The leadership of the Riv
ers State Leadership Advancement Foundation (RIVLEAF) has called on Christians and members of other  religious groups to pray against bloodbath in the forth-coming general elections in the state.
The National President of the Foundation, Mr. Alex Wele who said this during thanksgiving service at the Central Baptist Church Diobu, Port Harcourt assured that Rivers State would never be a theatre of war in 2015.
Mr. Wele alleged that some selfish and desperate politicians were bent on causing trouble during the elections.
He also said that the foundation was out to acquaint Rivers people with the positive things the Amaechi-led administration had done for Rivers State, stressing that the thanksgiving service was to thank God for saving the life of the Governor inspite of the several threats by the opposition.
The RIVLEAF president also said that the service was to thank God for saving the lives of members of the foundation throughout the period of sensitisation across the state.
He also advised Rivers people to be vigilant and avoid those that would want to use them to destablise the state.
Meanwhile, the Minister in charge of Central Baptist Church, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rev. Koeleh Saleh blamed Nigeria’s underdevelopment on lack of righteousness.
In his sermon at a thanksgiving service, Rev. Saleh said that Nigeria is one country where sin  was celebrated.
The clergyman also decried the increasing level of corruption in the society and urged Nigerians to put away attitude that would relegate the society to the background.
He commended the leadership of RIVLEAF for being exemplary and urged them to continue to exhibit those qualities that distinguished them from the rest of the society.

The Northern Commu
nity in Rivers State has thrown its weight behind the Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Co-ordinator of Northern Community in Rivers State, Alhaji Tanko Yusuf, gave the indication while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, recently.
According to him, the northern community would not only support Governor Amaechi, but would also support the state chapter of the APC to win the 2015 general elections.
Alhaji Yusuf who described Amaechi as a God-sent leader to liberate the people of Rivers State, said the governor has done well not only for Rivers people, but the entire human race living in the state.
He disclosed that the Northern community and other non-indigenes resident in the state have benefitted from the free educational programme, good healthcare, good roads and other infrastructural programmes initiated by Amaechi’s administration.
“We, the non-indigenes, have benefitted. For the very first time, we have been given a sense of belonging in Rivers State,” he said.
The Northern community leader also described the just concluded visit of the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as unique and symbolic as it signaled the beginning of a new vista in the political fortunes of the governor.

The Rivers State House
of Assembly Committee on Environment has described the state waste to wealth programme as a laudable venture that will ensure cleaner environment in the state.
The committee Chairman, Hon Victoria Nyeche, who said this during the committee’s visit to the metal recycling plant in Tai and the waste to wealth plant at Iriebe as part of its oversight function particularly said that the metal recycling plant in Tai will check the proliferation of scrabs along the streets as well as boost the revenue profile of the State Government.
She also said that the project would lead to the creation of employment opportunities for the people, thereby checking crime among the people and stressed the need for massive support for the project.
The committee chairman also directed the state ministry of environment to submit a comprehensive report of the situation to the House on the state of the waste to wealth project at Iriebe in the Obio/Akpor local government Area.
The Commissioner for environment Dr. Nyema Weli, told newsmen at the premises of  the metal recycling plant in Kira Tai, that work on the waste to wealth project in Iriebe is 85 per cent completed.
Dr Weli also said that installation of all equipment will be carried out within the next couple of months especially as works are ongoing in the area.
He stressed the need for collective efforts to tackle all environmental issues, as environment must be kept clean at all times.
The commissioner also said that both the waste to wealth project and the metal recycling plants will generate a lot of economic activities for the state.

Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe (left), with the Supervising Minister of Environment, Mr Dairus Ishiaku, during inspection of Kashimbilla multi-purpose dam in Taraba State, recently.

Armed robbers have raided the Rivers State Waste-To-Wealth management plant at Iriebe in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, carting away valuables.
A staff of Continental Civil Work Limited, the company handling the project, Mr Henry Amadi, told members of the Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, during its oversight visit to the plant that the frequency of robbery attacks on the plant has led to the loss of some valuable components of the plant.
Amadi also said that the plant, when completed, would be producing compost manure and fertilizer from domestic and other household items thereby leading to cleaner environment for the state as well as boost employment opportunities for the people.
The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Nyema Weli, who was on the entourage, said that different segments of the plant have been completed, stressing the project will come on stream soon.
He said that many economic activities will be generated as manure will be produced for farming activities.
He said that as soon as necessary resources are made available, the plant will be completed, adding that a technical partner will be involved in the running of the plant.
At the Scrap-To-Wealth plant at Kira, Tai Local Government Area, the  Managing  Director of Riv Metal, Mr Roy Woolcock said that more than 10,000 tons of metal will be recycled daily, adding that it will yield revenue for the state.
According to him, abandoned vehicles will be taken off the streets for recycling, and advised people to bring their scraps to the company.
In an interview with newsmen, the Chairman, state House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Hon Victoria Nyeche described the project as laudable, and directed the ministry to submit a comprehensive report on the Waste-To-Wwealth plant at Iriebe to the House.

The Belema Community
in the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State has protested the exclusion of Belema Oil and Gas Limited by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) in the OML 25 block divestment bidding exercise.
The community which protested in Port Harcourt with several placards also denounced the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) allegedly signed by the Opu Kula Community, stressing that Belema Community which is the landlord to SPDC was not part of the agreement.
A press release signed by the Paramount Ruler of Belema Community, HRM King Boardillon Oko and HRH King G. A. Egbelekro Opueze said that Belema Oil and Gas Limited has the technical competence to operate the field.
“Our indigenous son’s company has the human resources, personnel, financial and technical consortium of partners to purchase and operate the facility in the aforesaid block,” the statement said.
“We use this medium to immediately ask SPDC to comply with the terms and conditions of any law relating to the Nigerian Local Content,” it maintained.
The people also said that Belema Community is not part of Opu Kula and therefore deserves to be recognised by SPDC even as the said flow station is owned by Belema and not opu Kula.
Also speaking, Hon. Prince Mpakaboari Welsh said that the community wants its sons and daughters to be part of the bidding process.
He said that it was the community that shut down the Ekulama Flow Station on the 9th of February, 2014 and not Opu Kula as is being alleged.
All efforts made to reach SPDC for its comment proved abortive.

The Rivers State En
vironmental Sanitation Authority (RSESA) has declared a state of emergency on refuse in Oyigbo.
Public Relations Officer of the authority, Mr Olalekan Ige who said this in a telephone interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, also declared Oyigbo as the  dirtiest local government area in Rivers State.
Mr Ige said that despite the continuous efforts by the state government through the sanitation authority to ensure the cleanliness of Oyigbo, the residents had refused to cooperate with the government.
“We have declared an emergency on refuse in Oyigbo.  The residents have refused to cooperate with the sanitation authority to ensure cleanliness in the area”, he said.
He, however, said that the authority would continue to sensitise the people on the importance of a clean environment to their health.
The authority’s public relations officer, also said that the authority was not relenting on its efforts to ensure continuous evacuation of refuse by various contractors in Port Harcourt City and its environs.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have called on the Rivers State Government to enforce the laws on the indiscriminate pasting of posters in Port Harcourt City and environs.
A cross section of residents, who spoke to The Tide  on the issue said that the indiscriminate pasting of posters was not only defacing the city, but is making nonsense of the government’s efforts to restore the lost glory of Port Harcourt as the Garden City of Nigeria.
In his view, Mr Thomas Ngoh, described the situation as an eye sore, stressing that something must be done urgently to check the menance.
Also speaking, Mr Jack Philip also urged the government to check the menace, stressing that those responsible must be brought to book.

Recycling facilities at the State Scraped to Wealth at Kira in Tai LGA of Rivers State last Friday.

Youths of Choba
community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have threatened to drag the Choba Council of Chiefs before a competent court of jurisdiction over the non-execution of a civic centre and a water project promised by Dufil Prima Limited in its Memorandum of Understanding with the community.
The concerned youths of Choba who said this in a petition addressed to the Paramount Ruler of Choba, also demanded for explanations on how the N1.6 million and N15 million being paid annually by Dufil Prima Limited and Wilbros were being spent, decried the non execution of the civic centre inspite of the fact that 170 plots of land belonging to Rumuokocha  were sold at the cost of N1.5 million each.
They also decried the continuous perpetration of same in traditional practices in the community as well as incessant suspension of chiefs, a situation that has reduced the members of the council of chiefs to seven instead of nineteen.
They also decried some unfriendly labour practices of some of the companies operating in the community and blamed it on the attitude of the Council of Chiefs.
Reacting to the petition at his palace in Choba, the Nyenweli of Choba Eze Raymond O.W. Okocha described the allegations as baseless and requested for the identities of those behind the petition. Eze Okocha said that the alleged N1.6 million being paid by Dufil Prima Limited was for the landlords that gave the company their lands, while both the civic centre and water projects were on course.
He urged the public to ignore the petition.

Rivers State Local Gov
ernment Service Commission has warned against lateness and absenteeism among staff, stressing that such acts would nolonger be tolerated.
The Acting Chairman of the Commission, Mr Sunny Nwiyor, who handed down the warning during his maiden meeting with staff urged them to brace up for the challenges as the success and failure of the local government system would depend on them.
Nwiyor described the staff as the engine room of the Unified Local Government Service in the state and assured that management would do everything possible to improve on their welfare.
Also speaking, a commissioner in the commission, Barrister Cyprian Chukwu said that Mr Nwiyor’s appointment would enhance service delivery as well as sustain the process of continuity of positive policies of the administration.
He also cautioned staff against acts that were inimical to the growth and development of the commission and stressed the need for cooperation and unity among them.
In his address, the commission’s Secretary, Mr Alabo Chuowo pledged the readiness of the commission’s staff to work with the acting chairman to ensure efficient service delivery to the people of the State.
In a related development, the Rivers State Local Government Service Commission has commended the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for his boldness in taking over the salaries of primary school teachers from the local government councils.
Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Sunny Nwiyor, who said this during a courtesy call by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) also said that the commission would address all issues affecting members of the union.
Earlier, state President of NULGE, Barrister Franklyn Ajunwon pledged the union’s preparedness to work with the acting chairman to ensure the success of his administration.

Cross-section of executive members, Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers taking oath of office during their inauguration in Abuja recently. Photo: NAN

The United States Agency for International Development (USAD) has said the Rivers State Governor’s special overseas scholarship being run by the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) is a model for all educationally disadvantaged states in Nigeria.
The Mission Director of the agency, Mr Michael T. Harvey, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen shortly after a meeting with the Executive Director of RSSDA, Mr Noble Pepple in Port Harcourt, said that the scholarship scheme will help Rivers State to overcome the challenges of inadequate manpower development.
Harvey said that the agency was pleased with the giant strides being recorded by the RSSDA in the areas of agriculture and technical vocation, stressing that rural people of Rivers State are being given the opportunity to benefit maximally from the policies and programmes of the present administration.
According to him, USAD is happy that its partnership with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) is in the right direction, and urged others to emulate it.
Harvey said that they were in the country to visit all their partners with a view to assessing what they have done with aids given them.
Earlier, Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of RSSDA, Mr Noble Pepple had said that the agency, established in 2007, has the mandate of lifting Rivers people out of poverty, through the creation of a strong agricultural base, building of a strong capital base as well as the provision of skills to young persons.
Pepple said that RSSDA has sponsored medical missions to several rural communities as well as embarked on series of programmes to improve the conditions of the less-privileged in the state.
According to him, the agency wants to leave legacies that will be emulated by others in the society as well as show that a government agency can work efficiently to deliver quality services to the people.

The Nigerian Society of
Engineers (NSE), Port Harcourt branch has pledged to partner with CADD Centre, on international training organization to improve the quality of engineering services in Rivers State.
Branch Chairman of the Society, Engr. Kombo T. Johnson disclosed this recently in Port Harcourt, during the commissioning of the Port Harcourt office of the centre.
He stressed the need for regular training for members of the engineering profession to enable them render quality services to the society, adding that with the presence of the CADD Centre in Rivers State, engineers in the state would now compete with their counterparts in Lagos and other states across Nigeria.
Also speaking managing Director of Sherman Gray Limited, Engr Abiodun Olunde said that the CADD Centre which came into Nigeria in 2009, had embarked on series of capacity building for different engineers in Nigeria and the West African sub region.
In his speech the General Manager of the CADD Centre Nigeria Mr Vijay Basker said that CADD Centre had the largest single training programme that spanned over 26 years.
Mr Baskar noted that several companies in Nigeria had benefitted from the activities of CADD Centre.
“Many young graduates don’t know how to apply the knowledge learnt in schools. The availability of training institutions will change the way things are done in Nigeria,” he said.

Acting chairman, Kpean Council of Chiefs, Chief Gilbert Saroh Warinee (left) presenting the council’s address to member representing Khana Constituency I, Hon. Legborsi Nwidadah, during the council’s solidarity visit to the lawmaker in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.

Spoilt frozen fish worth over N2 million have been destroyed by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Port Harcourt.
The Rivers State co-ordinator of the agency, Mrs Mercy Ndukwe, who led NAFDAC team at 12 Agip Road, Port Harcourt, said that the 200x20KG cartons of frozen croaker fish was imported into Nigeria from Cameroun by one Mr Godswill Akahara of C. G. Global Resources located at 12 Agip Road, Rumueme, Port Harcourt.
Ndukwe said that the cold room where the fish were stored was inspected by the agency and samples taken for laboratory analysis following complaint lodged by the Consumers Protection Council (CPC).
According to her, “The inspection was conducted on the 10th and 15th of January, 2014 following a complaint from CPC on physical examination of the product which was found to be deteriorated with offensive odour.
“Samples were taken for laboratory analysis but the result was unsatisfactory,” she said.
She also said that the fish product was unfit for human consumption and attributed the spoilage to the poor cooling system in the cold chain.
The NAFDAC co-oridnator warned cold room operators to always ensure that their facilities were in perfect working condition and always dispose of bad products to avoid endangering people’s health.
The product was later evacuated to a refuse dump at Eagle Island on Agip Road, Port Harcourt where it was buried in the presence of NAFDAC, CPC and Rivers State health officials.

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Ayo Gbeleyi, his Housing counterpart, Mr Bosun Jeje, a winner of Lagos State Housing Mortgage Scheme, Mr Sylvester Akintoye, State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, his wife, Abimbola and some winners of the Mortgage Scheme at the 1st Draw of Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme in Lagos, last Tuesday.

Thousands of Rivers State women under the aegis of Concerned Women of Nigeria (CWN) yesterday embarked on a peaceful protest over the continuous killings of innocent Nigerians by the Boko Haram sect in the North East zone of Nigeria.
The women, clad in black attires, also urged the Boko Haram sect to, with immediate effect, release all girls abducted during its raid at the Federal Government College in Yobe State.
The protesting women carried placards with various inscriptions such as “stop the killing of our children”, “God help Nigeria”,”enough is enough of the killing please”, “reject the rape of our land”, amongst others.
The leader of the women, Mrs Barakuma Egba said while handing over a petition to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly that the government must step in to stop the continuous bloodshed by the sect in the North.
Egba urged the Assembly members to use their good offices to liaise with the executive to see to the end of Boko Haram insurgency in the country, stressing that women were not happy with the killings by the sect.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Dr Enale Kodu, urged government to find an urgent solution to the Boko Haram insurgency in the country, stressing that the continuous waste of innocent lives by the sect was unacceptable.
Responding on behalf of the Assembly, member representing Etche Constituency II, Hon Golden Chioma said that the House was pained that the Boko Haram crisis has continued to escalate.
Hon Chioma, who represented Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon Otelemaba Dan-Amachree, lauded the women for their peaceful disposition.
He explained that even the state House of Assemby, in their last sitting, had expressed same grief and pain which led to an agreement that the executive members mourn the victims of the recent killing in the Federal Government College, Yobe
According to him, every federal college is a miniature Nigeria, and so, deserves adequate security.

Sylvia ThankGod Amadi

The management of
the Ambassador Nne Furo Kurubo Model Secondary School, Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area, has said that Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has never influenced the intake of students in the school.
The Managing Director of Educomp Limited, the firm running the school, Mr Shantaram Hedgekatte who said this on the Sideline  of the recent visit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to commission the school, also said that the state commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence Nemi has never dictated to management what it does in the school.
Mr Hedgekatte saw the admission process was transparently done and admission was based on merit.
He said the school would produce future leaders for both Rivers and other parts of  Nigeria in every sectors of the economy, stressing that in future, students of the college would form a community of enlightened  men and women that would help to shape the destiny of the state and the entire Nigerian nation.
The Managing Director also described the school as an embodiment of  discipline, saying that every students has a room to himself and movement within the premises is controlled.
He further said that discipline is also enforced among the teaching staff, while every student has a computer to himself.
Mr Hedgekatte also said that the commissioning of the school was an indication of a fulfilled promise by Governor Amaechi to the people of   Rivers State and urged Rivers people to massively support the Governor.

Butchers at the Eleme
Abattoir in the Eleme Local Government Area have carried on with their business  as usual despite the threat by the Rivers State Government to close down the abattoir if its poor hygienic condition is not improved.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Dr Nyema Weli in a visit to the area during the last environmental sanitation exercise threatened that the state government may close down the abattoir if its sanitary conditions are not improved.
Dr Weli had warned the butchers against using tyres to burn the slaughtered animals and washing of the animals in the Aleto Stream allegedly contaminated by industrial and human wastes and other unhygienic practices in the area.
However, when The Tide visited the abattoir on Monday, the butchers were as usual going about their businesses without complying with the directive by the commissioner.
Some who spoke to The Tide, said that they lacked the capacity to provide a borehole as the administration of the abattoir was under the jurisdiction of the Eleme Local Government  Council.  .
An official of the Butchers Association told The Tide under condition of anonymity that series of petitions had been written to the Eleme local government council complaining about lack of water in the area, but up till this moment no effort has been made by the council to rectify the situation.
He said that the association members are ready to comply with the commissioner’s directive, if a conducive environment is provided for them.
At the Eleme local government council an officer who spoke under condition of anonymity said that the council is not aware of the complaints by the Butchers Association.
The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Nyema Weli could not be reached for his comment as he was alleged to be out of the state.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Taiye Haruna (left), and the Minister, Mrs Lawrencia Labaran-Mallam, during the minister’s assumption of duty in Abuja last Thursday. Photo: NAN

The Rivers State Gov
ernment has been urged to enact a legislation that will compel residents of Port Harcourt including business places to ensure regular clean up of drainages around their vicinities.
Across section of stakeholders who spoke with The Tide on the issue, said that the continuous blockage of drainages in the city has led to series of flooding in Port Harcourt and environs.
They particularly condemned the continuous blockages of gutters and drainages by some residents of the city particularly in Diobu, stressing that this situation has resulted to incessant flooding in the city.
A staff of the consultancy unit, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUSt) Port Harcourt Mr Wahua Nhebaka said that, a strong political will is needed to compel people to clean up their drainages as well as stop the dumping of refuse into drainages.
Mr Nhebaka said that those who refuse to comply should be prosecuted, stressing that this will go along way to check flooding across the city.
Also speaking, a staff of Port Harcourt City Educational Authority, Prince William Chinwo called for regular sanitation exercises to ensure cleanliness in the city.
Prince Chinwo also said that anyone found dumping refuse into gutters and drainages should be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.
Also speaking in an interview with The Tide at Mile lll a shop owner, Mrs Mercy Edet said that government needs to come to Mile lll to compel everyone to clean up the drainage in front of their stores, stressing that while some of them are trying their best to keep their drains clean, others are not doing anything about the ones in front of their stores.

A socio-political orga
nization in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Obio/Akpor Redemption Forum (ORF),  has urged the people of the area to remain steadfast in their support for the Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
In a communiqué made available to newsmen at the end of its meeting in the area, the forum pledged its total loyalty to Governor Amaechi as well as its irrevocable commitment to the growth and success of the APC in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The forum described Amaechi as a dependable leader worthy of the support of the people of Obio/Akpor and commended the governor for his developmental stride and massive infrastructural projects in all the nooks and crannies of the State.
The communiqué which was signed by the forum’s Chairman, Chief Solomon Chuku and Chairman, Elders Committee in the local government area, Chief Barrister G. Agbaraosimini,  condemned the ploy by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to deceive the people of the state into believing that the state government and APC were behind the kidnap of its members, whereas according to him, the PDP were behind those kidnappings and other forms of violence in the state.
While describing the ORF as the only credible platform to bring about the desired change in the local government area, the forum stressed the need for the people of Obio/Akpor to depart from the mistakes of the past, and support the efforts to rescue the area from bad leadership.
The communique said that the formation of the OFR was as a result of the rejection of bad leadership in Obio/Akpor by the  teeming supporters of Governor Amaechi who yearned for a people oriented and all inclusive government.

The Etche Peoples Lib
eration Congress, a socio-cultural organization in Etche land has renewed its 90 days ultimatum to sand dredgers to leave the area or face the wrath of the people.
National president of the congress, Mr Japhet Ogbueri, who disclosed this in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said that the people will resort to jungle justice, if the ultimatum is not heeded to.
Mr Ogbueri said that the threat by the people of Etche was inline with the fundamental rights of the people as guaranteed by the constitution.
He said that communities such as, Chokocho, Igbo Etche, Umuanyanagu and others have had their environment devastated because of sand dredging, stressing that the people would no longer fold their hands and watch a few richmen devastate their environment.
Mr Ogbueri emphasised that dredging activities is affecting the Chokocho Igwuruta road as well as other roads in the area.
According to him, a petition to this effect has been sent to the state Commissioner of Police as well as the National Environmental Standard Regulation Agency (NESREA) calling their attention to the issue.
Also petitioned, are; the state Commissioner for Environment and has Energy / National Resources counterparts and other relevant government agencies.

The Rivers State Po
lice Command has pledged its readiness to support groups and organisations that preach peace in their different communities.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, said this in Port Harcourt last Monday during a courtesy call on him by the Etche Brothers Assembly, a non-governmental organisation in the state.
Mr. Ogunsakin, who was represented by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Alkal Shaba, said that the police was ready to work with groups whose focus was to work for peace in their communities.
The commissioner who described peace as the most important ingredient for development in any community said that it behoved those who are responsible in their various areas to preach peace to their people particularly the youths.
He commended the Etche Brothers Assembly for making peace the principal focus of its activities and urged them to work together with police officers in Etche in terms of information sharing to checkmate violence in the area.
Earlier, the chairman Etche Brothers Assembly, Sir Chima Choko, said that the assembly, which is non-partisan was formed by people of like minds to enthrone peace in Etcheland which comprises Etche and Omuma Local Government Areas.
Choko said that to actualise the objective, the assembly is seeking to collaborate with the state police command, especially in the areas of information sharing with a view to checking all forms of violence in Etcheland especially in 2015.
He further said that apart from the police, the group intends to reach out to all stakeholders in the area with the view to preaching the message of peace among the people.
According to him, because of the general disharmony in the polity, there is need to partner with the police to ensure that peace is achieved.
He commended the police commissioner for his readiness to work with the group to achieve peace in Etche come 2015.
Also speaking, Hon. Emma Ebere, said that the group was working hard to avoid bloodshed in Etcheland in 2015, and expressed the hope that the police will be ready to assist the group to fulfill its mission to the people.

The former chairman of the
defunct Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), Chief Albert K Horsfall,  has canvassed for a return to the 1963 federal constitution.
Horsfall, who is one of the delegates from Rivers State to the conference, spoke at the mini National Conference for Rivers people orgainsed by the Rivers Mainstream Coalition at the weekend in Port Harcourt.
“Except for some minor amendments that may be required, the 1963 Constitution still remains the best for Nigeria,” Horsfall explained.
He said that while the South-West and South-East are canvassing for loose federation, the South-South is yet to articulate a common position to be presented at the national conference.
The former security chief, however, stressed the need for governments at all levels to promote the spirit of self help and self-reliance, and also cautioned the youth against involvement in all forms of destructive tendencies.
Also speaking, Elder Gomba Osarollor said that Rivers State has made so many contributions towards the nation’s development, and stressed the need for equity and fairness in the polity.
Osarollor, who was chairman of the conference, also canvassed the devolution of powers to the federating units.
In his presentation, a university lecturer, Dr Sofiri Joab-Peterside, recalled the circumstance that gave rise to the Willinks Commission, and regretted that the outcome of the inquiry did not solve the problem of Nigeria.
Joab -Peterside said that the minorities in Nigeria must be integrated into the affairs of the nation.

Consultant to the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications on NUJ Secretariat building project and Principal Partner, Peak consult, Dabaye Dagogo-Jack (middle), contractor for the new NUJ complex and Principal Partner, Elohim Consult, Architect Peter Ajiente (right) and Engr Francis Nemieboka of Peak Consult, at the special kick-off meeting for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new NUJ secretariat at the ministry, yesterday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

The Rivers State
Environmental Sanitation Authority has blamed the indiscriminate dumping of refuse  in the Oyigbo Local Government Area on the attitude of the people.
The Public Relations Officer of the Authority, Mr Olalekan Ige, who said this in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said that all efforts by the Authority towards ensuring high standard of sanitation in the area has met a brick wall because of the poor attitude of the people towards sanitation.
Mr. Ige said that because of this the Authority is now seeking the support of non governmental organizations, churches and others to sensitise the people on the importance of cleanliness.
He also said that the Authority is seeking the support of the Oyigbo Local Government Council to educate their people on the situation.
According to him, apart from sensitisation campaign, the council needs to put in place, legislations in the form of byelaws to check the menace, stressing that the council must cooperate with the Authority to keep Oyigbo and its environs clean.
Meanwhile, Mr Ige has  charged residents of Port Harcourt and environs to cultivate the habit of keeping their environment clean at all time.
He argued that it is wrong for people to want for government to tell them what to do as regards environmental cleanliness, stressing that it is part of the civics responsibility of everyone to clean his environment.
The Sanitation Authority’s  Public Relations  Officer said that the organisation will continue to sensitise the people in the importance of cleanliness.

L-R: Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Senior Adviser on Environment, Mr Peter-Claver Nwaiwu, Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Prof. Bartho Okolo and representative of Managing Director, SPDC, Mr Nedo Osayande, at the inauguration of Centre for Environmental Management at the Enugu Campus of the institution recently.