The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

DESOPADEC dredger: the rot amid sinking Itsekiri towns

Hundreds of Itsekiri communities from Koko, Obaghoro, Ijaghalla, Ogidigben, Ajudaibo, Usele, Deghele and others were at the mercy of coastal erosion and vanishing shoreline. The acquisition of a dredger by DESOPADEC was expected to resettle thousands of members of the ethnic groups who fled their homes in the aftermath of the Ijaw/Itsekiri crisis. SHOLA O’NEIL writes that nearly two years after the multi-million dollar equipment was acquired, the beauty of Eregwa is fast fading without the communities feeling its impact.

There were huge expectations among the people of Itsekiri in 2013 when their representatives on the board of the Delta State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) announced a plan to acquire a gigantic dredger. The equipment, they were told, was to be used to dredge creeks, waterways and to sand-fill their riverside communities that are fast being eroded by erosion.

The joy that trailed the announcement stemmed from the deplorable state of towns in Warri South, South-west and North local government areas.

Hundreds of Itsekiri communities from Koko, Obaghoro, Ijaghalla, Ogidigben, Ajudaibo, Usele, Deghele and others were at the mercy of coastal erosion and vanishing shoreline.

The acquisition of the dredger was also expected to resettle thousands of members of the ethnic groups who fled their homes in the aftermath of the Ijaw/Itsekiri crisis between the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The hope brightened on a lively day in April last year when the then Chairman of the Commission, Mr Oritsuwa Kpogho, an Itsekiri man, inaugurated the dredger with fanfare and back-parting in Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area.

Aptly named ‘EREGWA’ (Itsekiri word for a beautiful woman or object), the glimmering monster of an equipment was a beauty to behold.

Kpogho stated that DESOPADEC went for the best dredger in the world, adding that the equipment would last beyond three decades.

Commenting on the issue, the commission’s secretary, Sir Augustine Oghoro promised that the dredger would be deployed to save and restore communities that are being washed away by erosion.

•Diden

A news report on DESOPADEC website entitled “Jubilation as DESOPADEC Acquires Dredger”, quoted Hon. Michale Diden (aka Ejele) as saying, “the waterlogged communities can be reclaimed”.

However, nearly two years after the multi-million dollar equipment was acquired, the beauty of Eregwa is fast fading without the communities feeling its impact.

Creeks and rivers are still blocked by silts; communities are endangered more than ever before while the Ellicott 1270 Dragon dredger is rotting away at a private dockyard in Koko.

Niger Delta Report learnt that, apart from the initial test-run of the equipment to fill the private jetty where it is kept, the N1 billion worth of equipment is yet to leave the scene where its components were unwrapped and assembled over a year ago.

Our investigations revealed that the contract for the dredger was awarded to a company known as Mawona Atlantic Limited for N985, 000,000 for “purchase of dredger/accessories”.

Attempts by our reporter to get further details from Ellicott Dredgers LLC Maryland, USA were not fruitful, as the company was unwilling to make any comment.

alter Mather, who responded to our e-mail enquiry, neither denied nor confirmed that the equipment was bought from them. He also would not go into details of the price.

He said: “Ellicott does build and offer an 18-inch dredger with model Dragon 1270. Several have been sold in Nigeria.

“With respect to your underlying questions, please understand that we do not discuss our private business with the media without prior approval of any related client,” Walter added.

Information sourced from the company’s websites indicated that the one sighted by our reporter in Koko is indeed an Ellicott Dragon 1270, an 18″, 460mm diameter portable cutter-head type dredger with a maximum digging depth of 15.24m.

The manufacturer boasts that the dredger is “tailored to suit the requirements of the purchaser”, adding, “It is made to give the greatest return on the investment dollar.”

Unfortunately for Itsekiri communities, rather than give value for the N1 billion paid to acquire it, the dredger has been rotting away in Koko and accruing more expenses, including a princely N1.6 million monthly warehouse cost.

Expectant community leaders who thought its deployment would ease their pains have since given up.

“The euphoria over the dredger is gone; like most projects by those claiming to represent us. It is only they and their cronies who supplied it that have seen its gain. Not one Itsekiri community, even here in Warri North Local Government Area or the oil communities, has used it. How can people be so wicked?” Mr Eyitemi Kingsway Eyoyibo, told our report.

Eyoyibo, who hails from erosion-prone Ajudaibo in Ugborodo, called for a full scale investigation into, not just the dredger, but also into several other projects awarded over the years by Itsekiri representatives in the board of DESOPADEC.

“All those found culpable of short-changing our people should refund all monies and be sent to jail. Itsekiri nation has suffered too much because of the greed and avarice of a few who find themselves in the corridors of power,” he stressed.

Reliable sources in DESOPADEC said the state and the Itsekiri have lost heavily due to the wasting equipment. It was learnt that benefits from training, operation and others that was built into the contract have been lost along with the guarantee against defects.

The recently inaugurated Commissioner Representing Itsekiri in the commission, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, who was contacted by our reporter, said he was yet to get the full brief and details on the dredger.

Ereyitomi, in a telephone conversation with our reporter said: “As you are aware, we are just coming on board (DESOPADEC) and there are so many things that we need to look at. I am yet to get the full brief on the dredger so I might not be able to say much – at least for now.”

The DESOPADEC Executive Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Victor Oritsetinmeyin Wood, could not be reached for comment. The director, who insisted on a face-to-face chat with our reporter, was said to be on project inspection when our reporter visited the commission.

Mr Tsewo Edema, the Head of Security at DESOPADEC at the time, confirmed that the commission pays N19.2 million (N1.6 million monthly) annually to a private firm, which owns the jetty where the equipment is kept since about 2012.

Edema, in a chat with Niger Delta Report, explained that the N1.6m monthly payment was not only for the use of the jetty, but also for safekeeping of the dredger.

But beyond the cost of ‘safekeeping’ the dredger, the loss of add-ons and warrantee could come to haunt the commission.

“If and when they decide to use it, if any challenge is discovered with the dredger, huge sums of money would again be needed to procure the parts and maybe bring in expert from the United States (US),” Kingsway-Eyoyibo lamented.

At the time of our reporter’s visit to Koko on Sunday, October 18, the huge pipes and suction hoses procured with the dredger were rotting away due to lack of use and maintenance. Huge containers and caravans which were used to freight the equipment to the Itsekiri riverside communities laid idle.

A prominent Itsekiri staff of the commission, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security reasons, said only Messrs. Oritsuwa Kpokgho and Michael Diden (now a member of the Delta State House of Assembly) respectively and Edema, could throw more light on the debacle surrounding the contract of the dredger.

“The purchase was between them; they were the all and all as far as the Itsekiri nation was concern in DESOPADEC at that time. So, any question about the dredger should be directed to them,” our source said.

Diden was yet to respond to our reporter’s text message inquiry at the time of filing this report. Attempts to get through to him through a third party were also not fruitful two weeks afterwards.

Edema, however, denied being involved in the procurement of the dredger. Although he conceded that he was aware that the contract involved training of Itsekiri engineers to man it, he said beyond securing the equipment, he knew nothing else.

A very angry community leader however said: “Even at the time the contract was awarded, there was fear apart from not being what the Itsekiri need to spend money on at the time, the issue of how it was going to operate needed to be fully addressed. But nobody gave heed to wise advice then because some persons were more interested in the contract than how it would benefit the Itsekiri nation.”

Further investigations revealed that the dredger is a victim of the clash of political interests among prominent Itsekiri politicians and various group leaders who wanted to convert it to their personal assets.

Confirming this, Edema described the dredger as a victim of a clash of “big interests. He revealed that various efforts to put the dredger to use was frustrated by unnamed key players and inability of private firms that indicated interest to lease it to provide firm guarantee of their commitment.

“For instance,” he said, “one private firm handling road construction work in Koko area offered to take it on lease; although their offer was way below the commission’s estimation, the deal fell through because they could not provide bank guarantee. Everybody wants to take and convert it to private use.”

Edema said but for his vigilance, the multi-million dollar equipment would have ended up as a private asset.

“By now, there would be no longer dredger to talk about; it might have been taken as far as to Cotonou (Benin Republic),” he added.

November 6, 2015
Emmanuel’s wife advises women to be steadfast

The Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo was filled to capacity as Akwa-Ibom State women converged for their monthly prayer meeting. The prayers meant to intercede for a better Akwa-Ibom State had the theme “Breaking the Barriers.”

Addressing the women at the event, the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel appreciated God for His continued benevolence on the state, saying “today is a day of joy; a day of celebration. God has never disappointed His children and He will not. When He opens the door, no man can shut it, all barriers, hindrances and obstacles in our lives and that of the state have been broken.”

Mrs. Emmanuel further urged the women not to depend on their strength for victory, saying they should put on the armour of God. She added that if they had depended on their strength and might, they would have failed in their endeavours. She said God being the Supreme Being, knows everything about us and he expects us to submit and yield to Him. Mrs Emmanuel also said that Akwa-Ibom State has been consecrated by God for good and as such, no man can hinder her progress.

The Governor’s wife called on the women to desist from making unguarded statements that could affect the unity of the state, saying any person that fails to repent may have herself to blame because the Governor is determined to unite and build a prosperous state for all. Mrs. Emmanuel informed the women that from the month of November, she will embark on tour oflocal government areas with the aim to interact and empower women.

She also called on the women to take advantage of government’s free medical programmes, stating that soon screening centres for breast and cervical cancer will be established in all the federal constituencies in the state to help women detect and manage themselves well.

In her exhortation earlier, Rev. Mercy Ugbah advised the women to chart a new course for their lives. Reading from Exodus 14:8, Rev. Ugbah said every hindrance and obstacles that could have impeded the progress of the state have been broken, stressing that the same God of yesterday is still alive and doing wonders.

She admonished the women to remain steadfast with God as He was about to perform miracles in their lives. Special prayers were offered for peace in the 31 local government areas of the state.

Prayers were also offered for the government at the federal and state levels as well as for the governor and his wife.

Those in attendance were the wife of former Deputy Governor, Mrs. Atim Okpoyo, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Glory Edet and wife of the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Lady Gloria Umoren. Others were member representing Okobo State Constituency, Hon. Felicia Bassey, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) women leader, Mrs. Glory Effiong, wives of legislators, wives of commissioners, female permanent secretaries and female transition chairmen, and a host of others.

November 6, 2015
Student’s death: Controversy trails UPTH panel’s report

The panel set up by the management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Choba Port Harcourt in Rivers State to investigate the cause of death of one of the students of the University of Port Harcourt, Kelechi Ndulagwu Precious has released its report. The late Miss Precious was an undergraduate student of Theatre and Film Studies of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

The management of the UPTH was forced to set up the panel following the wide protest and condemnation that trailed the death of Kelechi, who died on August 30, after she was reportedly denied treatment by members of staff of the hospital, which cited lack of available bed space.

The unlucky student was said to have later collapsed in her hostel bathroom and died shortly afterwards on the same day.

Her death did not go down well with her colleagues and leadership of the Students’ Union Government (SUG). This led to wild protests that grounded activities of the university. The angry students destroyed some medical equipment at the UPTH.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UPTH, Prof. Aaron Ojule quickly invited the press to exonerate the hospital from the allegation of the death of the undergraduate.

He said: “It was not an issue of rejection; we cannot reject anybody outside the campus let alone a student of the university. When the hospital is filled it is filled. We cannot ask somebody to go down to accept another. We sympathised with the victim’s family and the university over what happened. The students have alleged that we killed her, but we have no hand in her death.”

Prof. Ojule added: “We have set up a panel to investigate the issue. They came here and we told them there was no space at the time they came and when the lady died, they said it was UPTH that killed her. We have always told the people that UPTH is over-subscribed.

“Ironically, the panel, which was headed by a Professor of Obstetrics and a Professor of Gynaecology Prof. John Ikimalo, recommended the sack of two female nurses who were on duty when the late Kelechi was brought in.”

The recommendation of Prof. Ikimalo’s report, rather than settle the debate of the incident, has raised more questions, particularly as it contradicted the earlier stance of the CMD.

Prof. Ojule, who announced the result of the report of the panel in a press briefing at the boardroom of the hospital, explained that because of the critical nature of the matter, the management of the hospital decided to set up a panel to investigate the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident.

He said the panel recommended the sack of two nurses on duty at the time of the incident. The CMD, who did not mention the names of the nurses, said the panel condemned their acts of laxity and indiscipline.

“The two members of staff flouted established rules and protocol that are applicable in the hospital. They have been issued queries and based on their unsatisfactory responses; the panel has recommended their sack. At present, we have placed them on suspension for three months without pay while waiting for the approval of the Ministry of Health.”

The panel’s recommendation has received the support of the Rivers State government.

The Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo said: “The punitive action taken by the panel set up by UPTH on the two nurses that orchestrated the death of Miss Kelechi Precious should serve as deterrent to erring public servants. The action of the management of the hospital would go a long way in checking future acts of negligence on the part of public workers.”

But some members of the public are unimpressed. They are of the opinion that the panel should have blamed the government for not living up to its responsibilities of providing adequate facilities in public health sector rather than blame the death of the student on the nurses on duty.

Those who have contrary views said the nurses were merely following instructions, which were alluded to by the CMD in his earlier press briefing, on what to do when there is no bed space in the hospital.

Reacting to the panel’s recommendation, President Nigerian Democratic Awareness (NIDAF), Comrade Obiajunwo Paul threatened to mobilise members of the public to protest the decision if the Ministry of Health decides to approve the recommendation of the panel.

“We are watching what will happen. What the panel did is to recommend. We want to know if the recommendation would be approved. It is unjust to blame the problem that the management should have accepted responsibility on the nurses on duty,” he said.

November 6, 2015
Why they are afraid of Amaechi, by Emami

Chief Ayirimi Emami is a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State. He spoke with SHOLA O’NEIL on several national issues, including the confirmation of former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi by the Senate and defection of a former Commissioner for Youth in the state, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi.

What do you think is responsible for the opposition to the ministerial clearance of Chibuike Amaechi by the Senate?

The reason for being some people are against Hon Chibuike Amaechi is that they feel that if he against the clearance of Hon. Amaechi by the Senate is that they know that when he comes on board, the APC in the Niger Delta would be stronger and we would have a rallying point in him, Edo state governor, Comrade Adam Oshiomhole and the APC candidate in Bayelsa State in the coming governorship election, Timipre Sylva.

•Amaechi

We, the progressives and the APC in the South-south need Rotimi Amaechi to be among the policy makers at the centre so that we can rally round him. We need someone to take our messages to Mr President because it is not possible to see the President always. But as a minister he (Amaechi) would be able to take our issues to the President.

Besides, if he wasn’t appointment a minister, people of the Niger Delta region would see the President as an insensitive person and they would say he used and dumped Amaechi. That will now become a tool for PDP leaders in future elections. They would say, ‘don’t be another Amaechi for the APC’ etc.

Let us not forget that the emergence of Jonathan as Vice-President under Yar’Adua was due to the funding of the election of Yar’Adua by one of our own (former Delta State governor James Ibori). The funding of that election was done by a Delta State man and when they got there, they dumped him.

That is what Chief Edwin Clark is displaying today. When he was down, Ibori did everything to get him up, but when he got there, he abandoned the same Ibori and said he is a thief and he should be jailed.

Today, he had been the father of (former President Goodluck) Jonathan from when he was in the office till he left. Now, he has turned against him. Are those the kind of people you want to call my leaders? I cannot associate with them. Buhari is not saying Amaechi’s position is to amass wealth, but he said this is a man who believes in something and we should work on it. That is why I always say ‘when the head is good, the tail will follow suit’.

On defection of Omolubi Newuwumi to the APC

Our mission is to ensure that by 2019, the APC can give a good fight to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). And to those that use the party as a negotiation tool, it can never happen in this state again. Omolubi’s defection is a great loss to the PDP because he is one of those that are very committed; they are movers and shakers of Warri and Delta politics.

The election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has been validated by the tribunal and people fear that this could be the end of the opposition.

Okowa is not an issue to me; that has to do with the court. I don’t see that as a problem. We are focused and we know what we are doing.

The defection of Omolubi to APC means a lot because he is a force to reckon with in Warri North and the state politics. He is not one of those that you can give money to sell his conscience. That kind of person is one that you should appreciate.

President Buhari, during one of his television interviews, spoke about people like this when he made reference to Amaechi when they asked them questions about him. He said he did not get there alone, but with the people he worked with. He was referring to Amaechi. Those are people that you can work with because of their commitment and we have an Amaechi in Omolubi. They are not easy to find.

There are strong political leaders in Warri North already. What does Omolubi brings to the APC in Warri North?

Some of those I knew in APC while I was in PDP are negotiators and our agents. They are people that were planted by the PDP in Warri North to give feedback to the PDP after meeting with APC.

I do not regard them as party men. These are party men and if there is an election, you will know that these are the real party men and PDP knows that we are loyal to our party. When you say you are loyal to a party, you must be loyal through and through, no matter what.

At present, we have Okowa as governor of Delta State and he is a member of the PDP. When I come across him, courtesy demands that I give him his due respect as the governor. But when I go back home, I discuss with my people as members of the APC and ensure that my people are APC and those who are not are convinced to change.

I have left PDP for good and all I need to do now is to build the APC in Delta State to be strong and a force to reckon with. That is the reason why we are happy that Omolubi Newuwumi is with us because he has the determination and the strength to help us built a strong party in the state.

November 6, 2015
Man ‘O’ War appeals for development centre

The Akwa-Ibom State Command of Man ‘O’ War has appealed to Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel to assist it in its efforts to build a skills development training centre and workshop on the land it has acquired for that purpose since 10 years ago. It also appealed to the governor to fix the Uyo-Oron Road that leads to the site.

Making the appeal at Ifa Ikot Idang village in Etoi area of Uyo Local Government Area after an over six kilometres “endurance trek” exercise, the State Commander, Mr Abimelech Boniface Matthias explained that the piece of land was donated to the organisation by the village.

Speaking on the endurance trek exercise, Abimelech said: “It was part of the activities of the Akwa-Ibom State Man ‘O’ War Council meant to keep my men fit and gallant.”

He said the organisation is partnering the state government in this era of ‘dakkada’, to assist in whatever area possible such as combating crime, ensuring orderliness and maintaining discipline in society.

As part of its efforts to fulfil its dream of having a school and skills acquisition and development centre, the Man O’ War state Commander said:” We have liaised with the state ministries of education and youth and sports. While the Ministry of Education should be building a nursery and primary school, the Ministry of Youth will build a skills acquisition centre for the command.”

Abimelech further said the skills acquisition centre will be beneficial to the group, the community and the state as different trades will be taught to the youth. He expressed optimism that the centre will help in reducing crime rate in the community and the state, adding that all unemployed youth will be gainfully engaged.

The village Head of Ifa Ikot Idang, Chief Morris Asuquo Ibanga appealed to Man O’ War to help maintain peace and make the environment crime-free.

He also appealed to the state government to provide them with basic amenities such as primary school, health centre, access road to link Uruan with Isiet Beach from Uyo-Oron Road and functional power.

November 6, 2015
Community enmeshed in kingship tussle

The people of Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri Kingdom had looked forward to being ruled again by a crowned king, following the death of the immediate past king, Pere Amakosu, Oduwor III.

Their prayers and yearnings were realised in May this year, a year after their former king was buried.

•Chief Johnny Aribogha

An election was conducted by the kingdom among three contenders, namely Couple Oromoni, Johnny Aribougha and David Pere, all from the Perebiri Ruling House. At the end of the election, Couple Oromoni emerged as Pere Amakosu-elect. He scored eight out of the 12 votes cast and leaving two apiece to the two other contenders.

The process that produced the new Pere-Amakosu was driven by a committee of 12 representatives from across the kingdom. The result of the selection was openly announced by the Ogbe-Ijoh Council of Chiefs, led by the then Regent, Chief Samson Mamamu.

It was gathered that the selection followed a rigorous process, which ensured that the guidelines for the selection was followed to avoid controversies. Before getting down to its responsibility, all members of the selection committee took an oath in the Warri High Court to be of good behaviour and to accept the outcome.

They also signed a legal oath and agreed that all of them would abide by the outcome of the election without recourse to court or publish comment discrediting or challenging the outcome.

Chairman of the Selection/Succession Committee, which decided the fate of the contestants, Elder Anthony Jolomi, said their procedure considered the personalities of the three men, taking particular notice of their contributions to the development of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom and their everyday life style.

Things seemed to be going without let or flaw until reports of petitions and questions on the status of the new king-elect started read. A couple of persons started a move to stop the crowning ceremony of the new king, a departure from agreements signed before the commencement of the selection process.

The courts and the media were resorted to by those who wanted to stop Oromoni from being crowned. The high point of the plots was the mention of the state’s deputy governor, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, in the drama.

He was accused of using his position to enforce his will against that of the people. Probably other interests in the happenings in the Ogbe-Ijoh traditional politics might have just continued folding their arms and watch where the unfolding drama would end. But the supposed wrongful inclusion of the name of the deputy governor, which, to most people, was sheer mudslinging, brought a new twist to the kingship issue.

Many stakeholders vehemently rebuked those who had been signing the petitions and statements against the crowning of the king. They were angry that the name of the deputy governor was not only included, but also told lies against his person and office.

In a position paper against the development, the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Clan Governing Council categorically exposed whom it said was behind the attacks, stating the reason for his bitterness.

The paper, signed by its Chairman, Hon. Lucky Oromoni and Secretary, Mr Elvis Wurusibewei, said: “Chief Alfred Yola, (who is not an Ogbe-Ijoh Chief, but claims to be an Obotebe Chieftaincy title holder in Burutu Local Government Area and Isele Banni, were neither authorised nor mandated to speak for any family, quarter, community in Ogbe-Ijoh or in the entire Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom.

“There are appropriate persons and organs with authority to speak for Ogbe-Ijoh people at every given time. His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Delta state, is innocent of the accusations in the petition published in the said publications.

“The signatories to the petitions; Chief Alfred Yola and Sele Banni, are only being used as surrogates by desperate and bad losers. The allegations and protests are the handiwork of Mr Johnny Aribogha, who contested and failed by scoring only two (2) votes.

“The selection process, which Mr Johnny Aribogha voluntarily participated in and scored only two votes, started long even before the emergence of Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro as deputy governor,” the council said.

In a chat with Niger Delta Report, a prominent son of Ogbe-Ijoh, who did not want his name mentioned because of security reasons, lamented the twist introduced to the kingship issue.

While exonerating the deputy governor of all the infringements levelled against him, the source revealed that the choice of Pere Oromoni was an overwhelming decision of the entire kingdom, including Perebiri, which the king’s traducers were using as front.

“This unnecessary crisis over the crowning of the Pere is the typical example of wars of attrition you see everywhere in Nigeria. But where its drivers goofed, and badly too, is the way they threw the name of the deputy governor into it. Believe me, I’m yet to understand their motive.

“To start with, Deacon Otuaro is not involved in the crowning of the king. All those stories about him sending police to enforce the crowning are false and that’s where I lost hold on their game plan. Why involve the person who played no role in an event and doing so using unsubstantiated claims? Was this just to destroy his name or to use it as a lever or floating buoy?

“Don’t let the names of those signing all these petitions deceive you. They have no stake; they are just being used as puns by a man who believes he spent enough to buy the conscience of all of Ogbe-Ijoh, but who realised late in the game that even with all he thought he had spent, the people would always vote according to their consciences and their impression of him. The pattern of votes cast revealed how unpopular he is with the people of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom. This is a man who had tried to wrongly claim the throne, even when it was not open yet for contest. He forgot all his infamous acts of the past.

“So, my advice to those who lost is to stick to the agreement they signed before the result of the election to the throne was announced. The three contenders agreed to abide by the outcome of the election, seeing how stringent and transparent the process was.

“We were all there, he also saw there was no room for manipulation and he signed to abide by the outcome and not to put the kingdom and its people through all these sort of turbulence we are witnessing now. Out of 12 lots, eight went to the current king, two apiece to the sponsor of this confusion and the third contender. When he stormed out of the community hall that day immediately Pere Oromoni was announced as the winner, I knew he was up to no good.

“I believe he will burn his fingers by involving the name of the deputy governor in his plots because the man knew nothing about all those things he put out in the media,” the source said.

There is an intense altercation between the contenders on one hand and the community on the other hand over the selection process. Whoever emerges winner would be accepted by all and the community would be spared the stress and complications of litigation. But here is the community and its new king being dragged through a bitter legal tussle. What is left to be seen is if there would be any penalty for breaching a duly signed agreement by a party in this matter.

November 6, 2015
Seven years after: How well will Oshiomhole end?

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole is already approaching the twilight of his administration. His first tenure began in 2008 while his second began in November 2012. Oshiomhole would be handing over the baton of leadership to a new governor next year.

Last month, the governor organised a retreat for Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and Special Advisers whose theme was “Finishing Well”.

But doubts persists in the minds of ordinary citizens on whether Oshiomhole would end up like the late Prof. Ambrose Alli who was swept out of Benin City despite numerous achievements he recorded or be praised like Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia whose landmark achievements are still visible? Or is his tenure going to be as unmemorable as that of his predecessor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion?

Governor Oshiomhole assumed power at a time basic infrastructure in the state were either dead or non-existent. Schools were worse than poultry farms that are characterised by leaking roofs, dilapidated buildings and no chairs.

Roads in both rural and urban areas were impassable. Flooding and erosion were a menace to many communities such as the Auchi gully erosion, Queen Ede erosion site, Ekenwan Road erosion and other 108 sites.

Oshiomhole inherited a dirty state capital with Benin-City brimming with garbage heaps at every point. Internally generated revenue (IGR) was leaking with the state getting just about a paltry N300 million per month while individuals and groups rake in more.

In his first budget, Oshiomhole said his administration would focus on roads, flooding, erosion control and education. He promised to build three model secondary schools in each of the three senatorial districts in addition to employing 10,000 youths in public works.

Within three years of his administration, the people felt the wind of change in the state. Bus drivers were barred from driving or picking passengers at the city centre, traders dared not display their wares on the streets or walkways. Citizens felt the presence of government and saw governance in the state.

A N200 million worth of Musical Water Fountain was built at the museum ground at the Oba Ovoranmwen Square, which is popularly called Ring Road. It attracted thousands of visitors every week and raked in revenue as high as N100 million. In pursuit of its policy of urban renewal project, flowers were planted along major streets. Sanity was restored to the busy Ring Road and traffic flowed freely.

Oshiomhole carried out tax reforms and introduced the Progressive Tax system which saw the IGR rise to an average of N1.5 billion monthly.

A visit to the office of Edo Inland Revenue Service revealed several persons waiting to be registered for the Tax Identification Number. Other taxes such as the Consumer Tax and Land Use Charge were introduced.

As at October last year, records showed that 536,463 kilometres of roads, including intra and inter-city roads, have been constructed. All roads leading to Benin-City centre were converted to dual carriage way, except the Ekenwan Road. Several rural communities in the state, especially in Edo North which believed they were under a spell because of the nature of their roads, were opened up.

In the education sector, Oshiomhole built and renovated several primary and secondary schools across the state and also commenced the building of the three model schools as he promised. During the reign of Prof. Ngozi Osarenren as Commissioner of Education, those found guilty of examination malpractices were expelled from the state’s school system and a uniform academic calendar was introduced.

Millions of Naira was pumped into flooding and erosion control. At present, reclamation work on the Auchi, Queen Ede and Ekehuan erosion sites are ongoing with loan provided by the World Bank. A Benin-City Storm Water Master Plan project was designed. Work has either commenced or completed in some areas such as Second West, Airport Road, Okhoro, Five Junction, Lower Siluko and others.

Landlords that fled their residences because of flood in Second West, Lawani Street and some streets around Airport Road have returned home.

The state government, in its efforts to boost agriculture, earmarked over 150,000 hectares of land for farming purposes as well as registered over 300,000 farmers in the state government’s data base.

Last year, four companies namely Ekha Bio-Chemical Nigeria Limited, Industrial Development Group, Obax Worldwide and Wilbahi Investment Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government. They are expected to invest over $500 million in the agricultural sector.

Critics of Oshiomhole are, however, of the view that the people would eventually not benefit from Oshiomhole’s administration, as the governor becomes a sitting duck governor.

Others feel the governor is distracted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) politics at the federal level and is losing touch with the state. His critics say governance is at the lowest ebb since Oshiomhole began his second term.

A drive round the city showed that the once-beautiful city has turned dirty due to sack of street sweepers engaged under the Edo Youth Empowerment Scheme. Traders now display their wares on walkways without fear of arrest while commercial drivers pick up passengers at the city centre. It is now a nightmare to drive through the Oba Market Road which was turned into dual carriage way by Oshiomhole, due to heavy traffic caused by drivers and traders on the road.

Flowers planted are not maintained and many of the flower pots have been broken. What is worrisome to many APC supporters is the present state of the roads in the GRA, Benin-City and their environs. Checks showed that a total of 56 streets were filled with laterite and graded by the Rapid Response Agency while over 90 roads were rehabilitated by the same agency. All the roads are now impassable.

Several primary and secondary schools renovated and built have been vandalised. The only thing left in some of the schools fitted with floor tiles, aluminium windows, PVC ceilings and modern chairs are the red roofs. Many people have been caught stealing schools’ fittings and chairs.

When our reporter asked Elder Sam Egboigbe, a director in the agency, why roads rehabilitated by the agency did not last a single rainy season, he retorted, “you are hungry”.

State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih, is expectedly one of the governor’s most vitriolic critics. He said Oshiomhole would not finish well.

Orbih, who spoke while opening the party’s new secretariat said the PDP would learn from what he termed ‘quantum of mistakes of the Oshiomhole’s administration’ in order to provide good leadership when the PDP takes over the affairs of the state in 2016.

“Can Oshiomhole finish well? He went to Abuja to organise a seminar entitled Finishing Well. The failure of Oshiomhole’s government cannot make him to finish well. The government that is talking about property tax, land use tax cannot finish well. When it was obvious that Edo people have rejected the land use tax, he has gone ahead to say there is no going back,” he said.

The immediate past Commissioner of Transport under Oshiomhole, Orobosa Omo Ojo, in an interview said the APC has not fared well in the past seven years.

A Governorship aspirant of the PDP and former Secretary to the Edo State Government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, in one of his several Facebook page comments said: “Seven years after, a lot of things have happened but poverty has not gone from Edo State, but rather has become worse.”

Pastor Ize-Iyamu noted that cosmetic efforts like the YES programme was not the solution, adding that some industries such as the Uromi Cassavita factory, Urhonigbe Rubber, Bendel Brewery that thrived before the coming of Oshiomhole.

He said the state government has done nothing tangible to promote, encourage or attract private investors let alone creating employment. In another write up, Pastor Ize-Iyamu said it was shocking to learn that the N14.7bn World Bank loan was spent on a non-performing programme.

Some elected local government chairmen under Oshiomhole’s administration did not support the developmental agenda of Oshiomhole in terms of providing needed infrastructure at the grassroots.

At the inception of their administration, all the local councils except Ovia North East got as much as N800 million saved for them by Governor Oshiomhole. Barely six months to the end of the council chairmen’s tenure only Jimoh Ijegbai of Owan East council could boast of boosting IGR from N200, 000 to N16 million monthly. He also inaugurated projects while others could not pay salaries.

Five chairmen were suspended for inability to pay salaries, diversion of IGR and illegal employment of workers.

Nevertheless, the State Treasurer of the APC, Alhaji Salihu Momoh, in a chat with Niger Delta Report said it was time for the people of the state to count the gains of the APC-led administration, especially in the education sector.

Momoh, who presented the score card of Oshiomhole, said one of the realities that confronted the Oshiomhole administration was the complete collapse of the education sector.

Alhaji Momoh noted that steps were taken to invest massively in the sector through a deliberate reconstruction, rehabilitation and re-equipping programme that cost N13.96 billion.

Momoh stated that contracts worth N121.6 billion have been awarded for construction of urban and rural roads amounting to 600kms across the three senatorial districts from 2009 to date.

In the transportation and health sector, Momoh said the APC administration purchased over 100 mass transit buses for the state-owned Edo City Transport Service (ECTS) and embarked on massive construction and reconstruction of general hospitals with major emphasis on maternity wards to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.

“The face of education has changed considerably. Schools with ‘red roof” is now a phenomenon.

“In the area of water and energy, the APC administration has carried out massive lighting up of many rural communities and provision of water, particularly to areas with difficult terrain in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which underlies the bold step to transform the state,” he said.

Commissioner for Environment and Utilities, Prince Clem Agba, said Oshiomhole has several legacies across all sectors that succeeding administrations must build upon.

Prince Agba was optimistic that Oshiomhole would finish well when the resolutions they reached at the retreat are implemented, part of which was that they should complete projects they started.

Agba debunked critics’ views that governance activities have slowed down, pointing out that despite reduction in revenue from the Federation Account, construction works were still going on.

His words: “For almost 40 years, nothing happened in terms of primary drain construction. Lucky road was built with two secondary drains but what is left of the road today? It is gone and already developing a gully because there is no primary drain to receive the water. Most governments run away from building primary drains because they are expensive; a lot of them are not seen to the eyes and are in the outskirts.”

On the present dirty nature of streets in Benin-City, Agba noted that the street sweepers would soon return to work after the restructuring of the YES programme has been completed.

“In the area of forestry, we have improved our nurseries. The capacity has increased from about 220,000 tree seedlings to 665,000. We have more capacity to regenerate our forest. We have recovered a lot of reserve lands that were de-reserve for the rich and mighty. About 109,000 hectares are back to the forest reserve for regeneration. That is a legacy. This government has been able to generate attention. People now speak more about governance. In the education sector, you remember how our schools looked like. Not all the schools have been built but a legacy has been started. This state will never again be seen as a civil service state,” Agba said.

November 6, 2015
Bayelsa to protect mother tongue from extinction

Bayelsa State has attained a milestone in its efforts to rescue Ijaw language from going into extinction. The state recently mobilised teachers it trained in Ijaw language to various schools. The state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, on assumption of office, vowed to restore the dying Jaw dialects.

Dickson, through the Ministry of Culture and Ijaw National Affairs headed by Dr. Felix Tuodolor, went through the process of developing curriculum for the teaching of Ijaw languages. He inaugurated experts to conduct research on the subject matter and develop books to aid learning. He went further to send teachers to the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) to be trained in the language and art of teaching it.

Recently, in an event held at the Ijaw House, Tuodolor formally gave the teachers appointment letters to commence work in selected schools. To simplify their jobs, he also presented books, teaching and learning materials to the benefitting schools. The event was attended by representatives of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the state Ministry of Education.

He said the Ministry of Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, SUBEB and the Ministry of Education are involved in the task of teaching the language. He also said the teachers were sent to three selected schools from each local government area.

According to him, the state recently conducted interviews for different categories of teachers for employment. He said the language teachers were the first batch to be engaged, adding that other categories would be employed later.

He said: “There are specific instructions that, before any other employment, we should start with the Izon language teachers; the Nembe, Epie and the Akassa. We were asked to start with these people and give them employment before any other. Today, their appointment letters are out.

“These teachers will be posted to different schools in the state. In addition, all those schools that we are posting teachers to will receive many learning and teaching materials from our government.”

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, SUBEB, Mr. Walton Liverpool, said 36 letters of appointment were issued to successful language teachers. He recalled that Ijaw language was almost dead when the present government came on board. He said Pidgin English and the English language dealt a deadly blow on local dialects.

He said the matter became worse in schools where persons who spoke Ijaw language were laughed at by their peers.

He said: “When this government came on board, it was a fact that our different dialects in our communities had been given a big blow by Pidgin English. We also noticed that we preferred to speak English language even during our festivals and ceremonies to the detriment of our dialects. It became worse in schools where some students were laughed at and mocked because they could not speak correct English but they can speak their dialects.

“There was that apathy. Meanwhile, if you go to other parts of the country, in lgbo land for instance, people take pride in speaking their language even in our market the lgbo man takes pride in speaking his language to you.”

He said Governor Dickson made conscious efforts to arrest the development, insisting at many forums that language remains the most important identity of a people.

“Language gives us voice. It sustains our culture and tradition,” he said.

He added: “So, government today is doing all that is possible for people to acquire and speak our languages. We want to become fluent while speaking our languages and then work towards having one language for all Bayelsans; a common dialect.

“We are doing this beginning with our different dialects because we don’t want any dialect to die and also we don’t want anyone to feel oppressed or marginalised. Everyone’s languages will be there but there will be a general language.

“We are going to work on all the languages then have one general language. Parents are advised to always speak their languages to their children at home so that we will preserve our culture and tradition.

“For each dialect, we have several books that cut across Mathematics, English language and other forms of reading and we have indigenous people who did great works on this. In all, we have 43 different translated books in our language here for distribution.”

November 6, 2015
Okowa, Delta roads and government of ‘madmen’

At a time residents of urban cities in Delta State are contemplating whether to adopt canoe or camel as means of transportation due to the awful condition of roads in the state, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa dropped a bombshell on Sunday, October 11.

He told newsmen at the Olu Palace (Aghofen) in Warri, after paying a condolence visit to the Regent of Warri Kingdom, Prince Eroro Emiko, on the death of the 18th Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, that “only a mad man constructs roads in the rainy season, because you would just have destroyed the roads rather than repair it. In the dry season, we will attend to the roads.”

Some commentators see the statement as a veiled jibe at his predecessor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who governed the state from 2007 till May 29, this year. The cold war between the former associates and leaders of the PDP is an open secret.

A section of the debaters flayed the governor’s choice of words as unbecoming of his position as the highest political officeholder in the land.

There is no doubt that the condition of roads in the urban areas of the state, particularly in the commercial axis of Warri-Effurun, leaves much more to be desired from those who administered and are administering the affairs of the oil-rich state.

Roads in Warri and its environs have deteriorated to an unbearable level since Okowa took over the reign of government five months ago, and this probably led to the question that brought the ‘Madman’ analogy. The governor was seen as not only passing the bulk, but flaying his forerunner in office.

Recall that, in the dying days of the Uduaghan administration, a contract was awarded for the resurfacing of Airport Road, one of the busiest roads linking the twin cities of Effurun and Warri.

In a mad rush to complete the project, the contractor, a well-known politician in the state, worked in the rain and shine in those last weeks. The result of the desperate move was a new coat that did not cohere with the old, leading to its peeling off even as the new layer was being laid.

The effect, to rephrase Okowa, was the destruction of the road, rather than repairing it. It was not the first time such contract would be awarded, and like many before that, the road and its users have been worse off.

The Airport Road project is the first and the only road to receive the attention of the present administration in the Warri area. The contract awarded was not to repair the road, but to remove the new ‘surface’ that was debarking and making driving on the road a nightmare for motorists.

“It is a shame that what one government spent money to lay another is spending even more money to remove! This can only happen in a society where we are led by mad men,” an aged retired civil servant, who asked not to be named because of security reasons, lamented.

Equally sad is the fact that the contractor handling the scraping job has left the site with a large portion of the road undone, thereby making it worse off.

There is no respite anywhere for motorists and the rains bring even more hardship.

On a normal day and time, driving round the twin-cities–from Effurun Roundabout, through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Expressway, to Warri/Effurun/Sapele Road-should not take more than 30 minutes. But, in the present time, it could take up to three or four hours, depending on the time of the day, weather and other factors.

During a torrential downpour on Monday, it took over two hours to manoeuvre from the Ogunu, through the flyover bridge to Ajamimogha Road – a distance less than half a kilometre. Those going to Ubeji from the Ekpan axis of Effurun spent up to five hours through the less than five kilometre road.

The gridlock returned to the cities after another downpour on Tuesday and like the previous days, it not only affected those living in the cities, but also travellers passing through Efurun to Ughelli, Bayelsa communities and other towns in the region.

Mr Sunny Fole, a businessman who was taking his mother to the clinic in nearby Oghara, spent several hours at the Effurun Roundabout. But fortunately for him, the medical need was not urgent.

Okowa has promised a new dawn for residents of the area during the dry season. But residents of the areas are used to failed promises by their government officials and so residents have adopted a ‘wait-and-see’ stance.

November 6, 2015
Ayade has raised the bar of good governance, says Idem

Chief Victor Idem is the Managing Director, Felodem Group of Companies and Director-General, Team-Ben Political Organisation, one of the groups that worked for Prof. Ben Ayade’s emergence as governor of Cross River State. He spoke with NICHOLAS KALU in Calabar on the administration.

There have been mixed reactions from the public on Governor Ben Ayade’s performance since he assumed office as governor. Many feel he has not done so well. How will you rate the governor so far?

There may be areas they feel the governor has not looked into, but nobody can actually say he hasn’t performed since he assumed office. I can say emphatically at any level using Ayade’s 100 days in office as benchmark that no governor in Cross River State has done what he has done. In his first 100 days in office, he was able to take off his signature projects. If you go to Bakassi, the Calabar Seaport is currently ongoing, the design is complete, the site has been cleared and work is ongoing. If you go to the superhighway, more than 20km has been cleared, I am into construction, drawing a design of over 200km within three months means that the people were not sleeping, it takes a lot to design a road of that length, more than 200km superhighway, it takes more than three months, but he was able complete it within three months, that means he put the designers into terrible task, this achievement is not just limited to the design alone, he has moved into the site, clearing more than 20km, that is sincerely laudable. The garment factory is ongoing; salaries that have been a problem in the state for several months have been cleared and are currently paid before the end of each month. Another aspect is the crisis in the judiciary. Within 100 days in office, Ayade sorted out what has been hanging for over eight months; added with the load of challenges he is having running the state. What is happening is the grace of God upon the life of the governor. It is God that has given him the empowerment and wisdom. What the people have seen in his 100 days in office is just a tip of what is to come. We should leave politics and ethnicity and join hands with him to make Cross River State to attain a level of multi-national economy. Ayade has raised the benchmark of good governance in Cross River.

Team-Ben was a strong voice during the campaigns of Senator Ben Ayade. Now that the campaigns are over, what role are you playing?

For now, Team Ben is engaged in enlightening the populace about the people-friendly policies of the governor, his projects and his visions for the state. There are several negative forces that want to see the governor fail and who are sending negative signals to the populace. We are correcting that by the enlightenment of the public.

Some weeks ago, we had the state general meeting where our coordinators in all the local government areas were directed to start interacting with political groups, unions and members of the public; encouraging them to be patient. They were also enlightened on the governor’s achievements and policies.

We have printed the visions of the governor, his projects and the successes he has achieved. These have been distributed to our members, so that they can be better informed to enable them to inform the public.

We have also established another group that is liaising with churches to pray for the governor, because I notice that some of the problems people have against this administration, are not physical and you know spiritual things have to be attacked spiritually.

Team Ben is on the streets and in every neighbourhood across the state enlightening the public. We just moved from the verbal street enlightenment to the media. We know it’s very expensive but we are doing our best. We don’t want to keep quiet or fold our hands or go to the governor to solicit for funds. If we do that, we won’t be able to advise the governor properly when he goes wrong. We will go to the governor only when it’s advisory and necessary.

What is your projection about Where do you see Cross River State in the next four years under Senator Ayade?

In the next four years, Cross River State will be an outstanding one among other states of the federation. In the next four years, you will be hearing about Cross River State on international media. The state would have been positioned as a commercial centre. It’s not just hearing the governor talk about development; let his critics pray to God to open their eyes to see where the state will be in the next four years.

This is the first time Cross River State is having an intelligent, humble young man as governor. It is the first time the state is privileged to have a business man who is an employer of over 500 people still working under him. It is the first time Cross River State is having a man so liberal, who has an antecedent of helping the poor even before he became a Senator.

I urge residents of the state to drop all political and ethnic differences and support the governor. I know there will be a lot of distractions but I will say to the governor “stay focused”. The crown of leadership on him was divine and I know he will succeed.

November 6, 2015