The Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Sole Administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has embarked on a series of critical town hall meetings across various Local Government Areas (LGAs), reaffirming its unwavering commitment to peace, security, and sustainable development. These engagements, spearheaded by the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, aim to foster collaboration between the government, security agencies, and local communities to address pressing challenges.
ONELGA: Peace, Non-Negotiable For Development
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.) has charged residents of Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) to embrace peace as the bedrock of progress.
Speaking at a town hall meeting at Omoku, the local government headquarters, the s9ole administrator said, “Without peace, no meaningful development can thrive.”
Ibas who was represented by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, emphasized the government’s dedication to strategic engagement and inclusive collaboration.
The meeting, attended by security agencies, traditional rulers, youth groups, and community leaders, saw calls for collective responsibility in maintaining stability.
Ibas directed the Administrator of ONELGA, Dr. Chukwuma Ajie, to hold regular town hall meetings to address grievances.
Dr. Ajie lauded the improved security, declaring ONELGA “safe and open for investors.” Youths and community leaders were urged to protect government assets and report abandoned projects.
Bonny: Information Sharing Crucial For Security
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), has underscored the vital role of information sharing in effective security operations during a One-Day Security Interactive Seminar in Bonny.
Represented by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, the Administrator urged Bonny citizens to actively support security efforts, particularly in combating recurring kidnapping incidents. “We are ready to work with the people, whether they like it or not,” Adepoju asserted.
The Administrator of Bonny LGA, Mr. Kingsley N. Banigo, pledged his administration’s partnership with security agencies, stating, “Unity and cooperation among all stakeholders are essential to securing Bonny.”
Stakeholders at the meeting voiced their concerns ranging from environmental health issues caused by International Oil Companies (IOCs) to boundary protection, the need for a specialized hospital for pollution-related ailments, and accountability from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The event concluded with an inspection of the Bonny General Hospital and Model Primary School by the representative of the Sole Administrator.
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Khana: Security, Welfare Top Administration’s Agenda
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has reaffirmed his administration’s core priorities to be security and social welfare.
Vice Admiral Ibas made the declaration during a strategic meeting with the people of Khana Local Government Area at Bori.
Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, the Commissioner of Police, who represented the Administrator, urged residents to safeguard critical infrastructure, especially oil and gas facilities.
The Administrator of Khana LGA, Prof. Barinedum Nwibere, highlighted ongoing peace efforts and interventions in healthcare (polio vaccination) and education (recruitment of ad-hoc teachers).
A traditional ruler King Suanu Baridam raised concerns about dilapidated schools, herdsmen encroachment on farmlands, and inadequate police funding.
Women’s representative Mrs. Rita Jumbo advocated for greater inclusion in empowerment programmes. The state government pledged unwavering dedication to security and well-being of the people.
Ahoada West: Collective Efforts Needed For Peace, Property Protection
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.), has assured Ahoada West residents of his administration’s resolve to safeguard lives and property.
The sole administrator, who was represented by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, reiterated that security is a top priority during a town hall meeting at Akinima.
The commissioner stressed the need for collective efforts and timely intelligence sharing with security agencies.
The Administrator of Ahoada West Local Government, Mr. Promise Jacob, expressed commitment to implementing directives for peace and development.
Traditional leaders, led by King Dr. Moore MacLean, highlighted the need to rehabilitate the dilapidated General Hospital, Joinkrama and other health centres in the area to make healthcare available to the people.
Youth representatives led by Eze Robinson and Comrade Eyee Ikporo, appealed for increased youth empowerment programmes to discourage restiveness, while Mrs. Chika Charles, speaking on behalf of women, called for more inclusive opportunities to engage women in meaningful economic activities.
The meeting concluded with an inspection of key infrastructure, which underscored the government’s commitment to making life easy for the people.
Opobo/Nkoro: Tackling Sea Piracy and Illegal Bunkering
The Rivers State Government called for strengthened collaboration to combat rising criminal activities, including sea piracy, illegal oil bunkering, and fishing equipment theft.
Speaking at an interactive session with the people of Opobo Nkoro Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), also emphasized the protection of government assets and infrastructure.
The Administrator, who was represented at the meeting by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, said, “We are here to ensure you work in synergy with the Local Government Administrator to protect government infrastructure and critical assets.” He assured residents that the government would prioritize healthcare, education, road rehabilitation, and other welfare concerns to enhance living standards in the area.
The Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, described the meeting as timely, highlighting unique security challenges like unauthorized vigilante operations. Community stakeholders called for increased security patrols, stronger local surveillance, and support for lawful vigilante groups.
The government pledged to prioritize healthcare, education, road rehabilitation, and other welfare concerns, and to document all recommendations for immediate action.
Etche: Government Pledges Intervention Amidst Security, Development Challenges
The Rivers State Government has reiterated that security is a collective responsibility and urged the people of Etche Local Government Area to establish internal security measures while collaborating with law enforcement.
This was contained in a message sent by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice- Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, at a town hall meeting with the people of Etche local government area.
The Sole Administrator, who was represented by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, assured that the police would intensify surveillance and engage with relevant stakeholders, including Miyetti Allah, to address the menace of herdsmen.
On infrastructure and employment, the administrator said government would prioritize the revitalization of healthcare, education, and economic projects in Etche.
The residents were urged to report security breaches promptly and work closely with security agencies.
Adepoju said the visit to the local government was to assess critical security and developmental challenges. The interactive session revealed deep concerns over rising criminality, land disputes, herdsmen attacks, infrastructure decay, and youth unemployment.
The Administrator of Etche Local Government, Hon. Onyenachi Nwankwor, expressed alarm over land grabbing and disruptive activities of herdsmen.
Community leaders lamenting the unsafe conditions for farming. They also raised concerns about non-functional hospitals (Okehi General Hospital, Umuede Health Centre), lack of teachers, and poor sanitation.
Youth leaders highlighted widespread joblessness and drug abuse, warning of potential self-help if government intervention is delayed.
Adepoju assured intensified surveillance against herdsmen and engagement with Miyetti Allah. The government committed to prioritizing the revitalization of healthcare, education, and economic projects, including engaging investors to revive the Delta Rubber Company.
Additional security personnel, according to the commissioner, will be deployed, and stakeholder dialogues facilitated, as the government seeks sustained solutions.
These engagements underscored Rivers State Government’s approach to governance, aiming to ensure peace, security, and socio-economic progress at the grassroots level across the state.
Ibas Reaffirms Commitment to Security, Development In Omuma
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), has reiterated that the security of lives and property remained top priority of his administration.
Ibas made this declaration during a town hall meeting with residents of Omuma Local Government Area at the council’s headquarters in Eberi.
Represented by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, the Sole Administrator emphasized that the meeting was crucial for understanding the welfare and security challenges faced by Omuma LGA and for developing actionable solutions.
The commissioner stressed that security was everyone’s business and called on the Sole Administrator Mr. Manager Ikechi Nwala, to hold regular town hall meetings with law enforcement agencies, traditional rulers, political leaders, women, and youth groups to ensure lasting peace in the area.
Adepoju urged stakeholders to protect government facilities and report suspicious activities promptly. He also encouraged the local government to identify non-functional but impactful projects for government intervention.
The Sole Administrator of Omuma LGA, Mr. Manager Ikechi Nwala, outlined pressing issues affecting the area, including land grabbing and politically motivated arrests of Omuma indigenes.
He also listed illegal oil bunkering activities, allegedly aided by intruders from Abia State, and collaboration with the criminals by a serving Divisional Police Officer.
The administrator appealed for the establishment of additional police posts to enhance security and the immediate redeployment of the implicated DPO to curb oil theft.
He called for the resolution of pending boundary issues and equitable allocation of resources to the local government.
HRH Eze Monday I. Ojiegbe, who spoke on behalf of the Omuma Council of Chiefs, commended the state government’s efforts in restoring peace but raised critical concerns. He listed those concerns to include non-inclusion of Omuma from oil derivation benefits.
He said some oil wells in Omuma have been wrongly allotted to Abia State, necessitating urgent boundary resolution to prevent future crises.
Representatives from the National Youth Council (Omuma Chapter), women groups, and NYSC members highlighted their concerns to include the need for youth employment and skills acquisition programmes and improved healthcare services.
Adepoju assured that the allegations against the DPO would be investigated, and appropriate action taken. He also said government will review boundary disputes with Abia State to ensure fair resource allocation, and the deployment of more security to Omuma to tackle oil bunkering and land grabbing.
Stakeholders were urged to remain vigilant, support security agencies, and engage constructively with government initiatives.
