Rivers
LG Boss Presents Cars To Councillors, Transformers To Communities
In a bid to ease legislative business, the Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Gift Okere, has presented official cars to the 10 councillors serving in the local government.
Presenting the official cars to the Councillors at Afam, headquarters of the council, Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Victor Oko- Jumbo, urged the council chairman to remain focused in his determination to deliver dividends of democracy to his people, in order to complement the efforts of the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Oko-Jumbo expressed gratitude to the chairman for embarking on impact projects as directed by the Governor.
He showered praises on the chairman for understanding governance at the grassroots.
During the event, other items like transformers and waste receptacles were given to some communities.
The council boss disclosed some of the achievements his administration has recorded so far to include enrolment of 100 personnel in the Oyigbo security council; building of Oyigbo motor park to ease traffic; renovation of the Oyigbo Secretariat; and rebuilding of Umuagbai Market.
Okere announced payment of bursary to Oyigbo indigenes in higher Institutions, saying more people-oriented projects will be spread across the council.
He said Oyigbo under him will witness unprecedented transformation, saying putting the people first as instructed by Governor Fubara must be adhered to.
Dr. Okere promised to carry everyone along in the development of Oyigbo, while thanking the people, especially key stakeholders, for their support.
Some of the councillors expressed gratitude to the chairman for making their legislative business seamless.
The Majority Leader of Oyigbo Legislative Assembly, Hon Precious Nwagbusor; the councillor representing Ward three, Hon Sunny Onyekwu; Ward seven councillor, Hon Ngozi Justin; and Ward two councillor, Hon Chidiebere Nnataraonyi as well as the councillor representing Ward five expressed joy over the gesture of the chairman within a space of three months of assuming office.
They expressed satisfaction with the directive of the chairman to change the narrative in the council area.
They assured the chairman of their full co-operation and support to take the council to greater heights.
According to them, the chairman means well for them going by the steps he has taken so far, such as training to equip them on legislative business, and provision of official cars, which will facilitate their job.
On his part, the Oyigbo Security Officer, Comrade Chimaobi Iwela, described his boss as a gift to Oyigbo people.
The Oyigbo COS hinted that the chairman has provided all necessary support to his office to ensure the people sleep with their two eyes closed.
He said the chairman has gone ahead to employ over 100 Oyigbo youths into the security council, to assist in the fight against crime.
Iwela called for total support to enable the chairman achieve more dividends of democracy for the people.
He promised to work in synergy with other security agencies to ensure lives and property are protected.
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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.
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
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
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