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Communal Conciliation: DELGA Boss Sets The Pace …Brokers Peace Amongst Belligerent Gang Members In Bakana

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Peace remains the highest achievement of any society, as no meaningful development can take place in a rancorous and hostile environment.
This perhaps, is one of the greatest achievements of the administration of the projects-oriented Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Michael John Williams, amongst his trail of achievements.
The administration on Monday, November 15, 2021, made history, as it in an unprecedented manner, brokered peace amongst the various warring gang members in Bakana, which had been at daggers drawn for several years.
Speaking during the historic occasion at the Bakana Town Square, the council boss stated that the peace parley was aimed at reconciling brothers.
He noted that Bakana is a land of strength, unity and love as exemplified by the founding fathers of the community, adding that the people of Bakana should not be seen, showing that strength against one another, but unite as one against external aggressions.
Hon. Williams stated that the days where people come in, commit crime and flee the community was over, warning that the Council administration and the community will go hard against anyone who breaks the peace accord.
While thanking the peace initiators and leaders of the various cult groups for embracing the peace, the Chairman urged them to return from their exile and contribute positively towards the development of the community, just like his administration is doing.
“If you are a Bakana son and you truly love Bakana, this is the time to show it.
“The reason we are here is to make sure that our brothers see one another as brothers. It is to make sure that if you are a Bakana son, you will never kill a Bakana son again, because if you do, Bakana and the authority will come for you.
“If you are a strong man, take your power outside, don’t bring it here because Bakana is a peaceful community and that peace has been restored.
“I am happy that today our brothers that have not seen each other for a very long time are seeing one another eyeball to eyeball. This means that peace has come to stay,” the LGA Boss stated.
In their solidarity speeches, initiators of the peace parley all thanked the Council Chairman for his magnanimity, courage and determination in restoring peace to the community after so many years of gang rivalry.
Amb. Marvin Thompson in his solidarity speech particularly thanked the Council Chairman for being a great leader, whom his people can trust, noting that it was a thing of joy to see everyone come together as brothers in reconciliation.
While also thanking the various groups for embracing the peace accord, Marvin Thompson, who went on his knees on behalf of the repentant groups, appealed to members of the community, who might have lost loved ones, to forgive them and move on, adding that; “we are doing this peace for the good of Bakana.”
On his part, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Friday Eboka, thanked the Council Chairman for uniting the community through the peace accord.
The CP, who was represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Lawal Adamu Shinkafi, urged genuine reconciliation and patriotism amongst the various groups, stressing that only a peaceful environment can attract development.
ACP Shinkafi, who is the Area Commander in Degema, noted that Bakana is a blessed island, which could be developed to a tourist centre, urging them to shun violence, in order to maximize the vast potentials of the community.
The police boss however warned that any renegade, who violates the peace accord is “on his own,” as the law will catch up with him.
Highpoint of the parley was signing of the peace accord by leaders of the various groups.
The groups which participated in the peace parley include; Icelanders, Greenlanders, Deybam, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).
The Peace Accord was facilitated by Emmanuel Martyns (Babangida), Marvin Thompson, Amb. Dennis Teneilabe and Prince SobrasuaOdum in conjunction with the Degema Local Government Council.
In attendance were the Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Michael John Williams, personnel of the 103 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, officers of the Police Area Command and the Divisional Police Command, top functionaries of the Council, amongst others.

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Youth President Launches N10m Grant For Obio/Akpor Women

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The leader of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area Simplified Movement, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo, has unveiled a N10 million grant aimed at empowering women in Ward 1 of Obio/Akpor LGA.
Making the announcement during the recently concluded Obio/Akpor Ward 1 town hall meeting, Ihunwo revealed that the grant will be distributed in amounts of N100,000 to 20 women per community, including non-indigenes.
He stated that the gesture is a token of appreciation for the women’s unwavering support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Ihunwo emphasised the Governor’s commitment to ensuring that Ward 1, Obio/Akpor LGA, and Rivers State as a whole benefit from good governance.
Special Adviser on Power to the Governor, Hon. Solomon Abel Eke, highlighted the transparency and fairness that define the current leadership of the Obio/Akpor Simplified Movement, assuring that it operates without nepotism or impunity.
During the event, former leader of the Obio/Akpor Legislative Assembly, Hon. Achor Nna, criticised former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, who is also from Ward 1, for actions deemed uncharacteristic of true sons of Obio/Akpor LGA.
Also in attendance at the town hall meeting were Hon. Darlington Orji, Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Governor of Rivers State, along with other prominent figures as well as other sons and daughters of Obio/Akpor.
They congratulated the new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, and collectively reaffirmed their support for the Fubara-led administration, underscoring a shared commitment to the progress and development of Rivers State.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

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RSG Approves N225bn For Trans-Kalabari Road Project

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The Rivers State Executive Council, on Wednesday, approved N225 billion for the construction of the Trans-Kalabari Road project.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Joseph Johnson, disclosed this while briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting.
The meeting was presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the state Government House in Port Harcourt.
He said the project would be funded with savings from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.
“We shall not borrow to fund the project. We are bent on generating money to fund our projects”, he said.
Johnson stated that the contractor had been mobilised with 30 per cent of the contract, worth to commence implementation.
The commissioner further said the project would be completed within a period of 32 months.
“This is the main Trans-Kalabari Road, the one that happened in the past was building of bridges.
“We are now doing a Trans-Kalabari Road that will run from NSS Pathfinder, immediately after Mgbuodohia community and extend to about 2km to the Aker Base Road in Rumuolumeni”, he said.
He also said the road would pass through the swamps behind the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, moving southwards towards the first bridge crossing.
“It will continue through a series of bridges, connecting many communities up to Tombia Town.
“The road will traverse very difficult terrains of swamp across rivers and creeks upon which series of bridges, decking and piling works will be done”, he said.
The Commissioner further said the state recently recorded some giant strides in the sporting sector.
Also briefing, the Acting Director-General, Rivers State Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Ine Briggs, explained that the bureau diligently managed the proceedings leading to the award of the Trans-Kalabari road contract.
Briggs said the submissions of the state Ministry of Works were reviewed and all the supporting documents examined by the Ministry.
“Having fulfilled all the necessary procurement procedures and guidelines as prescribed by the Rivers State Public Procurement Law 2008 as amended, the Bureau is satisfied that all the elements leading to this award is sufficient to issue a certificate of no objection.
“Therefore, in consideration of all the relevant documents submitted by the Ministry of Works pursuant to the construction of Trans-Kalabari Road and bridges, the Bureau has issued the certificate of no objection, and that the contract be awarded to Lubrick Construction Company Limited”, Briggs said.

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Ongoing Elele-Omoku Road Awarded At N80bn – RSG

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The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Joseph Johnson, has said the ongoing dualisation of the Elele/Umudioga/ Egbeda/Ikiri/Omoku Road was awarded at N80 billion.
Johnson disclosed this in Port Harcourt yesterday while speaking to newsmen on the achievements of the Governor Siminalaye Fubara-led administration after one year in office.
He said the road, which cuts across three Local Government Areas, would facilitate easy movement of people and goods, saying “it will boost cross-community commerce.
“The farming communities along this area will find it easy to move their produce to markets in neighbouring towns.
“This project is a deliberate effort to make movement easy for our people, it’s no politics but service delivery”.
The Commissioner said the State Government had already paid 50 per cent of the contract value amounting to N40 billion.
“We are not paying lip service to governance, we mean business. We want Rivers people to see something new.
“We have devised ways of generating money to fund our projects, we are not indulging in any borrowing festival”, he said.
Analysts say the state capital will be decongested if the government successfully implements the line up of road projects in the state.

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