Rivers

Deputy Speaker Backs Dissolution Of Obio/Akpor LGA

Published

11 years ago

December 2, 2013

The Deputy Speaker of
Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Leyii Kwanee has justified the dissolution of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, stating that the dissolution was in conformity with the Local Government Law and an independent action to the previous suspension by the Rivers State House of Assembly of which the High Court gave judgement.
Speaking to journalists in a press briefing in Port Harcourt, last Friday, the Deputy Speaker said the governor did not disobey the Court as the previous suspension arose from the State House of Assembly and that the judgement made it very clear that the governor has the legal right to dissolve the council.
He wondered why the local government chairman would say that the governor disobeyed the Court.
He condemned the threat by the chairman to disobey the order of the governor and urged him to be law-abiding.
Hon. Kwanee contended that it was not the first time that the Rivers State House of Assembly had suspended a local government council chairman. He recalled the case of Okrika Local Government Council chairman who after investigation of the allegations levelled against him was exonerated and restored.
“As it relates to the House, we are aware of the relevant sections of the law. We will confine and ensure that we do not flout it when we also move with the governor. If anybody is telling you that the pro- Amaechi lawmakers are not with him, that is a blantant lie. We are with him and whatever we will do, we will do it within the confines or context of the law”.
He also used the occassion to criticize the PDP-led government for marginalizing the Ogoni by not implementing the UNEP report, saying that “as an Ogoni man, I’m so pained that Mr. President and PDP-led government for the past two years have not been able to implement the UNEP report. It is a sufficient anger”.
Hon. Kwanee who is also the member representing Khana Constituency 2 in the Assembly, condemned Ogoni sons in Abuja who had not used their friendship with the President to influence him to implement the report.
“ There are some of us who stay in Abuja and feel that they are Mr. President’s brother or friend. Why have they not been able to leverage upon their relationship with him when our people are dying on a daily basis”.
He said the Ogonis preferred Governor Amaechi considering the enormous developmental strides in the area.

Rivers

JONAPWD Elections: Commissioner Inaugurates 5-Man Committee

Published

23 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Ilamu Arugu, has inaugurated a 5-man electoral committee to oversee the forth-coming elections of the Joint Association of Persons Living with Disabilities in the State (JONAPWD).

Members of the committee were carefully selected from five clusters, representing various categories of persons with disabilities, including visually and hearing impaired, spinal cord injury, physically challenged, and persons with albinism, to ensure that the electoral process is inclusive.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held in his office in Port-Harcourt, Mr. Arugu emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, and fairness in the electoral process and charged the committee members to “conduct the election with integrity, impartiality, and the fear of God”.

The Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Commissioner also tasked the committee with developing a comprehensive plan for the election within two weeks and to report any challenges they encounter within the same timeframe to ensure prompt solutions to facilitate a seamless election.

In his acceptance speech, the newly appointed Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr. Nwankwo Ndubuisi, expressed his gratitude to the Commissioner on behalf of his colleagues for entrusting them with the mandate and pledged to work tirelessly to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process.

“I’d like to thank the Commissioner for this opportunity, and I assure him that we’ll work diligently to ensure a successful election”, the Chairman said.

Mr. Ndubuisi also thanked his colleagues for their support and cooperation, saying, “We’re dedicated to making this election a reality, and we’ll work together to achieve our goal”.

This inauguration marks a crucial milestone in addressing the leadership vacuum created by the expiration of Mr. Kie Obomanu’s tenure as Chairman of JONAPWD.

A statement by the Head of Press, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Martha Igbiks, said, “the Ministry’s initiative is a welcome development which demonstrates its commitment to promoting inclusivity, transparency, and accountability in governance, ensuring that persons with disabilities have a voice and are actively involved in the decision-making process”.

Rivers

Orazi Gas Explosion: 3 Confirmed Dead

Published

23 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

Three persons have been confirmed dead in the Orazi Gas explosion in Port Harcourt , Rivers State, which occurred last weekend.

Recall that the Rivers State Government confirmed that 16 persons were initially admitted into the hospital as a result of the explosion.

According to information, the dead, which include a father and two of his daughters, were among those receiving treatment at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, saying the 16 survivors from the incident were carried immediately to the RSUTH.

She also confirmed that some of them were in critical conditions when they were taken there.

“In fact, we are currently managing 16 patients that arose from the explosion at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

“They have various degrees of burns and thankfully we have a highly specialized unit that is providing expert attention and care to the patients”, she said.

Dr. Oreh said the explosion took place in a residential area without proper guidelines.

“The gas explosion took place in a residential area without adherent to guidelines on how gas cylinders that are commercialized should be operated.

“This is definitely beyond the ministry of health and that emphasizes the fact of what we call social determinants of health and so we work very closely with other ministries”she said.

She also said the Rivers State Government, through the various ministries, is carrying out activities with the view to streamlining the activities of such service providers so that clear guidelines are communicated to them to ensure that the lives of and property of the people of Rivers state is protected.

John Bibor

Rivers

Commissioner Commends Gov Over Support For Ministry

Published

23 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon Isreal Lebura Ngbuelo, has commended the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, over the practical steps taken and support given to the ministry during the just-concluded Abuja International Carnival, 2024.

Hon Ngbuelo made the commendation during the Ministry’s Thanksgiving Service to celebrate the State’s achievement as the over all best State at the just-concluded Abuja International Carnival, 2024, held at the Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG), Passover Parish in Port Harcourt.

He expressed gratitude to God for the support given to the ministry by the State Governor, noting that it contributed to the success of the Ministry at the Carnival.

“We are here to thank God for success He accorded us at the just-concluded Abuja International Carnival, 2024.

“We left Rivers State with over 700 contingent and emerged as the over all best winner for the Abuja International Carnival, 2024.

” We are here also to thank God for the staff of the Ministry and the peace in the Ministry, which increased us as a people and we can attest to it that by the grace of God we have a Governor that has passion for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

“That we came back without any injury is a thing of joy”, Hon Ngbuelo stated.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Barr. Tomonialadieokuma Ishmael, said the Ministry organized the Thanksgiving Service to express gratitude to God for successful outing at the Abuja International Carnival.

He said the success of the Ministry at the event was another landmark for the state, adding that it was not the first time the ministry has been the over all best in the tournament, noting that “the peace in the State has been showcased to the entire world, not just Nigeria, that Rivers State is rich in culture and Tourism.

“We went to Abuja and emerged champions, so we are happy for State and for the ministry”, Barr Ishmael said.

Kiadum Edookor