The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • X-raying Rotimi Amaechi’s 2018 scorecards

    Christmas usually comes with lot of expectations and happenings. For many, it is a period to share, show love and lots more.

    And so, for the Transportation Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Christmas season will not be complete if majority of Nigerian public does not enjoy fully the results expected from him in the discharge of his duty as Minister of Transportation.

    With so much achievements already recorded in the transportation sector under him, one would not hesitate to concur that Amaechi has proved his mettle.

    How Amaechi is providing desired development in the position he occupies is a case study that every potential leader who desire success should emulate.

    Amaechi is tireless about bringing the overall change needed in the transportation sector with the privileges at his disposal.

    One of those efforts and sleepless nights of Amaechi is the result of the almost completion of the Lagos-Ibadan Railway project by February 2019 with the expectation that  passengers will be conveyed from Lagos to Abeokuta and possibly to Ibadan.

    The construction of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project commenced one and half years ago and already it has recorded over fifty percent completion considering the entire components of this project up to the laying of tracks which has already stretched to 90 kilometres and that is about 80 percent completion of the 157 kilometres Rail Line.

    Amaechi has achieved a considerable milestone in this regard and with the expectation that the stations are to be completed between Lagos and Ibadan in the New Year. In addition, partners have also been identified for the much talked about Port Harcourt -Maiduguri rail line which has the capacity to integrate the new Port and the new train park in Port Harcourt.

    Accordingly, when the North-Western route becomes operational , the inter-connectivity with other West African States will be achieved.

    The present administration has consistently pursued the realization of efficient and effective rail transportation for the country in line with the strategic vision for railway transport revival and development approved in year 2002.

    Amaechi is pursuing vigorously completing and building new railway lines aimed at ensuring provision of an efficient and affordable transportation that could serve as backbone to industrial development of the various sectors and contribute to non-oil sector to diversify the economy.

    Speaking recently while briefing journalists at Paplanto in Ogun State immediately after the inspection of the rail line and monthly meeting of the Project Monitoring Steering Committee of the Lagos-Ibadan rail line, Amaechi said, he had directed the CCECC to ensure that train run on the track by February 2019.

    Amaechi further reiterated that the pace of work on the railway project is progressing given that there are minimal challenges that could hinder construction work.

    He said the challenge of constant rainfall was no longer there and the contractor has few bridges to be built.

    Amaechi also advised the contractors to temporarily suspend work on the construction of stations along the corridor of Lagos-Ibadan rail line and focus on the laying of tracks being the major work at the moment.

    In the 2019 year ahead the stations will be completed with a brand new double track between Lagos and Ibadan.

    In addition to this giant stride, Amaechi is also embarking on the North western route which connects Katsina, Kano, Gibiya and others.

    Also, the coastal line which had been stalled for a very long time is not left out as well. Government has opened up discussion for financiers pertaining to this very important coastal line project which connects Lagos, Benin, Onitsha and continues from there to Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar and passes through the South Eastern states which is about a thousand four hundred kilometres with a link to all the state capitals.

    Corroborating Amaechi’s assertions is Engineer Fidet Okhira, Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) that the ministry has achieved much in 2018.

    “2018 has been so good. In 2017 budget we got some capital and we were able to do massive projects like never before. We have procured two shutters that we use in loading at our various loading points. Since I joined the Ministry this is the first time we are buying brand new wheels”.

    “We bought about twenty four and that will serve four Locomotives and we bought Sixty four Coaches and that will cover about fifteen Coaches. We also acquired some traction motors without which the Locomotives will not work. These are major spare parts required for Locomotives to come back to life and with good Locomotives you can guarantee smooth operation”.

    Engr. Okhira further explained that “We are also adding about eighteen container wagons and we have also treated our tracks especially in the flood affected areas”.

    For the Abuja-Kaduna train service, the Managing Director said, patronage had increased and the Corporation has been able to meet up with operational standard. He also confirmed that more Coaches had been procured to meet passengers demand.

    “The Kaduna-Abuja train service has witness tremendous patronage and we are able to meet up with standard of maintenance. We have acquired more Coaches to accommodate more passengers and we have a target of ensuring that there should be train service every hour for Abuja-Kaduna, Itakpe-Warri and Lagos-Maiduguri train services”.

    “As we approach the 2019 year, we intend to do more, we are hoping  that all our dream projects come to reality particularly the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri line, Calabar-Lagos line and the Kano project which is linking Maradi as well as the Central Rail line which is the Itakpe linking Lokoja and then to Abuja. We are also discussing with investors to link Itakpe to the Kaduna Rail line so as to ease people’s movement from the South-South to the North”, he explained.

    For M.T. Babakobi, Director, Rail Transport Services in the Ministry, the success story is not different as the Lagos-Ibadan Railway project has achieved over 50 percent completion.

    According to him “If you consider the entire components of this project in terms of track, it is 80 percent completed. We are hoping that in the New Year we should be able to have a train ride from Agege district of Lagos to Abeokuta. That’s a major feat in just barely a year and half of commencement of the construction work”.

    ”What it means is that the track lane has achieved almost 90 kilometres out of 157 kilometres. In the New Year, the stations will be completed and there will be new double track between Lagos and Ibadan. You will agree with me, we have achieved a great feat in the sense that we have been able to identify partners or financiers that are ready to go into the development of the new Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Railway line and that again has integrated the new port and the new park in Port Harcourt”.

    Babakobi also maintained that the Itakpe-Warri rail line has also received much attention by the Minister and his team. He recalled that the project which was abandoned since 1987 got revitalised upon coming on board of the present Administration even though it was originally designed to convey Iron Ore.

    As part of government efforts to improve on local capacity for railways, government had propose to the contractors handling the rail way projects to as part of their social responsibility establish a transportation University for Nigeria. The university will have a particular emphasis on railway both in terms of planning, construction, maintenance, operation and management.

    Currently, majority of Nigerians, who were working on the railway construction sites, are in China benefiting from the Scholarship programme, an initiative by the Contractor.

    Government has also brought in new Locomotives and Coaches to accommodate the increasing number of passengers on the Abuja-Kaduna train service.

    Amaechi is determined to see all ongoing projects by his ministry completed at the stipulated time frame.

    Going by these plans and achievements of the transportation Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his team, there is no doubt, that in the nearest future, if successive government should key into this laudable initiative of the Minister, Nigeria would have been connected by affordable and modern rail system which will in turn boost economic activities in all parts of the Country.

    Already, there are high hopes that in 2019 the Lagos-Ibadan Railway will be fully completed and the rest of the segment from Ibadan to Kano would have commenced even as plans are rife to also commence work in full force on the Warri port, Bonny Island Deep Sea port and the Railway Industrial Park in Port Harcourt.

    Amaechi’s resolve is to pursue with vigour railway development in Nigeria through the implementation of the 25 year strategic railway master plan in order to bridge the huge gap that exists in Nigeria’s infrastructures.

    Amaechi is also committed to linking all major commercial and production centres in the country by rail for rapid Social Economic Development and improving the quality of life of the citizens.

    Amaechi wishes all Nigerians a Merry Christmas and Happy New year in advance.

    • Okpara is an aide of the Transportation Minister

  • Kids win trophy, books at contest in Port Harcourt

    Chiamaka Charles , 12, gave her all to the contest and it showed at the end of it all. The JSS 3 pupil of Shalom International High School, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, emerged  the overall winner of a book reading competition organised by Bookville World, a renowned bookshop in Port Harcourt.  held it 2018 edition of “Book reading competition.” She beat over 40 other contestants.

    Miss Charles was in tears at the end of the first round for fear of not making it to the next level.

    “I cried because I noticed that I made a mistake at the first round and I had no confidence in myself. I thought I was not going to qualify to the second round, but God helped me and I somehow crossed and with the motivation I got from my school Librarian who was actually my guide through this. I summoned courage and my confidence received a boost to fight on to the point of victory.”

    She added:”This means so much to me. This is the first time I am participating in any competition outside my school, so this is my very first trophy and I cannot express how good I feel about it, I never knew I was going win.”

    The exercise was the second edition. The positions were keenly contested as participants were quizzed beyond the scope of the books they read- “The Ivory Poachers by Linda Pfotenhauer  published by Heinemann and the Triumph of doggedness by Stephen Ekwealor Mneh published by Pacific.

    Each of the levels of the competition beginning from the preliminary stage which tested 48 kids to  the 2nd which saw 11 contestants qualifying for the next level,  to the semi-final stage with five to slog it out to the finals stage of three brave contenders from where emerged the  champion.

    Speaking to Niger Delta Report on the competition, the organiser, Mrs. Nkem Asoka,  said: ”The essence of the reading competition is basically to strengthen the campaign on book reading, but now focusing more on children, to find a way to get the kids develop interest in reading.

    “As adults we are set in our ways, if an adult is already not a lover of book reading, obviously there is nothing anyone can do about it, but the children still have time to be bent into developing interests in reading.

    “The competition is for those within the age range of 8-12 , (senior primary and junior secondary) and they read the same books.

    “Although we sent out entry forms through schools,(not public schools),  but it is purely and independent thing,  a child interested in participating does not necessarily need to represent a school;  it is open to everyone within the age and class range.” she explained.

    According to her, seven of the 30 schools that received the entry forms responded with a total of 48 entries . However, a large chunk of the number were weeded out at the preliminary stage, leaving the 11 who participated in the contest.

    Speaking on the attitude of schools and parents towards reading, the convener noted that the low level of response was an indication that parents were not interested in reading.

    “What this goes to prove is that parents don’t read, and if they don’t and have no interest in reading,  then it will be difficult for the children to read. Even though one of the conditions given to the participants was that their parents must be physically present to cheer them up, not more than three of the parents attended from the first stage, but we are not discouraged but will continue to carry on with the reading campaign till as long as the dream is realised and fully,” she added.

    The third place winner, Adedina Toluwanimi, a JSS3 pupil, saw it as sign of better dreams and victories ahead.

    “I actually expected better position than what I got, but so far so good; I have no regrets,  at least I aimed high and I got an encouraging position and prize gift attached to it at the end of the day.  I believe that if I continue to work hard, I will improve and come out with greater and better position in the future.”

    The overwhelmed mother of the winner’, Mrs. Glory Charles, said although she was convinced her daughter would make the list of the three finalists but becoming overall winner of the contest was a huge surprise.

    An educationist, Mrs Mbaekwe, criticised the Nigeria “garbage in, garbage out” educational system, which leaves  a child at the level of reproducing what was given to them, rather than making them think broadly.

    She said: “Obviously, the educational system in the country does not encourage children to think outside the box but to reproduce what they were given, that is what we are trying to eliminate with the reading campaign that brought about the competition.

    “A child should be able to read and connect what they have read to other spheres, subjects of life; the knowledge they acquired from what they read should open them up, broaden their minds and knowledge, make them creative and innovative and help them to dream broadly and begin early to cultivate the right attitude, carriage towards transforming their dreams to reality for a better society.

    ”If we don’t have people that can  articulate what they already have upstairs,  Nigeria will still be far from being a developed nation, and export nation, because we will not be able to conceptualise and develop products for export. We will not be able to invent things, and that is the difference between a developed and developing country.”

  • Erosion: Calabar community at the edge of the precipice

    Residents of Enima Omin Omin Community in Calabar, Cross River State have cried out to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other relevant authorities to save them from an impending doom that may result from a failed road that was shoddily done by a contractor to who the contract for the road construction was awarded in 2014. NICHOLAS KALU reports that the community is on the edge of the precipice and may be cut off from other communities if nothing is done urgently.

    For residents of Enima Omin Omin Community in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, every minute they live in palpable fear of recording fatalities in their community due to haphazard road construction project carried out on their road.

    The contract for the project, it was gathered, was awarded in 2014 by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), but was abandoned by the contractor handling the project. In April this year, the community had to write to the NDDC to demand that the contract be terminated and awarded to a competent contractor.

    When Niger Delta Report visited the area, it was observed that a shoddy clearing, which had been abandoned, had left the road almost impassable. There are deep gullies dotting the landscape.

    To worsen the situation, the shoddy job had jeopardised the drainage system constructed by the community to manage flooding in the area, thereby leading to the rapid expansion of ravine. The houses are at the edge of the precipice. Again, members of the community may be cut off from their neighbouring communities because the expanding deep gullies may encroach to the road and cut it off.

    Chairman of the Enima Omin Omin Neigbourhood Association, David Edem, a lawyer, who narrated the community’s ordeal said: “Sometime in 2014, a contract for the construction of the Enima Omin Omin Road was awarded by NDDC. After a long time, the contractor never moved to site. The community had to write to NDDC asking that the contract be terminated and the project awarded to a more competent contractor. We wrote the letter in January this year. We were here in April when suddenly the contractor ran to site and began to clear the site for work to begin. When they started doing haphazard job after raising our hopes, we had to draw the attention of the NDDC to it.

    “After that they left, using the rain as subterfuge. Clearing the site by the contractor was the extreme error by the contractor as the action engendered the erosion and the gully sites. It has now opened up this place because virtually all water comes undirected to this ravine. You can see what is happening. Our electric pole was here, we had to relocate it. We spent almost N200, 000 relocating it so that it would not be submerged by the ravine.

    “We are in a terrible situation now because the contractor left the road much worse that it was. We are a community bonded in strength and unity of purpose. We used to have monthly contribution through which we manage our roads. Where we have challenges, we contribute; we make gutters and make it motorable for our residents. This was until the contractors came in and spoilt everything.

    “This has affected our lives so terribly; especially with this erosion site it has created, because if nothing is done and the contractor refuses to move to site and complete this job so that we can channel water properly, then by next rainy season, houses would be submerged by the yawning erosion site. People would be at risk. We were able to manage erosion in the community before the contractor messed up the whole thing through construction of culverts through which water passed through until when they now came to open up the entire area to allow water to flow freely from all angles into the ravine. Their coming destroyed everything and left us exposed to this danger.

    “They have left the road in a far worse state. When it rains most cars cannot even use the road. Before we had a mechanism, where we had people work on the roads. We bought chippings and poured on it.  The condition of the road was all right before they did the shoddy job which has exposed the road to ravine because of rain.

    “So, we are left worse off than we were. We had told them before they started the job to allow us to continue to manage and maintain the road as we have been doing if they were not going to complete the road project. They said they were going to work.

    If the contractor is unwilling to complete this job, they should bring in some other competent contractor.”

    A resident of the community, Mr Tony Takon, whose house is close to the ravine said it would not survive another rainy season.

    “Over time, we have noticed that the encroachment from the ravine getting worse every day. Luckily for us, the rains have subsided and its destruction of the road temporarily halted. But I don’t think we would be this lucky with another round of downpour if nothing is urgently done to ameliorate the horrible situation.

    “We are praying that some palliative measures should be taken as soon as possible to, at least, prevent our people from suffering continuously. All the while we were hoping that once the rain stops, the contractors would move to site again, but nothing has happened so far. We hope that the matter should be looked into by the appropriate authorities and do something fast.

    “For the ravine, we had created passage for the water but there is little the community can do. So there is no way to tackle this permanently without government’s intervention. What they have done has even jeopardised the community’s efforts because all the structures put in place have been dest

    royed. Even most of the electric poles had to be removed. Most of these destructions occurred in the night. One wakes up and notices that a huge chunk of the road has caved in. We really need something done as soon as possible,” Takon pleaded.

    Another resident, who also stays close to the ravine, Osinachi Mboku, said: “We are appealing to government to fix the road before the situation becomes a disaster. The contractors came and destroyed the road so government should come in and do something before people lose their lives.”

    A letter to the Director, State Office of the NDDC, signed by David Edem (Chairman), Mr Boniface Ekarika (Head Project) and Mr John Nandi (Treasurer), for the Enima Omin Omin Neigbourhood Association, said the contractor had “subjected the community to pain, anguish and agony in the last four years.”

  • How photography lifted 10 young Niger Delta women

    Seven young women from the Niger Delta were, in Lagos, on Saturday to exhibit photographs they had taken under the Street Dreams Project–a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) initiative to empower them and draw attention to environmental issues. Initiator of the project, Jennifer Uchendu and some of the girls shared their experiences with KOFOWOROL

    It all began with Maria Okese needing a camera.  The 26-year-old hearing-impaired woman had been practicing photography for about six years before she met Jennifer Uchendu, founder of Susty Vibes, at an event in Port Harcourt last year.

    Jennifer was there to speak at a conference on youth development as a result of her work for Susty Vibes, the social enterprise she founded in 2016 to promote action on the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which included educating young people about the goals, promoting gender equality, a cleaner environment and seeking partnerships to achieve the goals.

    Jennifer said she was attracted to Maria when she saw her taking pictures at the event and wanted to help her get a camera to boost her passion for photography.

    “I was in Port Harcourt to speak at a conference when I met Maria.  She was taking photographs at the event. I asked if she was a photographer and they told me she was an enthusiast but did not have a camera. I was committed to getting a camera for her.  So, I began a crowd-funding project.  I began telling people to solicit and get her a camera,” Uchendu said.

    The programme that followed, the Street Dreams Project, did more than provide Maria with a camera.  It benefited nine other young women who, together with Maria, learnt about photography, and got to take photographs of the environment that are now on sale.

    “An organisation, Lensational, picked up the project and decided to provide Okese and nine other girls with cameras. So, we decided to have training for the girls. We put out a call for young people in Port Harcourt to apply and worked with Global Shapers and Partnership in Niger Delta Foundation.  We did the selection based on their previous history with photography and their passion for it.

    Seven of the girls were in Lagos on Saturday for an exhibition tagged “Arts for SDGs” that Susty Vibes organised in partnership with the African Artists’ Foundation, Victoria Island.

    The photographs on display were focused on women and environmental issues in the Niger Delta. Each photograph sold for N15, 000 and Uchendu said the money would go to the girls for keeps.

    After the exhibition, Uchendu said Susty Vibes would continue to market the unsold photographs to firms that “do things around the environment.”

    Two out of three of Maria’s works were sold at the exhibition. Maria is very happy that the programme gave her the needed exposure to grow in her career despite her disability.

    In a chat with Niger Delta Report, she said she met Uchendu while working with Lensational.

    “I started photography after my secondary school education. I did it for four years before I worked with KIR and Lensational for two years. I was working with Lensational when I learnt of this programme.

    “I have learnt a lot from this project. I am happy that the platform is giving me better opportunities to get established,” she said.

    The 22-year-old Victoria Akeere is another person grateful about the value which Street to Dreams Project has brought to her life.

    She has been into photography since 17 after her secondary school education.  A combination of health (mastoiditis-disease of the ear bone) and financial challenges robbed her of the opportunity to continue her education as she had to work to survive.

    “A combination of my health and finances are the reasons I am not in school. It (mastoiditis) started since childhood.  I visited government hospital in my state; I tried to get drugs and was told it is either I undergo surgery which the chance of survival is 50-50 or get a hearing aid which cost about N300,000, which I could not afford.

    However, with the Street Dreams Project, Victoria’s ambition to become a photojournalist may be fulfilled.

    She said the project had nurtured her interest in documentary photography given all that she has gone through in her young life.  She now likes taking photographs that tell people’s stories and celebrate their efforts.

    She said: “I have been into photography since 17.  When I finished my secondary education, I was looking for what to do. So, I ventured into photography. I worked with two photo studios in Port Harcourt; I focused on studio photography, kids, maternity photography. Now, I have ventured into documentary photography. I love traveling and I needed something that would take me out.  I also want to be a photojournalist.

    “I saw this project as an opportunity to tell stories about the environment aside other parts of photography.  I learnt how to take pictures on the phone, edit them and get good composition. I am able to tell stories about the street. I have an Instagram page where I post my photographs.  At first, I took all kinds of photographs. But at a point, I had to ask myself what interests me and I discovered I am attracted to stories about people, more of their struggles and hustles.

    “So, on my Instagram page, I have pictures of people who are on the street-inspiring stories. I was once hawking on the streets. I have sold periwinkles, moimoi (bean cake) sugarcane when I was in school.

    “After my secondary school education, I still did some odd jobs before I got into photography.  And I still do. I have done cleaner jobs, fabrication (welding). Right now, I am thinking of venturing into tailoring and shoemaking. That was the attraction to my picture storytelling.”

    Violet Maxwell-Benjamin, a 200-level student in the Department of Applied and Industrial Chemistry at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) said participating in the Street Dreams Project enabled her to develop skills in a field that had always fascinated her.

    “I was doing a volunteer work in Port Harcourt and my boss then wanted me to take pictures of an event. I didn’t have a camera then so I used my phone.  He saw the flyer online and asked me to apply.

    “The training was for three days.  But it was really intensive. They brought in tons of photographers, even President Buhari’s photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo, Bernard Kalu.  It was really interesting. They did a refreshers’ course this year too,” she said.

    She captured the level of environmental degradation in her environment in some of her photographs, particularly one that showed a refuse dumpsite at the edge of a water body – with boats and ships on it.

    She seeks to educate people about the damage they are doing to the environment through their activities.

    The Applied and Industrial Chemistry student said: “The whole thing about the environment is how people are living every day.  They don’t know that this is actually affecting them; they are not mindful of their environment and the damage they are causing to it. Like the picture of my backyard, the people living there have shacks and they even dump out and they don’t know it is harmful to them.

    “One day you hear snake bit a child; another day you hear of malaria. But this is just at your backyard.  You guys dump refuse; you don’t go to dump them where they are supposed to be dumped.  People need to be educated about all these things. Most people don’t know that plastic takes about 100 years to decompose. It is sad.

    “When I was going to take that picture, the boys involved in bunkering were pushing their trucks. I told them ‘bros no vex, I know say this na your hustle, but you know say this thing no too good for the environment. We dey live for here, when you finish you go comot’.

    “They said they try to check that their barrels were not leaking but they just had to survive because ‘that is the kind of economy we find ourselves in.’ And they believe ‘last government go clean am (eventually, the government would clean the oil spill).’”

    Uchendu is glad that the Street Dreams Project was successful and hopes to empower more girls in future but lacks funds to do so.

    The 26-year-old Biochemistry graduate of Covenant University said: “I feel very happy about a project this novel and the fact that the girls are able to receive income through photography skills shows that we are doing a lot to promote SDG Five in Nigeria.

    “We want to train more girls in the Niger Delta. We are applying for grants to train more,” she said.

  • Navy organises championship to boost officers’ morale

    It is often said that ‘all work without play makes Jack a dull boy’. In line with this time-tested truism, the Eastern Naval Command recently organised an intra-sports tournament to boost the morale of its officers for higher productivity.

    The launch of the maiden sports championship which took place at  the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday was attended by participants from all units of the ENC.

    In his opening remarks, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command represented by Rear Admiral Abraham Adaji, welcomed the participants and units to ENC 2018 Championship.

    Adaji said the exercise is in line with the vision of the Chief of Naval Staff, which according to him, is to develop Naval Force that is well trained, organised and highly motivated  to enable them to discharge their constitutional role of defending the nation.

    “This is in furtherance of the vision of Chief of Naval Staff which is to develop Naval Force that is well trained, organised and highly motivated to discharge its constitutional role, professionally and efficiently, for the defence of Nigeria and ensuring her economic prosperity “, he said.

    He also said the championship was organised to foster co-operation and information sharing among sister security agencies.

    “The Championship will afford us the opportunity to compete with sister security agencies in order to foster the spirit of co-operation and information sharing as no agency alone will be able to confront the multifaceted security challenges facing Nigeria,” he added.

    He thanked the state government for keeping the cordial relationship with the Navy strong, assuring that Navy will continue to cherish the relationship.

    “The hosting of the Eastern Naval Command Intra-sports Championship at the Uyo modern stadium is a testimony to the good relationship that exists between the Navy and Akwa Ibom State government, Navy will continue to cherish this relationship,” he said.

    In his address, the Command Sports’ Officer, Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Otakagu, listed the benefits of physical exercises to the military which is to keep the military healthy for military operations, adding that the sporting event will help strengthen the existing relationship between Nigeria Navy and the sister services.

    “Physical exercise keeps the military healthy for military operations.

    “Through carefully planned and implemented physical training exercises, the military is able to maintain a high level of combat readiness with healthy capable personnel. It is widely acknowledged that participating in physical activity produces range of good health, high performance, combat readiness, physical, mental, social and economic benefits for individuals and the community.

    “It would foster good sportsmanship within the command as well as further consolidate the existing synergy and cordial relationship between the Nigerian Navy and the sister services “, he said.

    Also speaking, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Elder Paul Bassey commended the military generally for recognising the importance of sports in individual’s well-being as well as nation-building.

    “I am aware the military generally recognise the role of sports in individual’s well-being and nation-building. Hence, personnel are not only encouraged to engage in sports but to see it as an avenue that fosters healthy competition among personnel and units”, he said.

    Mr Bassey said Eastern Naval Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has made good successes in ensuring peace across the state and its waterways notwithstanding some challenges facing it.

    “The Eastern Naval Command has made successes notwithstanding the myriad of challenges facing it. The command, in collaboration with other security agencies in Akwa Ibom State has been actively involved in the operation across the state to ensure peace and security. The command has been a forerunner in the fight against illicit goods, especially contraband rice into the country through our waterways “, he added.

    He assured the command that Akwa Ibom State government will continue to support them in ensuring peace, adding that the state will continue to collaborate with the Nigerian Navy in the promotion of sports.

    “Akwa Ibom State will continue to support security agencies to ensure environment conducive to legitimate businesses to thrive.

    “The state have invested a lot in sports and will continue to collaborate with the Nigerian Navy in the promotion of sports, , he added.

    The event featured thug of war (Port Harcourt versus the Fleet) and oath-taking by the participants

  • Oil giant Agip celebrates Niger Delta farmers

    The colour was green and a touch of yellow. The fabric was local but had great appeal on fair and black skins. Though the yellow sun shone harshly, the programme of events cooled its temperament. It was the farmers’ day. The Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) was the host.

    Agip, an Italian oil company has been at the vanguard of developing agriculture in the Niger Delta. In all the states hosting its facilities, Agip has ensured that food growing exists alongside oil exploration and production. So, the company has made farming attractive in Bayelsa, Imo, Delta and Rivers states.

    Every year for over 31 years, the company’s Green River Project (GRP) brings farmers from the four states in the region together. It is a day Agip dedicates to celebrating farmers. Such attention given to agriculture restores the hope and confidence of farmers. It gives the food producers a pride of place and makes them appreciate the importance of their occupation.

    Besides, Agip’s GRP has also proved that agriculture can blossom in land of oil and gas. It has demonstrated that oil exploration is not an enemy of agricultural production.

    With GRP, stakeholders have observed that it is not necessarily true that food cannot grow in areas where multinational companies explore and extract crude oil. The two can exist side by side and complement each other.

    Recently, NAOC celebrated farmers under its GRP. The celebration was the 22nd edition. The event was held at NAOC-GRP Farms, Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital. Farmers from the four states trooped to the massive farm. They came with their yields. Their yields were fresh and massive. It was obvious that the GRP has helped their success stories.

    To underscore the importance of the programme, the governments of the four states were represented. All members of management staff and critical employees of NAOC were in attendance. Traditional rulers from the four states came with their paraphernalia of office. Most of them came with their wives. The King of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff and his Queen Josephine were there.

    Representatives of other oil companies were there in solidarity. Contractors, politicians and captains of industry were also in attendance. It was a day to celebrate traditional dancers. People, especially the managers of NAOC were thrilled by the performances of the young Amassoma traditional dancers and Bayelsa State Art and Culture and other entertainers. The “Port Harcourt Boy” crooner, Duncan Mighty thrilled the crowd.

    Obviously, the organisers of the programme did not want any security breach. They took proactive measures to avoid unpleasant surprises. The area was surrounded by stern-looking security operatives. People that attended the event were thoroughly screened. No-tag-no-admittance was the policy.

    The event was for farmers. Their exhibition stands were encouraging. Big sets of fish, healthy fruits, massive birds, pigs, cassava, mushrooms, honey and other agricultural products were on display. Most people expressed disbelief that such products came from the Niger Delta soil.

    Outstanding farmers were also rewarded by NAOC. The Chief Executive Officer of Nwana Farms, Dr. Victor Akuju, won the overall best farmer.  Akuju, whose farm is located at Ahoada in Rivers State, said he never knew he was going to win the award. He commended the GRP and said the technical assistance he got from NAOC helped him develop his farm.

    He said: “We never knew we were going to win any award. We were just doing our thing and getting technical support from Agip’s extension officers. We’re grateful.

    “We have our exhibition stand and we have fish, pigs, crops, and many other things. It was an opportunity we didn’t want to miss. Unfortunately, many youths think that everybody must be in the oil industry. I am an academic. I teach in the university.

    “But I have decided that agriculture is the mainstay of any nation. We have to come home and concentrate on farming. Those who cannot work in oil industry will find agriculture a source of employment.”

    Another farmer, Seimon Oseke, said her small farm of cucumber, vegetable and pepper was also doing well following assistance from NAOC GRP. She said she was able to make money to train her children.

    Akuju, Oseke and other farmers were further encouraged by the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari at their programme. As customary to him, Buhari sent his message of encouragement to the farmers. Everybody in attendance quietly focused on the screen as the President delivered his recorded message.

    The President’s message restored their hope. They cheered him when they heard that his administration had concluded plans to compensate farmers for their losses during the devastating floods. Buhari regretted the floods that impacted negatively on farmers and fishermen across the country.

    The President described the flood as a natural disaster and assured farmers affected by the flood that his administration was with them in their time of need. He commended NAOC for its commitment to the development of agriculture in the Niger Delta region, saying its 2018 theme, “Youths: Agents for Agricultural Development in the Niger Delta”, was apt.

    He said youths remained the future of agriculture in the country, adding that the country could no longer afford to remain a mono-economy. The President, who said Nigeria would no longer continue to import foods and enrich other countries, expressed delight that importation of rice and maize had significantly reduced.

    He said: “The 2016 and 2017 farming seasons were very successful. The rains were good and our farmers had good yields from their endeavours but we must plan to increase our yields, which is why we are working to revive our river basin authorities.

    “For example, this year, the excessive rains affected our farms badly. Many of you were impacted negatively. Floods are a natural phenomenon that men cannot control. I want to appeal to you all not to be dispirited but to try to be strong in the face of your challenges.

    “The National Food Security Council met and we approved a compensation package for all flood impacted farmers and fishermen. I want to assure all flood affected farmers and fishermen that this government is with you in your time of need.”

    In his remarks, the Chairman, NAOC Limited, Guido Brusco, expressed his gratitude to Buhari for supporting the company’s GRP since he assumed office in 2015.

    “It is my joy to see that the little seed we sowed 31 years ago has grown into an annual programme that brings stakeholders from all walks of life in an atmosphere of friendship and celebration.

    “This shows that the objective of establishing the scheme, which was to introduce and expose our communities to modern techniques of farming has been realised”, he said.

    Brusco commended the governments of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Imo states for supporting the initiative.

    Also the NAOC’s General Manager, District,  Tiani Alessandro, said the theme of this year’s celebration was extremely important because it epitomised the company’s drive to sensitise and empower a critical sector of the populace.

    He said: “Our focus with the GRP has always been to make farming very attractive and accessible to our women, the youth and children particularly those in secondary schools.

    “This is done through formation of co-operative societies, exposure to techniques of modern farming, provision of the necessary support and tools as well as various schemes.

    “This has led to the training and endowment of 275 youths this year and further proposed training and endowment of 350 youths from our host communities next year in various agro-entrepreneurial schemes to make them self-employed.

    “Our investment in agriculture will continue to be given great attention. I use this opportunity to encourage our youths and women to embrace agriculture, which has so much potential yet to be fully appropriated.”

    Further speaking, NAOC Vice-Chairman/Managing Director, Lorenzo Fiorillio, said the celebration afforded the farmers opportunities to showcase their products; network with other stakeholders and the company to reward outstanding farmers.

    He, however, said: “It is sad to note that this year has been particularly difficult for our farmers following flood that ravaged most of the communities in the Niger Delta.

    “As a company, we believe that this event will energise farmers all over our areas of operation to put every required effort towards a bountiful harvest next year.”

    In his keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor Federal University, Otuoke, Prof. Seth Accra Jaja, observed that the Federal Government had shown serious concern on the need to develop agriculture.

    He reeled off some of the agricultural incentives of the government as risk-sharing system for agricultural lending; growth enhancement support scheme designed to encourage critical access in the fertiliser value chain and agricultural resilience scheme, among others.

    He said though the initiatives were laudable, they were being affected by weak traditional management framework, migration of youth talents, poor output, extensive poverty, poor funding and increasing threats to life and property.

    He added: “The NAOC, through its GRP and within its challenging limits, has provided a bridge for the Niger Delta youths towards this beckoning opportunity.

    “The track record of the GRP is a clear testimony that the NAOC is standing with the willing Niger Delta youths in this drive towards the creation of new global age billionaire. The NAOC, through the GRP, is developing the people who develop the nation.”

  • Rights group advises Fed Govt on renewable energy

    The Environmental Rights Action, Friend of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has advised the Federal Government to show more commitment to the provision of renewable energy in the 2019 Budget.

    ERA also called for a ban on power generating sets for by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), of the federal and the state governments, as a way to support the renewable energy campaign of Civil Society groups (CSOs) in Nigeria.

    Speaking during the opening ceremony of this year’s Annual National Environmental Congress in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital tagged “Post-extractivism: Energy Democracy for National Development”, the Executive Director of ERA, Godwin Uyi Ojo, said the need to end the era of  fossil energy use for renewable energy cannot be overemphasised.

    Ojo observed that policies on energy in the country are deficient, lack focus and devoid of community perspective.

    He said: “We cannot overlook the fact that a new form of energy colonialism seems to have emerged. Energy colonialism is killing the Nigerian economy.

    “To promote this, a percentage of the national budget should be dedicated to renewable energy research and development. All public finance, loans and subsidies being channelled to fossil fuel explorations should be halted immediately and the funds invested in renewable energy.

    ”We advocate for energy democracy that is decentralised, people driven and socially controlled such that citizens become energy producers as well as end users from mini-grids, and non-grid systems that are less capital-intensive.

    “To reiterate, energy colonialism should not lead to the dumping of petrol and diesel engines and cars from industrialised nations to Nigeria. We call for a ban on generator sets in all MDAs at the federal, state and local government levels.”

  • NDDF 2018: States, experts plan long-term development for Niger Delta

    • Abia, Edo win development plan contest, PIND Support

    Annually, the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) organises Niger Delta Development Forum (NDDF) through which it plans and reviews strategies for the development of the Niger Delta region. South-south Regional Editor, Shola O’Neil reports that this year’s edition tagged “preparing for the future through long-term, strategic development plans brought together high profile government officials, top players in the private sector, development experts to evolve ways of harmonising strategies for impact, sustaining a strategic vision between governments and implementing state-led development in the Niger Delta, among other issues.

    For two days, across two states in the Niger Delta region, the 2018 edition of Niger Delta Development Forum (NDDF) organised by PIND Foundation, brought together high profile government officials, top players in the private sector, development experts and people from various walks of life. It was a motley crowd of individuals making their marks in diverse fields, and they were gathered towards “Preparing for the Future through Long-term, Strategic Development Plans.”

    The events were for the seventh edition of the Niger Delta Development Forum, an annual event by the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), with the support of a host of partners and various donor organisations: from the European Union (EU), Market Development in the Niger Delta (MADE), Department for International Development (DFID), and Faculty for Oil Sector Transformation (FOSTER), to Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI).

    The 2018 edition of the forum was unique and different from past events as the deliberations took place across the two states between Tuesday, November 27, and Thursday, November 29. The theme of the event was “Delivering Results: Executing a State-led Plan”. It was three days of brainstorming and peer-to-peer learning, of collaborating, and of sharing ideas geared towards improving governance and advocacy in the Niger Delta.

    The edition, building on the successful engagements of the previous year, was held with the objective of strengthening skeletal road maps developed by the various states and helping to tailor strategic approaches to local realities.

    The event which featured plenary sessions focused on harmonising strategies for impact, sustaining a strategic vision between governments, implementing state-led development in the Niger Delta, and where the private-sector may come in when it comes to state-led development planning.

    Francis Ntamu, Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State, and Seun Akinsanya, Director of Economic Planning at the Lagos State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, were among the panellists invited to share insights on and lessons from development plans currently in operation in their respective states.

    Other experts in attendance included Joe Abah, former Director-General, Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and now DAI Nigeria Country Director; Mohammed Aliu Momoh, Facilitator of the Investment Working Group of the Nigerian National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER); Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, Country Director of Water Aid; Toyosi Akerele, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rise Networks; Abel Akeni, Head of Innovation at BudgIT; and Seun Ojo, Head of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group’s Public Policy Intelligence and Reform Management Unit.

    Dara Akala, the foundation’s Executive Director, delivered PIND’s welcome address. He thanked the foundation’s development partners and allies from the civil society sector and the media for their support. He noted, jokingly, that the inaugural first edition of the forum was held at exactly the same venue (Novotel Hotel, Port Harcourt) back in 2012.

    The PIND Executive Director further stated that the 2018 edition of the NDDF forum was focusing on development planning as way of consolidating on the resolutions reached in the previous year.

    “The purpose really is for us to harmonise and discuss key development issues, and what we are always trying to achieve is to influence government policies of the region, to foster partnerships through this forum, and to attract investment into the region.

    “We do know that there is a school of thought that believes that we don’t need plans, that it is not plan that is our problem, it is execution. But we simply defer from that. We need execution no doubt; but we also need very clear, comprehensive and coherent plans that will underpin development efforts at the sub-national level In Nigeria and, in particular, in the Niger Delta.

    “There are several kinds of agendas in the states, but what is often missing is that long-term strategic plan that will transcend the life of any administration,” Dr Akala adds. “That is where we want to get the states to be.”

    A striking feature and achievement of the 2018 forum is the long-term development planning pitching competition, which saw seven states of the Niger Delta engage in a battle of ideas. The participants included those from Edo, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Imo, Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

    Top government officials from the states were invited to pitch their states’ long-term roadmaps for human and economic development and, together with development experts, among other key stakeholders, they came to well-thought-out conclusions on how best to approach the issue of sub-national development planning.

    In order to develop up-to-the-minute and inclusive development plans, for instance, it was agreed that there was need to actively involve young minds as well as consult vulnerable persons, including people with disability and such class of citizens who ordinarily do not have access to government decision-making.

    After various deliberations on the presentations of the state representatives about their visions, cross-sector opportunities and challenges, stakeholders and discussants observed that the plans of the states were not adequately aligned with their budgets and generally not informed by fiscal policies and strategies.

    The communiqué released at the end of the deliberations also observed: “That a strong level of political support at every stratum of governance is very critical to the formulation and implementation of development plans, projects, and programmes.”

    To this end, the document recommended that state plans should be data-driven and therefore, states should determine how best to collect data locally and/or make use of that available from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics and other agencies for quality planning.

    Citizens’ participation in the planning process was also identified as important, as the communiqué stated that states should strive towards this to drive the allocation of resources and implementation energy to where they are most needed.

    “There is need to include young people in the process of development planning to pool fresh ideas and radical thoughts that will drive economic development. That the Niger Delta states need to commence meaningful discussions about inter-state integration within the region; for instance regarding how to ensure transportation linkages through the waterways, rail connectivity, exploration of deep-sea potential and others.

    “As political buy-in is extremely critical for effective implementation of plans and budgets as currently being practiced in states such as Lagos, Niger Delta states should ensure this in formulating and implementing development plans, projects, and programmes. The state–led development plans (should) be linked to global goals such as the sustainable development goals, regional developmental efforts, and others and focus particularly on education, the environment.”

    Others include: the need for more highly-effective organisations such as PIND, which has strong convening power, to pool regional players into the discourse, reviews for the design, development, execution and monitoring in order to achieve  “a collective Niger Delta regional competiveness”.

    To improve the quality and value of good governance, states are encouraged to improve on honouring agreements, which stakeholders, including Dr. Akala, Tunde Oderinde and Kingsley Fossu of MADE and Team Leader, EU Niger Delta Support Programme C4, who signed the communiqué, noted “forms the bedrock of attracting local and international investors.

    “That states should improve the focus on monitoring and evaluation and feedback systems via periodic independent citizens’ survey of plans. They need to show greater clarity on projected outcomes and impact (i.e. qualitative changes), and not just figure. The sustainability of development plans should be looked at from a funding perspective, maximising the various options available for revenue mobilisation in the state,” the communiqué recommended.

    In conclusion, it states: “Developing state-led planning with a strong element of sustainability would help address underdevelopment in the Niger Delta. Such plans as were deliberated upon at NDDF 2018 should engage all stakeholders (including the youth, women, physically challenged) and encouraged the effective use of existing resources.

    “It is also important for states to diversify and maximise internal revenue potential, seek regional integration and alignment for financing development plans that can be achieved mainly through private equity and venture capital while institutionalising legislative and operational frameworks.”

    Meanwhile, while speaking development plan pitch by the various states, Mrs Aniagolu-Okoye, who was one of the judges, congratulated the participants and said all the presentations were impressive and well-researched. She advised governments to prioritise their policies wisely, while also paying attention to how the civil service and civil society may help in executing noted plans.

    “It’s important that the states pay attention to their comparative advantage. I know that, if you are a state government, there are so many competing interests. Ask yourself what are the three things that if you do, you will be able to catalyse development; for instance, electricity.

    “A lot of the plans we heard were really quite external; they were not looking internally. We should ask: How do we restructure the civil service to be able to deliver on the plans because part of the reasons our plans have not worked so far is because the structure to deliver them are very weak,” she said.

    For Dr. Akala, this whole process (contest) is not a winner-take-all game. It is true that we shall support those two states, Edo and Abia states, with partners at the same level we supported Cross River State government; but we will still find ways, through which we can provide one assistance or the other to these other states, depending on their level of interest and willingness to take things forward.”

    As the forum dispersed, the ball of a well-structured development had moved into the court of the state governments; next move is also up to them. They may fritter the golden opportunity, or they could use it to open a new chapter to a new Niger Delta where nothing is arbitrary and every action is both pragmatic and strategic, one that plans decades ahead and looks to the future of astonishing results and where there are abundant resources available for all classes of people and where ‘lack’ is a reality locked in the past.

  • Preserving Akwa Ibom’s growth, prosperity

    Events in Akwa Ibom State in the last few months have shown a common resolve by its people to preserve the prosperity and growth Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration has tried to foster since 2015. This is evident in the unspoken but loud statement the people have made to the effect that the state is not for sale to the highest bidder, especially as the 2019 general elections approach.

    Perhaps, in no other area has this resolve been practically demonstrated than in the political scene, where a lot has happened to make the people see the need to stay united, in order to prevent the state from becoming a property to be owned by an individual. From the days of its founding fathers, Akwa Ibom had been a study in love, unity and consensus–until 2007.

    Before the celebrated defection of former governor and former Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in August, there had been stories of friction between him and the incumbent governor over control of the levers of power in the state. The constant frictions reportedly arose from refusal by the governor to be the puppet his predecessor wanted to make him.

    And when the former governor defected from the party that brought him from obscurity to limelight and prosperity, he found to his chagrin that his larger-than-life image was but a creation of the propaganda machine that sustained him during his eight-year tenure. That was when the resolve of the people to unite against hegemony by an individual began to manifest. Incidentally, it started with those that were thought to be his executioners in his bid to govern the state by proxy.

    All those he was touted to have brought to political relevance, who were supposed to have been his surrogates in the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel, refused to join him in his new venture. They resolved to stick with the governor, because they know he means well for the state, as opposed to an individual that sees the state from the narrow point of view of his own personal interests.

    Akpabio is alleged to be wealthier than the state he governed for eight years, despite the fact that it is the state with the highest monthly revenue allocation from Abuja (A higher percentage of the state’s allocation goes into settling the debts he piled up during his tenure).

    The source of his stupendous wealth is difficult to fathom and is a subject of speculation. It is the reason he was under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC), following a petition an indigene of the sate wrote against him, which bordered on allegations of fraud, embezzlement and money-laundering to the tune of N108 billion while in office.

    The feeling of resentment among the people of Akwa Ibom State towards the former governor is not unconnected with the allegation that he used his wealth to place himself in a position that would make him some sort of Alpha and Omega in the state likened in a manner of someone that owns the state. He tried to demonstrate this with attempt to control both the executive and legislative arms of government in the state – the most strategic arms for someone with uncontrollable appetite for power. But there was a general resistance to any attempt by him to have the state in his pocket.

    A school of thought in Akwa Ibom believes that Akpabio is being accommodated in APC for two main reasons. One, those that have not opposed his entry into the party have done so in order not to confirm his perception of himself as someone whose presence anywhere scares off those opposed to him. Second, those that have welcomed him with open arms are dealing with him using a long pole, because his real intention for joining the party is known to everybody, which is the fact that having failed in his bid to make Udom a puppet, he wants to position himself in his new party in the hope that it will come to power next year, so he can realise his ambition of being the emperor he could not be while in PDP.

    While they welcome his entry, believing he will use his well-known strategies of intimidation and violence to win elections for the party in 2019, they will be careful to ensure he does not overstretch his relevance, in the manner of trying to control government machinery the way he attempted unsuccessfully to do while in PDP, should his new party come to power.

    Analysts say Nsima Ekere, the APC governorship candidate in the 2019 election and one-time Akpabio deputy, has not forgotten how the former governor tried to have him impeached in order to obliterate him from the political scene.

    Thus a further resolve by the people of the state to make Akpabio understand, through words and actions, that Akwa Ibom is not a commodity he can acquire.

    On November 27, five lawmakers of the state house of assembly on the platform of APC who defected from PDP and had their seats declared vacant by the Speaker on the orders of a court surreptitiously sat for the purpose of removing the Speaker and the state governor. There was a general belief that while the hand was that of Esau, the voice was unquestionably Jacob’s.

    In a swift reaction, angry youths in Uyo swamped the premises of the assembly and attempted to lynch the fleeing lawmakers who were suspected to have been sponsored from outside the state capital. It was a clear evidence of the common resolve to ensure Akwa Ibom under Udom Emmanuel has no place for brigandage that was commonplace in the Akpabio era.

    Among political watchers in the state, there is a feeling that rather than be an asset, Akpabio’s entry into APC may turn out to be a liability to the party.

    Obong Victor Attah, under whom Akpabio served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said shortly after his defection that the action would hurt APC’s chances in the 2019 elections in the state. He said if the party won the elections, it would be in spite of Akpabio, not because of him.

    Political watchers say Attah’s statement may have to do with Akpabio’s negative tendencies, which were prominent characteristics of his tenure, which have culminated in his efforts to practically own the state –a move that is being stoutly resisted by the people.

    • Uffot, a businessman, lives in Port Harcourt

  • Obaseki presents two-year score card

    Unlike some governors who use the occasion of their anniversary in office to pup champagnes, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State used the occasion of the celebration of his two years anniversary to unveil progress made on campaign promises regarding the youths, women, health and education.

    Governor Obaseki assumed office in November, 2016 with a promise to create a minimum of 200,000 in the first four years, consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as well as use technology to drive his administration. He had focused his administration around six thematic areas which are Economic Revolution, Culture and Tourism, Environmental Sustainability, Welfare Enhancement, Infrastructure Development and Institutional Reform.

    Obaseki has endeared himself to Edo people as regards restoration of law and order, roads construction, youth’s empowerment and institutional reforms.

    The manner with which Obaseki responds to issues of governance earned him the nickname, ‘Wake and see Governor’ but to the opposition party, he is “Governor of MoU”.

    To critics of Obaseki, the several MoUs entered into by Obaseki were meaningless and not achieving desired results. State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, described the administration as the worst in the history of the state.

    He said: “Obaseki has done nothing and he will do nothing. He has failed in his responsibility to protect lives and property. He has failed in providing logistics for the security agencies to up their security arrangement. When he came about banning night grazing what came to my mind was that the governor spends more time outside the state. He has travelled far more times than Oshiomhole did.

    “Have you driven on the streets when it rained? Obaseki was the Chief Economic Adviser to Oshiomhole who used N30 billion to check erosion problem in Benin City. As we speak, the problem still persists. Can you name one single project started and completed by Obaseki? What we are seeing is patching of selected existing roads and that will never make us to credit him. He prides himself with ‘wake and see’. Have you seen anything?”

    However, reflecting on his performance in the first half of his first four years, Governor Obaseki said he has done beyond the expectations of his critics by staying focused on his areas of priority.

    On his promised 200,000 jobs, Obaseki said he has created 77,200, achieved in collaboration with the Federal Government agencies and multilateral institutions.

    At a Youth Summit/Job Fair tagged, “Pathway to Prosperity” held at the Edo Innovation Hub, several youths who were trained in building solar power and installation and other fields showcased their products. An elated Obaseki gave beneficiaries of the Edo Start-up Fund Initiative who have registered their businesses N500, 000 to scale up their businesses and provide job opportunities for others.

    Obaseki, who promised to make available N100 million grant to fund start-ups in the state’s 2019 budget said his programmes and policies would guarantee shared prosperity and engender more growth opportunities across the state.

    At the summit, Governor Obaseki launched the Edo Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) and the Edo Start-up Fund Initiative which are aimed at providing skills for the youth as well as access to funds for small businesses in order to eliminate obstacles that hinder youths from contributing to economic development.

    Speaking on his stewardship in the last two years, Governor Obaseki said he was determined to restore hope through various reforms he introduced and has delivered on jobs creation, infrastructural development, health care delivery and education.

    His words: “EdoJobs initiative is not only about giving you work, but it is part of it. It  was set up to teach you, train you as well as give you skills so that you can find jobs or create jobs for yourself and be an employer of labour.

    “The Edo Graduate Internship Scheme has identified projects in different areas such as construction, technology and agriculture where we send youths for training. As they get trained, they will earn a stipend, and at the end of the training, we will place them on specific jobs.”

    He said his administration would provide for hotspots for free access to the Internet at designated places.

    He said: “By consolidating our Colleges of Education into one, we now have one College of Education and three schools instead of having three different colleges. Each school is specialising on specific aspect of teacher education. The one in Abudu will have a digital training centre to train primary school teachers, the school in Igueben will focus on secondary school and science teachers while the one in Auchi will specialise in training teachers in technical education, physical education and special education.

    “We have launched the Edo Health Improvement Programme which is a plan on the whole aspect of our health care value chain. We are rolling out a prototype of our primary health care system. Each must have 24/7 solar-powered electricity, a functioning borehole, trained staff and a customised technology to assist the nurses in managing cases so that anybody who walks through the door of our health centres will be tracked and upload to referral centres for review. We now save one per cent of our Federal Government allocation every month to invest in our health care system. The local government is also saving.

    “I promised to create a minimum of 200,000 jobs by 2020. These jobs are not coming out from government but from the private sectors. We believed jobs will be provided from manufacturing hence the push for industrial park, agricultural services and technology which was why we invested in the innovation hub. We set up the Edo State Skills Development Agency to provide the youth with positive pathway to prosperity and self-reliance. Through this agency, we create a steady supply of skilled manpower and attract employers to give them job opportunities.

    “Housing is another plan which we focus on. We believe that housing is a necessity for mankind. We see the development as one to boot construction and create jobs. We have restructured the Edo State Property Development Agency to become business-oriented and it has opened the door for more private investors in the housing sector. The existing housing estate was built 16 years ago. Within the last year, we started the construction of Emotam Garden Estate. Over 60 units have been constructed and we believed that before Christmas, 100 units will be constructed.

    “We are focusing on professionalism of the Edo State public service. We are establishing a public service training academy. The facility will be able to take 500 people at a time. The challenge in getting government to work is because we neglected training. If we keep sustained training programme for our public servants, they will perform better.”