The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

Ogbeogonogo Market rift depeens as firm, unions disagree over levies

The Ogbeogonogo modern market is a purpose built multimillion naira facility developed by the Chief James Ibori administration in 2003 after an inferno razed down the original market.

From the ruins of a few ramshackle shops in 2003, Ogbeogonogo market has grown in geometric proportions, in terms infrastructure, a burgeoning population and diversity in merchandise on sale. This scenario has attracted a steady stream of traders from neighbouring towns and villages to take up shops in the market.

Ordinarily, this development should be good news to its managers, Paul Osaji &Coy, but with the property managers and some traders bickering over collection of illegal levies and allocating shop space to squatters, an atmosphere of fear and mutual suspicion has enveloped the market.

Niger Delta Report gathered that the crux of the matter centres on the right to collect levies and allocate shop spaces to prospective tenants in the market.

Asaba Office Manager of Paul Osaji &Coy, Mr Okechukwu Odum, in an interview, expressed disappointment over the actions of some self-appointed union leaders, warning them to desist from collecting levies and allocating shop spaces.

He said the actions of the two traders, Mr Augustine Nwobodo and Ekene Okwuoba, contravened the tenancy agreement signed between them and Delta State Investment Trust Company Ltd (DSITC) which admonishes traders ‘Not to assign, underlet, sublet, mortgage or part with the possession of the domiciled premises or any part whatsoever without the consent of the landlord’.

Okechukwu said preliminary investigation showed that rents were received by the two men in order to grant space to squatters, stressing that the illegal collection of levies are a source of embarrassment to the company in the last four years.

His words, ‘The only body responsible for the allocation of spaces or collection of levies in the market is Paul Osaji & Coy. But we have found out that some people are hiding under the guise of trade line representation or market union association to project themselves as having the ability to allocate spaces under the guise of generating revenue for themselves to run the association. Times without number we have warned them to desist from such acts and they have openly challenged us by saying so long as they have a right to be union members, they should also exist with funding, so it is their duty to allocate spaces especially around the car park areas’.

Okechukwu accused the duo of collecting between N30,000 and N60,000 per annum from squatters who are terrified to testify against the duo because they fear they could be harmed by voodoo.

He added that aside from the fact that their activities robs the State Government of needed revenue, the indiscriminate allocation of spaces destroys the aesthetics of the market.

Okechukwu maintained that ‘being in possession of a shop space in the market does not empower Chief Nwobodo, Mr Okwuoba or any shop owner in the market to grant others the use of spaces. They are tenants and that is what their status is in the market’.

On the number of shops in the market, Okechukwu said the market had 225 petty traders and 900 lock up shops, stressing that the syndicate may be allocated over 500 spaces.

He alleged that the duo collects levies from manufacturing companies that engage in sales promo and from politicians for rallies in the market while posing as union representatives.

Asked why his company have not taken punitive measures against the unionists, Okechukwu said his company has conducted their activities ‘with a human face and ensured that due process is followed’.

He accused the duo of giving spaces to manicurists, hair dressers, and wheel barrow pushers without permission from his company along corridors and walkways, adding that the duo has spurned several invitations to come and defend themselves.

He lamented the role of security agencies in the market, adding that offices allocated to the security agencies have been put to uses other than it was designed for.

Recently, the market managers embarked on the destruction of illegal shops in the car park area, some of the shops destroyed were on fire hydrant while many blocked thoroughfares.

Okechukwu also Ekene Owuoba of violating fire safety rules in the market following his habit of leaving electrical appliances on at night.

The allegation is corroborated in formal complaint against Mr Ekene Okwuoba by the Delta State Fire Service Command with reference number NOGO/07/2014 citing instances of fire code violations.

But in a swift reaction, Chief Augustine Nwobodo dismisses the allegation by the property managers, claiming that he was a marked man since he started challenging the excesses of Okechukwu.

Although, Nwobodo admitted that he was not duly elected as Chairman of Ogbeogonogo Market, but he said the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of association of citizens.

He challenged the management of Paul Osaji & Coy to substantiate allegations levelled against him, and accused the company of shirking its responsibilities and of ‘deliberate harassment and intimidation’.

He said the allegation of illegal allocation of space and collection of levies were false, and challenged the market managers to prove their allegations with documentary evidence.

His words, ’every line in the market has a trading stock and Paul Osaji & Coy collects service charge which is expected to take care of security, light, water, sanitation, repairs, toilet and other facilities in the market, but the provision of these service is zero’

‘You may not believe this, but it is true that government provided toilets and a borehole expected to provide water. But the borehole is not functioning and we have to use the toilets, so we pay for its use and the water fetched from nearby boreholes. The Delta State Government provided us with a generating plant which has broken down. This has left us with the option of individually providing power with our own generators in the market’.

On his non-recognition as chairman of the market association, Nwobodo said ‘The Nigerian constitution allows for freedom of association. Therefore, there is nothing wrong, if we form ourselves into unions in the market. There were unions in the market before I was made the chairman in September 2012 (not by election) but by consensus when the first chairman died and I have the photocopy of letters written by Paul Osaji & Coy to them and I still remember that the company held meetings with its members at different times’.

Responding to allegations that security agencies posted to the market had compromised by subletting their offices, Delta Police image-maker, DSP Tina Kalu said the allegation was false.

Her words, ‘It is not possible for our men on duty at Ogbeogonogo market to sublet the space by their office because any officer who is interested in hiring a shop is free to go to the Police Officers Wives Association Shopping Complex in Asaba for one’.

March 13, 2015
Day Urhobo College old students gave back to their alma mater

The old students’ association of the prestigious Urhobo College Effurun, last week, held a special event to tell those coming behind them to pursue excellence and keep the tradition alive. BOLAJI OGUNDELE writes on the outreach

Then mentioning old and prestigious institutions in Nigeria, one of the few that will come to mind, especially in the Niger Delta axis, is Urhobo College Effurun (UCE). It has spanned years and has produced some of the most beautiful minds that have come out of the region over the years.

The UCE has for years been coveted, a development which makes primary school pupils always aspiring to be admitted to the school.

The Urhobo College, unlike most of its contemporaries, is one with a passionate old students association, which remains concerned about the status of its alma mater and the standard it gives back to society. To keep its flame of fame and standard glowing, members of the Urhobo College Old Students’ Association (UCOSA) recently organised a special career talk/ prize giving day for the students, with the sole aim of challenging them to aspire to life’s greatness and excellence. The event, which drew personalities from all walks of life; all old students, took time to mentored the students on hard work, choosing a life career, their responsibilities to society and working to sustain their institution’s tradition of excellence.

To charge the young ones to aspire to greatness at the special event were personalities in public and private life. The National President of UCOSA, Admiral John Kpokpogri, Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Education, Pastor (Mrs) Rhoda Ikide, Dr Henry Ejimudo, Sule Umoru, Engr Paul Oyibo, Kuzzy Oghenekaro, Prince Voke Edimu, who is the National Public Relations Officer of UCOSA as well as the school’s Principal, Edafe Udoma, were all among the old students who took the time to attend an event they described as critical to the future of their alma mater.

To achieve the particular goal of mentoring the students and charging them to aspire to get fulfilment and prominence in life, the executives of UCOSA designed the programme to include talks and speeches on career by old students in their various fields. The process aimed at was crowned with the giving of prizes in various categories to more than twenty students and teachers, whom the school considered to have exhibited exceptional qualities in their studies and output towards sustaining the quality and standard the institution is known for.

The National Publicity Secretary of UCOSA, Prince Edimu said the organisation, besides spurring the students and teachers to better performance, by giving out prizes and delivering career talks, also purposed to show the world that the quality and standards the Urhobo College were known for are still intact and to invite all to come and be part of its success story.

“Today we are having a career talk/ prize giving day for the students and the whole essence of this is to inspire and motivate the students to work harder and also act as role models so that they can aspire to what old students who have distinguished themselves have achieved. Going further, this is also aimed at creating the awareness that this school is a citadel of learning and has produced distinguished personalities in and around the world. It is still in existence and people, especially the government and the populace, should key into it,” Edimu said.

March 13, 2015
Inside Delta/Undp $5m Egbokodo vocation centre

Delta State government, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), established a multimillion dollar multipurpose youths training centre in Egbokodo, Warri South West Local Government. A lot is happening inside the centre, which is managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), reports SHOLA O’NEIL

Around 2010, the Delta State government, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), established a multimillion dollar multipurpose youths training centre in Egbokodo, Warri South West Local Government. The centre, which is managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), was part of the state government’s job creation and conflict prevention initiative.

Five years after its conception and the laying of the foundation stone for the strategic skills acquisition centre, Niger Delta Report’s visited the Egbokodo Youth Training Centre to ascertain the level of progress made so far and t hear the testimonies of trainees at the centre.

Built at a cost of about $5million, the imposing centre, which construction started around 2011, is an integrated complex housing a vocational training school complete with workshops, training grounds and modern hostel and recreational facilities for up to 150 students.

In line with the motive being its establishment, trainees are expected to acquired knowledge and skills without any financial commitments on their part or by their parents and wards. They are trained at absolutely no cost; their course materials, examination fees, registration for external examination and even feeding are paid for by the partners under the agreement.

It was gathered that beneficiaries who show interest in the training are randomly picked by community leaders to fill quotas allotted to the 25 local government areas in the state. They are expected to be between the age bracket of 18 – 30 years and have a minimum of four credit pass at the West Africa Examination Council (WASC) or its equivalent.

This reporter who visited the facility at its construction stage in 2011, recalled that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said the complex is designed “to address cases of conflict, prone to the Niger Delta.” The governor said because of the Niger Delta terrain, there was need to be proactive to ensure that teeming youths are not restive, remarking that “one of the reasons youths go into conflict is joblessness.”

Uduaghan explained that the cost of the project was about $5m, explaining that “out of that money, Delta State government is supposed to provide about $3million while UNDP about $1.1million.” he said his administration didn’t just provide the cash, but clarified that the money was used to provide the infrastructure, while the equipment are provided by UNDP.

Although initiative conceived as a tripartite deal involving Anglo Dutch oil firm, SHELL, our finding revealed that the funding of the project was affected by the withdrawal of the oil major after it pulled out from the state in 2012.

Nevertheless, the project continued and four years after that setback, the centre is on the throe of living up to its potentials. The state Commissioner for Youth Development, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi, who toured the facilities recently enthused that it was one of the hallmarks of the present administration in the state efforts to arrest youths’ restiveness and create avenues gainful employment.

Newuwumi, noted that Uduaghan is uncompromising in is determination to ensure overall development of youths in the state, stressing that it was in line with the governor’s 3-Point Agenda.

The commissioner described the centre as one of the unsung achievements of Governor Uduaghan, stressing that adequate publicity would be given to the centre in order to ensure that youths enjoy the maximum benefit of the project.

“It is my appeal to our youths to take full advantage of this place; they should key into the activities of the centre as this administration is determined to develop our youths mentally and physically. We are out to change the mindset of our youths and we must sell what we have so that we can reach out to so many of our youths. We are more than capable in transforming every youth to be a better person in Delta state.”

Earlier, the Administrative Manager of the youth centre, Mrs, Ngozi Mogbolu, who took the commissioner and newsmen round the facility, affirmed that the vision to take Delta’s youths off violence by making them usefully engaged was being achieved, adding that trainees were being equipped with skills to make them employable in the oil and gas and other sectors of the economy.

She explained that courses are offered in seven vocational training namely Information and Communication Technology, Carpentry and Joinery, Electrical and Electronics Installation, Catering and Hotel Management, Welding and Fabrication and Motor Vehicle Mechanics and Diesel Plant Fitting and Maintenance.

Already, Mrs Mogholu disclosed that the pioneer trainees graduated in December 2014, with 90percent success at the Level 1 of the City and Guide examination.

She explained that apart from courses mentioned above, graduates of any of the departments are taught some basic knowledge and skills like entrepreneurship, mindset change and reorientation. “We also have a resident counselor, who takes them through individual counseling; it could be occupational, life and any type of counseling.”

However, she said the centre faces challenges in different areas, chiefly among which was the failure of the outgoing administration to gazette it.

“It is the thinking of partners that if the gazette is facilitated and concluded before the exit of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is the initiator of the program, it will go a long way to facilitate our activities and ensure the sustainability of the center.”

Our independent finding also revealed that the centre needs assistance to get the National Board of Technical Education to accredit some of its course.

The Administrative Manager also disclosed: “There are still a number of activities of the centre that we need to roll out in the course of this year like modular courses, modular trainings which will increase the multiplier effect of the center.”

Our finding also revealed that, unlike most vocational training offered by intervention agencies like the NDDC and oil majors in the region, the Egbokodo youth centre does not pay trainees, a development that makes some of the target youths to shun it or abandon their training midway.

But Mishel Osogbue, a trainee in the ICT department, said he would even be willing to pay for the knowledge, skill and experience has garnered.

He said: “I am sure that in the course of this programme that we are already pregnant, and that when we leave here and go to the outside world and put in the labour room to deliver; we are going to deliver to the extent that all the youths in the state should be able to have that passion; to crave and want to be at this center.”

March 13, 2015
Rivers tourism agency trains 50 youths for carnival, events

The Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA) has acquired multimillion naira musical and stage equipment for its annual Rivers State Carnival, popularly known as CARNIRIV, and other cultural events in the state.

The move by the agency has ended its reliance on rented equipment for the carnival and other ceremonies. Also, saving money spent on hiring equipment, RSTDA has commenced the training of over 50 passionate young men and women, comprising indigenes and non-indigenes resident in the state to handle maintenance, installation and setting up and dismantling of the stage for events.

Some of the trainees who spoke with our reporter during a training session in Port Harcourt, said acquiring skills to setup stage during carnival and other events will empower them to secure their future and put food on their tables.

Mr Mathew Simeon, one of the trainees, said, ”I am very happy that I am part of this programme and I want to use this opportunity to thank the Rivers State government for thinking in this direction. I came in contact with the programme during last year’s carnival. This is because the government decided to get their own equipment and personnel instead of hiring.

“After acquiring this skill I will now get ready to render service to anybody and earn money. For us this is just the beginning, because as people or other states will be hiring our equipment they will also be moving us along with the equipment which will improve our experience with better cash.”

For Jennifer Awele, an undergraduate, the training is a dream come true. She said, “though, the first time they told me about the training I was not interested but today it is one of the best things that has happened in my life. As an undergraduate it will keep me busy after graduation. Of course, with the nature of our society where graduates stay at home for years before securing a job with the experience I am about to acquire mine will be different. I want to thank Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and RSTDA for giving us the opportunity to acquire the much needed experience.”

RSTDA Concept/EventManager Mr.Oyet Uk added that for the few years of putting plans together to organise carnival and other events in the state it has cost the state government a huge amount of money to have a successful event exercise because almost everything depends on experts from outside.

Uk, who was one of the events managers of Calabar carnival, said there is need to train passionate young people from Rivers State who would manage the equipment and earn money through their experience.

He said: “What we are doing right now fall into the concept and event management of RSTDA, basically we are looking at capacity building and how to develop our own people through training to assist us in setting up the stage and to manage our equipment. Thet will also build on themselves by moving along with the equipments as people hire it from us, thereby creating job to reduce capital fight.

”Do you know that as we are organising the carnival those who dance at the carnival have a special coach, and they are being given something as they render their service? At least each local government has more than 50 people in attendance. We have people who supply water, cook food, the tailors who make their costumes, boat designers, makeup artiste etc. And every year they keep perfecting their jobs. Don’t forget 40 young men takes part in boat regatta the volume of micro- economic activities cannot be overemphasis so it goes beyond the colours and dance.

”The tourism and event industry is one industry that has not suffered the blow of global economic meltdown. The equipment the government has brought will be rented to the public. Now, let’s look at the churches there are so many churches today hosting one programme or the other and some of them need stage and event managers. The evangelism and preaching has gone digital and every one want to go along with digitisation,” he added.

RSTDA’s Director-General Dr. Sam Dede, an award winning actor and lecturer, said the idea is the state governor’s way of empowering the youths for greater tomorrow. ”It is an empowerment programme and it is the wish of the governor to ensure that the people have the skill, we are training the youths now because this is when we have acquired the equipment.

“The equipment came just before the carnival last year. And part of the wish of the governor is to train the youths that can sustain and maintain the equipment. Let me say that these equipment are also available for rent, if your event really matters then you need what we have, because it is the latest and best equipment in West Africa.”

March 13, 2015
Ogoni farmers to receive N24m grants from firm

There is good news for Ogoni, Rivers State farmers. The management of Belema Oil is ready to release N24 million grants to peasant farmers to assist them in the new farming season.

The Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director of the company, Tein Jack-Rich disclosed this at a meeting he held with traditional rulers and representative of communities and youth bodies of the four local government areas of Ogoni Kingdom in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Belema Oil and Gas is one of the eight companies seeking permission to bid for the SHELL operated OML11 oil block in Ogoniland . Jack-Rich promised to lift the lives of Ogoni peasant farmers with N24 million grants.

The company pledged to offer 300 scholarship slots to brilliant youths of humble backgrounds to pursue their academic dreams.

Jack-rich said his promise to touch lives in Ogoni was not tied to his starting oil business in the land but to fight poverty.

“Because you have accepted Belema Oil, I cannot withhold what belongs to you. Belema Oil will give 300 scholarships for those that want to further their education, but do not have the means.

“The company will release N24 million for peasant farmers in Ogoni. The peasant farmers will have the money. The money is not meant for the rich people. This is a way to empower them,” he emphasised.

He noted that the firm’s coming into Ogoniland was not to create disaffection among people and communities but to alleviate the people’s sufferings.

He assured them that the 10 per cent derivation for the communities would be implemented.

“Belema Oil is not to come to create cracks. What will come to me (Belema Oil) will not be more than 20 per cent. What I will get will still come back to you,” he said.

Paramount rulers from Khana, Gokana, Eleme and Tai attended the meeting.

March 13, 2015
Mama Rose and company

Their exploits are the sort not a few believe are exclusive to men. After all, they are supposed to be the weaker vessel. But these women have shown that what lies in them are far more than what the ordinary eyes can see. Their inside must be made of steel.

They radiate love, true love, candour, panache, mercy and Samaritanism. And the icing on it, their acts have nothing to do with politics or quest for political offices. All they want is just a better society.

These women I write of are seven in all and have done great exploits to better the Niger Delta. For their feats, they are princesses of hope. You will understand better as I go on.

Let’s start with Mama Rose, whose real name is Mrs Biobara Makalabh (aka Mama Rose). The 55-year-old lawyer and ex-police officer, who rose to the rank of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), hails from Otuabagi in Bayelsa State. She is the founder of The Makalabh, a development foundation propagating peace.

Otuabagi, her hometown, is host to over 22 oil wells, but that is all about it. In terms of infrastructure, the community has nothing to show for it: no water and there is erosion everywhere.  Her people are not happy. They are suffering.

During the 2011 elections, the community almost went up in flames. The people wanted a particular candidate to represent them, but the people in government wanted another. The battle-line was drawn. Bloodbath was imminent.  The youth were determined to ensure no one would hijack the polls and women were ready to bare it all to uphold the one man-one vote doctrine.

It became the lot of this woman of uneasy virtues to pour ice on the scorching scenario. She got a compromise which saw the community putting peace first and it eventually resulted in every camp being absorbed. But for her, things would have fallen apart.

She has a good company in Mrs. Mfon Edidiong Esua. At just 35, this native of Akai Atti Udesi community in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State is the Executive Director of Dynamic Youth Development Organisation, a Non-Governmental Organisation which is involved in several peace building efforts and conflict resolution. She has averted conflicts between the youth and leaders of Ikot Ambon in Ibesikpo Asutan.

An interesting conflict she was instrumental to stopping centres around the selection of beneficiaries of an empowerment programme launched by a construction company.  They were accusations and counter-accusations and in time, hell would have broken loose. Mrs Esua held parleys with parties in the dispute. She was able to discover the core of the crisis: favoritism, the evil man-know-man syndrome that is at the heart of the Nigerian dilemma. She also discovered there were elements of corruption. Bribes were offered ad received in exchange for slots. At the end, she ensured the real idea behind the scheme was implemented and only the less privileged and the vulnerable had the last laugh.

”Community leaders and youth embraced dialogue and transparently selected trainees; “the names of those selected were read to the hearing of all at a community forum and all agreed. I am proud that I have been able to mitigate a conflict which would have resulted in war between families and heads of the community and that I have been listened to by men not regarding the fact that I am a woman,” says Mrs Esua.

For 64-year-old Mrs Mercy Akpowowo, her intervention was in helping farmers through her Progressive Women Cassava Farmers Cooperative Society in Evbuwa Village of Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. It was her own way of mitigating conflict within various groups in the village.

Before Mrs Akpowowo’s intervention, the women were marketing their produce individually and conflict often arose over non-payment by debtors.

In her words: “One conflict I helped mitigate is that between a couple and a certain woman. The couple sold three acres of cassava farm to the woman for a given amount. She defaulted in the agreement terms and this led to serious fighting between the two families. The matter was reported to me by the seller, who is a member of my Cooperative, and I immediately invited some opinion leaders and influential people in the community, including the Community Head (Odionwere) to intervene.”

Mrs Akpowowo’s Cooperative has attracted two grants  from the World Bank Fadama III scheme and another from the TY Danjuma Foundation. With the grants, the co-operative now owns a facility with which they process their cassava and make more profit selling as finished product, instead of raw material.

The people of Rumuekpe, an oil-bearing enclave in Rivers, cannot easily forget Mrs Blessing Orijos. One of the reasons for this is the conflict which almost sent the community under in 2005.  The oil almost became a curse when financial largess from the oil company operating in their land induced a leadership tussle. Blood was shed. Heads were broken. It was as though the end was near.

Mrs Orijos, who founded the Rumuekpe Women Prayer Warriors, was one of those who lost loved ones: “People were dying every day. Many people were killed and the community was deserted… They even came to Port Harcourt and killed some people in their houses. My brother was also killed.”

Her group staged protests and prayed vigorously. Through their acts, they appealed to the conscience of the evil doers.

She recalls:  ”When we entered, the boys came out from their hideouts confessing and surrendering.”

And in Delta, many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) will for a long time remember Hon Fanty Wareya, who  fed hundreds of them during the May 2009 clash between militant and troops of the Joint Task Force in Gbaramatu area of Warri.

“I had over 30 persons in my house in Warri who managed to find their way through Sapele River and other routes. I had to take care of them. Then came the duties at the IDP camp. I had to be at the camp every day. I drove from Okumagba (Avenue in Warri) to Ogbe Ijoh daily to make sure that the women and children were catered for.”

There are three others who have shown that being a woman should not be a drawback. Emem Okon, who is the founder of Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre in Port Harcourt Rivers State, is one of them. She led the historic ‘Mothers for Peace´ marches held in Tere-ama, Emuoha and Ogoni land, which made many denounce militancy, cultism and other violent practices.  The other two are Mrs Ajih Florence, the Executive Director of Women Advancement and Development Initiative and first female State Coordinator of Civil Society Organisation on HIV/AIDs in Nigeria and Ngwamma Onuoha, Assistant Secretary, P4P Central Working Committee from Ondo and Abia states. Their exploits made the Partnership Initiative in Niger Delta (PIND) honour them on Women’s Day.

My final take: Service should not be offered only when it is a means to getting the people’s votes. We are in a season when politicians are giving gifts left, right and centre but they are not giving freely. They are given for what they will get in return. That is wrong. One good turn deserves another but we should not always give because of what we are expecting. Do yours not because you expect back. That is what selflessness is all about.

March 13, 2015
Koluama’s angry ocean

The ocean is angry in two Ijaw communities, Koluama I and II in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. For this, the communities are on the dge. The youths have cried out over gradual disappearance of their homes.

A surge from the Atlantic Ocean has been swallowing the communities in piecemeal and forcing many residents to flee their ancestral homes.

In June last year, it was reported that the tidal current of the sea rose, overflew its bank and emptied into the Koluama River.

Residents of the communities raised the alarm that they were exposed to the direct attack of waves and tidal currents from the sea.

Shortly after the incident, panic-stricken traditional rulers of the communities rushed to Yenagoa, the state capital, lamenting threats by the sea to wash away the communities.

The traditional rulers of Koluama Clan, King S.E. Edi-Mangi; Koluama 1 community, JTC Leghemo and Koluama ll community, N.E. Ogboinbiri-Mienye, then took turns to decry the development.

They traced their woes to the activities of oil companies operating in the area particularly the Koluama-Chevron gas explosion and fire outbreak that occurred in the area in January 16, 2012.

They complained that the explosion which emanated from the gas drilling rig, K.S. Endevour, owned by Chevron Nigeria Limited caused earth tremors and vibrations in the communities.

“Several houses suffered in the communities. They suffered cracks in their walls and foundations,” they said.

The traditional rulers who were accompanied to Yenagoa by youths from the communities recalled that they had earlier warned that if remedial measures were not taken on time, their communities would sink in no time.

It was learnt that because no action had been taken by the Federal Government to address the concerns of the communities, the water level had continued to rise against Koluama.

Youths under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide on Sunday called on the Federal Government to direct the Federal Ministry of Environment to take urgent steps to avert the impending humanitarian and environmental disaster at Koluama communities.

The IYC, in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, said the sea would totally swallow the communities if the government failed to identify the real cause of the surge and nip it in the bud.

“These communities especially Koluama 2 is at the risk of being overtaken by the ocean which has taken a substantial part of the land on which the community is situated and if urgent steps are not taken the entire Koluama 2 Community may not exist in the nearest future.

“This is an impending humanitarian and environmental disaster which can be averted if urgent proactive steps are taken”, he said.

He noted that the situation in Koluama had been worsened by decades of oil exploration and exploitation by Chevron.

He accused the company of not providing commensurate corporate social responsibility to ameliorate the environmental hazards suffered by the community.

“Chevron’s wilful refusal to pay compensation for damages arising from the 2012 gas explosion coupled with the abject poverty in the community speaks volume of the level of abandonment”, he said.

He added: “The IYC is appalled by the insensitivity of the federal Ministry of Environment to the situation being faced by the Koluama Communities despite the fact that the IYC had drawn the Ministry’s attention to the situation in June 2014.

“To the IYC, the Koluama issue just like the other environmental crisis in the Niger Delta is a personal challenge to President Jonathan who is an environmentalist and very familiar with the problem, hence we call on him to act now and save the Koluama communities from extinction.”

March 13, 2015
Delta Steel has capacity to employ 20,000 youths, says APC candidate

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Delta Central Senatorial District in the forth coming general election, Hon. Halims Agoda, has vowed to probe the sale of Delta Steel Company in Ovwian-Aladja, Delta State– if elected.

Agoda, a former member representing Ethiope Constituency in the House of Representatives, lamented the fate of the now comatose pioneer integrated steel plant.

Addressing his supporters in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, he noted that the steel company was capable of employing thousands of teeming youths in the state, particularly in the central district where it is located.

He said, “DSC, if well run and adequately financed, has the capacity to employ over 20,000 staff and this ought to be a blessing to Urhobo nation and not this present state were the multibillion dollar plant is allowed to rot away because some persons have personal interest to take over.

“All those who contributed in one way or the other to bring DSC to this sorry state will have stories to tell Nigerians when I get to the Senate chambers,” he vowed.

He also promised to facilitate mass employment in a bid to ensure crime reduction and taming of youth restiveness in the state and beyond.

He said, “I am highly experience and intellectualized in the business of law making, having done it in both the State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives between 1999 to 2011. Since I am a senior Legislator, I will seat on the front row of the red chambers of the National Assembly, from where I shall be at advantage to move my motions. As a senior legislator, I must also be appointed as Chairman of various committees where I can relate with government agencies, parastatals, organisations and companies where I can facilitate employment for our teaming youths.

“That is an opportunity my two opponents do not have because none of them has been to any law making House in this country. If you elect them, they will sit at the back row where they will be overwhelmed and can hardly be heard, because that is part of the rules of the House, new comers are usually relegated to the back without the privilege of bein appointed as committee chairmen. I urged you to vote for me since I am the best, and I can assure you that my first motion will request for the probe of the sale of DSC, which you and I know was corruptly done. Today DSC is moribund.”

He also touted his achievements in past assignments, saying: “When I was in the House of Representatives, I moved the motion which led to the establishment of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources now in Ugbomro, near Effurun here in Delta State, and I also moved the motion which made it impossible for the federal government to relocate the prestigious Petrpluem Training Institute Effurun to the North. This time, when I get to the Senate I will facilitate work in it with adequate infrastructure.”

March 13, 2015
Madam Ntia for burial today

The Ntia family of Ididep-Usuk in Ibiono Ibom , Akwa Ibom State will today bury their mother, the late Mrs Stella Ime Okon Ntia. The late Ntia was the first female President of the Scripture Union (SU), Ikot Ekpene Group. She died at the age of 76 years.

Family sources said the late Stella was born 76 years ago to the family of late Mr. and Mrs. Okon Uko Etuk of Akukwot Village in Usung-Inyang, Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. She was the first child among four children.

Describing her Christian life while on earth, the family said the late Christian leader and school teacher, late Mrs Stella Ntia, was a very passionate woman who took her service for God very serious.

“She was the first female President of The Scripture Union, Ikot Ekpene group. While in Sokoto State, she was very active with ECWA Goodnews Church and Christ Embassy,” the family said.

According to her first son and family spokesman, Usukuma Ntia, the Editor of BrandiQ International magazine, she would be laid to rest today at Rev Ntia’s compound, Ididep-usuk in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, of Akwa State.

Other activities include a service of Songs at Treasures Exclusive Garden, Shitta, Iju, Lagos; and Service of Testimonies at Full-life Christian Centre, Noah’s Ark Auditorium Uyo.

Mrs Ntia is survived by four children, including Rev Ntia I. Ntia, Senior Pastor and Founder of Full-Life Church, Uyo.

March 13, 2015
‘Fed Govt right to award security contracts to ex-militants ‘

Rowland Oritsejafor, a Minister of Defence (state) during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, has ‘resurfaced’ after a long hiatus from the political scene. He spoke with journalists in Warri on diverse issues, including politics and award of contracts to former Niger Delta militants. SHOLA O’NEIL was there.

n how to deal with post-election violence

I think the Federal Government has taken the right step in dealing with what we call the adverse outcome but it is all about people. I am happy that Nigerians know what they want and there are committees in place; bringing people from different sides of the divide to come and talk and look at ways of handling it. There is Prof Akinyemi, the former foreign affairs Minister and I know my brother Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (CAN) and Muslim religious leaders are meeting and that is the way it should be. We have to be proactive and be prepared so that we are not taken by surprise. More importantly, it is not about those leaders, it is about all of us. We have a special role to play to keep telling the people that Nigeria is one. There is no point talking about one man one vote and when it comes out you say no if the party of your choice does not come out victorious there is no need to be violence.

On threat by Tompolo, Asari others and the fact that it was made at a government house.

The militants only reacted to what the Northern have said. Let us be conscious in analyzing security situation. Where you make a statement does not suggest or mean that it is the party’s policy. Let’s get that very clear. I can be invited to Aso Rock and then I make a statement, does that mean that the president supported what I said. Let us be very clear, PDP is a peaceful government with well-respected and responsible people. There is no way the PDP would support violence. Some people are making statements, I cannot come and defend those statements because I don’t know from where they are coming and I wasn’t there. However, as far as PDP is concern, we will pursue peace and it is in our interest to pursue peace. So why would we want to invest in violence when we have opportunity to show what we can do. You can hear the president going round, it is all about what he has done and he keeps rolling them out.

In the past, indeed of our faults as a party is that we underreported our achievement and we are correcting that now and things  are taking a better shape so I don’t see what we should embrace violence.

The award of security contracts to the ex-militants, including Tompolo, has raised dust, do you think the president got it right?

All over the world it is people that acquire weapons as long as you have the license to do it. To me that is not the problem. We have to be very careful with this issue. We should not politicize everything. Every Nigerian citizen has the right to acquire weapons if he is licensed. But unless you have something against them and you have taken them to a competent court of law. Yes these guys were militants. But let me ask you a question, do these guys have a cause for carrying arm against the Federal Government? The fact they were militants does not stop them from partaking in activities going on in the country. They carried arms because they were oppressed and when they protested, government recognized that they have been wronged and the matter was corrected.

Beyond politics, do you think President Jonathan deserves another term?

He has done so much. The challenges are colossal but if you look at governance, he has brought governance closer to the people in different area. Is it transportation, electricity has improved. We are talking about measurable indices of performance. Since I came to Warri the light has not tripped and no generator and you know power is key to us. Things are happening you can see gender equality. The president of Rwanda became extremely popular because of given opportunities to women folks in terms of governance and you can see what is happening here; he brought in trusted woman who are doing well in the area of government.

Security is a great challenge, it is unfortunate, but the mistake between us and those who have security in their country is that security is not left only in the hands of profession; everybody has to be cautious in the area of security. It is only then that you can help the professionals to achieve what they want. People who are throwing bombs are living among us. Why are we silent, why are we not observant and why do we wait till people are killed, maimed and property destroyed before we start shouting. I want to appeal that security is collective responsibility. It should not be used as an index of political achievement. That will be sad. All of us, our lives are important, are future and property are important so we must all be committed to the security of the nation.

If you were not PDP member, would you think the PDP-led Federal Government got its strategy right in the fight against Boko Haram?

I am opportune as Minister of State for Defence, by my service and experience I have an idea of how it works. Security is not about one plus one equals two, especially when you are talking of insurgency. Let’s get some fundamentals right: one, the theatre of war has changed; it is no more conventional or traditional when you have people on one side and another on the other side and you determine this is the theatre of war and you start shooting or killing until you take prisoners and know you have won. The world has moved on. These days, the theatre has changed, the weapons have changed, and the rules of engagement have change. People can be in their kitchen and are making weapons that are lethal and are very fatal in their activities. Similarly, your enemy is living with you, so it is difficult to say this is the way it should have gone and this is how it shouldn’t have gone. That is why am talking about collective responsibility.

Two, a government is to protect the people – these same people. Do you know how painful it was to use our tax money to acquire weapons, to prepare do you know how painful it was for me – I used to go around talking about it –  to give order to turn that same weapon against Nigerians for whatever reason? These are the constraints. You need wisdom and tact and you have to be careful and sure when you start using the weapon against your own people, destroying your own people. It is not an easy fight when you have the enemy on the other side. They are Nigerians who are misguided. Initially it was difficult, but when you appeal and tell them and yet they are not abating in their commitment to destruction, you have to step up ways of handling. For me, that is what we should be looking at and not staying aside and scoring. It is a difficult situation and Mr President has my sympathy.  It is a loss to all of us and not to one party or another. Those killing, the victims and those constrained about fighting back are also Nigerians. It is a sad situation.

How is it different from the Niger Delta situation that you handled?

The beauty about the Niger Delta situation is that leaders played a constructive and prominent role in arresting the situation. It came out from neglect and when the youths took arms because they believed that the leaders were too slow and had to fight to get it right, the leaders were all around them tried to guard and direct them and the government listened and we know about amnesty and all kinds of peace deals. In those days when the Ijaws and Itsekiris were fighting, this is an Itsekiri home, the Ijaws who were carrying arms were coming here to have meetings with us. Leaders had a major role in trying to make them understand that this is not the way to go. I was highly involved in the different peace movements, going to the creeks to talk to them and today we have the benefit of it.

Are you satisfied with the president’s handling of corruption in the past six years?

I am not satisfied with the way corruption is being highlighted generally. However, it terms of what my party is doing about it, it is like death sentence, it has not prevented armed robbery; robbery is still on the high side. It is like when you are doing something and not achieving the right result, you must withdraw and re-strategize and that is what the president is doing. The issue is not just putting people in jail or whatever. But let us try and let them understand that it is madness to steal from yourself – the money belongs to all of us. Lay emphasis on education, make people understand that what you are doing is not only embarrassing yourself, you are creating problems for generations to come. So the strategy which the president is taking is working. I talked about underreporting, go to EFCC and look at the statistics of prosecutions that have taken place in this administration and compare it with others.

Corruption is being tackled but let it show that the way you tackled it is not the way to go. Before you take them to court, you put them in the papers, television and you harass them that is not the way to go. Human’s rights must be respected. We are interested in redirection, in rehabilitation and not punitive measures, punitive measures have not paid, it is just emotional.

What most Nigerians want to see is prosecution of political officeholders and looters of treasuries, not the just the 419 cases the EFCC is going. Prosecution during past administrations may be fewer but some notable politicians were arrested and tried. We had issues of N200m cars and alleged fraud in the NNPC and others.

We have a justice system and we have to be very careful. Politicians are not those that execute justice, we must have confidence in our judiciary system. You do not expect the President to be the policeman, investigator and judge. Let’s get those very clear. When you make statement about specific issues, you (journalist) are in a better position to investigate in terms of evidence that can be used for prosecution.

How would you compare Obasanjo’s approach to fighting corruption and that of the present administration?

I have just told you that it is not about coming to papers, before you take people to court, you find them guilty, it is not about making noise, collect evidence and do your work quietly. Meanwhile, think of reintegrating and redirecting the people involved because they are Nigerians. For me, that is the style I prefer but I am not going to be comparing one administration with the other. I cannot see with your eyes, this is a free country.

How would you access the presidential candidate of the APC, Gen Muhammadu Buhari?

In the first place, to a lot of people, he is the symbol of the old traditional way of doing things and a symbol of failure. He has not won any election. If you do something and it’s not yielding result, you have to change your style, is it not madness? Is he the only person in that party?

People would tell you too that Abraham Lincoln, who contested several elections and lost but won the only time he contested the presidential election..

Abraham Lincoln survived because the people of America believed in him. But if Buhari is able to convince them that he is the better candidate and they believed him then so be it. If not there are other younger candidates in the party that they should have projected instead of Buhari. That is my personal opinion.

n how to deal with post-election violence

I think the Federal Government has taken the right step in dealing with what we call the adverse outcome but it is all about people. I am happy that Nigerians know what they want and there are committees in place; bringing people from different sides of the divide to come and talk and look at ways of handling it. There is Prof Akinyemi, the former foreign affairs Minister and I know my brother Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (CAN) and Muslim religious leaders are meeting and that is the way it should be. We have to be proactive and be prepared so that we are not taken by surprise. More importantly, it is not about those leaders, it is about all of us. We have a special role to play to keep telling the people that Nigeria is one. There is no point talking about one man one vote and when it comes out you say no if the party of your choice does not come out victorious there is no need to be violence.

On threat by Tompolo, Asari others and the fact that it was made at a government house.

The militants only reacted to what the Northern have said. Let us be conscious in analyzing security situation. Where you make a statement does not suggest or mean that it is the party’s policy. Let’s get that very clear. I can be invited to Aso Rock and then I make a statement, does that mean that the president supported what I said. Let us be very clear, PDP is a peaceful government with well-respected and responsible people. There is no way the PDP would support violence. Some people are making statements, I cannot come and defend those statements because I don’t know from where they are coming and I wasn’t there. However, as far as PDP is concern, we will pursue peace and it is in our interest to pursue peace. So why would we want to invest in violence when we have opportunity to show what we can do. You can hear the president going round, it is all about what he has done and he keeps rolling them out.

In the past, indeed of our faults as a party is that we underreported our achievement and we are correcting that now and things  are taking a better shape so I don’t see what we should embrace violence.

The award of security contracts to the ex-militants, including Tompolo, has raised dust, do you think the president got it right?

All over the world it is people that acquire weapons as long as you have the license to do it. To me that is not the problem. We have to be very careful with this issue. We should not politicize everything. Every Nigerian citizen has the right to acquire weapons if he is licensed. But unless you have something against them and you have taken them to a competent court of law. Yes these guys were militants. But let me ask you a question, do these guys have a cause for carrying arm against the Federal Government? The fact they were militants does not stop them from partaking in activities going on in the country. They carried arms because they were oppressed and when they protested, government recognized that they have been wronged and the matter was corrected.

Beyond politics, do you think President Jonathan deserves another term?

He has done so much. The challenges are colossal but if you look at governance, he has brought governance closer to the people in different area. Is it transportation, electricity has improved. We are talking about measurable indices of performance. Since I came to Warri the light has not tripped and no generator and you know power is key to us. Things are happening you can see gender equality. The president of Rwanda became extremely popular because of given opportunities to women folks in terms of governance and you can see what is happening here; he brought in trusted woman who are doing well in the area of government.

Security is a great challenge, it is unfortunate, but the mistake between us and those who have security in their country is that security is not left only in the hands of profession; everybody has to be cautious in the area of security. It is only then that you can help the professionals to achieve what they want. People who are throwing bombs are living among us. Why are we silent, why are we not observant and why do we wait till people are killed, maimed and property destroyed before we start shouting. I want to appeal that security is collective responsibility. It should not be used as an index of political achievement. That will be sad. All of us, our lives are important, are future and property are important so we must all be committed to the security of the nation.

If you were not PDP member, would you think the PDP-led Federal Government got its strategy right in the fight against Boko Haram?

I am opportune as Minister of State for Defence, by my service and experience I have an idea of how it works. Security is not about one plus one equals two, especially when you are talking of insurgency. Let’s get some fundamentals right: one, the theatre of war has changed; it is no more conventional or traditional when you have people on one side and another on the other side and you determine this is the theatre of war and you start shooting or killing until you take prisoners and know you have won. The world has moved on. These days, the theatre has changed, the weapons have changed, and the rules of engagement have change. People can be in their kitchen and are making weapons that are lethal and are very fatal in their activities. Similarly, your enemy is living with you, so it is difficult to say this is the way it should have gone and this is how it shouldn’t have gone. That is why am talking about collective responsibility.

Two, a government is to protect the people – these same people. Do you know how painful it was to use our tax money to acquire weapons, to prepare do you know how painful it was for me – I used to go around talking about it –  to give order to turn that same weapon against Nigerians for whatever reason? These are the constraints. You need wisdom and tact and you have to be careful and sure when you start using the weapon against your own people, destroying your own people. It is not an easy fight when you have the enemy on the other side. They are Nigerians who are misguided. Initially it was difficult, but when you appeal and tell them and yet they are not abating in their commitment to destruction, you have to step up ways of handling. For me, that is what we should be looking at and not staying aside and scoring. It is a difficult situation and Mr President has my sympathy.  It is a loss to all of us and not to one party or another. Those killing, the victims and those constrained about fighting back are also Nigerians. It is a sad situation.

How is it different from the Niger Delta situation that you handled?

The beauty about the Niger Delta situation is that leaders played a constructive and prominent role in arresting the situation. It came out from neglect and when the youths took arms because they believed that the leaders were too slow and had to fight to get it right, the leaders were all around them tried to guard and direct them and the government listened and we know about amnesty and all kinds of peace deals. In those days when the Ijaws and Itsekiris were fighting, this is an Itsekiri home, the Ijaws who were carrying arms were coming here to have meetings with us. Leaders had a major role in trying to make them understand that this is not the way to go. I was highly involved in the different peace movements, going to the creeks to talk to them and today we have the benefit of it.

Are you satisfied with the president’s handling of corruption in the past six years?

I am not satisfied with the way corruption is being highlighted generally. However, it terms of what my party is doing about it, it is like death sentence, it has not prevented armed robbery; robbery is still on the high side. It is like when you are doing something and not achieving the right result, you must withdraw and re-strategize and that is what the president is doing. The issue is not just putting people in jail or whatever. But let us try and let them understand that it is madness to steal from yourself – the money belongs to all of us. Lay emphasis on education, make people understand that what you are doing is not only embarrassing yourself, you are creating problems for generations to come. So the strategy which the president is taking is working. I talked about underreporting, go to EFCC and look at the statistics of prosecutions that have taken place in this administration and compare it with others.

Corruption is being tackled but let it show that the way you tackled it is not the way to go. Before you take them to court, you put them in the papers, television and you harass them that is not the way to go. Human’s rights must be respected. We are interested in redirection, in rehabilitation and not punitive measures, punitive measures have not paid, it is just emotional.

What most Nigerians want to see is prosecution of political officeholders and looters of treasuries, not the just the 419 cases the EFCC is going. Prosecution during past administrations may be fewer but some notable politicians were arrested and tried. We had issues of N200m cars and alleged fraud in the NNPC and others.

We have a justice system and we have to be very careful. Politicians are not those that execute justice, we must have confidence in our judiciary system. You do not expect the President to be the policeman, investigator and judge. Let’s get those very clear. When you make statement about specific issues, you (journalist) are in a better position to investigate in terms of evidence that can be used for prosecution.

How would you compare Obasanjo’s approach to fighting corruption and that of the present administration?

I have just told you that it is not about coming to papers, before you take people to court, you find them guilty, it is not about making noise, collect evidence and do your work quietly. Meanwhile, think of reintegrating and redirecting the people involved because they are Nigerians. For me, that is the style I prefer but I am not going to be comparing one administration with the other. I cannot see with your eyes, this is a free country.

How would you access the presidential candidate of the APC, Gen Muhammadu Buhari?

In the first place, to a lot of people, he is the symbol of the old traditional way of doing things and a symbol of failure. He has not won any election. If you do something and it’s not yielding result, you have to change your style, is it not madness? Is he the only person in that party?

People would tell you too that Abraham Lincoln, who contested several elections and lost but won the only time he contested the presidential election..

Abraham Lincoln survived because the people of America believed in him. But if Buhari is able to convince them that he is the better candidate and they believed him then so be it. If not there are other younger candidates in the party that they should have projected instead of Buhari. That is my personal opinion.

March 13, 2015