Rivers

WCD: SFH Promises More Commodities, Partnership

Published

1 year ago

September 29, 2023

As Rivers State joined other states across the world to mark this year’s world contraception Day, the Society for Family Health (SFH) has promised to partner with the Rivers State Government through the Ministry of Health to make available more contraception commodities for women to access across the state.
SFH is one of the leading partners with the State Government in providing health commodities, especially with regards to contraception health and enlightenment.
Speaking to The Tide on the side line of this year’s celebration of the World Contraception Day with the theme, “Power of option: Spotlighting the crucial role that contraception plays in empowering individual to take control of their reproductive Health”, held in Port Harcourt, Tuesday. the social Behaviour change /communication officer of SFH, Mr Uge Victor Ifeanyi, assured that the organization will continue to provide contraception commodities in the State to enable the women take charge of their reproductive health care.
Ifeanyi said the organization has been partnering with the State Government through the Ministry of Health since 2021 and currently has built 30 facilities in Ogba/Egbema, Okirika, Obio/Akpor, Phalga and Ahaoda East Local Government Areas of the State.
He disclosed that this year’s theme was apt as it gives every woman the right choice to choose the form of contraception formula they want to operate with out being forced.
According to him, the delivery in self care (Disc) model of the organization was aimed at giving every woman the chance to choose and have total control of their reproductive health care.
“The women in the community think that it is only the nurses that have the right to injection. Our Disc model is all about self care and it gives them the way for self care.
“Now, with the introduction of this model, the women now stay at their comfort homes and take their injection with out going to health centres. The women can now stand up we can take care of our reproductive health care”, he said.
Ifeanyi stressed that the practice of contraception among women will help prevent unwanted pregnancy and contracting of sexually transmitted diseases, adding that the efficacy of the practice is assured if followed according to specifications.
“All contraception are reliable and efficient if followed accordingly and complied to. The women have the right to choose whether it is the long, short term, or even the pie or what they need is to visit any government health care for instruction on how to the product is administered”, he stated.
He assured that the organization will scale up its operations and provide commodities in the State, stressing that they will promote more enlightenment and sensitisation and advocacy programmes to inform more women on the need to key into the reproductive health care system.
The event attracted stakeholders and practioners from Health sector and students in public health institutions in the State.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Rivers

Julius Berger reiterates commitment to Bodo- Bonny Road Project

Published

5 days ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has reaffirmed its steadfastness in its mission to delivering transformative infrastructure projects that align with Nigeria’s developmental priorities.

In a statement issued by the leading construction firm and signed by its Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeiseifa James Agama, Julius Berger noted that, “For over 50 years, we have partnered with the Federal Government, communities, and stakeholders to deliver transformative infrastructure solutions with professionalism, transparency, and adherence to the highest standards”.
“The Bodo-Bonny Road project exemplifies our unwavering commitment to progress, despite significant operational and financial challenges. Extreme inflation, rising input costs, and FX volatility necessitating the declaration of Force Majeure and the suspension of works in November 2023. Nevertheless, Julius Berger resumed work in good faith in August 2024, five months before the formal execution of the contract, following a verbal agreement with the Federal Ministry of Works to adjust the contract value from NGN200 billion to NGN280 billion”.
“Although inflationary pressures on materials have risen between 200% and 600% (and even higher in some cases), the relatively modest adjustment to the contract value was a welcome step. Julius Berger’s acceptance at the time reflects our commitment to addressing challenges impacting projects and fostering mutual agreements with the Federal Government to ensure their successful delivery”, the statement further read.
Julius Berger further noted that, “The absence of a tripartite funding agreement between the Federal Government, NLNG and Julius Berger continues to impact payments, requiring Julius Berger to pre-finance significant portions of the project. Despite these challenges, we have continued to make progress, including through the yuletide season, reaffirming our commitment to delivering this critical national asset”.
“It is important to note that Julius Berger is the only contractor to have taken on this project in a challenging terrain previously abandoned by other contractors. Connecting Bonny Island to the mainland for the first time underscores our commitment to innovation and national development.
We remain focused on fostering constructive engagement with all stakeholders to ensure the timely and successful delivery of the Bodo-Bonny Road, a project critical to Nigeria’s economic and social advancement and a cornerstone for the long-term development and prosperity of the Niger Delta”, the statement read.

Rivers

JONAPWD Elections: Commissioner Inaugurates 5-Man Committee

Published

5 days ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Ilamu Arugu, has inaugurated a 5-man electoral committee to oversee the forth-coming elections of the Joint Association of Persons Living with Disabilities in the State (JONAPWD).

Members of the committee were carefully selected from five clusters, representing various categories of persons with disabilities, including visually and hearing impaired, spinal cord injury, physically challenged, and persons with albinism, to ensure that the electoral process is inclusive.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held in his office in Port-Harcourt, Mr. Arugu emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, and fairness in the electoral process and charged the committee members to “conduct the election with integrity, impartiality, and the fear of God”.

The Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Commissioner also tasked the committee with developing a comprehensive plan for the election within two weeks and to report any challenges they encounter within the same timeframe to ensure prompt solutions to facilitate a seamless election.

In his acceptance speech, the newly appointed Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr. Nwankwo Ndubuisi, expressed his gratitude to the Commissioner on behalf of his colleagues for entrusting them with the mandate and pledged to work tirelessly to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process.

“I’d like to thank the Commissioner for this opportunity, and I assure him that we’ll work diligently to ensure a successful election”, the Chairman said.

Mr. Ndubuisi also thanked his colleagues for their support and cooperation, saying, “We’re dedicated to making this election a reality, and we’ll work together to achieve our goal”.

This inauguration marks a crucial milestone in addressing the leadership vacuum created by the expiration of Mr. Kie Obomanu’s tenure as Chairman of JONAPWD.

A statement by the Head of Press, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Martha Igbiks, said, “the Ministry’s initiative is a welcome development which demonstrates its commitment to promoting inclusivity, transparency, and accountability in governance, ensuring that persons with disabilities have a voice and are actively involved in the decision-making process”.

Rivers

Orazi Gas Explosion: 3 Confirmed Dead

Published

5 days ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

Three persons have been confirmed dead in the Orazi Gas explosion in Port Harcourt , Rivers State, which occurred last weekend.

Recall that the Rivers State Government confirmed that 16 persons were initially admitted into the hospital as a result of the explosion.

According to information, the dead, which include a father and two of his daughters, were among those receiving treatment at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, saying the 16 survivors from the incident were carried immediately to the RSUTH.

She also confirmed that some of them were in critical conditions when they were taken there.

“In fact, we are currently managing 16 patients that arose from the explosion at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

“They have various degrees of burns and thankfully we have a highly specialized unit that is providing expert attention and care to the patients”, she said.

Dr. Oreh said the explosion took place in a residential area without proper guidelines.

“The gas explosion took place in a residential area without adherent to guidelines on how gas cylinders that are commercialized should be operated.

“This is definitely beyond the ministry of health and that emphasizes the fact of what we call social determinants of health and so we work very closely with other ministries”she said.

She also said the Rivers State Government, through the various ministries, is carrying out activities with the view to streamlining the activities of such service providers so that clear guidelines are communicated to them to ensure that the lives of and property of the people of Rivers state is protected.

John Bibor