Niger Delta
Bayelsa Boosts Transport Sector With 100 Tricycles …Physically Challenged Demand Welfare Package
The Bayelsa State Government has created a boost in the transport sector by commissioning 100 tricycles to ease transportation in the state.
The tricycles are in addition to the fleet of 60 buses and 40 taxi cabs that were launched a few weeks ago during the state visit of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The move is part of the Bayelsa Stimulus Scheme (BSS) which is aimed at empowering the people and stimulating the local economy.
Speaking at the breief ceremony, Governor Timipre Sylva expressed his administration’s commitment to the BSS, explaining that the beauty of the transportation segment of the scheme is that in addition to alleviating poverty of the beneficiaries, the vehicles will also ease transportation.
Chief Sylva said that government plans to buy more buses, taxis, tricycles, and boats in order to resolve the transportation problem within and outside the state capital.
According to the governor, with the purchase of the tricycles, government intends to extend the benefits of the stimulus scheme to the nooks and crannies of the state, especially the local government headquarters.
The governor who disclosed that the scheme would also be extended to the waterways in due course, warned beneficiaries of the scheme to utilise the vehicles and tricycles judiciously.
Chairman of the Bayelsa Stimulus Scheme, Dr. Silva Opuala-Charles, said the essence of the scheme is to empower the people of the state. Opuala-Charles who is also the commissioner for Finance and Budget, noted that about one billion naira has been spent so far on the scheme which he said is a comprehensive programme involving micro credit scheme and the construction of houses and other welfare packages for civil servants.
Meanwhile, traffic along the busy Yenagoa/Mbiama road was brought to a halt last weekend, as physically challenged people numbering more than 500 blocked the Creek Haven Gate, the Bayelsa State Government Seat of power axis of the road demanding that they should be paid stipends to celebrate the Christmas and New Year season.
The protesters who lined up both sides of the road did not allow vehicles and motor-cycles to pass neither did they allow people acess to the Gvernment House.
However, after about two hours of protest, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Chief Richard Kpodor intervened and persuaded them to move into the nearby Peace Park for discussions.
At the Peace Park, the leader of the group, Mr Francis Christopher said they took the action in order to draw the attention of state government to their plights.
He said the association had earlier made a demand totalling three milion to the government as their stipend but they were surprised the amount was allegedly jacked up to N28 million by the Speical Adviser to the Governor, which made it possible for government to pay.
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.