Author: nationalpoint

Governments, agencies and communities in flood prone areas have been slow and lackadaisical in responding to early warning signs issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) that the flood of 2023 may surpass that of 2022. In several of the communities visited in the four affected Local Government Areas of Rivers State, National Point found out that nothing has been done to either contain or divert the floods when they come, or facilities put in place to provide shelter for those that may be displaced by the flood. The, four local government areas…

The 2022 floods came in sweeping away all life in its path from North to South. Despite warnings by The Nigerian Meteorological Services NiMET, neither the Federal nor state governments had flood impact mitigation measures on ground, to safeguard life, property and investments. NiMET and Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency, NHSA have announced since late 2022, the coming of more devastating floods in 2023. National Point has kept its lenses on the four states which faced the devastating flood from September 2022 to early December. Delta, Bayelsa, Edo and Rivers are those states, whose residents face dangers in the imminent flood.…

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that the ultramodern abattoir being constructed in Mgbuosimini community, Rumueme will be expanded to now include an open space market and a motor park. Governor Wike made the declaration on Thursday, when he inspected the site of the abattoir to ascertain the progress of work done on the world class abattoir designed with the capacity to slaughter 400 cattle, 1500 goats and sheep in one day. The Rivers State governor, who spoke to some residents who thronged out to herald his arrival and waited until he was done with his inspection tour, appealed…

The outgoing governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, who recently issued a quit notice to African Independent Television (AIT) and operators of Ray Power Radio Station located at Ozuoba, to vacate the property, has effected the demolition of the sprawling premises. The media businesses under DAAR Communications are owned by businessman and politician, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi. The property belonged to Radio Rivers before it was handed over to the DAAR Group by the administration of Dr. Peter Odili who was governor of the state from 1999 to 2007. Upon the issuance of the notice to quit, several organizations and…

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the application from Ibom Utility company to operate an independent electricity distribution network licence which will enable Ibom Utility Company to distribute electricity in selected locations in Akwa Ibom state. The announcement was made public in Abuja after the approval presentation ceremony by NERC on Twitter. The Akwa Ibom State Government delegation was led by the Secretary to State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Commissioner for Power, Hon. John James and SSA to the Governor on Power, and The Managing Director of Ibom Power, Engr. Mayen Etukudo The Commission similarly approved the application…

A former governor of Akwa Ibom State Senator Godswill Akpabio, in a letter on Wednesday noted that he will not be able to honour the invitation of the (EFCC). EFCC had in a letter asked Akpabio to appear at its office on March 29, 2023. According to Saharareporters, Akpabio, however, in a letter forwarded to EFCC through his lawyer, Umeh Kalu said he would not be available due to ill health. Akpabio in the letter claimed to be suffering from pneumonia and cardiac arrhythmia. Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection while cardiac arrhythmia is an…

Members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, who are Catholics have accused Archbishop of Onitsha, Valerian Okeke of aiding Priests to Campaign for Labour Party, defame Catholic candidates and others in rival parties. APGA members of Catholic extraction have narrated how Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, Valerian Okeke aided Priests under his administration to ditch their primary assignment of preaching the gospel to publicly campaign for the Labour Party, disparaging both Catholic and non Catholic candidates in other political parties. In a letter dated 19th March, 2023, addressed to Vatican’s Roman Catholic headquarters led by Pope Francis, the group…

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has made the list of Nigerians to be banned from getting United States of America Visa following his infamous role in the just concluded general elections. The list which was exclusively obtained by News Band Newspaper has governor Nysom Wike of Rivers State and his ally, former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, boldly captured on it over their criminal involvement during the elections. Also on the long list is the spokesman of the president-elect, Bayo Onanuga, Femi-Kayode, MC Oluomo, chairman of Lagos State Motor Park management who…

A coalition of human rights groups in Rivers State, Rivers Unity Alliance (RUA), has demanded public apologies from the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, and the commission for failing to deliver free and credible polls during the February/March 2023 general elections. The coalition, which addressed a press conference on the Rivers State governorship election, also called for the investigation of the assistant inspector general of police and the three commissioners of police that supervised security operations in the state during the election. In the text of the press conference presented by Mr. Charles Inko-Tariah,…

As the world continues to experience the impacts of climate change phenomenon, participants at a climate change forum organized in Port Harcourt have advocated for litigation as a veritable tool to fight the causes of climate change. The participants, comprising environmentalists, academics, community stakeholders, among others, submitted that the government of Nigeria should be dragged to courts for failure to take steps to protect the environment. The forum, which was organized by Women Rights and Empowerment Initiative, Wori, in conjunction with European Union Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (EU-ACT) program, further charged communities, groups and individuals to begin to sue oil…