News

Senate Pledges Support For Renewed Hope Housing, Seeks More Funding

Published

2 years ago

July 26, 2024

The Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development, has pledged support to the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and called for more funding.
The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, said this during an oversight visit to the ministry in Abuja.
Tambuwal said the oversight was necessary in order to know the progress of projects and ensure that monies appropriated were spent in accordance with extant laws and regulations.
“Democracy is all about checks and balances to ensure that the right thing is done by the agencies among other things.
“As we appropriate, we also go around and see whether the money is released and if released, are being applied judiciously.
“We are ready to support the program of the Federal Government in providing affordable housing for Nigerians under the renewed hope housing agenda.
“We believe that more money should be given to the Ministry of Housing because this is one great sector that will generally distribute wealth to the lowest of the low,’’ he said
Tambuwal said that the committee was concerned with the incessant building collapse in the country and called for stricter regulatory actions.
“The issue of building collapse is becoming a very big issue in Nigeria and it largely has to do with the way most of these projects have been implemented by using substandard materials and not following the designs.
“I think the regulatory authorities should step up and ensure to reverse this ugly trend.’’ he said.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, said the ministry was working towards the actualisation of the renewed hope housing agenda of the president.
Dangiwa said that the groundbreaking for the Renewed Hope Cities, had been done in 13 sites funded by the 2023 supplementary budget.
“We have one city in Kano and then the other two in each of the political zones of the country. They are happy with the spread of the estate, that it covers the entire nation.
“They are also happy that the project cuts across all political parties. So no one will talk of favouritism to the ruling party or any other party,’’ he said.
Dangiwa said that the ministry was also working on slum upgrade and urban renewal in over 28 sites across the country.
He said the committee was happy with the progress of the project so far and advocated for more funding for the ministry to the tune of N500 billion.
The minister said, “If you give the Federal Ministry of Housing N500 billion, give them two years, they will return nothing less than N300 billion back to the coffers of the government by selling these houses, even with little subsidy to the nation.’’
Dangiwa said that the ministry had put measures in place to avert building collapse while delivering affordable housing to Nigerians.
This, he said, was by ensuring proper design by qualified consultants, proper planning approval done by the professionals in the planning authorities. substandard building materials were not used in ensuring the construction is done with good building materials.
“We have to ensure that the contractors executing the projects are qualified contractors, not political contractors who don’t have to go through the specifications before they implement it.
“So these are some of the measures that we have put in place to ensure that we curb building collapse and we are ensuring that all the planning authorities in charge with supervision of construction sites monitors them,’’ he said

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.