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Amaechi Tasks NBA To Press For Power Concession
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has appealed to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to join hands with the state government to press for concession of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Network in favour of state control, to ensure steady power supply in the state.
Governor Amaechi made the appeal Friday when a delegation of the state branch of the Nigerian Bar Association led by the Chairman of the Port Harcourt Bar, Barrister Worgu Boms paid him a courtesy call at Government House Port Harcourt.
The governor, who expressed concern that there was much challenges in the system, told the visiting lawyers that the appeal became imperative because he had personally taken some radical steps towards the concession bid but was yet to record any breakthrough.
“The first radical step I took as it pertains to power was a letter to the federal government requesting PHCN to relinquish everything about power generation, and distribution in Rivers State”, the State Chief Executive stated as he explained that the problem with power was not the constitution but the lack of political will to take decision.
He further hinted that he and his counterparts from Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Bayelsa States, which are covered by the Port Harcourt distribution centre, had also jointly fulfilled all necessary requirements requested by the Federal Ministry of Power and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to that effect.
The governor said the governors had “even gone ahead to establish a company known as The Fourth Power Nigeria Limited to handle the generation and distribution of electricity for the four states but there has been no response from the agencies”.
Governor Amaechi, who disclosed that the state has no problem with generation but distribution said that government was targeting 24-hour power supply before the end of the year, noting that the State Ministry of Power and PHCN are presently changing transformers in parts of the state capital.
The Electricity Act according to him, only permits the state government to participate in the electricity distribution network only where the federal government does not have its presence and any power facility provided by the state where such presence is, automatically belongs to the federal government without any obligation on it to refund any money to the state.
He said for instance, most of the injection stations being used in the state were built by the state government but are now the property of the federal government, asserting that Rivers and Akwa Ibom States have the capacities to run their own independent power projects.
Governor Amaechi maintained that with steady supply of electricity, security and deregulation of the petroleum sector the nation’s economy can be transformed because more investors would be attracted.
The governor used the occasion to also appeal to the lawyers to educate the public on the relevance of the state’s Social Welfare Bill before the state legislature that has attracted a lot of criticism adding that such act was needed to raise funds to augment the funding of the model secondary schools, as government plans to run a totally free education so that children of poor parents can afford quality education like the children of the rich.
Earlier, the Chairman of Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA Barr Worgu Boms, who led the delegation of the Port Harcourt, Ahoada and Isiokpo Bar, had told the governor that the delegation was at Government House to thank him for the past collaboration between the state government and the association and to offer whatever advice that would be food for thought to the government to promote good governance.
Barr Boms, who emphasized the correlation between public expectation and the relevance of regular power supply to the economy of the state and the nation, urged the state government to re-examine the electricity act and exploit available opportunities to improve power supply in the state, pointing out that the act did not prohibit any state from setting up its own power company.
The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.
The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.
The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.
A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.