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RSG Begins Equipping Zonal Hospitals …As Wike Vows To Sanction Erring LG Officials
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has said that his administration has commenced the process of equipping recently completed Zonal Hospitals to take quality tertiary healthcare closer to the people.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Board and Management of Philips Project Centre Limited at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said that the Zonal Hospital, Degema and Zonal Hospital, Bori have been completed while the equipping process was ongoing.
He added that the Rivers State Government was also equipping the Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt to provide specialist care to women and children.
“Health is very important to this administration. It is one key area that we are focusing on to improve the lives of the people.
“We are investing resources to equip the completed Zonal Hospitals that will soon come on stream. We have Zonal Hospitals in Degema, Bori, Etche, Ahoada and Omoku. We will equip Degema and Bori Zonal Hospitals because they have been completed”, he said.
Wike said that the Rivers State Government would partner with Philips Project Centre to equip the hospitals and train staff to maintain the facilities.
He directed the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and the Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare to work with Philips Project Centre to develop the health facilities for use by Rivers people.
“Whatever we will agree with Philips Project Centre must include training and retraining of our staff. We will partner to equip these hospitals”, he said.
The governor noted that his administration has so far equipped the former Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, now Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, with $6.5million.
The Executive Director, Philips Project Centre, Ayo Grillo called for partnership with the Rivers State Government to equip hospitals across the state.
Grillo said that the Philips Project Centre has special interest in Rivers State as the organisation has been working in the state for some years to construct and maintain healthcare facilities.
“We have a long history with Rivers State. We are keen to continue to work with Rivers State to develop the health sector. We bring trainers from abroad to train clinical and non-clinical staff with requisite knowledge on how to tackle healthcare challenges”, he said.
He informed the Rivers State governor that they operate internet-based applications to ensure efficiency, and promised to deploy ICT to make the state’s healthcare system effective and efficient.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has stated that his administration would follow the due process of the law in implementing the report of the committee set up to investigate and audit the financial transactions of the 23 local government councils, insisting that erring principal officers of the LGAs would be sanctioned.
He spoke when he received the report of the committee set up to investigate and audit the financial transactions of the 23 local government councils from May, 2018 to May, 2019 at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Monday.
The governor said, “If I was going to them to collect money, I wouldn’t get up to set up the committee. They would have indicted me. Some councils receive up to N2billion annually and there is a council that gets up to N5billion annually, yet no project”.
Wike said that the Rivers State Government would abide by the Supreme Court judgment that state governors cannot dissolve elected councils, but noted that the report presented by the committee exposed a scandalous rot in the local government system.
He said: “The Supreme Court has said that you cannot dissolve elected councils. We will obey the Supreme Court judgment on that matter.
“But we shall take action on the areas where we are empowered by law to act. All the treasurers, Heads of Personnel Management and other civil servants involved in illegal financial transactions will be sanctioned.
“I have read the preliminary report. It is bad. The report is scandalous. Tomorrow, they will say that I don’t remember those who fought for me. Did you fight for me, so that you can destroy the system”.
Wike said local government council chairmen are under obligation to work for their people and deliver dividends of democracy to improve their lives.
“I am quite satisfied with what the committee has done. It is not political, and things must be done the right way. We cannot continue to play while the people suffer. The problem with this country is that we take things for granted.
“As a local government council chairman, I created record as a performer. I did projects and worked for our people. I won all the awards”.
The governor urged council chairmen and top government officials to always work to develop their communities and leave worthy legacies.
He commended the committee for working in line with their terms of reference, adding that they focused on the task without attracting any form of scandal.
“I thank the committee for a job well done. I am quite satisfied with what the committee has done. It is not political and things must be done right. We cannot continue to play while the people suffer. The problem with this country is that we take things for granted”, he said.
The governor noted that he was not out to witch-hunt anyone, but remains committed to the development of Rivers State and the entrenchment of due process.
Earlier, Chairman of the committee set up to investigate and audit the financial transactions of the 23 local government councils from May, 2018 to May, 2019, and Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, thanked the governor for his commitment to the development of Rivers State.
She explained that to ensure professionalism, the committee engaged three auditing firms to achieve the right results.
The deputy governor said that all the council chairmen and relevant officials participated in the exercise, stressing that the committee worked in line with best practices for the good of Rivers State.
She challenged the local government chairmen to see the exercise as a wake-up call to work for their people.
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