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GDI Hails Lloyd On Achievements In Emohua
Governor Nyesom Wike’s foremost political machinery in Rivers State; the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) has commended the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr Chidi Lloyd for the infrastructure revolution witnessed across the area in less than one year of his administration.
The group noted that the last time a local government administration in Rivers State embarked on more than two kilometre road projects in any community was when its grand patron and governor of Rivers State, served as the chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, describing the simultaneous construction of four different road projects in four different communities in Emohua by Lloyd, amidst other critical infrastructure projects in less than one year as a new standard in local government administration.
The President General of GDI, Chief Bright Amaewhule stated this when he led national officers of the group on a tour of projects being executed by Lloyd across Emohua, last Wednesday.
He said the national executive of GDI was in Emohua to ascertain the level of development in the area, following the viral news of infrastructure revolution witnessed across the area since the inception of the administration of Lloyd, stressing that the chairman has so far shown much commitment to consolidating on the achievements of Governor Nyesom Wike in Emohua.
Speaking further, Amaewhule thanked Wike for ensuring the return of Lloyd to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his subsequent emergence as the chairman of the area, stating that Lloyd has within a very short period, distinguished himself amongst the present crop of chairmen in the area of project implementation.
Highlighting the importance of some of the projects visited, Amaewhule noted that the new administrative building, the local government legislative council complex and other critical projects situated within the secretariat would, upon completion, give facelift to the council headquarters.
He also acknowledged the importance of the already completed primary healthcare centre to residents of the area who had always travelled to Port Harcourt and Obio/Akporto seek medical solutions, while appreciating the chairman’s commitment to sustaining the already existing peace and security in the area through the establishment of the internal security outfit and construction of a state-of-the-art secretariat to serve as the operational office of the security outfit.
Amaewhule said the tour of projects across Emohua provided the national secretariat of the GDI with first-hand knowledge of the level of development in the area under the administration of Lloyd.
The former caretaker committee chairman of Obio/Akpor urged other elected council chairmen in Rivers State to emulate their Emohua counterpart by embarking on meaningful projects with direct impact on the people at the grassroots, with a view to consolidating on the achievements of the grand patron of GDI.
Responding, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr Chidi Lloyd, who led the national officers of GDI on tour of projects across the area, attributed his administration’s achievements in less than one year to the selflessness and commitment of those servicing with him, stating that he and his team had to deny themselves of personal benefits and entitlements in an effort to actualise his vision for the people of the area.
He said the fourth road project being executed by his administration, which is situated in Akpabu community and named as Chief Nyesom Wike Drive, was conceptualised to immortalise the governor in appreciation of his love and magnanimity to the people of the area.
He further disclosed that the one kilometre Eveku Road with two kilometre drainage being executed by his administration in Eveku community, which upon completion would be the first ever tarred road in Eveku since the community was founded, was expected to be commissioned before his administration’s one year anniversary.
Lloyd commended the GDI president general and his team for their commitment and consistency to the NEW Rivers Vision of Governor Nyesom Wike, promising to continue to always provide the necessary support to the programmes and activities of the foremost pro-PDP pressure group in Rivers State.
Also, the national secretariat of GDI commended the Emohua council boss for his support to the local government chapter of the group, describing the inclusion of officers of GDI in the local government empowerment programme as first of its kind.
National Organising Secretary of GDI, Hon Emma Weli-Wosu, made the commendation while giving vote of thanks on behalf of the national executive of the group at the end of project tour.
He said the GDI national secretariat was proud to be associated with Dr Chidi Lloyd for his visionary leadership and sterling performance in less than one year of his administration.
The projects inspected include the already completed and commissioned ultramodern public convenience; the Titan Trust Bank ATM Gallery, the first ever ATM Gallery since the creation of Emohua LGA in 1991 (completed and in use) at Emohua council secretariat; the completed four hospital wards in Emohua healthcare centre; the almost completed Emohua vigilante services secretariat building at Mgbuitanwo junction along East-West Road.
Others are the ongoing construction of Emohua council secretariat (administrative building); the council staff canteen nearing completion; the reconstruction and remodelling of Emohua council legislative council complex; the council chapel and marriage registry already making appreciable progress; the construction of 350-seater ICT studio named after Chief Emeka Woke in the council secretariat; the construction of 500-seater pavilion in the council secretariat; the construction of 20,000-gallon Braithwaite water reticulation project in the council secretariat; the completion of the abandoned office complex in the council secretariat; fencing and security tower project at the divisional police headquarters and court complex in Rumuji; the ongoing renovation of the temporary site for Elele-Alimini magistrate court complex; the construction of one kilometre Eveku road with two kilometre drainage in Eveku-Odegu; the construction of 1.5 kilometre Ukeli road with three kilometre drainage in Rundele; construction of one kilometre Ubimini road; and the newly approved construction of one kilometre Chief Nyesom Wike Drive with two kilometre drainage in Akpabu community.
Lloyd was accompanied by the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Mr Ben Tuo, and other principal officers of the council.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
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.