Niger Delta
Delta Approves 130 Boats For Marine Transportation
The Delta Government says it has approved funds for the purchase of 130 boats to boost marine transportation in the state.
It also said that it had approved the procurement of 1,000 tricycles to enhance intra-city transportation in major towns.
The Commissioner for Transport, Mr Benson Igbakpa, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Asaba.
He said government was determined to provide an affordable and effective transport system in the state.
Igbakpa said the approved boats were made up of 100 big water buses and 30 small boats, adding that approval had also been given for the construction of seven new jetties and rehabilitation of existing ones.
He explained that the tricycles were to replace commercial motorcycles whose operations would soon be restricted to only feeder roads in the state.
The commissioner said the decision to remove commercial motorcycles from major roads was to reduce accidents and criminality associated with motorcyclists.
Out of the 1,000 tricycles approved for purchase, he said 800 would be devoted to passengers while 200 would be strictly for cargoes.
Igbakpa further disclosed that the government would soon take delivery of 150 buses which would include 100 Toyota Hiace and 50 luxury Macopolo brand.
On human capital development, he said plans were on for the establishment of a Drivers’ Institute in the state in collaboration with the FRSC.
In another development, the Chairman, Delta Waste Management Board (DWMB), Chief Olori Magege says the board has initiated discussions with corporate and individual investors in the waste-to-wealth business.
Magege told newsmen in Asaba that the investment drive was part of efforts to process the waste generated in the state into fertiliser or organic manure for farmers.
He, however, identified funds as a major challenge that may delay the realisation of the waste-to-wealth initiative.
The waste being generated in the state, he said, had surpassed “the wheel barrow stage,” adding that there was need to adopt modern and effective waste disposal system.
The board chairman lamented that the disposition of residents toward waste management and refuse disposal was not encouraging.
He decried the existing situation in the state where, rather than embrace private sector participation in waste management introduced by government, many residents had stuck to their old ways of disposing waste.
“The people see the call for them to pay for waste disposal as levy and taxation,’’ he added
He also said government had approved the constitution of a sanitation brigade which would enlighten the people on proper waste disposal procedures and enforce them.
Magege said his target was to improve internally generated revenue while converting waste generated in the state to wealth.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.