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RSG Prepares PH City For 2050 Challenges
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has stated that the government is working hard to prepare the city of Port Harcourt and its environs for the phenomenal challenges of the expansion and growth of the city and the overflowing human population with its attendant complexities by the year 2050.
Wike said that what was occupying the attention of his administration was how the city would cope with the challenges of urbanisation by the year 2050, when the world’s population would have nearly doubled.
The governor disclosed this in an address he presented on the occasion of Stakeholders’ Summit on Urban Thinkers Campus (UTC), a United Nations Habitat III Programme with the theme: ‘The City We Need,’ held at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Wike, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon Kenneth Kobani explained that Rivers State was amongst the few states selected for this exercise as well as hosting the forum for the first time in the history of the state.
He stressed that population, economic, social and cultural interactions as well as environmental and humanitarian impacts were increasingly concentrated in cities and pose massive sustainability issues in terms of housing, infrastructure, basic services, among others, adding that these call for the concerted efforts of all stakeholders to address their consequences.
The governor expressed dismayed that most cities’ urban management was treated with levity, adding that in Rivers State, prior to 2015, policies and programmes in urban development were dysfunctional, un-participatory and deficient in addressing the challenges of urban development.
“Determined to change the face of the city and to develop other parts of the state, as a government, we painstakingly reviewed all the planning policies and programmes in the state.
“After due consultation with relevant stakeholders and the general public, a new urban policy tagged: ‘New Rivers Vision For Urban And Rural Development,’ was unveiled aimed to upgrade, provide and modernize social infrastructure in our major towns such as Port Harcourt, Ahoada, Bori and Degema, and envelope them along the part of environmentally sustainable cities,” the governor added.
He noted that “the policy represents a shared vision for a better and more sustainable future, one in which people would have equal rights, access to the benefits and opportunities those cities can offer”, while pointing out that some of the challenging issues confronting the New Urban Agenda include, “Waste generation, slums with attendant criminality, over-crowded schools and hospitals, among others.”
He expressed happiness that the New Urban Vision was already a success as there were lots of massive investment in road construction to ease traffic flow, adding that it was expected that the people and stakeholders will appreciate the strategic and comprehensive new town vision which seeks to develop new urban centres, maintain and manage efficiently the existing urban centres in the state.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Housing, Elder Tasie Chinedu Nwobueze stated that Rivers State was amongst the 74 selected cities by the UN Habitat Urban Thinkers Campus Committee to host the stakeholders meeting on urban planning aimed at giving support in mapping strategic programmes on model cities needed in Nigeria.
Nwobueze added that it was also aimed at the formulation of policies on slums’ upgrading, while reducing forceful evictions and encouraging construction of decent affordable housing for all.
He noted that the platform was designed for critical exchange of ideas between stakeholders and partners aimed at promoting sustainable urbanization as well as addressing challenges to urban future.
Earlier in her address, Executive Director, International Women Communication Centre (IWCC) Nigeria and member, UN Habitat III Advisory Committee in Africa, Dr Limota Goroso Giwa said the forum was meant to popularize the new urban agenda campaign through the World Urban Thinker Campaign and The City We Need Project.
She described Urban Thinkers Campus as: “the bringing of stakeholders together on a platform like this, to reason and pan together on the kind of city we need,” adding that The City We Need Project in Nigeria campaign would be taking place in five states including, Kogi, Kwara, Rivers, Lagos and Katsina.
“Reason for selecting these states is to give geographical spread of all regions of Nigeria and to give general overview and perceptions on the major uniqueness of our ancient cities like Lagos, Katsina, Lokoja, Port Harcourt and Jebba in Kwara State, the home of Mongo Park into the World Map of The City We Need Project in the 21st century,” she added.
She stressed that the objectives are to address three major components of the new urban agenda namely: “Infrastructure, Human Capital and Human Rights” by engaging stakeholders on slum upgrading and desertification mitigation, safer city and security of land tenure, advocate for improved situation of poor dwellers and access to government action towards securing decent housing for the masses.
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