News
We’ve Met Our Campaign Pledge –Wike …Orders Aba/PH Expressway Repairs
A housing unit commissioned the governor
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that his administration has fulfilled its campaign promises even as he commissioned 50 Medium Income Flats in Iriebe Satellite Town in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Wike was happy that the Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Emma Okah, and his team were able to complete this project before his 100 days in office.
Quite satisfied with the performance of Okah, he said: “It shows that when you are given an assignment and is committed to it, the result will always be good.”
Wike explained that the 50 housing units are for the medium income class and low–high income class for the people of Rivers State.
The state chief executive, who urged the commissioner to sell the housing units at affordable prices to people, said: ”I want to see people occupy these flats in the next two weeks at affordable prices. My government is not a business organization. My government is here to provide welfare support for the citizenry for the betterment of their lives. I want to assure the people of Rivers State in general, and Obio/Akpor in particular, that with the support you have given to my administration, I will make sure that all promises made to you during my campaign tour are fulfilled.”
Speaking earlier, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Bright Amaewhule, thanked Wike for matching his words with action.
He said: “We are happy and delighted that the enemy has been put to shame. All your projects are speaking for you, and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).”
In his remarks, Okah thanked the governor for keeping to his promises.
“I thank you for showing the way and demonstrating that there are leaders, and there are leaders. I recall that during your rigorous campaign period, you said to the people that you were going to provide affordable accommodation for those who are doing businesses in Rivers State, and the indigenes of Rivers State. You went ahead to translate your words into action”, Okah added.
Similarly, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has commissioned the Oyigbo Market Road, in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The governor, who chastised the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon. Nnamdi Ihute, for his poor refuse disposal mechanism, noted that Oyigbo is a gateway into Port Harcourt, and should be clean.
His words: “This is the last time I will come to this LGA for an occasion, and see refuse littered everywhere like this. I will not accept it next time. Oyigbo is one of the signpost LGAs of Rivers State, and should be treated as such.”
Wike recalled that he promised to complete the construction of the road, if voted into power as governor, and thanked God that he was able to do it within his 100 days in office.
The state chief executive promised the people of the area that from January, 2016, he will repair the road from the Railway line to the boundary between Rivers State and Abia State.
The governor also vowed to fix the road between Oyigbo and Eleme because of its strategic importance to the people of both local government areas.
He enjoined the people of the area to continuously support and pray for him, stressing that his administration was anchored on God, and promised to fulfill whatever promises he made during his campaign tour of the area.
“This administration is not a media administration; it is based on facts. It is a come-and-see-for-yourself government”, Wike vaunted.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Paulinus Nkwoala, disclosed that the road is 10.745 km long and 10 meters wide, with an underground drainage of 1.7km long.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has ordered the repair of the bad spot along the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway around the Imo River bridge boundary between Rivers and Abia states in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
He made the disclosure shortly after unveiling the newly completed Oyigbo Market Road in Oyigbo Local Government Area last week.
It would be recalled that Wike had ordered similar repairs along the Eleme/East-West Road, following the poor state of the road, recently.
The governor said the measure is to ameliorate the plight of the people and road users since Oyigbo is one of the gateways into the state.
The governor also disclosed plans to reconstruct the road linking Oyigbo and Eleme saying, “whatever promise I made to you, I will complete fulfil them.”
Wike added, “We will continue to make our people happy, our administration does not thrive on propaganda but poised to touch the lives of the people.”
He promised that his administration will further extend the road from the railway down to the boundary between the state and Abia.
Calling on the people of the area to maintain the road, the governor frowned at the indiscriminate dumping of refuse along the major roads in the area, and tasked the council authorities to evolve measures to check the menace.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi