Connect with us

News

Wike Presents Certificate Of Recognition To Oba Of Ogbaland …Tasks NDDC To Adopt Regional Dev Approach

Published

on

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has presented certificate of recognition and staff of office to the Oba (Eze Ogba) of Ogbaland, Dr. Nwachukwu S. Obuoha.
The brief presentation ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Wike said the king was long recognised by the state government, the day he was crowned as Oba of Ogbaland.
He stated that the presentation event was mere ceremony to affirm what has been done.
Wike charged the king to use the opportunity of being the traditional father over Ogbaland to foster unity, promote peace and harmony among his subjects.
The Rivers State governor noted that the throne, while the former King Chukumela Nnam Obi II was alive, commanded honour, respect and candour across Nigeria.
Wike advised the king not to indulge in any act that would bring the throne to disrepute.
The governor also charged the Oba of Ogbaland to dissuade the youths in his domain from any act of violence that would disrupt the peace among the people and threaten economic activities in the area.
Wike recalled the dark episode of December 31, 2017 breaking into 2018, when some youths under the guise of unknown gunmen, killed innocent persons in Omoku, the headquarters of the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
Results of some of those criminal activities, Wike said, scared off financial houses, and killed the bustling business climate in Omoku.
Wike warned against any act that would return the area to such situation because the state government had done so much after then to restore peace.
The governor pointed to demands that youths put forward to operators of International Oil Companies (IOCs), and said it should be done in concert with his palace and the state government.
Such synergy, Wike insisted, would ensure that nobody takes the law into their hands, and the demands would be pursued to logical conclusion.
Wike also berated those who have subjected the Eze Ogba stool to litigation and attempting to bring it to disrepute.
The governor assured Eze Obuoha necessary support to ensure that the revered stool is not ridiculed.
In his speech, the Oba (Eze Ogba) of Ogbaland, Dr. Nwachukwu S. Obuoha as Obi III, said only God makes kings in Ogbaland, and he was grateful to be on the saddle to serve the land and its people faithfully.
Obuoha thanked Wike for the support given to his family since their father died.
He also acknowledged the astute leadership Wike has provided the state by giving meaning to governance and made its fame to travel across the world.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has advised the new board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to do things differently.
Such difference, Wike maintained should be the adoption of a regional development approach that would strictly commit to the holistic development of Niger Delta states.
Wike gave the charge when the new Chairman of NDDC Governing Board, Mrs. Lauretta Ifeanyi Onochie, led other members of the board, on a courtesy visit to him at Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
The governor urged the board to embrace the conceptualisation and implementation of projects like the construction of highways with bridges to link states.
Such projects, he opined, would serve as economic corridors to ease interstate movements and promotion of socio-economic integration within the region.
“I read what you said that things will be done differently. I want to believe that you’re sincere. Sometimes, I feel ashamed where I come from. We talk about underdevelopment, but look at the amount of money that has passed through NDDC, then look at the projects on ground.”
The Rivers State governor said when projects are awarded; they should not be given to portfolio or political contractors, but to competent ones who would stick to delivering quality and enduring projects.
“There is what we call regional development projects that can link up two states, those are the kind of things NDDC should go for, and give it to competent contractors. Leave these political contractors out. Leave all these portfolio contractors out. Leave them alone. You have come to my state, and you have seen what I have done.
“If I didn’t use Julius Berger, and had used these political contractors, you won’t have seen anything here. Of course, you know how expensive Julius Berger is. From 2019 till now, we have done 12 flyovers by Julius Berger. You know how much we are talking about, and you can replicate that. Even though they are expensive, but you’ll see the value.”
Wike envisaged a situation where NDDC could devote huge sums annually, for example, to execute projects in each state of the region without distorting existing development master plan.
The governor said it was shameful to see the unproductive model NDDC had operated, serving as mere cash cow to politicians, and spending about N10billion in futile attempt to rig the 2019 elections in Rivers State.
“NDDC has become a cash cow for politicians. Look at the money NDDC lost in this state just to win election here. N10billion wasted. N10billion you could have used to construct a mega project in the state!”
Wike noted how NDDC, often, entered and awarded projects in states, including Rivers State, without recourse to existing development master plan.
According to him, what turns out eventuallywas duplication of projects.
He pointed to how such practice had contributed to the wastage of trillion of Naira that has passed through NDDC.
He also faulted the use of political contractors who do not have the required competence to deliver quality projects.
This, he regretted, sees the NDDC accepting all kinds of projects nominated to it that include the construction of roads that terminate at the gates of residences of politicians.
The governor noted how NDDC fraudulently claimed to have reconstructed the Chokocho- Igwuruta Road, and signed off the money when, in actual fact, the road was reconstructed and delivered by his administration.
Wike also demanded that NDDC pay up its partnership and contractual obligation of N2.5billion, which was half of the N5billion mutually agreed between it and the Rivers State Government for the reconstruction of the dualised Eastern By-pass Road leading to NDDC Headquarters.
The governor said NDDC had entered into similar agreement for the construction of the Mother and Child Hospital, collected the money paid by the Rivers State Government, and refused to pay up theirs.
He said his administration eventually jettisoned the agreement, funded and completed the construction of the hospital.
In her address, the new Chairman of NDDC Governing Board, Mrs. Lauretta Ifeanyi Onochie, said they visited to formally introduce themselves to him as the governor of their landlord state.
Onochie noted the remarkable quality of infrastructure delivered by Wike administration that had transformed the entire landscape of Rivers State.
“It has been an exciting moment for all of us here, and particularly myself being that I lived briefly in Port Harcourt before my youth service, and I wedded in Port Harcourt. Then, thereafter, I kept coming back and Port Harcourt was still Port Harcourt.
“But, I have come back now, and I cannot believe my eyes. I can’t recognise anywhere. The development that has taken place in Port Harcourt, let me speak about the one I have seen, is amazing, and it’s brilliant. And I want to thank you.”
She said they came to ask for guidance and seek the governor’s advise on how best the new board could break away from the provision of poor services and projects known for NDDC, and replicate his quality project delivery mantra across the region.
“We are here to ask for your guidance. You have said it, and you have spoken about the poor services that NDDC had been known for. Trillions of Naira had been pumped into this commission, and we have little or nothing to show for it. We are here now, very determined to do things differently.”

Continue Reading

News

Group Doles out N13m To Market Women In Isiama 

Published

on

The peaceful Town of Isiama in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was at the weekend agog with activities following the donation of over N13million to market women by Engr. Justus Ngerebara in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiatives, a non-governmental organization, as part of its first phase empowerment programme.
According to Justus Ngerebara, who is also the Executive Director of the organization, the women, numbering 108, will receive various sums based on their business proposal.
He stated that the organization will carry out an annual review of the performances of the beneficiaries, with a view to rewarding those who put the money into good use.
According to him, the initiative was a collaborative effort between himself and his wife, Dr. Unyime Ngerebara, in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiative (FDI), an organization committed to youth capacity building and community development.
He said the family believe deeply in the transformative power of women’s empowerment as a catalyst for economic growth, especially in rural communities.
“As the saying goes, when you empower a woman, you empower a community. This truth resonate strongly with us, knowing that empowered women uplift households and inspire generational change”, he stated.
Ngerebara described the programme as the beginning of more things to come and urged the beneficiaries to view the gesture “as a reflection of our deep love for the community and our commitment to easing the burdens of economic hardship.
“We encourage you to invest wisely, channel these resources into your business not frivolities.
“We will continue to follow up with each participant to monitor progress and Offer guidance.
“It is our goal to see thriving business, creative solutions to households hunger and a ripple effect of prosperity through Isiama.
“We also call on the men to stand beside their spouses, offering support and encouragement to ensure these resources are maximized for growth”, he said.
In an interview, Ngerebara said the second phase of the empowerment programme will start very soon, stressing that since inception the organization has done so much for the community.
He listed some of the programmes carried out by the group in the community to include the installation of solar powered lights, and solar powered water.
While declaring the event open, a former coymmissioner for Works in Rivers State, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, described the event as the first of its kind in the community.
Engr. Ngerebara said the programme will go a long way to improve the conditions of not only the beneficiaries, but also the entire Isiama Community.
He also charged them against wasting the resources on frivolities, adding that their success will attract more of such empowerment programme to Isiama community
Giving a brief talk on women empowerment, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr. Awajimogobo Felix MacLean, warned the beneficiaries to justify the effort of the donor by avoiding wastages.
Dr. MacLean also urged them to be consistent in their line of business as well as avoid unnecessary competition.
She also stressed the need for them to network among themselves, while working out ways of helping the community to develop.
Guest of Honour at the occasion, Professor Uriah Oboada Alafonye, said Engr Justus Ngerebara, the initiator of the programme, has set a standard for present and future generations of leaders both in the community and the rest of Andoni to follow.
Prof Alafonye who is of the department of Arts Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, also appealed to the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity provided by the programme to reduce poverty in the community.
Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Hebron Mercy Fyneface, a crayfish seller and an interior designer, said it was the first time she was receiving such gesture from any organization or government.
She thanked Engr Justus Ngerebara for remembering the women of Isiama and urged others to emulate him.
By: John Bibor
Continue Reading

News

Fubara’s Return Excites NCSU … As Hope Rises For Civil Servants 

Published

on

The umbrella body of civil servants in Rivers State, the Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the lifting of emergency rule in the State and the return to office of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly, saying, the development portends good omen for workers, the people and the State.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the return of the Governor to office portends good omen and better days for civil servants in particular, stressing that the union heartily welcomes the Governor back to office, to resume his good works in the State, after six months of the emergency rule, as well as his deputy and members of the House of Assembly.
He noted that civil servants in the State are not only elated over the development but are also full of hope that the Governor would start from where he stopped in attending to their welfare needs.
He contended that the political crisis that recently engulfed the State and the six-month emergency rule had for over one year pulled the State backwards, but expressed delight that a permanent solution has been found to stem further political upheavals in the State, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making this possible; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leader of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor Fubara; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule; members of the House; and other stakeholders for agreeing to amicably resolve all contending issues.
The labour leader said this is the right time for all political gladiators in the State to bury the hatchet, work together and embrace peace and genuine reconciliation in the overall interest of the State.
He described as too hasty the resolution of the House, mandating the Governor to present a supplementary budget to it, and pleaded with members of the House to be calm, to tread with caution, and harmoniously work with the Governor.
He said the return of democratic governance in the State would fast-track progress and development in the State, and enjoined the people of the State, particularly civil servants to continue to give their support and cooperation to the Fubara administration.
Osumah expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would give prompt attention to challenges facing civil servants in the State, being a former civil servant himself, stressing that the workers truly have hope, now that the Governor has returned to office, and knowing the kind of Governor he is.
According to him, he is going to look into the controversial and contentious contributory pension scheme; rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex; recruitment into the state civil service; extension of service and retirement years for civil servants; provision of vehicles to industrial unions; as well as provision of befitting staff quarters for civil servants; among others.
Continue Reading

News

NDDC Organizes ADR Capacity Building for Staff

Published

on

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organized a one-day sensitization program for its personnel on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches to promote workplace compliance on transparency and due process.
The workshop, themed “Promoting Transparency and Due Process in the Workplace using ADR Approaches in Building a Culture of Accountability and Integrity,” aimed to equip staff with the skills to resolve disputes effectively.
Declaring the event open on thursday in port Harcourt,The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the importance of using ADR mechanisms to resolve conflicts in the workplace.
Dr. Ogbuku  represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo,noted that ADR approaches can encourage a culture of honesty, fairness, transparency, trust, and reduce conflicts among staff, ultimately promoting efficiency and productivity.
He averred that those disputes and quarrels if not proper resolved can derail the vision and objectives of the commission to the people, noting that the commission must as a team and unity as service provider in order to render a profitable service delivery to the people.
 “ADR approach will encourage culture of honesty,fairness, transparency ,trust  and reduce back bitting and the workforce, noting that such tendency would in turns promote efficiency and increase results in workplace.
 when integrity and honesty becomes the operandi of an organisation and employees begins to trust that their matters will be handled with fairness it will breed team work and increase in productivity.”he stated
He commended the department of DCR for organising the workshop and urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity and imbibe the culture of tolerance, integrity and teamwork in workplace.
Also speaking,the NDDC acting director of DCR ,Mr Godwin Ayewumi Ogedegbe noted that the theme of the captures the core of what the commission seeks to achieve a workplace where every action is expected to be guided by openness, fairness, and a steadfastness commitment to due process, where conflicts are not merely resolved, but prevented through structured,principled processes , and where accountability and integrity are not aspirational ideals but every day practice.
In his  keynote presentation on the theme “workplace Ethics and alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation,
Prof. Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, delivered a keynote presentation on “Workplace Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation.” He stressed the importance of due process, transparency, integrity, and accountability in the workplace, noting that these values are essential for productivity and organizational goals.
The workshop aimed to promote a culture of accountability and integrity in the NDDC workplace. By equipping staff with ADR skills and promoting transparency and due process, the commission can build a more efficient and productive work environment.
By: Akujobi Amadi
Continue Reading

Trending