News

‘Govt ’ll Use N30bn Loan To Develop Rivers’

Published

10 years ago

July 3, 2015

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Opunabo Inko-Tariah, has said that the state government’s N30 billion loan will be used to develop the state.
Inko-Tariah told newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday that insinuations by the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) that Governor Nyesom Wike intends to borrow N100 billion were untrue.
He said there were compelling needs to be attended to, and government had no option than to take the loan.
“The governor’s actions were based on the necessity, the importance of the projects to Rivers people and not whether he will take the credit or not for completing the project,’’ he said.
He said that the courts and assembly complexes were shut for close to two years and there was need to renovate them.
“There are so many projects that were abandoned because the contractors were not paid by the previous administration and some of the projects are very important to Rivers people.
“Also, the governor has ordered that the April and May salaries of civil servants be paid,’’ he said.
The governor’s spokesman said government was also reviving payment of overheads to ministries and parastatals.
According to him, government needs the money to kick start and that is why the governor is seeking the loan.
He said the Wike administration did not inherit money from the previous administration and that it had to meet the needs of the people.
“The demands are much greater than the resources available,’’ Inko-Tariah said.
Similarly, the Rivers State Government yesterday restated its commitment to shore-up the state’s internally generated revenue base.
The Finance Commissioner, Dr Fred Kpakol, said in a statement in Port Harcourt that government’s resolve followed the dwindling revenue from the Federation Account.
Kpakol said the government would do everything possible to ensure that business owners and taxable citizens paid their taxes.
He further said that the government had evolved ways of strengthening its revenue drive to ensure compliance.
The Commissioner urged the business community to live up to their responsibilities by paying their taxes promptly.
“ We shall leave no stone unturned to ensure that those who do business in our state, paid their taxes; we really need to raise money to provide services for our people.
“ We are not witch-hunting anybody; we are only carrying out our legitimate responsibility of providing good governance in the state,’’ the statement quoted the commissioner as saying.

News

Church Renders Free Medical Outreach, Others To Host Communities

Published

15 hours ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

Some communities in Rivers State enjoyed significantly the All African Service Project (AASP) by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints, humanitarian services in their Church’s stakes and districts in Nigeria.

The humanitarian services which was held on the 16th August this year is an annual event usually carried out by members of the church to assist their host communities at different locations of the church every year in Africa.

In Port Harcourt Nigeria, Port Harcourt South Stake, this year they did Zebra crossing in Borikiri, precisely at UPE junction, this is to drastically reduce accident.

In Bundu Ama, still in Port Harcourt South Stake, there was a massive turnout, as the church offered free medical test and provided free drugs for those that have malaria, High Blood Pressure and illnesses that was discovered.

They equally carried out free eye test and gave out glasses for those that also have eye problems.

In the process of the testing woman, named Mrs Anthonia Marshall, was perceived to have breast cancer , which the church was contemplating to refer her to hospital and ready to bear the cost if actually it was a breast cancer.

Apart from that, the Church further provided school uniforms and books for primary school children in Bundu Ama community.

Comprehensively over 300 persons benefitted from the free medical outreach.

Speaking, the President of Port Harcourt South Stake, Williams Igoniye, explained that Helping Hand is an initiative of the Church go West Africa Project where they provide services for host community.

” This is purely a humanitarian services rendered to our host communities all over West Africa, mostly where the church is located.

” This year in Port Harcourt South Stake, we able to carried out designing of Zebra crossing at UPE junction Borikiri, with the view to reduce accident and safety of human beings.

” We also carried out free medical outreach at Bundu Ama. My happiness was that people came out to take advantage of the services , as I speak to you over 300 persons benefitted from it.

Also, speaking, during the construction of the zebra crossing, a resident, Mr. Edet Okon, commended the church for job well done.

According to him, the zebra crossing will afford the elderly and children to cross the road safely, hence that road was one of the most busiest roads.

” I am really happy that church is carrying out such an important project that will help people living within the area.

” I will suggest that government train drivers on how drive on areas where there are zebra crossing”, Okon said.

The Community Development Committee (CDC chairman in Bundu Ama, Frank Oba, expressed joy over the services rendered by the Church and called on other churches and organisations to emulate them.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

Tinubu Hails By-Election Winners In 12 States, Commends INEC

Published

15 hours ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated all the winners of Saturday, August 16, by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 states.

A statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the President commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the hitch-free elections, mostly devoid of violence.

Following the results declared by INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 12 constituencies, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won in two, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in one, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) won in one.

President Tinubu congratulated the new APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, for the emphatic first victory recorded under his leadership.

He also congratulated the APC governors and other leaders on the success of the by-elections.

“Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has shown leadership capacity and demonstrated what is achievable when popular candidates are fielded and with unity of purpose among party leaders,” the President remarks.

“To all APC faithful and the electorate, thank you for the confidence reposed in our party. Be assured that our Renewed Hope slogan is not a mere slogan. Our destination is a better, more secure and prosperous Nigeria. We shall take you there, by the Grace of God,” he said.

President Tinubu commended all the political parties and candidates who participated in the election and enjoined them to continue to be guided by the spirit of sportsmanship, fair contest and magnanimity, which are enablers of enduring democracy.

News

RSG To Establish Emergency Management Agency

Published

15 hours ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has disclosed its plan to establish the Rivers State Emergency Management Agency, which will take over the responsibilities of the Central Working Committee on Emergency Preparedness, Flood Management and Control.

The State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), revealed this during a sensitisation campaign of the Central Working Committee on Flood Management and Control at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, last Friday.

He explained that the government is engaging the Federal Government and international partners to mobilise resources for improved flood management systems, covering pre-flood measures, interventions during flooding, and post-flood recovery projects, as well as early warning infrastructure.

Ibas, in a statement from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, last Friday, said the initiative forms part of the state’s proactive strategy to mitigate flooding through awareness, prevention, preparedness, and community participation.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, the Administrator urged the committee to go beyond responding to disasters and instead anticipate vulnerable areas, reduce the impact of flooding, and equip residents with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves.

He added that the State is enforcing environmental laws to curb indiscriminate refuse disposal, illegal dumping, and construction on flood plains, which worsen flooding incidents.

According to him, effective flood management requires collaboration between the public sector, local communities, civil society, and the private sector, as government alone cannot tackle the challenge.