Rivers
RSG Commences Revitalization Of 200 Health Centres
The Rivers State Government has commenced the revitalization of over 200 primary health care centres across the state.
Senior special Adviser to the State’s Sole Administrator on Health Matters, Professor Chituru Orluwene, said this during an Enrollment Sensitization Campaign organized by the Rivers State Contributory Health protection programme (RIVCHPP) at Ogale in the Eleme Local Government Area.
He said the government is also equipping all Zonal hospitals and revitalizing all General hospitals across the state.
Orluwene said the ongoing programme was in line with the promise by the Sole Administrator of the state, Rtd. Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, to bring affordable and quality health care services to the door steps of the people, adding that this will not only increase the average lifespan of the people, but also reduce poverty and sufferings.
The Senior Special Adviser also called for mass enrollment into The Rivers State Contributory Health Protection programme (RIVCHPP) and listed some of the benefits to include free and and affordable health care services, and identifying good health facilities for enrollees.
Meanwhile, over 108,000 persons have so far enrolled with the RIVCHPP within the last one year.
Executive Secretary, RIVCHPP, Dr. Vetty Agala, who disclosed this during an Enrollee sensitization Campaign at Eleme, said the programme, which started during the administration of the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, also has the backing of the Sole Administrator of the State, Rtd. Admiral Ibas
She said over the years lack of acess to quality health care has not only affected the average lifespan of Rivers people, but also increases poverty and suffering.
Dr. Agala said it was to check this that government came up with the health protection programme for the state, adding that registration will guarantee free and affordable health care services to the people.
According to Dr. Agala, government is also ensuring that all vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities, widows, pregnant women, the under-aged children and the down trodden benefits maximally from the programme.
The Executive Secretary, who stressed the need for the people to embrace the programme, said free medical treatment will be given to those who enroll in it.
She said her team will move round the 23 Local Government Areas to sensitize the people on the benefits of the programme.
Meanwhile, the Eleme local government council is to sponsor over 2000 less privilege persons from the area for the RIVCHPP programme.
Administrator of the council, Dr. Gloria Obo Dibiah, who announced this at Ogale during the sensitization programme, said enrollment of 100 persons out of the 2000 will start immediately.
According to her, the 2000 will include people with disabilities, pregnant women, the aged and children.
Dr. Dibiah further promised to assist them get their National Identity Numbers as soon as possible to enable them qualify for the registration.
She said this was part of her administration’s commitment to improving the health care needs of the people of Eleme and commended RIVCHPP for choosing Eleme to flag-off the sensitization programme.
John Bibor
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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
Rivers
Don Traces Nigeria’s Highway Woes To Design Failures … Proposes Mechanistic-Empirical Design Approach
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.
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.
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