Niger Delta
Sustainability Drives Rivers Water Sector Reform Program – Simon-Hart
The Rivers State Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development Ms. Patricia Simon-Hart says the ongoing Rivers State Water Sector Reforms are aimed at ensuring that the abundant water resources in the state are provided in a sustainable and affordable manner.
Simon-Hart stated this last week in a presentation made to Water and Sanitation Programme (WSP), a multi-donor partnership administered by the World Bank, on a visit to Rivers state to explore areas of assistance in the provision of portable water.
WSP has led and supported several advances in the Water and Sanitation sector for about three decades; providing various forms of Technical assistance in 25 countries across the world through their regional offices.
The Commissioner explained that the ongoing reforms designed to restructure and strengthen the institutions in the River State Water Sector, are to improve the overall efficiency and ensure sustainable water delivery.
According to the Commissioner, the need for the reforms was based on the challenges encountered in achieving sustainable water supply and the need for a strategy to ensure a permanent solution in the sector.
Simon-Hart said that so far, the ministry has driven the reforms to a point where future investment in infrastructure will be secured. She listed some of the achievements to include; stipulating clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all key players in the sector, the development and adoption of the Rivers State Water Policy by the State Executive Council and the passage of the Rivers State Water Sector Development Law by the state House of Assembly as well as the subsequent signing of the bill into Law by the Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.
Others include; completion of the design for the Port Harcourt Urban Water Scheme, Master plans for Water Sector development in the Local Government Areas and training programmes for the Staff in order to build their capacity in relevant areas.
In his response, leader of the WSP team from the World Bank, Mr.Dominick De Waal commended the visionary approach taken by the commissioner and said it has rightly positioned the State to attract the needed technical support and investment.
He gave assurances that his team would not only provide such technical assistance but would support the state to ensure the realization of the reform objectives.
“WSP shall focus its assistance in the first year to Port Harcourt Water Corporation (PWC)” he stated.According to Mr. Waal the technical assistance will involve two broad elements: Clearly mapping out the reform process, by developing action plans with deliverables and deadlines to provide the needed focus to move the reforms forward and assisting in developing an emergency work program beginning with a selected pilot area where 24 hours service shall be sustained throughout the period.
The emergency works programme that is expected to commence in the next couple of weeks shall provide the needed basis for extending the programme to the entire city and attract the financing required for the entire project.
Desmond Osueke
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.