The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Port Harcourt

  • Why we prioritised security, by Kebbi deputy governor

    The Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Col. Samaila Yombe (rtd), has said the Governor Atiku Bagudu-led government prioritised security to safeguard lives and property of residents.

    He admonished the new leadership of Python International Golf Club (PIGC) of 6 Division,  Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to be transparent in piloting the affairs of the group.

    Yombe, who is the Chairman, Board of Trustees of PIGC, spoke in Port Harcourt at the weekend during the election of new officers. He said the Kebbi State government had addressed security challenges since inception.

    The deputy governor, who reiterated the government’s determination and commitment in ensuring the safety of the state and its citizens, assured the people that the Bagudu-led administration would not relent in providing security for the people.

    “From inception, Governor Atiku Bagudu has been addressing insecurity. In the first three months of our leadership, he took security issues very seriously, so that we can remain safe,” he stressed.

    Yombe also hailed the 6 Division for its efforts in maintaining the Python Golf, which he said had existed for about three decades, reiterating that the area housing the club used to be a den of miscreants.

    Read Also: Kebbi celebrates improved immunisation coverage

    He added: “I want to thank the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, for doing a good job.

    “What you see as Python International Golf today used to be a thick forest, and then being inhabited by people of wrong virtues, especially robbers. We saw their signs on the wall. They wrote their names and where they robbed. When we were clearing the bush, we saw skeletons of human beings.”

    The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of PIGC, Brig.-Gen. Bassey Etuk, noted that the club patron, on November 27, 2018, dissolved the 21st executive committee and set up an interim committee to run the club’s affairs.

    He urged the Emeka Anyaegbunam-led executive, who he said were elected unopposed, to ensure transparency and accountability.

    Anyaegbunam promised that the executive will work hard to take the club to greater heights.

  • Wike: Rivers won’t tolerate vandalism

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has vowed that the government will not tolerate shutting down of oil facilities.

    Wike said under no circumstances should communities take laws into their hands by preventing oil companies from working.

    A statement by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, said the governor spoke at a meeting with Chairmen of Cluster Development Boards in Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas, oil companies and security agencies at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    The governor directed the immediate revival of the State Steering Committee on Cluster Development Boards.

    He said: “I will not support any company which does not perform its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to its host communities. However, communities must not take laws into their hands; they must not stop production by the operating companies. Such actions will negatively affect the finances of the Federal Government, the state and the local government areas.”

    According to the governor, where companies fail to act within the expectations of the communities, the government will mediate through the Steering Committee on Cluster Development Boards.

    Read Also: I’ll put Rivers first, says Wike

    “It is important that we do not allow crisis to occur in the communities. The Aeroton rig in one community was seized; that rig should be allowed to work. I called this meeting because of concerns raised by the operating companies in the area,” Wike added.

    The governor regretted that most problems in the Niger Delta are caused by oil companies who patronise and engage with criminal elements to the disadvantage of host communities.

    Former Commissioner of Environment Samuel Horsfall noted that “the oil companies know the right thing to do but they will never take the right steps”. According to him, the firms even refuse to recognise Council Chairmen who are the direct links to the respective communities.

    An official of one of the Cluster Development Boards, Charles Sekibo, denied seizing the rig of an oil firm. According to him, his community has always provided the needed support for the company to engage in production.

    Managing Director of Aeroton Mr. Ebiaho Emafo said nobody has the right to stop the production of oil companies. He noted that the company has spent about N3 billion on community development and the company is struggling to make ends meet.

     

     

  • How to identify, avoid fake news, by expert

    The Founder/Director of The Journalism Clinic, Mr. Taiwo Obe, who was the resource person/facilitator at a Polaris Bank-sponsored training for journalists in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on June 3, advised media professionals against fake news, in order not to lose respect of readers/listeners/viewers of the media houses and to be taken seriously.

    The media capacity building training, which took place at Jevenik Place, Tombia Street, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Phase 2had as its theme “Online Journalism in the Era of Fake News,” had in attendance Polaris Bank’s Head, Corporate Communication, Rasheed Bolarinwa, from Lagos head office; and the bank’s Relationship Officer of Olu Obasanjo Branch in Port Harcourt, Mrs. Ogonnaya Smart.

    The resource person, who has been in journalism since 1978, stated that the tool needed in today’s journalism must be eternal vigilance. While urging the media professionals to train themselves to be suspicious of everything, thereby avoiding litigation or libel suits.

    He noted that journalists must be over-vigilance in today’s world, in order to avoid ridicule or embarrassment before members of the public. He described fake news as made-up stuff, masterfully put together to look like credible journalistic reports, which are easily spread online to a large audience.

    The facilitator said: “The tool needed in today’s journalism is eternal vigilance. Check, double check and be suspicious of even yourself. First, doubt the news materials/stories and photographs, so as to be on the safe side, because there are enemies of progress who want your media houses to die early and they will send to you, fake news materials and photographs.

    “Journalism nowadays is about providing the hard evidence. Journalists must write authoritatively and their reports must be reliable and credible. It is important to have deep knowledge of what you intend to share. Journalists must always update their knowledge and widely read books, in order to grow, improve and be relevant.

    “A good journalist should not lie. He must always stand by the truth and report objectively. If he is in doubt of the information, he should leave it out. Always consult experts to authenticate stories, especially breaking news.

    “Trust should be upheld by journalists. Make efforts to verify information, for credibility of your medium and for peace of the society.”

    Obe also described social media, particularly WhatsApp, as the breeding ground for fake news.

    Polaris (formerly Skye) Bank’s  Head, Strategic Brand Management, Nduneche Ezurike, from the bank’s head office on Victoria Island, Lagos, in admonished media professionals to always place emphasis on investigative journalism, professionalism and doing basic checks, to detect fake news, which he described as real, intense and would continue to consume careless reporters.

    Ezurike also urged journalists to always be ahead and not to get tired of acquiring knowledge, with all the barriers already broken, while insisting that media professionals must never be seen as nuisance.

    The Group Head of Polaris Bank in Port Harcourt, Raphael Abiaziem, noted that the financial institution appreciated the media as partners in progress.

    Abiaziem, who was represented by the Business Development Manager of Olu Obasanjo, Port Harcourt branch of the bank, George Gabriel-Whyte, described the media capacity building training as part of the core values of Polaris Bank, which he identified as continuous training, stressing that it would ensure responsive journalism, while calling for continuous support of the bank.

    While responding on behalf of the participants, the Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Rivers State, Chief Ernest Chinwo of ThisDay Newspaper, hailed Polaris Bank for the opportunity and the initiative. He called on the bank to organise the training, retraining regularly and accommodate more media professionals.

  • Abe laments rise in out-of-school kids

    Senator Magnus Abe, who represented Rivers South East in the eighth National Assembly has raised an alarm over the rise in the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

    He also thanked the people for their support and encouragement throughout his stay in the Red Chambers.

    A statement by his spokesman, Parry Saroh Benson, said Abe spoke in Port Harcourt during an end-of-term support for doctoral students and outstanding journalists from his senatorial district.

    The statement reads: “More than 80 per cent of our public schools are only a place of gathering for children and parents who are thirsty for education. The truth is that nothing is happening in most of our public schools. Over 18 million children are out of school. That is more than the population of Sweden and Hungary.”

    Abe lamented that two councils in Rivers South-East were educationally disadvantaged, and encouraged the people to continue to work hard and improve on their educational attainments.

    “During my time in the Senate, I found out that two councils – Tai and Oyigbo – are weak in education. We must encourage them to be more competitive. We are doing whatever we can to make the point that education is the future. When I was growing up, Rivers State had leaders who valued education.

    Read Also: Four die in accident on Lagos–Abeokuta expressway

    “Today, we must realise that anyone without a working knowledge of the computer and access to the internet in this 21st century will be a functional illiterate. We need to give the children of today the opportunity to excel as we were given that opportunity in our days.”

    The senator said the End-of-Term support was to appreciate the support he received from his constituents.

    “You are here because you believe in what we are doing. I am doing this to thank the people of Rivers South-East for voting me to the Senate for two terms. I believe that what we are doing here today has significance beyond you, and that there is no other way of growing our country than enthroning merit…”

  • ‘Army has restored normalcy to Niger Delta’

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said the Army has restored normalcy to the creeks of the hitherto volatile Niger Delta, thereby increasing the level of socio-economic activities in the region.

    He promised that the Army was poised to live to its constitutional responsibility by ensuring that all threats to the country’s national security were defeated at the earliest possible time.

    Gen. Buratai, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham, who is also the Land Component Commander of Operation Delta Safe, spoke on Wednesday at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt.

    He was special guest of honour at the annual June 12 lecture of the Unity House Foundation and the Garden City Leadership Initiative.

    The lecture was themed: “National Security: Beyond Power, Passion and Politics”.

    Gen. Buratai said: “The topic of the lecture -Insecurity – Bigger than Recession and a Bigger Threat to Democracy – is very contemporary and relevant as we mark the first Democracy Day on June 12. The security challenges facing the country at the moment have stretched the police and the military and indeed other security agencies, in personnel and resources.

    Read Also: Former Army General joins Kogi guber race

    “The Army, whose primary role is the defence of the territorial integrity of the country, is currently deployed in the 36 states and Abuja, on the secondary role of ‘Aid to Civil Authority’. This reality is by no means strange, as other great nations have passed through similar experiences in their history.

    “A lot of progress has been made in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency, which hopefully is at its last stage. The main efforts have been achieved, as the insurgents’ capacity to hold territories have been greatly degraded.

    “The Army is at the stage of conducting stabilisation operations, which will ensure that the civil populace in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps returns to their homes for socio-economic activities to thrive in their communities.

    “Crimes, such as pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, sea piracy and kidnapping, have been reduced to the barest minimum. The Army would leave no stone unturned until all the criminals are brought to justice.”

    The COAS also hailed members of the Unity House Foundation and Garden City Leadership Initiative for putting together the lecture, saying the initiative proved that the next generations were ready to take over the mantle of leadership of the country and tackle the challenges of their time.

    Guest speaker at the lecture was immediate past Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada Edo State, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, while the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof. Ndowa Lale, was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Hakeem Fewehinmi.

    Panellists included Prof. Eme Ekekwe of UNIPORT; a frontline activist Elder T.K. Ogoriba and Ibiba Okunye, a lawyer.

    Convener of Unity House Foundation Kingsley Wali described corruption as Nigeria’s greatest problem, stressing that good governance must be gotten right.

  • Five injured in Port Harcourt mall explosion

    Five persons were injured after an explosion rocked Port Harcourt Mall, popularly called Spar, beside the Government House in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The injured have been admitted at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).

    The explosion happened on the first floor of the two-storey edifice, with valuable property worth billions of naira destroyed. Before fire fighters arrived, efforts were made by in-house fire fighters and other workers to quell the fire.

    Read Also: Wike and Ortom meet in Port Harcourt

    About 6.30pm, the front and back gates were locked and no one was allowed in.

    Two security men, who pleaded for anonymity, said the explosion happened about 3:30pm but there were no casualty as at the time our reporter left the mall at 6.45pm.

    Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni said the injured were receiving treatment at the Rivers government-owned hospital.

     

  • Brambaifa: NDDC’s funds will be judiciously applied

    The Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, has promised that the commission will continue to follow the proper public procurement procedures to ensure its funds are applied judiciously for development.

    He gave the assurance at the opening of a one-week workshop for NDDC’s executive management and directors at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Port Harcourt.

    Brambaifa reiterated that NDDC’s mandate included delivering services that would give full value for money, noting that it was necessary for the management to be prudent in its efforts to drive development in the Niger Delta.

    He said: “Our goal is clear; we want everyone to be conversant with the procurement process, because it is not something that should be left for only procurement officers. The experts have made it simple for us to understand the issues in procurement.

    “I have no doubt that someday, we will fully integrate the electronic data management into our procurement system. We will adopt the electronic platform to enhance the efficiency and transparency of our processes.”

    Brambaifa noted that it was important that the commission’s workers fully understood the procurement process to ensure that funds meant for development projects and programmes were judiciously utilised.

    The Director for Procurement, Theophilus Alagoa, said the training was organised to enlighten officers of the commission about their roles in the procurement process.

    Read Also: NDDC: Group calls on Ijaws to support Brambaifa

    Alagoa said: “Before now, procurement is seen as the responsibility of only those in the procurement unit. The fact is that procurement is for every officer in NDDC, and they have roles and responsibilities, as specified in the Procurement Act 2007.

    “We want NDDC workers to wake up to their responsibilities by arming them with knowledge.

    We noticed that a lot of people do not know their roles. In fact, every department in NDDC has the power to procure for itself. The procurement unit is only there to ensure compliance with the Public Procurement Act.”

    The Chief Executive Officer of Tabriz Procurement Solutions Limited, Emeka Ezeh, who facilitated the workshop, noted that training on the processes of public procurement was very crucial for development agencies like the NDDC, because of the enormous responsibilities its workers were saddled with.

    He emphasised the need for government agencies and departments to imbibe the culture of proper public procurement, noting that it was important that public procurement in the NDDC was done in the right way.

    Ezeh said: “We believe that when NDDC and other key Federal Government agencies adopt the culture of proper public procurement, it will ensure that there is value for money in service delivery.”

    He added that the workshop was necessary to remind NDDC directors of their responsibilities, and the need for them to always adhere to the guidelines set up by law, to ensure that public funds in their custody were judiciously expended in accordance with the laid down rules.

    “To deliver on its mandate, NDDC needs to procure according to the laws, because the use of public funds is regulated by laws,” he added.

  • How to avoid fake news, by expert

    In order to uphold professionalism and to avoid being misled, Nigerian journalists have been warned against fake news at a special training, writes BISI OLANIYI, Southsouth Bureau Chief.

    The Founder/Director of The Journalism Clinic, Mr. Taiwo Obe, who was the resource person/facilitator at a Polaris Bank-sponsored training for journalists in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on June 3, advised media professionals against fake news, in order not to lose respect of readers/listeners/viewers of the media houses and to be taken seriously.

    The media capacity building training, which took place at Jevenik Place, Tombia Street, Government Reservation Area (GRA), Phase 2had as its theme “Online Journalism in the Era of Fake News,” had in attendance Polaris Bank’s Head, Corporate Communication, Rasheed Bolarinwa, from Lagos head office; and the bank’s Relationship Officer of Olu Obasanjo Branch in Port Harcourt, Mrs. Ogonnaya Smart.

    The resource person, who has been in journalism since 1978, stated that the tool needed in today’s journalism must be eternal vigilance. While urging the media professionals to train themselves to be suspicious of everything, thereby avoiding litigation or libel suits.

    He noted that journalists must be over-vigilance in today’s world, in order to avoid ridicule or embarrassment before members of the public. He described fake news as made-up stuff, masterfully put together to look like credible journalistic reports, which are easily spread online to a large audience.

    The facilitator said: “The tool needed in today’s journalism is eternal vigilance. Check, double check and be suspicious of even yourself. First, doubt the news materials/stories and photographs, so as to be on the safe side, because there are enemies of progress who want your media houses to die early and they will send to you, fake news materials and photographs.

    “Journalism nowadays is about providing the hard evidence. Journalists must write authoritatively and their reports must be reliable and credible. It is important to have deep knowledge of what you intend to share. Journalists must always update their knowledge and widely read books, in order to grow, improve and be relevant.

    “A good journalist should not lie. He must always stand by the truth and report objectively. If he is in doubt of the information, he should leave it out. Always consult experts to authenticate stories, especially breaking news.

    “Trust should be upheld by journalists. Make efforts to verify information, for credibility of your medium and for peace of the society.”

    Obe also described social media, particularly WhatsApp, as the breeding ground for fake news.

    Polaris (formerly Skye) Bank’s  Head, Strategic Brand Management, Nduneche Ezurike, from the bank’s head office on Victoria Island, Lagos, in admonished media professionals to always place emphasis on investigative journalism, professionalism and doing basic checks, to detect fake news, which he described as real, intense and would continue to consume careless reporters.

    Ezurike also urged journalists to always be ahead and not to get tired of acquiring knowledge, with all the barriers already broken, while insisting that media professionals must never be seen as nuisance.

    The Group Head of Polaris Bank in Port Harcourt, Raphael Abiaziem, noted that the financial institution appreciated the media as partners in progress.

    Abiaziem, who was represented by the Business Development Manager of Olu Obasanjo, Port Harcourt branch of the bank, George Gabriel-Whyte, described the media capacity building training as part of the core values of Polaris Bank, which he identified as continuous training, stressing that it would ensure responsive journalism, while calling for continuous support of the bank.

    While responding on behalf of the participants, the Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Rivers State, Chief Ernest Chinwo of ThisDay Newspaper, hailed Polaris Bank for the opportunity and the initiative. He called on the bank to organise the training, retraining regularly and accommodate more media professionals.

  • The Nation driver abducted in Rivers

    Gunmen have abducted a driver in the Port Harcourt zonal office of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation titles, Godknows Longjohn.

    Longjohn was reportedly abducted between Omerelu in Rivers State and Imo State in the early hours of Tuesday on his way to Awka, the Amanbra State capital, to deliver the day’s edition of the publication.

    Read Also: Rivers community gets free medicare

    The hoodlums took him away and abandoned his vehicle and its consignment in the middle of the highway.

    Also, the abductors reportedly called twice to demand N1.5 million ransom for his release.

    The police command has been alerted about the incident.

  • Rotimi Amaechi @ 54: The anointing of selfless service

    Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s foray into public service is charismatically enigmatic, divine and historically rooted like the Macedonian call to spread the gospel of liberation to mankind.

    His first stint at public service began at the University of Port Harcourt where he was elected to serve as the National President of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) as an undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt.

    Upon his graduation, his charismatic attributes endeared the young but dynamic Amaechi to Dr. Peter Odili who engaged him as Secretary at Odili’s PAMO Clinic where they built a relationship of confidence and mutual trust.

    The Ubima-Ikwerre born son of a civil servant humbled himself to the political tutelage of Odili. So, when Dr. Peter Odili was eventually elected Deputy Governor of old Rivers State in 1992, like a team united in one accord, Amaechi served as his Special Assistant, a position which further exposed him to new friends and new macro political relationships.

    This relationship between him and Odili blossomed into very cordial relationship between the Executive and Legislative arms of government in Rivers State when in 1999, Dr. Odili contested and won the governorship election of Rivers State, while his political godson, Amaechi, emerged as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, an office in which he served meritoriously for eight years.

    In 2006, the confidence of the political godfather and son soared when Amaechi got the PDP ticket to contest the governorship election in Rivers State.

    Amaechi legitimately won the ticket but was shut out by some political hawks within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who felt that power belonged to man but Amaechi depended on God, being a child of destiny, eventually he reclaimed his mandate through legal means, when the Nigerian Supreme Court, on October 26, 2007, annulled the illegality of wrongful exclusion and consequently inaugurated him as governor of Rivers State.

    While some of Rotimi Amaechi’s supporters basked in the euphoria of victory, a section of Rivers State were pessimistic and expressed misgivings about the new governor whom they metaphorically described as a chip of the old block, obviously referring to his relationship with Odili.

    This was hinged on the spate of cultism and politically related killings in Peter Odili’s administration when militancy held sway, while night life associated with the garden city suddenly disappeared due to insecurity occasioned by activities of dare devil men of the underworld.

    Love him or hate him, Amaechi is a man that cannot be ignored. He is ever determined to achieve a goal if he is convinced that it is in the best interest of the people. He is altruistic in disposition, selfless, highly principled and above all, God fearing.

    His landmark achievements during his tenure as governor left an indelible mark in the lives of all Rivers people, prominent among these was the restoration of peace and security in Rivers State.

    The criminal gangs and cultists who were literally known as ”bad boys”, who held the state to ransom took to their heels as they had no hiding place in the new order of peace, security and prosperity during Amaechi.

    Burdened with the quest for development and peace, Ameachi quickly set up a peace and reconciliation commission, headed by a revered and retired Honourable Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon Justice Koyade Esho, to unearth the remote and immediate causes of cult clashes in the state and identify perpetrators and victims with the hope of pursuing prosecutions and granting compensations.

    A man passionate about the welfare of his people, Amaechi built over 110 health centres in virtually all wards in the state and constructed referral facilities such as Prof Kelsey Harrison Hospital at Mile 2 Diobu, Dental Maxillo Facial Hospital at Garrison, General Hospital at Etche and Khana Local Government Areas and commenced the construction of the Mother and Child Hospital which was over 50 percent complete at the end of his tenure as governor.

    Over 7,000 health workers were employed and over 600 medical doctors were also employed with each doctor receiving an official car.

    Not satisfied with the level of food sufficiency in Rivers State then, Amaechi embarked on direct agricultural intervention programme by acquiring 200 hectares of land in Tai Local Government Area, for the cultivation and export of Banana in partnership with a Mexican firm, San Carlos Nigeria Ltd.

    At Buguma community in Asari Toru Local Government Area, the Buguma Fish Farm was constructed to produce 1,000 tonnes of fish annually.

    Songhai farms located at Bunu-Tai/ Ban-Ogoi in Tai Local Government Area was set up with over 314 hectares of land. This farm had livestock, arable farming, snail farming and poultry. It served as a resort for visitors and citizens of the state.

    Some may accuse him of arrogance but those who are close to him dismiss it as an unfair remark affirming his sense of honesty and humility in service. According to one Mr. Igoniboyefe Martin, ”Rotimi Amaechi is a phenomenon. He’s being misunderstood by people who don’t understand him. He’s humble, honest, fears God and prays as if he is the General Overseer of a Pentecostal Church. Unlike some public officers, Amaechi has self-discipline. I think these are virtues that keep him ahead of his adversaries such that they say he’s arrogant, which is a fallacy.”

    Little wonder, when he was appointed Minister of Transportation in 2015, the appointment was received with great celebration, despite the attempts to stop him at the senate.  Amaechi received the news of his appointment with humility and told his supporters to go on their knees to appreciate God, rather than engaging in what he called self-glorifying celebrations.

    When he took over as Minister of Transportation, he was already aware of the importance of the ministry as a critical focal point of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s plans towards its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

    Addressing journalists during a media parley, Amaechi revealed that; ”The transport sector is the second most important sector of the economy after oil and gas. This sector is the one that affects all sectors, including oil and gas”.

    In line with his transformational principle of leadership, who does not entertain excuses but results, he swung into action by fashioning out what the  minister described as a ”Multimodel Approach” in reviving and  restructuring the long abandoned rail system in Nigeria.

    It is in the light of the new vision, he said, ”We are currently upgrading all modes of transport, including rail, roads, sea and air”.

    Over N4trillion have been earmarked for rail projects under the Buhari’s administration, which is an unprecedented investment in the history of the transport sector.

    These railway projects include the Abuja-Kaduna railway and the Lagos-Ibadan railway cutting across Ogun State to mention a few.

    Until he left office a few days ago, the ministry had also embarked on the construction of rail lines passing through Itoro, Awowo and Wasimi communities all in Ekwekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    So far, the Kaduna-Abuja railway has been completed. It started with one locomotive but now runs with two locomotives. In addition to that, the Itakpe-Warri rail project has been completed and is currently in use with 17 coaches.

    Furthermore, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, an agency under the supervision of the Minister of Transportation, initiated several reforms which resulted in an exponential increase in the internally generated revenue of the agency amounting to over N20 billion.

    Apart from commencing work this year, on the Port Harcourt and Lagos to Calabar rail projects, the ministry has also started work on the river ports at Onitsha, Baro and Lokoja. Interestingly, the river port at Onitsha and Baro are ready while that of Lokoja would be ready soon.

    The ministry, according to Amaechi, ”has opened talks with Chinese companies to see how we can capitalise on Nigeria’s internal water ways and use them as a means of transportation”.

    The construction of two, deep-water ports are also underway in Lekki, Lagos State and another one at Ibaka in Akwa-Ibom State.

    These projects are critical to reviving the transport sector, especially in boosting transportation of goods and services across the country as well as accelerating economic growth among countries in the West Africa Sub-Region.

    The vision of the Ministry of Transportation under Amaechi is to ensure that all the state capitals in Nigeria are connected by rail. This is indeed in line with the campaign promise of President Muhammadu Buhari to connect every state by rail.

    Humble and goal oriented, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is a most valuable asset, not just to the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, but to the nation at large.

    – Prince (Engr.) Aganaba (MNSE) wrote in from Port-Harcourt