By George Mgbeleke

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has reassured the people of Rivers State of his administration’s commitment to the completion of the various ongoing infrastructure projects located in different parts of the state.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, the governor who gave this indication on Friday while inspecting the level of work on the new Airport Road Bypass in Port Harcourt, disclosed that the project had reached sixty five per cent (65%) completion stage.

He said that in spite of recent developments on the political scene, he remains in “high spirits,” ready to continue with the task of governance, especially the delivery of projects that will impact positively on the lives of the people.

“I want to assure our people that notwithstanding the situation of things, one thing that I can promise everyone, is that every good work that we have started, by the special grace of God, will continue and we will complete them. We’re in high spirits. Like, we always say, Rivers First,” he said.

Governor Fubara said that his administration conceived the idea of constructing a bypass to the Airport Road to create an alternative route for the communities around the airport and avoid a situation where some of their activities could cause obstruction along the main highway leading to the Port Harcourt International Airport.

“We’ve always had these issues where the community may want to express their anger or dissatisfaction over some activities of the airport authorities, in the process they always block the airport road.

” We thought that in this modern society, such actions are not necessary anymore because whenever it happens, it affects the economic activities of the state. So we liaised with the community and created this bypass,” he said.

Governor Fubara who was conducted round the project site by the contractors, expressed delight at the pace of work on the road, disclosing that the total project will be delivered before October 2026.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Growing heaps of uncollected refuse and the choking stench from waste dump sites are rapidly turning parts of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, into an environmental and public health concern.

Residents and business owners along the Azikoro Road axis, where overflowing waste collection points now emit offensive odours described their conditions as unbearable.

Also, Keke Riders tricycle operators and passengers are seen covering their noses while passing through the area, while some businesses situated near the dump sites are said to be relocating due to the persistent foul smell.

Drainage systems around the affected areas have also become clogged as refuse spills into gutters, increasing fears of flooding and disease outbreaks.

Investigations indicate that the worsening sanitation situation may be linked to challenges within the operations of the Bayelsa State Environmental Sanitation Authority (BESA), the agency established by Governor Douye Diri to implement a modern waste disposal and recycling framework.

Sources familiar with developments disclosed that a private company contracted for refuse evacuation is currently involved in a disagreement with the Authority over issues relating to payment and operational coverage.

A senior official of the company, who requested anonymity, claimed that the dispute has disrupted waste evacuation efforts and undermined the broader environmental goals of the state government.

Some of the Residents who spoke with our correspondent say the worsening conditions now pose serious health and economic implications.

“The smell from the dumps is unbearable, especially in the evenings. We cough and sneeze constantly. This has become a serious health hazard,” said Mr Ebiowei Akimi.

Another resident, Mrs Patience Ogbomo expressed concern over the situation, saying sanitation standards in the capital had deteriorated significantly.

“We used to have better sanitation before. Now refuse is everywhere and nobody seems to care. Our children are the ones suffering most,” she said.

A shop owner near one of the affected locations, Mr Tari Preye, said the poor environmental conditions have impacted businesses.

“Many of us are leaving because customers complain about the odour. Sales have dropped drastically. If urgent action is not taken, this area could become deserted,” he stated.

By Our Correspondent

The Presidential aspirant of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi has expressed particular concern on the enhancement of quality of education in Nigeria, saying that the quality of education in a country determines their level of development.

Obi who stated this during a visit to Practicing Nursery and Primary School, in his country home of Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State on Thursday donated a N10millin cheque to them for the rebuilding of a part of the school gutted by mysterious fire in 2024 December.

Recall that he had earlier donated N10million as initial support for the rebuilding of the school block.

Asked what he thinks could be done to salvage schools from the dangers of insecurity in view of the kidnap of pupils and teachers and the killing of one of the teachers in Oyo State, Obi said it all depended on the decisiveness and will power of the government in power to tackle it.

I tell you, we do not only need to secure our schools from insecurity but also the society. And how we can do this is by being decisive. Government needs to be decisive against terrorists to protect schools and the society.

“I have been in government before and we knew what we did to ensure safety in Anambra. It needs decisiveness and will power of the people in government for us to defeat them.”

Donating the N10million cheque, the NDC Presidential hopeful recalled that he had visited the school last year and had promised to help rebuild it.

He said he was in the school to fulfill his promise and to help ensure a conducive environment for children to learn.