News
…Performs Ground-breaking For Greater Port Harcourt
As part of activities marking the second Anniversary Celebration of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in office, the governor Saturday performed the ground breaking ceremony for the kick-off of the development of the Greater Port Harcourt City.
Performing the ceremony at the Greater Port Harcourt site, Governor Amaechi said while the Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority was yet to commence its projects in the new city the government has started the development with the building of the new Rivers State University of Science and Technology and the mega hospital christened Justice Karibi-White Specialist Hospital.
The governor who explained that the authority could not start because it has to wait for Due Process said they representing the government as politicians could not wait, but put the land mark because by the end of their tenure, the people would ask them what they have achieved.
He however indicated his happiness with the management of the Greater Port Harcourt Authority for trying to put in place what looks like the Tinapa Business Resort in Calabar in the Greater Port Harcourt City.
The State Chief Executive said there in an indication that foreign partners are already showing interest in the project and expressed the hope that if achieved, the project would not only add to the aesthetic beauty of the new city but would also enhance the economy of the state.
In his remark, the Chairman, Board of the Greater Port Harcourt City, Chief Ferdinand Anabraba said the concept of the new city is of interest not only to Rivers State but beyond because of the potential benefits for better living and investments
Chief Anabraba pointed out that the new city would no doubt create better conditions and environment for living, working and economic development, saying that because what makes the city great and functional to a large extent depends on the state of infrastructure such as roads, water, power, sewage, drains among others saying, the authority since inception has been concentrating on the design of such facilities.
According to the board chairman, the designs have reached advanced stage as he expressed the hope that within a couple of weeks into the new year, the process for the award of contracts and commencement of construction works would begin.
Also speaking, the Sole Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt City, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam described the groundbreaking event as a mile stone and evidence of the fact that the present administration is ready to move on.
Dame Aleruchi hinted that the Greater Port Harcourt Authority has commenced the Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA process to ensure that activities at the new city do not impact negatively on the communities whose lands are involved in the development.
The activities marking the second anniversary also involved the governor leading stakeholders in the state on visits to some project sites in Port Harcourt, Obio Akpor and Eleme Local Government Areas.
Projects visited include the Model Health Centre, Church Hill Road, Town Market, the Reconstructed Modern Mile One Market, the new Niger Hospital known as Kelsay Harrison Hospital, Rumuokwuta/Choba Road, Agip Junction flyover along Ikwerre Road, Dental Hospital, Model Primary School and Health Centre, Elekahia, the Model Secondary School, Ebubu-Eleme.
Among those who accompanied tile governor on the visit were traditional rulers, council chairmen, commissioners, members of the state legislature and other politicians.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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