The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • ‘There is no godfather in Delta PDP’

    ‘There is no godfather in Delta PDP’

    Mr Paul Odili is a member of Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign publicity committee. He speaks with SHOLA O’NEIL on alleged hijack of the party, report of tension between Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and other issues.

    What omen does the emergence of Sen Okowa portend for your party in next month’s general election?

    The omens are very good. Okowa is a good candidate. He is well liked and he is known by the people of Delta State. He is has a lot of experience in politics. He has a lot of experience in government too.  He understands the state and the people. He is a progressive politician who wants the best for the people of the state. He wants to build on the best successes of the government of Delta state. He is the candidate to beat, others are pretenders and jokers who have been tried and have failed the people. Unlike his opponents in the other parties, Okowa has never lost an election.  Deltans don’t want failures to be elected into the exalted office of governor because they know that it is too risky. PDP with Okowa as flag bearer is going to sweep the election in Delta State.

    Your enthusiasm is not shared by a section of the party against the backdrop the deep wounds the primary left on individuals, leaders and the party…

    There is no deep wound on individuals. Where is the evidence of that?  Don’t mistake smoke as fire. Right now almost all the PDP aspirants are working with the winner in the party campaign organisation. Some aspirants are zonal coordinators, some are directors of the PDP campaign organisation; those who are not directly involved have nominees holding strategic positions in the campaign organisation. So right now the deep wounds exist in the imagination of opponents who are praying and wishing to see a PDP in disarray and are in shock that the party has come together and is forging ahead into victory. The party has experienced managers and leaders and has emerged from the primaries stronger and more united. Its leaders have reached out to everyone and there is acceptance to be together and to ensure victory for the party in all the elections.

    What’s your view on the rumoured friction between the incumbent governor and the party’s flag bearer?

    You say it is rumour and you know what they say about rumour: it is usually smoke without fire. This rumour is a very good example of that. The oppositions are always imagining things. When what they imagine is not coming to reality, they start spreading rumour. The first person to publicly congratulate Okowa was Governor Uduaghan. He followed by inviting Okowa to dinner and to wish him well. Within 48 hours, the governor was working with Dr Okowa to reach out to the other aspirants and with the party leaders constituted the campaign council. So are these actions of two people having friction? The answer is no. Since then Governor Uduaghan and Dr Okowa have campaigned together on a number of occasions, with Governor Uduaghan time and time again raising the hand of Okowa and calling on Deltans to support and to vote for him and other PDP candidates. See, the thing with rumour  is that it is easy to expose. My advice to the opposition is: don’t wait for imaginary friction, go to the field and campaign. Go to the people and look for votes. Governor Uduaghan and Dr Okowa are working together for victory. There is no friction.

    A section of the party’s faithful and Deltans believe that the PDP has been hijacked by certain elements, how do you think he can deal with the ‘godfathers’?

    There is no hijack. PDP is too big to be hijacked by certain elements. How is that possible? Again, I don’t think that godfather exists in the party. It is difficult for that to happen. I know a party with godfathers. Nigerians know that party and PDP is not that party. PDP is a masses-based party and members are free to express themselves and have always expressed themselves. There are regular meetings and consultations. So, who is hijacking who? Okowa is an experienced party leader and was part of the formation of the party in 1998 and knows all the key players and have a good eye for new members that have joined and are playing leadership role in the party. He understands how PDP works. He is a grassroots man and understands how the party works.

    Okowa cannot be hijacked by anyone; he is a listening politician; he knows how to consult and how to reach out. He is man who is committed to create balance in how things work. I know Okowa cannot be part of plot to hijack the party and give undue advantage to anyone or group or godfather as you called it. He understands politics and the ingredients of politics. His success is a product of struggle and he knows that PDP will continue to grow if it promotes mass appeal and not the agenda of any godfather.

    Some people feel that with the capital and several other key appointments, Delta north has more than its fair share of political offices and so are opposed to Okowa’s candidacy. What is your take?

    It is true that all things being equal and with God’s help, Delta north under the principle of rotation will produce the next governor of Delta State. It is good that as people of one state that we give each other a sense of belonging and opportunity to be equal stakeholders. I was pleased and excited when Governor Uduaghan, an Itsekiri from Delta South senatorial district, was elected governor. That is a good thing. Today we are looking at Okowa from Ika in Delta north. Uduaghan did not govern Delta for Itsekiri. He governed for Deltans irrespective of tribe and I know Okowa is going to do same. Okowa is going to make sure every part of Delta belongs and benefits from appointments, programmes and projects. No part will be left behind. As a member of state executive council, I know that when decisions are being taken, there is conscious effort to ensure balance, equity and justice. Okowa served as commissioner of various ministries and SSG, and I am yet to hear that his tenure benefitted one group over another. So the fear is unfounded. But you know some persons and group will always canvass more. They will look for all kinds of arguments to justify their position, even if that argument does not hold water.   Okowa’s governorship is not about Delta north, it is creating a better future for all Deltans. It is about inclusiveness for every part. I know that the silent majority of our people across know this and will give him their votes and support.

    Beyond promising to bring posperity to Deltans, the PDP candidate is yet to roll out programme and roadmap to the ‘prosperity’?

    Dr Okowa has an agenda and he has rolled it out. He is promising prosperity, he is promising empowerment, he is promising infrastructure development, he is promising real grass root development, he is promising health insurance for Deltans, he is promising agro-based industrial development. Dr Okowa is promising urban renewal and infrastructure development. He is promising environmental protection and development. He is saying that Delta State is a state with limitless possibilities and that the state with him will see great changes and consolidation. He has a five-point agenda, an improvement over the three point agenda of Uduaghan. Okowa is saying that there will be strategic wealth creation, there will be urban  renewal, he is saying there will be consolidation in education and health, he is promising political and social stability and agricultural transformation. That is his programme and I cannot think at this time think of a better roadmap. There is no doubt the future of Delta State is secured and safe. This man has been tried and tested and he has excelled.

     

  • Ogoni indigenous government to facilitate the implementation of UNEP report

    Ogoni indigenous government to facilitate the implementation of UNEP report

    The Ogoni people, under the auspices of Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority (OCIA), have declared an indigenous government led by the chairman of Ogoni Governor’s forum, Hon. Lipnee Barika Lawrence.  The  Ogoni government promised to fight for the implementation of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report.

    The government said their structure runs from the village council to the districts and to the province, adding that they got their legal backing from UN declaration of rights of indigenous government.

    It would be recalled that the call for the implementation  UNEP report  have generated much controversy leading to different political parties pledging support to the Ogoni people and promising to ensure the implementation of the report.

    The OCIA made up of the eight Ogoni indigenous governors led by its chairman of Ogoni Governor’s forum, Hon. Lipnee Barika Lawrence said Ogoni people are tired of promises from the political class. He noted that the plight of Ogoni people would no longer be politicised but an adequate action would be taken to ensure that UNEP report is implemented.

    While embarking on its first tour to the eight provinces in Ogoni after their inauguration Lipnee said: “After our inauguration as the governor of the eight Ogoni provinces we decided to make this familiarization tour for our people to know what is happening. The struggle of this government has a great emphasis for the execution of the UNEP report. Days are gone when politicians will be coming to Ogioni to use our polluted environment as a campaign to attract vote from Ogoni people.

    “The Ogoni government is on course. Ogonis have elected their governors from the eight provinces. We have come to show ourselves. No one should be afraid of abandonment. We are with our people. If we are not in place, the police would have arrested us as we are moving with siren. Federal Government is aware of our existence and activities. We call on all the Ogoni people to accept our government which is founded on the UN declaration of rights of the indigenous people to have their indigenous government. That is our legal backing.”

    The paramount ruler of Zaakpo community in Bori Province, Chief Sampson Adamugbo, while responding after appeasing the gods for the success of the government, said: “I am happy with the message brought to me today. But I plead that it should be for the interest of Ogoni people else I will not be happy. The things you told me should be real and should not turn out to be false. I pray God’s grace as you continue in this journey.”

    Joseph Kio, a youth leader in Bori who spoke for the youths of Bori Province said: “We align ourselves with the vision of our hero, Ken-Saro Wiwa. We support the struggle of realizing his dreams. We will not fold our hands and watch our oil and efforts waste.”

    Prince Lebosi Eguru who spoke for his father, the king of Luubara, King Dr M S H Eguru, the Gbenemene Kenkana Kingdom encouraged OCIA to be law-abiding in all their activities.

    “Your conducts should be peaceful. It should not involve crisis that may bring Ogoni to be deserted. We want to grow to the point of talking to international communities. The King is rightly behind you in the struggle.” He said

    Hon Dumade Bernard Budam, the Chief of Staff and the Deputy leader Ogoni Legislative Assembly, said that Ogoni has fulfilled all that it entails in the long term struggle for freedom and justice.

    In his words: “I believe that Ogoni has achieved the efforts of Wiwa. We have evoked the United Nation’s declaration of the rights of the indigenous people. We thank President Jonathan for giving us audience because he loves the Ogoni people. If he does not love us he would not have allowed us parade an indigenous government under him. So I believe he loves us and we appreciate him

    “We have made several achievements in course of this indigenous authority. This is because we have structures on ground. The structure runs from the village council to the district, district to province. We are seriously working towards the implementation of the UNEP report in Ogoniland. This government stands on horticulture, that is, agriculture and homeland security for the indigenous Ogoni people.

    “There is no Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) again in Ogoni land. What we have now is Ogoni indigenous government. MOSOP ceased to be a body after the 22nd Ogoni Day anniversary. This is because what MOSOP was established for has been actualised. MOSOP was formed to fight for the freedom of the Ogoni people for justice and for self-government and fair play.

    “Now MOSOP has evoked the UN declaration of the right of indigenes, which is what gave us this right today. There is nothing like MOSOP again in Ogoni. If anybody is talking about MOSOP, it is for the person’s self-gain and interest. The nine affiliates of MOSOP stand as the NGOs that will work with international NGOs to help the government grow. We now have Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority, government of the Ogoni people.”

  • Okonjo-Iweala’s Ogwashi-Uku kinsmen bemoan lack of water, power

    Okonjo-Iweala’s Ogwashi-Uku kinsmen bemoan lack of water, power

    Despite over a century of unbroken existence as provincial headquarter, Ogwashi-Uku, headquarter of Aniocha South Local Government Area, has little to show for its status.

    Ogwashi-Uku, the birthplace of Minister for Finance Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has grappled with total darkness and a lack of potable water for its inhabitants in the last seven years.

    When the Federal Government in 2003 commenced work on a dam, Ogwashi-Uku residents heaved a sigh of relief, but that hope has since been dashed following the abandonment of the dam10 years after construction started.

    As if to add insult to injury, the Ubu River – the only source of water to residents – has  become polluted due to the activities of the contractors at the dam, raising fears of an imminent epidemic.

    The Ubu River, which traverses many communities, used to be a fast-flowing river, but has become stagnant and polluted. The river at a point on the Asaba-Ughelli is threatening to wash off the road under construction due to the build-up of water up-stream.

    The Iyase of Ogwashi-Uku, Dr Collins Afunwa, who spoke to Niger Delta Report in Ogwashi-Uku, urged the Federal Government to complete the dam to forestall an impending health calamity.

    He confirmed that the only water source in the community has become polluted owing to the construction work at the dam site. He lamented the non-completion of the Ogwashi-Uku Dam  after over a decade after.

    He said the abandoned water dam is negatively affecting the wellbeing of residents, adding that residents are forced to buy water from commercial water vendors at exorbitant costs.

    He blamed the pollution of the Ubu River on the blockade of the river channel to the copper dams used to restrict the flow of water during construction work at the dam, which has been left unopened.

    Of the four copper dam constructed down-stream, only one is evacuating water- a situation that may be responsible the restricted flow and attendant water build-up  up-steam.

    Aside the non-completion of the dam, our findings revealed that another major factor militating against the completion is the uncompleted power substation attached to the dam.

    Dr Afunwa expressed doubt over the completion of the project, adding the current state of the dam has made it impossible for the people of the community to have access to the Ubu stream.

    He predicted that the Ogwashi-Uku people would endure more hardship during the dry season owing to the uncompleted dam.

    On efforts the community is making to ensure that work resumes, Afunwa appealed to Dr Okonjo-Iweala to help fast track the completion of the dam, as the community has exhausted all means available to get work to resume on the dam site.

    His words: ‘We understood that the Minister for Finance, who hails from this town, is handling the dam project. So, we have no committee in place that is liaising with government on the dam. We are hoping that the Minister for Finance will use this opportunity to show she hails from this town. I believe strongly that that project has been abandoned.”

    A resident, Alphonsus Onianwa, said without potable water supply, he has had to build a concrete pond to store water purchased from commercial water dealer at great cost.

    His words: “We have continued to suffer as we have suffered since the past seven years. Many residents fetch water from the streams around while the rich buy water from tankers who get water from boreholes.

    “It is cheaper to buy from commercial water tankers who fetch from the polluted Ubu River as it sells for N5000, while commercial tankers who fetch from borehole sell theirs for N7500.For an average family, this  stock of water will last only two weeks and as a civil servant you will agree with me that this is expensive.”

    Afunwa wondered why the privatisation efforts of the Federal Government have failed to yield the expected dividend for which it was handed to private investors.

    He said: “It is indeed sad that despite the purported privatisation of the PHCN things have not changed Besides one is compelled to wonder why the investors of the electricity company are not in a hurry to put things in order so that they can start making profits from their investments.  One would have expected they will be in a hurry to do the needful so that they can start making profits, but that is not the case. The whole thing looks suspicious.”

    Continuing: “We have done everything humanely possible to ensure that we have electricity in the last seven years and nothing is happening about light. For more than seven years we have never had light and it has been like that and nobody is thinking about getting us light. As far as light is concerned Ogwashi-Uku is not sure of getting light in the next two years, unless government comes to our aid.”

     

  • Rivers NBA begins voters’ sensitisation awareness

    The Nigerian Bar Association, Isiokpo branch in Ikwerre Local government of Rivers State has kicked off voters sensitisation exercise to educate the people especially the youths on how to vote wisely.

    The campaign which started  on Monday at the palace of the paramount ruler of Emohua, HRM, Eze V.C.D Okor was attended by traditional rulers, chiefs, clan heads, women and youths of the area.

    Educating the voters, the chairman of Nigerian Bar association Isiokpo branch Mr. Promise Wobo Iwezor said the sensitization campaign came as a result of the task given to all branches of NBA by the National president, Augustine Alege.

    Iwezor said their mission is to sensitize end mobilize the people of area on election and voting matters to promote peace and orderliness during the February general election.

    He thanked the paramount ruler of Emohua for given them the opportunity to address his subjects, adding their effort would contribute to the success of the 2015 general election.

    “From today we have started the voters’ sensitization awareness; thank God we started from the palace. The objective is to create voters awareness with believe that we will achieve desired result.

    “We are doing everything possible to ensure crisis free election; the awareness campaign is going down to the grassroots. Of course, what we are doing is in line with NBA’s agreement at the end of her National workshop in Abuja.”

     

     

  • APC govt will implement welfare law, says Ake

    APC govt will implement welfare law, says Ake

    The member representing Rivers West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Wilson Ake has said the All Progressives Congress(APC) will implement the Social Security Bill just passed into law.

    Ake spoke in Erema, his home town in Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State when groups from  the area paid  him solidarity/thank you visit for  his efforts in ensuring the  passage of the bill.

    Senator Ake,  who chairs the Senate Committee on Labour, said the bill was meant to cater for the less privileged, the aged and unemployed youths, and as such would reduce insurgency, insecurity and other social vices.

    He  said the APC Presidential candidate, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari and Rivers State APC governorship candidate,  Dakuku Adol Peterside , have the political will to implement the law.

    He urged the people to vote massively for APC candidates at all levels.

    “I thank you for your solidarity and concern for the bill that was passed by the National Assembly by my committee. The bill as you know is intended to chatter for the less privileged members of our country, and I assure you that the country has everybody in mind and we believe that the in-coming government of the APC will have the mind and all it will take to implement every aspect of that law fully.

    “I believe that it will reduce interest in insurgency, restiveness, and draw our children away from all manner of vices that is todaycharacterising parts of our country and the aged ones who have nobody to chatter for them will have something to depend upon.

    “I want to also encourage you to do everything within your powers to ensure that APC from the national to the state, especially Gen. Mohammadu Buhari and Dakuku  Peterside win the next month’s elections, because they have all it takes to change things positively in the country and state.” He appealed.

    Earlier, spokesman of each of the five groups that visited had extoled Ake’s Representative qualities in the National Assembly especially his thoughtfulness in initiating a bill that will have direct bearing on the indigent members of the society and the jobless youths, with the aim of fighting insecurity in the country.

    The groups are Rivers West Progressive Forum, Rivers West students union, Rivers West Youth Assembly, Rivers West Platform and Orashi Youth Movement.

    They said posterity would remember him for the act and called on President Good Luck Jonathan to facilitate its signing into law so it would have full legal backing for implementation.

    The Chairman Rivers West Progressive Forum, Kingsman Alex said: “We are happy for your kind feelings for the poor masses of the society which has translated into your sponsoring the Social Security Bill which was passed into law last week.

    “We are here to express how proud we are because of your people oriented representation you are giving to this senatorial district.

    “The Social Security Act when signed and fully implemented will help in giving hope to the less privileged of the society and unemployed youths, as the monthly  stipends that will be given them by the government will go a long way in alleviating their sufferings until they find their feet in a better and sustainable source of living.

    “We have no doubt that when this law comes on course, the growing trend of insecurity and criminality in the country will reduce to barest minimum. We, therefore, call on the government to ensure the signing of the Act into law does not linger.”

  • Who wants to stone Dickson?

    Who wants to stone Dickson?

    bayelsa State was once described by Governor Seriake Dickson as the headquarters of rumour in Nigeria. To counter what he viewed as the ugly consequences of rumour-mongering , Dickson set up the Bayelsa State Information Management Committee. But despite the activities of the committee, a disturbing rumour has refused to depart the political scene – the stoning of the governor.

    It has become an open secret that there is a plot to stone the governor at the forthcoming Presidential rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yenagoa. Though it sounded unbelievable, persons said to be behind the plot were alleged to have constituted “a stoning committee” made up of angry youths to work out the modalities.

    The Government House is not taking the matter lying low. In fact, members of Dickson’s team are aware that stoning is a possibility that cannot be wished away. They are  doing everything possible to stop unleashing such public opprobrium on the countryman governor. They were amusingly said to have also established an “anti-stoning committee” to counter any stoning eventuality.

    Indeed, people have every reason to take the matter seriously. Stoning the highest public personage in Bayelsa is not new. It was an ugly condemnable precedent that entered the political space of the state in 2011. Former Governor  Timipre Sylva got huge dose of the ill-treatment that year when Jonathan came for a similar rally in Yenagoa.

    In the presence of Jonathan and other PDP bigwigs, youths believed to have been hired turned stones, sachet water and  other objects within their reach into missiles and hurled them at Sylva while he stood on a podium to address the gathering. They treated their governor with ignominy and washed their dirty linen in a public event that was beamed live on national television. It was a worrisome development that rattled and hunted the governor and his cabinet.

    In fact, beyond the stoning, the taciturn posture of the President worried everybody. President Jonathan said nothing to condemn the public embarrassment visited on Sylva. He kept sealed lips and saw nothing wrong with the stone revolution.

    Eventually, when he spoke, his statement which gave approval to stoning as a sign of public rejection startled everybody. His remarks came about one year after Sylva’s public harassment, during the final governorship rally of PDP that ushered in Dickson. The President did not just support stoning, he promised to partake in it if Dickson failed and the people decided to give him the Sylva treatment.

    He proudly alluded to the stoning and claimed that the former governor’s style of leadership and poor performance compelled the people of the state to hurl missiles at him (Sylva) during one of his presidential visits.

    He turned to Dickson and said: “You have brought people from Abuja to Yenagoa today. The only thing I want to tell you in the presence of Bayelsa State is that I was here in this place some months ago and Bayelsans stoned the governor. You must work hard to make sure that Bayelsans don’t stone you. The day I come here and Bayelsans stone you, I will follow and stone you.”

    The President’s outburst and public endorsement of stoning surprised everybody. Maybe he must regretted the endorsement recently after similar treatment was meted  him in some northern states during his ongoing campaign to retain his office.

    But everybody who remembered his stoning approval is worried and that is why the Dickson’s team is said to be preparing for such possibility at rally. Though nobody knows the anti-stoning strategy being adopted, some said the governor was making a plan to install cameras all over the Samson Siasia Sports Complex where the rally is scheduled to hold. This, they argue, will help the security agencies fish out the agents of stoning if it eventually happens.

    In fact, the anticipation of such ill treatment became rife recently after the Mangrove Boys of Bayelsa (MBB) raised it as a poser in their press release which reportedly barred the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan from accompanying her husband to the event.

    Condemning the silence of the President over the excesses of his wife in the state, the group queried: “Is President Goodluck Jonathan using this as a ploy to join Bayelsa youths to stone Governor Dickson as promised by the President during his presidential campaign in 2011 and subsequently to oust Dickson’s administration since he could hardly rebuke his wife in several of her political atrocities?”

    Furthermore, the cold shoulder the governor has been receiving from the Presidency is a suspect. Recently trending on Facebook is an unconfirmed report of an alleged rude treatment the governor received at Aso Rock Villa from security operatives attached to the President.

    The governor has been battling the overtures of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a campaign group of Jonathan which has practically hijacked the activities of PDP in the state. TAN is believed to be working for Mrs. Jonathan to undermine Dickson.

    Reacting to the development, the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Mr. Udens Eradiri, denounced the rumour that the governor could be a victim of stoning. He said:  “The President will be here on February 6th and we are already hearing rumours that some people will stone some people. Any iota of satchet water or stone will crumble Mr. President chances and Ijaw people must note that that day is supposed to be a day of celebration, dancing. Everybody must come out to support our own.

    “You saw what they did  for Buhari in Kano and you will see what they will do when he goes back home for his final campaign. That is what we must show. Let us forget our differences and come out. The TAN people should note that we know all those meetings that they are holding.

    “If they are actually working for the a President, everybody will be on the same vessel. I am a non-partisan person and I stand in the middle. If any of them go wrong I will always tell them. As IYC President at the end of the day, they will pit youths against themselves. When they will sit down as politicians to drink champagne, the enmity of the youths will continue. My duty is to ensure that these youths are not used as pawns in a chess game.”

    Eradiri further regretted the Cold War involving TAN, the First Lady and Dickson. “We can’t pretend about it. There is a Cold War going on. There is the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria. (TAN) that is made up of the loyalists of the former governor of the state who were not in good terms with the President. They have never been happy with the President.

    “And so their conduct is actually creating so much problems for the President’s reelection. I wonder who set that thing up knowing fully well that these are the people who are not on the side of the governor and they are not also on the side of the President. Now, their principal is in the opposition abusing the President and challenging the President and you now mop up these same people into a TAN in order for them to deliver the President. No. They won’t do that.

    “So, there is no sincerity of purpose. I have made it clear before and I am still saying it.TAN in Bayelsa is purposely put together to create conflict for the President and also to cause commotion in the state so that there cannot be that synergy. I support the proscription of TAN in Bayelsa in as much as I do not support the way it was put together”, he said.

    He also partly blamed the political crisis in Bayelsa on the President. He said: “I think that the President is not doing enough. The President who head or tail is the one that will lose or gain should have had his own machinery of ensuring that his house is intact. I blame the President for it and that is why we are warning that our political capital is about to be squandered by their actions and inactions. I condemn what they are doing. It is not called for.

    “But if you look at it there is no governor that will accept what TAN is doing and what other aides of the President is doing in Bayelsa. It is the aides of the President who say that they are working for the President that put up this TAN knowing fully well that the people there are the people who don’t want to see the President.

    “It, therefore,  means that the people working around the President that set up this TAN in Bayelsa are the people against the President and the bulk stops on the table of Mr. President. To sit down and allow these things to snowball into what it is gradually getting to now affecting 100 per cent vote from Bayelsa for the President. And you know when we don’t have 100 per cent from Bayelsa it begins to send a negative signal to the opposition and other parts of the country.”

    But TAN has since denied undermining the governor. It said the group would work with the governor to ensure the re-election of the President.

    Undoubtedly as everybody waits to see how the home rally of the President will turn out, the crack team of the governor is working round the clock to gather intelligence on the possibility that Dickson may be stoned.

  • Rotary sets up accident victim trust Funds in Rivers

    The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, District 9140 says it has set up an accident Trust Fund to help road accident victims get prompt attention when rushed to hospital.

    The district President, Frank Eni disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt the state capital yesterday to kick-off programme to mark 50 years of the club in Port Harcourt.

    Eni said the Fund which was a joint programme with members of the state Road Transport Workers Union and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), where the programme is running is meant to reduce the number of deaths by road accident in the state.

    He said the club also provided some essential needs for those in admission in the hospital, especially at the hospital’s emergency ward.

    The President said the programme has helped in the survival of many accident  victims in the state since it began several years ago; also said, it is one of the numerous humanitarian programmes the club undertakes in its efforts to assist humanity.

    “The programme was a response to the frequent deaths of accident victims in the hospital because of lack of emergence drugs and materials.

    “We have also donated oxygen masks and incubators to Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) to provide life support for children born underweight.

    “To address the issue of infant mortality, the club procured Bilirubinmeter for Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH). Bilirubinmeter measures the bilirin, one of the causes of infant mortality in children.

    “To also address the difficulties associated with the treatment of ear, nose and throat ailments, the club donated Adenotensiloctomy set to the ENT department”.

    “In furtherance of its drive in health awareness campaigns, Eni stressed that the club has also intensified public awareness on the causes of “breast cancer; cervical cancer; prostate cancer; diabetes; sickle cell anaemia and maternal health.” Among others

    He also enumerated the various efforts of the club in partnership with the governments to ensure Polio Myelitis is completely eradicated in Nigeria.

    “Our members have on a number of occasions joined the medical team of the state government to visit rural areas to immunise children against polio as well as sensitise the populace on the need to get our children immunised”.

    The district governor, His Royal Magesty, HRM, Noble Eshemitan, enjoined members to strive to give their very best to the growth and development of the club in the state.

    He admitted that the inability of the club to openly canvass for membership was a major challenge because the norm in rotary is for members to bring/invite persons to join and not for a prospective member applying for admission personally.

    According to him, the obvious  laziness of existing members is responsible for the slow growth of the club.

     

  • Bayelsa community at war with Agip

    Bayelsa community at war with Agip

    Indigenes of the Kalaba community, Okordia clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, are supposed to be happy. At least their community is host to one of the giant oil companies, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

    Ironically, they are dejected and disappointed. Instead of enjoying the benediction of oil they are rather afflicted by its malediction. Recently, they raised the alarm that one of the sites hosting the oil facilities of Agip was in fire. The fire was said to have raged as the spill bubbled forth from the facility.

    Their anger is that the fire would have been prevented if Agip had responded immediately it got information about the first oil spill that occurred there on January 12th.

    A report released by the Environmental Right Action (ERA) and Friends of the Earth (FoE) indicted Agip. It accused the oil giant of nonchalance. The Bayelsa State representative of ERA, Mr. Alagoa Morris, said a case of oil spill was reported within the environment of Kalaba on January 12.

    He said at that time, the spill point was just emitting gas and oil and had yet to spew from the point of rupture. “ERA promptly informed some top Management Staff of Agip and urged that the company take advantage of the scenario then and promptly mobilize to site for clamping before more harm was done”, he said.

    He said that Agip acknowledge the information. But it beat the imagination Morris that the company which got information about the spill failed to take positive remedial action until the spill point increased and crude spewed so much that it caused fire outbreak.

    “When ERA’s field monitors responded to very recent calls about a current spill and rushed to the community; the field monitors were led to the same spill point of 12th January, 2015 and were astonished that this was the same spill that ERA urged Agip to attend to more than two weeks ago”, he said.

    In fact, the indigenes of the community are disappointed at the development. The community’s Paramount Ruler, Chief Roman Oruka described it as an unfortunate situation.

    He said: “It is very unfortunate that this is happening again. It is even more worrisome by the way Agip is behaving; it seems Agip has a hand in the spill. The spill occurred on the 12th of January, 2015 and Agip was promptly informed same day.

    “The company came to see the spill point the next day, being 13th January, 2015. But, it is surprising to see that Agip has failed to return and stop the spill until crude oil has now spread in the environment. It seems Agip is interested in the destruction of our environment.

    “After all they are the very contractors for clean-up jobs; we are gaining nothing from these spills. Agip should know that the environment is our life, health and wealth. In this regard, I wish to urge Agip to help us protect our environment by coming to stop the spill and carry our immediate clean-up. This, the company should do to ensure a safe environment for our people”.

    A lady whose cassava farm was destroyed by the spill said her produce had been rendered useless by the incident. The lady who identified herself as Joy Kumosuoyon said: “It is about two weeks since this spill occurred.

    “And it has affected my cassava farm negatively. When I went and harvested some; they have gone bad, polluted by the crude oil; no way to eat them because of the crude oil impacts on the cassava”.

    The Youth President of the community, Mr. Samuel Oburu confirmed what the paramount ruler said. He narrated: “This spill occurred on the 12th of January, 2015. And, to be very sincere the spill is very close to the community.

    “Even when we are right in the community we perceive the crude oil, we also inhale it and; I think it has negative effects on our health. I am aware that Agip, the owner of the facility have sent its production team to come and check the spill site; yet nothing has been done

    ”I know it is their habit; but we are still crying out loud. Agip should come and stop this spill and make necessary repairs as to stop further spread of crude oil and related pollution in the environment.

    “It is really an unfortunate scenario we find ourselves. I was even invited by the State Security Service [SSS] and I told them we are seriously investigating who was responsible for the spill.”

    In the report of ERA, Morris described the attitude of the company as corporate irresponsibility. He said even if the pipeline bearing the crude oil was sabotaged by a third party, it was not enough for Agip to ignore it.

    “It should be an understatement to state that Agip is culpable; the history/details of this spill indicate an act of Corporate Irresponsibility on the part of Agip; even though those who sabotaged the crude oil bearing pipeline deserves condemnation.

    “That a stitch in time, saves nine; is a well known saying and, this is where Agip fell short of being Corporately Responsible; for leaving a small spill unattended to for over two weeks until it became bigger spill.

    “As at the time of ERA’s visit on 28th January, 2015 the spill point was still bubbling; like a boiling pot. But the surrounding environment shows that there was an initial spraying on crude oil high into the air as plants and environment on both sides of the pipeline depicted.

    “It also reveals Agip must have reduced the original pressure along the pipeline; as it was no longer spraying into the air but just bubbling as at time of ERA’s visit.

    “Crude oil was streaming down to nearby natural water course behind the community and leaves of impacted crops and other vegetation were observed to be at different conditions; wilting, dying and dead. The grass within the area impacted along the pipeline are all dead including plants close to the Right Of Way (ROW). They are all drenched by crude oil.”

    ERA said it would not be tired of advocating for the right things to do in the interest of the environment and, best practices in the oil industry. It said the oil industry regulations demand prompt stoppage of spills, containment, clean-up and remediation no matter the cause.

    The group, therefore, demanded that Agip should take immediate steps to stop the spill by going to site and effect clamping after Joint Investigation (JIV). It asked the company to take all necessary steps to prevent such delays in responding to spill incidents; especially when there is no security or accessibility issues.

    It said: “Agip should ensure steps are taken for the immediate clean-up of impacted environment. The regulatory agencies [NOSDRA and SMoE] should also play expected roles in ensuring the safety of the environment.

    “The Security agencies should try and do follow-ups with intensive investigation with a view to apprehend and prosecute real culprits. Again, both the government and oil companies should channel resources toward sensitisation of communities on the dangers inherent in such acts relating to third party spills.

    “Finally, the government and oil companies should play the Corporate Social Responsibility roles expected of them by meeting the developmental needs of our communities from time to time”.

    Agip could not be reached for its reactions.

  • Chevron inaugurates women facility for Ekpan community in Delta

    As part of its corporate social responsibility to its host communities, the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, operators of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Ventures, last weekend inaugurated the Ekpan Women Development Centre in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The facility was constructed under CNL’s Project Specific Agreement (PSA) with the Urhobo host community and is aimed at sustainable development of the host community through its women folks.

    The Secretary to the Delta State Government, Mr Ovouzorie Macaulay, who was a special guest at the occasion, described the centre as an edifice that would be a money-spinner for the community and urged the people to put it to the best use.

    Macaulay, who was represented by Mr Vincent Omorie, described the ceremony as a dream come through for the people, urging them to “own the project; it can also be put into other commercial purposes. It should be driven to enviable height.

    He assured that the government would continue to intervene on behalf of the community and other host communities in the state.

    Earlier in his remark, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Deji Haastrup, said NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture believes very strongly in partnership and is resolutely committed to enhancing partnership with relevant stakeholders to achieve the goal of sustainable development of communities around its areas of operations.

    Haastrup, who was represented at the occasion by Mr Trust Inimgba, said, “This achievement is a testimony to the company’s Tradition of Care for communities around its areas of operations and the value it places on women development as bedrock of the development of any society. I salute the Chairman and Members of the PSA Board, and members of the Project Review Committee for their commitment and selfless service.”

    While noting that NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture had continued to contribute to adding value to the lives of people around them, the Chevron’s PGPA GM encouraged the Ekpan people to put the facility to good use and maintain it for the benefit of the community.

    In the same vein, Mr. Haastrup commended the Delta State Government for the continued support, which he said facilitated the successful completion of the project and also the Ekpan traditional and community leaders for their commitment and support in actualizing the objective of the PSA.

    He added that without their support and cooperation, it would not have realized its mutual dream of providing the facility for the use of the women.

    He specifically thanked the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Comrade Ovouzorie Macaulay, who he said has shown high visibility throughout the planning and implementation of the project.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiary community, Mr Godwin Omasibro, Chairman of Ekpan Development Committee, commended the management of the American oil firm for judiciously and sincerely funding the project, which he described as “a befitting gift for developing the women of the community.

    “We sincerely cherish the commitment of the company to our wellbeing and socio-economic development and we promise to ensure that the centre being handed over to us today lives up to its primary objective of facilitating sustainable development of Ekpan community.”

  • ‘Obaretin community needs help’

    Obaretin village is one of the hundreds of villages located in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo State. It is a community that is need of government attention as some of the few projects in the community were done through self-help. Basic amenities such as school, health center and market are lacking in the community.

    Chairman of Youth Association in the community, Osabouhien Uhunmagho, in a chat with Niger Delta Report said the community has written severally to local authorities on the need to provide them with a market and a health centre.

    Osabouhien said a large expanse of land has been made available where the above amenities could be sited if the local or state government were ready to fund the projects.

    He said the community resorted to self help by grading access roads, streets and lanes to enhance the rapid development of Obaretin.

    According to him “We have tried our best to develop this community and it has not been easy. We need help here. There were no good structures as in mapping out roads, streets, lanes when I became chairman but we were been able to bring bulldozer to address the problems.

    “I have made sure we provided vast expanse of land were government can build police station, school and health center to cater for the needs of the people. I have just spent about six months in office and we are doing our best to attract government attention.”

    Osabouhien however said the community has tried to improved welfare of its residents through the provision of empowerment materials especially for the women and elders.

    In his words, “All the youths, elders and women were all given land to build their own houses. Six elders were given cars while ten youths and three women benefitted from the car gift. I have made so much impact that the elders, the youths and everybody are happy and proud of me.”

    “I strongly believe that by the time I would have spent three or four years, I would have completely transform my community. I am not after the money but what I am able to attract to my community in terms of development during my tenure.”