News
Police Arrest Two For Looting Assembly Property …As Ibani Emerges Speaker Of 8th Assembly
Hon Isreal Mgbuelo (2nd right) and Hon Dinedoeni Loolo (2nd left) with other lawmakers during inauguration of the 8th Assembly in Port Harcourt, last Monday. Photo: Chirs Monyanaga
Two miscreants and scoundrels, were Monday, arrested by security operatives at the Rivers State House of Assembly complex as they were about to smuggle some items suspected to be properties of the Assembly out of the premises.
The arrest was made during the proclamation of the 8th Rivers State House of Assembly, by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The Tide learnt that while the inauguration was going on, some scoundrels broke into offices of some former lawmakers, and started looting properties at the assembly complex.
Sources revealed that items found with the miscreants from the lawmakers’ offices include 2013 diaries, canned drinks, bottled water, computers and flat screen television sets.
It was gathered that while the miscreants were trying to smuggle the computers and flat screen TVs outside the premises, they were arrested by officers of the Assembly Police Command.
When contacted, the Police at the command refused to speak to The Tide, but sources said that the suspects were kept in an excluded place.
It was further gathered that after the arrest and confession of the suspects, moves were made by the security officers and Assembly staff to lock all the entry points into the offices with chains and padlocks.
However, The Tide learnt that the Assembly complex, at the time of the incident, was flooded by visitors and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters, who had come in solidarity for their lawmakers.
But it was not immediately known whether those arrested were party supporters or miscreants, who took advantage of the rowdy atmosphere to loot the Assembly.
Meanwhile, the member representing Andoni Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, has emerged as the Speaker of the 8th Assembly even before the expiration of the 7th Assembly.
The 7th Assembly of the Rivers State House of Assembly is billed to wind down on 6th of June to give way for the 8th Assembly to commence.
It would be recalled that the 7th Assembly, headed by Rt. Hon Otelemaba Dan-Amachree, was inaugurated on 6th of June, 2011.
However, Ibani, as the new speaker, was elected shortly after the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike dissolved the 7th Assembly, and inaugurated the 8th Assembly on Monday.
The Tide gathered that 31 out of the 32 lawmakers voted in favour of Ibani’s emergence after he was nominated by Hon Kelechi Nwogu, member representing Omuma Constituency, and seconded by Hon Jones Ogbonda, member representing Port Harcourt I.
The member representing Abua/Odual and former Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Marshall Stanley Uwom, emerged as Deputy Speaker.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani commended the lawmakers for finding him worthy of the position.
The Speaker congratulated his colleagues on their victory at the polls, noting that the journey to the 8th Assembly was herculean due to the political crisis that rocked the Assembly.
According to him, “the journey has been tortuous; therefore, all activities must be done to give you a new lease of life.
“As a legislature, we will set a new legislative agenda that will incorporate the interest of Rivers State. Never again will this Assembly under my watch suffer legislative Armageddon. No member of the state Assembly shall be turned to a commodity that shall be traded on”, he said.
He promised to be transparent and involve all in decision making, even as he called for cooperation from members.
The House later adjourned its sitting to Thursday, June 4, 2015.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.