Rivers
Family Clears Air On Kidnap Allegations
The family of Mr/Mrs Ibinabo Briggs of Abonnema Town in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State has called on the general public to disregard an allegation by one Daughter Amachree that the family was involved in kidnapping.
Mr. Ibinabo Briggs, the head of the family, said the allegation was made in 2010, adding that the allegation has dented the image of his family.
Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Mr Ibinabo Briggs said though Daughter Amachree has apologized to the family, the allegation has dented the image of his family and is why he decided to come out to tell the world that there was no iota of truth in the allegation.
He said when the allegation was made in 2010, while was residing at Rumuomoi Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, a petition was sent to the Commissioner of Police in the state against Daughter Amachree, one Chief Edo, and late Mattias, demanding for investigation into the matter
According to him, the Commissioner of Police then in the state minuted the case to the CP monitoring unit at Old GRA which found the allegations to be false.
Ibinabo said he also sued Daughter Amachree, late Mattias, and Chief Edo for defamation of character demanding the sum of#50 million as damage before a Magistrate Court, Port Harcourt, but added that the case could not go on owing to the death of Mattias and the closure of court in the state at that time.
He said the then Paramount Ruler of Rumuomoi Community, who is now late, also adjudicated on the matter and found it to be false.
Ibinabo said the allegation was not only false, but meant to discredit the good name of his family, adding that his family has never been involved in any incident of kidnapping.
He also alleged that Daughter Amachree, who was a house agent at that time, peddled the rumour to settle scores over agent fees which was shared between her and one Alex, her landlord’s son, while residing in D/line.
Ibinabo said when they later met at Rumuomoi, Daughter decided to blackmail the name of his family.
He warned aganst further blackmailing of his family’s name, adding that he has never been a kidnapper .
The Tide could not trace the whereabouts of Daughter Amachree, while at the residence of Chief Edo, he was alleged to have traveled out of Town.
John Bibor
iated everyone who made the event a huge success.
Continue Reading
An expert in Natural Resource Governance, Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the development of oil communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
Uzoigwe made the appeal during a training for community representatives under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He noted that five years after the PIA was enacted, funding under the HCDT framework for member communities had yet to be fully implemented.
He attributed the slow pace of implementation to oil companies’ failure to remit funds, ongoing litigations, internal community disputes, and regulatory challenges, among other factors.
According to him, these challenges have made it difficult to properly assess the effectiveness of HCDT implementation in host communities.
Uzoigwe also expressed concern that several communities were yet to establish HCDTs, which are essential for accessing funds designated for local development.
“Fortunately, there are communities that have successfully leveraged the HCDT to advance development in their localities.
“However, we want every host community to access these funds to accelerate development in their respective areas and contribute to the broader transformation of the Niger Delta”, he stated.
Uzoigwe urged host communities to familiarise themselves with the provisions and regulations of the PIA to enable them to fully benefit from the Act.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, explained that the training was organised for HCDT communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers States.
According to her, the objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the PIA’s provisions, conduct needs assessments and undertake community development planning.
“We examined how the HCDT can be made effective and efficient in utilising the three per cent operational cost allocation for community development projects, as stipulated in the PIA.
“This allocation is structured as follows: 75 per cent for project execution, 20 per cent for savings, and five per cent for administrative costs.
“HCDT members are responsible for identifying and prioritising community needs through a transparent, sincere, and people-centred decision-making process in managing these funds”, Okon explained.
She encouraged host communities to engage actively with various stakeholders, including women, youth, farmers, and community leaders, to identify development projects that reflect the genuine needs of their communities.
The Sole Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, says he will run an all-inclusive government for the betterment of the local government.
He stated that his priority is workers’ welfare in all ramifications and the good people of the area.
Apiafi stated this recently while addressing workers at the council’s headquarters in Opobo, saying that his direct mandate is to ensure that the existing peace is sustained.
According to him, he is a technocrat, hence he will carry out his functions accordingly.
“Thank you all for welcoming me as your administrator. My mandate here is to ensure that you, workers, are well treated, with your salaries paid promptly, and give you what you deserve.
“You all are my brothers, sisters and friends. I know that together we can take this local government to an enviable height. What I need from you is cooperation.
“I solicit for your support to enable us all succeed because I alone cannot achieve the desired development”, he urged.
The administrator used the forum to thank the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) for giving him the opportunity to serve his people and pledged that he will not disappoint him in any aspect, while promising to discharge his duties in strict compliance to the charge of the Sole Administrator.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the LGA, Comrade Diri Dandison, commended the administrator for placing workers’ welfare top on his list.
According to him, what workers want in the LGA is someone who can give them listening ears, and also give them what they deserve.
“I am happy that Mr. Fredrick Apiafi has placed welfare of workers first, but we pray he fullfills his promises. What we want is for people at the grassroots to also enjoy dividends of governance”, he said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER have saved 99 persons from drowning in Rivers State during an operation.
A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.
He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.
According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.
“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.
“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain”, Adams Aliu said.
By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso
-
News3 days agoNSCDC, Navy, Army uncover illegal refinery in Anambra
-
Opinion2 days agoNigeria’s Insecurity And Co-Existence
-
Sports3 days agoBrighton Whip Wolves 2-0
-
Business2 days agoFG Bans Waivers For Threaded Pipes
-
Sports3 days ago22nd NSF: Ogun State Gov. Vows To Set benchmark
-
Rivers2 days agoNavy Saves 99 Persons From Drowning In Rivers
-
News3 days agoAddress Corruption, Institutional Weakness, ASUU Begs FG
-
Opinion2 days agoImbibing Leadership Qualities Of Pope Francis