Niger Delta
Legislator Wants Govt To Enforce Use Of Crash Helmets
A member of the Delta House of Assembly, Mrs Onyemaechi Mrakpor, has appealed to the state government to enforce the use of crash helmet by motorcyclists in the state.
Mrakpor told newmen in Asaba last Friday, that it was worrisome that more than one year after the enactment of the law, it was yet to be enforced.
It would be recalled that the lawmaker who represents Aniocha South Constituency, had, in 2007, sponsored the bill on compulsory use of crash helmets by motorcyclists in the state.
She said the need to stem incidents of avoidable loss of lives and injury to motorcyclists, especially the commercial operators and their passengers, was the reason for the law.
The lawmaker, however, regretted that the law was not being enforced in spite of the government’s extra support to it by distributing helmets to motorcyclists.
While blaming the law enforcement agents for the non-enforcement of the law, the legislator also said that the problem was “sheer resistance of the law by some of the motorcyclists”.
“I also heard that another reason for the non-compliance with the law is because some people, especially women, argue that it will spoil their hair.
“To me, that is a flimsy excuse because the overriding interest which is safety should prevail over fashion,”she said.
Mrakpor said the government should not find it difficult to enforce the law, saying: “If the government can enforce the prohibition of commercial motorcycles from operating from 7 p.m., the use of helmets should not be a problem”.
“Enforcement should be the overriding interest. If the law is working in other states, especially Cross River, there is no reason for it not to work here in Delta”.
“But I think the law enforcement agencies like the Police, the Federal Road Safety Commission and the commercial motorcyclists union are not serious about the implementation.’’
Mrakpor called on the state government and the law enforcement agencies to wake up to their responsibilities.
She gave an assurance that the issue would be revisited in the Assembly to ensure compliance, “so that the funds and the passion put into it will not be wasted’’.
It would be recalled that the state government had purchased and distributed no less than 500 crash helmets to commercial motorcyclists to encourage compliance.
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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