News

NRC to resume train services on abandoned routes

Published

4 months ago

January 17, 2024

NRC to resume train services on abandoned routes

The Nigerian Railway Corporation is actively restoring old narrow gauge networks, particularly focusing on the Eastern line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.

This initiative, deemed crucial by the Federal Government, aims to revive economic activities along the Eastern corridor.

Jerry Oche, Director of Mechanical Services and Signal Communication at NRC, shared these updates, emphasizing the rehabilitation of coaches and locomotives.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari highlighted the positive impact on industry and trade, addressing the challenges posed by insurgent activities in the region.

Oche, overseeing the preparation for operations, expressed swift action to ensure the readiness of vehicles for Aba Port-Harcourt train services.

The NRC is committed to promptly repairing and facilitating train services for passengers in the eastern part of the country.

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“Vehicles undergoing immediate repairs are five SPs, one SPA, one DRC and two BVAs. Some of the vehicles in Enugu will be moved down to Aba to assist in receiving the anticipated overflow of passengers and goods, which is usually experienced on the route.

“Also, NRC Civil Engineers are working on the track, preparatory to the introduction of the Jos intra-city mass transit train in Jos, Plateau.”

The Deputy Director, Public Affairs of NRC, Malam Mahmood Yakub, also disclosed that several coaches had been rehabilitated to resume the Lagos-Kano Express passenger train.

The Managing Director, NRC, Fidet Okhiria, while inspecting the newly completed Port Harcourt-Aba track, had said, “We are working in phases, they have laid the track up to Aba but we are so anxious to commence operation and that is why the minister has directed us to come and see, so that we can plan ahead to commence operation.

“So we took an inspection from Port Harcourt to Aba. We have confirmed that the main track has been restored.

“As we speak, we can put locomotives and wagons on the track from Port Harcourt to Aba.

“We are working hard to ensure that very soon, the operations will start. Signaling and communication will also be restored soon.

“The NRC boss said the Lagos-Kano Express Train Service will resume in the first quarter of 2024, saying the NRC is working round the clock to restore the old narrow gauge tracks,” Yakubu said.

NRC to resume train services on abandoned routes

News

Fubara gazettes executive order moving assembly sitting to Government House

Published

21 mins ago

May 11, 2024

Trends Admin

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara

Fubara gazettes executive order moving assembly sitting to Government House

Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has gazetted the Executive Order 001 relocating the House of Assembly to the Auditorium, Admin Block of the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Fubara said the current state of the chamber was unsafe and constituted a threat to the lives of the staff and members of the House of Assembly.

He said it was expedient to carry out urgent repairs, renovation and reconstruction of the burnt and damaged chambers of the House of Assembly.

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He added that it was reasonable to ensure that the proceedings of the House of Assembly were not impeded and frustrated.

He said: “Now, therefore, I, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, this 30th Day of October, 2023, pursuant to the powers vested in me under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria hereby issue, order and direct that all proceedings and business of the Rivers State House of Assembly shall temporarily take place at the auditorium, Admin Block, Government House, Port Harcourt, until the repairs, renovation and reconstruction of the chambers of Rivers State House of Assembly”.

Fubara gazettes executive order moving assembly sitting to Government House

News

Breaking: Court stops Amaewhule-led 27 Rivers Assembly members from sitting

Published

13 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Trends Admin

Martins Amaewhule

Breaking: Court stops Amaewhule-led 27 Rivers Assembly members from sitting

The state High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, has barred the 27 lawmakers led by speaker, Martins Amaewhule from further sitting as members of the state House of Assembly.

The suit listed 25 lawmakers as 1st to 25th defendants and the governor of Rivers State, the Attorney-General, and the Chief Judge of the state as 26th to 28th defendants.

Ruling on a motion ex-parte, a copy of which was dated May 10 and obtained in Port Harcourt, the court also stopped the governor, the attorney-general, and the Chief Judge from interacting with the affected lawmakers.

The order specifically asked the lawmakers to stop parading themselves as members of the House of Assembly or conducting any legislative business as members of the House.

The court also ordered them to stop sitting at the auditorium of the House of Assembly quarters located along Aba Road or any other place whatsoever to conduct business as members of the House of Assembly.

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The court said: “An order of interim injunction is granted restraining the 1st to 25th defendants from parading and holding out themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and or meeting sitting at the auditorium of the House of Assembly quarters located at off Aba Road, Port Harcourt or any other place whatsoever to purport to carry out the legislative business of the Rivers State House of Assembly their legislative seats having been declared vacant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

“Another interim injunction is hereby made restraining the 26th to 28th defendants from dealing with, interfacing, accepting any resolution, bills and or however interacting with the 1st to 25th defendants in the purported capacities as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly their legislative seats having been declared vacant with effect from 13th December 2023 pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice.”

The court further directed that the order, the motion on notice, and other processes on the 1st to 25th defendants be within seven days by substituted means.

The court adjourned to the 29th of May for the motion on notice.

The lawmakers affected by the order are Martin Amaewhule, Dumle Maol, Major Jack, Franklin Nwabochi, Christopher Ofiks, Azeru Okpara, Enemi George, Granville Wellington, Ngbar Bernard, John Iderema, Queen Uwuma Williams, Loolo Opuende, Abbey Peter, Igwe Aforji, Justina Emeji, Ignatius Onwuka, Chimzie Nwankwo, Lemchi Nyeche, Barile Nwakoh, Emilia Amadi, Nkemjika Ezekwe, David Okobiriari, Nwankwo Sylvanus, Gerald Oforji and Wami Solomon.

Breaking: Court stops Amaewhule-led 27 Rivers Assembly members from sitting

News

JUST IN: Police take over Rivers House of Assembly quarters

Published

14 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Trends Admin

JUST IN: Police take over Rivers House of Assembly quarters

Some armed policemen have taken over all the two entrances to the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters located along the Aba Road, Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The first and second gates to the lawmakers’ estate were reportedly safeguarded by about 30 police with many patrol vans used to block the entrances.

The development came shortly after the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly claimed that the state governor was planning to demolish the quarters following his recent surprise visit to the facility.

But the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had explained that his visit to the estate on Thursday was harmless.

The governor said, “Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong in going to check how things are going on there?

“You are aware of the developments. We have a new speaker, and I went there to see for myself how things are. There might be a few things I might want to do there for the good of our people.”

It was learnt that following the alarm raised by Amaewhule, the anti-Fubara lawmakers including some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) kept vigil around the estate till daybreak.

Armed policemen were seen barricading the gates on Friday to secure the facility.

Meanwhile, the Sim Media Volunteers (SMV) has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to monitor the activities of policemen in the state and ensure they observed the rules of engagement.

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The convener of the group, Frank Kilsi, decried the arrest and intimidation of the governor’s supporters by the police saying the development could lead to anarchy.

Kilsi, who spoke in Port Harcourt, on Friday, said, “We call on the Inspector-General of Police to rein in his men and exercise restrain by stopping the unnecessary attack or wanton arrest on any of the governor’s supporters, as further harassment could lead to anarchy and breakdown of law and order that may not do our state any good.”

Kilsi appreciated the overwhelming support of Rivers people for Fubara and their decision to stand firm in defence of democracy despite challenges.

He said, “We, the youths of the state, under the aegis of SIM Media Volunteers, do hereby emphasize the need for peace, justice and development in Rivers State.

“We implore all relevant stakeholders such as the citizens, political leaders, traditional institutions, and law enforcement agencies, to ensure that the rights and freedom of the people are upheld and protected at all times.

“To this end, we would like to acknowledge and applaud the great youths of Rivers State for being peaceful and law-abiding even in the face of provocation”.

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Kilsi applauded the leadership of Fubara, commending his efforts to improve the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N12bn to N27bn within a year of his administration.

He said this had singled him out amongst his contemporaries as he highlighted other developmental successes in human capital development, quality Infrastructure delivery, provision of the functional healthcare system, revamping of the educational sector, job creation, security and welfare of citizens.

Kilsi backed the factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and Leader, Sokari Goodboy describing their emergence as a welcome development in the journey to liberate Rivers from the bondage.

He said, “Indeed, true redemption has begun in Rivers State and we shall stand firm as youths of our dear state to support the new leadership of the House and the indefatigable governor of Rivers State.

“We are indeed gladdened by the news of our Leader and Governor of Rivers State rolling out drums to celebrate his one year in office beginning with the commissioning of projects on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.