News
Reps Urge IOCs To Assist Solve UPTH Power Challenge
In a bid to put a permanent solution to the epileptic power challenge at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), the House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions has appealed to International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Rivers State to assist the hospital in solving the menace.
The committee said such assistance was part of the IOCs’ Corporate Social Responsible (CSR) to its host communities.
Chairman of the committee, Hon Paschal Chigozie Obi stated this in Port Harcourt during the tour of UPTH facilities as part of its constitutional oversight functions as federal lawmakers.
Obi, who represents Ideato North /South Federal Constituency, Imo State, said the committee was in the hospital for the exercise of its oversight functions in line with Section 88 of 1999 Constitution as amended, which gives power for it to exercise oversight roles in all Federal Government health institutions.
Accompanied by five other federal legislators, Obi appealed to oil companies in the state to seek alternative means of curbing power problem in UPTH so as to aid health care delivery service in the hospital.
He said the committee was pleased with what oil companies and corporate institutions were doing in Lagos State in areas of power supply to government-owned tertiary hospitals.
Obi urged companies, corporate institutions in Rivers State to replicate same gesture in Port Harcourt by assisting in providing constant power supply to UPTH to carry out its health care delivery services and save lives.
“I have not seen such thing here in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, government cannot do all alone, we need your assistance and services in areas of alternative power supply to the hospital.
“We need things like independent power plants in this hospital to boost health care delivery to the people”.
The chairman said the essence of the visit was to ensure that funds that were allocated to the hospital was judiciously utilised by the management.
“We are here to find out the manner these funds were managed and utilised by the management of this hospital.
“We are in UPTH to monitor the capable budgetary performance of the institution for the allocation used in 2021/2022”, he said.
The committee, who also visited Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Pediatric Dept, reconstructive surgery, mental health, COVID-19 Treatment Centre and Molecular Laboratory, commended the Chief Medical Director, UPTH, Prof Henry Arinze Ugboma and his team for their prudent management of the resources allocated to the hospital.
Obi lauded Ugboma for prudent utilisations of funds allocated to the hospital in the years under review.
“The CMD and the management’s of UPTH are doing well with funds allocated to them by the federal government, embarking on projects at the hospital”, Obi said.
The committee also hail UPTH management team for embarking on projects that would improve quality health care delivery in the hospital.
Earlier, Chief Medical Director, UPTH, Prof Henry Arinze Ugboma, noted that power was the major challenge militating the smooth operations in the hospital.
“We have some challenges, especially in the area of power. It is a major challenge in this hospital. Right now, we use about two trucks of diesel a month, and we pay Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) an average of about N20million per month.
“And for these two trucks of diesel, we pay for each N34million to keep power 24 hours it is not an easy thing because we are owing those who give us diesel.”
He disclosed that the hospital pays over N20million as electricity bill to Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) and spends over N60million on diesel on monthly bases.
“We are trying how we can assess alternative means of power. We are looking into it with some groups. We are also writing to multinationals to see how they can in to assist us in the area of alternative power. That is the biggest challenge that we have presently.”
By: Chinedu Wosu
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.