Rivers
NDDC Boss Dismisses Tenure Expiration Reports
The Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said members of the commission’s Governing Board are currently serving a four-year term.
This, he said, was contrary to insinuation in some quarters that their term would end in 2024.
Ogbuku made the clarification on Wednesday in Port Harcourt at a news conference.
The Tide’s source reports that President Bola Tinubu had on August 29, 2023 approved the appointment of a new Board and Executive Management for the Commission.
Tinubu named Mr. Chiedu Ebie as Chairman and Ogbuku as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO).
Although, the current Board was appointed on August 29, 2023, the MD/CEO had been on the saddle at the Commission’s headquarters since January 5, 2023, as a member of the previous board.
According to Ogbuku, his tenure will not end in 2024 as is being rumoured, citing Section 4 of the NDDC Establishment Act.
“The provision states that a member of the board other than ex-officio member, shall hold office for a term of four years at the first instance.
“It continued that ‘the board member may be reappointed for a further term of four years and no more”, Obguku cited the NDDC Act.
He decried those advocating the board’s tenure to be shortened, suggesting they opposed the board’s harmonious collaborative efforts towards fulfilling Tinubu’s mandate to the region.
“In spite of our commitment to quality projects and programmes, individuals with selfish motives are attempting to revert the NDDC to a time of instability and under performance.
“The NDDC Board and management will not be distracted from holding fast to its mantra of transiting from transaction to transformation.
“Those seeking a change of baton at NDDC should hold their horses, as President Tinubu reappointed me for another four years”, he said.
Ogbuku further said the board was awaiting passage of the NDDC 2024 budget to advance legacy projects in the Niger Delta, aimed at raising N1 trillion from development and commercial banks for the projects.
He listed the legacy projects to include regional roads, bridges, electrification projects, school buildings, hospitals, shore reclamation and protection, among others.
In healthcare, the Managing Director highlighted the recent free medical outreach programmes targeting rural communities and announced the acquisition of 13 ambulances for regional hospitals to address cholera outbreaks.
“The Commission is also looking to acquire more ambulances and cholera vaccines to further prevent spread.
“In education, we have awarded foreign scholarships to 2,323 students in the region and released funds to beneficiaries for the 2024/2025 scholarship programme”, he stated.
Ogbuku emphasised that the era of lacking data on projects and programmes was over, as the board had implemented strategies to showcase its activities.
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

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.
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