Niger Delta
FG Inaugurates Another Bridge In Edo Community
The Federal Government inaugurated a dualised bridge and road project in Aden Community, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The Tide source reports that the inauguration of the projects was performed by the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba.
Agba said the bridge and the road were awarded by the Federal Government in December 2020 at the cost of N1.2 billion, under the economic sustainability plan to sustain livelihoods in the area.
The source reports that the Minister had, in April, inaugurated a reconstructed bridge in Uzanu Community in Etsako-East Council Area and other road projects in Edo North Senatorial District.
Agba recalled that in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, government had come up with an economic sustainability plan.
He said the sum of N500 billion had been set aside to develop some programmes across the country, just to keep livelihoods going.
The minister further stated that he had set aside the sum of N60 billion to take care of road rehabilitation throughout the country in the budget then.
“There were some people who believed that we should be constructing new roads, but I had to convince the Vice-President, who was our Chairman, that we needed to take care of road sections and bridges that had already gone bad.
“That was when Engr. Stanley Dako, the Director of Operations, FERMA, mentioned Aden bridge to me. I had never been here before.
“He said the bridge was a single lane and that there was an oil mill that was of economic importance to the people along that axis.
“He (Dako) said the people were suffering as a result of the bad road and bridge.
“So, we actually came up with two bridges for Edo. This Aden bridge where we made initial allocation of N600 million, and the bridge in Uzanu Community, which we also provided for with about N480 million initial funding”, he said.
Agba said he was glad that the work on the bridge was practically complete and that it was now useable.
The Minister, who said the bridge was no longer a single-lane bridge, commended FERMA for doing a ‘fantastic and commendable’ job.
He said the 2020 budget had, on December 17, 2019, been signed off by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Agba, however, stated that it had to be redone, such that about N500 billion was sourced from some special accounts to accommodate the projects.
He commended the President for giving approvals for all the projects under the economic sustainability plan executed in Edo.
A community leader, Mr Mavis Nogheghase, who spoke at the occasion, thanked the Federal Government for its intervention, saying that the bridge had been in deplorable condition for about 17 years.
The source reports that residents of the community, who came out in their numbers to welcome the minister, sang songs of praises to thank God and the President for remembering them.
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.