have lasting impact on the lives of all residents in the benefiting communities.
The Governor explained: “The first one (project) we visited was a road in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area. It is a project that, we strongly believe, will link two communities together.
“We have a community called Epellema that we normally access through the river. So, we thought it wise that embarking on a project like this that will connect Epellema to Kalaibiama will bring development, and also help in saving lives of our people as a result of boat mishaps and other things.
“We also went into Opobo main town to look at the work ongoing on the Opobo Ring Road. We are very satisfied with what we saw, and we strongly believe that in the next three months, that project will be delivered.”
Speaking on the Internal Road project in Bori Town, Governor Fubara assured that it will not only restore the glory status of the town but create ease of living and improve mobility so that activities at the Zonal Hospital can be seamless when completed and put to use.
Governor Fubara said: “We are in Bori Town. We’ve been here before, if you remember, when this project was somehow stalled. We spoke to the contractor and gave him a marching order, and after then, he came back to site.
“We are here to see what is going on, and I strongly believe that he has really done as we expected. The Bori internal road is a cluster of roads, not connected to one, but about 13.3km road, scattered around different streets.
“The essence of this road is for the Ogoni people here and the strangers that are living here to have easy accessibility, and also feel the impact of government.”
Governor Fubara explained further: “It’s an old city and part of our agenda is to rebuild it, and assure our people that those original cities that were planned by our fore-fathers; the planners and the founders of Rivers State, that we will bring those ideology back.
“So, the major reason of ensuring that this project is completed is because we want to make sure that we bring back Bori to its city position. I want to assure the good people of Bori and Ogoni that this project will be completed in a couple of months, and we will be here to commission it.”
Governor Fubara emphasised that his administration has chosen to do those things that will continue to touch the lives of our people directly, in a positive light.
He assured that all projects under construction, and particularly the Bori Town Internal Roads project, which they yearn for and are also excited about as they herald his visit to the area, will be completed in good time.
He said, “I can assure them that we are not going to limit development to only the roads. We have the hospital that we are working on, and we also intend to bring in other businesses that will create employment in Ogoniland,” he added.
At all the communities visited, residents turned out in their numbers, singing praises of the Governor and dancing in excitement over the monumental infrastructure projects being executed in their communities by the State Government.

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FG To Seize Retirees’ Property Over Unpaid Housing Loans

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The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.
Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.
Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
According to her, the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.
The Executive Secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.
She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
“I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.
“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.
Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.
She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.
She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.
“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.
“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, “ she added.

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FG Begins Induction For New Permanent Secretaries, Accountant-General

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The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
The Federal Government has kicked off a three-day induction programme for newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation, aimed at equipping them for strategic leadership and effective policy implementation.
The induction, according to a statement yesterday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Eno Olotu, which commenced on Wednesday, is being held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, congratulated the new appointees and described their roles as pivotal to governance and national development.
“Permanent Secretaries are the engine room of the government. They are critical to driving policy implementation, institutional performance, and reform across the service”, she said.
“The expectations are high, and the responsibility is immense. But with commitment and teamwork, we can deliver a more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centred public service.
“This final lap of FCSSIP 25 calls for urgency, accountability, and strategic focus. You must translate vision into measurable results,” she stated.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, described the programme as a strategic investment in leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness.
The sessions featured expert-led discussions, simulations, and strategic briefings facilitated by a distinguished faculty, including Engr. Suleiman Adamu, former Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice; Alh. Yusuf Addy, retired Federal Director; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Amb. Mustapha Lawal Suleiman, Mr. Adesola Olusade, and Dr. Ifeoma Anagbogu, all retired Permanent Secretaries.
Participants include Dr. Obi Emeka Vitalis, Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Mr. Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila, Dr. Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma, Dr. Umobong Emanso Okop, Dr. Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen, Mrs. Oyekunle N. Patience, Dr. Kalba U. Danjuma, Mr. Nadungu Gagare, Mr. Onwusoro I. Maduka, Dr. Usman Salihu Aminu, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, Mr. Ndiomu Ebiogeh Philip, Dr. Anuma N. Ogbonnaya, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olaninre, and Mr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, alongside the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.
The induction programme will feature sessions on public sector leadership, policy delivery, ethics in service, digital transformation, and performance management.

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NNPCL To Undergo Forensic Audit Soon -FG

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The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has announced that a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will begin soon.
Edun revealed this at the ongoing Nigerian Investor Forum, held alongside the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC.
The minister explained that the recent changes in the NNPCL management are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to clean up and examine the company closely.
While addressing top global investors, including representatives from J.P. Morgan, Edun shared key reforms the government has introduced to revive the economy and restore investor confidence.
He told the investors that the government’s bold economic steps have laid a strong foundation to attract private investment.
He stated, “Our goal is not just to maintain this momentum, but to accelerate it. We are targeting seven per cent annual growth, and we believe the policies we have implemented have laid the groundwork to achieve this.”
Edun highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rolled out major reforms that are already making a difference.
He added that the Nigerian economy grew by 3.84 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and recorded a 3.4 per cent growth for the year.
Edun further stressed the importance of the reforms, describing them as “unprecedented,” adding that, “We said we would do it, and now we have done it. This time, we’re staying the course.”
He pointed out signs of progress such as lower budget deficits, a better trade balance, and a more stable exchange rate.
He also said that the focus is now on growing key sectors, especially agriculture.
According to Edun, agriculture is at the top of the government’s agenda, with the aim of improving food supply and increasing productivity.
“We aim to close the food supply gap, not by importing more, but by enabling domestic producers to scale and innovate,” he said.
On infrastructure, Edun revealed that the government has rolled out 90,000km of fibre optic cable to improve internet access.
He said this move is crucial for supporting young Nigerians and tech startups.
He also noted that 4,000km of roads have been offered for private sector participation, with the first 1,000km already approved for construction.

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