Metro
Mgbuoshimini-Rumueme: Excitement, Fears Over New Roads Construction
Mgbuoshimini community in Rumueme Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State is undergoing huge urban renewal.
The ancient community which is part of Rumueme Kingdom has in the past six months witnessed various development projects. Apart from hosting the new Slaughter house, the area is now being transformed to fit into a metropolitan centre.
During a survey of the area by Metro Tide, not fewer than six internal roads in the community are being constructed and reconstructed.
As one gets to the junction that forks into Mgbuoshimini- Oroakwo and Mgbuoshimini-Oroazi, the new face of the community becomes visible with the relocation of the old market that sat at the centre of the road. However, some traces of the old market still beckon with few market women displaying their wares over fear of the taskforce on street trading and parking.
The Tide Metro learnt that the old market has now been moved to the waterside close to the new Slaughter site at Ahiamakara or fish market.
Nonetheless, the new face of the community is laced with new roads being constructed at Okochi Street, Chief Benson Street, New School Road and Deeper Life Street terminating at Chief Minikwu Street, which shares boundary with the Federal Housing Estate.
This is not the first time effort is being made to transform the area that hosts multinational, Nigeria Agip Oil Company, as various attempts have been botched as contractors abandoned sites few months after building drains.
This might have compelled the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who during his last visit to the area two years ago, promised that he will construct new roads and give the community a facelift.
To give force to the governor’s promise, many buildings were earmarked for demolition since last year, as a lot of the residential houses were haphazardly constructed.
The new developed area did not have a master plan, hence, most of the houses encroached on the right of way and had to be pulled down for the new infrastructure.
Chief Prince Wachuku, whose fence was pulled down along Minikwu Street described the situation as, “one of the cost of development “.
He said, “ It is a social service government is giving us and that is why we support the new development.”
The royal father who is a landlord lauded the Wike government for the road project, saying “it will reduce flooding and besides, our vehicles will not suffer frequent breakdown due to bad roads.”
In addition to that, Chief Wachuku stated that the new roads will transform the area, “rents will go up and business will grow.”
His view was supported by another resident at Chief Benson Street, Miriam Daniel, who said, “we are happy because it is a good thing”.
She, however, lamented that the rain on Wednesday led to flooding since most of the drains were under construction and blocked.
An elderly woman, who gave her name as “Grandma” in Chief Benson Street told The Metro Tide that a small lad and one of her neighbour’s son fell into the new drain being constructed, “they need to fasten the pace of work,” she urged the contractor.
Benson Ukachukwu also lamented the flooding caused by blocked drains”. We are yet to see any serious work done since they demolished the houses last Monday.”
Mrs Joy Ekalaso, who owns a restaurant in Chief Benson Street narrated how her neighbours helped her to save her things when the street got flooded on Wednesday.
She said, “if not for the rain, I do not have any problem with the project. But if the contractors delay it, then, we are in trouble, because the drains are blocked.”
Mrs Joy Wachuku who has a church and a ministry at Minikwu Street said her church hall was flooded after the rains last Wednesday.
Her fear is that the rainy season is around the corner,” we all know that Minikwu Street is flood-prone and with most of the drains blocked, it will be worse if the project is delayed.”
It was learnt that the governor gave the contractor 150 days to deliver on the project, but with the look of things, they might not beat the target date.
An engineer and resident at Minikwu Street, Benneth Chike told The Metro Tide that since his shop was pulled down a week ago, he has not opened for business.
Engr Chike runs a POS outlet together with his construction firm and has been shut down since last Friday the bulldozers tore through Deeper Life and adjoining streets to pave way for the new road.
In the view of Chike, most of the landlords were poorly compensated, thus, making it difficult to repair and adjust their buildings.
An indigene of the community, William Obinna assured that the project will be delivered at the stipulated time.
Said Obinna, “As far as I am concerned, the contractors are fast. 150 days are just about four months and so far, they have done one month. “
Obinna told The Tide Metro that the people were happy, “ many of us have to sacrifice our property so we can enjoy this new development. I shut down my shop since last week because of this road. And I believe that when it is finished, it will improve business”.
By: Kevin Nengia
Traditional rulers in Rivers State say they are mobilising their subjects to ensure Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s administration succeeds.
The Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers(RSCTR), Eze Oha Apara IV of Apara Kingdom, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu – Wodo gave the assurance at the 117th and 118th quarterly general meeting of the council held in Port Harcourt.
He commended the state governor for maintaining peace in the State despite the unwarranted political crisis orchestrated by selfish and overzealous politicians.
He stated that Governor Fubara should not retaliate by toeing the violent path, adding that Rivers people know those who are over-heating the polity.
The chairman further appealed to people of the State on all sides of the political divide to remember that they have nowhere else to call home apart from Rivers State, saying that they must not allow their personal interests to destabilise and stifle growth of the State.
“As traditional rulers, we owe our State the duty of making it peaceful by cautioning our children against violent act. We, therefore, cannot caution anybody if we allow ourselves become overly partisan.
“ We will then lose the moral authority to reprimand those causing trouble when we take sides.So I say let us all work assiduously to maintain peace in Rivers State,” he said.
He used the medium to advise the supporters of the governor to avoid persons or events that will cause violence, as detractors want to make the State ungovernable so as to call for the declaration of state of emergency.
“ Let me use this opportunity to thank Your Excellency for maintaining peace in the State in the face of the unwarranted political crisis orchestrated by selfish and overzealous politicians.
“ You must not, Your Excellency, fall into their traps by going the violent way. All of us know that those who are over-heating the polity have one aim of making this state ungovernable so as to make it fit for a declaration of state of emergency”, Eze Worlu- Wodo said.
He thanked the state governor for appointing him as the chairman of traditional rulers, council adding that he will contribute his own little quota to the development of the traditional rulers council and by extension, our dear State, Rivers State.
“ Council records have shown that this is the second time since you became Governor of the State on May 29, 2023 that you have approved and released funds for two sets of combined quarterly meetings of the council.
“ This means that your administration is not indebted to us in terms of payment of our meeting sitting allowances.
“ It takes only someone who is both law-abiding and generous to be able to do this.
“On behalf of the traditional rulers, I thank you our Governor”, he said.
Stories by Kevin Nengia
As the Rivers State Ministry of Transport announces an ultimatum to commercial drivers to paint their vehicles with the approved state colour latest on August 1, some commercial drivers have pleaded for more time.
The directive was announced on Monday by the State Commissioner for Transport, Prince Collins Onunwo as it insisted that after the deadline, defaulters will not be allowed to operate.
He said in a statement signed by him that the new order is for uniformity and to ensure subsidised rates. “The Rivers State Ministry of Transport and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have reached an agreement with some designated automobile painting workshops, interested persons can contact the following persons.”, he said.
Meanwhile, responding to the directive, some commercial drivers who spoke to The Tide Metro sought for more time so that they can source money to paint their vehicles.
Kennedy Amahu, who plies between Choba and Mile One said , “ the time is too short. August 1 is just less than two weeks from now and I don’t think many of us can meet the deadline.”
Besides, he explained that many commercial vehicle owners do not paint their vehicles as this allows them to take charter and drops into restricted facilities.
He argued that if their vehicles are painted with state colour, many of them will lose customers and will be restricted to enter some places.
On his part, Hope Nwankwo decried the time given by the government, “ I can’t meet up, but if they extend it to October”, many of us can try.
So far, according to Nwankwo, who ferries passengers from Iwofe to Mile One, Diobu, many of his fellow drivers are not aware of the new policy.
He begged that government should do more extensive publicity on the new directive.
Another commercial driver, Anele Nwobi said what should be done is to register the vehicles to monitor car theft than painting vehicles.
“As far as I’m concerned, “ Nwobi said, “ this new government directive will empower Agberos and the police to harass commercial drivers.”
He recalled that previous administrations had given such directive but that after a while, it failed because of poor implementation.
Nwobi argued that with the poor economy, it would be difficult for many drivers to meet the deadline since most of them are on hire purchase. “The price of fuel is too high now for most of us to cover our daily returns, he said.”
Jaja Stephens, a keke bus driver told The Tide Metro that painting vehicles is quite expensive and hence, many of them will be put out of the road.
Apart from pleading for time extension, Stephens further stated that there is need for the drivers unions to sensitise their members, stressing that many of them are not aware of the new government directive.
It was supposed to be a book launch but fate turned it into a day of reminiscence for natives of Rebisi in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State.
For over 113 years when their great grandfathers ceded some parts of their land to colonial masters and named it after Sir Harcourt then Secretary of Colonies in 1913, natives of Port Harcourt became part of the new metropolis now called Port Harcourt.
According to Eze Apara Rebisi, HRM Isaiah Elekwu, about 25 square miles of their land were ceded to develop the new city which included a new port and railway at the time.
Fortunately, the book launch turned to a historical forum as speaker after speaker spoke of the past and the rich heritage bequeathed by their fathers.
It was this backdrop that made the paramount ruler of Port Harcourt, HRM Elekwu to charge historians to begin earnest documentation of Rebisi people as a way to preserve their heritage.
The royal father gave the charge during the launch and public presentation of the book, ‘Rebisi Natives of Port Harcourt: History and Developments’ written by Arthur Kalagbor held on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
The monarch said intellectuals in the Kingdom should engage more in written than oral history, as he commended Kalagbor for leading the light in documenting his people.
He described the book as the beginning of a new era in Rebisi Kingdom and quest to ensure that there is cohesive and united front among the people.
Calling on elites in Rebisi to rise to the challenge of leadership, Eze Elekwu said time has come to save the future of the Kingdom.
Part of the charge by the Rebisi monarch was to make sure that the struggles of their great grand fathers were captured.
For instance, he recalled that while the 1913 agreement made both by Okrika and some Rebisi chiefs were rejected, the colonial authorities were forced into accepting it.
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Sunny Amadi said he was elated that a new awakening has started in Rebisi Kingdom with the book.
The university teacher however, advocated for a new economy for Rebisi as he called for use of estate development to drive future growth of the people.
“In his words, Today most parts of Rebisi have been overtaken by development and that is why I urge our people to see opportunities from the estate , and built environment to preserve the future of children.”
Reviewing the book, Dr Chris Akani described the work as historical legacy, that seeks to throw light on the ontology of the people.
He stated that the seven-chapter book with 106 pages is fluid and easy to read, with special focus on the origins of Rebisi people.
Akani added that, “it’s an exciting book that has come at the right time and I think the author should be given a resounding ovation”.
The book reviewer noted that the book is a response to the desire of indigenes to know their roots.
Following the expansion and migration by Rebisi children which included, Okuta. Abali; Ola Ekenigbo and others.
Said he, “Rebisi had four wives, and he was a young man aching for success. And so the children did not relent to expand like Orubom and Abali who were adventurous.”
The expansion according to the university don was as a result of wars and skirmishes and this took place between 1700- 1734. And this led to the conquer of Elekahia.
While launching the book, former House of Representatives member representing Port Harcourt Constituency, Hon. Ken Chikere described history as key to the future.
He said, “if we know our history, then, we will be fully guided.”
Hon. Chikere, a former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General added,” “What is important is to know where you come from. We need to learn our history, so that no one writes our story for us.”
In his remarks, the book author, Arthur Kalagbor disclosed that the book is an outcome of a study group set up by Rebisi Monarch in 2014.
In the view of Kalagbor, the book is not a folklore, but rather a collation of oral history compiled and confirmed by various sources.
He said,” Even with the lack of reading culture, we still need to write with information that are verifiable and evidence-based.”
With the completion of the assignment to collate history of the Kingdom, he noted that he was compelled to expand the frontiers to cover other areas of culture and origins to educate the young generation.
Kalagbor reiterated that the book is dedicated to the future generations who have little knowledge of their history, and thanked royal fathers, and local sources for support, including former President of Ogbakor Ikwerre Organisation Worldwide, Prof. Otonti Nduka for writing the forward of the book.
Kevin Nengia