The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

Cross River’s absentee senator-elect’s certficate of return

It seemed like just the regular visits public office holders take overseas when they feel they need to check their health, due to lack of proper health facilities back home.

When the representative of the Yala/Ogoja Federal Constituency in House of Representatives, Dr Mrs Rose Oko, left the shores of the country in September last year on one of such health checks, not many envisaged that the trip will leave the people of the Northern Senatorial District in the state in a quagmire.

The problem the people of the Senatorial District have right now is that she emerged as Senator-elect in the March 28 elections but her whereabouts have remained known. She was absent during the primary elections, during the campaigns and even the elections.

There is repressed anger in the district as the people feel she was foisted on them by the powers that be in the state. However, it appears no one is speaking out for fear of being victimised. Some voices, which had risen at the initial stage of her absence, appear to have been subdued. At a point, there was tension within the PDP over the matter as some stakeholders demanded for her to be replaced immediately. The stakeholders comprising of some members of elders/caucus committee, some wards, local government officers, youths as well as some rights groups argued that it was unacceptable for the ruling party to field a candidate that is indisposed and is receiving treatment abroad for an undisclosed ailment. Though, it appears those, unhappy with the situation have soft-pedaled, the feeling of dissent among the people of the area remains palpable.

Oko emerged in a dramatic manner in the primary elections because while the people thought their candidate would be either one of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Larry Odey; Commissioner for Local Government, Peter Ojie and former Commissioner for Environment, Julius Okputu who were vying for the position, when the primary elections were almost concluded, word came from “above” that everybody should step down and she be installed as candidate, even when she was believed not to be in good health.

Making the matter more pungent was her absence when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued certificates of return to winners of the governorship and National Assembly elections in the state on Tuesday this week. Again, like during the primary elections, campaigns, elections and victory celebrations, she was conspicuously absent.

Although the senator-elect for the central senatorial district, Mr John Owan-Enoh, was also absent at the occasion, it did not diminish the significance of her absence.

The people hope she would return safe and sound, but insist if she is not in proper shape to represent them, then someone else should.

The situation has caused the festering of so many speculations from rumours of death to theories grand political scheming in the area.

A top PDP stalwart in the area, who begged not be named, said: “I have not seen this kind of thing before. From the primaries last year till now, we have absolutely no idea where someone that is supposed to be our representative is. Must she be the one to represent us? Is she the only one that must go? We have hundreds of qualified and capable people to handle this job. If she is indisposed why does the government insist she must still be the one? It is a shame on us that we have any idea what is going on in a development that would affect our lives at least for the next four years.”

The leadership of the PDP at the state at various times when broached on the subject has continually given the vague answer that she is well and responding to treatment and would come back as soon as possible. This has done little to calm frayed nerves of Northern Cross Riverians who believe they deserve better than what they are getting.

As the situation is, they appear to have lost faith in the system and control over the choices they want for themselves. This feeling of disenchantment they hope will be soothed at least by assurances that when all elected senators across the country converge to fight for the wellbeing of their people, they should not be doomed to the option of an empty chair in the red chamber of the National Assembly.

April 24, 2015
Honour for psychiatric hospital retirees in Calabar

It was a celebration of hard work and commitment to duty as the Senior Staff Association of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, honoured six retirees who had spent their working years in the service of the establishment.

The Chairman of the association, Comrade Daniel Odo, who presented the retirees with awards and gifts, said the gesture was in recognition of their good work as staff of the hospital.

Odo said: “Today’s event is most significant and will go down the annals of the association and expectedly re-echo at both the sectoral and national levels. We expect the retirees to appreciate this rare gesture of goodwill and continue to represent our interest wherever the wind of time blows them into the nearest future.

“The institution of award as part of this historic occasion is a novel idea wherein we appreciate our men and women who at various times served then association in different capacities. I salute their courage and commitment to the growth of the association. I solicit for your continued understanding, cooperation and selfless sacrifice so that our names individually and collectively shall be etched in gold in the minds of men.”

The Vice Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Cross River State, Comrade George Umoh, said it was wonderful to know that as a worker who puts in his or her best, one day such a person will be remembered.

“It is necessary to remember those who have committed themselves to service. For those given the opportunity to work they should do so well,” he said.

Advising the retirees, he said: “Retirement is another phase of life. You still need to get busy. Do things you love. Don’t make retirement a bad thing. It is just a point in a long system of work. Don’t also neglect your health. Keep fit and you are going to be more useful to society because of the experience you have gathered here.”

The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Joseph Okegbe, said the gesture would impact positively on the workers because it would improve productivity, as they know they will be appreciated.

“For those retiring they should not rest on their oars. They are still very productive and will be useful to society. The experience they have acquired through years of service would be relevant in society. Those still working should put in their best,” Okegbe advised.

One of the retirees, Mr Mba Okweni, said: “This celebration brings to mind that while you served, people appreciated your contribution and that is what we cherish, because it is not everybody that passed through a place and make a mark. That we are invited to be so honoured, it means that our contributions where appreciated while we were in service. So it is quite rewarding and fulfilling being here. It makes me feel important.

“For those still working they should take their work serious and look up to a day like this that at the expiration their service they will be invited for honour. While in service, you should impact positively in the lives of people and that would make a meaning. Dedication and commitment are key. As important as your salary is, the job is more important because you are selling both yourself and serving the community.”

April 24, 2015
Shell, Bayelsa communities and sabotage

There is no end in sight to the problems between the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and its host communities in the Niger Delta region. In fact, the length of Shell pipelines criss-crossing the region defines the complications of issues and widespread human relationship breakdown confronting the company.

For instance, communities in Bayelsa State are always at daggers’ drawn with Shell over oil spill-related matters. Ikarama a community in Okordia clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area, is always in the news for oil spills. The environment has since decayed from spills caused mostly by sabotage.

Recently, the communities around Kolo Creek Manifold operated by Shell in Ogbia Local Government Area, cried foul over massive spillage of oil into their environment. The spill was first reported on April 15.

Some residents lamented that the Kolo creek oil field owned by SPDC has been discharging crude into the environment. A resident of Imiringi community in Ogbia Local Government Area, Mr. Anthony Okputu, said the spill had devastated farmland and vegetation in the area.

Okputu said: “We do not know exactly when the oil leak started but we saw crude leaking from the pipeline into the road and when we got there soldiers had already cordoned off the whole area.

“They did not allow us to get near to find out the possible cause of the leak on the pipeline. We woke up this early morning to see this in our community.

“I believe that the soldiers must have reported the incident so that they can shut down the pipeline crude feed to forestall further damage to the environment, but oil is still gushing out of the line”.

The communities sustained their momentum of cries. They accused Shell of not responding quickly to their plight and called on the state government to compel the company to come to their aide.

They called for a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to unravel the cause of the spill. They had initially thought that the oil leak was caused by the company’s equipment failure. They were indeed looking forward to indicting Shell.

Following their outcries, officials of the Bayelsa State Government led by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Iniruo Wills, visited the spill site. The officials including Wills assessed the site and lamented increasing incidences of oil and gas spills from platforms operated by multinational oil companies in the state.

The therefore, therefore, threatened that henceforth multinational companies will not escape punishment for any oil and gas spills within the state.

He said: “Whatever the cause of the spill, whether it is caused by sabotage or equipment failure, we will have to carefully think of the next thing to do.

“There has to be consequences. Even if it is (caused by) sabotage, that does not mean that everyone concerned is free from consequences because, clearly, there is a pattern. Almost on a daily basis, there is one oil spill or the other in Bayelsa State.”

The commissioner insisted that the government and the people of the state would no longer tolerate incessant pollution of their environment.

He said: “This is yet another demonstration of how oil and gas production in Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta and Bayelsa State where we are right now, is done.

“This is how it threatens our environment, how it is a danger to our people, to our communities, life, public health and even to economic activities

“You can see in the backdrop across the road, you can see vegetation, you can see economic crops all over the place, you can see how crude oil splashed all over them.

“If proper precaution is not taken in terms of protecting or even clearing the affected area, you can imagine how affected the food chain and economic cycle proceeding from there, the hazard involved. This will end up affecting people’s dinning tables”, Wills added.

Who caused the spill?

Though the communities and even the government seemed to have pointed accusing fingers at Shell, emerging facts have shown that equipment failure was not the cause of the spill. The JIV report showed that unknown persons sabotaged the manifold.

The JIV comprises officials of operating oil firms, Ministry of Environment, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and representatives of impacted communities.

Shell’s spokesperson Mr. Joseph Obari said a report of the JIV revealed that unknown persons cut out a section of the metal protection to the manifold. Obari said the saboteurs, according to the report, removed components of the pressure control system and opened the isolation valves, resulting in a spill.

He said the volume of spilled oil was estimated at 27 barrels, affecting mainly the manifold grounds and part of the surrounding vegetation.

He said: “SPDC stopped the leak soon after it occurred, deployed effective containment and began the recovery of oil.

“No chemical dispersant has been applied. The containment and oil recovery activities involved the use of booms, absorbent pads and vacuum truck for evacuation of recovered oil.

“Oil spill response activities are continuing while remediation will commence after initial clean-up has been done.”

Obari further said that leak and fire were reported on the Kolo Creek–Rumuekpe trunk line, about 5kms from the manifold, on Monday.

“The fire has been extinguished; site observation confirmed a recently excavated ditch at the fire point.

“SPDC has expressed concern at the brazen damage of its facilities in parts of the Delta. It commended the Bayelsa State Government for its support and called on communities and other stakeholders to join hands in the efforts to discourage the trend”.

Many believe it is high time communities in the Niger Delta, especially Bayelsa, stopped sabotaging oil facilities especially knowing its implications on the environment. It is foolhardy for locals to destroy the environment where they live and derive their livelihoods and then turn around to blame oil companies.

April 24, 2015
Peterside’s father-in-law goes home amid pomp in Ogoja

The iconic life of the late Chief Charles Ogbaji Adie, father-in-law of Dr. Dakuku Peterside reverberated across the length and breadth of Cross River State as family and friends bade farewell to the centenarian for an extraordinary life. In fact, Ububa-Ukum, his ancestral home and Ogoja literally stood still for one week as the family rounded off burial ceremonies for Chief Adie who passed away at the age of 105 years.

But the most fascinating part of the late Chief Adie’s moving story, and a lesson too for the living, was his resilience, even in the face of daunting challenges. Without a formal education, he knew that there existed a great deal of chance to succeed, so he braced all odds and took the chance. He eventually became one of the most successful people in his community.

Born in February 1910, Papa Charlie as he is popularly called made up for his lack of formal education with early exposure to the Europeans, first in Calabar, where he travelled on a peace mission to Cameroon with colonial administrators. He later moved to Enugu and worked briefly before returning to Ogoja.

In 1942, he travelled again to Jalingo, the capital of present day Taraba State in search of a better life. A year after and obviously still yearning for that great life ahead, he moved with some Europeans to Bauchi. In Bauchi, the Europeans, for obvious reasons, insisted on understanding the Hausa language and the lot fell on Papa Charlie to source for a competent Hausa teacher. That was how he met a primary school teacher, the late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Bello who taught Hausa language to his European friends.

He left for Kano shortly after and later returned to Ogoja where he met the late Chief M.T. Mbu, the famous nationalist from Ogoja who later became Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister. From Ogoja, he moved to Lagos where he had a fairly long stay.

The late Papa Charlie also lived and worked in other major Nigerian cities, such as Wukari, Sokoto and Ilorin before finally returning home in 1978 where he achieved remarkable success as a farmer, transporter and contractor.

But the late Chief Adie will be remembered more for his liberal disposition, kind-heartedness, love for his family and awe-inspiring kindness for those who encountered him. He searched diligently for the good in every human being, and that defined his entire life because he was always willing to probe beyond the surface.

Until his death, he had sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grand children and great grand spread across states like Kano, Kogi, Rivers, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

Speaking on behalf of the family at the funeral church service, Peterside commended everybody who came from far and near to honour Chief Adie. He described the departed as a rare gentleman who did not only live a remarkable life but also placed very high value on human beings, no matter their tribe or creed.

Therefore, according to Peterside, the surging crowd and the outpouring of kind words during his interment did not come as a surprise to those who knew Papa Charlie. He however called on friends and well wishers to continue to remember the Adie family in their prayers.

In her brief remarks, Barrister (Mrs) Elima Peterside, Chief Adie’s last child described her father as a man who will be greatly missed by many because of what he represented during his lifetime.

“My father was the greatest father. He cared for us without any limit and he was everything you could think of a good father. He never said no to us. As his daughters, he paid special attention to us and he never relented in serving God. He was a great father and we will miss him greatly,” she said.

•Mr Feyii.

And at the open-air-requiem Mass at his compound, many people also attested to the good life he led in the church and the community. Those who spoke glowingly of this worthy life included Bishop John Ayah of Catholic Diocese of Uyo who led over a dozen priests to bid farewell to the centenarian.

According to the Bishop, “Pa Adie was a good man who lived well. He knew how to live and how to manage on with his life and he did a lot of things so well. Anytime I visited him, he told me about life during the colonial days and beyond. Listening to him, even though he was not formally educated, you could write volumes and volumes on Nigeria and her politics.”

•Dame Amaechi.

The ceremony, which was well-attended, drew sympathisers and friends from Nigeria and outside. They included Dame Judith Amaechi, wife of Rivers State governor; Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, All Progressives Congress, APC Chairman in Rivers State; Mr. George Feyii, Secretary to Government of Rivers State; legislators from the National and State Assemblies, delegations from state governments, religious organisations and traditional rulers, among others.

A devout Christian of the Catholic faith, Papa Charlie spent time in the church as a member of many societies, supported church programmes, assisted many who came his way and spoke many Nigerian languages fluently.

April 24, 2015
Rivers… Will these people’s killers ever be punished?

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has inaugurated a nine-man commission of inquiry to investigate politically motivated killings in the state. The Prof. Chidi Odinkalu-led panel has an uphill task ahead of it, writes PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA

When the public hearing of the nine-man panel looking into politically-motivated killings in Rivers State begins, there will be tears. Men will break down as if they are kids. Tears will cascade down the cheeks of wives why recalling the killing of their husbands. Mothers will not be able to hold back tears narrating ordeals they wished never happened.

The public hearing slated for the Obi Wali Centre in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, will help put faces to statistics that have been bandied around since in the last few months about victims of politically-motivated killings in the state.

The commission of inquiry is headed by the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu. Sir Samuel Egbe is the Secretary.

Other members of the panel are Prof Nlerum Okogbule, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, Dr. Richard Ofuru, Mrs. Asivosuo Oriye, Dr. Joy Ejiofor, Mrs. Ayo Obe and Rev. Father Michael Akiri.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi, during a stakeholders’ meeting, promised to ensure that those involved in politically-motivated killings would not go unpunished.

Speaking last Thursday during the inauguration of the panel at Government House in Port Harcourt, Amaechi added that the fact-finding exercise would last for 30 days.

The governor gave the terms of the commission to include: why the victims were killed, who killed them and under what circumstances. He added that the commission was expected to make recommendations that would help government forestall future occurrences.

•The lateChristopher Adube

He said: “When I visited Obirikom in the Ogba/Egbeme/Ndoni Local Government Area, in the house hold of one late Chief Christopher Adube, nine persons were killed by assassins.

“Those killed were his three children, his younger brother, two gatemen, and two other persons while two of the late Chief Adube’s children are still receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

“There was a day I was arguing with the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State now posted to Enugu and I said, ‘commissioner, I am told 11 persons have been killed’, he said, ‘no, only seven persons’.

“Again, in the same Omoku, whether it is seven or 11 persons, these are human lives. At Okrika, when APC went on campaign, where the governorship candidate of APC was seated, he would have been hit by a bullet, but, God saved him; he had left that place earlier. That was the first day APC went for campaign in Okirika, and the police were present.

“I was driving to my village on March 28 for the presidential election, I saw a corpse at the median of the road, I called the Commissioner of Police, ‘Mr. Karma, I have seen a corpse here, please, look for a way to take away the corpse and find out who did this’, but, he did not.

“Whether the corpse is still there or not, I have no idea. When I got to the village called Omuanwa on that election day, young boys were shooting sporadically at innocent people and when they saw us, they ran into the bush. Then I came down and met somebody they have shot that was severely injured. We put him in a vehicle and rushed him to the hospital.”

The governor said those behind the killings were allowed to carry out the mayhem because of the existence of impunity in the state. He urged the commission to recommend appropriate punishment for the offenders.

Amaechi said: “The reasons why the killings happen was because of impunity in the state. Total impunity. I believe as a governor, if you don’t punish those who break the law, then human beings will no longer be protected.

“People were not allowed to carry out their civic obligation and responsibilities just because they (politicians) were desperate to take over power. There will be threats, but your duty as a commission is to overcome these threats.

“First, you must be under the custody of the state and we will inform the Commissioner of Police to provide adequate security for them (members of the commission) to discharge their duties uninterrupted.”

Of all the killings, those of the Adube have caught the public’s attention. Their killers showed no mercy. In one fell swoop, nine persons, including a father, his two sons and daughter were killed. The Adube family members are still in tears and are seeking justice.

•The late Joy Adube

Spokesman of the family Henry Adube gave the names of those killed as: former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local government, the late Hon. Christopher Adube, his two sons Lucky and John Adube , his daughter Joy, a family friend, Mr. Iyk Ogarabe and the family driver, Mr. Samuel Chukwunonye.

Henry, who was weeping profusely while speaking to The Nation, urged the National Hunan Right Commission (NHRC), the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and other human rights groups to investigate the death of his brother’s family.

He said politically-motivated killings most stop.

He added that those who killed his brother and family came to wipe out his family, saying that the gunmen did not show any mercy in their operation.

“That fateful evening they stormed the compound and forced their way in and started shooting. If you look at what happened, you will see that the armed men were desperate to end my brother’s family. After killing my brother, they went and shot Joy and John, including a family friend and driver.

•The late Lucky Adube

“Many people had been killed during the campaign/ rally in the area and the worst thing is that nobody has been arrested or prosecuted. I am begging Nigerians, National Human Rights Commission, Civil Liberty Organisation and other human right groups to investigate this gruesome murder.”

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon Ejechi Felix, said the remains of the victims would not be buried until police finish their investigation.

The Rivers Police Command last Saturday said it had commenced manhunt for gunmen who killed nine persons and burnt the house of a politician in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Ahmed Muhammad, said the gunmen attacked Obrikom and Obor communities killing nine persons and injuring two others.

He said they also burnt the house of Mr Vincent Ogbagu, the All Progressives Congress House of Assembly candidate for the Local Government Area.

“They also set ablaze the house of Vincent Ogbagu, an APC House of Assembly candidate,” he said.

Muhammad said the police had commenced investigation into the incident with a view to bring its perpetrators to book.

“We appeal to the public to assist in making available, credible information in this respect,” he said.

Instructively, the killings have not stopped even after the polls. The governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, earlier in the week raised the alarm over what he described as the continued killing of members of the party.

Peterside, speaking through the Director of Communications of his campaign organisation, Mrs. Ibim Seminitari, demanded an immediate end to the killings and warned about the consequences of the killings if not stopped.

Peterside called on the security agencies to be proactive to stopping the perpetrators of such killing from carrying out their evil activities.

He asked: “If they killed APC members on election days, why have they continued to kill after the polls?”

Peterside, who cited new cases of killing to include that of Ahoada East, Okrika and other local government areas in the state where APC members have either been killed or abducted, said the killings raise concerns over the calibre of men and women INEC had declared winners of the elections in the estate.

“The unabated killings of APC members in Rivers State raise concerns of the mental status of the men and women the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared winners of the recent elections in the state. We are afraid that killers and sundry criminals have been imposed on the state by INEC, and, if we are right, then, worse days lay ahead for our people,” he said.

It is expected that details of these killings will be revealed at the public hearing and many will sure be watching to see if the killers will be identified and punished.

April 24, 2015
Dickson’s N100million bursary excites Bayelsa students

Students of Bayelsa State studying in various higher institutions across the country have every reason to be happy. The Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, during the week released N100million for the payment of their bursaries.

Dickson did not just release the money, he presented a cheque to the state’s Scholarships Board indicating that he wanted the students to be paid with immediate effect. The leadership of the National Union of Bayelsa State Students (NUBSS) was present at Government House, Yenagoa, where the government presented the cheque.

The Secretary of the State Scholarship Board, Mr. Collins Ifidi and the President of NUBSS, Mr. Richard Bolouebi Lawyer, jointly received the cheque.

With a standing ovation, the welcomed the development. They poured encomiums on the governor describing him as a “talk na do” and countryman governor.

Addressing the leadership of NUBSS, Dickson explained that, the presentation of the cheque was in keeping with an earlier promise he made during his visit to Amassoma, the community hosting the Niger Delta University, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

He reminded the students of their role as future leaders and emphasized the need for them to refocus their studies on developing their innate potential. He stressed that education was the only potent weapon to change society for the better.

He said: “Today is my pleasure again in fulfillment of our cardinal principle of making education easier and see to it that, we give all necessary support and encouragement to our students.

“I like to present this cheque of N100 million. But, before I do so, let me call on all the students in our state, who are leaders of tomorrow that you have a lot of work to do.”

He assured the students of his administration’s commitment to their welfare. Dickson said his government was prepared to continually increase the educational infrastructure and develop the manpower base of the state.

He also expressed concern over the fast-eroding moral values in society tasking the students on value re-orientation. He pointing out that, the infrastructural development of his administration will not have much impact, if the people do not imbibe the right values.

He said: “Not only do we call on you to study; not only do we call on you to dedicate yourselves to acquiring knowledge, so that, you will compete favorably with your peers for any position in this country or anywhere in the world.

“But you have to know the peculiar problems that this society has that we must deal with. I will like you all to take this message to your colleagues that you must work with government to change the mindset of the people.”

In his response, the President of NUBSS, Mr. Richard Lawyer thanked Governor Dickson for the money and applauded the government’s strides in the educational sector.

The state chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) described the governor’s gesture as a welcome development. The Chairman, NANS, Zone B, Comrade Believe Ezekiel Wisdom, said Dickson has fulfilled his promises to the students.

He, however, advised the scholarship board to live up to their part of the bargain by ensuring that all the eligible students of the state benefit from the bursary. He said the board should establish a transparent mechanism to ensure that only authentic students benefit from the money.

He said: “The governor has done his own part. We commend him for this kind gesture. The bulk of the process now lies on the scholarship board. We want the scholarship board to live up to expectations.

“We don’t want to hear complaints. We want them to hear that everybody benefits from it. They should move round the various campuses in the country to ascertain and verify Bayelsa students in each higher institution. If they sit in their office, there is every likelihood that many people will be shortchanged”, he said.

He further advised the scholarship board to publish names of all the beneficiaries adding that such publication would go a long way to show how the money was disbursed. But he begged the governor to carry the activities of NANS along in his administration.

Wisdom said the governor by fulfilling his promise deserves to be supported for a second term in office. “Any leader who makes promises and fulfill them deserves the support of his people. If the governor wants a second term, he should be supported to get it”, he said.

April 24, 2015
Ex-militant leader: Buhari won’t stop Amnesty Programme

The National President, National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators (NCNDE-A), Israel Akpodoro, has said President-elect Muhammadu Buhari will not scrap the Amnesty Programme.

He described the fear as generally misplaced.

Akpodoro said the fear was created by those who were averse to change in the country.

The Urhobo-born ex-militant stated that the alleged plan to scrap the amnesty programme was used to whip up ex-militants’ sentiment.

Akpodoro said he threw his weight behind the candidature of the retired General because he was sure he would rule with the fear of God.

He said his open fight against some ex-militant leaders over their threat to go to war if President Goodluck Jonathan lost re-election made him enemies.

He alleged that “ethnocentric, boastful, questionable…ex-militants” launched vitriolic attacks on him and other members of the NCNDE-A following the adoption of Gen. Buhari

He accused some ex-militant leaders of distorting history by giving the credit of the establishment of Amnesty Program to Dr Jonathan instead of his late boss, President Umar Yar’Adua, who was the initiator and the executor of the genuine and purpose-driven amnesty program.

General Buhari he noted has never contemplated scrapping the program but would rather strengthen it to make it more productive and goal oriented unlike what it is today. “The incoming administration must be allowed to ?settle down to work with the support of all Nigerians just like the NCE-A has decided to support the APC administration every inch of it journey through success.”

He said, late President Umar Yar’Adua initiated a genuine amnesty program for the restive youth population in the region in his Phase 1 amnesty program and not his successor.

“Pastor Wilson and his cohorts stood the truth on its head in their misappropriation of credit?. It was the late Umar Yar’Adua, who initiated and executed the genuine amnesty program in phase 1, before this incumbent government established phase 2 and 3 which ofcourse is directly opposite the Phase 1 in execution and intention.

“While phase 1, was all inclusive, well managed in equity, that of Phase 2 and 3, were for only President Jonathan’s kinsmen and cronies.” Akpodoro stated.

re the operators to a quite part of the cities and rob them.

April 24, 2015
Rivers community seeks end to insecurity

The Orochiri Kingdom in Ikwerre ethnicity nationality has called on the Rivers State governor- elect Chief Nyesom Wike to ensure that security, infrastructural development and human capital development are among the priorities of his government.

Orochiri, one of the ancient kingdoms in Diobu, seeks security and the empowerment of its youths that could define the community as a metropolitan city.

The community organised a feast to celebrate Wike in Port Harcourt.

Speaking at the event, the heir- apparent to the throne of Orochiri kingdom, Prince Kalagbor Confidence Wordu said his kingdom decided to set agenda for the incoming government of Rivers State as to make the government know what the people want.

He noted that Wike must do everything possible to ensure that the resources are utilised for the interest of the people and not for the selfish interest of some politicians.

“First and foremost my kingdom is very happy with the victory of Chief Nyesom Wike, who is now the governor -elect. This kingdom has a tradition that is why we are gathering here today to host this victory party for the governor elect.

“We want this government to fight insecurity; there are a lot of hoodlums in Port Harcourt, infrastructural decay and lack of human capital development. The outgoing government has tried their best but Wike must try hard to initiate policies that will bring a real change to Rivers State.”

April 24, 2015
Delta…Flyovers, flyovers everywhere

The outgoing administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is easing traffic in Delta State with the inauguration of flyover bridges in major towns, writes Southsouth Regional Editor SHOLA O’NEIL

Last Friday, a visibly happy Ovie (traditional ruler) of Uvwie Kingdom in Delta, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, led his people, including the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government council, Chief Henry Baro, and other traditional rulers from across the state to the famous roundabout in Effurun, headquarters of the council. The occasion was the inauguration of the N4.1billion 447meter flyover bridge built by the outgoing Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan administration.

The monarch’s joy and those of the delighted Uvwie people, who rolled out the red carpet, drums and brought in gaily dressed traditional dancers to welcome the governor and his team, could be appreciated against the background of the importance of the landmark project: Effurun, headquarters of the Uvwie LGA, is an important town because of its link to Warri, the economic capital of the state.

In spite of the Warri crisis and the Niger Delta unrests, the cities remain the hub of economic activities in the state; they are home to many multinational oil companies and services firms and the imposing 5-storey Revenue House, headquarters of the Internal Revenue Board (DBIR) recently inaugurated by the state government was a monument to the economic importance of the area to the state.

•Uduaghan cutting the tape to inaugurate the Effurun flyover. With him are (from left)Chairman, Uvwe LGA, Hon Baro; Ovie of Uvwie HRM Emmanuel Sideso Abe I and Prof. Amus Utuama.

In appreciation of the gateway city importance, Governor Uduaghan said, “Effurun or Uvwie is very dear to us because it is like the heartbeat of Delta State.

“There is no way you can ignore Uvwie because you must pass through here to go to other parts of the country. If you have not pass through here, it only means you are not in Delta State. So Uvwie is very strategic in terms of location in Delta State. So whatever we are doing here was necessary to be done here,” the governor added.

Over the years the cities of Effurun and Warri have converged to form a hub for commence and industry in the region, so much so that visitors not conversant with the city are not aware that they are seamlessly moving from on to the other.

The Effurun Roundabout, site of the flyover is the entry point into the twin cities from the western and other southern parts of the country. It is notorious for knotty traffic, especially at rush hours and weekends when vehicular traffic is very heavy.

• Another section of the Effueun flyover

It was against this background that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, described the 447m Effurun Flyover as one of his legacy projects in the state, adding that it was conceived as the panacea for the notorious traffic congestion in the area.

He used the opportunity to restate his call for peace as a catalyst for sustainable development, noting that but for peace in the area, which was hitherto notorious for ‘Gbege’ (crisis) and deve (extortion), the project would not have been possible.

To this end, he commended the efforts of the Uvwie monarch, whose ascension to the throne coincided with the return of peace and orderliness in the kingdom. He urged other communities and youths in the state to emulate the community and adopted dialogue as means of expressing and settling disagreements.

The governor also used the occasion to get back at his critics – people who he said thought the project would not be completed. He said that the completion of the bridge within 20 months and the first one at the famous Summit Roundabout in Asaba, which he inaugurated just days earlier, was no mean feat.

It would be recalled that the governor had earlier inaugurated the first flyover bridge in the state capital at a cost of N3.5bn. He said he had done a lot make the city assume the “status of a befitting state capital. At the beginning, we started with the airport, the new Government House then we did the schools and the health sectors, very soon an ultra-modern hospital will be completed. ”

Uduaghan said the Asaba flyover was very strategic as it would ease traffic on the road, which connects Edo State and reduces time of journey from Asaba to Abuja and the northern parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Works, Hon. Solomon Funkekeme, in his remarks at the Effurun Flyover ceremony, attributed the conception and construction of the project to the proactive approach of Governor Uduaghan to problem-solving. He said the governor’s style had brought unequalled and even developments to the all nooks and crannies of the state.

He explained that the scope of the project comprised 120m-long six span bridge; two ramps of 150m and 177m at the Sapele and Effurun approaches respectively; and 1.72km length of road. He revealed that the bridge and ramp structure comprised four-lane dual carriage way with two lanes on each travel direction demarcated with a barrier.

Hon Solomon appealed to the people of the area to protect the project, especially its rails, from vandalism and thanked the Uvwie monarch and his colleagues across the state for their supports towards the Uduaghan’s administration’s successes. He solicited for the same support and encouragement to his successor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

In his welcome address, Ovie Abe I described his kingdom as the greatest beneficiary of the administration’s development stride. He confessed that Uvwie Kingdom, with the several road dualisation and construction projects, enjoyed unprecedented development under the administration, adding that he and his people would remain forever grateful to the Uduaghan administration. He expressed his confidence that the governor would complete ongoing projects before the expiration of his tenure.

Some of the project executed in the kingdom included the dualisation of Jakpa, PTI and Refinery roads as well as the ongoing Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project, construction of the New Layout Road and several other development projects.

For his part, the council boss, Hon Henry Baro, enthused that the N4.1bn flyover had added value to the council area and improve its aesthetic beauty. Baro said the people of Uvwie are indebted to Governor Uduaghan for all the projects.

He attributed the prevailing peace and attendant harvest of projects to the three-point agenda of Peace and Security; Human Capital Development and Infrastructure Development embarked upon by Governor Uduaghan at the inception of his administration.

Meanwhile, a cross section of residents of the twin cities of Effurun and Warri have commended the state government for the flyover, which they say would make life better for residents of the city and travelers alike.

They however advised the state government to expedite action on the controversial BRT project in order to make the bridge meaningful and more useful.

“The state of the Effurun-Warri Road leaves a lot to be desired, in spite of the completion of the flyover. I am among those who believe that the state of the road was better off before than with this BRT. It is difficult to see the importance of the project because the problem had never been of transportation, but of roads,” Ofei Isah, a resident of Effurun told our reporter.

Similarly, the state Ministry of Works came under attack for perceived lack of planning before embarking on the BRT because of the revelation that the road needed to be expanded to accommodate the planned six-lane traffic.

Governor Uduaghan had assured that his administration would try to take the ongoing expansion of the Effurun-Sapele road as far as he could before the May 29, 2015 terminal date of his administration. He blamed the delay in completing the project on paucity of fund due to falling revenue from the Federation Account.

April 24, 2015
Anti-bunkering campaigner’s arrest sparks outrage in Delta

The circumstances surrounding the arrest of a local anti-illegal bunkering activist, Chief Futek Zikoregha by detectives from Force Headquarters, Abuja, is generating dust in Delta state, especially as it came after the the embattled community leader raised the alarm over plans to frame him up and arrest him. SHOLA O’NEIL, who has been following the activities of the activist for nearly a decade writes on his latest travails, averring that he might be the victim of a well-orchestrated vendetta by a gang that has hijacked Odimodi community

Chief Futek Zikoregha , as a former chairman of the oil-rich Forcados and a leader of Odimodi community both in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, knows a lot about illegal bunkering and how it affects the environmental, ecological and social fabrics of his society. He knows the dirty community politics over royalties and sharing of oil companies’ largess as well as the tricks some leaders play to extort money from oil companies.

He knows key players in the illicit oil deals in the waterways and has had series of run-ins with some of them because of his objection to the trade.

The first time this reporter met him was in early 2008 and it was in a hideout of an obscured hotel in Warri; he was on the run after blowing the lid on the dirty deals of a prominent local chief. Although barely literate, he knows the effects and devastation of crude oil pollution.

“Our ecology has been devastated, mangrove trees are dying mysteriously; periwinkles-gathering is no longer possible because of oil pollution and our fishes are too leady for consumption just because of bunkering,” he told our reporter in an exclusive interview published in the March 17, 2008 edition of this newspaper.

To further tackle the masterminds of the crime, he formed the Heroes of Peace (HOPE) Initiative, a nongovernmental organization which tracks and reports to security operatives the activities of criminals troubling oil pipelines in the area.

In a recent communication to the Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion dated 2/09/14, the group disclosed that “These said bunkerers are currently using about three to four flat bottom vessels to convey petroleum products… Also they have about 17 to 20 Cotonou boats, which they load on daily basis.”

The letter identified Abrabebe Community near the Forcados NNPC pipeline and Forcados trunk lines, Forcados Export Line and Nigeria Agip’s Beniboye facilities as spots where they criminals are having their day and urged the JTF to take “appropriate steps and actions” to stop the criminals.

Asked why he took upon himself the dangerous task of fighting illegal bunkering, Zikoregha once told our reporter, “I don’t see why we (communities) should be crying foul over oil spills resulting from companies’ legitimate business, when our own people are destroying pipelines and committing worse environmental crimes.”

It was against the backdrop of his objection to pipeline vandalism and similar crimes in the area that his arrest by policemen from the Force Headquarters, Abuja came as a shock to those who him – some blame it on “crime fighting back”.

Hunter becomes

the hunted

Zikoregha knows how powerful and vengeful the operators of the illegal bunkering rings and beneficiaries of illegal deals in the area are. But the middle-aged activist failed to recognize how far criminals could go to protect their illegitimate wealth.

“His outspokenness and actions on illegal bunkering and attack on oil facilities may have won him friends in the environmental rights community and the media, it also brought him scores of powerful enemies among his kinsmen,” an environmental rights activist told our report.

Involvement of police, other security agents

Prior to his arrest on April 1, Zikoregha had been engaged in a running battle with some factional leaders of Odimodi Community. His face-offs with the group peaked when the group threatened to shut down operation of Shell Petroleum Development Company in the area. Their gross with the company was the failure of SPDC to award the lucrative contract for the repair of the 48″ SBM pipeline, which was attacked by vandals, to a local firm. An oil industry source said the company does not award such contract to indigenes of community where its facilities are sabotaged to discourage connivance.

Speaking with Niger Delta Report on the threat, the activist said those who signed the paid advertorial where the threat was made lacked the capacity to speak for the community. He said Benjamin Gbesine and Ingo Davies, ‘Chairman’ and ‘Secretary’ of Odimodi, had been disowned by the Amadiwei (traditional head).

He accused them of acting out a script, adding that they are lackeys for a prominent businessman and contractor who was eyeing the pipeline repair contract. He said when the deal fell through, the duo and others issued the threat to arm-twist the company.

Zikoregha was banned from the community. He petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5 Benin City, over persistent threats to his life and those of other members of HOPE and his family. He fingered the duo and one Presley Iyalagha, the surveillance contractor, whose section of the SBM line was breached.

Contacted, Iyalagha, debunked the allegation and accused our reporter of being used by blackmailers and threatened to get him “into trouble”.

He said, “Did you see my signature in any of the documents? You are the same person who wrote about me in your paper; you are going to get your company into trouble”, he thundered, in a very heated telephone chat when our reporter sought his comment.

However, Zikoregha, in the petition, told Zone 5 AIG that he had information that a meeting was held on the 23rd of February, where a decision was taken to frame him and other members of the group with “heinous crime of illegal possession of firearms” and other weighty crimes.

“We are fully convinced that these characters possess the requisite capacity and intent to implement their evil design,” he said and appealed to the AIG to call those fingered in the plot for interrogation and possible arrest, if they found guilty.

But fate forced him back to Odimodi when he lost his elder brother, Capt Jacob Kiyagha. He said he was attacked by agents of his traducers when he took the corpse for burial. Youths armed with cudgels, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons beat him to pulp, forcing him to abandon the corpse and run for dear life.

An ‘unblessed’

peacemaker

But for the intervention of the Vice Chairman of the community’s youth, identified as Mr James Benarode, he said he would have been lynched. Sadly, for the peacemaker, for his ‘interference’, he was given the beating of his life and still bore a scare from the incident.

Benarode told NDR on Monday morning that he was not only beaten black and blue, but was detained at a ‘prison’ operated by the gang.

Worried by the threats, the victims went to the Warri High Court to obtain a restraining order against the group to prevent further attack. The affidavit deposed in support of the motion accused the group of using security operatives, including an officer of the Nigerian Navy identified as Lt Comd R K Ruma, to terrorise the community.

They said although the matter was reported to the Nigerian Police station at Burutu, there was no response. Worried by the police’ silence, Zikoregha said he asked his solicitors “to write a fresh complaint to the Area Commander, Warri to take urgent steps to save my life and others…”

It was while the suit was pending in court that he was served a cruel April Fool Day joke when he was arrested by policemen from the Ugborikoko Police Station on the behest of FCID.

It was gathered that he was arrested when he went as a pointer with a bailiff who was serving the court processes of the pending suit on one of the defendants. He was whisked away in the presence of the stupefied bailiff and swiftly moved to the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja. Reports that could not be independently confirmed indicated that detectives demand N2m to ‘bail’ to free him.

‘Police aiding

reign of terror’

Meanwhile, his family and perceived sympathizers like Benarode, in the community say they have become victims of daily haunts and threats from the powerful clique, which is believed to have usurped the traditional leadership of the community.

Benarode told our reporter: “I have been in hiding because I rescued someone they wanted to beat to death. They took me to their guardroom and the next day they brought navy to threaten me. My life has not been the same since them. They are threatening my family members who are still in the village; my elder brother called me this morning. He said they asked him to produce me or face dire consequences. They have gone to my employer and asked him to sack me. I am scared to move around because they are using police to harass us, using false allegation to cow everybody,”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Delta Command, Celestina Kalu (DSP) who was contacted by our reporter, said she was not aware of the incident. DSP Kalu promised to investigate and get details of the incident from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ugborikoko before getting back to us. She was yet to do so at press time. But a source at the station told our reporter that the instruction to arrest Zikoregha came from above, adding, “We were instructed to follow up.”

Odimodi under siege; elders are helpless – Prince Ikirie

One of the aggrieved leaders of the community, Prince Wilfred Ikirie, told our report that the community was under siege by persons who use brute force to silence those who spoke out against them. Ikirie, a former youth leader of the community said the elders are afraid and cannot speak because of threat of retributions and unpleasant fates of Zikoregha and others.

He said. “There is a cartel in Odimodi who assume control by using their militant strength. A constitution that the Amadiwei, is the sole authority and leader to inaugurate the leadership of the community has been abandoned. Unfortunately, this cartel is armed with militant power; they have taken over and overshadowed him. They forcefully swear-in themselves. Anybody who attempt to speak out and say the truth becomes their enemy.”

“They said I took the community to court, but I said no, I only took impostors to court. For this they say my sisters must pay for lawyers to stand for them or else they would be banished from the town. We are under siege of militants and criminals parading themselves as leaders of Odimodi.”

Navy’s reaction

The Commander of the Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) Delta, Commodore Musa Gemu, said such an arrest could not have been made by him, pointing out that he had fought the oil theft war without reservation, adding that he would rather have defended the victim if he had been informed of his activities. According to him, no naval officer could have made the said arrest without his knowledge and that he would have done so, if he had known of any case as that, in the glare of media.

“He was not arrested by the navy, there’s no way anybody will be arrested by my command and I won’t know about it, not to talk of transferring the case to Abuja. I am the chief officer here and nothing of such nature happening escapes my attention. When I arrest, I don’t hide it, I make sure I invite you people (media) to be witnesses.

“However, we are not unaware of people impersonating the navy, we just recently arrested some persons impersonating the army. If I had heard about this matter early enough, I would have by now gotten to the roots because we are talking about a human life now and I don’t joke with that. This case you are talking about is something else and I can sincerely tell you that the navy is not involved, we didn’t make any such arrest,” Gemu said.

April 17, 2015