Niger Delta
Projects At Standstill in Bayelsa, Govt Disagrees
Global economic meltdown may be taking its toll on the activities of the Bayelsa State government as many projects inherited and started by the present administration are now in a state of abandonment.
The projects include the 47 internal roads, three senatorial model schools, the plastic factory, and the three senatorial roads.
However, the State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Frank Opigo said the projects are not abandoned are rather but suffering delay in execution and completion, assuring that contractors handling the various projects would soon mobilize to sites.
Briefing newsmen after an Independent tour of various sites of project by Journalists, Opigo, said it was wrong for individuals or group of individuals to think that the present administration has abandoned any of its projects.
On the 47 internal roads, Opigo said the project is still on course, blaming some residents and contractors for their lukewarm attitude, threatening that some of the contracts would be revoked.
“The present administration could no longer fold its arms and allow recalcitrant contractors to drag its ambition of turning around the state through the mud. Sylva’s administration has a good plan for the State, that is why, at its inception he decided to complete projects started by the previous administration”, the commissioner said.
Also, he blamed residence of the state over what he described as non adherence to the layed down Town planning law, alleging that some lawmakers in the state are encroaching on the land set aside for the 5-star hotel.
He said he has tabled the matter before the Governor, hoping that necessary steps would be taken to reverse the trend.
Commenting on the multi billion naira Ekoli Bridge being handled the Construction giant,Julius Berger, the Commissioner attributed the setback to the activities of the various militant groups prior to the acceptance of amnesty programme.
“Julius Berger left its various sites, not only in Bayelsa State, but the entire Niger Delta region due to the abduction of its expatriates staff in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, and since then we have been trying on how to bring them back”, he explained.
“ If they turn down the offer, going by the law of contract, the contract can then be revoked and given to another firm, while refund is expected to be made, depending on who is at fault”, he stated further.
Also, the Commissioner advised the Ministry of Niger Delta to consider how to link Bayelsa state capital in its proposed Coastal plan expected to run through some riverine areas in the state, stating that this would save the state from the billions of naira it would have invested on its three senatorial roads.
Commenting on the Tombia-Amassoma road, Opigo said it was wrong for the Shell Petroleum Development Company to misinform the public that it has paid its own counterpart fund of the project.
“When you look at the amount spent so far, you will discover that the State Government has committed more to the project than SPDC and we are hoping to pump in more funds in the next few weeks, he said,” he said.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
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