Rivers

RSG Tasks Development Committees On Work Plan

Published

15 years ago

February 23, 2010

The Rivers State government has warned all Community Development Committees (CDCs), Cluster Development Boards (CDBs) and other quasi-administrative structures it set up with the host communities and oil companies’ residents, to fast-tract development in these communities to work in tandem with their respective traditional institutions or be dissolved. The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Dr Tammy Danagogo handed down the warning last week Monday, in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the Kula Regional Development Council (KRDC). The Commissioner noted that the previous council was dissolved because of “divided loyalty, internal wrangling and destructive clash of interests among members”.
He recounted numerous efforts made by the state government in collaboration with the State Security Service (SSS), to foster peace in Kula Kingdom in the Akuku Toru Local Government Area (AKULGA) and how, in the process, Chief Kroma Amabibi Eleki-Sara XIV, was recognised as the rightful king of the community, a development which led to the upgrading of the royal stool to a 3rd class status, a development that would count for the good of the community and its citizens.
According to the commissioner, that recognition requires the existence of other functional governance structures, thus the importance of the Kula Regional Development Council (KRDC), which was designed to conceive and implement specific projects and programmes in conjunction with Chevron Nig Ltd and the state government for Kula and its constituent areas.
He reiterated that the ministry would not accept situations where appointees into such governance structures like Community Project Advisory Councils, Cluster Development Boards, or Foundations and Community Development Committees, etc behaves like autonomous bodies and become rival authorities in their respective communities, instead of being complementary organs designed to coordinate and activate the community development process in the state.
In his remarks, the Amanyanabo of Kula Kingdom, Chief Kroma Eleki-Sara XIV, expressed optimism that the real indigenes of Kula would not inhabit the community’s progress, regretting that several sad events had taken place in Kula over the years.
The royal father, however, commended the commissioner for the pains he took in midwifing the present momentum for the development of Kula, in spite of “the abuses and blackmail that you suffered in the process”.
Speaking after the inauguration of the 20-member KRDC, the chairman, Mr. Stanley Benibo assured that “our efforts, as members of this council, will be geared towards the realisation of the three-point vision of the Amanyanabo of Kula, HRM King Kroma Amabibi Eleki-Sara XIV, which is to ensure the physical and infrastructural development of Kula and turn it from a rural settlement to a semi-urban community.

Rivers

Expert Demands Full Implementation Of PIA In N’Delta Oil Communities

Published

4 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

An expert in Natural Resource Governance, Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the development of oil communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Uzoigwe made the appeal during a training for community representatives under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He noted that five years after the PIA was enacted, funding under the HCDT framework for member communities had yet to be fully implemented.

He attributed the slow pace of implementation to oil companies’ failure to remit funds, ongoing litigations, internal community disputes, and regulatory challenges, among other factors.

According to him, these challenges have made it difficult to properly assess the effectiveness of HCDT implementation in host communities.

Uzoigwe also expressed concern that several communities were yet to establish HCDTs, which are essential for accessing funds designated for local development.

“Fortunately, there are communities that have successfully leveraged the HCDT to advance development in their localities.

“However, we want every host community to access these funds to accelerate development in their respective areas and contribute to the broader transformation of the Niger Delta”, he stated.

Uzoigwe urged host communities to familiarise themselves with the provisions and regulations of the PIA to enable them to fully benefit from the Act.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, explained that the training was organised for HCDT communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers States.

According to her, the objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the PIA’s provisions, conduct needs assessments and undertake community development planning.

“We examined how the HCDT can be made effective and efficient in utilising the three per cent operational cost allocation for community development projects, as stipulated in the PIA.

“This allocation is structured as follows: 75 per cent for project execution, 20 per cent for savings, and five per cent for administrative costs.

“HCDT members are responsible for identifying and prioritising community needs through a transparent, sincere, and people-centred decision-making process in managing these funds”, Okon explained.

She encouraged host communities to engage actively with various stakeholders, including women, youth, farmers, and community leaders, to identify development projects that reflect the genuine needs of their communities.

Rivers

Opobo/Nkoro SOLAD Pledges To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare

Published

4 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Sole Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, says he will run an all-inclusive government for the betterment of the local government.

He stated that his priority is workers’ welfare in all ramifications and the good people of the area.

Apiafi stated this recently while addressing workers at the council’s headquarters in Opobo, saying that his direct mandate is to ensure that the existing peace is sustained.

According to him, he is a technocrat, hence he will carry out his functions accordingly.

“Thank you all for welcoming me as your administrator. My mandate here is to ensure that you, workers, are well treated, with your salaries paid promptly, and give you what you deserve.

“You all are my brothers, sisters and friends. I know that together we can take this local government to an enviable height. What I need from you is cooperation.

“I solicit for your support to enable us all succeed because I alone cannot achieve the desired development”, he urged.

The administrator used the forum to thank the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) for giving him the opportunity to serve his people and pledged that he will not disappoint him in any aspect, while promising to discharge his duties in strict compliance to the charge of the Sole Administrator.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the LGA, Comrade Diri Dandison, commended the administrator for placing workers’ welfare top on his list.

According to him, what workers want in the LGA is someone who can give them listening ears, and also give them what they deserve.

“I am happy that Mr. Fredrick Apiafi has placed welfare of workers first, but we pray he fullfills his promises. What we want is for people at the grassroots to also enjoy dividends of governance”, he said.

By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso

Rivers

Navy Saves 99 Persons From Drowning In Rivers

Published

4 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER have saved 99 persons from drowning in Rivers State during an operation.

A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.

He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.

According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.

“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.

“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain”, Adams Aliu said.

By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso