News
Media Stakeholders Demand Amaechi’s Intervention In NUJ House Delay
The Chairman of Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Opaka Dokubo has accused the Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (BoPP) of perpetuating the continued refugee status of the union.
The Chairman said the BoPP had ensured that approval for the construction of the proposed NUJ House was not given, more than a year after the demolition of the former structures, and about three years after the de-roofing of the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre Complex by a devastating windstorm.
The NUJ boss, who made the lamentation at a one-day symposium to mark the 2013 World Press Freedom Day at the Ministry of Justice Conference Hall, tongue-lashed the BoPP over some inadvertent lapses which ‘could not have reared their ugly heads if NUJ secretariat had been rebuilt.
The lapses, the chairman observed, could have marred the planned celebration of the World Press Freedom Day event in Port Harcourt, noting that the issues of convenient venue for holding Press Conference or meetings and lack of office space for operational purposes were major challenges for the union.
Dokubo told the audience that the State Government had made all efforts through the Ministry of Information and Communications, for the Bureau to vet and approve the tender documents for award of contract to reconstruct the NUJ House, to no avail.
According to him, the necessity for the project, which had been justified at both State Executive Council and House of Assembly, and adequate funds appropriated in the 2012 Budget, was still being questioned by the bureau. ‘
He told the stakeholders that the executive of the NUJ had done everything under the sun to reach the leadership of the BoPP to explain issues but that the bureau had continued to shut its doors against the union, arguing that the bureau appeared to be deliberately delaying kick-starting the well-intentioned NUJ House to ensure that it was not rebuilt by the Amaechi administration.
Dokubo, who expressed displeasure over the delay tactics in the guise of due process, stated that if NUJ Secretariat had been rebuilt, the glaring short-comings and challenges the union was facing could have been mitigated, and blamed the difficulties and embarrassments encountered by the union and journalists in the state on the BoPP.
In his welcome remarks, organising committee chairman, Ignatius Chukwu, said the aim of the symposium was to keep the fire of freedom alive, as according to him, both journalism and the society thrived on freedom and sustainable democracy.
Prominent Rivers State indigenes at the forum also frowned at the inability of the appropriate government agency to facilitate the reconstruction of the secretariat for journalists practicing in the state, just as they expressed sadness that NUJ officers and members had remained refugees without any good rallying and meeting point in the state.
Chairman of the occasion, Dr Anthony Amakiri, expressed worry that the bureau had unnecessarily delayed vetting of the bid documents for the NUJ house and tasked the Rivers State Governor to intervene to get the project kick-started.
Speakers, who took turns to address the audience, lauded the governance style of the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi-Ied administration, especially in the area of encouraging and supporting freedom of the press in the state.
Lead Speaker, Dr. John Idumange, political activist and lecturer in the Niger Delta University (NDU), now Special Adviser to Governor Dickson Seriake of Bayelsa State on Social Media, reflected on the fallen heroes in the profession, and regretted that no government or body cared for the families of journalists who had paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
Udumange regretted the absence of insurance cover for practising journalists, and challenged media owners to institute functional insurance template for journalists and other media workers to guarantee the future of their families, especially children.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.