Rivers
Amaechi Commissions N2bn Int’l Market In OBALGA
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi says
the muti-billion naira Obio/Akpor International Market commissioned last
Thursday is a reflection of prudent management of resources, which would go a
long way in creating job opportunities and generating revenue for the council.
Governor Amaechi said this during the commissioning of the
first phase of the market at Rukpokwu in Obio/Akpor local government area of
the state.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, Governor
Amaechi said “for the first time in the history of Nigeria, a local government
council would be boasting of a laudable project worth over two billion naira.
You and your councilors are our star”, calling on other council chairmen in the
state to follow the Obio/Akpor example.
He commended the council chairman for his developmental
drive, adding that the state government is willing to partner with the council
on areas of infrastructure development.
In her speech, the wife of the State Governor, Dame Judith
Amaechi lauded the council chairman for the “gigantic project”, especially the
building of Crèche/Nursery School, adding that the market would create alternative
source of livelihood for the women in the LGA.
Dame Amaechi said: “Education is wealth and the building of
the crèche/nursery school is a step towards building a better future for the
society”, pointing out that the market is a project that can stand the test of
time and worthy of emulation.
In his speech, the chairman of the occasion, a commissioner
in the revenue mobilisation, allocation and fiscal commission, Barr. Frank
Owhor, represented by Senator John Mbata commended the council chairman for his
developmental initiative and result-oriented plan, describing the market as a
“milestone and laudable project”.
Speaking at the occasion, the council chairman, Prince
Timothy Nsirim said the project was borne out of the desire to address the
unemployment situation in the local government, boost commerce and industry and
in conformity with the “urban renewal policy of the state government”, calling
on investors to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the council.
According to him, the sum of N2,026,385,256.70, which was
spent on the first phase of the market was sourced through “the federal
allocations and internally generated revenue”, stating that the market has 400
open markets stalls, 400 lockup shops, crèche/nursery school, 1000 motor carriage
park, a standard police station and other basic facilities that would aid the
smooth operation of the market.
Highpoint of the event was the foundation-stone laying of
the second phase of the market by Engr. Tele Ikuru in company of his wife, Dr. Mina
Ikuru and wife of the State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi among others.
Rivers
Rivers CJ To Sanction Lawyers Who Refuse To Comply With ADR Compliance
The Rivers state Chief Judge, Justice SIMONE CHIBUZOR-AMADI has given an indication to sanction any lawyer who fail to comply with directive of a judge in the state to transferred a case to Rivers State Multi Door Courthouse for Alternatives Dispute Resolution.
Justice AMADI stated this during a brief ceremony held at the chief judge auditorium in port Harcourt Friday held to hand over certificates of operation to two private ADR chambers on Precarious Dispute Resolution Services and Harmony Arbitration and mediation center .
He urged the two private ADR centres to be diligent in the discharge of their duties and warned against compromising the standard of Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR but should observed the regulations set out in collaboration regulation by the state Multi Door Court House.
Earlier in a address, the Director of the State Multi Door Courthouse, VICTOR NWEKE esq, highlighted some of the achievements of the Multi Door Courthouse especially in decongestion of court rooms.
NWEKE while disclosing how the department certified the two private ADR centres called for serious punitive measures be taken against any lawyer who fail to comply with a case referred to Multi Door Court House by a judge or magistrates in the state.
In her acceptance speech on behalf of the two certified private ADR centres, ALICE NIMI commended the State Judiciary and Multi Door Courthouse for the approval and assured that all the rules and regulations spelt out will be followed.
In a related development; the Rivers State Judiciary has assured its readiness to collaborate with Nigerian Securityding Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC in using Alternative Dispute Resolution to resolve some of the issues in their office.
The state Chief Judge , Justice SIMONE CHIBUZOR-AMADI made the promise when he received in audience the Zonal Commander of NSCDC, Assistant Commandant General, AYINLA TALYE OLOWO and his team who paid him a courtesy visit in his office , Friday where issuees ADR utilization took centre stage.
He used the opportunity to brief his visitors on the hurdles judges faces daily in the court room and the need for the decongestion of the court room , stressing that one judge handle more than three hundred cases but that if lawyers and litigants adopt ADR practice court rooms can be releive of the daily congestions.
The state Chief Judge however urged NSCDC to ensure a wider sensitization of the members of the public on the practice of ADR for a better awareness and knowledge.
Earlier in his speech, the Zonal Commander of NSCDC, Assistant Commandant General, AYINLA TALYE-OLOWO said the visit was to seek collaboration on the use of ADR in resolving some issues which he insisted would help decongest the courtrooms.
Our correspondent reports officials of the Rivers State Multi Door Courthouse led by the Director, VICTOR NWEKE led the team of NSCDC on a technical session where information on how to the fully in cooperated into the Multi Door Courthouse and operation of ADR will be emphasized.
Akujobi Amadi