Niger Delta

ThisDay award, Affirmation Of Oborevwori’s Performance — Commissioner

Published

1 month ago

February 5, 2025

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has said the sterling performance of the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, stood him out for the ThisDay and Arise Television award.

Aniagwu stated this on Monday in Asaba at a press conference while reacting to a statement credited to former Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, demanding to know what the state government has done with its finances.

The Commissioner, in company of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, and the Executive Assistant to Governor on New Media, Mr. Felix Ofou, said government would reply critics with more projects.

He said the Governor Oborevwori-led administration had defrayed over N235 billion debts from inherited projects and had initiated new ones.

According to him, the Governor is a bridge builder who does not discriminate against anyone on account of political affiliations.

He said the Governor had impacted all sectors of the state’s economy and had initiated new projects and in 2024 budgeted N1 billion for road projects across the 25 Local Government Areas in the state.

Aniagwu said given the impact of the LGA road projects, the State Government has also in 2025 increased the budget to N2.1 billion for road projects across the LGAs.

The Commissioner said the State Government has awarded over 15 kilometers of road projects in the Ndokwa Nation in addition to the many ongoing bridge constructions in the area.

According to Aniagwu, the sterling performance of Governor Oborevwori in the past 19 and half months has become the undoing of critics.

He said on account of the N1 billion budgeted for road projects across LGAs, the State Government has been able to take road projects to the community and to ward levels in the 25 LGAs.

He also said the State Government’s contributions to the education and judiciary sectors were unprecedented.

The Commissioner said the Oborevwori government has acquired and donated over 60 brand new vehicles among other gadgets to security agencies to combat crimes in the state.

He also said the government has initiated and commenced the construction of 50 units of pilot housing scheme in three locations across the three senatorial districts of the state, adding that the state capital, Asaba, would soon wear a brand new look.

Aniagwu continued that the Governor pays salaries and allowances of civil servants as and when due and was prompt in payment of the new minimum wage to the workers.

“In health sector alone, the government has renovated and equipped no fewer than 150 health care facilities across the state.

”The Governor believes in value for money, hence he engages in physical project monitoring. He has also charged the commissioners to monitor and avoid shoddy jobs if they want to remain or be shown the way out.

“We give as much as 40 per cent mobilisation and pay certificates to contractors to ensure timely completion of projects and to avoid contract reviews and in spite of all this, we remain solvent and solid financially, we have not borrowed a dime from anyone.

”So, our brother, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege need to be educated on what we are doing with our monies”, Aniagwu said.

Aniagwu warned individuals who engage in grabbing government lands to desist forth with, adding that government would not only demolish such buildings, but would subject the culprits to pay the bills for the demolitions.

He said the Governor was concentrating on good governance and would not be distracted by those whose trade in stock was to defect from one political party to another.

Niger Delta

NACA Debunks Fake HIV Drug Pricing News

Published

2 days ago

March 12, 2025

The Tide

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has debunked what it called “fake news” circulating online regarding the cost of HIV treatment in Nigeria.

The news was that antiretroviral drugs will now cost 250,000 per dose with patients required to pay 500,000 monthly.

Describing the news as “completely false and misleading”, in a statement signed by the Head, Public Relations and Protocol, NACA said “HIV treatment in Nigeria remains free of charge at Government owned health facilities.

“The Government in collaboration with donor partners remains steadfast in providing free and accessible HIV treatment to all who need it.

“For accurate and up to date information on HIV treatment and prevention in Nigeria, follow our verified social media platforms and visit the official NACA website’.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Niger Delta

RSG, MWAN Strengthen Partnership To Improve Healthcare

Published

2 days ago

March 12, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government, through the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, has indicated its preparedness to partner the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) in ensuring that the healthcare needs of vulnerable people in the State are met.

The State Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr. Ilamu Arugu, who made this known when the leadership of MWAN, Rivers State Branch, visited him in his office in Port Harcourt, reiterated the State government’s commitment to improving the healthcare and wellbeing of vulnerable populations in the state.

While commending MWAN for their efforts in promoting healthcare and advocating for the rights of women and children in the state, Arugu expressed his ministry’s willingness to collaborate with the association in addressing the healthcare challenges facing residents in the state government-owned healthcare facilities.

“I want to thank you for appreciating our efforts. It’s not easy for people to recognize the humanitarian work we do, as we don’t seek laurels or rewards. We simply do what we believe is right,” the Commissioner stated”.

Earlier in her remarks, the state’s MWAN President, Dr. Cecilia Leloonu Nwibubasa, commended the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for appointing Mr. Ilamu Arugu as Commissioner, praising his outstanding achievements in the ministry.

She highlighted his unwavering commitment to effective, accountable, and participatory governance, particularly his focus on citizens’ welfare through responsive and inclusive policies, which, she said, serves as an inspiration to all.

Dr, Nwibubasa, who is the 19th President of the association in the state, noted that the organization is dedicated to advancing women and children’s health, with a focus on mental health, nutrition, and holistic mentorship for young female doctors, among others.

She stated that the association has remained at the forefront of community health initiatives, offering health services, medical outreaches, such as cervical cancer and breast cancer screenings, cancer treatment, maternal health care, support and extensive health education through various media channels.

Nwibubasa further revealed that the Association, a non-profit organization affiliated to the Medical Women’s International Association and the Nigerian Medical Association, was established in 1976 and incorporated in 1984.

The association’s motto, “Matris Animo Curantis,” meaning “healing with the love of a mother”, she explained, reflects its deep commitment to delivering compassionate healthcare.

The MWAM President noted that their visit was “driven by a deep sense of appreciation” for the commissioner’s leadership, which has been particularly impactful in areas aligning closely with the association’s mission.

This, according to her, includes ensuring safe homes, quality healthcare, education, and economic empowerment for women.

She emphasized the organization’s eagerness to explore collaborative opportunities to strengthen their shared objectives.

The MWAN delegation also presented the commissioner with a proposal outlining areas of potential collaboration, including healthcare services, training, and advocacy programmes.

The courtesy visit, which was attended by the ministry’s management team, ended with a commitment from both parties to work together to improve the healthcare and wellbeing of women and children within the Disabilitiy community in Rivers State.

Niger Delta

HoSF Delighted Over New Secretariat Project In Bayelsa … As Diri Promises Timely Completion

Published

2 days ago

March 12, 2025

The Tide

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, has expressed delight over the construction of a new nine-storey civil servants secretariat by the Bayelsa State government.

She said when completed, the iconic structure would go down in her memory as an exciting legacy of the Governor Douye Diri’s administration.

Mrs. Walson-Jack stated this when she performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the project in Yenagoa.

According to her, the event was a special, significant milestone to her as she had served in the Bayelsa public service and felt a sense of nostalgia to witness the historic foundation-laying ceremony.

“The civil service is the engine of government, providing the expertise, structure necessary for effective governance. A well-motivated and efficient civil service requires capable personnel, robust policies and an enabling work environment that clusters professionalism, collaboration and innovation”, she said.

The HoSF stressed that the project was a testament to the state government’s commitment to strengthening the institutional framework that underpins governance and service delivery.

“This new state secretariat is a commendable effort to provide public servants with a con ducive workplace environment. I applaud the Bayelsa State government for its dedication to infrastructure development.

“This project aligns with the broader vision of strengthening the Nigerian civil service at both the state and federal levels to deliver people-centred governance”, she noted.

In his remarks, Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, said the workers’ complex would be an electronic secretariat, noting that the cost of the project was N46 billion.

He stated that government had already mobilised the contractors with 30% of the project sum and had directed the release of another 20% as soon as it commenced work on site.

Diri, who assured that funding of the project will not be a problem, said the timeline for delivery was 24 months and charged the state workers to reciprocate government’s support for their welfare and wellbeing.

“What propelled me to build a new secretariat was the civil servants’ request for office accommodation, which became a recurring decimal every Workers’ Day in the state”, Governor Diri said.

He expressed delight that with the construction of the new secretariat, labour unions would no longer complain of inadequate office space.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, also stated that the project was conceived and initiated by the Diri administration and that the structure will provide a conducive and befitting communal space for the workforce.

He listed some of the features in the proposed structure to include modern eco-friendly green solutions that would support key functional needs of the state and that it would have a footprint of 3,675.633 square metres within a proposed gross area of 26,762.99 square metres with parking space for 155 cars.

Speaking on behalf of the project contractor, the Operations Director of Megastar Technical and Construction Company Ltd, Mr. Carlos Zanone, said the edifice will be equipped with a solar power-backed system, conference halls, a six-bed sick bay, a crèche to support working families among other features.

He added that the facility will be built to morden standard and finished with high quality materials that will improve and beautify the surrounding area.

Mr. Zanone assured that the 24 months completion time-frame was achievable.

In her remarks, the State Head of Service, Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema, expressed appreciation to Governor Diri, noting that the edifice will be a dream come true for all civil servants in the state.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa