Rivers
DELGA Chairman Justifies Dissolution Of Bille Youth Exco
The Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon Michael John Williams, has adduced reasons for dissolving the Bille Youth Executive, which he recently disbanded.
Speaking during a courtesy call of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Bille Clan, at his office in Degema, Thursday, the Council Boss stated that the youth body failed to adhere to the rules, laid down by the Rivers State Government, concerning conduct of youth elections in the State.
He staed that his decision to dissolve the youth body was not done out of hate or personal interest, but to simply enforce government’s decision on the matter, assuring that his administration would endorse the group if they go back and comply with the extant laws of the land.
The DELGA Sheriff called on the traditional institution in the area to get involved in the recruitment process of youths into such organizations, in order to forestall a situation where miscreants with criminal tendencies would infiltrate the youth body, using it as a cover to perpetrate crime and criminality.
He commended the people of Bille for what he called their uncommon unity and brotherliness, adding that in order to preserve the rich culture of the Bille people, his administration had undertaken to reconstruct the native arbitration building, known as the Ekine Sekiapu Society House, to a befitting structure.
Earlier, Bille Clan Chairman of the INC, Elder Dagogo George Secondus, commended the Council Chairman, whom he described as “a very special gift from God to Bille Kingdom and the entire LGA.”
He thanked the Council boss for swiftly addressing the protracted issue of sea piracy that had bedevilled the Bille people, despite their cries to past administrations for help, which unfortunately yielded nothing.
“It is better imagined than said, when the Chief Security Officer at the time was withdrawn and unwilling to assuage our pains, even by an expression of empathy.
“At that point, our entire existence as a people was challenged.
“But very unlike others, you did not turn a blind eye to the issue on ground at the time, but sprang into action,” he narrated.
He commended the Chairman for always showing interest in the affairs of Bille and other communities of the LGA, adding that the Chairman had redefined governance at the grassroots.
Elder Secondus, who prayed God Almighty to continue to uplift and protect the Council Chairman, added that DELGA would have long been transformed if the LGA had been fortunate to have the likes of Hon. Michael John Williams as Chairman of Council.
The Ijaw leaders used the occasion to invite the Chairman as Special Guest of Honour for their forthcoming INC function, slated for August 12, 2022, at Bille, and to also seek for his assistance towards the hosting
of the event.
By: Theresa Frederick
Rivers
Rivers CJ To Sanction Lawyers Who Refuse To Comply With ADR Compliance
The Rivers state Chief Judge, Justice SIMONE CHIBUZOR-AMADI has given an indication to sanction any lawyer who fail to comply with directive of a judge in the state to transferred a case to Rivers State Multi Door Courthouse for Alternatives Dispute Resolution.
Justice AMADI stated this during a brief ceremony held at the chief judge auditorium in port Harcourt Friday held to hand over certificates of operation to two private ADR chambers on Precarious Dispute Resolution Services and Harmony Arbitration and mediation center .
He urged the two private ADR centres to be diligent in the discharge of their duties and warned against compromising the standard of Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR but should observed the regulations set out in collaboration regulation by the state Multi Door Court House.
Earlier in a address, the Director of the State Multi Door Courthouse, VICTOR NWEKE esq, highlighted some of the achievements of the Multi Door Courthouse especially in decongestion of court rooms.
NWEKE while disclosing how the department certified the two private ADR centres called for serious punitive measures be taken against any lawyer who fail to comply with a case referred to Multi Door Court House by a judge or magistrates in the state.
In her acceptance speech on behalf of the two certified private ADR centres, ALICE NIMI commended the State Judiciary and Multi Door Courthouse for the approval and assured that all the rules and regulations spelt out will be followed.
In a related development; the Rivers State Judiciary has assured its readiness to collaborate with Nigerian Securityding Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC in using Alternative Dispute Resolution to resolve some of the issues in their office.
The state Chief Judge , Justice SIMONE CHIBUZOR-AMADI made the promise when he received in audience the Zonal Commander of NSCDC, Assistant Commandant General, AYINLA TALYE OLOWO and his team who paid him a courtesy visit in his office , Friday where issuees ADR utilization took centre stage.
He used the opportunity to brief his visitors on the hurdles judges faces daily in the court room and the need for the decongestion of the court room , stressing that one judge handle more than three hundred cases but that if lawyers and litigants adopt ADR practice court rooms can be releive of the daily congestions.
The state Chief Judge however urged NSCDC to ensure a wider sensitization of the members of the public on the practice of ADR for a better awareness and knowledge.
Earlier in his speech, the Zonal Commander of NSCDC, Assistant Commandant General, AYINLA TALYE-OLOWO said the visit was to seek collaboration on the use of ADR in resolving some issues which he insisted would help decongest the courtrooms.
Our correspondent reports officials of the Rivers State Multi Door Courthouse led by the Director, VICTOR NWEKE led the team of NSCDC on a technical session where information on how to the fully in cooperated into the Multi Door Courthouse and operation of ADR will be emphasized.
Akujobi Amadi