Connect with us

Rivers

Rivers HIV/AIDS Prevalence To Reduce Soon – Programme Manager

Published

on

There are indications that the current HIV/AIDS prevalence in Rivers State of 3.8% will futher be reduced in 2024, according to the Programme Manager for the Rivers State AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Contract  Programme, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ufuoma Edewor.
Edewor, who disclosed this recently in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, hinted that Rivers State is taking precautionary measures to ensure a reduction in the State’s HIV prevalence.
She noted that the last HIV/AIDS survey carried out by the Nigeria Impact and Indicator Survey (NAIIS) in 2018, the result of which was released in 2019, placed Rivers State as the third highest in prevalence in the country at 3.8%, but that since then a lot has been done in the State to further bring down the prevalence in the State.
She further noted that before the 2018 NAIIS survey, Rivers State had 15.2% prevalence.
“There’s a significant reduction even though we’re above the national prevalence rate of 1.4%.
“Rivers State has 3.8%, but we’re very certain that by the next survey, most likely next year, we’re very certain that the prevalence on Rivers State would have come down significantly”, she stated
She explained that part of why reduction in HIV prevalence is expected in Rivers State is the fact that there’s an increase in suppression of the HIV virus among people living positively.
“We have over 87% of those that are taking these (HIV) drugs in whom the virus is suppressed.
“What this means is that when they go for the HIV test, because the test we routinely do is a test of anti-bodies, but because the quantity of the virus present is so suppressed, they do not mount that anti-bodies. That’s why some times it appears like self-converted to negative.
“When the virus is suppressed, they are not able to transmit. So, we believe that the transmission would have been reduced. It is possible that we would have a significant reduction in the prevalence”, she explained.
Dr. Edewor, therefore, called on people to come out enmass to join in the HIV campaign in the State, noting that on a weekly basis, over 4000 HIV tests are carried out across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.
Speaking on the expected reduction in HIV prevalence in the State, the Programme Director, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), Rivers State, Dr. Stanley Idakwo, said the institute had worked collaboratively with key stakeholders to ensure an increase in people on treatment.
“IHVN came into Rivers State in 2019, and in collaboration with all stakeholders, with support from Rivers State Government, and we have been able to work collaboratively since 2019.
“We started the program with just about 24,000 people on treatment. So far, we can confirm that over 80% of clients who are infected know their status and are currently on treatment in the State”, he said.
By: Sogbeba Dokubo
Continue Reading

Rivers

Youth President Launches N10m Grant For Obio/Akpor Women

Published

on

The leader of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area Simplified Movement, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo, has unveiled a N10 million grant aimed at empowering women in Ward 1 of Obio/Akpor LGA.
Making the announcement during the recently concluded Obio/Akpor Ward 1 town hall meeting, Ihunwo revealed that the grant will be distributed in amounts of N100,000 to 20 women per community, including non-indigenes.
He stated that the gesture is a token of appreciation for the women’s unwavering support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Ihunwo emphasised the Governor’s commitment to ensuring that Ward 1, Obio/Akpor LGA, and Rivers State as a whole benefit from good governance.
Special Adviser on Power to the Governor, Hon. Solomon Abel Eke, highlighted the transparency and fairness that define the current leadership of the Obio/Akpor Simplified Movement, assuring that it operates without nepotism or impunity.
During the event, former leader of the Obio/Akpor Legislative Assembly, Hon. Achor Nna, criticised former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, who is also from Ward 1, for actions deemed uncharacteristic of true sons of Obio/Akpor LGA.
Also in attendance at the town hall meeting were Hon. Darlington Orji, Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Governor of Rivers State, along with other prominent figures as well as other sons and daughters of Obio/Akpor.
They congratulated the new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, and collectively reaffirmed their support for the Fubara-led administration, underscoring a shared commitment to the progress and development of Rivers State.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Continue Reading

Rivers

RSG Approves N225bn For Trans-Kalabari Road Project

Published

on

The Rivers State Executive Council, on Wednesday, approved N225 billion for the construction of the Trans-Kalabari Road project.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Joseph Johnson, disclosed this while briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting.
The meeting was presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the state Government House in Port Harcourt.
He said the project would be funded with savings from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.
“We shall not borrow to fund the project. We are bent on generating money to fund our projects”, he said.
Johnson stated that the contractor had been mobilised with 30 per cent of the contract, worth to commence implementation.
The commissioner further said the project would be completed within a period of 32 months.
“This is the main Trans-Kalabari Road, the one that happened in the past was building of bridges.
“We are now doing a Trans-Kalabari Road that will run from NSS Pathfinder, immediately after Mgbuodohia community and extend to about 2km to the Aker Base Road in Rumuolumeni”, he said.
He also said the road would pass through the swamps behind the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, moving southwards towards the first bridge crossing.
“It will continue through a series of bridges, connecting many communities up to Tombia Town.
“The road will traverse very difficult terrains of swamp across rivers and creeks upon which series of bridges, decking and piling works will be done”, he said.
The Commissioner further said the state recently recorded some giant strides in the sporting sector.
Also briefing, the Acting Director-General, Rivers State Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr Ine Briggs, explained that the bureau diligently managed the proceedings leading to the award of the Trans-Kalabari road contract.
Briggs said the submissions of the state Ministry of Works were reviewed and all the supporting documents examined by the Ministry.
“Having fulfilled all the necessary procurement procedures and guidelines as prescribed by the Rivers State Public Procurement Law 2008 as amended, the Bureau is satisfied that all the elements leading to this award is sufficient to issue a certificate of no objection.
“Therefore, in consideration of all the relevant documents submitted by the Ministry of Works pursuant to the construction of Trans-Kalabari Road and bridges, the Bureau has issued the certificate of no objection, and that the contract be awarded to Lubrick Construction Company Limited”, Briggs said.

Continue Reading

Rivers

Ongoing Elele-Omoku Road Awarded At N80bn – RSG

Published

on

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Joseph Johnson, has said the ongoing dualisation of the Elele/Umudioga/ Egbeda/Ikiri/Omoku Road was awarded at N80 billion.
Johnson disclosed this in Port Harcourt yesterday while speaking to newsmen on the achievements of the Governor Siminalaye Fubara-led administration after one year in office.
He said the road, which cuts across three Local Government Areas, would facilitate easy movement of people and goods, saying “it will boost cross-community commerce.
“The farming communities along this area will find it easy to move their produce to markets in neighbouring towns.
“This project is a deliberate effort to make movement easy for our people, it’s no politics but service delivery”.
The Commissioner said the State Government had already paid 50 per cent of the contract value amounting to N40 billion.
“We are not paying lip service to governance, we mean business. We want Rivers people to see something new.
“We have devised ways of generating money to fund our projects, we are not indulging in any borrowing festival”, he said.
Analysts say the state capital will be decongested if the government successfully implements the line up of road projects in the state.

Continue Reading

Trending