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RSG Reaffirms Commitment To Restore PH’s Garden City Status
The Rivers State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to restore the garden city status of Port Harcourt through improved regulation of car dealership operations.
The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Sir Amaopusenibo Amairigha Edward Hart, made this known during a meeting with the Motor Dealers Association of Nigeria (MDAN), Rivers State Chapter, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.
The engagement, he noted, forms part of ongoing efforts by the state government to sanitize the urban environment and address activities that deface the city.
A statement issued by the Commissioner’s Press Secretary, Dr. Boma Waribor, explained in part that the meeting followed a recent tour of Port Harcourt by officials of the Ministry.
“During the tour, several challenges were identified, including street trading, illegal structures, indiscriminate roadside activities, dilapidated bus stops, shanties and other forms of environmental nuisance,” it stated.
Addressing the stakeholders, the Commissioner also stressed the resolve of the Ministry to streamline car dealership operations to ensure orderliness and compliance with urban planning standards.
He disclosed that under the new arrangement, all legitimate car dealers would be required to operate from approved locations with uniform fencing and proper branding.
Giving insight into the development, Hart said the initiative was in line with the vision of the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to restore the Garden City status of Port Harcourt.
He encouraged members of the association to support the drive by ensuring that their activities do not obstruct public spaces or contribute to environmental degradation.
The commissioner further stated that compliance would be mandatory, adding that a timeframe would be provided for operators to regularise their businesses.
He, however, assured that the Ministry would assist genuine dealers who do not yet have proper operational bases to secure suitable locations within the stipulated period.
Hart commended the association for its contributions to the state’s economy, expressing optimism that collaboration would enhance the overall outlook of the city.
Responding, the Chairman of the association, Chief Christian Okoli, pledged the association’s readiness to work with the government to reposition the sector.
Okoli acknowledged the need for reforms, noting that a more structured system will improve both business operations and the physical environment.
He also commended the commissioner for adopting a consultative approach, describing it as more inclusive and effective, while assuring of the association’s full support.
The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Soibitein Harry, alongside directors and other top management staff of the ministry.
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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has demanded quick and full resolution to the challenges arising from the gas leakage that occurred in Bille, Degema Local Government Area of the State.
The governor has also pledged to upgrade the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Bille with a view to addressing the health challenges confronting the community.
Fubara made the pledge on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt during an enlarged meeting of key stakeholders, comprising representatives of the Federal Government, the state government and leaders of the community.
The meeting was held to review the situation in the community and explore available opportunities to save the people from the adverse impacts of environmental pollution.
Addressing the journalists at the end of the meeting, the governor acknowledged the determination of the Federal Government and its agencies to get to the root cause of the problem in Bille and ensure that it is resolved permanently.
“The meeting is in respect of the situation in Bille. You’re aware that there is a case of gas leakage somewhere in Bille and the people have been making some requests that the government should come to their rescue to resolve the situation.
“As a state, we have gone to see the situation in the community, not alone but in conjunction with the industry operators and officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. What we are doing today is an enlarged meeting where all the parties are sitting together to look at the cause of the issue and the most possible way to get the problem resolved,” he said.
Fubara described the outcome of the meeting as successful, stressing that more action would be taken in the next couple of weeks to ensure that the issue is fully resolved.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to the meeting, expressed appreciation to the governor for his warm hospitality and efforts to address the challenge in Bille community.
Ekpo explained that contrary to the perception in certain quarters, the Federal Government has not been silent over the “gas seepage” but has been working tirelessly towards finding a sustainable solution.
The minister explained that as soon as the incident was reported, the Federal Government deployed experts to the area to understudy the cause of the problem.
According to him, it was difficult at first to understand the cause of the problem since there were no oil or gas infrastructure within the vicinity of the incident, hence the need to conduct a more detailed investigation.
“The investigation is still going but we decided to do a follow-up visit to the area to talk to the people of Bille Community that we need collaboration on their part so that we would be able to arrive at a lasting solution.
“The safety of the people is paramount. We can understand their anxiety, the worry and the danger that this thing poses within the area, but the Federal Government is committed to finding a lasting solution to the problem. The primary responsibility of government is to take care of the welfare and security of the people and that is exactly why we are here to go and see things for ourselves,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, also explained that as the regulatory agency at the centre of the issue, no effort will be spared in the task of resolving the issue.
Eyesan pledged that the NUPRC and operators in the industry were prepared to address the requests of the impacted people in terms of the provision of potable water and fire trucks to the community.
The Public Relations Officer, Council of Chiefs, Bille Kingdom, Chief Rena Dappa, had during the meeting, presented the challenges facing the community and pleaded for government’s support to save the lives and livelihoods of the people.
President Bola Tinubu has announced the launch of a training programme for 5,000 young Nigerians as meter installers and technicians under the Presidential Metering Initiative.
The President stated that the scheme is aimed at creating jobs, closing the country’s metering gap and improving electricity supply.
The President disclosed this in a statement on his verified X handle yesterday, describing the initiative, tagged “The Power Force,” as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand employment opportunities for young people.
According to Tinubu, the programme will equip participants with practical technical skills and connect them to employment opportunities in Nigeria’s power sector.
“Through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), which I established to close Nigeria’s metering gap, end estimated billing, protect consumers and strengthen the electricity market, we are opening a new pathway for 5,000 young Nigerians to be trained as meter installers and technicians under The Power Force. This programme is about jobs, skills and dignity,” he said.
Tinubu said the training would be open to eligible Nigerians who have completed their secondary school education, with a dedicated quota reserved for members of the National Youth Service Corps.
He noted that expanding electricity metering was critical to improving service delivery and promoting transparency in the power sector.
“When homes and businesses are properly metered, Nigerians can pay for what they actually use. When electricity distribution companies collect revenues more transparently and fairly, they are better able to reduce losses, maintain infrastructure, expand connections and invest in better service.
“This is how we build a power sector that is fairer to consumers, stronger for investors and better able to deliver reliable electricity to the Nigerian people,” the President said.
Tinubu said he had directed the Presidential Metering Initiative to work with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders to commence the programme within the next 30 days.
He encouraged qualified young Nigerians to apply, saying the initiative would provide them with marketable skills while supporting efforts to eliminate estimated billing and improve electricity access nationwide.
“I encourage eligible young Nigerians to apply. Join The Power Force. Learn a skill. Earn with dignity. Help us end estimated billing and be part of the work to light up Nigeria,” he added.