Niger Delta
FG Inaugurates 7.85km Isoko Ring Road

Federal Government on Tuesday, inaugurated the N2.1 billion, 7.85 km single carriageway Isoko Ring Road (Aviara-Uzere) in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who unveiled the project, said with the harvests of completed roads, bridges and other infrastructural projects being witnessed across the country, government investments have started yielding results.
The Tide’s source reports that the project was awarded to Messrs Levant Constriction Limited on Dec. 6, 2013 at a total contract sum of N2.1 billion.
Represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, the President said the Federal Government was committed to completing various road projects across the country.
This, he said, was to link communities and create easy flow of transportation for human and material movement.
“It is our commitment to improve road transport infrastructure and our determination to improve and ease doing business, create jobs and lift people out of poverty.
“These are the things that brought us here today because the results of our investment are manifesting.
“I can confidently say that as we enter the final lap of the tenure of our administration, we are also entering a season of completion and delivery of projects.
“As you can all see, we are handing over today the 7.85 Km Road, which links Aviara-Uzere in Delta.
“A very important road that connects agrarian and fishing communities to ease the movement of their farm products. Linking these communities together, this road becomes a critical component of our national road network,” he said.
Buhari noted that the road had been built to the highest quality of design and workmanship, adding that if well used and not abused, it would last for the designed service life.
He warned against road abuse such as overloading of vehicles and trucks that accelerated pavement damage and spilling of petroleum products among other practices that could damage the roads.
“We must all do our best to avoid these practices, report them when they occur and act in a lawful manner to stop them.
“The road is also a story of the capacity of our people and how patriotic Nigerians who were employed directly to build the road.
“The scores of suppliers employed indirectly who are responsible for providing the machines utilised in the construction,” he said.
He, however, urged the people to always maintain the speed limits of 100 km per hour on the highways.
Speaking, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, represented by Mr Peter Umoren, Deputy Director Highways in the ministry, said the inauguration was the beginning of the second phase of projects completion across Nigeria.
According to Fashola, more completed roads projects will be handed over to communities and governments of Yobe, Nassarawa, Gombe among others states which flagged-off in Ekiti and Jigawa States.
“These projects represent major investment in road transport infrastructure, which is a commitment of Buhari administration as a driver for economic growth and prosperity.
“They are visible and incontrovertible assets in proof of what Nigeria’s resources are invested in from a combination of our earned resources and borrowings,’’ he said.
Thanking all stakeholders in the projects including the communities, Fashola lauded the presidency for their leadership, adding that his leadership was bearing fruits and the evidence of change manifesting.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by Commissioner for Works (Urban and Highways), Mr Noel Omodon, lauded the Federal Government for the project and called for more partnership to ensure rehabilitation of roads and bridges completion.
According to Okowa, the State Government is currently saddled with the construction of the Ughelli-Asaba Federal Highway and the Koka flyover bridge along Asaba-Onitsha Expressway among others.
He appealed to the Federal Government to consider rehabilitating and reconstruction of the Benin-Warri Expressway, the Sapele-Agbor Expressway and others which currently deplorable.
In his address of welcome, the Permanent Secretary in the Minister of Works and Housing,Mr Bashir Alkali, said Buhari’s agenda of developing roads infrastructure was a policy direction focusing on jobs creation and economic development.
Alkali, represented by the Federal Controller of Works in Delta, Mr Olawale Jimoh, said the construction of the Isoko Ring Road was aimed at promoting local content.
“The focus is to link the major arterial roads to refineries, ports, tertiary institutions and high volume commercial centres with a view to reducing travelling times vehicle maintenance costs, safety and security of computers,” he said.
On his part, the Area Manager, Levant Construction Limited, Mr Ghassan Fadel, lauded the community, Federal Government and all stakeholders for the completion of the project.
According to him, the community before the completion of the 7.85 km ring road had difficulty moving their wares in and out of the community.
The President-General, Uzere Community, Mr Brooklyn Essi, represented by Sir Edjoor Uyeh, thanked the Federal Government for the projects.
Essi, however, urged government to construct link bridges for the communities and drainage channels to arrest the annual flooding witnessed in the community which he said could damage the roads.
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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