News
East-West Road: Orubebe Got It Wrong – Stakeholders
Stakeholders in the Niger Delta have insisted that the
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godsday Orubebe’s unguarded outburst recently
on the performance of the Rivers State Government was totally diversionary,
misguided and flippant, and warned the Federal Government not to politicise the
reconstruction and dualisation of the East-West Road.
A cross section of stakeholders, who spoke to The Tide at
different fora in Port Harcourt, expressed strong exception to the diversionary
attack on the person of the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi by the
minister, saying that he failed to win
the confidence of the people of the region, following his embarrassing and
abysmal performance thus far.
President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Apostle
Zilly Aggrey, told The Tide in an interview that it would be wrong for the
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godsday Orubebe to politicise the
reconstruction of the East-West Road, as according to him, the road was very
critical to the economic well-being of the people of the region.
Apostle Aggrey, who decried the intolerable carnage and
wanton loss of lives on the road, faulted the award of contract for the stretch
of the road from Warri in Delta State to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to only
one contractor, and also described as unserious comments made by Orubebe that
the Federal Government was shopping for a loan of N50billion to complete the
all-important road.
According to Aggrey, the most effective measure to fix the
East-West Road is to “allocate portions of the road to different major and
competent contractors with definite specifications”, adding that, “only contractors
that deliver on schedule should be rewarded with another contract while those
who fail to deliver or default on agreed terms should be sanctioned”.
The cleric called on Orubebe to exercise caution and
restraint while making public statements, saying that his recent vituperation
was unnecessary.
In his reaction, Barrister Barinada Baragbara said that the
Niger Delta governments could complete the East-West Road project only if there
was clear understanding between them and the Federal Government.
“My opinion is that the various tiers of government have
jurisdiction. But where the road that is meant for the Federal Government is
being abandoned, and other tiers of government are worried because its failure
negatively impacts their development, then they owe their people the
responsibility to fashion out workable means of getting the road completed as
quickly as possible in partnership with the Federal Government”, he noted.
George Nwobilor, a politician, warned against further
politicising of the road, as its continuous neglect has led to series of
accidents and loss of lives of innocent people of the region, urging the South
South governors to wade into the stalemate, and take over the road project to
save the people from further hardship and deaths.
Also speaking, Barrister Humble cautioned that any attempt
by the state governors in the region to take over the road project would mean
stepping beyond their bounds, stressing that what the governors need to do is
to bring pressure to bear on the Federal Government to complete the road.
In his opinion, a human rights activist, Chukwu Nkendu
likened the East-West Road to the Second Niger Bridge, which the Federal
Government is asking the catchment states to contribute money for its
execution, emphasising that the Federal Government seems to be treating the
people of the South South and South East as though they were second class
citizens in Nigeria.
But for Sampson Sunday, a driver, the East-West Road is the
responsibility of the Federal Government to deliver, insisting that the
government must diligently execute the project to its logical conclusion to
save users of the road from unnecessary accidents and deaths.
Also contributing, Dayeh Bereyin, a development analyst,
said the Federal Government has the constitutional mandate to construct the
East-West Road, arguing that allowing the South South governors to take over
the completion of the road amounts to dereliction of duty on the part of the
Federal Government.
He argued that the Niger Delta governors have their hands
full already with people-oriented
developmental projects, saying that diverting funds meant for the
development of their various states to complete the East-West Road would starve
them of scarce resources to drive development, reduce poverty and create jobs
in their states.
Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Rivers State, Comrade Chika
Onuegbu, called on the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to seek more funds to
complete the road on schedule rather than employing diversionary and offensive
tactics to delay the road’s completion, advising him to concentrate on
pragmatic and proactive efforts to deliver an all-season road before the end of
the tenure of this administration.
“The Ministry of Niger Delta is still playing politics with
the road. The Federal Government must rise up to its responsibility, and fix
the road”, he said.
President, Niger Delta Coalition Against Violence, Lekia
Christian, argued that “the Ministry of Niger Delta has failed on its part to
deliver the East-West Road”, advising the ministry to concentrate on finding
ways of quickly fixing the road instead of engaging in unnecessary political
adventures.
According to him, “if the governors of the South South
states have decided to take over and complete the road, so be it. The people are
disappointed and will welcome any intervention measure that could put the road
in better shape.
“The minister should resign for failing on his duties. He
has failed Niger Deltans. He has even failed the President, Dr Goodluck
Jonathan, who appointed him”, he added.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor