Rivers
Council Chairman Harps On Peace, Development

Andoni Local Government Area Chairman, Barr Erastus Awortu, has called on traditional rulers, chiefs and stakeholders, who believe in the peace and development of the local government to rise and work with the council to rescue the area from miscreants, saying that the era of darkness is over in the area.
Awortu made the call when he led some Andoni refugees in Ogoni land in Isiokwan district of the area, back to their various communities last Wednesday.
The chairman said it was obvious that some communities’ members including some chiefs and stakeholders had not only lost capacities to solve the insecurity problem plaguing the area, but suddenly became informants to some of the cultist brothers and friends.
“It is unfortunate that all of us are parts of the insecurity problem plaguing our communities, this is because some of us including some chiefs have already taken side with some of the miscreants, may be, to attract their support to our chieftaincy struggle, some of us have sympathy for them as brothers and friends.
“Some of us even served as informants to the boys, but let me tell you, cultists don’t have brothers, they do not have any father, neither mother nor sister, they also have no secrets, whatever dealing you are having with them is already known by the opponents, and so when they are coming for their opponents, they also attack you as informant and sypathisers to their opponents.
“I am pleading with all of us, including the chiefs to shun the cult boys in our families and communities let us come together to fight against the activities of the miscreants. Our houses are being destroyed on daily basis, no development is coming to our area, innocent lives are going down every day, our economic activities are stagnant, our children are no more going to school, we are gradually going backward, what benefits do we have?
“Enough is enough, I have already given my consent to security men, not to spare any of the criminals and their informants, if they refused to drop their guns, the era of darkness in Andoni is over.
“We are not against any person or group, but we will not allow any person or group to enter any of our communities with weapons, we must chase them away or bring them to face the wrath of law in the state.
We are also ready to receive any genuine repentant ones and even make them live a normal live,” the chairman warned.
Erastus used the opportunity to flag-off 20,000-gallon capacity tank water project at Ibotirem Community in Isiokwam District of Andoni LGA.
According to him, his administration has commenced the water project as proactive step to check cholera outbreak ahead of the dry session, usually associated with the disease in Nigeria. “Andoni is an area where cholera is almost endemic, basically because we lack potable water; so, the provision of potable water is one of the cardinal concerns of my administration.
“We will ensure that we banished cholera out of Andoni.”
Awortu explained that while the council administration endeavoured to ensure the safe return of displaced person, it would also ensure that the area no longer remained vulnerable to cholera.
He said “just as we are trying to ensure the safe return of displaced persons, we also find it necessary to provide potable water in the communities to check cholera, which leads to deaths during dry season.
By: Enoch Epelle
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.
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