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RSG Plans Rural Water Schemes Rehab In 23 LGAs
The Rivers State Government says it plans to rehabilitate the existing rural water schemes across the 23 local government areas of the state with a view to providing safe and clean water for the people.
The state Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku gave this indication when he paid a courtesy visit to the Eze Igbu Upata 111, Eze Felix OtuwariKpo and his council of chiefs at Edeoha Community in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the state.
Ebeku stated that the provision of clean and potable drinking water to the people of the state occupies front burner in the present administration’s policy in the state, adding that the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike was committed to ensuring that people of the state have access to clean and safe drinking water supply.
According to him, the state government was partnering with the World Bank, European Union, African Development Bank and UNICEF to provide safe drinking water in the state.
“The partnership will be on long term projects. However, because of the governor’s approach to governance, the partners also agreed to rehabilitate the existing water schemes in the state along with the long term projects”, he stated.
In his response, Eze Igbu Upata 111, Eze Felix Otuwarikpo commended the state governor for the reappointment of their son, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, who he described as a worthy son of the Upata Kingdom.
The monarch expressed readiness of the communities in Ahoada to partner with the state government in providing safe drinking water for people, and lauded the state government for its decision to rehabilitate the water schemes in Ahoada and other parts of the state.
Otuwarikpo pledged that he will ensure that facilities in his area of jurisdiction were protected from vandals, and further appealed that the water schemes should be extended to more communities within the local government area.
At the Ahoada Water Station where he inspected facilities on ground, Ebeku frowned at the extent of damage and vandalisation of water facilities in the state by hoodlums.
He emphasised the need for communities to partner with government in the rehabilitation process, and also take ownership of the infrastructures in their areas to forestall future vandalisation and ensure sustainability upon completion.
The European Union component of the project is for the small towns and will be majorly executed in towns within Opobo/Nkoro and Akuku-Toru local government areas of the state.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.