By Barth Ndubuwah, Port-Harcourt

The Rivers State Executive Council has approved the award of contract for the construction of the main Trans-Kalabari Road project at the cost of N222.1billion.

The approval was given Wednesday during its meeting, presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and attended by his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and other members of Council at Government House.

Briefing journalists after the Council meeting, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joseph Johnson, said the project will be funded with savings from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Hon Johnson stated that 30 percent mobilisation fee has already been paid for the project that has a completion period of 32 months, adding that the contractor is expected to mobilise to site immediately.

“We have awarded a contract to the tune of N222,114,563,830.2 kobo only for the commencement of the Trans-Kalabari Road. This is the main Trans-Kalabari Road. The one that had happened in the past was building of bridges.

“But here, we are doing a Trans-Kalabari Road that is going to run from NSS Pathfinder immediately after Mgbuodohia Community and extends to about 2 KM to the Aker Base Road in Rumuolumeni Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

 ”That road will pass through the swamps behind the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Rumuolumeni, moving southwards towards the first bridge crossing. The road continues through a series of bridges. That road will run, connecting many communities up to Tombia Town.

“That project will be completed in 32 months, and we are paying from our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). We are not going to be borrowing money for that project.

“That is about the third phase is generating fund internally for our road projects without going anywhere to borrow money,” the Commissioner said.

Hon. Johnson pointed out that the contractual sum of N222.1billion is bigger than what is being spent on the Port Harcourt Ring Road project.

“This is because the Trans-Kalabari Road is traversing very difficult terrain of swamp and across rivers and creeks upon which a series of bridges, decking and piling works will be executed.”

The Information Commissioner said the State has recorded some giant strides in the sporting sector with Rivers United defeating Katsina United 4-2 to become champions of the maiden Nigeria Premier Football League U17 Youth League.

“And we also came first in the Male and Female National Beach Volleyball competition. While the male team emerged as first, the female clinched second position.

“We also came tops in the National Open Chess Competition. We have our daughter, Queen Dan Jumbo, she came first and was the best women player.

“On the National Open Table Tennis Championship, Rivers State came first, with 3 gold medals and best overall team.”

Hon. Johnson also said that Rivers Hoppers Basketball Club has also qualified for the final phase of the NBA competition in Kigali, Rwanda.

“It’s actually an exploit we’ve made on the continent. We came top and the team will be here from the 24th May to 1st of June for us to face Rwanda,” he explained.

In her briefing, the acting Director General of Rivers State Bureau of Public Procurement (RSBOPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, explained that the Bureau diligently managed the proceedings leading to the award of the contract.

“Having reviewed the submissions of the Ministry of Works; having examined all the supporting documents presented by the ministry; having fulfilled all the necessary procurement procedures, guidelines as prescribed by the Rivers State Public Procurement Law 2008 as amended.

“Having satisfied that the value for money proposition, fitness for purpose, value for money has been adhered to. Having been convinced that this project will stimulate economic activities socially and bring about development in these areas, the Bureau is satisfied that all the elements leading to this award are sufficient to issue a certificate of no objection.

“Therefore, in consideration of all the relevant documents submitted by the Ministry of Works pursuant and the construction of Trans-Kalabari Road and bridges, the Bureau has issued the certificate of no objection, and that the contract be awarded to Lubrick Construction Company Limited,” she posited.

By Elvis Omoregie, Benin

The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has suspended some traditional functionaries of the Palace of the Oba of Benin from performing their traditional role.

They are Johnbull Igbinosun; Iduhonre (Ihogbe); S. E. Aigbiromwen;   Efeseoghoba (Ogbelaka); Ogbeide Osagie and Osamudiame Edo.

A statement by the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, indicated that the suspension was on the authority of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin.

According to the statement, the suspension was occasioned by their distorting of historical facts on the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife while they were in the presence of the Ooni of Ife claiming to be emissaries of the Oba of Benin.

“The individuals not only declared themselves as subjects of the Ooni, but also rendered inaccurate and disjointed accounts of the connection between the Benin Royal Dynasty and the Ooni-ship of Ife.

“The BTC considered the conduct of these functionaries as inappropriate, sacrilegious and calculated to ridicule traditional history and to bring disrepute to the Benin custom.”

The statement titled, “Sacrilegious Conduct Against Benin Custom by a Group of Self-Serving Traditional Functionaries,” described the action of the persons as ‘Sacrilegious show of shame and falsehood against the Benin tradition and Custom.’

While urging the general public to disregard the inaccurate and disjointed account by the ‘ill-bred’ individuals, the BTC also advised the public to avail themselves of the official account of the connection between the two ancient monarchies as contained in the book, “I Remain Sir, Your  Obedient Servant,” authored by His Royal Majesty, Erediauwa 11, Oba  of Benin, 1979 to 2016.

By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt

Indorama, Petrochemicals Limited has reaffirmed commitment to workplace safety, as it refuted negligence allegations levelled against it by one David Diepreye, an injured site worker of one of its contractors.

Briefing the Press at Eleme, the Company’s Headquarters in Rivers State, the Head Corporate Communications, Dr Jossy Nkwocha said the accident victim worked for SPEO Nig. Limited, a service contractor to Indorama Fertilizer Limited and as such, is not a staff of Indorama.

Nkwocha said that an accident had occurred on the 23rd of Dec. 2020 involving Diepreye, a Masher employed by SPEO Nig. Ltd and deployed to Indorama loading bay.

He said the victim during the accident sustained injury on both legs.

The Company’s Spokesman pointed out that Indorama was the first responder to the incident as it administered necessary first aid to the victim at the company’s clinic from where he was transferred to Rehoboth Medical Hospital, an SPEO retainer hospital where he was given orthopaedic treatment.

He also noted that at the time of the accident, SPEO was not registered with the National Social Insurance Trust Fund and as such was not covered by the Employee Compensation Act which also deprived the victim from accessing accruable benefits of workplace accidents.

“Consequently, on compassionate ground, Indorama took over the victims medical bills and also ensured that he remained on its payroll till date, his salary has been paid up to date,” Nkwocha said.

He further explained that the victim continued taking treatment as an outpatient after over two years of receiving corrective surgery co-sponsored by his direct employer (SPEO) and Indorama.

Nkwocha however, revealed that the victim had instituted a lawsuit against his parent company (SPEO) and Indorama demanding further medical attention valued at N8.5m legal fee.

He said that further investigation with the Claimant’s lawyer, SPEO and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) which was expected to handle the corrective surgery revealed that the cost implications of the surgery was N1.9m.

According to him, dissatisfied with the process chosen for his surgery, the victim resorted to allegations and maligning Indorama’s reputation even when he was not a direct employee.