Rivers
Opobo/Nkoro SOLAD Pledges To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare
The Sole Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, says he will run an all-inclusive government for the betterment of the local government.
He stated that his priority is workers’ welfare in all ramifications and the good people of the area.
Apiafi stated this recently while addressing workers at the council’s headquarters in Opobo, saying that his direct mandate is to ensure that the existing peace is sustained.
According to him, he is a technocrat, hence he will carry out his functions accordingly.
“Thank you all for welcoming me as your administrator. My mandate here is to ensure that you, workers, are well treated, with your salaries paid promptly, and give you what you deserve.
“You all are my brothers, sisters and friends. I know that together we can take this local government to an enviable height. What I need from you is cooperation.
“I solicit for your support to enable us all succeed because I alone cannot achieve the desired development”, he urged.
The administrator used the forum to thank the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) for giving him the opportunity to serve his people and pledged that he will not disappoint him in any aspect, while promising to discharge his duties in strict compliance to the charge of the Sole Administrator.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the LGA, Comrade Diri Dandison, commended the administrator for placing workers’ welfare top on his list.
According to him, what workers want in the LGA is someone who can give them listening ears, and also give them what they deserve.
“I am happy that Mr. Fredrick Apiafi has placed welfare of workers first, but we pray he fullfills his promises. What we want is for people at the grassroots to also enjoy dividends of governance”, he said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
Continue Reading
An expert in Natural Resource Governance, Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the development of oil communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Uzoigwe made the appeal during a training for community representatives under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He noted that five years after the PIA was enacted, funding under the HCDT framework for member communities had yet to be fully implemented.
He attributed the slow pace of implementation to oil companies’ failure to remit funds, ongoing litigations, internal community disputes, and regulatory challenges, among other factors.
According to him, these challenges have made it difficult to properly assess the effectiveness of HCDT implementation in host communities.
Uzoigwe also expressed concern that several communities were yet to establish HCDTs, which are essential for accessing funds designated for local development.
“Fortunately, there are communities that have successfully leveraged the HCDT to advance development in their localities.
“However, we want every host community to access these funds to accelerate development in their respective areas and contribute to the broader transformation of the Niger Delta”, he stated.
Uzoigwe urged host communities to familiarise themselves with the provisions and regulations of the PIA to enable them to fully benefit from the Act.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, explained that the training was organised for HCDT communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers States.
According to her, the objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the PIA’s provisions, conduct needs assessments and undertake community development planning.
“We examined how the HCDT can be made effective and efficient in utilising the three per cent operational cost allocation for community development projects, as stipulated in the PIA.
“This allocation is structured as follows: 75 per cent for project execution, 20 per cent for savings, and five per cent for administrative costs.
“HCDT members are responsible for identifying and prioritising community needs through a transparent, sincere, and people-centred decision-making process in managing these funds”, Okon explained.
She encouraged host communities to engage actively with various stakeholders, including women, youth, farmers, and community leaders, to identify development projects that reflect the genuine needs of their communities.
The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER have saved 99 persons from drowning in Rivers State during an operation.
A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.
He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.
According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.
“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.
“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain”, Adams Aliu said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
The Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Franklin Ajinwo, has charged the people of Rumuewhor Community to embrace lasting peace to attract meaningful development and progress to the area.
Ajinwo stated this recently at a mediation and reconciliation meeting with the Ohna in Council, Security Agencies, stakeholders, and people of Rumuewhor at the Council’s Headquarters in Rumuakunde, Emohua Local Government Area.
The Emolga Administrator noted that part of the duty any responsible government owe its citizens is to protect lives and properties.
He said it was also part of the government’s responsibility to ensure peace at every quarter in the Local Government, which included Rumuewhor.
He ezpressed displeasure over what he described as unfavourable reports believed to have emanated from the people.
“No government can fold its hands and watch a community derail or its people slip into anarchy or lawlessness. We, as a government, cannot allow any person or group of people take laws into their hands. We have a duty to protect your lives and properties and so we cannot keep quiet”, he said.
Ajinwo also sued for peace to all warring factions and harped on the need for synergy among everyone and security agencies to help fish out miscreants and prosecute any member of the security agencies found culpable, noting that no one individual or entity is bigger than the government.
In his remarks, one of the Chiefs from Rumuewhor and former Caretaker Chairman, Eze Azunda Nkomadu, lauded Ajinwo’s appointment and thanked him for the peace initiatives.
Nkomadu faulted criminal allegations bothering on rape, kidnap, killings and unleashing of mayhem upon himself and some vocal elites of the Community by members of the local vigilante group (OSPAC) and other prominent figures in the Community.
He revealed that his house was torched at the peak of the crisis and alleged threat to his life and that of his family members.
Such development, he said, led to their seeking refuge outside the Community and called for the complete overhaul of the local vigilante to achieve the much needed peace.
The Community Development Chairman of Rumuewhor, Eze Uchenna Okenwe, while responding to allegations by Eze Nkomadu, exonerated himself but stated that the community lost peace following his suspension from the Chiefs in council.
Okenwe also expressed willingness to abide by resolutions reached at the meeting and to work assiduously towards achieving sustainable peace in the Community.
Present at the meeting were Head of Local Government Administration of the Council, Ms. Nume Raymond, CP Wagbara Peters (rtd.) amongst others.
By: King Onunwor
-
Sports10 hours agoOmo-Agege sues Minimah, NOC Over NBF Crisis
-
Oil & Energy4 hours ago
Reps Launches Probe Into N200bn CBN Loan To DISCOs
-
News11 hours agoFG Rescues 78 Trafficked Victims In Cote D’Ivoire
-
News5 hours agoHausa Community Debunks Saidu’s Appointment Report
-
Niger Delta10 hours agoPolice Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids
-
Politics4 hours agoWhy Legislature’s Still Executive’s Appendage In Nigeria – State Lawnaker
-
Sports10 hours agoPRIVATE SECTOR IS KEY TO GRASSROOTS SPORTS DEVELOPMENT – NSC Chairman
-
Rivers3 hours agoEmolga Administrator Tasks Stakeholders On Peace, Dev.