The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Community to Delta Govt.: You’re shielding criminals, oil thieves

    Community to Delta Govt.: You’re shielding criminals, oil thieves

    It was a very dejected and nonplussed Chief Yangaboy Angalabiri that spoke with our reporter last weekend in Odimodi community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The over 90-year-old Amadiwei (traditional head) of the community was embattled; he was yet to fully recover from militants’ invasion of the community in the wee hours of August 31. Yet, another crisis is in the offing in his community. The old man, like most men his age, is battling a cocktail of ailments.

    “You have seen me; even if you do not know my age, you can know that I am a very old man. Yet, as old as I am, some people want to chase me out of my community and make me a stranger in a foreign land.

    “They are doing this because they have money, they have government and they know big men in the military. I don’t have money, I am standing on the path of truth,” he bewailed in a shaky voice.

    Odimodi has not known peace since the beginning of this year, or in a very long time. The community has risen against itself over the leadership of the community’s executive. There are allegations that a faction led by Preslyn Iyalagha is undermining the traditional institution and using wealth, influence and ties to the state government and security agencies to thwart the peace and orderliness of the oil-rich clan.

    Iyalagha is battling with the traditional institution over the establishment of a committee for the community.

    There seems to be no end in sight for the beleaguered community as the drums of wars seem to be sounding again. The threat to the peace this time around, is not from the camp of the militants who invaded the community on that long, fearful night of August, but the atmosphere is charged by a Delta State Government directive to security operatives to “invade” the community today, October 23 and install a new executive for the community, against the wish of the people, who have vowed to resist the move.

    A terse letter from Burutu Local Government Area, signed by the Secretary, Hon. Awisi Victor said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa directed the Local Government Area to oversee “the selection of a new caretaker committee to be headed by Ifiekorowei son by the Eluwe Congress of Odimodi community.”

    But those indigenous to the town are obstinate that the Eluwei (general) congress of the clan cannot be forced by a state government, which they also averred, lacked the powers to coerce them to install an executive when they have one that was legally constituted.

    n the wake of that directive, a gunboat of the JTF, carrying some exiled members of the community last week visited. It was learnt that the community accused those brought in and “their paymasters” of instigating the attack on the town, a suspicion which led to their banishment from the town.

    However, sources in Odimodi said the soldiers who brought them last week said they were directed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Burutai to resettle the duo and others.

    “Two of the military men were Israel Owowo and Chigozie Igbomba. We don’t know the interest of the army in escorting people who were chased out of the town over the August 31 invasion, during which at least five buildings were razed down. They attempted a ‘coup’ to overthrow the legitimate authority of the kingdom. The Amadiwei and dozens others were chased into the bush by gun-wielding gang, who laid siege to the town until they were overpowered by the JTF troops from Warri.

    “Now, in a strange twist, soldiers who came to rescue the village from the invasion have now been sent to force those who we believe are part of those terrorising the community, back to the town. What kind of thing is that?” an aggrieved member of the town told Niger Delta Report.

    Meanwhile, it was gathered that the latest development was the fallout of a peace move of the state government. In a meeting held on September 29; one month after the invasion, it was gathered that the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Festus Ovie Agas, who presided over the meeting, sued for peace among the brothers.

    Sources in the meeting said the SSG impressed upon the committee on the need to “let bygone be bygone”, in the interest of peace, but his demeanour was construed as a ploy to force those whose houses were burnt soft pedal on their quest for investigation and prosecution of the culprits.

    Community representatives, who ostensibly had gotten wind of the mindset of the SSG, went with their position paper, which they presented to him after he allegedly refused to allow them speak.

    The document marked “The Position of the Odimodi in Re: The Bombing and Burning of Houses and Holding the Entire Community Hostage with Explosives, Guns and other Dangerous Weapons…” said the attack by the Red Beret militant group, was financed by one of the protagonists.

    “The macabre dance leading to the bombing, burning down of houses and holding the entire community hostage is a classic case of ‘corruption fighting back’ because the Odimodi community has said no to the sole sponsor of the Red Beret.

    “We are constrained to make this point clearly because we do not want the state government to convert the acts of criminality against our community as a mere misunderstanding between two groups in the community.

    If they intended to tie the arm of the SSG from helping “his friends”, they failed.

    Agas, in a letter No.SC/T.6/Vol.78/191 of October, said after the meeting, it was resolved and agreed on by all parties that the executive committee set up by the community should be dissolved to pave the way for another selected by an Eluwe Congress under the supervision of the council chairman.

    The letter further directed that all pending court cases should be withdrawn and directed security agencies (JTF) to maintain surveillance until the return of total peace.

    In what the community leaders considered a veiled threat, the letter, signed by A.C. Abuah on behalf of the SSG, said: “… the security agencies have been directed to deal with anybody or group of persons who violates the above stated resolutions.”

    The leadership of the community swiftly met and strongly denounced the ‘Resolution’ and ‘agreement’ claimed by the Ovie Agas-led meeting.

    In a letter to the governor, signed by Apostle Monday Laide, Elder Anthony Pudie, Chief Godspower Omonime and Chief SMB Bibaikefie (JP), a copy of which was made available to Niger Delta Report, members of the Chiefs/Elders’ Council, Amadiwei-in-Council and various clan heads, accused the SSG of bending the truth.

    The letter stated: “The fact that such agreements were not reached is underscored by the threat to use the security agencies to ‘deal with anybody or group of persons who violates’ them. You will agree that if all parties had agreed …there would be no need for the threats contained in his letter or fears of violating the said resolutions reached with the SSG.”

    They accused the SSG of attempting to force a predetermined “unilateral and dictatorial resolution” down their throat in order to protect his perceived allies and cronies who are fingered for the crimes against the community.

    “The SSG is acting the script of the trio of the Chairman of Burutu LGA, a serving member of the Delta State House of Assembly and a one-time commissioner in the state. Two of the suspects who attacked, bombed ad burnt down our homes are currently political aides of the same trio.”

    Rather than the autonomous resolution, the community demanded that the persons arrested in connection with their town should be investigated and tried in the law court and punished, if found guilty.

    “The SSG is poised to shield these criminals who are cronies and without any moral sense appoint these same persons to run our community government. The SSG is simply adding salt to injury and this will be difficult to take by the Odimodi people.”

    Continuing, they hinted that the state government was not interested in getting justice for the aggrieved people of the area, but to shield their supporters and those who aided their elections.

    “The brazenness with which the supposed agents of government are not only trying to shield these criminals but also insisting on imposing these same characters as members of the executive of our community using the machinery of the government is why we are requesting you to stop and call for a thorough investigation.

    “The SSG has repeatedly mocked the Chairman of our community, Chief Elex Pukon, whose house was completely razed during the August 31 attack…. SSG told Chief Pukon that the story of the burning down of his house was a mere expression of ‘misplaced sentiments’.

    “Even when Ebikeme Clark confirmed to the SSG that Chief Pulkon lost all of his properties in the attack, SSG mockingly told Mr Clark to buy Chief Pukon some ‘Okrika (second-hand) clothes’ to wear.”

    Speaking with our reporter on the crisis in the clan, Chief Angalabiri explained that there was no leadership crisis in the community as the public is being made to believe, explaining that the problem stemmed from the activities of persons who wanted to impose themselves as leaders of the clan.

    “There is no leadership crisis in Odimodi; what we have is a situation where some criminal elements want to start the business of illegal bunkering and restart militancy. The traditional leadership of the town, chiefs, elders and leaders as well as youths and women have said no. That is why we are being attacked by these boys.”

    He lamented that, in spite of the havoc wreaked on the community, carnage, razing of buildings and general bedlam, the government and security agencies did not deem it fit to take sides with the community, but instead chose to support the alleged criminals.

    “Government rejected us and we are left in dejection because we thought the government is to support the upright and just. But we were mistaken as the government wants to come and impose an executive led by our traducers. They have refused to deal with the criminals,” he said.

    The nonagenarian expressed concerns that the action of the government and security agencies’ lackadaisical response to the issue of militancy, oil theft and arson attack on the community could escalate the tension in the town.

    He remarked that unless the state government develops the willpower to insulate criminality from party affiliation and affinity, there would be no headway in the effort to bring lasting peace to the town.

    He particularly cautioned that a situation where acts of criminality are treated as ‘family affair’ while victims are mocked and treated with disdain by government official creates the impression that a section of the society is above the law.

    “Two suspects were arrested. Those quizzed made revealing statements to security operatives. But pressure from government ensured that they were released unconditionally.

    “Because we have stood on the path of truth and insisted on justice, we are being threatened and labelled as fighting the government because some persons are close to people in the corridors of power in the state and Burutu council,” he added.

    Mr Ovie Agas, who answered our reporter’s call on Monday morning defended the government’s directive, saying: “We asked them to find an in-house settlement.”

    Further attempts to get clarification on the ‘in-house settlement’ he suggested were rebuffed, as he declined further telephone calls.

    At the time of filing this report, uneasy calm pervaded the community. Some of those who spoke with Niger Delta Report described the situation as calm before the Friday storm”.

     

  • 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.

     

     

  • Free health care for Delta communities

    Free health care for Delta communities

    The Nigerian Army has concluded a four-day free medical health care programme for beneficiaries in Ekpan and Effurun communities in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The Commander, 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Effurun Barracks, Lt. Col. Okon Bassey, said the programme was in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    While declaring the intervention exercise open at Ekpan Secondary School, Lt. Col. Bassey stated that the exercise was also in commemoration of Nigeria’s 55th Independence anniversary celebration.

    Noting the relative peace being enjoyed in Warri and its environs since his assumption of office, the Commander urged the communities to always co-operate with the Army and other security agencies by providing them with useful information when they notice any strange movement. He also called on the public to avail themselves of the free medical health care service.

    He further said that aside their primary duty of protecting the nation’s citizens, the Army, through the programme, shows it is humane. He pointed out that the Army has a Civil Affairs Department that relates with the people.

    “We are here to improve the relationship with the people. This is in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, which is to build a Nigerian Army that is professionally responsive in the discharge of its constitutional role.

    “We have mobile clinics that are meant for this kind of programmes. We do this to show that we also have human feelings. It is not all about carrying guns, but we have to carry guns because we have to keep peace. In Delta State, you can attest to the fact that there is relative peace. When you are sleeping, we are busy ensuring that you are safe.

    “We are bringing the free medical services to our communities in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff. In carrying out our constitutional role, which is to preserve the integrity of the nation, we also have to deal with the civilian populace in such a way that they will feel that we are actually here for them. It is not just about carrying guns. We also have a touch of humanity in us, and this is one of the ways to show it.

    “We are here in Ekpan and subsequently we are going to move to other communities as our resources can carry. This free medical service is meant for the women, the elderly and the children. The Chief of Army Staff has given us this directive so that the people will see that we are doing our jobs as professionals. We have professional personnel in the Nigerian Military who are doctors, laboratory scientists and a host of others.

    “So, once in a while, we come out not only to take care of the security issues, but also to take care of people’s personal issues ,” Lt. Col. Bassey said.

    Also speaking, the Principal of Ekpan Secondary School and one of the beneficiaries of the programme, Mrs. Otejiro Oru, described the development as commendable.

    “We want them to continue doing this because as you can see, the whole place is filled with people who are here because of one medical problem or the other.  This is an opportunity for me and others to see the doctor explain one or two things to him and also take some advice from him. Most time, we do not usually have the opportunity to see the doctor when we are not sick. So, I thank the Chief of Army Staff who brought this vision to fruition,” Mrs. Oru said.

  • Should men stay off wives’ breasts?

    An anonymous commentator once described the woman’s breast as “an irresistible, supple, succulent and saccharine piece of flesh with an equally alluring appeal to infants and old men.” He probably was expressing his view about the argument concerning who has right over the woman’s breast; the husband or the child? That was in the yesteryear.
    But, the issue resurrected penultimate week when . A fresh ‘war’ ensued between fathers and children over the right to a woman’s breast. An expert, Dr. Isaac Opurum, Director, Community Health Service, Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board had stirred the controversy by warning men, in fact, fathers to steer clear of the woman’s breast. This was during an awareness campaign on exclusive breastfeeding in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital . Many men had considered this seeming tall order to stay away from their wives’ breasts to enable babies the enjoy exclusive breast milk a controversial verdict. Does Dr Opurum have a point or do men have justifiable agitation against the order? PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA went to town to seek the opinions of men and women.

    Dr Oporum – men should stay away

     Dr Opurum is at the centre of the debate on whether or not men should have access to their wives’ breasts as their babies or leave same for the baby in order to have enough breast milk for healthy growth. In his submission, he had urged men to steer clear of their wives’ breast.

    Dr Opurum said: “Men are over enjoying their wives’ breast than the baby. I think it is time for men to steer clear of the breasts. They belong to the baby and not the man. If the mother must practice exclusive breastfeeding, the father must assist the wife by ensuring that the baby has exclusive access to the breast.”

    In our quest for answers to this humorous, but hot topic, our findings revealed that over 85 per cent of respondents said the breast belongs to the man and not the baby. Another school of thought postulated a middle course for husbands and babies to be given equal access to the breast.

    Mrs Ann Harry: “My husband has the right of first refusal. My view is that the man owns the breast not the baby. When a woman is breastfeeding, the baby can claim ownership of the breast, (But) after the breastfeeding period, the breast goes back to the husband until the woman conceives again. So, it’s only during breastfeeding that a child can lay claim to the breast. If not, the husband owns the breast.

    Comrade Lekia Isaac, a unionist: The breast belongs to the baby. The breast belongs to the child not the husband, but the husband plays with the breast in the process of love making. But the husband cannot claim right of ownership to the breast. Partly, the husband has right to the breast because the body of the woman belongs to him; but strictly, the breast belongs to the child because it is the breast milk that enables the child to grow. So, the man should steer clear of the wife’s breast.

    Nsikak Sunday Isaac, graphic printer:  Man should quit as soon as baby comes.

    The breast belongs to the child. When a man gets married, he has the right to make use of the wife as he wants. But once the baby comes, the breast belongs to the baby because he got married to the wife to raise children. During this period of breastfeeding, the man has to give the baby space for the baby to be well breastfed. This is because when you got married, you prayed for children to come. Now that you have gotten the children, why not allow the baby to enjoy the breast milk? When the baby has not arrived, the man has the full right to make use of the breast. But once the baby has arrived, the husband should allow the baby to enjoy the breast.

    Sheila Adamu, business woman: Both the man and the baby have exclusive access. I feel the breast belongs to both the husband and the child because before the child came, the husband was already there and he needs to enjoy everything the wife has. Then, when the baby comes, the baby can also enjoy its own share.

    For me, it is for both of them. Their access to the breast is 50-50. For instance, when you give birth, the baby will be there to suck the breast for at least one year and after that period, the husband will continue from where he stopped.

    Constance Goboye, spinster:  The man owns the breast. When you are not married, any man that comes your way owns the breast at that moment or period and when you later get married, your husband takes over. And before the child comes, the husband has exclusive access to the breast. But when the child comes, the baby will regain access to the breast.

    For me, when I give birth, my husband will step aside for a year. When I’m done with breastfeeding my baby, which is when he can touch the breast again.

    Progress Omubo: My husband and my baby can share the breast. My husband owns the breast because he paid for everything that belongs to me. But the baby has to suck the breast for the period of breastfeeding and after that my husband will continue. Don’t forget the baby belongs to him too. So, if he decides to suck when the baby is sucking the breast, it is not a sin. After all, he paid for everything.

    Mr. Innocent Amadi, a legal practitioner: The man owns the breast but the milk belongs to the baby. To my own understanding, As the Bible says in Proverbs 5:17-21, the breast is meant for the man not the child. But normally what happens these days is that when a woman puts to birth, they say because of family planning you should give the baby water before you start breastfeeding; not cow milk because cow milk is not good for humans, but breast milk is meant for humans. If you go to the hospital now they will tell you that you should not give the child water but during our own time, our mothers gave us water when we were born. I even gave my own children water when they were born. But medical consciousness has made it that people now listen to what the doctors say.

    To me, the breast belongs to the husband but the breast milk belongs to the child. It is believed that when you are breastfeeding, the milk belongs to the child; but when you stop breastfeeding, the breast belongs to the husband. The milk is used to cure some bacteria in the eyes and it is only a nursing mother that has that milk, but it is only the husband that is the rightful owner of the breast.

    Doris Lawson: Husbands should be considerate of the child. First of all, the man owns the breast and not the baby, but when the child comes, the man has to wait a little for the child to enjoy exclusive breastfeeding. Then when the child stops sucking the breast, then the man can take over his property. My advice is that the men should give the baby the chance to enjoy the period of breastfeeding to enable the child grow, especially during the friendly period or even up to a year before they will take back their breast.

     

  • Boosting Niger Delta economy through Calabar NIWA jetty

    Boosting Niger Delta economy through Calabar NIWA jetty

    Getting an investor to revamp the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) jetty in Calabar, Cross River State, when it collapsed in 2010 was taxing.

    Many thought getting a company with the capacity and technical know-how to handle a repair of that magnitude to take interest in the project seemed far-fetched.

    Hence, it was surprising when an indigenous company, Lilywhite Nigeria Limited, came on board to finance and reconstruct the collapsed jetty.

    The Federal Ministry of Transport adopted a public-private-participation (PPP) arrangement in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of build, operate and transfer which gave Lilywhite Nigeria Limited the opportunity to become the concessionaire of the platform.

    Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Ogbonna Martins, said the jetty has become a major lifeline to the economy of the state, the country and other countries on the West African Coast.

    He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for giving indigenous companies the opportunity to render professional services, as it will bring holistic and unprecedented growth as well as development to the country’s economy.

    According to Martins, it was a miracle of sorts to many because no one believed that an indigenous company had the capacity to carry out a project of such magnitude.

    He said the mainstay of the jetty, regulated by National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), is purely export of made-in-Nigeria products.

    He revealed that Lilywhite Nigeria Limited is a maritime transport service company well vested in the business of conveying people and goods from neighbouring African countries including Cameroun, Sao Tome and Principe, Equatorial Guinea; Gabon and so on to other places.

    Martins said operations at the jetty, which currently provides jobs for about 2, 000 Nigerians who are mainly from the Niger Delta region and Cross River State in particular, has, in no small way, contributed to the economic development of the country.

    According to the CEO, with the platform, a lot of people have jobs and violence in the area has reduced drastically because a lot of young people who could have been restive are now engaged doing something meaningful with their time and lives.

    “This is my greatest joy. I am happy when I see people, especially the youth, engage themselves by doing something meaningful with their time because I know what growing up was like for me and I have not forgotten how tough it was. So, I take delight in ensuring that I encourage these young people to be useful to themselves and the society.

    “The made-in-Nigeria products such as plastic materials ranging from tanks, buckets and many others that are shipped through that platform on a weekly basis is worth several millions of Naira and is boosting our economy, especially now that the country needs to do more export than import,” he said.

    Martins said the Nigeria plastic industry worth billions of Naira and still growing, will only expand faster when the products are exported.

    “Lillywhite has been making this possible over time and this has brought a lot direct foreign investment as other investors now come to Nigeria to establish such companies because of the viability of the market.

    “As the only indigenous maritime service company that covers the West African coast line, we want to ensure that made-in-Nigeria goods are exported to other countries. But our major goal is to promote made-in-Nigeria products by making sure they get to these places. By so doing, jobs will be created for the teeming unemployed youths across the region and beyond.

  • The coming of Okowa’s development agency

    The coming of Okowa’s development agency

    The recently-founded Delta State Capital Development Agency (DSCTDA), Asaba, which elicited controversy in some quarters in the state, is gradually coming to life.

    The frenzy of activities at the former campaign office of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, on Illah Road, Asaba, which now serves as the secretariat of the DSCTDA, the gentle noise of grass mowing machines and the increasing presence of street cleaners, with their black bin bags and lemon reflective vests, with the distinct insignia of the agency, on Asaba Roads, are pointers to this fact.

    An indigene of the state, Odogwu Stephen Nwokolo, who visited  the state capital recently, said: “The pleasing scent of freshly mowed grasses, the improving sanitation in Asaba, combined with that sense of a deliberate attempt of the current government to address both the physical and infrastructural stagnancy in the capital territory bring excitement to residents of Asaba.”

    The setting up of the agency was one of the first actions of Governor Okowa on assumption of office, perhaps in fulfilment of one of his campaign  promises which was to give the state capital a befitting new look.

    The agency was conceived to address the physical and environmental challenges in the state capital territory. The core objective of the agency, according to the Act establishing it is to “formulate policies and guidelines for the development of the State Capital Territory; conceive, plan and implement, in accordance with the set rules and regulations, projects and programmes for the sustainable development of the State Capital Territory;

    “And prepare a master plan and schemes designed to promote the physical development of the State Capital as well as tackle ecological and environmental problems”. The agency is also to attract and promote public and private investments towards these objectives.

    The governor has since appointed Chief Clement Ofuani, a Chartered Accountant and one time Commissioner for Economic Planning in the state, as the pioneer Director-General of the agency.

    According to the D-G, what we call the Asaba International Market Land has come under our focus. The government has decided that we should turn that place into a smart commercial city that has an economy and life; from leisure to playground, hotels, shopping malls, office complexes, residential quarters and luxury apartments that will be reminiscent of a modern city with reference to global standard.”

    Ofuani, described as a disciplined administrator and also public sector reforms advocate, was also a Senior Special Assistant on Policies to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, where he was credited to have played a key role in the formulation of the Amnesty Programme for the Niger Delta militants.

    This DSCTDA initiative of the Okowa administration, in spite of its positive objectives, has received hash criticisms from a few people among some ethnic groups in the state.

    In fact, such people had dismissed the initiative as “self-serving”, “clannish”, and “Anioma agenda”. Others from Warri area of the state had also raised concern over the development, alleging that the Okowa administration was trying to abandon the Warri Government House Annex built and operated since the tenure of former Governor James Ibori.

    For instance, a publication in The Reformer, a local news outlet in the state, authored by one Zik Gbemre, National Coordinator, Niger Delta Peace Coalition (NDPC), entitled: “Delta State Capital Development Bill – A Good Example of Okowa’s Anioma Agenda”, stated “the only explanation we can deduce out of this is the fact that Governor Okowa clearly came with an “Anioma Agenda” in mind which is also aimed at satisfying his self-centred interests and that of his kinsmen, cronies and political friends…

    “What is even more worrisome is the question of where will Governor Okowa get the funding to actualise his ambitions in the said Asaba Capital Territory Agency Development Bill? Is Governor Okowa going to use the funds coming from Delta South and Delta Central (where the oil and gas-producing areas are more), to actualise his ambitions in the said bill? These are questions we would like Governor Okowa to provide answers for.

    “We strongly declare that Governor Okowa should not touch a penny or dime coming from Delta South and Delta Central areas to fund and actualise his obvious “Anioma Agenda” that is disguised in the said Asaba Capital Territory Agency Development Bill. Governor Okowa should not use the revenue coming from Delta South and Central to fund a bill that does not concern them.”

    However, many have argued that the development of a state capital should be the concern of all the citizens of the state as the capital belongs to all.

    Efe Ekundayo, a lawyer and development consultant, said: “There is actually no bases for the protestations of these people because Delta State belongs to all Deltans irrespective of the different senatorial zones. Also the revenues, liabilities and infrastructure in the state should also, according to law and common sense, belong to the whole state and its people. The truth is that people from the capital territory suffer the resultant effects of development as most of the time their lands are taken over by government.”

    Governor Okowa had also, in a statement by Jackson Ekwugum, Manager Communications, Government House, re-assured the aggrieved people that the new agency is without prejudice to the functions of the Government House Annex in Warri or the status of Warri as the commercial nerve centre of the state.

    The governor likened the DSCTDA to the FCDA, Abuja, which is saddled with the development of the Federal Capital Territory, while the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory handles administrative aspect. He added that the initiative is consistent with the attempt by governments all over the world to create strategic intervention agencies to tackle urgent economic or developmental requirements.

    However, the D-G of the new agency, Ofuani and his team, have not allowed this controversy to slow them down in trying to chart a roadmap for the agency. Pioneer members of staff have been redeployed to the agency from relevant ministries and agencies, while several studies are ongoing.

    In terms of environmental sanitation, Ofuani said: “We are doing a lot of work on that also; we are trying to understand, in exactitude, where the real challenge lies as well as how the agency can re-activate the existing processes to make them work effectively so that our city can wear a clean look and that garbage do not dot everywhere but are effectively disposed off.

    “We are also carrying out studies to determine how the functionalities and activities at the Ogbeogonogo corridor can be changed so as to ensure freer flow of traffic and the overall sanitation of the area so that the flow of business will be improved.

    “So, we are doing a thorough study of the Ogbeogonogo Market to determine an effective way of carrying out urban regeneration there. The study that will address the challenges of flooding is also ongoing.”

     

  • One more loss

    Port Harcourt: Present day

    I opened the newspaper and the first headline that screamed at me was: “Senators set for battle over Ihceama”. It was the lead of The Country. The main actor of the story was a good friend of mine. We were close and did so many things together. All that ended as soon as I became a minister. I changed my boss and soon had to change loyalty too. My old boss and the immediate past one quarreled soon after I changed job.

    Madam, my immediate past boss’s wife, was not happy with my old boss. I found myself in a deep blue sea and pitched my tent with my immediate past boss. Call it the game of survival and I had no qualms with that.

    Reading through the story about the dilemma the whole Senate was thrown into over Ihceama, my old boss, made my heart skip. The whole drama was orchestrated by me and was I regretting it? Not really. The petition, the White Paper and other things that made his journey to becoming a minister difficult were all games; of course championed by me.

    He was mean to me at some point; so, I saw nothing wrong in being mean to him too. He was always describing me as corrupt and not refined. He even called me a thug and said I was the commander of the cultists and other bad elements around. He was really mean to me and I had no choice but to give it back to him.

    As I thought through how our relationship went from sweet to sour, the sun peeped in announcing its presence.

    The time was 8:00 a.m. and I was not prepared to go to the office yet; an office I was not sure of not being kicked out of soon.

    My daughter soon walked into the living room where I was reading The Country. We exchanged pleasantries. In no time, she grabbed a novel she had read part of the day before and continued reading. I looked at her and wondered if she was proud of me.

    My mind soon wandered away. With mixed feeling, I floated to the past letting the present take care of itself.

    *********************

    Accra, Ghana: 2007

    The breeze from the poolside of the Labadi Royal Beach that Saturday afternoon was refreshing. There were ladies in different levels of nakedness. Many of them were white who had come to enjoy the sun in mother Africa. The sun was good for tanning.

    I noticed a couple at a corner. Their countenance showed they were not having it good. Perhaps, they were in the beach hotel to see if they could work things out. They reminded me of a film about a couple who returned to the hotel where they met as a way of bringing back the spark. Were they here for the same reason? I had no way of knowing.

    I had just come into Accra to meet Ihceama, a man I believed so much in and was pushing his quest to become governor with all of my heart. He was hibernating in Accra to escape possible attempt on his life. We did not want to give anything to chance while we were in court trying to straighten the ‘k-leg’ that stalled his mission to the Government House.

    It was one of my frequent visits to Accra to brief him on happenings back home. Sitting on a camp bed beside me was Ihceama. After hours of debriefing in the room, we decided to come and savour the breeze by the poolside.

    “Your leadership quality is amazing and it remains the reason I am with you and will remain with you. It matters not that we are age mates; but you are height above many of us when it comes to leadership qualities. You are just amazing and will come out victorious at the Supreme Court,” I told Ihceama.

    The usual humble man that he was, he simply said: “Thank you, thank you.”

    I was quick to add: “I am not saying this because you are here. No, I say this because I believe it, because I have seen you demonstrate leadership qualities I may never be able to demonstrate. I have tried to emulate you, but I have given up because I am simply not built that way. So, to make up for my shortcomings, I will stay around you to give me direction.”

    *********************

    Port Harcourt: Present day

    My daughter soon brought me back to the present when she called my attention to the live transmission of the screening of Ihceama on the television.

    At last, my efforts to stop it had failed. As I was trying to make sense out of my failure this time around, Ihceama’s voice boomed in my ears.

    “The President of the Senate, distinguished senators, I stand here before you with all sense of responsibility to tell you that I am not the man Ekiw is painting me to be. I certainly am not that and he knows. He is just playing politics, dirty politics, and the sort that should be consigned to the dustbin of history.

    “I am a man who believes in the rule of law and that explains why I am always in and out of the courts. Let him allow the court to indict me and I will accept that. But indicting me through the backdoor is not the type I will just accept.

    “As governor, I never fixed contract prices. It was an institutional process. I didn’t award contracts because there was a tenders’ board in place. They did market survey to get the price benchmark for these things. There was a process and we had consultants who checked these things periodically.

    “I am not saying mistakes could not have been made. But, there was no deliberate attempt to shortchange our state as being insinuated. I will be the first to stand with the governor to correct mistakes if discovered. But I repeat, I did nothing to shortchange our people. I am not someone who is interested in rat race. I never was and will never be.”

    I found myself muting the volume of the television at a point. My daughter, who had, by then abandoned the novel she was reading, looked at me and smiled; the sort that suggested she felt I was uncomfortable with Ihceama’s line of thought.

    She soon walked out of the living room without saying a word. I guessed she was retiring to her room to go and continue listening to Ihceama’s submissions before the Senate.

    Seeing him on television irritated me. As he spoke, my mind evoked a vision: I saw fire take over the green chamber, with people running helter and skelter. Some succeeded in getting out but Ihceama was consumed.

    *********************

    Of course, there was no fire in the green chamber and Ihceama was confirmed a minister. I soon switched off the television and found myself wondering why this man always found his way out of tough situations. His confirmation whether I continued to deny it in the public or not, was a setback for me. It had added salt to my injury, especially with the tribunal set to rule on the petition against my election.

    I thought of forgiveness on both parts and moving on, but the situation was so bad and we had both gone too far to call a truce. Things were really so bad, and in my view beyond repair because of several under-currents. But in view of the saying that when you go after someone always and he keeps getting out unscathed, then beat a retreat, reconciliation would have been the best thing. But how?

    I had no answer. So, I smiled, looked up as if expecting God to provide an answer. I got none and simply walked out of the living room, headed to the office and hoping my political end was not here. I was prepared to give it everything it required to ensure there would be no more loss.

     

  • Army’s free medical scheme excites Akwa-Ibom community

    Army’s free medical scheme excites Akwa-Ibom community

    Personnel of the 6th Battalion, through its medical unit have held a medical outreach in Ibagwa, Akwa-Ibom State the battalion’s host community as part of their efforts to improve residents’ well-being and also enhance civilian/military relationship.

    The battalion’s Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Ahmed Ibrahim Getso said the objective of the health enlightenment programme was to bring quality health care to the people and also to cement the existing cordial relationship between the host community and the military which has become part of the community.

    Another objective of the outreach, according to Getso, is to provide medical tests so that people will be diagnosed of health cases and then seek early medical attention to avoid complications.

    “The medical assistance to the host community has been on for some time now. The people come to the medical centre in the Barracks and our doctors diagnose them free. They are also given free and less-costly drugs. We have a drug revolving scheme which enables the community to get drugs at very cheap rate. This time, we decided to provide medical assistance for the wider community,” he said.

    The outreach with the theme “Awareness of Some Killer Diseases in our Community,” consisted of two parts. While the first part was about lectures on some killer diseases, mode of contact, transmission and cure, the second part covered conducting series of medical tests and dispensing of drugs, mosquito nets and follow-up care. The outreach took place at the Annang People’s School, Ibagwa, opposite the battalion.

    Military doctors, pharmacists and nurses lectured the people on hypertension, diabetes mellitus, HIV/AIDS, peptic ulcer, malaria, general health, education and family planning.

    Doctors Martins, Julius and Ogunnaike handled lectures on hypertension and diabetes, HIV/AIDS and peptic ulcer while Pharmacist Aliyu Adam Abdullahi lectured the people on malaria. Warrant Officer Grace Eshiet and Chief Nursing Officer Ekaette Ekwere handled lectures on general health education and family planning, respectively.

    The Coordinator of the medical outreach, Lt. Olayemi David Ilori advised the people to take the lectures and the screening seriously so as to be free from diseases. He revealed that contrary to most local beliefs, most deaths that occur in the communities are not caused by witches and wizards but by lack of proper medical information and access to Medicare.

    Dr. Julius stressed the need for the people to seek proper and timely medical assistance whenever any health issues arise. He noted that most killer diseases could be avoided if detected early and treated on time.

    Pharmacist Aliyu noted that the effects of malaria could be devastating, adding that from current statistics, three persons die every minute from the disease in Africa. He emphasised the need for the beneficiaries to keep their surroundings clean so as to avoid stagnant water where mosquitoes which cause the disease breed.

    On how to know when they have come down on malarial attack, the Pharmacist said malaria symptoms include intermittent fever. Other symptoms are body pains, bitter taste in the mouth and severe headaches. He said it is particularly dangerous for pregnant women. He advised them to make adequate use of the mosquito nets provided for them, even as they were advised to register for ante-natal programmes in any good health care facility from two months of pregnancy.

    He also urged them to stop buying drugs from chemists; rather, they should visit a health facility.

    Dr Julius, who handled the lecture on HIV and AIDS revealed that available reports show that 3.1 per cent of Nigeria’s population is infected and that Nigeria now ranks second in Africa in terms of prevalence.

    He disclosed that, contrary to local beliefs, the killer disease is not caused by witches or bad habit but by exchange of blood or other body fluids between an infected person and one that is not.

    On how to avoid contacting the deadly virus, he advised them to stick to one sexual partner or make use of condoms and always insist that new or sterilised equipment are used before injections are administered on them.

    “If by chance you get it, don’t be ashamed, see the doctor and he will guide you and you will live well. If you don’t, the virus will destroy your body defence system,” he said.

    On hypertension, Dr Julius advised them on diet, regular exercise, better lifestyle and regular check-ups.

    Dr Martins said there is no known cure for hepatitis which comes through the same manner as HIV. He advised the people to undergo medical tests frequently and adhere strictly to medical advice.

    Dr Ogunnaike counselled them on the causes and cure of ulcer. He advised them against consumption of foods are capable of causing the disease; avoid smoking, alcohol consumption and self medication, among others.

    The people were also reminded of the need to maintain high degree of personal hygiene.

    The people were tested for hepatitis and others and drugs administered on them.

    Reacting, 59-year-old Madam Margaret Edet said they were surprised at the tenderness shown by the military personnel to the people. She said sometimes some people die as a result of diseases that ordinarily would have been cured, blaming the situation on poverty.

    “We are sick but we cannot help ourselves. Sometimes when we are sick, we only go with N50 to the chemist to buy whatever drugs that we can get. Most of us are old; some of us don’t have children,” she said.

    She appealed to both President Muhammad Buhari and Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa-Ibom State to consider establishing hospital for the elderly in the localities. This, she said, will help preserve their lives.

    Chief Friday Isaiah, a retired teacher and one of the beneficiaries said the community appreciates what the soldiers were doing for them.

    “The military is known for fighting wars but here they are testing and fighting diseases in the bodies of the people of their host community. It is good because it is going to make the host community free from the killer diseases,” he said, adding that if the host community is sick, it may affect the soldiers also because they are now members of the same community.

     

     

     

  • 2016: Edo central demands governorship slot

    As preparations for the 2016 governorship election in Edo State gathers steam, sons and daughters of Esan land in the Central Senatorial District have stepped up agitation for power shift to the district.

    To this end, all sons and daughters of the Esan ethnic nationality that make up Edo Central Senatorial District in and outside the state have been called upon to come together and speak with one voice towards the realisation of the dream.

    The senatorial district, made up of five local government areas in a press briefing organised by the Esan Journalists Forum (EJF) in Benin City, declared that for the area to move forward, all hands must be on deck. This was after a meeting with the traditional rulers from Esan land.

    Speaking at the briefing, the National President of EJF, Timothy Okojie-Ave, said the area is conscious and “conversant with the political sophistication and contributions of Esan people, who are hardworking, lovers of peaceful co-existence and very rich in culture and tradition and committed to the development of the country.”

    Okojie-Ave pointed out that, a planned two-day summit with the theme: “The Future of Esan Nation, Reasons to be Hopeful,” scheduled to hold before the end of this year, aims at emphasising the need for all stakeholders in the state to follow the route of justice and fair play and allow the zone to produce the next governor of the state.

    He said: “Our people are indeed worried about various developments we see in Esan land and we really do not see much change in the area of development. As a matter of fact, we are worried that areas that we see developments in the past, today, we tend to see retrogression which gives us reason to be really concerned.”

    The body recalled that “it was one of our illustrious fathers, a bona fide son of Esan land, Chief Anthony Enahoro who moved the much-celebrated motion for Nigeria’s independence which brought Nigeria out of the shackles of dependence and servitude.”

    According to members of the EJF, the summit aims at making a clarion call on all sons and daughters of Esan land for a collaborative, co-operative and supportive disposition to Esan agenda, recognising, however, that “for the development that we seek to come quickly, the easiest way is to ensure that we all come together to say with one voice that the time has come for political power in Edo State to shift to Esan land, by allowing the zone to produce the next governor of Edo State.

    “Indeed, this is our right, because having seen Edo South produce a governor in this dispensation that served his two terms of four years and now North is about to round off its second term of four years, it is only imperative that the third part of the tripod, which is Edo Central be allowed to produce the next governor.

    “Because we have no other land we can lay claim to as our own other than Esan land, we are concerned and believe that something must be done, if indeed Esan must move forward from its present sorry state.

    “This realisation has set us into serious thinking about how to move Esan land forward and we came to the conclusion that if indeed Esan land must really develop, all hands must be on deck to pursue Esan agenda.” they said.

    They further argued that “in taking this position, we are conscious of the fact that even though other governors have tried in their own way to do one or two things in Esan land, none can be compared to what happened when our son, Prof. Ambrose Alli was in power, because nobody can love you more than you love yourself.”

  • Nigerian firm manufactures largest dredging machine

    Nigerian firm manufactures largest dredging machine

    Acquisition of effective and durable dredging machine could only be achieved by importation. This was the belief until Nwakama Dredge Nigeria Limited; a local fabrication company based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, recently undertook a one-day public inspection of 18-feet Cutter Suction Dredger it designed and constructed.

    Following the wide publicity given to the inspection exercise, members of the Port Harcourt branch of Institution of Mechanical Engineers, led by their President, Chief A.C. Uchime paid a technical/facility visit to the construction yard of Nwakama Dredge Nigeria Limited at Oyibo Local Government Area to see things for themselves.

    The visitors, who took time to inspect the dredger machine under construction among other departments in the firm to ascertain whether or not it has what it takes to meet the required condition, including safety standard to handle such huge and complicated heavy duty equipment, expressed satisfaction with the work, describing it as amazing.

    The machine being constructed has the capacity to hold 33,000 litres of diesel, crew living room with amenities, crew kitchen, water closet, spud pillars, radio communication system and vessel tracking system. The ladder length of the dredger is 22 metres.

    The inspectors were sufficiently impressed, even as they marveled that the company had gone this far without any form of government or bank assistance

    Uchime said: “I am highly impressed with what I have seen. This dredger involves a lot of mechanical engineering works.

    “There is clear case of adoption of first principles which guarantee the laying of sound foundation.”

    Also speaking the Public Relations Officer (PRO), of the Institute, Mr. Michael Jarikre urged the company to promptly identify with the Nigeria Local Content Development and Monitoring Board for the needed support.

    He expressed joy that a Nigerian company could embark on designing and construction of dredgers of this magnitude that hitherto were imported.

    He remarked that the technical/facility tour was expository, having learnt a lot.

    After the inspection, the Managing Director of the firm, Elderd Nwakama Onwuzuruigbo fielded questions from the visitors and reporters.

     

    Excerpts:

     

    Funding is crucial to Nwakama Dredge activities. How do you raise finance for your projects? Do Nigerian banks offer you facilities with fair interest?

     

    The banks have not been useful in the area of granting us funds. We have made every effort over the years. Surprisingly, the same bank that receives payments from our customers is not interested in funding the same enterprise that makes the money it is banking.

    We have resolved to approach the Bank of Industry (BoI). We hope it works out well. Dredgers are highly capital-intensive. We save the nation huge foreign exchange by providing efficient and durable dredgers that would have hitherto been imported, thereby protecting the value of the Naira. At the moment, we only entertain cash-backed orders.

    What is unique about your dredgers that would people make people prefer yours to others produced locally and internationally?

     

    Our dredgers are unique because we have employed engineering customisation to give our dredgers the needed edge over other dredgers.

     

    Why buy from us?

     

    You will have the opportunity of deciding what length of ladder that would best suit your environment. Most rivers close to urban centres have been well-deepened due to dredging activities. You need a long ladder dredging machine to operate in such terrains. This is where our equipment has competitive advantage over others. While imported dredgers are struggling to get sand, owners of our dredgers are smiling to the bank.

    You will have the opportunity of having the equipment powered by an engine, pump and other accessories from reputable OEMs that guarantee long life span.

    You will have the strategic advantage of enjoying the best after-sales-service from the same company that designed, constructed and assembled the dredge machine. This backup guarantees optimal production and particularly allows for transfer of technical know-how to your dredge crew.

    You will have the advantage of acquiring a reliable business asset at a cost-competitive rate that saves you fortune. Your return on investment (ROI) increases tremendously.

    You will enjoy a six-month free technical services package.

    You will have the assurance of money-back guaranty should the equipment fail to meet your expectations.

    Again, our dredgers are unique because we deliberately avoid highly electro-technical components and make use of simple electrical and hydraulic systems that don’t pose many challenges to dredge technical crews. We keep it simple and efficient. You don’t need software to troubleshoot our dredgers at the moment. When our environment gets to that, we will promptly deploy such technology.

    In appreciation of the uniqueness of our dredgers, we applied and got a trademark name for our dredgers, which is DGO DREDGERS. Currently, we are undergoing SON e-product certification of our dredgers.

     

    What are the core challenges of building dredgers in Nigeria and how are you tackling them?

     

    The core challenges we face as dredge builders are finance, finance and finance. In our own case, we have the technical ability to design and construct highly efficient dredgers that can compete favourably with world dredge brands. The only challenge we have been having is access to funds to make our dredgers available to buyers when they are needed.

    Timely project delivery is one of our revered values. However, we are currently behind schedule in the delivery of the novel 18″ /16″ CS Dredger principally due to persistent rainfall. Our welding area is out door and this has exposed us to the vagaries of weather.

    This is one of the challenges to address with adequate funding. Notwithstanding, the Dredger is about to be sandblasted in preparation for anti-corrosion treatment and then painting. We are using President Paints which have proved to be very good. The paints are proudly made in Nigeria.

     

    What can government do to help boost your trade?

     

    We need access to funds to improve our production capacity. We will soon seek audience with the Managing Director Bank of Industry, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa. The present management of BOI as led by the MD is really playing a very crucial and catalytic role of transforming Nigeria’s industrial sector.

    Again, our economy will keep getting better if all the relevant agencies would give heed to President Buhari’s exhortation to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abdulkadir Musa, and other senior officials that “we will no longer allow our markets to be flooded with things we can produce ourselves. We must believe in our system. Whenever you need my intervention at any time, please come to me”.

    Thankfully, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), led by its Executive Secretary, Mr. Denzil Kentebe has been tremendously supporting every initiative geared towards developing Nigeria’s local content.”