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Why We Emberk On Projects In North -Jack-Rich Tein Jr
In its continued drive to bring succor to the people of Host Communities, Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large, leading indigenous oil producing Company, Belemaoil Producing Ltd., operators of the NNPC/Belemaoil JV, has commissioned Water and Road Projects in Northern Nigeria.
The projects were executed in Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and Sokoto States, under the NNPC/BelemaoilJoint Venture.
Speaking at the commissioning of the projects, President/Founder of Belemaoil Producing Ltd., Mr. Jack-Rich Tein Jr., said the projects are part of the ways of promoting oneness and unity in Nigeria and to better the lots of the people and give them a better lease of life.
Tein Jr. said as someone who comes from a community that lacked potable water for hundreds of years, he understood the plights of the people of the communities who had to travel miles to get drinkable water.
He said, despite political differences and affiliations, Nigeria hasremained one country and Nigerians must build bridges that promote love and oneness.
He said: “This gathering here today is as a result of our desire to share fellowship, to share oneness, a one united country called Nigeria. Nigeria is one indivisible country that is centred on love irrespective of the political insinuations, affiliations and we must as a matter of fact build bridges that unite us. Political parties are platforms we use in showcasing our interests but when we get back to these political parties, Nigerians get back to us.
“We are here to demonstrate oneness; we are here to demonstrate love. You here in the north and myself from the Niger Delta, are one. Every country, the U.S., UK, Europe, they all have their challenges but when you have a challenge what you do with that challenge draws you to solution. So, the challenges we are going through as Nigerians is to bring us together and design new ways of making Nigeria a better country.
“When my friend, Umar Kumo (PA on Special Duties to SGF) mentioned this project to me, I said what your community is facing; my community is also going through. My community has been there for six, seven hundred years with so much wealth in terms of natural resources and all that but lacked potable drinking water. We drink from contaminated stagnant stream and well water that has been contaminated.
“He said to me, my community travels about 10-12 kilometres in search of water and I promised them that because NNPC love community development, I will initiate the project and see how we can embark on them. We are happy that this project has come to a successful end and we are commissioning themt today.”
The President/Founder of Belemaoil, thanked the NNPC and President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the project and for granting the company the operatorship license of the OML-55, which has given the company opportunity to better the lots of many across the country. He, however, charged the people to guard the projects jealously and maintain them for the continued good of the people.
In his speech, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, represented by Mrs. TolulopeDerin-Adefuwa, called on the people to make good use of the projects. He said NNPC embarks on community development projects through its partnerships for grassroots development.
He said: “We are partnering with Belemaoil JV to bring this project to us. It is our firm and strong belief on our part to support the communities nationwide and we do this through joint partnerships, we do this with our products sharing contract companies to deliver community development projects to the whole of Nigeria. We do economic empowerment programmes which we deploy relief materials to the IDP Camps, we do Education programmes, we do scholarships and so many other projects which we believe will touch the lives of the citizens of Nigeria.”
High points of the ceremony were the Turbaning of the President/Founder of Belemaoil Producing Ltd as SarkinRuwan Hausa by the Emir of Daura, HRH Alh. (Dr) Umar Farouq Umar, in Katsina State and SarkinRuwan Akko, by the Emir of Akko, Gombe State, HRH.Alh.Umaru Muhammadu Atiku (Lamidon Akko), respectively.
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.