Rivers

RSG Assures On Disabled Persons’ Welfare

Published

11 years ago

December 6, 2013

The Rivers State Govern
ment has re-stated its commitment to the implementation of the law on the welfare of persons living with disabilities.
The Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii gave the assurance yesterday in a keynote address at the 2013 –International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Port Harcourt.
According to him, all the necessary mechanism had already been put in place to ensure that the law was implemented by early months of next year.
The Governor urged the persons living with disabilities to change their mentality about themselves, and shun disrespectful and debasing activities such as begging on the streets, as they were not inferior to anybody in the society.
In his welcome address, the state Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Hon. Joe P. Poroma listed the achievements of Governor Amaechi’s administration in relation to persons with disabilities in the state.
Hon. Poroma stated that, the Rivers State government had offered special overseas scholarships to persons with disabilities.
He also mentioned the provision of special taxi cab scheme pioneered by the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) in collaboration with ESI for persons with disabilities, which is the first of its kind.
The Commissioner therefore urged the private sector to join hands with the state government to better the lot of persons living with disabilities.
Earlier, the Chairman Special Committee for Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Sunday Peter Ikeugwu appealed to the state government to fast track the implementation of the 2012 law on the welfare of persons with disabilities.
He commended the state government for its commitment in ensuring that persons with disabilities benefitted immensely from government’s programmes.
Mr. Ikeugwu assured the state government of their support in making life more meaningful for the people of the state.

Enoch Epelle

Director-General, Rivers State Tourism Development Agency, Mr Sam Dede (right), chatting with Dr Harry Agiriye (left), during the Route Appraisal for 2013 CARNIRIV at Liberation Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt last Wednesday. With them is Divisional Police Officer of Abua Police Station, Mr Uche Chukwuma (middle).
Photo: Nuieh Donatus Ken

Rivers

JONAPWD Elections: Commissioner Inaugurates 5-Man Committee

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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