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Rivers

RSBOPP Moves To Review Procurement processes for service delivery  …Hints on departments merger

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1 year ago

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The Rivers State Board of Bureau on public procurement (RSBOP), says efforts are been made to strengthen the existing procurement processes leading to the award of contracts and jobs execution in the state to achieve efficient service delivery to the people.

These measures are a deliberate and determined efforts put in place by the board to ensure that contract awarding and job executions are done in accordance with the procurement laws in the state.

The Chairman of the RSBOP, Lawrence Oko_Jaja, SAN disclosed this while speaking to journalists at corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers state after an interactive meeting held with staffs of the agency, Friday.

Oko_Jaja who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN) stated that procurement has become a global issues, stressing that without a proper procurement plan, it will be difficult for any state or nation to move forward in the attainment of it’s developmental strategies and goals.

The chairman averred that the board has observed some improprieties in the procurement processes on how things are been done which were not in geared to promote value for money and assured that the present Board of the agency would take every measures to ensure that the state procurement laws establishing are adhered and complained with.

“We will ensure that the laws are followed and we have value for money that the procurement must ensure that money is used for contract execution and not to enriched peoples pocket.

To ensure that the money been quoted for any job or contract correspond with the prevailing market price ,we are going to strengthen the monitoring and evaluating team of board to perform their duties, going to markets, verify the prices quoted for and also ensure compliance.

“We are going to look into the procurement law to see how we can closed the existing gaps noticed that are not in line with global practices . This measures will also affect local government area councils in the state to ensure there is value for money and save money for the state government and in doing so, the government can spread its services across the state and not in one place”

” His excellency, the governor of the state has a mantra “Rivers first” we are going to ensure we assist him and the state government achieve this policy by ensuring that the procurement laws are complied with and things are done rightly that is why we are here “he stated.

Oko_Jaja assured that members of the board will not take the opportunity given to them by his the state governor lightly but that they will justified the confidence reposed on them for the benefits of the state.

Earlier, during an interactive staff general meeting with Board members held to brief them on some key decisions taken so far by the Board which are geared to achieve efficiency in policy implementation and ensure that staffs deliver there job responsibilities efficiently.

Mr. Oko_Jaja told the excited workforce that the board has approved the merger of some departments like the legal department, ethics department, the human resources department and the facility management department to ensure maximum output and efficacy in service delivery, adding that the legal and ethics department have been merged to together as one department, while the human resources department and facility management has also be merged together.

He told them that going forward every department will be responsible for it’s responsibilities so to be accountable in the their job delivery and announced that the board has also approved the establishment of a working conditions of service for workers to improve on their welfare as well as to allow staff of the agency grow in the service cadre like their counterparts in the state mainstream civil service as well as other approvals.

Our correspondent reports that the meeting was the first board meeting for the year as well as the first general staff meeting with members of the Board since its inauguration last October by the state governor.

Akujobi Amadi

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Rivers

NDDC Provides Lifeline To Flood-Hit Ogu-Bolo Community

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2 days ago

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April 2, 2026

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In response to the recent flood disaster that displaced families, destroyed farmlands, and worsened economic hardship in Ogu/Bolo Community, The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has distributed relief materials to residents of the community.
Presenting the items on behalf of the Managing Director, the Director II, Education, Health and Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Onolejoloni, said the intervention underscores the commission’s commitment to alleviating the plight of vulnerable communities across the Niger Delta.
According to a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the gesture followed the devastating impact of flooding on livelihoods in the community.
The Managing Director noted that the commission, in collaboration with the Derek and Davia Foundation, provided financial support to facilitate the distribution of essential food items and household materials to affected residents.
He described the initiative as part of efforts to address pressing needs, adding that it also reflects government’s solidarity with citizens facing economic challenges.
“This intervention goes beyond palliatives. It is a demonstration of government’s presence, compassion and commitment to supporting families in distress, in line with the renewed hope agenda of the President,” he said.
He urged community leaders to ensure fair distribution of the items and encouraged residents to sustain peace and support development programmes.
The Paramount Ruler of Ogu-Bolo, Chief Joachim Amachiri, commended the Commission for the timely intervention, noting that it would provide much-needed relief to victims of the flood.
He reaffirmed the community’s support for NDDC initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in the region.
Also speaking, a consultant on the programme, represented by Dr. George Smile, praised the commission’s responsiveness to disaster-affected communities, disclosing that plans were underway, in partnership with development stakeholders, to extend similar support to neighbouring areas.
Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick
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Rivers

Don Traces Nigeria’s Highway Woes To Design Failures  … Proposes Mechanistic-Empirical Design Approach

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3 days ago

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April 2, 2026

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A lecturer at the Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Emmanuel Osilemme Ekwulo, has called for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s highway pavement systems, stating that poor design practices and weak standards, not just inadequate funding, are at the heart of the country’s persistent road failures.
Delivering the 128th inaugural lecture at the Rivers State University, titled “Removing Roadblocks: Rebuilding The Foundation For Reliable Highway Pavement Infrastructure”, Ekwulo argued that Nigeria’s roads will continue to deteriorate prematurely unless critical engineering principles are strictly applied and enforced.
According to him, recurring defects in the nation’s highways stem from a combination of faulty design processes, substandard construction materials, weak regulatory enforcement, poor drainage systems, and widespread disregard for professional ethics.
He stressed that these systemic failures have undermined the durability of road infrastructure despite significant financial investments.
“Premature pavement failures in Nigeria are not due to lack of funds alone, but largely due to poor design decisions, weak material standards, and absence of accountability,” he said.
Ekwulo proposed the adoption of the mechanistic-empirical design approach, a scientifically grounded method for predicting pavement performance, as a pathway to improving road quality.
He also advocated for the development of a localized framework, the Nigerian Empirical and Mechanistic Pavement Design System (NEMPADS), to reflect the country’s unique environmental and material conditions.
He further recommended stricter quality control measures, including independent audits, the establishment of a national database for material characterization, and compulsory traffic load analysis for all road projects.
The use of modified binders and advanced materials, he added, would enhance pavement resilience.
To ensure sustainability, the Professor called for the implementation of a National Pavement Management System to coordinate maintenance and monitoring efforts nationwide, noting that consistent upkeep is essential to prolonging road lifespan.
Ekwulo emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry, urging universities to lead applied research initiatives and pilot projects that can deliver practical solutions to Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, said universities must play a frontline role in addressing national development issues through research-driven interventions.
He described the lecture as timely, noting that the neglect of core engineering standards has contributed significantly to the country’s failing highways.
The event, held at the Dr. Ezenwo Wike Senate Building in the campus, also featured the formal decoration of Ekwulo as the institution’s 128th inaugural lecturer.
Reiterating his position after the lecture, Ekwulo stated that with proper design methods, quality materials, and strict adherence to global standards, Nigeria’s roads can achieve their intended lifespan of 10 to 20 years or more.
“Without a return to engineering fundamentals and accountability, investments in road infrastructure will continue to yield poor results”, he concluded.
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Rivers

CP Reaffirms Commitment To Human Rights, Community Policing In Rivers

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3 days ago

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April 2, 2026

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The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has assured residents of the command’s commitment to upholding human rights and delivering people-oriented policing.
He stressed that officers under his watch would continue to operate within the confines of the law, while strengthening community relations.
Adepoju gave the assurance  during a sensitisation walk organised by the  State Police Command as part of activities marking the National Police Day in Port Harcourt.
He noted that the exercise was aimed at fostering trust and enhancing cooperation between the police and the public.
While expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a special day for the Nigeria Police to celebrate its achievements, he described the gesture as a morale booster that would spur officers to greater efficiency and professionalism in service delivery.
The CP also commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for initiating a week-long celebration, which he said had provided an opportunity for the police to reconnect with citizens and showcase reforms within the force.
According to him, the large turnout of residents, stakeholders and members of the business community during the exercise was a clear indication of the growing confidence reposed in the police by the people of Rivers State.
He reiterated that the Command would sustain its sensitisation efforts, adding that officers had been adequately briefed to respect the rights of citizens, maintain professionalism and work closely with the media to promote transparency and accountability.
Adepoju disclosed that the week-long activities commenced with environmental sanitation across commands and divisions, alongside public enlightenment campaigns targeted at strengthening police-community relations.
He further revealed that the Command had also embarked on free medical outreach for both officers and members of the public, as part of its corporate social responsibility and commitment to public welfare.
The CP added that financial support would be extended to widows of fallen police officers through the presentation of cheques, in line with directives from the police high command, to cushion the effects of their loss.
In his response, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in the state, Voke Emore, said the initiative was geared towards rebuilding trust between the police and the communities they serve.
Emore noted that the renewed synergy between the police and residents in Rivers State had created an enabling environment for effective policing, urging the public to continue supporting security agencies with useful information.
Also, a representative of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Chima Nnaji, said the group participated in the walk to show solidarity with their spouses.
 The event drew attendance from senior police officers, members of the PCRC, and stakeholders from various sectors of the state.
King Onunwor
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