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We’re Delivering Critical Projects, Social Services To Impact Lives Directly – Fubara …Says Opobo Ring Road To Be Ready In Three Months
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.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.