News
Rivers Reiterates Plan To Electrify State
Rivers State Commissioner for Power, Hon. Augustine Nwokocha has re-iterated government’s resolve to electrify all the nooks and crannies of the state before the end of the present administration.
The commissioner, who gave this indication at a recent press briefing in his office, explained that the improved power situation in the state is due to the re-conducting of the Afam to Port Harcourt double circuit transmission lines.
Hon. Nwokocha disclosed that government was partnering with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and Port Harcourt Distribution Company (PHEDC), to ensure power generated is distributed evenly.
He noted that government had embarked on a major update scheme of building injection sub stations across the state, adding that government is about to mobilise contractors for the rural electrification project to go to site.
The commissioner said work on the rural electrification scheme would be carried out by linking those communities already electrified to the others not yet provided with light, pointing that transformers are being installed across the state according to the needs of the people.
Hon. Nwokocha advised the people to safeguard government’s electrical equipment such as cables, poles, street light fittings, and transformers stressing that the authorities should be alerted once they see people vandalising such property.
In another development Rivers State Government has issued drafts of award letter to contractors whose bids were successful for the construction of the 33/11KV injection sub-station and rows for transmission lines in the state.
The commissioner for power, Hon. Augustine Nwokocha gave the hint in his office at a meeting with contractors, marketers, a representative of the Economic Advisory Council on electricity and Engr. Ema Gbole Nwikina who presented Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).
Hon. Nwokocha said, the meeting was to streamline modalities for the handling of the projects warning that government would not tolerate the use of sub-standard equipment as it is poised to conduct crush test for poles, size of conductors as well as ensuring standards were verified.
He stressed that project abandonment would not be condoned, but would allow sub contracting after all the conditions of the bureau of public procurements have been met.
The commissioner advised the contractors to seek legal opinion on the drafts and make their contributions, get their bankers to give them Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) and thereafter sign the agreement with an acceptance letter.
Hon. Nwokocha charged the contractors to ensure the projects were delivered within three months after mobilisation had been paid, adding that no further payments would be made when the job has not been certified.
Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Mr. Mathew Edevbie of Income Electric Ltd assured the government of their determination to execute the projects in record time and according to set standards.
Others expected to handle the projects are Schneider Electric of France, Danalec Nigeria Ltd, Labec Engineering Ltd, Continental Engineering Ltd, Sam Ltd, Sigma Technical Ltd and Gips Engineering Ltd.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.