The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Port Harcourt

  • Navy arrests 11 suspected fake personnel

    Navy arrests 11 suspected fake personnel

    Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim, the out-going Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, said on Wednesday that 11 suspects were arrested for allegedly parading themselves as naval personnel.

    Handing over the suspects to the Rivers Police Command in Port Harcourt, Ibrahim said the men used navy uniforms and paraded themselves as personnel of the Merchant Navy with intent to defraud unsuspecting individuals and companies.

    According to him, the suspects were caught in the act by operatives of the Nigerian Air Force who reported the matter to the navy.

    “On June 17, the Air Police of the 97 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force Port Harcourt, arrested 11 civilians around Rukpokwu police checkpoint parading themselves as naval personnel.

    “The air police later handed over the suspects to us (navy) to enable us conduct investigation to ascertain if they were truly naval personnel among other details.

    “During investigation, the suspects claimed that they were members of the merchant navy.

    “Further findings revealed the organisation was fictitious.

    “This is because there is no extant law in the country backing any organisation with the name or sobriquet of merchant navy,” he said.

    Ibrahim, represented by Lt.-Cdr. Ayi Archinbong, Regulating Officer of NNS Pathfinder, said the organisation was fictitious and had been operating illegally in Port Harcourt for a long period of time.

    He said the group’s activities had tarnished the image of the navy, adding that troops were currently on the trail of leaders of the organisation to bring them to justice.

    “The effect of this fictitious group on the navy is that when they commit an offence, the public will think they are genuine naval officers not knowing that they are fake,” he said.

    Ibrahim urged the public to provide information to security agencies that would lead to the arrest of criminals, assuring that the identity of the informant would be kept in utmost confidentiality.

    The suspects were later handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Rivers Police Command for further investigation and possible arraignment in court.

  • Insecurity: Council chief restricts operation of motorcycles

    Insecurity: Council chief restricts operation of motorcycles

    The Caretaker Chairman of Khana (Ogoni) Local Government Council of Rivers State, Gbara Erelo, has restricted the operation of commercial motorcycles, popularly called okadas, in the area from 7 p.m. To 6 a.m., in view of the rising insecurity.

    He stated yesterday in Port Harcourt that the restriction in the operation of okadas would be until there is improvement in security in the LGA.

    The caretaker chairman noted that the council would not fold its arms and watch those he called agents of darkness to continue to harass innocent residents and visitors in the LGA, disclosing that security operatives had been detailed to ensure the enforcement of the restriction order.

    He asked the commercial motorcyclists to go about their normal and legitimate businesses, but must ensure that they were not seen on roads in the area at the hours of the restriction order.

    Erelo assured the okada riders and members of the public of his determination to secure their lives and property, while warning that violators of the restriction order would be decisively dealt with, in accordance with the law.

    The caretaker chairman also stated that the restriction order was not intended to witch-hunt anyone, but to restore peace and security in Khana LGA, while calling for the cooperation of all the stakeholders, in his quest to ensure the safety of lives and property of people in the area.

  • Rivers govt warns against militancy, pipeline vandalism

    Rivers govt warns against militancy, pipeline vandalism

    The Rivers State government has warned militant youths who are vandalising pipelines and other installations of oil companies in the Niger Delta to sheathe their swords and embrace the truce initiated by the Federal Government.

    Rivers Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, made the admonition yesterday at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    She called on stakeholders to ensure a lasting solution to the endemic poverty and poor infrastructural development in the crude oil and gas-rich region and work towards upgrading the capital base of Port Harcourt like that of Abuja and Lagos, to equate it as truly the Industrial hub of Nigeria.

    Harry-Banigo stated that the continuous bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta by the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups was inimical to economic, environmental and human survival, stressing that the water, land and the entire ecosystem were being polluted and destroyed.

    Rivers deputy governor noted that although the vandalism of oil facilities in the Niger Delta was being perpetuated outside Rivers state, but called on parents and guardians across the region to prevail on their children and wards to shun acts that would impede the actualisation of peace and sustainable development in the Niger Delta.

    Harry-Banigo also said there was the need for an aggressive, pragmatic and holistic development master plan that would transform the lives of the people and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the Niger Delta, pointing out that militancy and youth restiveness would be greatly reduced, when the people of the region were gainfully engaged.

    Meanwhile, the Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, also yesterday inaugurated the caretaker committee chairmen of three local government areas of the state, with a charge to them to support the ongoing security drive, to rid the state of cultists.

    Those inaugurated included Gbara Erelo (Khana LG council), Monday  Dum-Iye (Gokana) and Adonye Kelly Diri (Opobo/Nkoro).

    Wike stated that the caretaker committee chairmen had a responsibility to cooperate with security agencies to build the security architecture of their LGAs.

    He noted that any of the caretaker chairmen who failed to cooperate with the security agencies would lose his appointment.

    Rivers governor said: “Make sure you cooperate with the security agencies to flush out cultists. We cannot allow the cultists disturb the peace and security of the state. Enough is enough.”

    Wike also disclosed that he had received security reports, which he said the security agencies would act upon, as they relate to the sponsors of the cultists.

    He noted that any official of the Rivers government found to be connected to the cultists would be arrested and prosecuted.

    The governor also directed the caretaker committee chairmen to ensure that they pay their workers’ monthly salaries regularly.

     

  • Cult clashes in Rivers assuming alarming dimension – Army

    The 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State has stated that cult clashes in Rivers have assumed an alarming dimension and a source of security concern in the state.

    The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade, Capt. Eli Lazarus, stated this Tuesday night in Port Harcourt, declaring that further attacks by cultists on any Rivers community would be met with full military action.

    He reiterated that in the past few days, cult clashes were recorded in communities in Ikwerre and Emuoha Local Government Areas of the state, with many deaths recorded.

    Lazarus said: “Among these deaths are some of our (Army) personnel, who were part of the team that responded to distress calls to prevent the situation from further degenerating.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that these barbaric and condemnable acts were cult wars of dominance between Icelanders and other cult groups. This is seemingly motivated by the quest for economic advantage, suspected to be connected to oil theft and illegal bunkering.

    “The cultists are hereby warned to surrender their arms and turn away from their evil ways. I wish to state unequivocally that any such attacks on any community will be met with full military action. The viciousness and bestiality displayed by these cultists in killing their rivals have no place in any civilised society.

    “The level of violence and carnage recorded in the past few days must be eschewed and denounced by all peace-loving and law-abiding people of Rivers State. Those involved must never be allowed to go unpunished.”

    The 2 Brigade’s spokesman also stated that youths must be guided to save them from self-destruction, while urging parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against belonging to or associating with any cult group, while declaring that anyone caught would not be spared.

    He also solicited information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the heinous crimes and their patrons.

    Lazarus assured that all information volunteered would be treated as confidential, while urging Rivers people to remain calm and go about their lawful activities, assuring that security agencies would continue to work assiduously and make sacrifices in the performance of their constitutional roles and relate with all well-meaning citizens to identify the criminal groups and bring them to justice.

  • Five arrested as vigilantes declare war on criminals in Port Harcourt

    A security group in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State, Diobu Vigilante, has called for the support of Governor Ezenwo Wike to minimise robberies, killings and other acts of criminality in the area.

    Diobu is an area of Port Harcourt, the state capital, known for criminality. It is a high density urban township which has many communities owned by the Ikwerre but mostly occupied by indigenes and non-indigenes, especially the Igbo.

    The Secretary of Diobu Vigilante Group, Comrade Prince Amatari, spoke at the weekend, following the arrest of five “notorious thieves” in the area.

    He said the vigilance group had arrested over 48 suspected criminals since it started operation.

    Bipeledei said because of the large population of Diobu, many of the youths were joining criminal gangs, adding that with the support of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the Mile 1 Police Station, the group was tackling criminality in the area.

    According to him, his group has identified some notorious hideouts where suspected criminals hide their ammunition and themselves after committing crimes.

    Bipeledei regretted that despite the group’s effort, which the police had hailed, the state government and the local government chairman had not shown necessary concern.

    He said: “We are ready to assist the government to minimise crime in Rivers State, if the support is given to us. But the government has continued to pay deaf ears to our efforts. The only encouragement we have received was that of the CSP Tony Odita, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), of Mile Police Station.

    “Of course, we need more support to win this war. Diobu axis of Port Harcourt is an environment where criminals hide to operate in the city. This is because almost all the streets in Diobu link to rivers or swamp; some of the hideouts are waterfronts, Gambia, jungle, Beribabo, Obidianso waterside, Echue, Abba, Wanchikwu and St. Andrew.

    “When they hit their victims, they go to these places for cover and nobody would know that they are there. Most of the members of the Diobu Vigilance Group are ex-militants. We know how the system works. That is why we are calling on the government to support us and create job.”

  • Petrol price strike flops in Port Harcourt, Abuja, Lagos

    Petrol price strike flops in Port Harcourt, Abuja, Lagos

    MANY workers yesterday shunned the strike called by a faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Ayuba Wabba to protest the increased price of petrol from N86.50 to N145. But there were rallies, which disrupted traffic in some cities.

    All was normal in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja – the seat of the government – and in Lagos – the nation’s financial and business engine-room. The oil city of Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, and many other state capitals were peaceful and busy.

    Rallies were held in many places, including Lagos and Abuja. They were addressed by Labour leaders and civil society organisations.

    Activities in government, public and private establishments were going on in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    At the State Secretariat, work went on. Earlier in the day, there was an attempt by an NLC group to lock up the place.

    Local Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman Chika Onuegbu described the failed strike as a “tragedy” and “minus” for labour movement.

    Onuegbu said there was need for the two factions of the NLC to unite, stressing that the success of any labour movement depends on a single and common agenda.

    He said TUC withdrew from the planned strike because it found out that the action would be a fruitless effort without any benefit on the workers.

    The TUC chairman called on living founding fathers of the labour movement to intervene in the NLC crisis, cautioning the Federal Government not conclude that it has won the battle.

    Bank workers and customers in Lagos ignored the strike call as banks were opened. Government offices were also open.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report said security was beefed up at bank premises on Marina and the Lagos Central Business District (CBD) on Lagos Island.

    There were normal activities in Ojuelegba, Mushin and on Ikorodu Road as well as other parts of Lagos. Traffic  moved freely all over the metropolis.

    Major markets, such as the Computer Village, Katangowa, Mile 12, Ile-Epo and others were in full swing.

    Petrol stations were dispensing fuel across the metropolis at N145 per litre. There were no queues.

    At the Lagos State Government Secretariat, all was normal.

    The Ikeja City Mall, housing the popular retailer Shoprite and major business outfits, was throbbing with people. All public and private schools in the Lagos metropolis were running.

    Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) did not heed labour’s call for a strike.

    An Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was stationed at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, popularly called the Freedom Park, but no one was seen entering the park for any protest, unlike in 2012 during the fuel protest when thousands of Lagosians thronged the park.

    However, hoodlums were in the morning reported to have blocked the ever-busy Ikorodu Road, but the situation was quickly put under check.

    The National Union of Airport Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Association of Senior Services Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), threatened to shut down the Lagos Airport today, should the government fail to reverse the increase in petrol price.

    They blocked major roads leading into the Lagos Airport, occasioning traffic gridlock on the Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.

    They seized the road early in the day, depriving limousine cab operators from taking passengers and airport workers to the airport.

    Domestic carriers, including DANA Air, Arik, Aero, First Nation and Med-View operated skeletal services.

    Most of them cancelled or re-scheduled flights because of low passenger turnout.

    Most of the aviation agencies, including Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), opened their offices.

    The Joint Action Front (JAF), led by Comrade Abiodun Aremu, staged a protest on the streets of Ikeja.

    FCT workers declined to go on strike.

    However, NLC President Wabba led out some members on a street protest which began from the Labour House to the Federal secretariat and terminated at the popular Berger Roundabout in the heart of the city.

    Offices, banks and markets opened. There was heavy security presence around the city. Roads were, as usual busy.

    The procession is to continue today, according to the NLC.

    Policemen deployed to maintain the peace around the city were friendly and did not interfere with the procession. The labour leaders also refrained from harassing workers who turned out for work.

    Addressing the protesters, Wabba pledged the commitment of the Congress to good governance and transparency in government business for the overall good of the people.

    Wabba said the NLC would continue to fight against anti-people policies. “Therefore, Labour and particularly the NLC, has said consistently that if policies are right, we will support it. But if policies are anti-people, we will continue to resist it. That is why we are here today to resist this policy of the increase in fuel pump price.

    “We must not allow market forces to drive the pump price of this very essential product in our country as continuous importation of fuel will be used to enslave Nigerians, the naira will be devaluated and prices will keep going up and there will be no end to it.”

    Wabba said the congress will continue to demonstrate its commitment to the fight against corruption and good governance, adding the congress recognised the inherent corruption in the system, which, is responsible for the refineries not functioning.

    He said the refineries could be turned around because Nigerian refineries are among the newest in the world. “We have refineries that have stayed up to 110 years and, with regular maintenance, refineries can be fixed and production capacity can also be upgraded for local consumption.”

    National Union of Textiles, Garment and Tailoring Workers General Secretary Comrade Isa Aremu said the increase of petrol price by about 70 per cent was outrageous, adding: “You also increased the tariff of electricity with almost 50 per cent and there is no light. This is just too much for the common man as a lot of people are suffering.

    The Chairman, Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LACSCO), Dr Dipo Fashina, said the increase of the price of fuel pump to N145 was arbitrary, unjust and against all rules of good governance.

    Fashina said the increase was a subversion of the 1999 Constitution.

  • TIMAYA THRILLS PORT HARCOURT FANS

    DANCEHALL artiste, Timaya, made his presence felt at Legend’s Real Deal Experience at the Joseph Yobo Mini Stadium in Port Harcourt, on Sunday, May 8.

    The show, which saw people win gift prizes, like fridges and generators, in various competitions, was the latest in the Legend Real Deal Experience tour that has made stops in Lagos and Onitsha with Oritsefemi and Kcee headlining, respectively. It featured a full-sized rotating bar, incredible onstage stunts and musical performances.

    Speaking on his energy-filled performance, Timaya said: “I always love performing in Port Harcourt. It brings back so many memories and the crowd tonight was spectacular. They made me feel at home, almost like I never left.”

    Corporate Media and Brand PR Manager, NB Plc, Edem Vindah also commented, “The Real Deal Experience with this stop in Port Harcourt has picked up its pace.

    We are so happy with the results and the positive feedback we have had on the Legend brand and the Real Deal Experience as a whole. Having been to Lagos and Onitsha already, we can’t wait to see what other locations have in store for us. We’d also like to say congratulations to all our winners.”

    The Real Deal Experience is set to visit other major cities in Nigeria in the coming weeks.

  • Wike to grant tax holidays to serious investors

    Wike to grant tax holidays to serious investors

    The Nyesom Wike’s administration in Rivers State has indicated that it is willing to grant tax holidays to serious investors, in a move to attract international investors to the state.
    While speaking on Friday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, when he granted an audience to the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lulu Mnguni, the Rivers governor stated that international investments would create employment opportunities for Rivers people and generate revenue for the state government.
    He noted that the Rivers government was particularly interested in investments in the agricultural sector, to ensure diversification, while calling on South African companies to invest in some moribund companies in the state.
    Wike said: “We are ready to give tax holidays to attract international investors. We cannot continue to rely on crude oil. That is why we are exploring the agricultural sector to generate revenue and create employment.”
    The South African high commissioner had earlier called for a partnership between South Africa and Rivers state in the areas of agriculture, tourism, health and construction, stressing that South Africa had the technical expertise and finance to develop Rivers state.
    While lauding the Rivers governor for his developmental strides, Mnguni assured that many South African companies would invest in the state.

  • NiMet predicts cloudy, sunny, hazy weather conditions

    NiMet predicts cloudy, sunny, hazy weather conditions

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Friday morning.

    The predictions are contained in the Weather Outlook issued by NiMet’s Central Forecast Office (CFO) on Thursday in Abuja.

    It stated that there would be chances of isolated thunderstorm over some parts of the high ground areas of the region with night time temperatures of 25 to 28 degrees Celsius.

    NiMet predicted that coastal and inland cities of south would experience cloudy conditions in the morning with night time temperatures of 23 to 28 degrees Celsius.

    It added that localised thunderstorms would prevail over Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Owerri in the afternoon and evening hours.

    NiMet also predicted that sunny and hazy conditions would prevail over Nguru, Potiskum and Maiduguri with partly cloudy situation in other areas and night time temperatures of 18 to 29 degrees Celsius.

    According to the prediction, hazy conditions are expected over parts of the North-East, while partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with chances of isolated thunderstorms in few places across the country.

  • Wike launches urban water sector reform in Rivers

    Wike launches urban water sector reform in Rivers

    The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has launched the state’s urban water sector reform, the Port Harcourt water supply scheme and the sanitation  project.

    Performing the  launch in Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike said the project would create women entrepreneurs, youth employment and provide safe drinking water for the inhabitants of the state.

    The Rivers governor, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Onimim Jacks, stated that the project was key to the development of the state.

    Wike said: “The project is in line with our promises to the people of the state, as clearly spelt put in our blueprint, that we shall provide safe drinking water for the inhabitants of the state.”

    The Rivers governor also stated that within the first 100 days of his administration, the potable water scheme was launched in Abonnema, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.

    He laudded the Federal Government for selecting Rivers as one of the pilot states for the scheme, noting that the state government would pay its counterpart funds as and when due.

    Wike maintained that his administration would always collaborate with the Federal Government in areas that would benefit the populace.

    The Rivers Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Chief Ibibia Walter, earlier in his remarks, pointed out that the project was part of a wide sector institutional reform embarked upon by the state government, as coordinated by the National Urban Sector Water Reform Office of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

    Walter revealed that funding for the project would be sourced from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (ADB), stressing that the ADB would contribute $200 million, World Bank to provide $80 million Dollars, while Rivers government would provide $48 million as counterpart fund.

    The Port Harcourt water supply and sanitation project is targeted at addressing the poor water infrastructure in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor LGAs, as well as addressing the sanitation challenge in the two urban areas.