Rivers

EU-NDSP: RSG Approves N.2bn Counterpart Fund

Published

9 years ago

February 10, 2016

Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, chatting with General Manager, RSTV. Pastor Dafini Gogo Abbey, during a courtesy visit to the commissioner in Port Harcourt, recently Photo: Egberi .A. Sampson

The Rivers State Gover
nor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has approved the sum of N200,000,000 state counterpart fund for the European Union-Niger Delta Support Programme (EU-NDSP) for the state.
Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Hon. Ibibia Walter, said this during the launching and inauguration of the State’s Steering Committee (SPSC) for the programme in Port Harcourt.
Walter said that the N200 million, which represents 30 per cent of the budget will attract 70 per cent counterpart fund of N500 million from the European Union (EU).
The commissioner said that, the Niger Delta Support Programme was an intervention programme of the European Union to mitigate conflicts in the Niger Delta by addressing the main causes of unrest and violence, bad governance, youth unemployment and poor delivery of basic services.
He said that the programme, which started in 2013 and is currently being implemented in Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Delta and Rivers States, will be concluded in 2017.
According to him, the benefitting communities in Rivers State are, Abonnema, Kula and Abissa in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, and Opobo, Nkoro and Kala-Ibiama in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, respectively.
“As we gather this morning for this inauguration, which is to address the challenges associated with the water sector, it is vital that we work in line” with our stipulated roles, he said.
The commissioner reeled out the functions of the committee to include, provide supervision and orientation, endorse the state’s aggregated work plan, review reports on project progress, and ensure linkages and synergy with associated ministries and other related programme/institutions to enhance sector co-ordination.
Walter said that, although Rivers State, joined the programme in January 2014, the state has currently measured up with other states in terms of performance.

Rivers

LG Administrator Commits To Completing Ongoing Projecrs … Urges Students Of The LGA To Be Focused

Published

2 days ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

Abua/Odual Local Government Area Administrator, Sir Okroiyobi A. Arugu, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to completing all ongoing developmental projects initiated by the previous administration.

Sir Arugu gave this assurance, Tuesday, during an inspection visit to the Okana-Ayama Road Project, one of the key infrastructural projects in the LGA.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the inspection, he stated that strategic measures are being put in place to ensure timely completion of projects, which are slated for commissioning in the coming weeks.

“Our focus is on continuity and consolidation. We owe it to the people of Abua/Odual to complete these projects and deliver tangible dividends of democracy”, he declared.

In a related development, the Administrator played host to the leadership of the National Union of Abua/Odual Students (NUABOS), who paid him a congratulatory and courtesy visit at the council secretariat.

Speaking during the visit, Sir Arugu urged students across the LGA to remain dedicated to their academic pursuits, avoid negative peer pressure, and resist involvement in societal vices, especially amidst union-related activities.

“Education remains the key to sustainable development. My administration will do all it can to support students in achieving their dreams”, he stated.

During the visit, NUABOS President, Comr. Umoroye Ojike, alongside other union stakeholders, briefed the Administrator on the challenges facing students and presented proposals for upcoming student programmes.

The programme included a request for sponsorship of an inter-school Quiz and Debate Competition among secondary schools in the area.

Sir Arugu pledged to look into their concerns and assured them of his support.

In addition, the Administrator also received other well-wishers and stakeholders from across the LGA, including his Former Colleagues, school friends from Comprehensive College Bolokiri, who paid him a congratulatory visit.

The Administrator expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received and reiterated his resolve to serve the people of Abua/Odual with transparency, accountability, and development-focused leadership.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

NDDC Expands Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme To Nigerian Universities

Published

2 days ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has announced the expansion of the commission’s Postgraduate Scholarship Programme to include Nigerian universities.

Ogbuku made the disclosure during an interview session for candidates applying for the commission’s foreign postgraduate scholarship, held in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

He stated that under the expanded scheme, 600 indigent students from the Niger Delta region would be awarded scholarships to pursue postgraduate degrees in universities across Nigeria.

“The 600 students will benefit from the expanded scheme, compared to the 200 who currently receive foreign scholarships”, he said.

Ogbuku emphasised that the selection process for the local scholarship awards would be conducted with full transparency, ensuring that only qualified candidates are chosen.

He further noted that recipients of the commission’s foreign scholarships programme had consistently distinguished themselves academically in their respective countries of study.

“We commend our interview panellists for their dedication and impartiality, which ensures that only the most qualified candidates are selected for the scholarships”, he added.

Also speaking, the Director of Education, Health, and Social Services at the NDDC, Dr. George Uzonwanne, outlined the rigorous procedures adopted to maintain a transparent selection process.

He revealed that over 30,000 applicants had applied for the scholarships, with only about 6,000 candidates passing the Computer-Based Test (CBT).

“From this number, 2,500 applicants scored 70 per cent or higher, enabling them to proceed to the oral interview stage, which will determine the final beneficiaries of the foreign postgraduate scholarships”, Uzonwanne stated.

He reaffirmed the integrity of the process, noting that candidates receive their test scores immediately upon completion of the CBT, thereby ensuring transparency and fairness.

Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick

Rivers

Power Surge Kills 2 In Okrika

Published

2 days ago

June 6, 2025

The Tide

Two persons have been confirmed dead and several others injured as a result of power surge at Ogan mainland and Fiberesima Ama all in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

According to one of the victims, Mrs. Justina Moses, the incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, also led to the destruction of property worth millions of naira.

Meanwhile, the Sole Administrator of Okirika Local Government Area, Engr. Tamunobipiye Isodiki, has confirmed the incident.

Isodiki, who visited the affected communities, also expressed shock over the incident and also called on the management of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) to upgrade their facilities to avoid future occurrence of such an incident.

The Sole Administrator also stressed the need for PHED to be vigilant and improve efficiency and capacity to safeguard the lives and property of the indigenes of the area.

While blaming the incident on low quality cables and improper wiring, he said the incident could have been avoided if the distribution company had been vigilant.

“It is obvious that the power upsurge is the cause as well as low quality cables, improper wiring and very poor connections.

“I feel very sorry for the loss of two lives, the complete burning of one house and partial destruction/burning of about five other houses.

“PHED should not just be interested in collecting money or revenue from their consumers, but also be interested in seeing to it that proper connections and wiring are done in people’s premises”, he said.

Isodiki also advised consumers of electricity to be careful with their electrical appliances and avoid illegal connection.

According to him, those that have been displaced as a result of the fire outbreak should seek shelters with their neighbours while the council seeks for ways of helping them.

He said the two persons who died in the incident should be blamed for attempting to change face or put up power on the fuse box.

Earlier, while conducting the Sole Administrator and his team round the affected communities, the immediate past caretaker Committee chairperson of Okrika Local Government Area, Princess Ibinabo Ogan, and Chief Ebenezer Ogan said the incident happened around midnight when people were still in bed.

According to them, but for timely intervention of some youths, more lives and property would have been lost.

Also speaking, the PHED Okirika service centre Manager, Engr. Ellis Anjumbo, said the 11 KV line snapped and fell on the lower 415 line and unto 16mm that caused the upsurge.

Mrs. Justina Moses, who was one of the victims, appealed to the Sole Administrator to assist them in getting alternative accommodation and financial support.

John Bibor, Confidence Daniel, Bekwele Homa