The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Port Harcourt

  • Obuah sacks 10 contractors of Waste Management agency

    Obuah sacks 10 contractors of Waste Management agency

    Ten contractors of Rivers State Waste Management Authority perceived to be loyalists of the All Progressive Congress (APC), by the sole administrator, Felix Obuah were Thursday sacked for alleged inability to comply with agency directives.

    In a statement Thursday signed by Jerry Needam, media aid to the Sole administrator, Felix Obuah and made available to The Nation, said the ten contractors were sacked for disobedient to agency’s directives.

    The statement further said the ten contractors were more interested on the debts owed them by the out-gone Amaechi’s administration than to obey the agency directive to go back to site.

    It said, it is in the light of the flagrant disregard of this agreement that the Agency deems it expedient to revoke the contracts forthwith in line with the order of the new Sole Administrator.

    Obuah noted the Agency had on Friday, June 5, 2015 agreed with the concerned contractors to mobilize their Staff back to site and also warned them that  failure to obey his order would affect their contract appointments.

    He said the Agency will not tolerate any acts of sabotage in the efforts of Governor Nyesom Wike to restore Port Harcourt, the State capital to its Garden city status.

    Contractors affected include;   Chiz Engineering Services,   Flees Global,   Lemonvare Nig Ltd,    Adule Integrated Services, Green Town Technologies,  Eki Global Concern Nig Ltd. Others are Done Young Nig Ltd,   O. C. And Sons Ltd, Deen Construction Company Ltd and Magnum And Hunter Ltd.

    Responding over the sack, one of the contractors,  Mr. GoodLuck Douglas of O. C and Sons Ltd, a company owned by G.U Ake, a supporter of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, said the purported  allegation against his company is unbelievable.

    Douglas said his company has a clean record and had been working tirelessly in all the site allocated to them.

    “I don’t know what we have done to them, before the government took over we had been doing our job, even the sites the Sole administrator is accusing us of not maintaining is not sites in our control, we are not in-charge of Airport road and Obio/Akpor market.”

  • Port Harcourt is exciting, full of discoveries

    Last year April, Port Harcourt defeated other cities across the world to emerge as UNESCO World Book Capital 2014. Founder, Rainbow Book Club, Mrs Koko Kalango, described the one-year reign of Port Harcourt as world book capital as exciting and full of discoveries, OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports. 

    Representative of Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014, Mrs Koko Kalango has said that despite the many challenges faced by Nigeria and South Korea in the last one year, book has continued to stand out and brought the two countries together as a family. She noted that book as repository of written words enables mankind to pass on information and knowledge from generation to generation.

    “Today the book has brought us together as a family, united by a shared thirst for knowledge, linked by the common desire to advance the written word for benefit of the individual, the society and our world,” she said. Kalango who spoke at the opening ceremony and handing over to Incheon (South Korea) as UNESCO World Book Capital City 2015 recalled that Port Harcourt emerged World Book Capital amidst mixed feelings of joy and grief especially the abduction of over 200 Chibok girls in Borno State by Boko Haram, an Islamist extremist group that believes western education is evil.

    She however noted that book was brought to focus against the backdrop of a retrogressive and dangerous movement directly opposed to the ideals of the World Book Capital initiative. Such tragedy, she said, if anything should ‘challenge us to continue to work to rescue our society from the grip of those who stand against the progress and liberty education brings.’

    According to her, the plight of the missing school girls was given prominence by Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka in his keynote address at the Port Harcourt World Book Capital opening ceremony last year where he called on the Nigerian government to ‘bring back the pupils’. His alarm, she said, triggered off the now worldwide campaign with the slogan ‘bring back our girls’. She noted that Soyinka’s call for the return of the school girls has been echoed by thousands around the world including Malala, (the girl-child education activist), and Michelle Obama.

    Kalango described the one year of Port Harcourt as World Book Capital as exciting full of new discoveries and possibilities. “We had a rich and varied array of programmes for a wide reach and maximum impact. There were programmes for children and youth, arts and culture, library and community development and deliberate plans for sustainability beyond the World Book Capital year. The support of our local, national and international partners was critical in enabling us actualise our objectives. Indeed, today, we can see change taking place  Rivers of possibilities, rippling from the city of Port Harcourt, through the country Nigeria to the continent of Africa,” she added.

    She urged the new capital to form an environment where all citizens may read books without difficulty and access the source of wisdom and information at any time.

    On the selection of Incheon as this year’s World Book Capital, she said: “I agree with the World Book Capital Selection Committee that the quality of programmes you have proposed for the year promises to have ‘impact on improving the promotion of books and reading by all stakeholders involved in the publishing sector, as well as access to printed and digital publishing for the citizens of Incheon and the Korean Peninsula…”.

  • Military Officer, seven others killed in Port Harcourt

    Unknown gunmen have reportedly killed eight persons and injured many others in parts of Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, Friday night.

    Eye witness account had it that five persons were shot dead and scores wounded, when gunmen stormed a popular bar at Amadi-Ama roundabout, in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of the state, shooting sporadically at the customers.

    The incident occurred at about 11:30 pm. Among those killed was a lady and a military personnel.

    A source close to the scene of crime said residents were awakened by heavy shooting at the all night drinking spot which operates 24 hours service.

    Three of the corpses which could not be identified immediately after the killing were left outside the bar till morning, while expended bullets littered the place.

    Also, earlier that night, three persons were killed and another seriously wounded when two armed men attacked some persons in another part of Port Harcourt.

    The three victims were identified as Ibiyene (a woman, selling local gin, kaikai), Ekaki and Maxwell. Ekena reportedly sustained injury.

    The incident happened at about 9pm. It was said that the bandits, suspected to be cultists came from old NEPA waterfront and shot the victims at Prime Rose Estate, Okrika waterfront.

    According to an eyewitness who did not want to be named, the killers walked to where the woman was selling the drink and opened fired on them.The victims were said to have died on the spot.

    The State Police spokesman, Ahmad Muhammad, confirmed the killings,

    Muhammad said “the brief I got showed that the hoodlums are cultists.”

  • 11 persons feared dead in Port Harcourt attacks 

    •Police: no comment

    No fewer than 11 persons have been reportedly killed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, in attacks by unknown gunmen and cultists.

    Two persons were killed during a bullion van robbery in the state University premises last Friday.

    Five persons were said to have been killed in a hotel in Oroworukwo community in D/Line axis of the state capital. Four  were killed at the Marine Base.

    While the hotel killing was linked to cultism, the reason for yesterday’s is yet to be identified.

    Police spokesman  Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ahmad Mohammad declined comments on the incidents. He said: “I am not going to comment on that.”

    The Nation learnt that the suspected cultists stormed the hotel, shot dead the victims and escaped. Some other persons were injured.

    The police, said a source, have deposited the bodies at the mortuary.

  • PH bullion van robbery: Owner of recovered cash yet to show up

    The Police in Rivers state have called on the owner of the cash recovered from fleeing armed robber that attacked a bullion van and snatched the money in Port Harcourt the state capital last Friday to come and claimed the money.

    Armed robbers numbering six reportedly attacked the van while offloading the money in the premises of one of the old generation banks located inside Rivers state University of Science and Technology (RSUST), at Nkporlu in Port Harcourt LGA of the state, Friday afternoon.

    The hoodlums successfully made away with the cash stashed and locked up in two Ghana-Must-Go bags after breaking through the locked back gate of the university.

    One person was confirmed dead and five other injured following sporadic shooting by the robbers ostensibly to clear their way while escaping with the cash.

    Team of police men on duty outside the university gate however engaged them on a hot chase, until they abandoned the Toyota Sienna car they used in the operation when the tyre deflected.

    The Police recovered the money; but nobody has come up to either make a formal report of any stolen cash or lay claim of the one recovered.

    The police public Relation Officer (PPRO), Ahmad K. Mohammad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed it in a telephone interview yesterday.

    He appealed to anybody whose money is missing to come up with prove of ownership of the cash so he could collect his/her money back.

    Mohammad said, “I am using this opportunity to appeal to the owner of the unspecified amount of cash recovered from armed robbers in Port Harcourt on Friday afternoon, to please come up with prove of ownership and collection of the cash.”

  • Celebration as Jekennu bows out of Port Harcourt

    Celebration as Jekennu bows out of Port Harcourt

    January 18 was a special day in the life of Air Vice Marshall Ajibola Augustine Jekennu. He was celebrated for his era as the Commander of the 97 Special Operations Group (S.O.G) at the Port Harcourt Air Force Base, reports BOLAJI OGUNDELE 

    When the Commander of the Port Harcourt Air Force Base, 97 Special Operations Group (S.O.G), then Air Commodore Ajibola Augustine Jekennu, got promoted towards the end of last year to the rank of an Air Vice Marshall, those who understand the operations of the military knew it was time he moved to an office fitting for his new promotion. Having served the office of the Commander for almost a year, February 2014 to January 2015, he has now left Port Harcourt to serve in a higher capacity.

    The people he had lived with in the Port Harcourt Air Force Base for many years would not just let him go like that; there is so much attachment connecting the two star Air Force General to a lot of the people within the barracks and the larger Port Harcourt community. Like he said while giving his testimony during a thanksgiving service held in the Nigerian Air Force Protestant Church, A.V.M Jekennu said if he was given the time and privilege, he had much to say about virtually everyone present in the over-crowded church auditorium because they had all affected his life one way or the other.

    The day, January 18, started out with a thanksgiving service at the church , followed by a lavish reception at the officers mess, hosted by the AVM, his  wife and children. It was only in the church that speeches were made, including the sermon, delivered by an Air Force Clergy, Squadron Leader (Reverend Canon) Otowo, titled “Lifted despite the odds”. Save the sermon and the testimony of the AVM at the church, not much of speeches were seen at the two segments of the celebration.

    When summarising his experience on the job over the years and the feeling of being celebrated after so many years, AVM Jekennu said: “It has been a fulfilling time, having served here several years and it’s just normal that when you serve in an organisation you crave for advancement, promotion from time to time, so getting to a level where I got to command a unit was personal fulfilment for me and it gives some kind of satisfaction that my imputes have not been in vain. Basically, I’ll say I feel accomplished, haven commanded 97 S.O.G.”

    On what is next after his tour of duty to Port Harcourt as Commander, the AVM said since the Air Force headquarters is the one in charge of the movement of all men and officers, he would first go back to the headquarters.

    “Normally the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force deploys us; so, I’m going to the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force.”

    He advised those coming behind him, saying: “They should work hard and put in their best. There’s no hard-work that is ever wasted; sooner or later, it pays off.”

     

  • Wike to unveil woman deputy on Tuesday

    Wike to unveil woman deputy on Tuesday

    *Accuses Amaechi of wasting 30 billion on campaign  

    *Allegation is false, baseless –governor

    Former Minister of State for Education and the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has promised to unveil his deputy on Tuesday.

     Wike who was at Omegwa community, in Ikwerre, the Local Government of Governor Chibuike Amaechi for a thank you visit to the people of the area said he will pick a woman as his deputy.

    He said the best way to empower women is not to give them wrapper, rice, yam and other food items, but to allow them participate fully in the governance of the state by giving them the chance in the decision making of the state.   

    He said in  Amaechi’s local government he will not stress himself to campaign much but to go home and sleep because he is satisfied  that with the peoples support, he will get victory in the area.

    He advised the youths to attack any police officer who misbehave during the Election Day, adding that there are plan to rig the election which the people must defend.

      Wike also accused the Governor Amaechi, of spending the sum N30 billion to fund the presidential campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) .

    He said:  “the development had made it impossible for the state government to pay workers’ salaries, the governor was using state resources to fund the APC with the hope that he would be picked as the running mate to the APC presidential candidate,  Mohammadu Buhari.

    “Do you know why workers’ salaries have not been paid? Amaechi spent N30 billion in funding the presidential campaign of the APC. They (APC leadership) allowed him to spend the money and later, they called him mugu ).

    “They (APC) leadership said we will not make this ‘boy’ who does not respect the President (Jonathan) the vice president. We should know that our future is in the PDP and not the APC,”

    By Tuesday I will unveil my deputy, and she will be a woman. It is time to give women a chance to participate in the decision making of the state. We must respect our women and give them what they deserve.

    Reacting to Wike’s allegation, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said the PDP governor spoke without facts, even as she challenged him to show any proof that Amaechi was funding the APC.

    Describing Wike’s allegation as false and baseless, Semenitari insisted that nobody would spend such an amount on political campaigns, insisting that the state government will not dignify the  statement with responses.

    “It is unbelievable that a man who wants to be the governor of this state can make such an unbelievable statement without any proof. We challenge him (Wike) to show proof that Governor Amaechi spent N30 billion to fund APC campaign.

    “There are some things that are unbelievable. With what President Jonathan is giving us, N30 billion is three months allocation. Is that what he (Wike) is saying that we used for primary?

    “Rivers State Government will not dignify such unintelligent talk with responses. We will respond to unintelligent talk; we will not react to stupid conjecturing,” Semenitari stressed.

  • Port Harcourt’s race to regain lost glory

    Port Harcourt’s race to regain lost glory

    Efforts are now being made to return Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital to its Garden City status. BISI OLANIYI writes on the determination of the stakeholders to effect the change.

    In the 60s and 70s, Rivers State was known for its clean, green and healthy environment. The lushness and serenity of the environment earned Port Harcourt, the state capital, its Garden City status.

    The Port Harcourt City, and indeed other parts of the state, lost the status due to the rapid influx of people into the state, occasioned by oil and gas exploration and exploitation, industrialisation and increased commercial activities. Port Harcourt, once known for its beauty and serenity, became a garbage city.

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi and other stakeholders are making efforts to restore the lost glory.

    In view of the efforts of the stakeholders, the Rivers State capital can easily take over from Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, as Nigeria’s cleanest city, if seen as a collective responsibility.

    Amaechi also called on the all the stakeholders to support the Rivers government in keeping the state’s environment clean.

    Amaechi, while inaugurating in Port Harcourt an Ashok Leyland refuse compactor truck donated to the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) by Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) Unlimited, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, declared that he was determined to ensure a clean Rivers State. Two more compactors are expected from Mobil.

    The donation to RIWAMA was facilitated by a Port Harcourt-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Manpower Development and Environmental Protection Initiative (MADEPIN), which has Livingstone Membere as its Chief Operating Officer.

    The Rivers governor, who was represented by the Chairman of the Rivers House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Mrs. Victoria Nyeche, of Port Harcourt Constituency One, noted that the money spent on healthcare would reduce, with a clean environment.

    Amaechi also lauded the Sole Administrator of the RIWAMA, Ade Adeogun, for ensuring a clean Rivers state, and Mobil for the initiative, in spite of operating on Bonny Island, with office in Onne, Rivers State, while asking other multinationals to emulate the oil giant.

    The Rivers government, through RIWAMA, seeks to transform Rivers into a state characterised by clean and greener cities, fresh waters and low carbon footprints, by enhancing the health and well-being, as well as raising the average life expectancy of the people.

    The Amaechi administration is also working towards improving sanitary habits and working at collectively harnessing the inner resources of the people in the state, to enhance wealth, job creation and economic empowerment, through effective modern waste management strategies.

    The ever-increasing population of Port Harcourt city and its metropolitan nature have increased the tonnage of household and commercial wastes, making it to become obvious that restoring Port Harcourt and indeed Rivers state to its Garden City status is a task that cannot be left to the government alone.

    The Rivers Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Charles Okaye, urged the contractors working for RIWAMA to avoid refuse dispersal on the state’s roads, thereby ensuring a clean Rivers State.

    The Commissioner for Environment in Rivers state, Dr. Nyema Weli, who was represented by Stephen Nyeenenwa, stressed that the population of Rivers had exploded, compared to when the agency was established in 1984, leading to massive production of refuse, which must be well disposed and that RIWAMA is adequately tackling the challenge.

    The General Manager, Public and Government Affairs of Mobil, Paul Arinze, who was represented by Yemi Fakayejo, the oil firm’s Manager, Public and Government Affairs, disclosed that the compactor was purchased for N16.5 million, while calling on RIWAMA to ensure its adequate maintenance.

    Arinze said: “As a responsible corporate citizen, the NNPC/MPN joint venture seeks to support the government in every small way we can, by embarking on sustainable community development projects presented to us for assistance by a broad spectrum of stakeholders, ranging from government, community, NGOs and civil society, to mention but a few.

    “The refuse compactor truck is courtesy of a request from RIWAMA and MADEPIN. Consistent with our avowed objective of supporting the government with the development of its people, we have delivered an average of one major corporate social responsibility project per quarter, since the beginning of the year, in various parts of Rivers State.

    “The truck is backed up with additional funding support to MADEPIN to implement an environmental awareness, sensitisation and advocacy programmes, in partnership with RIWAMA, towards the strengthening of institutional framework to sustain a culture of cleanliness in Port Harcourt and its environs.”

    Mobil’s general manager also reminded MADEPIN and RIWAMA that they were selected out of a pool of many NGOs and organisations requiring the oil giant’s support, having presented themselves as highly responsible and professional organisations.

    He asked RIWAMA and MADEPIN to know that Mobil’s support was given to them in trust and expected not only to be judicious in the use of the funds and equipment received, but to ensure the project was implemented in a sustainable way, in order to have the maximum impact.

    Arinze noted that the NNPC/MPN joint venture hoped that Port Harcourt would someday become Nigeria’s cleanest city, which he described as a vision, which he believed the management of RIWAMA could make happen.

    He stated that the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which owns 60 per cent in the NNPC/MPN joint venture, deserved commendation for co-funding the project.

    Mobil’s general manager said: “For nine days in August 2014, the NNPC/MPN joint venture facilitated the provision of a free healthcare for the people of Omagwa, Ipo and Igwuruta, communities which are near the Port Harcourt International Airport.

    “Over 3,600 people (children, men and women) benefited from the support, which was provided courtesy of a request from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Port Harcourt International Airport

    “Although, our company has no physical presence or relationship to the aforementioned communities, we acknowledge that corporations can be forces for social good, by complementing government in discharging its responsibility of meeting the social, health and welfare needs of the people.”

    Arinze also admonished Rivers people to continue to give peace a chance, stressing that there could only be development in an atmosphere of peace.

    The Chief Operating Officer of MADEPIN, Livingstone Membere narrated his experience with a resident in one of the waterfronts in Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt, during the NGO’s visit to the area, who said in Pidgin English: “make una commot for here abeg. Dorty no dey kill Afrika man.”

    Membere described the comment as an expression of the attitude and perception of most residents of Port Harcourt and its environs, indicating how, with the carefree attitude, residents had been defacing the city with garbage and other wastes.

    MADEPIN’s chief operating officer said: “The disparaging situation (garbage city status of Port Harcourt and its environs) made different administrations in the state to put in diverse strategies to address the challenges of municipal waste management and pollution. The RIWAMA, established by law in 2014, is the latest outcome of these efforts.

    “RIWAMA’s efforts under the leadership of the present Sole Administrator (Ade Adeogun) are yielding results. However, there is a very slow response from households and other stakeholders in complying with the regulations and also complementing RIWAMA’s efforts.

    “MADEPIN is working in six locations (Onne, Alesa and Akpajo in Eleme LGA; Elelenwo and Woji in Obio/Akpor LGA and Mile One in Port Harcourt City LGA) to create awareness on the dangers of a dirty environment and on how residents can keep their environment clean, through regular sanitation.

    “The sensitisation message is centred on waste reduction, reuse, recycling and proper disposal methods. To help RIWAMA with monitoring and enforcement, MADEPIN is working with residents in our pilot areas to facilitate the emergence of Volunteer Sanitation Marshalls (VSMs). We presently have 45 VSMs operating in the Sangana axis of Port Harcourt.”

    Membere also disclosed that MADEPIN had had scaled up what Mobil triggered, into a multi-stakeholder partnership for providing waste management support to the Rivers state government, christened the “Clean Rivers Initiative,” with youth corps members as some of the partners.

    MADEPIN, according to the chief operating officer, is also working with primary and secondary school students on its “Waste Craft Project,” with 100 to 150 students, between the age of 6 to 16 from various private and public schools involved, with the goal of training them on how to make useful gift items and toys from the waste they generate.

    The Sole Administrator of RIWAMA, Ade Adeogun, in his address, disclosed that 18 months after writing letters to multinationals and other companies operating in Rivers state, only Mobil had so far responded to assist the agency, while admonishing other firms to emulate the oil giant.

    He disclosed that the magnificent edifice when the handing over of the truck took place, about a year ago, was a mechanic workshop, without roof, but was redesigned into a beautiful storey building with befitting offices and a conference room.

    The RIWAMA’s sole administrator also revealed that before he came on board, companies operating in Rivers state were each sending N100,000 monthly to support environmental sanitation, without proper utilisation, but told the firms to stop the funds, while opting for enduring partnership and support for the agency, in form of equipment and vehicles to be branded.

    Adeogun assured that the compactor would be well maintained, while insisting that having a clean environment is a collective responsibility, in order to ensure good health and better productivity, while thanking Mobil, MADEPIN and other stakeholders for the support.

    To achieve a cleaner, greener and healthier Rivers state, all the stakeholders must collaborate and should not be seen as the job of a few persons.

     

  • City of lost gardens

    City of lost gardens

    •Port Harcourt’s race to regain glory

    Make una commot for here abeg. Dorty no dey kill Afrika man…The disparaging situation (garbage city status of Port Harcourt and its environs) made different administrations in the state to put in diverse strategies to address the challenges of municipal waste management and pollution

    Efforts are now being made to return Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital to its Garden City status. BISI OLANIYI writes on the determination of the stakeholders to effect the change.

    In the 60s and 70s, Rivers State was known for its clean, green and healthy environment. The lushness and serenity of the environment earned Port Harcourt, the state capital, its Garden City status.

    The Port Harcourt City, and indeed other parts of the state, lost the status due to the rapid influx of people into the state, occasioned by oil and gas exploration and exploitation, industrialisation and increased commercial activities. Port Harcourt, once known for its beauty and serenity, became a garbage city.

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi and other stakeholders are making efforts to restore the lost glory.

    In view of the efforts of the stakeholders, the Rivers State capital can easily take over from Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, as Nigeria’s cleanest city, if seen as a collective responsibility.

    Amaechi also called on the all the stakeholders to support the Rivers government in keeping the state’s environment clean.

    Amaechi, while inaugurating in Port Harcourt an Ashok Leyland refuse compactor truck donated to the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) by Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) Unlimited, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, declared that he was determined to ensure a clean Rivers State. Two more compactors are expected from Mobil.

    The donation to RIWAMA was facilitated by a Port Harcourt-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Manpower Development and Environmental Protection Initiative (MADEPIN), which has Livingstone Membere as its Chief Operating Officer.

    The Rivers governor, who was represented by the Chairman of the Rivers House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Mrs. Victoria Nyeche, of Port Harcourt Constituency One, noted that the money spent on healthcare would reduce, with a clean environment.

    Amaechi also lauded the Sole Administrator of the RIWAMA, Ade Adeogun, for ensuring a clean Rivers state, and Mobil for the initiative, in spite of operating on Bonny Island, with office in Onne, Rivers State, while asking other multinationals to emulate the oil giant.

    The Rivers government, through RIWAMA, seeks to transform Rivers into a state characterised by clean and greener cities, fresh waters and low carbon footprints, by enhancing the health and well-being, as well as raising the average life expectancy of the people.

    The Amaechi administration is also working towards improving sanitary habits and working at collectively harnessing the inner resources of the people in the state, to enhance wealth, job creation and economic empowerment, through effective modern waste management strategies.

    The ever-increasing population of Port Harcourt city and its metropolitan nature have increased the tonnage of household and commercial wastes, making it to become obvious that restoring Port Harcourt and indeed Rivers state to its Garden City status is a task that cannot be left to the government alone.

    The Rivers Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Charles Okaye, urged the contractors working for RIWAMA to avoid refuse dispersal on the state’s roads, thereby ensuring a clean Rivers State.

    The Commissioner for Environment in Rivers state, Dr. Nyema Weli, who was represented by Stephen Nyeenenwa, stressed that the population of Rivers had exploded, compared to when the agency was established in 1984, leading to massive production of refuse, which must be well disposed and that RIWAMA is adequately tackling the challenge.

    The General Manager, Public and Government Affairs of Mobil, Paul Arinze, who was represented by Yemi Fakayejo, the oil firm’s Manager, Public and Government Affairs, disclosed that the compactor was purchased for N16.5 million, while calling on RIWAMA to ensure its adequate maintenance.

    Arinze said: “As a responsible corporate citizen, the NNPC/MPN joint venture seeks to support the government in every small way we can, by embarking on sustainable community development projects presented to us for assistance by a broad spectrum of stakeholders, ranging from government, community, NGOs and civil society, to mention but a few.

    “The refuse compactor truck is courtesy of a request from RIWAMA and MADEPIN. Consistent with our avowed objective of supporting the government with the development of its people, we have delivered an average of one major corporate social responsibility project per quarter, since the beginning of the year, in various parts of Rivers State.

    “The truck is backed up with additional funding support to MADEPIN to implement an environmental awareness, sensitisation and advocacy programmes, in partnership with RIWAMA, towards the strengthening of institutional framework to sustain a culture of cleanliness in Port Harcourt and its environs.”

    Mobil’s general manager also reminded MADEPIN and RIWAMA that they were selected out of a pool of many NGOs and organisations requiring the oil giant’s support, having presented themselves as highly responsible and professional organisations.

    He asked RIWAMA and MADEPIN to know that Mobil’s support was given to them in trust and expected not only to be judicious in the use of the funds and equipment received, but to ensure the project was implemented in a sustainable way, in order to have the maximum impact.

    Arinze noted that the NNPC/MPN joint venture hoped that Port Harcourt would someday become Nigeria’s cleanest city, which he described as a vision, which he believed the management of RIWAMA could make happen.

    He stated that the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which owns 60 per cent in the NNPC/MPN joint venture, deserved commendation for co-funding the project.

    Mobil’s general manager said: “For nine days in August 2014, the NNPC/MPN joint venture facilitated the provision of a free healthcare for the people of Omagwa, Ipo and Igwuruta, communities which are near the Port Harcourt International Airport.

    “Over 3,600 people (children, men and women) benefited from the support, which was provided courtesy of a request from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Port Harcourt International Airport

    “Although, our company has no physical presence or relationship to the aforementioned communities, we acknowledge that corporations can be forces for social good, by complementing government in discharging its responsibility of meeting the social, health and welfare needs of the people.”

    Arinze also admonished Rivers people to continue to give peace a chance, stressing that there could only be development in an atmosphere of peace.

    The Chief Operating Officer of MADEPIN, Livingstone Membere narrated his experience with a resident in one of the waterfronts in Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt, during the NGO’s visit to the area, who said in Pidgin English: “make una commot for here abeg. Dorty no dey kill Afrika man.”

    Membere described the comment as an expression of the attitude and perception of most residents of Port Harcourt and its environs, indicating how, with the carefree attitude, residents had been defacing the city with garbage and other wastes.

    MADEPIN’s chief operating officer said: “The disparaging situation (garbage city status of Port Harcourt and its environs) made different administrations in the state to put in diverse strategies to address the challenges of municipal waste management and pollution. The RIWAMA, established by law in 2014, is the latest outcome of these efforts.

    “RIWAMA’s efforts under the leadership of the present Sole Administrator (Ade Adeogun) are yielding results. However, there is a very slow response from households and other stakeholders in complying with the regulations and also complementing RIWAMA’s efforts.

    “MADEPIN is working in six locations (Onne, Alesa and Akpajo in Eleme LGA; Elelenwo and Woji in Obio/Akpor LGA and Mile One in Port Harcourt City LGA) to create awareness on the dangers of a dirty environment and on how residents can keep their environment clean, through regular sanitation.

    “The sensitisation message is centred on waste reduction, reuse, recycling and proper disposal methods. To help RIWAMA with monitoring and enforcement, MADEPIN is working with residents in our pilot areas to facilitate the emergence of Volunteer Sanitation Marshalls (VSMs). We presently have 45 VSMs operating in the Sangana axis of Port Harcourt.”

    Membere also disclosed that MADEPIN had had scaled up what Mobil triggered, into a multi-stakeholder partnership for providing waste management support to the Rivers state government, christened the “Clean Rivers Initiative,” with youth corps members as some of the partners.

    MADEPIN, according to the chief operating officer, is also working with primary and secondary school students on its “Waste Craft Project,” with 100 to 150 students, between the age of 6 to 16 from various private and public schools involved, with the goal of training them on how to make useful gift items and toys from the waste they generate.

    The Sole Administrator of RIWAMA, Ade Adeogun, in his address, disclosed that 18 months after writing letters to multinationals and other companies operating in Rivers state, only Mobil had so far responded to assist the agency, while admonishing other firms to emulate the oil giant.

    He disclosed that the magnificent edifice when the handing over of the truck took place, about a year ago, was a mechanic workshop, without roof, but was redesigned into a beautiful storey building with befitting offices and a conference room.

    The RIWAMA’s sole administrator also revealed that before he came on board, companies operating in Rivers state were each sending N100,000 monthly to support environmental sanitation, without proper utilisation, but told the firms to stop the funds, while opting for enduring partnership and support for the agency, in form of equipment and vehicles to be branded.

    Adeogun assured that the compactor would be well maintained, while insisting that having a clean environment is a collective responsibility, in order to ensure good health and better productivity, while thanking Mobil, MADEPIN and other stakeholders for the support.

    To achieve a cleaner, greener and healthier Rivers state, all the stakeholders must collaborate and should not be seen as the job of a few persons.

     

  • X-raying the Greater Port Harcourt city

    X-raying the Greater Port Harcourt city

    The Rotimi Amaechi’s administration in Rivers State in 2009, took a proactive step by creating the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA), with a vision to build a well-planned city, through the implementation and enforcement of policies that would ensure the provision of first rate infrastructure and delivery of quality services, to enhance the living standard of the people.

    The new Port Harcourt city is an extension of the old Port Harcourt city. The intent is to allow for urban growth strategic planning and de-densification of the old city, while gradually integrating both cities as one single unit.

    The authority is providing infrastructure, some of which have been completed, while others are at various stages of completion. It is also regulating developments in the new city to avoid distortion of the GPHCDA master plan.

    Some of the projects embarked upon by the GPHCDA, which has Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, as its Administrator, are completed sports precinct access road, the Port Harcourt Centenary housing development, storm water canal and detention pond, 33KVA electricity supply substation, completed water project and Monte Rivers temporary access road.

    The other projects are M-10 highway road, internal township and priority roads, waste management facility and 18-hole Golf Course with Golf Estate and Resorts.

    In spite of commencing the first set of mixed-use housing project, in partnership with Liberty Land Limited, located in lots 124 and 143, and having conducted a transparent land ballot exercise for serviced plots, strictly for residential use in the low density area of the new city, which drew 114 winners from different categories in June this year, the GPHCDA has just recorded another feat, through offering of investment opportunities to prospective corporate and institutional clients in the commercial layout of the city, known as the Light Commercial Area and Central City District, which is strictly designated within the Greater Port Harcourt City Masterplan commercial light activities and intended for immediate development, thereby strengthening partnership and collective ownership of the new city project.

    The successful investment road show brought together over 300 stakeholders and people from all sectors of the economy, who were thrilled by the opportunities to be part of the new city’s development.

    The administrator of the GPHCDA, during the recent official presentation of the opportunities in the commercial layout of the city at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, stated that investing in the new city project would attract good return on investment, in view of the unique selling points.

    Cookey-Gam said: “The selling points are issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (Cof O) and the title documents within 45 days of receipt of application, 10 per cent discount for early birds, granting planning approval within 30 days of receipt of application, protection from multiple taxation, instalmental payment for mega investors, investors with green project will be supported by the authority and land swap for strategic investors and blue chip companies interested in extensive investment in the new city is also assured.”

    The administrator also called on investors to take advantage of the offers, stressing that despite the three anchors in the master plan, the GPHCDA has development nodes like the new industrial area in Eleme, education layout in Elikpokpodu/Mbodo Aluu, the Golf Course, Estate and Resorts in Omagwa, low density residential area, light commercial and city central district in Igwuruta-Ali and Igwuruta.

    Cookey-Gam assured that the authority would not compromise quality standards and strict compliance in implementing the master plan, which was described as one of the reasons for the phased development.

    The President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Chief Steve Onu, while also speaking at the event, lamented that cities are now growing without appropriate planning, stating that they would become increasingly chaotic, inefficient and unsustainable.

    Onu affirmed that the new Port Harcourt city’s master plan covered every aspect of physical planning and that if well implemented, would serve as a model for other cities in Africa.

    The President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners also noted that the establishment of the Greater Port Harcourt City by the Rivers government was a timely response to the need to create, control and manage the urban environment, to avoid the flaws of the previous master plans.

    The Chairman of the Board of the GPHCDA, Tonye Cole, an Architect and the Chairman of the authority’s Board Committee on Investment and Brand Marketing, Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, in their separate speeches, stated that the dream of a new city in Port Harcourt was long overdue, because of multiple increase in population, inadequate infrastructure and unstructured development, which would not encourage investment and rapid development.

    Cole and Ohuabunwa also noted that the Rivers state government, through the GPHCDA, had set the tone for infrastructure and new city development in Africa, while assuring investors that their investments at the Greater Port Harcourt City is sustainable, safe and devoid of discrimination.

    The Managing Director/Country Chair of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Mutiu Sunmonu, who was represented by the Anglo/Dutch oil giant’s General Manager, Sustainable Developments and Community Relations , Nedo Osayande, while unveiling the Greater Port Harcourt City identity, stated that the new city has potential to trigger economic development, with the private sector investments providing the backbone for long term growth, prosperity and opportunity, which he said would add value to the infrastructural development in Africa and lead a major renaissance in the continent’s infrastructure deficit.

    Sunmonu stressed that it was imperative to commend and encourage the GPHCDA for sticking to the new city’s master plan and ensuring that the Greater Port Harcourt City develops in a structured manner.

    Shell’s managing irector described city building as a continuous process, while calling for the support of all stakeholders for the structured growth of the GPHCDA, which he said would set the pace for the new cities’ development in Africa.

    With Amaechi’s assurance that almost all ongoing projects in Rivers State will be completed before the expiration of his tenure on May 29 next year,  the city’s dwellers have cause to cheer.