The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Port Harcourt

  • NGO distributes condoms, empowers 200 people in Port Harcourt

    NGO distributes condoms, empowers 200 people in Port Harcourt

    A Non-Governmental Organisation ( NGO ),Minds Development Initiative, on Thursday, said it trained and empowered more than 200 people in different fields.

    Its Director-General, Dr Constance Amad said this in Port Harcourt on Thursday that the organisation focused on assisting underprivileged persons.

    The members the eight-year-old organisation, in a roadshow on major roads and streets in Port Harcourt, distributed condoms to residents.

    Amadi said that the condoms were worth N1.6 million, adding that the organisation also
    bought and distributed wheel chairs to physically challenged persons.

    According to her, the distribution of condoms is to save the live of residents who cannot abstain from having sex.

    She said the organisation had branches in all states of the federation except Gombe State, where the head was allegedly murdered by Boko Haram terrorists.

    The director-general said that the roadshow was to create awareness about the existence of the group and to mark its eighth anniversary.

    She added that the organisation had carried out free medical services in local communities in the country.

    Read Also: NGO provides shelter to 99 indigent children in Plateau

    NAN

  • Navy arrests two men with illegally refined diesel

    Navy arrests two men with illegally refined diesel

    The Nigerian Navy in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom state, says it has handed over two young men to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) arrested for illegal possession of refined diesel.

    Commander of NNS Jubilee Ikot Abasi, Saidu Suleiman Garba said Anthony Usoro 40 and Uyobong Emmanuel 34 were caught with a vehicle loaded with illegally refined petroleum product.

    Garba said the suspects were arrested while conveying 20 cellophane bags containing about one and half drums of a product suspected to be illegally refined diesel from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to sell in Akwa Ibom State.

    Handing the suspects over to the NSCDC yesterday Cdre Saidu Suleiman Garba, Commander NNS Jubilee, represented by Commander Murtala Yunusa said Usoro and Emmanuel were arrested last Sunday by Op Thunder along Oruk Anam axis of Aqua Ibom State with 20 cellophane bags of products suspected to be illegally refined diesel.

    He said, “The cellophane bags were stacked in the boot of a black Honda Legend Salon car with registration number DB 724 PH and covered with cartons of Indomie noodles The Nigerian Navy recognises the jurisdiction and constitutional role of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    “Therefore I request you to take over the accused persons and the vehicle loaded with 20 cellophane bags of the product suspected to be illegally refined diesel for further investigation and prosecution. The tempo will continue until we rid our society of this illegality”

    Taking over the suspects, the NSCDC represented by Inspector Abel Ojimba thanked the Nigerian Navy for partnering them and for the effort simply adding, “We to advise people to desist from this form of criminality”

    The suspects In their defence, admitted to committing the crime though they said it was their first time to be involved in the illegal business.

    Uyobong Emmanuel, an indigene of Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State said both of them planned to go into the business to be able to have some money in their pockets.

    “We have not been doing it before. I am running taxi for some body in Port Harcourt. I was supposed to go for a church programme at Abak in Akwa Ibom but I did not have any money in my pocket and I said let me use the opportunity to do this business so that I can have little money that will help me go for the church programme.

    “I met with my friend Anthony who was also looking for money to go and see his sick father. Both of us agreed to do the business together so that when we sell it we share the profit. We even bought the product on credit to repay after sales”, Emmanuel said.

    Similarly Anthony Usoro a native of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area said he decided to do the because he needed money to buy drugs for his sick father who had called form the village complaining about his severe ailment.

    “I am not into the business it is because I came to see my sick dad that is how when he (Emmanuel) approached me I agreed And we had agreement that when we sell the diesel we share the profit equally.

    “I know Emmanuel very well as a friend and taxi driver but not as a dealer in this business, so this is the first time both of us are
    doing this. I am a driver to a lawyer in Port Harcourt and he owned the car that we were arrested with but he doesn’t know I used his vehicle to do this business. He does not even know that I am here” he said.

  • Wike lauds NAN neutrality, seeks more partnership

    Wike lauds NAN neutrality, seeks more partnership

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has lauded the neutrality of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in reporting activities of his administration and efforts at enhancing developmental journalism.

    Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, made the disclosure on Monday during a courtesy visit to NAN, South-South Zonal Office in Port Harcourt.

    Nwakaudu told the Zonal Manager, Mr Dianabasi Effiong, that the governor was appreciative of the agency’s work in the state and in providing credible information on issues affecting the state.

    He said that in spite of being a Federal agency, the agency has not displayed any bias in the coverage of the state including activities of the PDP-led administration.

    He said: “I am here formerly to interface with your esteemed organisation in view of the wonderful contribution of NAN in areas of news coverage in the state.

    “NAN is a strong organ in the dissemination of news. We are aware that developmental journalism premised on facts is critical to the sustenance of development and democracy across the country.

    “We always like to interact with agencies like NAN that promote credible information. Although NAN is a federal agency they have tried very hard to be neutral in the dissemination of information.

    “We are in opposition party in Rivers but you are still giving us good coverage. We already have a partnership with NAN.

    “We assure you we are going to extend it based on discussions we are currently having.

    “We want you to use your good offices to deploy your very qualified manpower to touch on the very critical areas that the governor is reaching out to, especially developmental projects.

    “These projects cut across different sectors of the economy, infrastructure, health, education and other key areas.

    “It will be wise for us to have you touch on or report human interest stories for people to get to know what is happening around them.

    “Such stories can be done in areas like Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, entertainment, tourism, ecumenical centre, general hospitals in different local government areas, key roads like Sapenwa-Bori, and Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity roads.

    “These are key areas that affect the daily living condition of the people and we are seeking a partnership with NAN in those key areas.

    “NAN had been there; you have the required manpower, people who can do reports objectively and project what is happening for people to get to know what is happening around them.’’

    He said that Wike embarked on key development projects for people to appreciate governance and understand that although there were different political groups and parties, things were happening in different parts of Nigeria.

    “Our governor, Nyesom Wike is about the best in the country. What we want to do is that these areas that we impact positively on the lives of the people are thrown up for people to see and appreciate.

    “We do this for people to appreciate the importance of governance and democracy and inspire other governors who give excuses that they cannot perform because we have economic downturn.

    “We have shown that salaries are being paid, our government is still working and government is doing projects and what is expected of them.

    “I am glad to be here and assure you that we will continue to work together and ensure that it is in our best interest to keep information flowing in the best interest of our people,’’ he said.

    In his response, Effiong assured the government that NAN was not an institutional opponent, but a core professional body guided by patriotism in projecting the truth without prejudice.

    According to the zonal manager, NAN will sustain its partnership with Rivers government through its local and international services, entertainment, tourism and other critical areas of news dissemination.

    NAN

  • Police, DSS seal off venue of PANDEF’s Assembly in Port Harcourt

    Police, DSS seal off venue of PANDEF’s Assembly in Port Harcourt

    Fully armed policemen and operatives of the Department of State Services ( DSS ), early morning today, sealed off Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State’s venue of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum’s ( PANDEF ) General Assembly, allegedly because of security threat.

    Also sealed were all the roads leading to the five-star hotel, owned by the Rivers state government, with the accredited delegates from all the nine crude oil and gas-rich states stranded.

    After waiting for many hours at the hotel’s entrance, with none of the security personnel ready to speak, it was gathered through the telephone from one of the leaders of PANDEF, who would not want his name in print, that PANDEF’s leader, Chief Edwin Clark, 90, who arrived Port Harcourt on Tuesday and lodged in Hotel Presidential, is currently presiding over an emergency meeting of some of the leaders the forum inside the hotel.

    The source disclosed that at the end of the meeting, a communique would be issued, in order to know the next line of action.

    PANDEF’s general assembly in Port Harcourt that was aborted by security personnel, was to elect officers of the forum at the national, states and local governments, as well as elect members of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Advisory Committee and ratify the constitution of the forum, among others, with PANDEF said by its leaders at Monday’s news conference in Port Harcourt to be on the same level with Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).

    Presidency: Jonathan govt officials, Maina shared loot 

  • Propel opens service station in Port Harcourt

    Propel, the brand name of Propetrol Limited, one of the emerging downstream players, has opened a new service station at Trans Amadi Industrial Layout Road in Rumubiakani, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The latest addition, which was inaugurated on October 20, brings to four the number of Propel service stations in Port Harcourt and 19 across its retail network in Lagos, Ondo, Cross River and Edo states.

    According to its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Harry Ebohon, the launch of another service station is a strategic step to enable the brand expand its excellent service delivery and product quality to more customers.

    “With the new retail outlet at Trans Amadi, we would be fueling the trust of more customers in Rivers State as we have done with thousands of customers from our other existing stations, since establishing our footsteps in the state. The people of Port Harcourt deserve to be served right, with the assurance that what they buy is what they get.

    “We plan to continue to expand our retail business, increase our bulk supply customer base and redefine the Nigerian bunkering industry. Our heavy retail presence in the South-South and the South-West is strategic. Although, the efficiency and service delivery gaps in these markets were huge when we set out, we have done well in correcting these anomalies and are now shifting our focus to the northern market in the nearest future. We hope our value proposition and core values as an organisation will continue to provide us the foothold we need to succeed in the markets and industry segments where we offer our goods and services”, Ebohon added.

    Propetrol has been in business for over 15 years. It started as an haulage company, moving products for the oil majors. However, having observed the inefficiencies in the retail market, made a bold decision to make a foray in the petroleum products retail marketing space to contribute to bridging the fuel supply gap in the Nigerian energy market.

    Over the years, the company has further expanded into other sectors if the downstream industry and is now a market leader in the maritime and bunkering service niche. Propel was never deterred by foreign dominance in the Nigerian bunkering space, but was rather determined to outperform them in delivering critical time-dependent bunkers to clients across the coast of the West African sub-region, in line with internationally acceptable best practices.

    Propetrol Limited is committed to sound environmental, health, safety, security and quality (EHSSQ) practices in all its operations. Its focus is on ensuring that the lowest incidence rate is sustained in its operations for both the employees and the customers.

    It also ensures that all  products and services comply with international standards and industry best practices. Hence, its stringent standards for the achievement, sustenance and effective monitoring of performance through the implementation of an integrated management system, audits, evaluations and controls designed to cater for the key elements of Quality Assurance as required by its ISO 9001:2015.

  • Six division, Nigerian Army holds sanitation in Port Harcourt

    Six division, Nigerian Army holds sanitation in Port Harcourt

    The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday conducted a sanitation exercise at Mile 3 Park, as part of Operation Crocodile Smile II in the Niger Delta.

    The  Army is conducting educational, medical and sanitation outreaches in areas where ‘Exercise Crocodile Smile II’ operation is going on.

    Col. Aminu Iliyasu, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, said that the clean-up  was a humanitarian exercise of the Army within its Areas of Responsibility ( AOR ).

    Iliyasu said the Army had always been involved in humanitarian activities as its contribution to the society as well as to build confidence among the populace.

    Mr Glory Nnokam, Deputy Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ), Npkolu-Oroworukwo Motor Park, Mile 3, Port Harcourt, commended the Army’s gesture.

    “We are very surprised that they are here to clean the park for us, this is quite commendable.

    “You can see that people are not running because sanitation is good, and we are happy,” he said.

    Nnokam said that it was wrong for people to perceive the Nigerian Army as a wicked institution, adding that if the Army personnel were inhuman, they would not clean up the park.

    Chief Godwin Emenike, First Trustee, NURTW, Mile 3 Park, said that he was happy with what officers and men of the 6 Division had done.

    “You can see me, I’m sweating because when they came and said they were for sanitation, I started mobilising wheel barrows, shovels and brooms for them to work with.

    “They are really cleaning the place very well, I am very happy and wish they will do this again in the future,” Emenike said.

    He said that only criminals would run away when they saw the Army.

    “When they came, I went to them and asked why were they in the park and they said they wanted to clean our environment.

    “You can see the women helping them too, the Army is here for good,” he said.

    NAN

  • Duncan Mighty, Harrysong thrill Port Harcourt residents

    Duncan Mighty, Harrysong thrill Port Harcourt residents

    It was an unforgettable night of music and funfair last Sunday as residents of the Garden City, Port Harcourt, were treated to superlative performances by the superstar duo of Duncan Mighty and Harrysong.

    Held at the Star Ground, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, the Port Harcourt Real Deal Experience, sponsored by Legend Extra Stout, erupted in an excited and deafening roar when the superstars emerged.

    Duncan Mighty, the proud Port Harcourt boy as he calls himself was the first to mount the stage. The singer, known for his original and localized tunes and lyrics, mesmerized the audience performing some of his biggest hits like ‘Port Harcourt Son’, ‘Obianuju’, ‘Dance for Me’, and ‘Ako Na Uche’ among others.

    Overwhelmed by the show of love from the fans, a teary Duncan said,” I feel special, I feel loved. This has been more than just a show for me and I want to thank my amazing fans for their support. They’ve always stood by me like a family. I also appreciate Legend for putting this together…honestly you (Legend) might not realize how far this kind of initiative goes, but trust me, this is very commendable.”

    On his part, Harrisong took the fun to another level when he led the audience in a singalong. From ‘Beta Pikin’ to ‘Baba for the Girls’, ‘Samankwe’, and ‘Ofeshe’, the former 5 Star Music strongman delivered a breath-taking performance that will be long talked about in the city of Port Harcourt.

    In addition to the musical performances, winners of the online talent competition went home N50,000 richer, while several other fans and consumers won other exciting prizes.

    Speaking on the success of the event, Portfolio Manager – Mainstream, Lager and Stout brands Nigerian Breweries, Emmanuel Agu said; “Legend Extra Stout cares about creating real and authentic experiences for our consumers and that is what the Real Deal Experience is about.”

  • Security guards shut down primary schools in Rivers

    Security guards shut down primary schools in Rivers

    Security guards on Monday barred pupils and teachers from getting access into some public primary school in Rivers over unpaid salaries.

    Some of the security guards said they had not been paid for 11 months.

    One of them, Mr Chijioke Amah, said: “we want government to pay us, every worker deserves to be paid, they have been unfair to us; they make it look as if our services here are not needed.’’

    Some teachers, who spoke said that at Port Harcourt Centenary Model Primary School Rumuwoji, said it was not the first time they would be locked out by the security guards.

    “We all stood outside here for more than three hours before the gate was opened, the guards have been lamenting non-salary payments for several months.

    “Each time they lock us out, we will spend several hours outside, we end up losing some work hours, this is not good,’’ a teacher who pleaded anonymity said.

    it took the intervention of Rivers Commissioner for Education, Mr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, for the gates to be opened.

    The commissioner, who pledged to look into the matter, said: “It is very unfortunate, we promise that this will not happen again, our interest is to see that nothing hinders the flow of academic activities.

    NAN

  • Abandoned Rivers state Monorail project

    Abandoned Rivers state Monorail project

    The Monorail Project in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, was conceived and began by the former governor of state, now Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, in his first tenure as governor in 2008. It was designed to cover 12 kilometers at the cost of N50 billion.

    But as at the point of 2.6 kilometre, it was abandoned. In what was described as Phase 1A, the monorail project has gulped the sum of N33.9billion.

    The design is down-graded and the sum of N33.9 b was expended on the project before it was abandoned at the end of the last administration.

    The original design and specification for the entire Phase 1 of the project was 12 kilometre long and at N50 billion naira, but the sum of N33.9 billion was spent on just 2.6 kilometre.

    The story in public domain on the failed project was that two companies,  Urbanord, a renown American company and TSI, a local company owned by a one-time military administrator  of Rivers State,  Colonel Anthony Ukpo, made presentations to handle the project. Sources said some members of Amaechi’s cabinet considered the presentation of Urbanord over that of Ukpo, but Amaechi insisted on the indigenous company and when it became obviously impossible to agree on this with his cabinet members, he allegedly dissolved the cabinet to have his way and later reconstituted it after the contract award.

    These were the evidence reeled out by the Director, Safety and Aviation, Engineer Says Antioch of the State Ministry of Transportation before Justice George Omwreji-led Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the Sale of Assets of the state by former Governor Amaechi.

    Antioch also told the panel members that while the foreign firm bided N25 billion to complete the 12 kilometre distance of the design, TSI quoted N50billion and Amaechi decided to go with him.

  • Rivers Legal Aid Council receives 477 cases in nine months

    The Legal Aids Council of Nigeria, Port Harcourt office, said on Wednesday that it received 477 cases in the past nine months.

    The state coordinator, Mrs Frances-Bianeyin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that out of the figure, 202 were criminal cases, while 275 were civil.

    She said 147 of the criminal cases were completed at the court, while 360 civil cases were also completed during the period under review.

    Bianeyin traced the council’s success to hard work and determination.

    The state coordinator noted that the council needed additional ten lawyers to work in the council, to bring the number to twenty.

    The coordinator attributed the prison congestion to the judicial system in the country.

    She said more judges should be employed by state government to achieve speedy dispensation of justice.

    The state coordinator of the council noted that judges are still using hand to record proceedings and statements, instead of recording statements electronically.

    She said judges in developed countries no longer use hand to record court proceedings and statements.

    According to her, all departments in the judiciary are lacking adequate manpower and needed to be addressed.

    The Nigeria Legal Aid Council of Nigeria was established to assist indigent, who could not afford to pay for legal services.