Niger Delta
FG Inaugurates 7.85km Isoko Ring Road
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Federal Government on Tuesday, inaugurated the N2.1 billion, 7.85 km single carriageway Isoko Ring Road (Aviara-Uzere) in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who unveiled the project, said with the harvests of completed roads, bridges and other infrastructural projects being witnessed across the country, government investments have started yielding results.
The Tide’s source reports that the project was awarded to Messrs Levant Constriction Limited on Dec. 6, 2013 at a total contract sum of N2.1 billion.
Represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, the President said the Federal Government was committed to completing various road projects across the country.
This, he said, was to link communities and create easy flow of transportation for human and material movement.
“It is our commitment to improve road transport infrastructure and our determination to improve and ease doing business, create jobs and lift people out of poverty.
“These are the things that brought us here today because the results of our investment are manifesting.
“I can confidently say that as we enter the final lap of the tenure of our administration, we are also entering a season of completion and delivery of projects.
“As you can all see, we are handing over today the 7.85 Km Road, which links Aviara-Uzere in Delta.
“A very important road that connects agrarian and fishing communities to ease the movement of their farm products. Linking these communities together, this road becomes a critical component of our national road network,” he said.
Buhari noted that the road had been built to the highest quality of design and workmanship, adding that if well used and not abused, it would last for the designed service life.
He warned against road abuse such as overloading of vehicles and trucks that accelerated pavement damage and spilling of petroleum products among other practices that could damage the roads.
“We must all do our best to avoid these practices, report them when they occur and act in a lawful manner to stop them.
“The road is also a story of the capacity of our people and how patriotic Nigerians who were employed directly to build the road.
“The scores of suppliers employed indirectly who are responsible for providing the machines utilised in the construction,” he said.
He, however, urged the people to always maintain the speed limits of 100 km per hour on the highways.
Speaking, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, represented by Mr Peter Umoren, Deputy Director Highways in the ministry, said the inauguration was the beginning of the second phase of projects completion across Nigeria.
According to Fashola, more completed roads projects will be handed over to communities and governments of Yobe, Nassarawa, Gombe among others states which flagged-off in Ekiti and Jigawa States.
“These projects represent major investment in road transport infrastructure, which is a commitment of Buhari administration as a driver for economic growth and prosperity.
“They are visible and incontrovertible assets in proof of what Nigeria’s resources are invested in from a combination of our earned resources and borrowings,’’ he said.
Thanking all stakeholders in the projects including the communities, Fashola lauded the presidency for their leadership, adding that his leadership was bearing fruits and the evidence of change manifesting.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by Commissioner for Works (Urban and Highways), Mr Noel Omodon, lauded the Federal Government for the project and called for more partnership to ensure rehabilitation of roads and bridges completion.
According to Okowa, the State Government is currently saddled with the construction of the Ughelli-Asaba Federal Highway and the Koka flyover bridge along Asaba-Onitsha Expressway among others.
He appealed to the Federal Government to consider rehabilitating and reconstruction of the Benin-Warri Expressway, the Sapele-Agbor Expressway and others which currently deplorable.
In his address of welcome, the Permanent Secretary in the Minister of Works and Housing,Mr Bashir Alkali, said Buhari’s agenda of developing roads infrastructure was a policy direction focusing on jobs creation and economic development.
Alkali, represented by the Federal Controller of Works in Delta, Mr Olawale Jimoh, said the construction of the Isoko Ring Road was aimed at promoting local content.
“The focus is to link the major arterial roads to refineries, ports, tertiary institutions and high volume commercial centres with a view to reducing travelling times vehicle maintenance costs, safety and security of computers,” he said.
On his part, the Area Manager, Levant Construction Limited, Mr Ghassan Fadel, lauded the community, Federal Government and all stakeholders for the completion of the project.
According to him, the community before the completion of the 7.85 km ring road had difficulty moving their wares in and out of the community.
The President-General, Uzere Community, Mr Brooklyn Essi, represented by Sir Edjoor Uyeh, thanked the Federal Government for the projects.
Essi, however, urged government to construct link bridges for the communities and drainage channels to arrest the annual flooding witnessed in the community which he said could damage the roads.
Niger Delta
Bipi Celebrates Gen Asabuja On Birthday
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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.
Niger Delta
Joint Provincial Council, East Of The Niger Salutes Diocese Of Evo
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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.