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Tag: Rivers State

  • PDP suspends Rivers Rep

    PDP suspends Rivers Rep

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended Rep. Awaji-inomek Abiante (PDP- Rivers) for anti party activities.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Caretaker Committee Chairman of his Ward 1, Ngo town, Andoni, Mr Dike Bara, and the Secretary, Mr Dokubo Jackson on Monday in Port Harcourt.

    “That Hon. Awaji-inomek Abiante should be, and is hereby suspended from the party for not only promoting factions at the ward level but also belonging to a group under the guise of the party: not being a group provided for in the party’s constitution. Which action is in breach of Sec. 58(l)(j) of the party’s constitution.

    “Furthermore, the suspension of Dagomie Abiante became indispensable putting into consideration his involvement in organising, training and equipiing group of members for the purposes of employing violence coercion and other form of intermediation within the party. Thereby, breaching section 58(l)(k) of the party’s constitution.

    “We are committed to the party and determined to weed out bad eggs who are acting as agents of opposition political parties to weaken our party no mater how highly placed and to ensure that our ward remains PDP irrespective of the inducement and threat.”

  • Tinubu reacts over Friday’s tanker fire in Rivers

    Tinubu reacts over Friday’s tanker fire in Rivers

    President Bola Tinubu on Sunday in Abuja extended condolences to bereaved families of victims of Friday’s fire in Rivers.

    At least five persons died and more than 70 vehicles were burnt on Friday when a fuel-laden tanker was engulfed in an inferno following an accident it had at the Eleme section of the East-West Road.

    The fuel tanker collided with a heavy-duty truck of a construction company working on that section of the road roughly 10 kilometres from the Port Harcourt Refinery.

    Following the accident, there was an extensive gridlock stretching for more than five kilometres on the road still under reconstruction by the Rivers government.

    Tinubu’s spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, stated that the president prayed for speedy recovery of those injured in the accident and commiserated with the government and people of Rivers over the tragedy.

    The president directed federal agencies in the state to continue to liaise with the state government to provide the much-needed immediate support for victims of the accident.

    Tinubu commended the first responders in Rivers for their bravery and dedication in assisting those affected.

    He also expressed confidence that stricter safety regulations for the transportation of petroleum products would be implemented to prevent such tragedies in the future, Ngelale stated.

  • VIDEO: Watch aftermath of the tanker explosion in Rivers state

    VIDEO: Watch aftermath of the tanker explosion in Rivers state

    Footage shows the aftermath of the tanker explosion on Friday night at the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State.

    Recall that on Friday at around 9:15 pm a tanker carrying a petroleum products exploded along the Akpojo-Onne axis of the East-West Road, affecting other vehicles in the area known for its gridlock.

    See video below:

     

  • 4 dead, 70 vehicles burnt as tanker explodes in Rivers

    4 dead, 70 vehicles burnt as tanker explodes in Rivers

    The Police Command in Rivers says four people and over 70 vehicles were burnt in Friday’s fuel tanker explosion in the state.

    The explosion occurred along Eleme section of the East-West Road in the state at about 7:30 p.m.

    SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesman of command, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Saturday that the tragedy occurred following a collision between a heavy-duty truck and a petrol-laden tanker.

    A correspondent who visited the accident scene reports that there were seveal burnt vehicles and charred bodies of victims on the road.

    The incident happened a few meters from the Indorama Petrochemical Company and roughly 10 kilometres from the Port Harcourt Refinery.

    There was an extensive gridlock stretching over five kilometres on the road under reconstruction as part of the N200 billion Ring Road project by the Rivers Government.

    State government trucks, accompanied by police and Federal Road  Safety Commission officials, were seen evacuating the burnt vehicles to facilitate traffic flow.

    An eyewitness, Onyeka Ubani, who narrowly escaped the explosion, told NAN that while transporting passengers on his newly acquired tricycle (Keke), they heard a deafening sound ahead of them.

    “The loud sound was followed by a massive fireball, causing everyone to flee for safety.

    “We managed to escape, but unfortunately, my Keke caught fire in the process.

    “I thank God for my life, but I am at a loss about what to do with my life now, having recently purchased this Keke,” a distraught Ubani said.

    Another eyewitness, David Jumbo, said that he was returning home from work around the Akpajo axis of the East-west Road when the incident occurred.

    He narrated that after the explosion, vehicles and victims were caught by fire which stretched over 200 metres.

    “It happened so quickly that it could be likened to scenes from Hollywood movies.

    “While I was fleeing for safety, I saw a pregnant woman struggling to exit one of the commercial vehicles.

    “Unfortunately, when I returned this morning, I found the deceased pregnant woman trapped in the bus as she tried to escape,” he recounted.

    Jumbo attributed the accident to the recklessness of truck drivers who disregarded road warnings despite the ongoing road construction.

    Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, who visited the accident scene, described it as tragic and sad.

    He urged motorists to always exercise caution while on the road.

    “This incident is not a pleasant one, we recorded a huge number of vehicles destroyed and lives lost.

    “I have already asked the relevant agencies to brief us on how we can support the bereaved families to mitigate their losses.

    “This incident would have been avoided if the motorists had adhered to proper conduct. People should ply this road with caution,” Fubara said.

  • Rivers: Another pro-Wike redeployed commissioner resigns

    Rivers: Another pro-Wike redeployed commissioner resigns

    Rivers State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Isaac Kamalu, resigned his appointment on Wednesday.

    He is the second commissioner to resign from the cabinet on Wednesday after Gov. Siminialaye Fubara, announced a slight cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday.

    The first to resign was Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    In the cabinet reshuffle, the governor redeployed Kamalu to the Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment while Adangor was redeployed to the Ministry of Special Duties.

    Kamalu and Adangor are believed to be loyal to FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers who had been having a face-off with his successor, Gov. Fubara.

    Kamalu was Commissioner for Finance in Wike’s cabinet, while Adangor was the former governor’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    Kamalu, like Adangor submitted his resignation letter to the Secretary to the State Government in which he stated that: “regrettably, the peace in government that we, citizens and residents of the state desire has remained out-of-reach.

    “This has affected our ability to protect and defend the gains we made these past years. It is not the point of service that is important but the climate.

    “Our present circumstance makes service delivery extremely challenging. In view of this, I find it difficult to accept the redeployment; I do not accept it; I reject it.’’

    In his letter of resignation earlier on Wednesday, Adangor stated that: “I am no longer willing to continue to serve in the administration of Gov. Fubara in any capacity whatsoever.

    “It is important to mention that the governor had in the past couple of weeks wilfully interfered in the performance of my duties as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the state.

    “This, he has done by directing me not to defend, oppose or appear in suits instituted against the Attorney-General and the government of Rivers by persons admittedly hired and sponsored by the government of Rivers.’’

  • Rivers crisis: PDP intensifies consultations as Fubara redeploys commissioners

    Rivers crisis: PDP intensifies consultations as Fubara redeploys commissioners

    Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has redeployed the State Commissioners for Finance and Justice as the political crisis rocking the State continues to linger on.

    Governor Fubara in a statement on Tuesday redeployed the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the State, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor to the Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office).

    The statement released by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo also disclosed that Fubara sent the Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu, to the Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment.

    The Governor asked them to immediately hand over to their respective permanent secretaries.

    “They are to hand over to their respective permanent secretaries immediately as this deployment takes immediate effect. All handover processes must be completed immediately,” the statement reads.

    TNG reports there has been political tension between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

    Wike, who is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is accused of plotting to unseat his estranged political godson, Fubara.

    Many commissioners in Fubara’s cabinet either served while Wike held sway as governor or were personally nominated by him.

    Most, therefore, are loyal to the FCT Minister rather than Governor Fubara.

    PDP intensifies consultations with stakeholders on Rivers Caretaker Committee crisis

    Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says it will intensify consultations  with the party’s  governors’ forum among other stakeholders to find political solutions to its leadership crisis in Rivers.

    The NWC disclosed this in a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba in Abuja, after the committee’s meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Ologunagba said that the NWC at the meeting, reviewed the issue of the PDP Caretaker Committee of Rivers.

    He said that after an extensive deliberation, the NWC noted the existence of an ex-parte order issued by the Federal High Court, Abuja, restraining the NWC from further action with respect to the status of the Rivers State Caretaker Committee List as published.

    “However, while the Rivers state caretaker committee list as published stands in compliance with the Order of the Court.

    “The NWC notes the concerted intervention and efforts of various organs of the party, particularly the PDP Governors’ Forum to finding a political solution to the issue of the River Caretaker Committee.

    “The NWC therefore resolved to, in conjunction with the PDP, intensify action in its continued consultation to resolving the issues of the Rivers State PDP chapter amicably,” he said.

  • I will liberate Rivers people from oppression – Fubara

    I will liberate Rivers people from oppression – Fubara

    Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers says his administration is committed to liberating Rivers people from bad governance and oppression.

    Fubara made the statement on Saturday at a thanksgiving rally organised by the SIMplified Movement at Ibaka, Okirika Local Government Area.

    The SIMplified Movement, a pro-Fubara group, organised the event to mark the governor’s successful election and victory at the Supreme Court.

    Fubara who spoke through Awajinombek Abiante, the member representing, Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro federal constituency in the House of Representatives, said that Rivers people had been oppressed for a long time

    ”A reggae artiste named Lucky Dube, once sang about the imprisonment of the mind, that song mirrors our pathetic situation in Rivers state today.

    ”Few days ago, a report revealed that many schools in the state lacked teachers, and are dilapidated.

    ”This reported decay and shortage of teachers did not happen in the last 10 months of my administration, it is an accumulation of neglect.

    ”They decided not to build schools because they want to imprison the minds of our people, to make us blind in loyalty and unable to ask questions,” he said.

    Fubara said that his government had already commenced efforts to revive the education sector by renovating schools and recruiting more teachers.

    ”It is for this sake that this government has come to guarantee liberty and break the chains that have held us bound,” he said.

    The governor said that his administration had commenced the rehabilitatiin of Okirika Grammar School to provide a sound learning ground for the people of the area.

    He said that his administration would listen to the yearnings of Rivers people and take actions without making noise about it.

    Also speaking at the event, Mr Anderson Allison, APC member representing Okirika/Ogu/Bolo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, said that membership of the SIMplified Movement spanned across political parties.

    Allison said that prominent politicians and the elite class in Rivers were in support of Fubara due to his integrity and commitment to the service of the state.

    ”Fubara sees the welfare of Rivers people as a priority, he has also demonstrated dedication to good governance and service delivery.

    ”The governor has been in office for just 10 months and has already achieved a lot without resorting to abuses, this is how a leader should behave,” he said.

  • Peter Odili endorses Fubara political leader of Rivers

    Peter Odili endorses Fubara political leader of Rivers

    Former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili has endorsed the incumbent Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara as the political leader of the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dr Odili made the endorsement in his speech at the commissioning of the Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centre in Ndoni Town, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday.

    The Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centre was built and donated to the State Government by the PAMO Educational Foundation, with the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, as its founder.

    Odili said he was motivated to undertake the project because two years ago, when flood ravaged Ndoni Town, the health centre in the community was destroyed, leaving people within 50 kilometer radius without immediate healthcare services.

    Dr Odili, who urged the Governor to continue in his trajectory of people-oriented projects execution, touching the lives of the people directly with his governance, declared that Governor Fubara is the political leader of the State, insisting that Rivers people will continue to stand with him.

    At the commissioning of the project, Governor Fubara restated his Administration’s firm support to President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government people-oriented policies aimed at improving the well-being of the people and providing critical social services to Nigerians.

    Governor Fubara also emphasised that his Administration was determined to build an egalitarian society where people can freely voice their opinions, be bold to criticise his Government constructively to further advance good governance.

    The Governor insisted that nothing close to the use of plain cloth security officers to intimidate or harass the citizenry will be associated with his Administration.

    Governor Fubara said, “But I thank God that whatever it is they think or imagined we are doing, we are happy we are touching lives. Everyone can attest to it. But one critical project, one specific aspect of it is the well-being of our people.

    “We made a promise to Mr. President to support him, and we will continue to support him. How do we support him?

    “It is to ensure that the welfare of our people is provided for. It is to ensure that our people, those in critical need, we make them happy in this harsh economic situation.

    “If we cannot solve all the problems, at least, we will go as much as we can to mitigate those basic challenges. That is the only way to support Mr. President.”

    Drawing attention to what his Administration is doing in the healthcare delivery, Governor Fubara said he increased the quota of employment of personnel into the health sector to 1,000 persons.

    The action, he noted, was because the 200 personnel he met on assumption of duty was grossly inadequate compared to the prevailing needs in the sector.

    Governor Fubara also made reference to the deplorable condition of over 340 primary healthcare centres across the State when he assumed office, and explained that commendable rehabilitation work was ongoing to ensure the facilities function optimally.

    To achieve the needed transformation and provision of quality healthcare services, Governor Fubara said the contractors that handled the reconstruction of the zonal hospitals have been invited and directed to return to site to complete the projects.

    He stressed that the initiative was meant to bridge the yawning gap between the primary and tertiary healthcare services in the State.

    The Governor said, “But I’m happy with what the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Board has said here today.

    “On assumption of office, it was different from what we have recorded. We are giving hope to the people. We are not going to stop improving that sector every day, by the special grace of God.

    “We’ve gone further to improve our healthcare services by promising our people not just promising, but ensuring that we’ll see it through, that all the zonal hospitals must be put back to function.

    “We have invited all the contractors that were awarded those jobs. We have asked them to return back to site so that those facilities will function to provide quality services to our people.

    “The Secretary mentioned about employment. When we came on board, the number I saw allocated to you was 200. But I’ve given you 1,000 medical doctors. That will tell you that we place importance on efficient healthcare services for our State.”

    Governor Fubara acknowledged as ingenious the conviction of the PAMO Educational Foundation to undertake the construction of such health facility as a private citizen deploying personal resources to give back to society.

    The Governor described the gesture as the best thing that has happened to the people, which is worthy of emulation, and urged members of the community to own the project by protecting it.

    Governor Fubara took a swipe at those describing his Administration as clueless because it is not constructing roads to personal property or serving the interest of few individuals.

    He insisted that he was elected to serve the general interest of Rivers people, improve their social status and make life comfortable for them.

    The Governor also told local government chairmen pretending to be serving the people while worshipping the interest of one man, that they were digging a pit to bury their political career.

    He particularly expressed surprise that Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government chairman was present at the event, and chastised him and some others for avoiding State Government functions.

    Speaking on the project, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, explained that the health facility that seats on the island of Ndoni in the political Ward 14, has 20-bed spaces, and will meet 80 percent healthcare needs of the people.

    Dr Oreh said the health facility will offer such services like antenatal and postnatal services, deliveries, immunization, cervical screening, hypertension and issues of tuberculosis and other levels of health education services.

    In his welcome address, Chairman of Rivers State Electoral Commission (RISEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), said the day will be remembered and treasured in history that a man, Dr Peter Odili, a genius, with humanity impulse, had used his personal resources to build a state- of-the-art health facility with support from his wife, Justice Mary Odili.

    Justice Enebeli said that the event demonstrated effective  Public-Private Partnership to build and donate the facility by PAMO Educational Foundation, adding that the health centre will serve people in all the 18 villages in Ndoni Town.

    Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr Kinikanwo Green, said the event aligns with the policy thrust of the Governor Fubara-led Administration that has committed so much resources and motivation to making the facilities in the health sector function optimally.

    After commissioning the facility, Governor Fubara took a tour of the wards, laboratories and equipment, and also performed the official launch of the State Health Insurance Scheme at the centre.

    Governor Fubara, while on his way to Ndoni Town, stopped over briefly in Elele Town at sighting the crowd of youths, women, men and traditional rulers, who had waited to receive him enroute Ndoni.

    The Governor waved at them, walked up to the canopy sheltering the traditional rulers, paid his homage and received the kolanuts they offered him.

    Political leaders like the Chairman of Ocabic Group, Eze Okey Okah; and former commissioner for information and communications, Barrister Emmanuel Okah; are among indigenes of Elele Town in Ikwerre Local Government Area who joined the jubilant crowd to receive the Governor.

  • Rivers crisis: Gov Fubara kicks against PDP CTC list

    Rivers crisis: Gov Fubara kicks against PDP CTC list

    Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, on Thursday declared a  purported list of the  state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee members , circulating in the media, as fake.

    Fubara disclosed this at  the inauguration of the Port Harcourt International Automobile Spare Parts Trading and Commercial Centre project in Oyibo Local Government Area of  Rivers.

    He said the purported list was the  handiwork of cheap publicity seekers and agents of crisis,who should know that their imagination would not stand.

    The governor explained that the national leadership of the party had met recently and agreed that  states where the tenure of PDP executives had expired should continue to maintain the officers as caretakers for the next three months.

    Fubara clarified that the decision , awaiting ratification by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party, did not approve the addition of  new names to  the already existing number of officers, or removal of any subsisting officers .

    “We had a meeting and agreed that not just in Rivers,  but in all the states affected, that the Executive Councils of PDP should be extended for three months.

    “This extension is not meant to bring in new names, the extension also did not say that you are working without the authority of the governor.

    “So, for those lists that you saw and those ones altered, I can assure you that they are not going to stand.

    “We also agreed that there is going to be a NEC meeting on April 18,  that should ratify that decision.

    “So, what you are seeing is the handiwork of desperate people who like media publicity, so don’t bother about anything. Nothing is happening,” Fubara said.

    The governor said Rivers remained a very important state to protect, which was  why his administration chose the path of peace  to engender progress.

  • Rivers crisis: Dare me, I will surprise you – Gov Fubara warns opponents

    Rivers crisis: Dare me, I will surprise you – Gov Fubara warns opponents

    Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has warned that he will surprise those who consider his honest decision to implement the presidential peace pact as a sign of weakness.

    Governor Fubara said he had been inundated with several comments in the media about the implementation of the peace initiative, and had chosen to be silent out of maturity and wisdom.

    But, he said, it was important to put the records straight for clarity, and explained that when President Bola Tinubu intervened in the political crisis that engulfed the State on October 30, 2023, the agreement that was accepted was a political solution.

    Governor Fubara said he had since then commenced implementation of the agreement, solely because of his respect for President Tinubu, but cautioned that it appears that other political actors have taken his humility and compliance as a sign of weakness.

    The Governor said: “Let me say it here for record purposes: What is happening here in our dear State is somebody who has respect for an elder.

    “Mr. President invited all the parties to Abuja, and came out with a resolution that we should go and implement. That resolution, I am implementing it. It is not a constitutional implementation. It is a political solution to a problem.

    “And I am doing it because of the respect I have for Mr President. But, let me say it here, if that action that I have accepted to take would be seen as a weakness, I will surprise them. I want this message to go to them.”

    Governor Fubara, who had received members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) from the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State on a solidarity rally at Government House Gate, in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, said their large number further goes to prove the nature of the organic support his Administration has continued to enjoy from the people of the State.

    “Some days ago, somebody said we are busy renting crowd for thanksgiving. But what I have seen here today, it’s not different from what is happening at those thanksgiving rallies. People are just appreciating God and good governance.”

    Governor Fubara stated that he was mindful of the legacy he would bequeath after his tenure, adding “It should also be about the lives that have been touched genuinely; about the policies implemented without any inducement to better the lives of the people and the society.”

    The Governor urged the people to continue to support his Administration, show understanding over actions taken, and obey the rules in a peaceful manner.

    “When you are doing what is right, I will stand by you. Nobody, whether full or half is going to intimidate you. Brace up, I say brace up, because the next step, it will be fire for fire in Rivers State. Everything will be implemented.”

    Governor Fubara said that already, local government workers have started receiving N30,000.00 minimum wage with promotion to be implemented beginning from April’s salary payment.

    He also promised to set in motion plans to finalise modalities for the implementation of the Consolidated Salary Scale for Grade Level 17, and regular payment of benefits to the local government service retirees.

    “For our people, the great and wonderful people of Rivers State, we will continue to lead you with the fear of God.

    “Maturity is not about age, maturity is in the person. It is what defines the character of a person. I choose not to respond to people that I assumed are matured, but are obviously immature in attitude.

    “I will continue to be mature, not minding my age, but I will not, for any reason, allow myself or anybody who is working with me in this Administration to be messed with, maltreated or abused in the cause of administering this governance.”

    In his speech, the Rivers State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Apostle Clifford Paul, told the Governor that they were on a Thank-You Rally to show appreciation for his love for the workers.

    Apostle Paul stated that Governor Fubara has changed their fortunes and restored hope in them when he directed the payment of N30,000.00 minimum wage to the workers, and lifted the right-year ban on promotion, which has now placed them at par with their counterparts across the country.

    On his part, the Deputy General Secretary of NULGE, Comrade Ajewole Ayedele, who represented his National President, said they were delighted with the pro-people policies of Governor Fubara, particularly for ending the stagnancy and frustration workers suffered.

    Comrade Ayedele assured the Governor of the continued support of the union both at the State and national level to his Administration.

    “At our last NEC meeting, when he (State Chairman) was reporting to us that you have done series of things to local government staff, because from history, Rivers State has been a source of mockery to other states in Nigeria when it comes to welfare of local government staff.

    “When he said it, somebody from the North said, that means this new Governor has tried to part away from what he met on ground, because we hsve asking: how on earth is it possible that workers will be on duty for eight years without promotion?

    “But for your wisdom that you have done it for us, we too are going to reciprocate. And I want to assure you, Your Excellency, that anytime you call on us, we are going to come out enmasse to associate with you, to solidarize with you, to continue to pray for you, because of your commitment to our welfare and service,” the national officer added.

    On his part, the Rivers State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Alex Agwanwor, said workers have resolved to stand with Governor Fubara because he has demonstrated his love, put smile on their faces and advanced the welfare and growth of the State.

    Comrade Agwanwor warned that NLC will not hesitate to occupy anywhere used by the Rivers State House of Assembly members led by Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, should they begin another impeachment proceedings against the Governor.

    He noted that in addition, organised labour would be forced to withdraw their members working with the lawmakers, if they decide to throw caution to the wind.