Niger Delta
Militants, JTF Face-off: Delta Gov Heads Rebuilding Committee
In his determination to rebuild the destroyed towns of Okerenkoko and Ugborodo communities and meet the deadline of March next year, the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has constituted a 12 man committee to implement the programme.
Dr. Uduaghan announced this when the consultant handling the project architect, Ezekiel Iyang Ekut visited him in Asaba. The visit was to present the plan of the Housing Scheme to him.
The governor, who reiterated his administration’s commitment to the provision of social amenities and housing to Deltans in the rural communities, said that the constitution of the committee was to fast track the project.
He explained that the project has been designed and called on the committee to work closely with the consultant to ensure that the project was completed on schedule.
Governor Uduaghan invited the Federal government, oil companies operating in the area and international agencies to partner with the state as the project was a gigantic one.
According to him “This is capital intensive. We are committed to ensuring that it succeeds, we cannot do it alone, we call on the federal government, oil companies and international bodies to take interest in the project. We believe we should replace the damaged towns by developing a new town as part of our past amnesty plan.”
He said the project would create employment for the youths of the area and promised that the contractors will work hard to meet up the deadline.
In his presentation, the consultant of the project and the chairman National Social Housing Scheme, Architect Ezekiel Iyang Etuk commended the Delta State government for its preparedness to resettle the displaced people of Okerenkoko and Ugborodo.
He said, he has started the job of designing a befitting settlement for the people by assessing the area, surveying it and putting the necessary statistics in place to build 350 houses for the people.
Architect Etuk explained that the project which is in its 1st phase would contain about 150 units of one bed room apartment, 100 units two bed room apartment and fifty units of three bedroom apartment.
He explained that the committee would develop a sustainability plan to ensure that the occupants of the buildings are able to maintain them adding that he was also exploring the possibility of attaching a means of livelihood for them.
The consultant outlined the challenges the committee would face to include spending much money in the difficult terrain, high cost of transport among others.
His words “We are building a 350 apartment in the area, we are using the conventional pattern to ensure that the houses look modern. We will be faced with the challenge of building in a difficult terrain and it will cost much money than building in other areas in the country but we promised to deliver a good job.”
The implementation committee is to be chaired by the state governor. Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chief Wellington Okirika, Chairman DESOPADEC as vice chairman, the commissioners for Housing, Water Resources, Power and Energy and Special Duties (DESOPADEC) among others as members.
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.