Posted by By Alloy Khenom on
The present administration in Tai Local Government Area under Dr. (Hon.) Jacobson Nbina successfully executed no fewer than fifteen people oriented projects during its first one year in office, which began in May 2004.
The present administration in Tai Local Government Area under Dr. (Hon.) Jacobson Nbina successfully executed no fewer than fifteen people oriented projects during its first one year in office, which began in May 2004.
This represents an above average of one project per each of the ten wards in the area, excluding those cited at Saakpenwa, the council's headquarters.
The projects were ceremoniously commissioned by the Rivers state governor, Sir (Dr.) Peter Odili when he undertook a one-day working visit to the place in June this year.
Some of the projects include comprehensive health centres, a model motor park and market stalls.
Others include schools, neighbourhood water schemes, staff quarters for health workers, as well as a massive building intended to accommodate the entire council's workforce, when completed.
Dr. Nbina later scheduled Wednesday, August 10 Friday August 12, 2005 for handing over of the commissioned projects to their host communities, apparently for use and adequate security.
The ceremony actually kicked off with Botem and proceeded joyously to other places such as Kpite, Ueken, Korokoro, Sime, Norkpo, Barayira, Nornwa, Bunu, Ban-Ogoi and Kporghor.
The only place not visited in the itenary was Koroma community, the village of the immediate past chairman of the council, Chief Barinaadaa Mpigi.
The Telegraph, in its characteristic manner to get at the root of any incident for the benefit of its readership, quickly dashed to the offices of security agencies and the council's boss in Tai.
Neither the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) nor Dr. Nbina were available when our News Editor went for their comment, but very dependable sources told us that the resolve by the entourage not to visit Koroma was based on security report.
Our source claimed that, Chief Mpigi who is an influential figure in Koroma, may have mobilized his loyalists to disrupt the ceremony should they come to the place.
We were further told that senior security operatives had kept a tap on the remote Tai community several hours before the tour commenced and, consequently, warned the entourage to steer clear of Koroma, at least for now.
The council chairman, Dr. Jacobson Nbina who was at the head of the visit, expectedly, heeded the advice, hence the proposed trip to Koroma was shelved, my source said.
Observers of developments in Tai believe that the current situation derives its root from a recent press statement credited to chief Mpigi in which he extensively lambasted the incumbent chairman of the council over what Mpigi described as "false claims".The leadership of Tai kingdom are said to have viewed Mpigi's outburst as a mere accumulation of self inflated ago and collapse of a drowning man.
However, no public statement had been issued to that effect at the time of this report.
During our visit to Saakpenwa middle of this week, people were heard whispering over the development, while the chairman of Tai Victory Mandate who also doubles as the Chief of Staff at the council, Hon. Mathew Dike advised youths in the area to always remain calm in order to create the necessary atmosphere for the Nbina administration to fulfil its objectives to the people.
At the communities visited, Dr. Nbina advised against misuse of the facilities, pledging to provide more projects before his tenure elapses.
Among those on the tour were the council's Vice Chairman, Hon. Jolly Ngbor, Secretary, Hon. Sunday Akpene, Leader of Legislature, Hon. Epbabari Ntor-ue, HOD Personnel/Clerk of Legislative assembly, Gladys Nweye, Council's Engineer, Mrs. Fortune Wami and the Legal Adviser to the council, Barr. Ken Babia.