The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Anxieties in Bayelsa over N10bn Okoroba-Opume NDDC road project

    Anxieties in Bayelsa over N10bn Okoroba-Opume NDDC road project

    There has been hue and cry in Bayelsa State over a road project designed to connect Opume and Okoroba communities in Ogbia Local Government Area, of the state.

    The project was awarded to a Bayelsa-based road construction giant in two phases by the by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2012. The 9.7km road which is supposed to criss-cross swamps, mangroves, rivulets and other water channels was valued at N10billion.

    But the construction of the road has been going on in snail-paced with people accusing the company of abandoning the project. Even the people of Okoroba community in Nembe Local Government Area, last year protested the development alleging that the firm abandoned the project for lack of sand and inability to pay compensation.

    Niger Delta Report visited the project site to verify the extent of work done by the company. It was discovered that the project has not been abandoned as alleged. Work was ongoing and a section of the road had been completed.

    The company formerly known as Mangrovetech said some persons were sponsored to carry out a campaign of calumny against its projects in Ogbia Kingdom. It said it mobilised to the site of the Okoroba road project since July 2012.

    The firm said since it started work at the site, it had done 100 per cent clearing and cutting of trees along the road corridors with 9.6km total length done with the earthworks which involved dredging and haulage of sand to over 2km.

    But the Brand Manager of the company, Mr. Austine Ekeinde, further explained the challenges facing the firm. He named the deficiencies inherent in the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME) handed to the company by the NDDC as one of the challenges.

    “The road contract was awarded to us without any applicable engineering design and drawings. It was so bad that at award the coordinates point of the road fell into Opume burial ground. This meant that we ought not to have commenced the road at all until NDDC gave the right coordinates”, he said.

    Also, he said the BEME handed over to the company for the project was also inappropriate for the road. For instance, he said the bill did not provide the use of sand for filling, but instead laterite.

    “It did not also provide for sand-cement stabilization as sub-base. As Ogbia people we knew that building the road like that is an invitation to a failed road. We insisted and impressed upon NDDC to permit us use sand instead and also stabilize it with sand-cement.

    “Even at the moment, no official permission has been granted for the sand-cement stabilization. But we have gone ahead to do it because that is the right thing to do”, he said.

    Ekeide maintained that Kakata Ce inspite of the challenges had done the clearing and cutting down of trees along the road corridors; attained 100% of the 9.6km total length; did the earthworks involving dredging and haulage of sand to over 2km and stabilised sand-cement and stone-base in nearly 2km.

    He said: “There was also no provision made for haulage of sand outside the road corridors. It is the normal practice that where a road project is awarded and there are no materials in the immediate vicinity, provision is made for transportation from external locations.

    “ In the Okoroba case, there is no sand in the area of Okoroba and hence we had to haul sand from a distance, in some instances, from as far as Onuebum. Again because we are Ogbia people we have hauled the sand without complaint and at great losses to us.

    “Again at the award of the road, we were required to construct a 6m width road. This we objected because it would have made the road very narrow, like a location or internal communal road.

    “We progressed to increase the road width to 12.8m without prior approval. All these observations and shortcomings were challenges which were strong grounds not to commence the road at all.

    “We severally intimated the client through letters and direct meetings but action has been delayed because of the internal workings of the client system. It should be noted that this is not peculiar to Okoroba.

    “We should also note that the Okoroba road is by no means a priority to the NDDC. As at today, no Final Engineering Design has been approved and handed over to us to guide us in the construction of that road, and so we had to stand it down until that is done.

    “We cannot proceed beyond the point we have reached without proper and adequate engineering design as this may jeopardize the spirit of the project. We are not a charitable organisation and at the moment we have made more than enough unappreciated sacrifices for the Okoroba people already”.

    On the sand dredging difficulty faced by the company, Ekeinde said the company spent N17million for sand search along the Opume/Okoroba forest.

    “Assurance was given that there was sand on some spots which we leased from Opume as borrow pit. We moved one of our river-going dredgers to the location to mine. But we were disappointed as no sand came out after about two months wasteful dredging.

    “We had to move our dredger out all over again at great cost. You can be rest assured that no other company could have done this for anybody, if not from Ogbia people to Ogbia people.

    “We are sure that you also saw a pilling rig together with several casings and rebars on the road at a time. Those machines and the materials were meant to be used for the pilling of the two proposed bridges on the road.

    “We were ready to commence pilling and build the bridges out of patriotism. But we were requested to hold on until a final design is agreed. Now it appears all those materials will be wasted”, he said.

  • Excitement as Navy takes free health service to Cross River community

    Excitement as Navy takes free health service to Cross River community

    The Okurike community and environs of Agwuagwune in Biase local government of Cross River State were excited to benefit from the free medical treatment organized by the Eastern Naval Command of the Nigeria Navy under its Medical Rhapsody package which is part of activities to mark the Navy’s 59th anniversary.

    The free medical outreach featured free eye screening, free eyeglasses, malaria treatment, blood pressure check, de-worming among others.

    • TheFOC, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola administering drugs
    • TheFOC, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola administering drugs

    Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Henry Babalola said the gesture was in line with the Navy’s Corporate Social Responsibility and a deliberate effort to promote the Nigeria Navy as well as sell it to the communities.

    He said, “This is our way of reaching out to communities in the hinter lands and we choose Okurike so as to reach the real people who need this treatment and at the same time introduce the Navy to as many young men and women in the area as well as spur them those who may like to join.

    Babalola hoped that the exercise will be able to impact so many lives because there are a lot of people who need the free service we are rendering today we pray we get to them all.

    Traditional ruler of Biase, HRM Onun (Apostle) Nicholas Odum described the Navy’s magnanimity as unprecedented and uncommon because they have not witnessed such in a long while.

    According to the monarch, “We have had some organization in the past offer my people free healthcare services but not in this magnitude there is nothing more important than being healthy because health is greater than wealth.

    “A lot of people here are just farmers and fishermen who live on meagre income from their produce. This gesture to the people in my domain by the Nigeria Navy has saved a lot of lives and money too. We as a people are indeed grateful that they choose Biase and especially Okurike. I am using this opportunity to call on other organization and well spirited Nigerians to emulate this display of empathy.”

    One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Ukana Oqua said, “The last time I saw anything close to this was when the Presbyterian Church carried out a similar programme in 2012. Most of the people you see here find it difficult going to hospital not because they don’t want go for treatment when they are sick but they really don’t have the money”.

    “Many will be saved because of this exercise. A lot have also died due to neglect of minor cases like malaria some have gone blind because they could not afford to get medical attention on time and for lack of funds too but with what the Navy has done I am sure a lot of lives will be impacted.”

    Mrs. Florence Ajah, 75-year old, said she had been suffering from an eye problem for more than five years and has been contemplating her visit to the hospital because of the financial implication and proximity.

    She said, “They treated and gave me free medicated glass and even asked me to come to Calabar whenever I can that they will still attend to me for free. It is amazing, I am so happy they remembered us today. If I went to the hospital I know I may not be able to afford it but I am really glad to came into our domain. I am going back to call two of my friends in their house who are also having issues with their eyes to come to the venue because its totally free.

    “They brought it to my door steps. What more can I ask for? Moving from here to Calabar or anywhere else was a very difficult thing for me to do but the Navy have put a smile on my face.”

    Councilor representing the ward, Mr Ukong Atu, who described Nigeria Navy’s magnanimity as one that touched impacted on many lives.

    Atu said, “I am also very sure that the drugs and other materials they brought to administer on our people will be completely exhausted because there are so many people in my area who need minor medical attention but have not been able to access it because of finance and the distance too. We are glad they thought it wise to enter our place because the terrain is a bit difficult.”

  • Pipeline surveillance contract a jamboree

    Pipeline surveillance contract a jamboree

    What is the strength of the NCNDE-A and what major effort  have you made in the past to sustain peace in that region? 

    The membership of NCNDE-A spreads across the Niger Delta region and I have leadership control over them. Numerically, we are more than 5000 ex-militants in the group and are all card carrying members of the APC. I was that man who in a joint effort with the Federal Government through the late National Security Adviser, NSA, General Owoye Azazi, mopped up small arms from those militants who weren’t willing to surrender their arms after the demise of the late President Umar Yar’Adua. I had informed the late NSA of the dangers of the preponderance of small and medium arms in the region and the unwillingness of a section of the militants to surrender their arms to FG in the amnesty program. He immediately ordered the ýJTF, to reach and work with me. We swung into action as soon as the Commander of the JTF got across to me. I took them to all the camps in the creeks right inside their armouries and recovered large cache of arms and ammunitions. The FG was pleased with my honest efforts at ensuring peace in the region. As a result of this, I became enemy at that time to some categories of militants who saw me as working against their narrow interests but today, they know better.

    What challenges did you face as a champion of the APC and election bid of the president-elect?

    I face countless challenges in the hands of the enemies of true and positive change before, during and after the elections. Prior to the coalition’s declaration for Buhari in the region, a meeting was held at behest of the Governor of Bayelsa state in the Government House, Yenagoa with senior officials of Jonathan administration present including Kingsley Kuku. The purport of the meeting was to tell all ex-militants to return to the creeks preparatory for war should Buhari win the election. I took serious exemption to that order for two reasons. Gen Buhari and APC are my candidate and political party respectively. Secondly, the benefits of the amnesty program were reaped by the ijaw nation alone, making anyone from any other tribe stupid in his support for the ijaw course. I stood in strong objection and I was bullied out of the meeting and not without serious threats.

    After that, NCNDE-A adopted in a rally, Gen Buhari and the APC. Funds were voted and our men were deployed to the villages. At that point I was already in serious danger occasioned by morbid threats from the PDP apologists in the gab of ex-militants peopled only by those of Ijaw extraction who see the Nigerian presidency as their birthright.

    I was on several occasions hounded into detention in Abuja on the ‘order from above’ and physical attacks from the desperados. All they say, is now history. We thank God for being celebrants today or else, I would have being on the run now or killed if Dr Jonathan had been re-elected.

    What’s your take on the pipeline surveillance contract of the Federal Government as it concerns security of oil facilities in the Delta?

    The pipeline surveillance contracts was a jamboree embarked upon by the Jonathan administration to empower militias in the region and beyond for possible anarchy which his plan then should he lose the election. It wasn’t for the good of the nation but self-serving. The new government should cancel those surveillance contracts, re-award them evenly to oil facility bearing communities and not to just one tribe as in the case of the Niger Delta or a common miscreant as in the case of Gani Adams, of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC.

  • Ijaw leaders set post-Jonathan agenda

    Ijaw  leaders have met at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to set agenda beyond the exit of their kinsman, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, from the Presidency.

    More than 1,500 Ijaw men, women and youths drawn from 78 clans, traditional institutions, professional and socio-political bodies, among others gathered under the auspices of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to decide on their future beyond May 29.

    The event, which was co-hosted by the Bayelsa State Government, was chaired by His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, first Military Governor of Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon Brass. The Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark was represented by the first civilian Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alameiseigha.

    Also, Prof. Ebiegberi J.; former Minister of Science and Technology, Prof.Turner Isoun and the Secretary of the Pan-Ijaw Congress, Pastor Power Aginighan, Archbishop G.E. Adaka, Prof. Francis Sikoki, Prof. Tuemi Asuka, Prof. E.J. Alagoa, were all in attendance.

    In fact, it was the gathering of who is who in Ijaw land. With the sea of Ijaw dignitaries,    it was obvious that the gathering was expected to chart a new course for the Ijaw Nation. Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, Dr. Georgina Ngeri-Nwagha, revered traditional rulers and community leaders were present at the meeting.

    The Niger Delta Community Rights Advocate, Ms. Annkio Briggs and Professor Ebiegberi Alagoa were among the resource persons who presented papers at the assembly.

    Briggs spoke on self determination and the Ijaw question, challenges and prospects; the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Iniruo Wills was bothered about threats to Ijaw environment; Atei Beredugo harped on building the Ijaw economy while Dr. Bello Orubebe was concerned about ethnic minority rights protection.

    At the end of the summit with a theme, “the Ijaw Agenda Beyond May 29, 2015”, the leaders in 13-point communique took positions on issues that would henceforth shape the Ijaw nation.

    The leaders in the communique expressed appreciation to Nigerians for the rare opportunity provided for their son, Jonathan, to preside over the affairs of Nigeria. They thanked persons who stood by Jonathan “in the heated ambience of the 2015 general elections”.

    The Ijaw leaders further eulogised Dickson for hosting the summit.

    “We appreciate the commitment of Dickson to the promotion of the strategic interests of Ijaw Nation in particular, the creation of Bayelsa State Ministry of Culture and National Affairs, appointment of non-Bayelsa Ijaws to political offices, the signing into law of the Bayelsa State Flag, Coat of Arms and  Ijaw Anthem Bill, 2012”, they said.

    The elders in the communique noted that the Ijaw nation is at critical moment in its history and called for unity of purpose to confront their challenges. Noting that the Ijaw question predates Nigeria, they lamented the current structure of the Nigerian state describing it as lopsided.

    According to them, the structure is skewed to favour the majority ethnic nationalities without adequate socio-political and economic space for the minority ethnic nationalities particularly the Ijaw.

    They also insisted that successive administrations in the country have proved unwilling to accede to the demand by the Ijaw to be united in homogeneous political entities of their own.

    “Nigeria is made up of diverse ethnic nationalities with varying histories, motivations and aspirations. Therefore, these ethnic nationalities should form the basis of a true Nigerian federation,” they said.

    They lamented that oil-producing communities have continued to suffer the dangerous effects of exploration and exploitation. According to them the Nigerian state has been unable to address the negative impact of oil on the health, economy, culture and environment of the Ijaw people.

    The elders maintained that threats from oil spillage were gradually eliminating the environment and resources for development and survival of the Ijaw.

    They said: “Conscious of the fact that the environment remains the most valuable physical resource for development and survival of the Ijaw ethnic nationality,  the summit notes that the Ijaw oil and gas communities suffer the deleterious effects of oil and gas exploration and exploitation.

    “But we regret the inability of the Nigerian state to address the concomitant negative impacts on the health,  economy, culture and environment of the Ijaw people. This reality is leading to the gradual extinction of the Ijaw people.”

    Governor Seriake Dickson called for unity of purpose and sacrifice as the Ijaw nation prepares for the challenges of the post-Jonathan presidency.

    Reminding the elders and other stakeholders in the Ijaw nation of their role in setting the pace for the development and progress of the Ijaws, Dickson noted that the stability, unity and prosperity of Bayelsa, the only homogenous state for the Ijaw people will go a long way in impacting on the people.

  • Group canvasses 10 per cent oil derivation fund for Niger Delta youths

    Worried by the spate of unemployment among the Niger Delta youths, a group, Youth Alive Foundation, has canvassed for a law which would make state governments in the Niger Delta devote 10 per cent from the oil derivation fund accruing to the state for the purpose of youth development.

    Speaking with reporters after a two-day programme in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the Executive Director, Dr. Uduak Okon, said unemployment situation in the Niger Delta region is more severe.

    Dr. Okon explained that state governments in the Niger Delta are not impacting the economic situation of its youth in spite of the huge statutory revenue allocations to them.

    According to her, the presence of a large army of unemployed youths in the region is a clear case of failure of leadership to utilise abundant resources to create jobs that will engage the youths in productive and meaningful economic activities.

    She said: “In 2013, Bayelsa state had the highest unemployment rate of 38 percent of its employable population, while Akwa Ibom state had an unemployment rate of 36 percent, and Rivers state, 32 percent. These states receive high oil revenue allocations. In 2013, the top 4 allocations went to the following states: Akwa Ibom (N260 billion or $1.7 billion), Rivers (N230 billion or $1.5 billion), Delta (N209 billion or $1.3 billion), Bayelsa (N173 billion or $1.1 billion).

    “Yet the state governments in the Niger Delta are not impacting the economic situation of its youth in spite of the huge statutory revenue allocations to them.”

    In addressing these problems, Dr. Okon said adequate resources should be channeled to the development of policies and pragrammes that would address youth unemployment.

    Her words: “To this end, Youth Alive Foundation and its partners seek to enact a law in Akwa Ibom state that 10% from the oil derivation fund accruing to the state be used to set up a Youth Development Fund that targets youth civic engagement, entrepreneurship development, technical and vocational skills development and public/private partnership. The purpose of the 13 per  cent derivation fund is to financially empower the oil-producing states of the Niger Delta to tackle the monumental neglect and underdevelopment of the region.

    “This advocacy campaign is tagged #10Percent4Youths and Akwa Ibom state will be the launching pad for the campaign with plans to scale up to other Niger Delta states. A key component of the project is to mobilize the public to support and drive the campaign and utilise mass media and electronic media to pressure legislators and policy makers to pass this law.”

  • Governor NEW’s shockers

    Governor NEW’s shockers

    It was in the presence of the Lord. A post-inauguration thanksgiving service, with men of God in attendance, should not but be anything close to the Almighty. Port Harcourt, the city of oil, was the venue of the thanksgiving. But it really got interesting when His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (GNEW), mounted the podium.

    Listening to him speak were some men of power in the immediate past government. David Mark, Emeka Ihedioha and Hope Uzodinma were attentive when Governor NEW was making his shocking revelations. The kernel of the shockers from the executive bucal cavity was that his successor, Rotimi Amaechi, was a vandal and someone with skills in pilfering even the minutest of things.

    GNEW said he inspected the Government House, Port Harcourt, where he is supposed to live. Bullet proof doors, furniture, cars, crested carpets, curtains and even windows, he submitted, were stolen by the former administration.

    “As I speak with you, everything has been vandalised.  I will not enter the Government House in the next two or three months,” said His Excellency.

    He is not done: “There is no vehicle in Government House, not even one. Yet the former governor talks about corruption.”

    His Excellency’s revelations were news to the former Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha. He described GNEW’s claim that the facility was vandalised by the Amaechi administration as false. Okocha added that the property in the Government House were intact before the immediate past administration left.

    On Monday, GNEW followed up by leading some PDP leaders round the Government House.

    Well, we will come to the theft and vandalisation matter later.

    Last Friday, shortly after he was sworn in, GNEW hit the ground running. He flagged off the reconstruction of Port Harcourt roads to ease traffic in the state capital. He tagged it: “Operation Zero Potholes “.  The event held after he inspected the guard of honour at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The flag off, which took place at Borokiri, UTC Junction and Azikiwe in Diobu, he said, was aimed at restoring Port Harcourt and making it a pride of the people.

    GNEW said: “We wish to assure you that hope has returned and Rivers State shall once again be the pride of our nation. We shall develop the right road infrastructure in the state in our effort to rebuild the comatose economy of the state.”

    Guess what? The filling of the potholes will be carried out by construction giant Julius Berger. That is another shocker, which has got not a few asking: When did Julius Berger start filling pot holes? There have been other questions, such as when was the contract awarded? Officials of the construction firm were actually present at the event. At least I saw oyinbos in the picture.

    To return to GNEW’s shockers about stealing of carpets and curtains:  In real terms, the revelations are staggering, especially when the person being accused is an ex-governor who can afford to buy container loads of carpets and curtains. Even cars and furniture.

    On a second thought though, I think GNEW needs to inspect the Government House all over again. Yes, for a third time. There might be more shockers. Something in me tells me that kitchen utensils must have been pilfered too. May be His Excellency did not look well when he went there with PDP leaders. Your Excellency, when you are touring the Government House this time around, pay more attention to details. Specifically, there is also the need to count the pillows, the bed sheets, the foot mats and the mirrors. I will be shocked if they are still complete. Just like we are told that the water bed has been replaced with ordinary Mouka foam; I suspect other foul plays.

    When you leave the bedroom sir, the next place to check is the bathroom. Count the soaps, the sponge, the towels and the shampoo. I bet you they must have been stolen too.

    Lest I forget, please don’t forget to count the gallons of water left in the reservoir. Something in me tells me some gallons would have disappeared. My instinct also tells me that you should inspect the diesel tankers. I suspect somebody has taken enough to power his private house for the next one year. This sort of corruption must not be allowed to go unchecked.

    Please this is very important: when you are inspecting the pantries, there is need to be very vigilant. It won’t be out of place to go with measuring instruments to ensure that no grain of gubernatorial rice has escaped. Efforts must also be put into ensuring that gubernatorial yams, beans, turkey, chicken and beef have not been tampered with.

    My mind also tells me that GNEW will need to take stock of fire extinguishers. Someone with clever fingers might have done away with a few. Tell the officer in charge of the inventories to cross-check what is available now with what was.

    I am convinced that chairs, tables, television sets, curtains and carpets could not have been the only thing the past administration must have stolen. So a due diligence like I have suggested will reveal that even items, such as toothpicks, tumblers, spoons, forks, toilet rolls, serviette and packs of juice must have been pilfered by the immediate past administration.

    Efforts should also be intensified to ensure all policies that could turn the state around have not been looted.

    I must also commend GNEW for giving the contract to rid Port Harcourt of pot holes to Julius Berger. Don’t mind those saying it is like killing a cockroach with a sledge hammer. For a good job, who else but Julius Berger can do it? If it is not Julius Berger, it cannot be Julius Berger.

    I will also suggest that the contract for the renovation of the Government House should be given to Julius Berger too. The replacement of the curtains, carpets, chairs, tables and all can easily be done by the construction giant.

    Personally, I am enraged that GNEW’s acts since mounting the saddle a week ago are being queried by the opposition and others. Who the hell do they think they are? Don’t they understand that Rivers is the showroom that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) needs to prove that the people could still trust it with power? Mark said that much during the thanksgiving service when he urged GNEW to wrought miracles. What better way to start the miracles than what GNEW has started? Ride on and don’t disappoint like you have promised.

    The gullible as well as the unpatriotic will always query great leaders like GNEW. There will be lots of distractions while the tribunal is trying to decide the status of his election. GNEW needs to develop a thick skin. He should not give a damn about what they say or do. If he deems it fit to award the contract for the clearing of gutters to a construction giant, the only person he needs to convince is himself. After all, he is His Excellency, another way of saying Kabio-osi (no one dare query you).

    In not giving a damn, GNEW should not bother his media team with the stress of replying to every ranting of the opposition. He should just ignore them. Public opinion does not count. Or does it?

    For no reason should GNEW break the rule of not giving a damn. Doing so will amount to lowering his status and emboldening meddlers to stir things up.

    My final take: GNEW’s forthrightness in awarding the contract for the filling of pot holes to a construction giant should be applauded. He should also be applauded for hitting the ground running. There is so much work to be done. So, why waste time? It is unfortunate that some people are taunting him, saying that he is killing a cockroach with sledge hammer. For me, he deserves a laurel and he will further win my heart when he employs Cappa Dalberto to clear the gutters and retain the services of RCC to plant flowers on the medians in Port Harcourt. He should also not forget to take stock of tooth picks and toilet rolls in the Government House. All these will earn him my respect for life.

    Ride on, GNEW! Thou art incapable of doing anything wrong!

  • Group to Buhari: don’t scrap NDDC

    Group to Buhari: don’t scrap NDDC

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged by a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), to implement his campaign promises in line with the expectations of Nigerians.

    Children Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction Organisation (CSDRRO), a humanitarian group affiliated to the United Nations Committee on International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), wants Buhari to apply wisdom in the implementation of his policies and programmes.

    Towards this end, the President of the group, Hon. Mustapher Emem Edoho and a Board member, Comrade Jubril Uwem Edukere, said in a statement in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, that Buhari should preserve some essential legacies of successive administrations in Nigeria, especially the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    According to them, the agency has lived up to the expectations of the long-suffering people of Niger Delta, noting that the Commission has revamped some of the decayed social infrastructure thereby putting to rest, years of violent agitations by restive youths in the region.

    In Akwa Ibom State and other areas of the region, the group noted that the NDDC has impacted positively in fixing internal roads and other facilities and praised the Board of the Commission led by the Managing Director, Mr. Bassey Dan Abia.

    They listed the areas of interventions to include the internal roads (phase 1,2) at Uquo- Akpautong; Ntak Inyang-Etebi and the rehabilitation of the Ikot Usekong-Etebi-Jamestown road in Esit Eket Local Government Area.

    Besides, the group commended the drive of the NDDC MD, whose feat earned him a fellowship award of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area for interventions in the areas of solar power generation and water projects in the region.

    While appealing to Buhari not scrap the Commission, the leaders craved for more funding to enable the Commission perform its constitutionally assigned functions optimally.

    “We commend the landslide victory of the President Buhari and we are appealing that as he ascend the throne today, he should be the father of all and see Nigeria as his large constituency.

    “NDDC is a strategic development agency that should be given serious backing by Buhari to thrive and complement his government in the development process.”

  • How distance, rumour almost ruined our courtship

    How distance, rumour almost ruined our courtship

    It was a thanksgiving service for their marriage at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, House of Bread Chapel, Nsukka Street Port Harcourt, Rivers State. For Mr and Mrs Ezekiel and Eunice Ajayi, the event was not just the celebration of their love, it was a victory over distance and meddlesome friends who tried to torpedo the ship of their union.

    The groom works with The Nation’s Port Harcourt station and his bride lives in Ondo.

    Speaking after the service, Mrs. Ajayi described distance as a barrier to any love relationship, adding that it could be managed through prayers and effective communication.

    She said although the aches and agony of being without her love lingered, it was no longer important because she won the battle through prayer, adding that she had forgotten the grudges she encountered during the courtship.

    Mrs Ajayi said: “I met my husband in my village Okemesi, Ekiti State.  We attended the same school in the same community.  But after few years he got a job and travelled out of the community and we lost contacts. Thank God for Facebook,   it was when I was doing my National Youths Service (NYSC) in Taraba State that we re-connected again and exchanged phone numbers.”

    However, she said she almost bowed to challenges encountered during the courtship, noting that as in most distance relationship, suspicion was a dominant factor but was conquered through love, constant reconciliation and effective communication.

    “When your partner is far from you, the relationship must face challenges, because there will always be suspicious. How the two partners handle their crisis also matters; are they ready for reconciliation each time there is problem?

    “There was a time my husband called me and said he was in Ondo State but I later found out that he was in Port Harcourt. I was very angry because I had already called my friends and parents that he was around only to find out that he was in Port Harcourt.

    “In long distance relationship you don’t always see your partner when you want him/her – that is another problem. And as a lady who is love with a man who wants to be your husband, you need him always by your side.

    “Then you can imagine finding yourself in such condition and suddenly you receive a call that your man is not faithful to you. Now, how do you know that the caller is sincere? In such a situation one is supposed to meet the partner to hear him out because phone conversation cannot be enough to solve the problem. I have heard people saying that distance courtship doesn’t work but mine worked through effective prayer and communication.”

    “There was another issue when I had accident; this time around it was between me and my best friend. She took the advantage of the accident to lure my husband into relationship. It was a big challenge that wanted to end our relationship if my husband didn’t love me. She told my husband all sorts of things about me. In fact, she wanted my husband and had advised him to dump me even when I was hospitalised.

    “At a point when the strange lady started calling my husband daily, I became angry and this was happening few months to our wedding. Then, I told my parents that despite all we had spent for the wedding that I was going to back out.

    “The funny thing is that she will tell my husband another thing and call to tell me the sweet things my husband told her. But I started praying to God asking Him to take control of everything and I am happy today to tell you that God is faithful.”

  • Good times at Port Harcourt Prisons as Lulu-Briggs Foundation beams searchlight

    Good times at Port Harcourt Prisons as Lulu-Briggs Foundation beams searchlight

    For a long time, authorities and inmates of the Port Harcourt Prisons will have cause to pray for High Chief (Dr). Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs. Reason: His foundation inaugurated and handed over two blocks of modern toilet and borehole for the comfort of the inmates, writes ROSEMARY NWISI

    •Mrs. Lulu-Briggs inaugurating the toilet.
    •Mrs. Lulu-Briggs inaugurating the toilet.

    The joy on the faces of inmates of Port Harcourt Prisons recently was not what words can adequately capture. Reason: The icon of philanthropy, High Chief (Dr). Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, inaugurated and handed over two blocks of modern toilet facility and borehole for the comfort of the inmates.

    The projects, which were completed within two years of foundation laying, was executed through, “O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation”, a humanitarian outfit he formed over ten years ago to carter for the needy and poor of the society.

    The Foundation has five main arms- Care For Live (for the poor senior citizens of the society), the Education Fun (scholarships and Law students care), the Health Mission (free medical care), Water Purification (provision of free water in rural communities), Evangelism among others.

    The projects, which are sited in the male and female premises of the prison yard located at the Port Harcourt township area, were meant to alleviate the sufferings of inmates for improved sanitary and health conditions.

    Fundamentally, Prison is a place of correction, reformation and rehabilitation of persons, citizens and non-citizens like, found wanting in law and in character, to prevent a repeat of offence(s) committed, new ones (offence), and also discourage intending offenders; but suffice it to say that Port Harcourt Prison is hell fire on earth and not the acclaimed corrective and reformation centre.

    Juveniles (underage offenders) are also committed into prison. There is no age limit to imprisonment.

    It is no longer news that Port Harcourt prison is the most congested in West Africa with the population of over 3600 persons, against the 804 capacity it was originally designed for, with those in the Awaiting Trial Men (ATM), list ranking highest in the number. This was confirmed by the Controller of the Prison P. O. Ondoma during the official handing over of the projects to him.

    Built in 1918 by the colonial masters, it is not sure the last time governments have upgraded facilities in the place to meet the present reality of the inmates.

    Prior to O.B.Lulu-Briggs intervention, a source close to the Prison (Port Harcourt), said inmates ate and slept in their congested cells with buckets of feaces and urine through the day and night and disposed only once a day, when the warder in charge agreed to open the cell.

    This has in no small measure affected the health of inmates. The poor sanitation and hygiene condition in the cells were better imagined. The stench which oozed out from the hostel could inflame the lungs, with no water to have a bathe.

    It is common knowledge that individuals, groups, societies including religious bodies and Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs), just like O. B Lulu-Briggs Foundation take turn to visit the prison to perform in most cases their religious obligation of preaching the gospel.

    They also use the opportunity to meet some personal need of the inmates the much they can. It was during the evangelical outreaches of the Foundation to the Prison in 2013 that it identified the crucial challenges of the inmates. Apart from personal needs and congestion, they lacked sanitary facility and water, as well as good hygiene system.

    Touched by their plight, the High Chief through his amiable wife, a woman with heart of gold, Mrs. Seinye O.B Lulu-Briggs, a Pastor, resolved to extend humanitarian gesture to the Prison.

    The Foundation also provided multifunctional borehole with multiple pumps for supply of water not only to the toilets but also for the use of the entire Prison including the kitchen and other areas of need.

    The joy of the inmates though watching from afar knew no bounds. This could be visibly read from their faces, as they beamed with laughter (not just smiles), as the brief ceremony lasted.

    Also the Authorities of the prison could not hide their appreciation when Ondoma described Lulu-Briggs as the epitome of charity and that his lifestyles of constantly reaching out to the needy of the society and prison inmates were most remarkable.

    “O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation is a household name associated with charity work. This is not the first time you have shown interest in the welfare of the less privileged because you have been involved in donating food and other welfare materials to prisons in the state.

    “Today, you are here to commission a standard two blocks of sanitary facilities for male and female inmates and multifunctional bore holes with multiple pumps for provisions of water for the teaming population of Port Harcourt Prison.

    “I stand to tell you that water is life, and you have given us life. Water is one of the basic utility in running a functional prison of this magnitude; it is used for cooking, washing, bathing, drinking and sanitation for improved hygiene and general wellbeing of all including the prison inmates.

    “Port Harcourt prison is the most populated Prison in Nigeria and even West Africa with capacity to house 804 inmates but today, most of our cells are congested with over 3000 inmates.

    “This rapid increase in population without additional facilities has made the management of the prison difficult. This is because most of the facilities needed to carter for this huge number are either completely lacking or grossly inadequate.” He said.

    The Controller, who pledged to ensure good use of the facilities, also appealed to other members of the public to borrow leaf from the Foundation and assist in easing the problem of effective management of Prison through the provision of other needed structures in the yard.

    In her speech, The Executive Director of the Foundation, Mrs. Lulu-Briggs said the word of God and the reaction of beneficiaries of the husband’s kindness motivated her into doing more.

    “Over the years the iconic words of the Bible passage of Acts of the Apostles 20 verse 35, which says that it is more blessed to give than to receive have resonated and greatly influenced my thought processes in such a way that my perspective about life anchors more on giving than receiving.

    “The delight and peace that permeates my spirit when I see the expression of gratitude to God by the beneficiaries by God’s grace, is enough satisfaction for me to give and give again,” she said.

    She also spoke on the need for improved sanitary condition for the promotion of health of inmates.

    “O. B. Lulu-Briggs places high premium on health. We have come to terms on the fact that even though the Prisons are designed to be a rehabilitation and correctional facility for those who may have violated the rule of law, the government can achieve the corrective and rehabilitative objectives of the modern prisons through the collaborative efforts of its citizens.

    “We noticed among other obvious requirements, the need to have a proper sewage management and waste disposal system. In our view, taking care of their hygiene situation would arrest the spread of diseases that pose serious health hazard to inmates and even avoidable deaths irrespective of gender.

    “As we commission and handover these intervention projects to the prison authorities, permit me to say that this is the Foundation’s own way of contributing to their wellbeing. It is our firm belief that despite the challenges faced by Nigerian Prisons Services, a lot more can be done to accommodate the rising population of inmates and the swift handling of all cases brought before the judiciary system within a reasonable time frame.”

    Earlier in his good ill message, the immediate past Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Worgu Boms, hailed the High Chief’s continual kindness to the public despite the dwindling revenue in the country.

    Represented at the occasion by P.A Briggs, Boms said the projects called for sober reflection by the inmates on how they came about their present condition and how they wished to behave after their release, noting that in all, their time of change was evident in the projects.

    “It is a project of sober reflection to the inmates to ask themselves why are we here, where do we go from here and how can we better our lives and the lives of others in the larger society when we leave here at due season.

    “We want to emphasize that this project that is being commissioned by O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation is an eloquent testimony that your moment of change has came it is an indication that the large heart of Lulu-Briggs Foundation is still beating despites the dwindling revenue in our economy and that the Foundation is still alive to its social corporate responsibility,” Boms said.

    In all, one thing that is apt is that the country’s maintenance culture is still questionable, and in view of this, the Authorities of Port Harcourt Prison need not allow the facilities to beg for maintenance. A stitch in time will sure save nine.

  • Rivers, Oga Jerry Needam and The Nation!

    It was last Friday, the inauguration day for new governments in some states and at the federal level.

    This reporter was fully prepared cover the inauguration of Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as Rivers State governor at the Elekahia Stadium as directed by this newspaper’s Port Harcourt  Bureau Chief, Mr. Bisi Olaniyi .

    The reporter was not sure of the time of the inauguration. So a call was placed to Mr. Jerry Needam, a member of the inauguration committee. He also doubles as the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Bro. Felix Obuah. Needam’s reaction was a heavy blow:  He tagged this reporter an enemy of Wike, who, by extension, was against his inauguration.  But, really the reporter’s sin is that he works for The Nation.

    Almost every reporter in The Nation’s Port Harcourt Bureau has felt Needam’s sharp tongue a one point or the other. But, this reporter seems particularly unlucky with Needam.

    His words: “Wait! You mean I should tell you the time of the inauguration and give you accreditation tag? You people in The Nation must be joking. I don’t think you read what you write about Wike, you did all kinds of reports against Wike to frustrate him; now you want to cover the event. What kind of event do you want to cover?  We don’t want you.  We don’t need The Nation.”

    This reporter replied:  “Look, Mr. Jerry, we are not begging you for anything. I am going to the stadium to report the event; you will read my story the next day.”

    Needam immediately dropped the call.  On getting to the stadium, this reporter was not allowed in. According to the police at the gate, there was an instruction that no journalist from The Nation should be given access to the stadium.  To avoid problem, this reporter quietly went to the open view to stay and with the aid of the loud megaphone, he was able to record freely.

    Needam had before then abused this reporter over a report titled ‘The Rivers of Blood”. The report was on politically-motivated killings in Rivers State. He called after the report was published to say that The Nation would seize to exist once Wike took charge, adding that  Olaniyi  would have no place to hide his shame.  He added that this reporter was joining Yoruba people to destroy Wike when he should be protecting Wike, his fellow Ikwerre man.

    This reporter said there was no way he could white into black because he wanted to support a brother.

    Needam, who is also the publisher of a local tabloid called National Network, dumped the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), a party he joined when he became uncomfortable with PDP after the exit of the Celestine Omehia’s government.

    He went back to PDP after  Obuah became the PDP chairman. And from that point, he became powerful and perhaps disillusioned. He insults and abuses those who try to question his excesses. He uses journalists who work close to him like slaves, each time he is  in charge of any event.  Journalists, who ordinarily should have been happy that their colleague is in-charge of event, always complain of his inglorious attitudes toward them.

    This is a man whose newspaper published nothing good about the government of the immediate past governor and the APC leadership, both in the state and at the national level.

    His paper, National Network, became a platform for ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s detractors who attacked him on every edition.  The last word here is: Oga Jerry, now that Wike has become governor, you can now ban this newspaper from reporting PDP’s event but don’t forget The Nation’s motto: “Truth in Defence of freedom”. This medium will continue to say the truth. When your government does well, we will say it; if we see any challenge, we will point it out. It is too early for you to create enemy for the new government. Rivers people are watching.