Niger Delta
Ewhrudjakpo Assures Businesses Of Inclusion In Subsidy Palliative …As Dep Gov Receives APC Defectors
The Bayelsa State Government has assured that modalities are being worked out to include traders and other critical stakeholders of the business community in the State as beneficiaries of fuel subsidy palliatives.
Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the assurance when a group known as Bayelsa State Non-indigenes Market Leaders visited Government House, Yenagoa, to declare their support for the re-election bid of Governor Douye Diri.
The Tide learnt that the group is a coalition of leaders of various business unions, including the Unified Traders Union, Igbo Traders Association in Swali, Kpansia Traders Association, and Butchers Association.
Addressing the group, Senator Ewhrudjakpo said the state government was deeply concerned about the suffering of the people occasioned by the impetuous removal of fuel subsidy by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.
To this end, he informed that the government had already lined up various economic packages for people of the state, including workers and traders to alleviate their hardship.
Expressing excitement over the visit, the Deputy Governor thanked the various business unions for coming together to identify with the Prosperity Administration and acknowledging its achievements in the last three years.
Describing the group as very credible and formidable, Senator Ewhrudjakpo noted that their endorsement of the candidature of Governor Diri would contribute greatly to the overwhelming victory of the Peoples Democratic Party in the November 11 Governorship election.
He said government would continue to prioritize security of lives and property to sustain the prevailing congenial environment for businesses to thrive in line with the prosperity agenda of the present administration.
Responding to some concerns raised by the business unions, such as multiple taxes, high toll on trucks bringing goods into Bayelsa, and the unwholesome activities of touts who parade themselves as government officials to defraud traders, Senator Ewhrudjakpo promised that government would look into all the issues.
He also assured that government would support the Swali Market Traders Association to conduct a peaceful election in the shortest possible time.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Non-Indigene Business Community, Mr. Anthony Olikagu, lauded the Governor Douye Diri-led Administration for its achievements, describing their relationship with the current government as smooth and unparalleled.
Olikagu, who applauded the administration for the peace currently enjoyed in the state, thanked Governor Diri for the several appointments given to non-indigenes and assured him and the PDP of bloc votes in the forthcoming election.
In their separate remarks, Sir Pius Akabueze, Comrade Jude Osigwe and Mrs Nkechi Dikibo representing Unified Traders’ Union, the Igbo Traders Swali and Kpansia Traders Association, equally declared unwavering support for the Governor’s re-election.
They, however, called for their groups to be carried along in the campaigns and sharing of palliatives, representation of market women in government, and checking of multiple taxation which contributes to high prices of goods and services in the state.
In a related development, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, weekend, assured defectors from the opposition APC from Wards 3 and 4 in Ofoni Community, and Ward 6 all in Sagbama Local Government Area, of their full reintegration to the PDP.
In their remarks, the Leader of the defectors from Ofoni, Mr Majane David, and his Ward 6 counterparts, Hon Asei Oweipade of Ossiama, Mr Solomon Otuku representing Ogbonugbene, Mr Stanley Moses (Aweigbene), and Mr Desmond of Egbepulu-ama, all regretted joining the APC and pledged to work for the continuity of the Prosperity Government.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
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.