Rivers

2023: LG Boss Harps On Cooperation To Deliver Candidates

Published

3 years ago

November 3, 2022

Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, has called for collective support and cooperation of leaders and members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the area to ensure that candidates of the party in Rivers State are elected across the 14 wards of the LGA in the 2023 general election.
Noting that though the PDP in Emohua LGA does not have any strong rival in the forthcoming election, he, however, stated the need for the party to collectively guard their advantage against the opposition.
Making the call at the inauguration of the PDP “Campaign Council” in Emohua LGA held at the party secretariat in Rumuji town, he stressed the need for victory for PDP.
“The PDP in Emohua LGA cannot afford to lose any ward in the LGA to any other political party, considering the number of projects executed in the area by PDP-led State and Local Governments”, he said.
The Council Chairman who also doubles as the Director General (DG) of the PDP Campaign Committee, in the LGA, enjoined party faithfuls to remain consistent and persistent to the programmes and activities of the party with positive attitude and hope for future reward, stressing that there is reward for genuine hard work in politics.
He referenced the recent appointment of the Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, Barr. Emenike Eke as a typical example of reward for consistency and persistency in politics and followership.
Speaking further, Dr. Lloyd congratulated the recently appointed Constituency and Ward Liaison Officers, as well as the Unit Special Assistants to the State Governor from Emohua LGA and urged them to be good ambassadors of the people of the area.
He disclosed that his administration was already considering a continuation of its empowerment programme to accommodate genuine supporters of PDP in the LGA who are yet to benefit from the local government empowerment programme.
The Chairman of the PDP Campaign Committee and Caucus Leader of the party in Emohua, Eze Paul Wokhe Wonodi, the Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, and alternate Chairman of the Campaign Committee, Chief Engr. Emeka Woke, and the State Assembly member representing Emohua constituency, Hon Sam Ogeh, all took turns to charge PDP supporters in the area to prepare to deliver all the party’s candidates in Rivers State in their respective polling units and wards in the 2023 general election.

By; Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Expert Demands Full Implementation Of PIA In N’Delta Oil Communities

Published

22 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

An expert in Natural Resource Governance, Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the development of oil communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Uzoigwe made the appeal during a training for community representatives under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He noted that five years after the PIA was enacted, funding under the HCDT framework for member communities had yet to be fully implemented.

He attributed the slow pace of implementation to oil companies’ failure to remit funds, ongoing litigations, internal community disputes, and regulatory challenges, among other factors.

According to him, these challenges have made it difficult to properly assess the effectiveness of HCDT implementation in host communities.

Uzoigwe also expressed concern that several communities were yet to establish HCDTs, which are essential for accessing funds designated for local development.

“Fortunately, there are communities that have successfully leveraged the HCDT to advance development in their localities.

“However, we want every host community to access these funds to accelerate development in their respective areas and contribute to the broader transformation of the Niger Delta”, he stated.

Uzoigwe urged host communities to familiarise themselves with the provisions and regulations of the PIA to enable them to fully benefit from the Act.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, explained that the training was organised for HCDT communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers States.

According to her, the objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the PIA’s provisions, conduct needs assessments and undertake community development planning.

“We examined how the HCDT can be made effective and efficient in utilising the three per cent operational cost allocation for community development projects, as stipulated in the PIA.

“This allocation is structured as follows: 75 per cent for project execution, 20 per cent for savings, and five per cent for administrative costs.

“HCDT members are responsible for identifying and prioritising community needs through a transparent, sincere, and people-centred decision-making process in managing these funds”, Okon explained.

She encouraged host communities to engage actively with various stakeholders, including women, youth, farmers, and community leaders, to identify development projects that reflect the genuine needs of their communities.

Rivers

Opobo/Nkoro SOLAD Pledges To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare

Published

22 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Sole Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, says he will run an all-inclusive government for the betterment of the local government.

He stated that his priority is workers’ welfare in all ramifications and the good people of the area.

Apiafi stated this recently while addressing workers at the council’s headquarters in Opobo, saying that his direct mandate is to ensure that the existing peace is sustained.

According to him, he is a technocrat, hence he will carry out his functions accordingly.

“Thank you all for welcoming me as your administrator. My mandate here is to ensure that you, workers, are well treated, with your salaries paid promptly, and give you what you deserve.

“You all are my brothers, sisters and friends. I know that together we can take this local government to an enviable height. What I need from you is cooperation.

“I solicit for your support to enable us all succeed because I alone cannot achieve the desired development”, he urged.

The administrator used the forum to thank the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) for giving him the opportunity to serve his people and pledged that he will not disappoint him in any aspect, while promising to discharge his duties in strict compliance to the charge of the Sole Administrator.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the LGA, Comrade Diri Dandison, commended the administrator for placing workers’ welfare top on his list.

According to him, what workers want in the LGA is someone who can give them listening ears, and also give them what they deserve.

“I am happy that Mr. Fredrick Apiafi has placed welfare of workers first, but we pray he fullfills his promises. What we want is for people at the grassroots to also enjoy dividends of governance”, he said.

By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso

Rivers

Navy Saves 99 Persons From Drowning In Rivers

Published

22 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER have saved 99 persons from drowning in Rivers State during an operation.

A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.

He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.

According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.

“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.

“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain”, Adams Aliu said.

By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso