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PHCCIMA Breaks Down Rivers 2025 Budget

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The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) has given its breakdown of the Rivers’ 2025  budget.
The PHCCIMA President, Dr. Chinyere Nwaoga, gave the breakdown in a statement on Tuesday, saying the budget will unlock trapped N500 billion tax revenue from trapped or recovered assets.
She recalled that PHCCIMA had on December 31, 2024 lauded the appropriation bill of 2025 as presented by the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and promised to analyse the budget.
“We promised to analyse the budget and share our position after extensive research and analysis.
“We set up a think-tank committee to review the monetary policy with the private sector practitioners and we have come up with a position”, she said.
Nwaoga noted that the 2025 total budget approximates N1.2 trillion to be N388 billion higher than the 2024 figure of N800 billion.
However, she noted that when adjusted for inflation, “the Net Present Value of the current budget is approximately N1.1 trillion”.
She explained that the naira’s depreciation by 90 per cent year-on-year from January 2024 has reduced the budget’s net value to about N700 billion.
According to her, this further illustrates how the fiscal policies at the centre can impact even the best run states.
She commended the Rivers government’s plan to spend N678 billion on capital expenditure, which is roughly 30 per cent more than the operating expenditure.
“The plan to allocate N31 billion to Agric and support programmes for youths posits a strategy for genuine empowerment”, she stated.
The PHCCIMA President also advised the government to create a credible youth and women database for articulated disbursements and monitoring.
She said: “There may be need to update or recreate a strategic state wide enumeration targeted at Rivers State population”.
Nwaoga also suggested that the government should consider allotting a percentage of accrued funds to an investor guarantee programme to attract investment funds aimed at commerce.
She noted that “the policy to explore counterparty funding with the Universal Basic Education (UBE) to support education is smart”.
The PHCCIMA boss commended the government’s plan to source and save funds for the budget through various means, including FAAC, IGR, statutory allocation, mineral funds, VAT, refunds, and others.
According to her, the budget demonstrates financial prudence and less emphasis on bank borrowing.

She suggested that the government should re-enact the Rivers State Statutory Savings Account and ensure that assets do not deplete in value.

Nwaoga recommended that “we estimate an additional N100 billion, and the expansion of the under-declared and undeclared revenue sources with corporates”.

She stressed the need for the government to emphasise attracting new investments and unlocking value from existing assets.

“Rivers State Government should emphasise attracting new investments and unlocking value from existing assets”, she said.

She, however, urged that the government should continue to pursue clearing the backlog of pension liabilities and consider implementing a revised salary structure to motivate the workforce.

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Rivers

Ohaneze Ndigbo-Group Hails Eze Umuokobo as Asst Treasurer

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Some concerned stakeholders of the various villages Of Umuokobo  Kingdom in Oyigbo Local Government Area have thrown their weight behind Eze Nwankwo Nanna Nwankwo who emerged Assistant Treasurer at the recent Ohananeze Ndigbo world congress at Enugu.
A statement signed by Dr. Obenachi Ekeke, Bishop Chikwem Theophilus, Engr. Chimezie Odomene, Chief Friday Nwadukwa, and Chief Odinakachi Uwakwe described as faceless, radio broadcast casting aspertion on the revered monarch of Okobo Kingdom, HRH Nwankwo,  and by extension the Umuokobo Clan, over his emergence as executive member of Ohaneze Ndigbo.
They described the group as faceless for casting aspersions over the radio while they are neither indigenes of Okobo Clan, nor Oyigbo Local Governance Area of Rivers State.
According to them, HRH Eze Nwankwo is a direct descendant of the Okobo/ Okweleze Royal family and the Founder of Umuokobo Clan, and was duely selected and coronated Ezeala IX Umuokobo on April 15, 2017 by the last surviving Kingmaker, the late Chief Nwakanma Okere, and other Paramount Rulers of the component villages.
They asserted that Ohaneze Ndi igbo is a socio-cultural organization and not a political party and as such integrity and experiences of HRH Eze (Sir) Nwankwo,  was required to pilot the organization to a higher level.
In the words of the group, “Our revered monarch will not resign and will remain on the throne of his forebears till God calls him. There are a good  number of traditional rulers who are members of the Exco, and HRH Eze Nwankwo Nwankwo  is no exception”.
They, therefore, called on the general public to disregard qhat they tagged “the baseless and hurtful comments”  made against HRH, Eze  Nwankwo “as that does not in any way affect his status and integrity’.
Urging the public not to be swayed by mischievous individuals, they assured of the ability of the traditional ruler to discharge his royal functions fairly and justly to everyone in the kingdom and beyond.
Warning the  sponsors of the faceless group to desist from mischief, the stakeholders harped on the need for peace and development in Umuokobo and Oyigbo in general.
Kevin Nengia
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Appreciate God, Elder Statesman Urges Nigerians

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An Elder Statesman and highly respected son of the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria, Sir Achebelema-Igah, has urged Nigerians in general to always appreciate God for any good gesture they receive.
He harped on the importance of demonstrating appreciation to God, saying such gratitude will atteact more devine blessings into their lives and families.
Sir Achebelema-Igah made this declaration recently while speaking with newsmen during a Thanksgiving Service organized by his bossom friend, Chief Joseph Orubo, at his country home in Okirika, Rivers State, to show appreciation to God.
According to Chief Achebelema, most Nigerians hardly realize the fact that both their wealth and lives solely depend on God’s grace, hence “there is need to always show appreciation for all that one is and able to achieve, even for life itself”.
According to him, “no one chooses where or when to be born, to be rich, poor, healthy or sickly. Rather, one makes effort and had to rely on grace or providence to see him through.
“That is why we should always acknowledge the giver of lives and wealth (God Almighty), as my friend, Chief Joseph Orubo has done.
“Chief Joseph Orubo, did not just organize the service to show-case his wealth to the public. But he did the Thanksgiving service with the little he has, to simply appreciate God”.
Speaking at the occasion, the celebrant, Chief Orubo, said acknowledged that God has been very nice to his family,  especially last year, 2024, so he decided to appreciate God in form of Thanks-giving service.
The occasion attracted dignitaries from different walks of life, especially, members of Okirika Council of Chiefs, the academia, government officials, friends and well wishers.
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Dep Gov Hails LG Boss Over Development  … Says ONELGA’ll Always Stand With Fubara

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Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, has commended the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Isaac Umejuru, for his developmental strides within his First 100 days in Office.
Prof. Odu gave this commendation recently during the ONELGA Empowerment Programme to celebrate the Chairman’s First 100 days in Office at St. Stephen’s Primary School, Omoku.
She noted that Governance is about touching the lives of the people who ordinarily would not have been remembered, saying that the dream of Governor Siminalayi Fubara is to ensure that Rivers People get a new lease on life.
According to her, the presence of prominent dignitaries at the event demonstrates the fact that the Chairman is doing well and following the footsteps of the Governor.
“I want to appreciate the Chairman, who is doing like his father. I want to thank Umejuru and tell him that he has not disappointed us in any way.
“Your achievement is huge, what you owe the Governor is prayer and loyalty because he does what he says. So, now is the time for double empowerment”, she said.
Prof Odu said the people of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area would continue to stand with the dreams and aspirations of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In his remarks, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Dr. Edison Ehie, praised the Administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara for its commitment to the Orashi people, stating that they have never had this good in Governance.
He highlighted the Governor’s continuous recognition of the region through key appointments and the execution of critical infrastructure projects, including roads, schools, and hospitals.
Dr. Ehie contrasted the current Administration’s efforts with the immediate past Government, which, he said, offered little benefit to the Orashi people despite their significant contributions to its success.
According to him, “Orashi people took all the risks. We were at the forefront to ensure Wike became Governor and succeeded, but benefited nothing. But under Governor Fubara’s Administration, what they promised and could not fulfill, is now a reality”.
He further noted that several key projects, including the near-completion of Omoku Zonal Hospital, Ahoada-Omoku Road, the completed Omoku-Egbema Road, and the ongoing Elele-Ikiri-Omoku Road, demonstrate the Governor’s commitment to the region.
“Who then is your true brother, if not Governor Fubara, who has initiated all these?”, he asked.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Isaac Umejuru, described ONELGA as a peaceful and welcoming LGA, attributing this to Governor Fubara’s leadership style, while assuring the Governor of their continuous support.
Hon. Umejuru also outlined some of his Administration’s achievements within its first 100 days in office, including the completion of several markets, renovation of healthcare facilities, distribution of cars and tricycles, and financial support for small and medium enterprises.
The delegation had earlier visited the Palace of HRM, Eze Oba of Ogba Land, His Eminence, Barr.  Nwachukwu Nnam Obi lll.
Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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