Rivers

Monarch Backs Fubara On Ring Road Project

Published

2 years ago

July 17, 2023

The Oneh Eh Paramount Ruler of Alesa Kingdom in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Emperor J. D. Nkpe, has said that the proposed Port Harcourt Ring Road will boost the economy of the State.
The construction of the project, which will include six bridges, will crisscross six LGAs of the State, will be flagged off today by former Governor Nyesom Wike.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, King Nkpe said apart from boosting the economy of the state, the road will also improve the security of the State.
According to the monarch, the economic importance of the road is overwhelming, as all rural communities will be linked up, thereby facilitating the movement of agricultural produce from one location to another.
“It will be very much economical for the State as all the monies that will be spent in its construction will be regained.
“I have told my people that nobody should bring in any bottleneck in the construction of the Ring Road”, he said.
The Alesa monarch also urged communities where the project will pass through to give free hand to the government and the construction company.
He also stressed the need for Rivers people to give Sir Siminalaye Fubara the full support, while mischief makers should leave the Governor alone.
“Those that want to disturb the government should leave the Governor alone. Fubara will surprise this State”, he said.
He continued that “with Fubara as Governor of the State, Rivers State will become the envy of other States in the country”.
Meanwhile, King Nkpe has decried the continous abandonment of the Eleme section of the East-West Road by the Federal Government.
He said the continous abandonment of the road has shown the Federal Government’s disregard to the contributions of Eleme people to the economy of the country.
The monarch said even the companies operating within Eleme Local Government Area are not concerned about the welfare of the people.
He said his people will no longer take the Federal Government seriously as far as the Eleme section of the East-West Road is concerned.
According to him, it is not the first time Eleme people have been deceived, and denied development, adding that successive governments have been promising Eleme people and expressed the hope that the Tinubu-led administration will be different as far as the road is concerned.
He, however, said Eleme people will not take the laws into their hands.
“The road links Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi State and even Cameroun.
“The Aleto bridge was constructed in the 50’s and that bridge is not enough to carry the volume of traffic on the road”, King Nkpe said.
The Royal Father also called on companies operating in Eleme to respect the wishes of their host Communities and implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
He condemned the divide and rule tactics being employed by the companies in dealing with their host Communities.
“Most of the companies are like a curse to Eleme land, even with the PIA laws the companies are not listening to Eleme people”, he stated.

By: John Bibor

Rivers

Fubara Approves Building Admin Block, Hostels, Others For IAUE

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the construction of key infrastructural projects in Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE).

The Governor, who gave the approval midweek during his maiden visit to the institution, was responding to requests made by the Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor of the university, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, said his administration will do everything possible to improve the current state of the University.

Addressing the crowd, comprising virtually the entire university community and its host community, after a tour of the Main Campus, the Governor explained that he had come based on the request made by the Governing Council Chairman to provide additional facilities in the school.

Earlier, the Governing Council boss, Amiesimaka, had stressed the need for the Rivers State Government to intervene urgently in critical areas of the institution.

He noted that the achievements and progress recorded by the institution in terms of infrastructural development were mainly those provided by TETFund, though the University is under the control of the Rivers State Government.

He, however, lauded the University’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, “for managing the institution very well despite the lack of government presence”.

In his response, the Governor automatically granted the request made for the building of new hostels for both male and female students, a new administrative block, a health center, and a sports complex.

Addressing students of the university, Fubara appealed to them to “use the rare opportunity provided for them to attain sound education”.

He also urged them to ensure that they remain focused and achieve the purpose for which they are in the university.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Rivers

Group Predicts Garden City Status Return For Rivers … Lauds Fubara Over New RIWAMA Boss’ Appointment

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

An environmental health advocacy group in Nigeria, the Community Health and Advocacy Initiative (CHAIN), has said Rivers State will soon return to its Garden City status.

The South-South Project Coordinator of CHAIN, Engr. Sunny Andy Dimkpa, who stated this recently on the sidelines of a two-day workshop themed “Eat, Clean and Live” in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, said this is due to the leadership style and focus of the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

“Under the leadership of an astute administrator like Governor Fubara, who possesses extensive field knowledge in community health and the Rivers State environment, meaningful progress can be achieved”, he said.

Dimkpa used the fora to commend the State Governor for responding to the concerns of environmental stakeholders by strengthening waste management operations in the state, particularly with the appointment of Hon. Orukwem Amadi-Opareli as the Managing Director of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).

He further praised the Governor for identifying young talents to drive key sectors of his economic reforms, noting that Amadi-Opareli’s leadership at RIWAMA signals the beginning of a transformative era for sanitation in Rivers State.

Describing Amadi-Opareli’s appointment as a clear testament to the Governor’s commitment to ridding Port Harcourt and its environs of filth, the CHAIN boss expressed optimism about the possibility of restoring Port Harcourt to its former Garden City status.

Towards this end, Dimkpa urged the new RIWAMA helmsman to “align the agency’s core mandate with Governor Fubara’s Sectoral Focus on Environment and Sanitation, while taking deliberate steps to engage communities and retraining of sanitation enforcement agents as a means of facilitating the efficient implementation of waste management policies”.

He also advocated for an improved sanitary culture among Rivers State residents, calling for the revival of the state’s monthly sanitation exercise.

Soibi Max-Alalibo

Rivers

Farmers Urge Govt, Corporate Bodies For Support … Wants More Youths In Farming

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

The Association of Farmers and Food Processors in Rivers State has called on government and corporate bodies to do more to support practicing farmers in the state in order to successfully tackle the issue of food scarcity and continuous increase in price.

President of the association, Chisom Dike, who made the call while speaking with our correspondent in Port Harcourt, said the aim is to make food available for Rivers people.

He said the agricultural sector comprises more of the elderly, adding that there is a need for young people to venture into farm business as it help to increase food production and processing across the State.

“We don’t have enough farmers in Rivers State. Also, there are more of elderly people farming in the agric industry. It is a challenge because we are not producing enough food.

“We need more young people, whether male or female, to invest in farming as it is equally a lucrative business”, he said.

The Association of Farmers further called on the government and relevant bodies to see how the effects of flooding can be managed, knowing that great losses have been recorded over the years due to flooding.

“Most times when these flooding occur we lose a lot of top soil which is a major ingredient for planting. We also lose our livestock and also our animals are exposed to infection due to the floods”, he stated.

Dike also commended the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his interest in the agricultural industry, and for the commissioning of a Board of Directors to oversee the intended projects.

“We will like to appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture and other corporate bodies to be involved in promoting farming and food processing.

“The basic need of everybody is food, and if we can produce these foods, it will help in reducing crime”, he stated.

According to him, the level of criminal activities will be reduced if the price of commodities decreases across the State.

He also called on the State Government to pally with farmers of the state in order to know what their problems are, adding that Local Government Areas need to be equipped to be able to support farmers as most farming are done at the rural levels.

Iragunima Benice