By Nsa Gill, Calabar

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Cross River has refuted claims that some members tested positive for coronavirus at the ongoing orientation exercise.

In a statement by Assistant Director Press and Public Relations unit Enuma Peter, the NYSC authorities declared emphatically “there is no COVID-19 positive Corps Members in Cross River State NYSC Orientation Camp.”

The clarification followed reports alleging 13 Corps members undergoing Orientation Course in the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Obubra Local Government Area tested positive for COVID-19 in the state.

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The statement reads: “At no time was registered Corps Members tested positive as everyone was tested before admittance to the camp.

The management of the NYSC would also like to use this opportunity to add that all orientation camp officials and visitors to the camp are also continuously tested by officials of the NCDC while the entire camp community ensures strict compliance to all COVID-19 protocols.

“For emphasis, all Corps members undergoing the NYSC Orientation Course in Cross River State tested negative to COVID-19 before they were registered.”

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

Elders and leaders from Ogoni Rivers State have dissolved all existing factions in the famous Movement for Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and scheduled a fresh election to rejig the body.

The elders led by Ledum Mitee, the founder of MOSOP, lamented the leadership crisis that had torn it apart and reduced its influence in the country.

A statement signed by Mitee and 21 other elders comprising chiefs, professors and traditional leaders, regretted that the ongoing crisis led to the inability of the organisation to host the popular Ogoni Day for the first time since the celebration started in 1993.

Those, who signed the statement include: Mitee, Dr. Owens Wiwa, Kenneth Kobani, Dr. Olungwe Abraham, Baritor Kpagih, Prof. Don Baridam, Dr. Meshach Karanwi, Prof. Vincent Idemyor and Prof. Ben Naanen among others.

They said: ” In the last couple of days, we have been inundated with calls by well-meaning people within and outside Ogoni, expressing grave concerns about the happenings in MOSOP; the multiple law suits, multiple factions with corresponding claims of multiple elections and proclamations of victories etc. all of which culminated in the inability to host Ogoni Day for the first time this year since we launched the event in 1993.

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“MOSOP is the movement that was our response to the repressive activities of the Nigerian state and its collaborators, including the oil giant, Shell, which almost drove Ogoni to extinction and our activities through MOSOP earned us the respect of the world as we dared successive repressive regimes and in spite of grave sacrifices, we remained unbowed.

“It is against this backdrop that we the undersigned representing MOSOP activists, supporters and concerned MOSOP elders have observed with grave dismay the regrettable leadership crisis that has bedeviled MOSOP recently and threatens its very survival if not checked.

“We have in the recent past been content with working silently at the background to see how the crisis could be resolved through silent diplomacy. Painfully, such interventions have not yielded the desired results as the leadership crisis threatens to sacrifice our collective hope on the altar of unnecessary battle for the soul of our esteemed organisation.

“Driven by our firm belief in the cause for which some of our founding fathers have paid the supreme sacrifice and to ensure that these sacrifices are not in vain, we believe we have some responsibility to intervene to save the organisation.

“It is thus our position, and advise all not to recognize any of the current factions of MOSOP leadership whilst we would immediately commence a process of reconciliation and work with other concerned former MOSOP activists and elders in the coming days to reset the organization by putting in place a process leading to an all-embracing election that would produce a credible MOSOP leadership and a transparent good governance structure and management.

“We hereby call on the disputing parties and their supporters to sheath their swords, discontinue all pending court cases and desist from further press statements capable of further putting MOSOP and our people in disrepute.”

Our Reporter

The South East South South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSPN) has lamented death of Admiral Ndubuisi Kalu, Prof Nick Idoko, Ziggy Azike and Oscar Onwudiwe.

A statement by the group’s spokesman Collins Steve Ugwu described their death as an unkind cut on their icons of integrity.

It also hailed the new leader of Ohanaeze.

The statement reads: “Admiral Ndubuisi Kalu was a master of his military career with historic gallantry at Nigeria’s democratic persistence, Prof Idoko was an invaluable knowledge asset who deployed it to lead, mentor and nurture many.

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“Ziggy Azike and Oscar Onwudiwe were exceptional portraits of leadership talents with depths of legal reserves that were unexhausted and untimely denied a nation that deserves more of them.

“These losses are indeed sad with a cumulative waste of human capital that is tragic to the nation and hurts their families intensely. We deeply mourn them with their families, their states and their governors.”

On Onanaeze’s leader, it said: “We congratulate the new Ohaneze Ndigbo President-General, Prof George Obiozor whom they noted is not just an accomplished professional, but an astute diplomat with quick expectations from the nationality he now leads for results that he cannot defer but build upon.

“We sincerely wish him well and look forward to a fresh synergy that will impact our subregions positively to induce peace and security for our robust regional growth and development.”

By Bassey Anthony, Uyo

Akwa Ibom Government has given quit notice to hawkers and roadside traders to vacate the streets of Uyo, the state capital.

Commissioner for Environment, Charles Udoh in a statement at the weekend, asked all roadside traders in Uyo and the Airport road to relocate to designated market areas before February 1, 2021.

Udoh said at the expiration of the deadline, the ministry will launch ‘Operation Zero Tolerance to Street Trading and Illegal Markets.’

He said the decision was in line with the government’s commitment to promoting ”a cleaner, hygienic and aesthetically resplendent environment”.

The Commissioner said the eradication of street trading in the UCC is a key component of the recently approved Environmental Beautification Policy for the Uyo Capital City.

The statement reads; “The increasing wave of illegal activities of street traders, indiscriminate display of goods on road setbacks, walkways, and hawking on major roads; particularly around the Plaza Area, Wellington Bassey Road, Airport Road, Aka-Etinan Road junction and other highbrow areas in the metropolis has become a major cause for concern.

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”These activities impede the free flow of traffic as well as expose traders and the general public to road hazards.

”Accordingly, all street traders, hawkers and operators of illegal markets around the plaza area, airport road, Aka – Etinan junction and other highbrow areas are advised to relocate to designated trading places on or before February 1, 2021, or be prepared to face the wrath of the law.

”This notice, therefore, serves as the last warning prelude to the enforcement of this order by the Enforcement Team of the Ministry of Environment.”

He also said the current administration is committed to fast-tracking the vision of sustaining our state as an environmental friendly and the preferred destination for tourists and investors.

By Chigozie Chimaraoke Okere

The story of the deplorable state of the East-West Road has consistently left sour tastes in the mouth of Nigerians, especially, Niger deltans. This unfortunate situation outlived several administrations, that had paid lip service to the completion of this all-important corridor into the wealth basket of the nation. Little wonder not a few Nigerians were elated when President Buhari undertook to bring to fruition the desire and expectations of the Niger deltans for the completion of the road.

Recall that in 2020, via a Press Statement, the Federal Government aahad ordered contractors on East-West road to return to the site after several exhaustive meetings with the former handlers of the road, the Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund, PIDF and the Contractors, Reynolds Construction Company and SETRACO Nig Ltd.
Recall that there had been a stalemate on the road works since 2016 which resulted to a presidential order, moving the project from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the PIDF.

Not much could be achieved as Contractors were owed historical debts. Upon his appointment as Minister, the former Akwa Ibom Governor whose passion for development earned him the title, “The Uncommon Transformer” hit the ground running and in less than one year, he was able to get the Presidential nod to take back the project to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and with a refund of the sum of N19. 7bn, being money released by the Ministry of Finance to PIDF in 2018, for the payment of Contractors on the road.

After several beauraucratic bottlenecks slowing down the process of transfer of the project and release of the funds, Akpabio achieved an unprecedented milestone in the release of the funds to the Contractors, and compelled them to return to site.

In our quest therefore to ascertain the claim by the contractors to have returned to site, the Citizens Quest for Truth Initiatives, (an Advocacy group concerned about the citizens and how the decisions, policies and laws of the governments affect the ordinary Nigerian), on Tuesday, January, 19, undertook on-the-spot assessment of the project sites.
At the border between Rivers State and Akwa Ibom State, where Reynolds Construction Company(RCC) is handling a massive section of the East-West road construction, the team was impressed with the quality and pace of work as heavy machines were also seen facilitating the entire process at the site.

Interestingly, the bridge linking Rivers State and Akwa Ibom State is beginning to wear a new look as the base for the extensions has been made visible, the working materials were also on ground too.

The team also visited the Chainage 2 of the East-West road construction around Rumuodara axis in Rivers State. The team discovered that SETRACO was handling that area of the road and it will cut across the Eliozu axis to Rumuokoro, down to the popular Nkpolu Junction, all the way to Emohua LGA and Ahaoda axis in Rivers State.

When the CQ team spoke with some of the Engineers on site about the new deep drainage being constructed along the Rumuodara axis of the road, they said the essence is to curtail the flooding that has contributed in the failing of the Rumuodara sections of the East-West road. Heavy excavation machines and workers were also seen on site doing their work diligently.
Recall that Chainage 1 and 2 of the road, that is at Mkpolu and Rumudara junctions, the road had been cut off due to excessive flooding occasioned by indiscrimate construction works by independent developers, on the drainage of the road.

At the Emohua axis of the road, SETRACO is not relenting in the company’s promise to complete its section of the project before the end of 2021. The Citizens Quest members confirmed the asphalting of the Emohua LGA axis down to Elele Alimini community.

Earlier last year, the Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio had described the East West road as very dear to the people of the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole so, to make sure that the presidential directive was implemented, he is working closely with the construction companies to avert further agitation of the people of Niger Delta towards the road and to ensure the completion is speedily done. Our next stop will be at the Mkpolu, Runuigbo Junction and the Ahoada axis of the road to ascertain the level of work ongoing there.

So far, our group is impressed with the quality and pace of work. While we commend the Federal Government for responding to the demands of the Citizens, we also wish to expressly request that funding is readily made available to ensure that there are no longer future impediments until the road in completed at the timeline set by the President during last year’s Democracy Day celebration. It is also our expectation that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is given the support needed to FastTrack development in the region through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. We sincerely commend him for the singular resolve to redesign and expand the road to six lanes from the Eleme Junction to the Akpajo bridge and beyond in order to contain the present realities of traffic congestion occasioned by Road users particularly to and fro the Eleme Petrochemicals, Indorama, Onne Seaport and NNPC Refinery, amongst others.

Chigozie Chimaraoke Okere is the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative

By Philemon Asonye Ogbonna

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for a few years now, seemed to have embarked on a journey of outshining the defunct Nigeria Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) in terms of being a source of bad news most of the time, if not all the time.

Interestingly, both institutions share two things in common. While the defunct NEPA received so much money and was known for inefficiency, the NDDC is also reported to have been allocated a humongous amount of money, yet there is not much to show for it. President Buhari himself had said that what was presently on the ground in the South-South region (which in this context is the NDDC States) did not justify the huge resources that have been made available to the NDDC. Regrettably, it has been bad news and bad news.

This time around, the bad news the NDDC has been grappling with is the appointment of a Sole Administrator to run the Commission for an unspecified period, but one thing that is clear is that the Sole Administrator remains in office until the Forensic Audit is over. It might be pertinent to add quickly that President Muhammadu Buhari had, on October 17, 2019, ordered that the operations of the NDDC between 2001 and 2019 would be audited. The pronouncement of Mr President is today more than fifteen months old.

It was relieving to hear the Niger Delta Minister, Sen. Godswill Akpabio says, recently, that the NDDC board will come into being latest by April, this year. He also said that the new Board of the Commission will work with the outcome of the Audit exercise, which received applause from many quarters in the Niger Delta states when it was announced.

Even though the dissolved Interim Management Committee of the NDDC, which was expanded in February 2020, was expected to supervise the Audit for a period of six months, it will still be heartwarming if a Board eventually takes over from the Sole Administrator in April.

It really has been a source of worry to many stakeholders in the Niger Delta project why the forensic audit has dragged till this time. The last comment attributed to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Akpabio on the issue of delay, was that the passing of the budget of the Commission was delayed by the National Assembly.

The way a lot of things have been running in the Country has created a lot of cynics. Only very few trust that governments will do things based on the time-table they have given themselves. By the time April comes, it will not surprise many if the government decides to extend the tenure of the Sole Administrator for one reason or another.

As arguments continue to rage in the mainstream and online media as to the legality or otherwise of the position of a Sole Administrator in the Act establishing the NDDC, it becomes important to begin to address the issue of whether Mr President is expected to inaugurate the Board of the Commission already screened and approved by the Senate or reconstitute a new Board, whose membership would be sent to the Senate for clearing before an inauguration can take place.

One thing that is inevitable is that the forensic audit will come to an end one day and when that happens, the nation will be waiting for either reconstitution of the NDDC Board or the inauguration of the one cleared by the Senate.

It is known that the Board that was cleared by the Senate raised issues that were not properly addressed by the Senate before it hurriedly cleared it. One of the issues had to do with the legal instrument that set up the Commission. The NDDC Act provides that the Chairmanship of the Board should move from one State to the other in alphabetical order. This provision was said to have been breached, as it was claimed that it was not the turn of Edo State to produce the Chairman of the Board at the time.

I know that any information that our government doesn’t have about itself does not exist. It is my thinking that government should begin now to tidy up its documents as they relate to the NDDC before the Audit is over. There is no gainsaying the fact that this government knows the proper things to do. Let things be done in line with the Act governing the NDDC. It will also make good sense to ensure that any person who has had the opportunity to serve on the Board of the NDDC between 2001 and 2019, being the period covered by the forensic audit, should not make the new list to avoid perpetuating corruption, which has given the Commission a bad image.

The fact that the NDDC has been mired in controversy for years, anything that has the potency of constituting itself into a cog in the wheel of its progress must be envisaged and taken care of. In the past, there were cases when indigenes from non-oil producing areas were nominated for the Board, culminating in protests, petitions etcetera. Abia, Imo and Ondo were usually victims, and because of the way government runs its affairs, it would take a long time before such mistakes are corrected. Who suffers?. The affected NDDC States, yet the government is desirous of ensuring that there is an absence of insecurity in the land.

It is common knowledge that Security Agencies are supposed to run checks on individuals, but why such mistakes are still made can only beat one’s imagination.

The time to begin is now so that when a new Board is reconstituted, it will hit the ground running.

Ogbonna, a financial expert, writes from Port-Harcourt