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Tag: rivers

  • Ex-Rivers lawmaker dies ten days after wife’s death

    Ex-Rivers lawmaker dies ten days after wife’s death

    A former member of the House of Representatives, Jerome Eke, has died few days after losing his wife identified as Joan.

    Eke represented Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2015 and 2019.

    It was gathered that the former federal lawmaker passed on last Friday, barely 10 days after his wife died, though the cause of death was not disclosed.

    Eke’s kinsman and predecessor in the House of Representatives, Ogbonna Nwuke, confirmed the former lawmaker’s death.

    Nwuke, who is the Rivers State spokesman of the All Progressives Congress, describe Eke as an “astute campaigner and jolly good fellow’, saying his demise is a big loss to the Etche people.

    “He (Eke) was a jolly good fellow, a very astute campaigner and he was very close to me regardless of our political differences. It is a great loss for the Etche nation,” Nwuke said.

    Also, a councillor and leader of Etche Legislative Assembly, Blackson Nwayanwu, said, “Yes, he (Eke) is actually dead. But I don’t know the details yet. His wife too is dead”, he said.

  • No reelection without evidence of projects, Wike warns Rivers LG chairmen

    No reelection without evidence of projects, Wike warns Rivers LG chairmen

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has told local government chairmen seeking reelection in the forthcoming April poll to show evidence of their projects.

    The governor insisted that only the council bosses adjudged to have performed in the office could be considered for reelection.

    Wike, however, said such yardstick would not invalidate any existing arrangements and agreements in most council areas especially where such positions were on a rotational basis.

    The governor spoke on Saturday at the inauguration of Bolo Town’s internal road network, performed by the former Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwanbo.

    Wike said it had become important to allow competent people to ascend elective positions so that they could work for the good of the people and communities.

    He said: “On this local government election coming, let me say clearly, I cannot continue to see the situation where most responsibilities of local government are given to the state. It has made most of them abandon their own responsibilities.

    “I will not agree to that again. Anybody who wants to go back for chairmanship must show us what he has done in that Local Government.

    “I have told our leaders not to come and tell me these are their boys. We must bring people who are willing and are committed to working for the people. This is the time to work for the people.

    “Now, even if that chairman wants to go back, you must also consider your local peculiarity”.

    The governor acknowledged the cooperation Bolo people gave to the local contractor that handled the road project that traversed all the communities within the town and said it was proof that they loved development.

    Wike also announced the award of contract for the reconstruction of the bridge linking Bolo Town to their neighbours.

    He said Ausphepz Nigeria Limited, the local contractor that handled the Bolo Town internal roads would be engaged to do the bridge.

    He said: “When we came for the campaign, I asked the people and they said roads are important for them. We thank God today that the roads are reconstructed to link all the communities in Bolo Town.

    “Now, nobody will say they are left out of the 7km of concrete road in all the communities that make up Bolo and this is part of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area.

    “About the damaged bridge linking you to Gokana and Tai Local Government areas, I will ask the Special Adviser on Special Projects to go and scoop it.

    “He should see whether the contractor that handled the Bolo internal road project can also do that. We have to encourage and empower our own local contractors because they have done a good job here.

    “Bolo people have supported us. Continue to work together, it will bring you a lot of projects. Communities that support contractors to complete projects and not demand money from them will benefit more. We will continue to fulfil, by the special grace of God, all promises we have made to you,” he added.

    Inaugurating the network of internal roads, Dankwanbo noted that the road infrastructure put in place by the governor would open up Bolo Town and allow its people to enjoy the benefits of development.

    He considered himself privileged to be in Bolo Town to see how such hinterland had been touched by the administration of Wike.

    He said: “Development comes in several ways. From what I have seen, coming to this part of the State was very easy. Seeing the internal roads that have been constructed, totally about 7kmwirh drainages, is a rare achievement and very commendable.

    “Roads open development. I want to, therefore, urge the people of this community to use this facility that has been provided to ensure that they grow the economy of this place. More youths should be employed and ensure that all the farmland are cultivated, and the product easily evacuated to the market,” he said.

    In his remarks, Dax George-Kelly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects said the job was awarded and completed within the contract period of 12 months.

    “This road crisscrossed all nooks and crannies of Bolo Town. There is expansion, development, and new buildings coming up. The people are very happy about it,” he said.

  • Wike confirms refund of N78bn spent on federal projects in Rivers

    Wike confirms refund of N78bn spent on federal projects in Rivers

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, has confirmed the Federal Government’s refund of the N78 billion spent by State on Federal projects.

    Wike stated this on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Isiopko Internal Roads Phase 2 in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

    The inauguration of the road was performed by the 2019 Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Peter Obi.

    The governor, however, said the refunds would be deployed in providing more critical projects across the state to enhance the socio-economic life of the people of Rivers.

    He said: “Rivers people; the Federal Government has refunded us the money. I have not touched a dime yet and it is in the bank. I will use it for project execution.

    “I kept it to tell those who are making noise to know that I am going to work till the last day in office. I will continue to work for the interest of our people. I’m not resting.

    “They need to know that I will make sure that what is supposed to be done for the people of Rivers State is done.

    “I will persist until we have improved and changed Rivers State and bring it back to what it’s supposed to be.’’

    The governor said he “promised to change the narrative of neglect of Isiopko people by the previous administration by completing the rehabilitation of all their internal roads’’.

    He also announced the award of contract for the reconstruction of the link road from Ogbodo to Isiodu, adding that his administration would rehabilitate internal roads in Omerelu Community.

    Obi, who inaugurated the road project, alleged that the Federal Government had been borrowing in the guise of using it for capital projects.

    He challenged the federal government to show the capital projects that such borrowed money was expended on.

    Obi said access roads as provided by Governor Wike to the Isiopko people will increase the quality of life they live, enhance property value and reduce poverty.

    “Accountability in government is the most critical yardstick to determine good governance and to build the trust of the people.

    “For recruitment into governance, competence capacity, and visible performance like we are seeing here today should be embraced.

    “The reason why Nigeria is not working today is that people have been recruited based on sentiment and that has to stop because the country is collapsing.

    “Every day you hear Nigeria is borrowing money, and when you ask they say it is being used for capital projects.

    “Please, we want to commission those capital projects. Let them invite us to accompany them for the commissioning. So that when our children ask us about the borrowed money, we can point to the projects to answer them,’’ he said.

  • Gunmen abduct Rivers polytechnic lecturer from residence

    Gunmen abduct Rivers polytechnic lecturer from residence

    A lecturer in Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, Rivers State, James Finwe, has been kidnapped by yet to be identified gunmen from his residence.

    It was gathered that Finwe was kidnapped from his residence at Igwurutali, in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State on Tuesday evening.

    Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, of the Polytechnic, Prince Psudo Wiwo confirmed that Finwe was kidnapped at his residence on Tuesday evening.

    The ASUP Chairman threatened that lecturers of the institution may be forced to embark on peaceful protest if their colleague is not released unconditionally.

    According to Wiwo, “the news of the kidnap of James Finwe, came to us as shock. As a Union, we are calling on the security agencies to rescue our colleague. The abductors are also advised to release Finwe unconditionally without further delay. The Union will not accept any kidnapping of any of our members even after the release of Finwe.

    “If wait for a while and he is not released unconditionally, we will stage a peaceful protest.”

    Police have reacted to the abduction of the lecturer as at the time of filing in this story.

  • Blackout looms in Rivers, other states as PHED workers threaten strike

    Blackout looms in Rivers, other states as PHED workers threaten strike

    Rivers and four other states under the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Plc may be plunged into darkness following an industrial clash that greeted the alleged sacking of 60 workers of the electricity company.

    This followed a resolve by the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies Union, which maintained that the retrenchment did not follow due process.

    The other three states are Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

    The Assistant General Secretary of the association, Innocent Douglas, while speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said the sacking affected workers in the four states.

    He said, “It is injurious to labour. We don’t accept what is happening. This is mass sacking; sacking of over 60 persons at a time. Mass sacking is against the labour movement.”

    Douglas said the association had demanded that the company reverse its decision or face an industrial action.

     

  • Rivers police detain man robbing worshippers after crossover service

    Rivers police detain man robbing worshippers after crossover service

    The Police in Rivers state have on Friday arrested a member of a three-man gang who robbed 37 worshipers returning from crossover service at Rumuodara, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

    The arrested suspect, identified as Ndubuisi Igwe aka SS Chief was in possession of a locally-made pistol that was recovered by the police, while his two gang members who escaped carried AK 47 rifles.
    It was learnt that the gunmen injured two of their victims who put up resistance during the robbery and were later taken to a hospital for treatment.

    A spokesman for the state police command, Nnamdi Omoni, who confirmed the incident said the suspect had been placed under protective custody, adding that the police had also launched a manhunt for the fleeing gang members as the suspect was furnishing the police with vital information that would lead to the arrest of the other suspects.

    Omoni said, “Our men arrested the armed robber and recovered a locally made pistol from him, the suspect is helping us with useful information.

    “The gang members of the suspect took to flight but we are closing in on them to get them apprehended.”
    On his part, the Rumuodara Youth President, Frank Weli, said the Opkoro community vigilante group in Rumuodara community, Obio/Akpor LGA, assisted the police in apprehending the armed robbery suspect.
    Wali stated that he was informed about the early morning robber and he immediately rushed to the scene, adding that the two suspects who escaped brandished AK47 rifles which they shot in the air to pave the way for their escape, while the apprehended suspect had a locally made pistol and two ammunition.

    “What happened was that this early morning, I got a distress call from the vigilate of Rumuodara community that some armed robbers were robbing people returning from new year’s day church service, molesting them and collecting their bags.

    “I quickly rushed into the scene and we were able to get one of them, one Ndubuisi Igwe, aka SS Chief, while the other ones with AK47 riffles escaped. They shot into the air to scare the men of the vigilante, but we caught one of them who was with a locally made pistol, right now we have handed him over to the Okporo Police station.
    “They (the suspects) robbed 37 persons and injured two who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Wike threatens fresh COVID-19 lockdown in Rivers from January

    Wike threatens fresh COVID-19 lockdown in Rivers from January

    The Government of Rivers, on Sunday, in Port Harcourt, has warned that it may re-impose lockdown in January to contain the new surge in Coronavirus cases in the State.

    Gov. Nyesom Wike handed the warning at a thanksgiving service in celebration of the 90th birthday of Mrs. Priscilla Mark, at the St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Omagwa.

    The governor expressed his worry over the refusal of most churches and markets to enforce the wearing of face masks as required as a COVID-19 protocol in Rivers.

    He said that although the State government had initially relaxed the restriction on the number of persons who worshipped in churches, new measures would be announced to curb the spread of second wave of COVID-19 in Rivers.

    “When you go to some churches, they don’t wear mask. Go to market, they don’t wear mask. They believe COVID is not real.

    “It is not real because it has not happened to you; nobody had died whom you know. When somebody has died and the person was close to you, you will know that COVID is real.

    “So, it is real and I want to appeal to all of you that we have to be stricter now because the second wave is more dangerous than the first wave. It’s very, very dangerous. I know how many people we have lost since the second wave started”, the governor said.

    Gov. Wike implored the Bishop, Diocese of Ikwerre to prevail on members of all the churches under his jurisdiction to always wear their face mask.

    “If you don’t comply, I have no choice, but to shut down the churches; Pentecostal, Catholic, Anglican. I have no choice, because when you have it, who spends the money? It is the state that treats.

    “So, we need to use the money for some other things, but not for this. Let us discipline ourselves and know that COVID is real. Let nobody tell you that there is nothing like COVID. It’s real.”

    The governor urged PDP leaders in Ikwerre Local government area to use Mrs. Mark’s 90th birthday to work in unison for the development to the area, and in particular for the chairman of Ikwerre local government, Samuel Nwanosike to respect party leaders and ensure that all stakeholders worked in unison to move the State forward.

    The governor, who was accompanied by the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, announced a donation of N50 million to the church.

    Delivering a sermon titled “Thanking God for His Mercy” the Bishop, Diocese of Ikwerre, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Blessing Enyindah, stressed the need for people to always acknowledge God’s mercies in their lives.

    Bishop Enyindah, who observed that in an era where people lived below 50 years, said it was God’s mercy that made Mrs. Priscilla Mark to attain 90 years of age.

    He admonished people to inculcate the habit of healthy living and commit their lives unto God in order to attain a 90 years on earth.

  • APC suspends Amaechi, Giadom, others

    APC suspends Amaechi, Giadom, others

    A faction of Rivers chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Monday says it has suspended the Minister of Transportation and his political allies from the party.

    The faction, led by Igo Aguma, is loyal to Senator Magnus Abe, who was been fighting Amaechi for the control of the party in Rivers State.

    Recall that the Amaechi faction of the party had last weekend claimed that Abe, Aguma and their loyalists have been suspended from the Rivers chapter of APC.

    But in an obvious retaliatory action, the Abe APC faction also said aside the Transportation Minister, it has also indefinitely suspended other loyalists of Amaechi like Abott Isaac Ogbobula, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of a faction of the party party loyal to Amaechi, Chief Victor Giadom and Chief Andrew Uchendu.

    In a press statement by Livingston Wechie, his media adviser, Aguma said the decision to suspend Amaechi and others was taken at the party’s State Executive Caretaker Committee meeting held in Port Harcourt on Monday,December 21, 2020.

    He said the extraordinary Executive meeting was presided over by Aguma, who was described as the State Acting/Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Party.

    According to the statement, the State Executive Committee mandated Aguma to write a letter to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) communicating the readiness of the APC to fully participate in the April 17th 2021 Local Government Election in Rivers state.

    The statement further indicated that Aguma briefed the Executive Committee meeting that he received communication from the APC Executive of Gokana LGA to the effect that both Ward 16, Bera and the Gokana LGA chapters of the Party have expelled Chief Victor Giadom from the APC.

    In addition, Aguma claimed that he received a report from Ward 4 and Emohua Local Government Chapter of the party in Rivers that Senator Chief Andrew Uchendu has been suspended from the APC.

    The statement added that the Executive Committee referred both reports from Emohua and Gokana Local Government Areas on Chief Giadom and Senator Uchendu to the State Disciplinary Committee for further action in line with Article 21 of APC Constitution.

    “The meeting was well attended by Statutory/Executive members of the Party both physically and virtually and major issues were deliberated upon with the following decisions that the State Executive Caretaker Committee ratified the recommendation of the State Disciplinary Committee of the Party which looked into the decision of the Ward and LGA chapters to suspend His Excellency Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi of Ward 8, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State for Anti-Party activities.

    “State Executive Committee also accepted and ratified the decision of the State Disciplinary Committee to uphold the indefinite suspension of Barr Isaac Ogbobula by the Ward 10 and LGA Executive of Ahoada-East Local Government Area of Rivers State. Barr Isaac Ogbobula is hereby suspended indefinitely from APC Rivers.

    “The State Caretaker Committee also expressed commitment to work assiduously to bring the party to reckoning in Rivers state. We therefore urge our teeming members and supporters to stay focused as we collectively usher in the new dawn of APC in Rivers state.”

  • ‘Drunk’ police sergeant shoot father of three dead in Rivers

    ‘Drunk’ police sergeant shoot father of three dead in Rivers

    A police sergeant attached to the Elelenwo Police Division has shot dead a 38-year-old man, Abiodun Jimoh, in Elelenwo community, in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    The incident happened on Friday night, when a team of policemen arrested the deceased and his younger brother, Ismail Jimoh, while they were returning from a party.

    Ismail told journalists in Port Harcourt on Sunday that the killer cop was drunk.

    He said, “On Friday night, I was carrying my brother on my motorcycle home when some policemen stopped us with their van. They searched us thoroughly and found our identity cards in our pockets; they didn’t see anything that could implicate us. So, their superior officer told them to let us go.

    “But one officer insisted that we were criminals and that we must be taken to the station, which we accepted. My late elder brother entered the police van, but I told them that I was going to ride my motorcycle.

    “So, we started moving to the station. I was in front of the van with my motorcycle, but the van later stopped on the way and I rode back to meet them.

    “The officers said since they had arrested us, we must bail ourselves to regain our freedom. They asked how much was on me and I told them that I had just N2,000. When we got to the Elelenwo station, the senior officer in the team returned our phones to us and said we should go. He said I should return later with the particulars of my motorcycle and they would release it.”

    Ismail said one of the policemen, however, refused to release them.

    He said trouble started when he told the sergeant to listen to his colleagues and let them go.

    “The officer that shot my brother was drunk because I could smell alcohol on him. He refused to let us go, saying we must enter the cell. Other four officers were telling him to let us go, but he refused to listen.

    “When I told him to listen to his senior colleagues, he got angry and used his rifle to hit me in the face. While his colleagues tried to hold him, I heard a gunshot, which hit my brother.

    “When I turned to look, I saw my brother lying on the floor and battling for his life. I saw that a bullet also hit another policeman. The senior officers dragged away his gun from him,” he added.

    Ismail explained that several hospitals where his brother was taken to for help refused to admit him.

    He claimed that the policemen attempted to kill him while they searched for a hospital to treat his late brother.

    “After my brother was shot, the police drove us to several hospitals but they refused to admit my bleeding, dying brother. In the process, they stopped their vehicle and asked that I give them our phones. The moment I did, they started driving rough which made me to fall off the van, hit my head on a hard surface and lose consciousness.

    “The police did not care that I fell off their van; they never stopped, it was a vigilante in the area that saved my life,” he added.

    Ismail demanded justice for his brother, saying he must not die in vain.

    Thelate Abiodun, a father of three, hailed from Ilorin, Kwara State.

    A spokesman for the police, Nnamdi Omoni, said the state Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, had condemned the killing.

    Omoni said the cop was in custody, adding that justice would be served.

    “The incident is being investigated and the outcome will be communicated to the public. Meanwhile, the police sergeant who carried out the dastardly act is in custody for debriefing and psychological evaluation. His orderly room trial will commence in earnest, for possible arraignment,” he added.

  • Rivers court orders release of 150 prisoners

    Rivers court orders release of 150 prisoners

    A Rivers State High Court has ordered the unconditional release of 150 inmates from the Maximum Port Harcourt Correctional Centre after spending nine years in jail without trial.

    Justice G. O. Ollor delivered the judgment after a lawyer, Nasiru Ibiloye; and his organisation known as, ‘Access To Freedom International’, instituted a fundamental human rights case against the Commissioner of Police, Attorney General, Comptroller of Prisons Rivers State Command and the Chief Registrar of Rivers State Judiciary.
    Justice Ollor in his judgment also ordered the four defendants in the case to pay N100, 000 to each of the inmates for their continued detention and breach of their fundamental human rights.

    The court held that the lawyer and his organisation which instituted the case for the inmates are legally bound to do so.

    Ibiloye said his organization had gone to the facility to ensure that the inmates were treated fairly when it was discovered that the facility was overstretched and some inmates have overstayed without having their day in court.
    He said, “As an NGO, we went to the prison yard to check the amenities and ensure that inmates are treated fairly. We are building a library for them. In the course of doing these things, we discovered that the prison was overstretched.
    “Some people have spent 10 years, some 15 years. We asked for their list. We first applied for their charge sheet. We could not get the charge sheet until the court made an order against the Chief Registrar.
    “At the end of the day, judgement was delivered and the court ruled that all the inmates be released unconditionally.”