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RSG Approves N12.4bn Contract For Two More Flyovers
The Rivers State Executive Council has approved the award of two contracts for the construction of two additional flyover bridges in Port Harcourt City at the cost of N12.4billion.
One of the flyover bridges would be at the intersection of Olu-Obasanjo Road and Port Harcourt Aba Expressway, popularly called “Waterlines Junction”, and it would be 800 meters long.
The other flyover bridge would be at the intersection of Olu-Obasanjo and Ikwerre Road up to the Azikiwe Street and would be 1km long.
The Rivers State Executive Council gave the approval at its meeting, presided over by Governor Nyesom Wike at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
The Commissioner for Works, Hon Elloka Tasie-Amadi, who briefed journalists after the meeting, said the approval was sequel to two memos his ministry presented to the council on the need for the construction of the flyovers.
“The memos were approved and consequently the Government of Rivers State will be awarding two contracts to the Julius Berger Nigeria PLC for the construction of two flyovers.
“One of them will be at the intersection of Olu-Obasanjo Road on Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway. That bridge will be about 800 meters long.
“The other flyover bridge will be constructed at the intersection of Ikwerre Road where you have Olu-Obasanjo and Azikiwe Street and it will be I km long. Both projects will come at a combined cost of about N12.4billion.”
The works commissioners said the construction of the flyover bridges became necessary because of present and foreseeable traffic difficulties that motorist will suffer.
Tasie-Amadi said it was already observed that the flow of vehicles from the soon-to-be completed GRA flyover and the Rebisi flyover gets into lockjams at the Waterlines Junction on Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, but the flyover will be a solution.
“At the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway intersection (Waterlines Junction) of Olu-Obasanjo Road, we observed that with the construction of Rebisi Flyover and the soon-to-be completed GRA flyover and Rumuola flyover, you’ll have a lot of traffic between those two points.
“Consequently, we will have a bottleneck at that junction of Port Harcourt-Aba Road Expressway and Olu-Obasanjo Road which we call Waterlines junction. So, we proposed that to take care of that problem.
“This is aside from the fact that we have a lot of urban migration and higher vehicular activities in Port Harcourt.
“For the flyover that will be located at the intersection of Olu-Obasanjo Road, Ikwerre Road and Azikiwe Street, we also observed that the reconstruction going on Ikwerre Road and the higher number of vehicles and traffic jams observed over the years will get worse. So, we thought it wise to construct a flyover now.”
The commissioner stated that when these projects are done, they would ease commute and ultimately reduce the stress to citizens and the cost of transportation.
Similarly, Commissioner for information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, said the approval for the two additional flyovers was historic, and has given further impetus to the urban renewal programme of the Wike-led administration.
He said the administration of Wike was forward looking in designing projects that would make Rivers State the destination of choice for prospective investors.
“His Excellency is the architect of the New Rivers Vision. He is unrelenting in designing these projects that will make Rivers State the destination of choice by putting the right infrastructure is put in place for our people and those who live and do business here.”
He explained that the administration was sending signals to investors to see that Rivers State is set and opened for business.
According to him, those who want to go about their normal business in Rivers State are assured of the right economic climate, and the right infrastructure.
“The governor of Rivers State is desirous to make Rivers State a model of development, of infrastructure and economic prosperity. And today’s landmark decision by the State Executive Council underscores that point. That Rivers State is investors’ destination of choice.”
He further announced that beginning from March 1, the state government would commence another phase of commissioning of more projects that cut across road infrastructure, health, sport and education.
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.