Community Development Committees in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, have been told to protect government projects and property located in their various communities.
This was contained in a press release signed by Elder Omoni Ayotamuno, Press Secretary to the Okrika Local Government Council, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the release, the administrator, Engr. Tamunobipiboye Thompson Isodiki gave the charge at Ojimba Ama in the local government while presenting life jackets to the community.
It said Engr Isodiki was not happy when he was told the last set of life jackets donated by an individual in the community was nowhere to be found.
He said, “Government projects and property sited in any community are meant for the overall good and benefit of the people and not to be carted away for private use”.
The administrator charged the current leadership of the Ojimba Community to make adequate arrangement to safeguard the life jackets donated by the council.
He said the provision of the life jackets had become necessary to safeguard lives of people plying the Ojimba – Port Harcourt route, saying that no matter any one claiming to be expert in swimming, life jackets are needed.
Engr Isodiki advised passengers on board to always insist on wearing life jackets, saying, it is compulsory and mandatory to put on the life jackets before entering the boats.
The administrator later visited Ojimba Community Primary School, where he promised that the school would be fenced to avoid encroachment and secure the premises.
On complaint by the community on lack of potable water, he said the council would consider the reactivation of the Community Water Scheme in order to make water available for the community.
Briefing the administrator, the Chairman of Ojimba Community, Mr Belema Francis complained of lack of pipe borne water in the community, saying that the borehole water provided by Dr Sampson Parker, a former Commissioner in the State, had packed up long time ago and appealed to the council to come to their aid.
He thanked the administrator for the donation of the life jackets which are 20 in number which the community had been yearning for, for the past six months, saying that this gesture was highly commendable and timely.

The Administrator was accompanied on the visit by the Chief of Staff, Dr Paul Wakama, the Secretary of the Council, Dame Joyce Dala, the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Mrs Lasiki Hart and other Principal Officers of the Okrika Local Government Council.

By: John Bibor

In a rare and uncommon display of unity and gratitude, residents of Ikuru Town in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, alongside government officials, religious leaders and traditional rulers, among others, recently gathered  at St Simon’s Anglican Church in the community and held  a grand peace restoration thanksgiving ceremony.
The event, as it were, was a celebration of the return of lasting and enduring peace to the community, after a period of conflict and unrest that affected the community.
It actually lived up to its billing as all that graced the colourful ceremony, particularly leaders of the community exchanged banters and pleasantries with one another, in a true spirit of camaraderie,  love and deeper and stronger bonds, to prove  that past injuries had been buried and forgotten.
In his sermon, Venerable Enente Nanna said, “We are here to thank the Almighty God for restoring peace to our land,” pointing out that “the thanksgiving is not only a celebration but  a reminder of our shared responsibility to maintain peace and unity among ourselves.”
The thanksgiving celebration featured prayers, cultural displays, praise and worship sessions and goodwill messages from key stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of Ikuru Conflict Resolution Committee, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofiks(rtd)  expressed appreciation to God and all peace partners, who played pivotal roles in facilitating dialogue and reconciliation.
The Administrator of Andoni  Local Government Council, Surveyor Atajit Francis;
the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, who was represented by ACP Ojiaku Festus; and other stakeholders urged residents of the community to sustain the spirit of unity and remain vigilant, saying, “Peace is the foundation for development. With this new beginning, the government remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote harmony and socio-economic growth.”
On his part, the Paramount Ruler of Ikuru Town, King Aaron Ikuru also shared testimonies of how the return of peace has transformed daily life, restoring access to schools, markets and places of worship that were once abandoned due to insecurity.
The peace restoration thanksgiving ceremony ended with a  communal feast, signifying freedom, hope and a renewed bond of togetherness in the community.
In his vote of thanks, Prof. Lysias   Gilbert, vice chairman of the peace restoration committee, thanked all the parties involved in the conflict for accepting the peace settlement option.
On behalf of the committee, he also expressed sincere gratitude to the Admistrator of Andoni Local Government Council, Surveyor Atajit Francis, and all the security personnel who had made enormous sacrifices towards the resolution of the community conflict.
Prof Gilbert enjoined all to sincerely embrace the peace settlement by forgiving one another, attending meetings summoned by the Okaan-Ama, and living peacefully with one another.

The  Industrial Gas Dealers Association, Rivers State Chapter,  has inaugurated its  new executive committee, as the tenure of the former executive committee led by
Chief Amobi  Iwela had elapsed.
The immediate past chairman of the association and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of  Amasco Gas, Chief Amobi  Iweala,  said during his tenure,  a lot of milestones were accomplished.
He said plans had been concluded for the suspended Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to be  received and recognised by  the group before the declaration of the state of  emergency in the State.
He  expressed joy over the  maximum support given to him by the  members to lead the association to  enviable heights.
Chief Iweala urged members to extend same massive support given him to the new executives to enable them live  up to expectations.
He also harped on the need for  unity, cooperation and keeping to the rules of the organisation as well as   joining hands with every member to achieve the desired goals.
He noted that it now behooves members to embrace unity and work together with the new executives to discharge their functions effectively.
He narrated how God had seen him through as the state chairman of the body, contending that it has been service to the union all through.
Chief Iweala, now elected national chairman of the association assured members of replicating what he did in  the State at  the national level, and solicited for maximum collaboration.
Earlier, the newly elected state chairman of  the body, Mr El-Tonel  Interbiz,  said his joy over his successful election knows no bounds, particularly due to  the confidence reposed in him by the members.
He said his election had offered him a great avenue and opportunity to work together with other members to shape the future of the body.
Mr Interbiz  said the trust bestowed on him by the members would spur him to remain committed to leading with integrity, vision and stronger dedication for collective success.
He revealed that  despite the tough economic hardship in the country, his organisation would go the  extra mile to do its part to advance the State.
He said the huge demand for sustainability, advancement and efficiency with the aim of reshaping the body remains irrevocable.
The new chairman reiterated the commitment of the body to pursuing excellence and service to their customers.
Also, the state vice chairman of the association, Mr Bright Nulee thanked members for the opportunity given him to serve, stressing that providing effective and efficient services to the  members would not be compromised.
The vice chairman also pledged to work with the new chairman to move the association forward.
He said their services to the state and humanity in general cannot be compromised in spite of teething challenges.
He assured members of providing best services to  the public especially to  their clients.
On his part ,Chief David Ikanya expressed joy over the recognition of his company as one of those honoured by the association, describing it as well-deserved following its contributions to the body.
Represented by the Human Resources Manager and Secretary of  Hopeup Integrated industrial Nigeria Limited, Barrister Love Ekong,  he  assured members that he would continue to give necessary support for the association to move forward.
Chief Ikanya expressed satisfaction with the activities of the association, saying the  collective efforts of the members would lead to great success, as he  remains committed to seeing the growth of the association.
Highlight of the event was  the presentation of awards to different personalities, including former  Chairman of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the State, Chief David Ikanya; Mr Bright Nulee; High Chief Nweke Franklin; and  Engr Leonard Ojiaka; among others.