The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger delta

  • Wike reconciles Lloyd, others

    Wike reconciles Lloyd, others

    Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt 

     

    RIVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike has reconciled principal actors in the July 9, 2013, crisis in the House of Assembly.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications Paulinus Nsirim said Chidi Lloyd; Michael Chindah; Evans Bipi and Kelechi Nworgu agreed to work together as members of one big family under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The event took place on Tuesday at the Government House in Port Harcourt. Wike said: “They are the people directly involved in the crisis and this ceremony is to tell the world they have reconciled. They are still members of the same family and they are happy with the reconciliation”.

    Lloyd, who described the reconciliation as ordained by God, apologised to Chinda and others. He described his action in 2013 as a mistake of the head and not of the heart, and thanked Wike for his benevolence.

    Chindah thanked God for keeping them alive to witness the reconciliation. He praised Wike for his role in ensuring that he remained alive after the incident. He added that Lloyd’s misunderstanding of him led to the crisis, saying he had forgiven him since December 2013.

    Read Also: Wike hailed on Amiesimaka sports complex facelift

    Bipi described Lloyd as a man with a large heart and thanked him for coming back to his roots.

    Nworgu said the reconciliation was his greatest achievement in the present administration.

    PDP Chairman Desmond Akawor noted that the reconciliation was a practical manifestation of forgiveness. He lauded Wike for treading the path of a righteous ruler, and thanked parties in the reconciliation for taking the step to forgive.

     

  • Akwa Ibom passes Fiscal Responsibility Bill

    Akwa Ibom passes Fiscal Responsibility Bill

     Bassey Anthony, Uyo

     

    AKWA Ibom State House of Assembly has passed the Fiscal Responsibility Bill into law. This law allows the establishment of the State Fiscal Responsibility Board.

    The bill was passed after the third reading at Tuesday’s plenary.

    Chairman of the Finance and Appropriation Committee Uduak Odudoh (Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo) had earlier submitted a report.

    Read Also:  Akwa Ibom free zone targets 7,000 jobs

    According to the report, the Board would ensure prudent management of resources and ensure accountability and transparency in fiscal operations.

    It will also ensure disclosure of information relating to revenue and other transactions.

    The law will bring the state into better compliance with economic objectives of government as enumerated in Section 16 of Nigerian Constitution (as amended).

    The Speaker directed the Clerk, Mrs. Mandu Umoren, to communicate the passage to Governor Udom Emmanuel for action.

  • Omo-Agege: govt shouldn’t scrap Amnesty

    Omo-Agege: govt shouldn’t scrap Amnesty

    Sanni Onogu, Abuja

    Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege has urged the Federal Government to shelve alleged plans to scrap the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

    He called on Niger Delta people to hold their leaders accountable.

    Omo-Agege spoke in Abuja at the weekend when a socio-political organisation, New Era Forum, visited him.

    A statement by his media aide, Yomi Odunuga, described alleged moves to scrap the programme as premature, ill-timed and capable of truncating the fragile peace in the region.

    The statement reads: “I don’t think the timing is right for the Amnesty Programme to be scrapped. We have challenges right now in the Northeast, the ravages of Boko Haram, banditry in Northwest and Northcentral.

    “These are enough challenges. I don’t believe this is the time to reawaken the militant agitation in Niger Delta; it is premature and ill-timed.

    “That is not to say this programme must stay in perpetuity. But I don’t believe the goals set have been completely achieved.”

    Omo-Agege also urged the people to hold their leaders to account.

    Read Also: APC Celebrates Omo-Agege at 57

    According to him, leaders in Niger Delta have failed in utilising funds released for the region’s development.

    “I have been privy to all budgetary estimates that were passed in the eighth and in ninth Assembly. All that we are entitled to as a region has been given to us, but we have failed Mr. President because we have not held those entrusted with the resources accountable.

    “It is left for us to ask questions on how funds released for our region’s development have been utilised. It is left for us to identify the projects that we believe will best meet our people’s needs…”

    Group leader Sunday Onyewonsa called for a security summit to fashion out solutions to challenges facing the region.

    He stressed the need to declare a state of emergency on Niger Delta roads.

    Onyewonsa called on Omo-Agege  to prevail on the Federal Government not to scrap Amnesty, saying it should rather be overhauled to run till end of the administration.

     

  • Emmanuel: I have no third term agenda

    Emmanuel: I have no third term agenda

    Bassey Anthony, Uyo

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has promised not to seek a third term through surrogates.

    He vowed to crush cultism and never allow a cultist succeed him.

    The governor spoke on Sunday at an interactive session.

    He said: “For peace to reign and for Christ to have control, I am not interested in third term through a surrogate, the only thing you can do is to ensure that no cultist is allowed to become governor.

    “Some council areas are highly volatile so if they nominate a cultist we would not permit such. Any cultist arrested would not be released.

    Read Also: Udom Emmanuel: Portrait of an achiever 

    “The only way to ensure peace is to make a way to eradicate cultism. Some cult groups are clashing in some areas and we have tried to crush them; we will stop at nothing to win the battle.

    “It is not our intention to deploy soldiers in volatile areas but you are forcing us to do so. Please parents admonish your children; they gain nothing from cultism. The whole village cannot run away because of one man. Most armed robbers and kidnappers are cultists and we will crush them.”

  • ‘Moghalu can’t be distracted from reforming NIWA’

    ‘Moghalu can’t be distracted from reforming NIWA’

     Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

     

    GENERAL Manager (Corporate Affairs) of the National Inland Waterways Agency (NIWA) Jibril Darda’u has said ongoing reforms in the agency, under the leadership of George Moghalu, would continue unabated.

    Darda’u gave the assurance at a news conference in Onitsha, Anambra State, following accusations against the agency by the Incorporated Trustees Board of Sand Miners.

    The miners had accused the agency of violating court order, multiple taxation, obstructing right of way, access fee and vandalism.

    But Darda’u refuted the allegations, describing them as mere distractions targeted at smearing Moghalu’s image.

    He maintained that the agency’s activities were covered by the Act guiding it, saying it would not join issues with the sand miners since the matter was still in court.

    Darda’u said: “NIWA, under Moghalu, is law abiding and would not go contrary to the Act guiding it. The issue is not about Moghalu, but NIWA’s laws which have been in existence before Moghalu came on board, and will continue even after him.

    “Those using the sand miners to blackmail Moghalu won’t succeed. His commitment to right the wrongs in the agency is unparalleled and won’t be distracted…”

  • Non-indigenes promise to support Bayelsa’s growth

    Non-indigenes promise to support Bayelsa’s growth

     Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

     

    THE Supreme Council of Non-Indigenes in Bayelsa State has promised to strengthen collaboration with the government to develop the state and enhance the welfare of members.

    Outgoing President-General Adetona Bakare spoke on Sunday in Yenagoa before handing over to the new executives.

    Bakare noted that the group, a coalition of more than 15 communities comprising ethnic groups, had enjoyed harmonious relationship with the people and government of Bayelsa.

    He said the group, since  2006, had become a relevant stakeholder of government in promoting peaceful coexistence.

    “The Supreme Council of Non-Indigenes in Bayelsa has a history of wonderful relationship with the people. We are law-abiding and cooperative with the government and our people perform their civic obligations dutifully.

    “We are for the rapid development of Bayelsa and work with the government because if it is well with the state, it will rub off on us. We have business owners and professionals across all walks of life.

    Read Also: Bayelsa: what goes around…

    “Our appeal to the incoming executive is to deepen the mutual relationship with the people and government. The relationship, which blossomed under the outgoing executive, resulted in the appointment of five special advisers from among our fold.”

    A new 17-member executive, led by Bartholomew Etegi as president-general, was elected by about 100 delegates for the next two years.

    Etegi appealed to members and affiliated community groups to support the executive for the group’s growth and unity among members.

    He promised to build on the peaceful coexistence, fostered peace and symbiotic relationship with their hosts, which were the foundation laid by his predecessor.

  • Ebonyi releases N1.04b to boost economy

    Ebonyi releases N1.04b to boost economy

     Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

     

    EBONYI State Governor David Umahi has released N1.04 billion as special economic stimulus to boost businesses.

    Commissioner for Human Capital development and Monitoring Mrs. Ann Aligwe said the special facility would raise about 60,000 millionaires through its empowerment programmes.

    According to Aligwe, beneficiaries would be selected from the 13 local governments.

    She said: “Governor David Umahi targets to make 60,000 persons millionaires through our state empowerment programme.

    Read Also: Umahi: God will bring my successor in 2023

    ‘’We will be raising importers and exporters by February 2021; three persons will be selected per local government and sent to China, Turkey and Dubia to import materials to the state because of the international airport and market.”

    Aligwe said N130 million will be given to 130 persons through the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on SMEs.

    She added: “The governor also approved another N130 million for the commissioner for Commence and Industry to disburse. Another N130 million was approved for the Office of Business Development, which the commissioner will also disburse.

    “Another N200 million has been disbursed to market women. In my ministry, the governor approved N450 million for the three industrial clusters in the three senatorial zones; each got N150 million,” she added.

  • ‘Govt should support Cross River’s projects’

    ‘Govt should support Cross River’s projects’

    Our Reporter

     

    CHIEFTAIN of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has urged the Federal Government to give special allocation to Cross River State to complete Bakassi Deep Seaport and 275km superhighway.

    Fani-Kayode spoke after a tour of the projects.

    He described the superhighway as essential and very progressive.

    According to him, the project ‘will enhance Nigeria’s unity and promote integration of northern/southern national infrastructure’.

    He said: “The superhighway is an evacuation corridor from Bakassi Deep Seaport, which will open up the Atlantic Ocean to the North. This will open up trade and enhance national cohesion and integration.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari may have seen what other people may not see in Governor Ben Ayade, which has made him visit Cross River many times.

    Read Also: Fani-Kayode’s N5.9b ‘fraud’ trial stalled

    ‘’He is always talking of Cross River being the good example of what other states should be doing and I share his view.

    “There should be special consideration to support the 275km superhighway and Bakassi Deep Seaport because they are not for Cross River’s benefit alone; these are massive projects that northern Nigeria will benefit from.

    “No other state has envisioned such projects, and there are very few states that are in a position to do such. The deep seaport is a brilliant idea, which is capital intensive. I call on the Federal Government to invest in these projects and support them in the name of national unity, security and cohesion so other states can do similar things that will benefit the country.”

     

  • Youths protest candidate’s imposition

    Youths protest candidate’s imposition

    Bassey Anthony, Uyo

     

    YOUTHS of Urueoffong Oruko Local Government of Akwa Ibom State have protested alleged plans to impose a chairmanship candidate on the area.

    They kicked against the alleged imposition of Mrs. Precious Selong as consensus candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) instead of Col. Sampson Edet (rtd).

    Placards-carrying youths stormed the council secretariat, shouting “Say no to imposition and nepotism”; “Urueoffong Oruko must be free from wicked cabals”; “Urueoffong Oruko resist imposition of any candidate”; “Say no to godfatherism”; and “Urueoffong Oruko must elect their chairman in October”.

    Ben Okung, who led the protest, said the wrong selection of aspirants would stagnate the party’s progress and popularity.

    Okung, a former House of Assembly aspirant under National Party of Nigeria (NPN), said he returned to PDP to ensure that qualified persons were given the mantle of leadership.

    Read Also: Hoodlums sack churches in Akwa Ibom 

    He said the choice of Mrs. Selong as consensus candidate was unexpected.

    “The youth and concerned elders of Urueoffong Oruko came out to express their minds through this protest. We don’t want Mrs. Precious Selong as our chairperson.

    “We call on Governor Udom Emmanuel to provide a level-playing field for all aspirants and their choice candidate, Col. Sampson Edet (rtd), so that the people can be vindicated if their choice does not live up to expectations.”

    Another party faithful, Emmanuel Okon, frowned at the alleged removal of Col. Sampson from the list of cleared aspirants.

    He said it was very disappointing and a slap on the people who could not point to any project executed during the tenure of Mrs. Selong as vice chairman and transition chairperson of the council for three years.

  • ‘Police, FRSC dumping bodies in morgue’

    ‘Police, FRSC dumping bodies in morgue’

     Okungbowa Aiwerie Asaba

     

    THE Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Asaba, Delta State, has accused the police and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) of dumping unidentified bodies in its morgue without following due process.

    Chief Medical Director Victor Osaituma lamented that the agencies would abandon accident victims, suspected robbers and kidnappers in the morgue and abscond.

    He said the Oshimili South Local Government authority is the appropriate authority to do so.

    Read Also: Vigilante member shot dead in Delta

    “We have 40 unidentified bodies waiting to be disposed off. Some of them have been in the morgue for over a year. The police just dump the bodies and don’t bother how they are disposed off or do a follow up.”

    Osaituma said the hospital had begun the process of decongesting the morgue by placing adverts for a period.

    He expressed frustration at the council’s refusal to provide land for burial, saying the hospital often pays the council to carry out its duties.