News
2023: Andoni PDP Reaches Consensus On Elective Positions
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has concluded the zoning arrangement of some elective political positions by consensus ahead of the 2023 election in the state.
The consensus arrangement was reached in the party’s stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt, recently.
At the meeting,the stakeholders asked the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani not to continue as representative of Andoni Constituency in the state Assembly after 2023 election.
The stakeholders also resolvedthat the lawmaker representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Awajionobeek Abiante should contest for the House of Representatives position come 2023.
They further agreed that the Organising Secretary of PDP in Rivers State, Mr Kagban Ofik of Ikuru Ward 5 in Andoni should contest for House of Assembly position to replace Ibani.
The stakeholders in the party meeting includes, Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly and leader of the party in the area, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani; the Andoni Council Chairman, Barrister Erastus Awortu; Head of Service, Barrister Rufus Godwins, state PDP Organising Secretary, Kagban Ofik, PDP Chairman in Andoni, Ere Victor, councillors, all political appointees, party chieftains, among others.
Though the zoning arrangement appears not to be going down well with some persons, who feel that Abiante should not return to the House of Representative after serving two tenures in the National Assembly, but majority of the stakeholders argued that he was the right person to win election in the area at this time.
Supporting the argument, Chairman of PDP in the area, Ere Victor said Abiante has done reasonably well in the area of representation of Andoni and Opobo-Nkoro people and provision of constituency projects and programmes in area.
He said the lawmaker has provided giant generators with street lights installed in almost all the communities, including Asarama, Egendem, Unyeada, Ngo, among others.
According to him, Abiante has also provided school desks and tables across secondary schools in Andoni and Opobo-Nkoro communities in the constituency.
The party chairman said the decision to allow Abiante go back to Abuja was to complete what he has started at the National Assembly, especially some of the bills yet to be concluded.
Though, the Speaker,Rt Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani has not commented on the zoning arrangement, some of his supporters, said the nomination of Kagban Ofik as PDP consensus candidate to replace Ibani was a welcome development.
One Mr Samuel from Ward 11 in Andoni said Ibani needs to go for higher position like National Assembly, considering the wealth of experience gathered so far as speaker for eight years, chief whip for four years and member foranother four years.
According to him, Ibani was pleased with the zoning arrangement in the area.
Responding to the outcome of the meeting, the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Barrister Erastus Awortu expressed optimism that PDP would maintain all its positions come 2023 election.
He said the party under Governor Nyesom Wike has done magnificent projects in Andoni, adding that the projects and programmes still stand tall to speak for all the incoming candidates of PDP in 2023.
Awortu also said that his administration has added colour to the development strides of Governor Nyesom Wike by providing remarkable projects such asdurable roads, potable water supply, empowerment, tourism and many more still in the pipeline.
He said PDP in Andoni does not have any opposition in the area, adding that the people representing the party in various positions of thrust were always carrying every citizen of the area along, irrespective of party lines.
By: Enoch Epelle
News
RSG Cancels ?134BN Secretariat Contract, Orders Refund Of ?20BN Mobilisation … Revalidates Four Projects
The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.
The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.
Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.
The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.
With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
“The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.
On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.
Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the completion of the 62.650km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, despite the setbacks that have slowed its progress.
The Governor gave the assurance during an on-site inspection tour of the project on Monday, where he emphasised that the state government remains resolute in its determination to deliver the massive infrastructure for public use.
Addressing journalists at the Eneka Flyover axis of the project, Governor Fubara stated that his visit was to verify the level of compliance and commitment shown by the construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Governor Fubara noted that discussions with the contractor had been ongoing to ensure that work resumes at full capacity after a period of financial challenges that affected the project’s continuity.
“You are aware that this project was, I won’t say abandoned, but somehow, for lack of funds, the contractor withdrew from the site. We have been discussing with them, and they gave me their word that although we have not finished all the discussions, they have already moved back to site, and I’m here to confirm that.”
The Governor described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which traverses six local government areas, as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state’s history, noting that its completion would not only ease traffic congestion in the capital city but also stimulate economic activities across multiple local government areas.
Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising infrastructure development as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.
“I want to make this promise to our good people of Rivers State,” the Governor declared. “This project that we started, by the special grace of God, we are going to complete it. We owe our people a responsibility to deliver on our commitments, and this project will not be an exception,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 2025 Batch B, Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the State, to use the NYSC skill acquisition training programme to build capacity.
Governor Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday when he declared closed, the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise in the State.
Represented by the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government and Chairman NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, Governor Fubara enjoined the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition wholeheartedly in order to elevate themselves as wealth creators and employers of labour.
“Take Rivers State as your home. Be assured of the warmth, hospitality, and accommodating disposition of the good of our people at all times.
“Take the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development post camp training very seriously and equip yourselves with the capacity to compete favourably in the nation’s huge economic space,” he stressed.
The Governor called on the Corps members to see their mobilization into the NYSC Scheme as a fundamental way to provide humanitarian services.
“Remember that you owe it to yourself, family, and the nation, the responsibility to serve selflessly and honourably,” he admonished.
In his farewell address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe appealed to the Corps members to use the opportunity of the service year to discover their true purpose.
He further encouraged them to embody selfless service and empathy in serving the people.
The colourful ceremony witnessed a vibrant parade.