Enduring the Gullies on Port Harcourt Roads

September 16, 2009 at 200900000030p00000030: 2:19 p09 (Africa Poets Society, Community, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, investment, politics)

Motorists and other road users in Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and its environs have continued to have drudgery experience occasioned by pot holes and gullies in the wake of the persistent rain fall that has frustrated massive road construction work in the area.

Disturbed by the complaints from the daily road users Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State had issued a directive to the relevant authority; the State Road Rehabilitation and Maintenance Agency and the construction companies to fill the gullies with hard core as an interim measure to cushion the inconvenience experienced by motorists is yet to be heeded leaving the people with their pains unabated.

As I drove to the Eleozu junction along the East-West road, Workers of the Bulletin Construction Company, the firm handling the flyover project were not at the site but the roughness of the road with gullies dotting every section encumbered movement.

Along the Rumuola road, Monier Construction Company workers were seen working with shovel, bare hands and slippers along with the asphalt laying machine discharge its content unto the rough road surface to protect it from further damage from the rains. However the gullies on the lane used by the motorists are yet to be filled. The site manager, Mr. Umana told me that the daily heavy vehicular pressure pulverize the cores or push them deep into the ground whenever the gullies were filled.

At the Ada George road axis, motorists lamented the poor state of the road with insufficient cores poured on select positions of the road. While movement at the section is done with ease the longer stretch of the road with pot holes and gullies need prompt interim attention for the required respite.

But the situation is worse at the Rivoc junction along Trans-Amadi lane, the oil mill and the Elelenwo road as the ditch at those sections created complex vehicular cluster made worse by impatience on the part of the motorists. The expected hard core is yet to be seen at that section thereby consuming productive man-hour.

The Director, Kunde- Marines, Mr. Noah Kunde said continues water log at those sections of the road created the ditch and want a ‘well meaning public drain’ be constructed linking the rivers to solve the problem. I met a situation of heated words exchange between motorists who were struggling to pull out of the ditch created.

At the Elabuchi road. The chairman of the Diobu Timber Market, Mr. Nemi- Michael Fubara said the road is cut into two halves and has hampered the Timber Market activities.

At the Elelenwo road by the Police Station and the Oil Mill junction along the Port Harcourt Aba express-way including the Rumuokwurushi road, we saw a gradual caving-in of sections of the road despite the core that has been dumped there severally.

Motorists and commuters have a similar prayer that the hard core to serve as interim measure will be seen on the gullies that frustrate smooth traffic.

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A Writer Can Not Be Quiet

March 11, 2009 at 200900000031p00000031: 2:19 p03 (Africa Poets Society, Community, Journalism Education, NIGERIA, Nephrological society, africa, africapoets, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, investment, leadership, niger delta, politics, science)

 

They flow, the writers, that is, through the lanes,from different professions into the writing sphere.There are also born writing individuals.

First, they get the inching; worried about the need to make public the content of their thoughts.By this, they devise the best technique of approach to tackle the write-able topic.

This could be propelled by what they have observed,heard or read.Others,spontanously,flow into it without understanding the reason for the drive.

They write a first copy,cancell it ,write a second copy and cancell again.If that copy is not good enough,satisfying what they intend to give out,they write again and lock it away from the public eyes.A few of such writers make further effort to go public.

They are so dicouraged because of the cost implication of publishing.Even the internet could be very expensive for them to use.

The traditional publishing avenues may not look in their direction because they are not a ‘name’ that could be accorded attention.Some of such desirous writing prospects,move further to seek a freelance opportunity to do so for free,giving out their thoughts on paper to contribute to public pool of information.

Most publishers may accommodate this position because it removes all financial obligations on them. All such times the published items are judged on the premise of their relevance to comtemporary issues and the beauty of the language used.

Sometimes, the approach/angle the issue is discussed also becomes an attraction.When the writing propect knows that he is now and always, an accepted contributor, his morale grows daily and gradually, he becomes a pro.

The pro’ writer never would cease to contribute his quota to enrich the columns,pages,weblogs and the stalls the daily published books must fill.This consciousness keeps the writer alive.

He lives and is active because he is writing and attending talk sessions that his written works has created/elicited for him.But can the writer stand at the rostrum and not utter any word? The audience would think that he must have suffered a momentary speech ceasure and would sympathize with him.

They could also want to volunteeer assistance to move him back to his seat or home.Such writer would feel a greater sickness not for what he said verbally but for what he was unable to say.

The writer would not always desire such situation, so will crave another opportunity to correct whatever impression that must have been built..This urge is what qualifies the thinking that to be silent is unlike a writer.

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Imperative of mentoring

March 11, 2009 at 200900000031p00000031: 2:19 p03 (Community, Journalism Education, NIGERIA, Nephrological society, africa, africapoets, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, investment, leadership, niger delta, politics, science)

 

It will be a great comfort if one had come to your assistance to solve or get a task done that you have spent longer time fixing. This is what mentoring avails the ill experienced individual and helps him/her attain set or required goals faster and maximize potentials.

We all want gain but at what price? If gain was free and easy we would all sign up. However, it is not. In order to gain something we need to lose something. Trying to plow our way through life and accepting the rewards of  hard work often times seems like a good enough gain. What seems like great gain and steady progress to you, might be far less than what God has planned for you.

One form of being mentored is discipleship. A disciple is simply a learner. If we take what we learn from another guy who has traveled the long and dusty road before us, and apply it to our life we gain wisdom.

Want some mentoring help then look for a mentor in your community.

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Cultural Festival 2008

December 5, 2008 at 200800000031p00000031: 2:19 p12 (Africa Poets Society, Community, Journalism Education, NIGERIA, Nephrological society, africa, africapoets, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, investment, leadership, niger delta, politics, science)

The procession of floats and troupes that participated in the Rivers State cultural festival christened ‘Carniriv 2008,our culture our pride’ began at about nine thirty five this morning 5th December 2008 when the Nigeria motorcycle club members led by Charley Boy drove their powered bikes, not only to pull out more spectators from where they lurking but to trill them.

 

Thereafter, the floats, numbering about 29, depicting various indigenous sea animals, birds and other cultural identities of the accompanying groups, drove out from the premises of the Catholic Institutes of West Africa along the Port Harcourt Aba expressway unto the road.

 

All  the twenty local governments have floats including some corporate organization ,hoteliers, Nollywood actors as well as National Youths Service Corps members that lined up the stretched of Port Harcourt Aba expressway between the Rumuomasi, market and the artillery junctions.

 

It was at this point that the State government right honourable Chibuike Amaechi and members of the State executives councils joined in the procession climbing up to the leading float, a well decorated typical canoe.

 

From this point , the floats processed to Airforce, Rumuola  and the Waterlines junctions where some of the cultural groups found some convenient spaces to display their dance steps with  enormous excitement at with repeated cheering by spectators.

 

Some of the spectator expressed great joy for the carnival, noting that it has provided a forum for common sharing and play together to show case the rich culture of the state.

 

They said the carnival has defied the fear that has enslaved the people and given them the liberty to come out without any doubt to display the rich culture of the people of Rivers State.

 

Already, Governor Amaechi said the carnival would be a yearly event.

 

The last time such carnival was organized in Rivers State was in 1988.

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Elechi’s Students at ANA Poetry Reading Evening

November 14, 2008 at 200800000030p00000030: 2:19 p11 (Community, NIGERIA, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, leadership, niger delta, politics)

The evening of poetry reading at the Delta Hotels in Port Harcourt to mark the November 2008 edition was more colourful and exciting in many ways than one. It attracted a large attendance; enthusiastic lovers of literature, up-coming and published poets who were desirous to read their poems to the pool of critical audience who offered useful critiques.

 

There were laughter and clapping of hands to each reading but be sure that high ovation and applause never attend reading of good poems. At best, what was observed was a rapped attention displayed by them and a  deep mind contemplation to find out possible meanings  of each of the poems. For the audience would have been lost in such intellectual travel to remember to clap.

 

Among the number of readers at this Rivers State branch of the Association of Nigeria Authors [ANA] was Tamunobarabi Gogo Ibulubo who read two of his poems; Pronounce the sentence and Okrika rising which are part of the collection he has earmarked for paper cover publication in 2009.It got critique and stood out as an effort that matches the poet’s standard and meet the taste of poetry. It was the first time for him to do such public reading and with the commendation, his is determined to make public more of his poems.

 

Also lined up for the evening were graduands of class nine of the Elechi Amadi school of creative writing. Only seven of the ten students succeeded considered under categories of assessment; participation, merit, credit and distinction scaled through the huddles. Ms Enemesit Omofia emerged as the best graduating student with a gift of cash and Elechi Amadi’s ‘book the concubine’

 

The  Elechi Amadi school of creative writing  was set up to offer a plat form that would attend to the common problems Dr. Amadi had observed with scripts that has been brought to him by prospective writers. Dr. Amadi said that instead of the students being asked to pay forty thousand naira as fees, he has subsidized the fees allowing students to pay twenty thousand naira only.

 

The state chairman of ANA Minima welcomed the writers, lovers of literature and the graduands and reminded of the writer’s unbounded and parallel  world.

The 2009 literary competition for all secondary students in Rivers State will commence in  December 2008 while the BBC playwriting competition for 2009 is rolling  and would end in March 2009 as explained by the British Council, Rivers State Center Manager, Ms Patience Nwoke.

 

  

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Obama is America President

November 14, 2008 at 200800000030p00000030: 2:19 p11 (Community, NIGERIA, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, leadership, niger delta, politics)

Democratic Senator Barack Obama has been elected as the Africa-America president of America.

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Nigeria to switch to digital broadcasting

September 9, 2008 at 200800000030p00000030: 2:19 p09 (Community, NIGERIA, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, leadership, niger delta, politics)
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To read this piece, you will go to the
http://www.africanewscom/site/list_topics/404.
Efforts are achieving it.

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The book titled ‘Dying Voices of Gongs’

July 9, 2008 at 200800000031p00000031: 2:19 p07 (Community, NIGERIA, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, leadership, niger delta, politics)
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Economically Progressive Port Harcourt

July 9, 2008 at 200800000031p00000031: 2:19 p07 (Community, NIGERIA, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, leadership, niger delta, politics)
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It is a reality that has remained undisputed, publicly acknowledged and that the capital city of Rivers State and indeed to entire state is the country’s economic base. It is the highest producers of the crude oil that has sustained Nigeria’s economy.

Most people do not know much about Niger Delta. It is in this region that Port Harcourt city is located.

 Today , as a proof of what span of capacity it has , it has been  admitted into  the World Energy City Partnership. This places it as the third of such countries in Africa and   running behind Luanda and Equatorial Guinea.

 
The admission followed its presentation by the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce led by its chairman at the May 2008 conference in Houston, Texas. There a public acknowledgement of the new dimension of the role that  Port Harcourt plays globally. The attestation is that the city is an economically progressive city.

 
Nigerian’s President,Umaru Musa Yar’Adua told newsmen on the 8th July,2008,two days before he declares open  the  oil and gas conference and mini exhibition at Abuja,that  the acceptance is another landmark achievement of his administration.

President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Prince Billy Gillis Harry said the admission  places it in a better position for global investments.

According to him, WEPC is a platform for the partnership in energy among the 15 member-cities in the world and operates as an elite oil activity city recognised globally and would also benefit from the attention member cities enjoy.

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Soaring High Cost Of House Rents

May 26, 2008 at 200800000031p00000031: 2:19 p05 (Community, NIGERIA, business, create the change, education, god is not a lie, health, leadership, niger delta, politics)

As the nation’s population increases, there is a manifest insufficiency of the availability of houses for them. Especially, as the rural-urban drift of the population becomes, largely uncontrollable.

Added to this, is the crave of Landlords of houses in these urban areas to continue to increase rents placed on living apartment they provide to members of the public. The tenants, therefore come under grave inconvenience.

The inconvenience, also include the landlord’s unwholesome desire for love and determination to evict a tenant who is unable to pay the new rent without the required period of quit notification of three months.

The situation is the same in all cities including Port Harcourt and its suburbs. There , a room’s monthly rent goes for between five thousand naira or more in the old Port Harcourt Township and three thousand, five hundred naira and more in other parts of the metropolis.

This is, however, different from a rather lower rent on houses charged in other cities like Ibadan, Aba, Owerri, Lagos and Warri.

Tenants, often times, are compelled to seek help elsewhere for financial support and sometimes, go borrowing to raise the required money to pay for the, rather, irrational rent in Port Harcourt.

But there are indications that respite may come the way of tenants, across the country, if the public pronouncement by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aaandookaa, of the Federal Government of Nigeria, to checkmate the skyrocketing house rents across the country is vigorously enforced.

But would the needed commitment ever come?

If it does come, Landlords would not have the whims to exploit tenants anymore or for a very long time.

However, the public pronouncement has been greeted with a mixed feeling. But the feeling also accepted it as a position long expected.

They said it was a misnomer for Landlords to operate without a guide on their exploitative overtures and be allowed to make living unbearable for the tenants.

Workers are said to spend about 50% of their monthly income on rent alone in Port Harcourt and less in other metropolitan across the country.

Living apartments, often times, lack necessary facilities for the comfort of the tenants. The Landlords care less of this situation once they have collected their yearly rent.

There is the wonder why rents on a room should compete with the rent on one or two bedroom flats in other states.

This is a big problem and it is seen as a deliberate neglect by government to enforce the required standard. The outcry is that the Federal Government should speedily address the problem so that workers and other citizens can own property to make majority of the people not to be victims as well as tackle the house shortage challenge.

But some Landlords also reacted to the public pronouncement complaining that most tenants do not pay up their rent when it was due.

They also pinned the high rent on the high cost of building materials and maintenance which make them to request for one or two years up- front payment.

Some legal practitioners described the pronouncement as a verbal statement that does not have the force of Law.

They said the tenancy laws as adopted by the federating states, provide measures that are actionable in the event of a formal complain.

They said the Attorney general would need to consult widely with states and other stakeholders to achieve an effective and realistic rent in any state.

While it is observed that the existing laws are obsolete and needed to be reviewed, there is a wonder if what it would be reviewed soon. Is it what Mr. Michael Aaandookaa meant, when he made the public pronouncement? Or will he promulgate another?

The public would also need to know the proper definition on the short and long term lease tenancy laws.

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