The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • Bonny on my mind

    Bonny on my mind

    Pablo Picasso once said: “Everything you can imagine is real.” His thinking obviously tallies with those of men of God, who always tell their followers to dare to dream. They say whatever eventually come to being first took form in the spiritual realm. Today, I join my faith with them for the good people of Bonny Island and I imagine that apart from the huge money the federal and state governments make from the area from taxes and dividends, the people are also rich, rich in knowledge, rich in cash and rich in every other area of human endeavour.

    Bonny deserves the best, its people deserve all the good things of life. If the richness of their land is anything to go by, Bonny should have no business with poverty. But my imagination apart, Bonny needs help.

    I returned to Bonny for the fourth time this week. The last time I was there was some months ago. There was no marked difference in the Bonny to which I returned. It still takes some three hours to access it by water. Its soils are still swarmed by resources that bring money, but can’t bring money unless technology beyond the reach of the people is deployed.

    To the best of my knowledge, Bonny has no rival in the Niger Delta. It hosts the country’s only port of origin, where liquefied gas is transported to different parts of the world. One of the three major companies operating on its soil, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has paid dividends of no less than $9 billion to the Federal Government since it began operation some years ago. The others, such as Shell ( which has a huge crude oil export terminal known as the Bonny crude oil terminal – the largest of its kind in Africa), have also paid several billions from what they have earned operating there. To say the least, the Island is a cash cow for the government.

    Its people, as it was from my first contact with them, still enjoy uninterrupted power supply at little or no cost courtesy of the NLNG.

    From my checks, some indigenes are beneficiaries of scholarship schemes from NLNG and the likes. Many also work in lucrative sectors of the economy on the basis of being from the rich Island.

    The Bonny, to which I returned, however, still needs help. Its traditional ruler, the Amayanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Dappa Pepple 111, has championed the cause of the people. But there is a limit to what he can do.

    Bonny has not found a way around its education problem. Facts supplied by a World Bank consultant show how bad the situation is. The teachers in Bonny’s primary schools are inadequate. Core subject areas, such as English Language, Mathematics and the Sciences, lack enough hands to handle them. The 21 public primary schools in Bonny Local Government Area have no less than 5,000 pupils with only 139 teachers to teach them, giving a teacher-pupil ratio of 1:44 as against the stipulated ratio of 1:35.

    The secondary schools, based on the statistics supplied by this consultant, are no better staffed. Its four public junior and four public senior secondary schools are suffering. The junior secondary schools, according to the consultant, have 1,949 students and are taught by 27 teachers. The senior secondary schools have 1,896 students and are taught by 71 teachers, with no Mathematics, English Language or Science teachers. The statistics were given last year, but as I understand, things have not changed.

    With such situation, it is no wonder that there is poor performance in terminal examinations. In the last decade, the oldest school in the Island has recorded only 12 per cent pass with five credits in WAEC. What this means is that the students are not equipped to do anything. They are also unable to get into any other system that can enable them acquire skills, as such lost to their families in terms of income generation and also lost to the society in terms of meaningful contributions.

    There are a lot of idle hands around. In some other areas, they could have taken to agriculture. But Bonny does not strike me as a place where agriculture will thrive. The access to the area is not even conducive for making money out of agriculture. Places that have made stride with agriculture have easy access to the market. For the people of Bonny, Port Harcourt, which could have been a good market, is hours away by water. And how much will they gain if they use helicopter or chopper to transport their produce? How much can an helicopter carry anyway? How much of the land is even suitable for agriculture, with oil spillage and all the environmental challenges of oil exploration?

    A idle hand, they say, is a devil’s workshop. So, illegal bunkering and other vices become the only available alternatives.

    There is thus the urgent need for sustainable skills acquisition for the unskilled. This will help check vices and steer them away from unleashing disastrous consequences on the society. With the right help to develop its land and people, the threats will be mitigated. Without that, there is fire on the mountain, especially when not a few of the youths feel the country’s leaders have continued to look the other way while their rights are infringed upon. They feel the issue of local content has been flawed because government has demonstrated lack of political will to tackle the matter.

    Things have to change. There is still a long road to travel to steer the Island to the shores of development and prosperity. The community, I believe, must seek new partners to work with existing ones for its development in the areas of human capital and so on.

    The light, which Shell, Mobil and NLNG saw in Bonny and made them like the place, must shine well in the people’s life. The people were happy that the companies came. They had good times at the peak of the construction of the companies. That is why an initiative by the NLNG to turn the Island around over the next few years should be followed through and supported. Bonny must be supported; otherwise the rich Island will become a living hell for all. There is fire on the mountain. Thank God NLNG is running!

     

  • Ogunsakin…The man who will ‘clear’ Mbu’s mess

    Ogunsakin…The man who will ‘clear’ Mbu’s mess

    Commissioner of Police Mbu Joseph Mbu was on February 6 redeployed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and replaced with Johnson Tunde Ogunsakin, an indigene of Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, who was the commissioner in charge of the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. Mbu, for almost all his time in Rivers, many say was unprofessional.

    To Rivers indigenes, Ogunsakin’s success will depend on his embrace of professionalism and neglect of partisanship.

    Ogunsakin was born on August 1, 1957 and enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in 1982. He attended L. A. Primary School, Ikere-Ekiti and later proceeded to the Annunciation College, Ikere-Ekiti.

    On completion of his secondary school education, the Rivers police commissioner gained admission into the then University of Ife, Ile-Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). He graduated in 1980 with B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science/History.

    He participated in the compulsory one year national youth service in Ogun State in 1981. He also has Advanced Diploma in Law Diplomacy/Conflict Management from the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in 1982.

    Ogunsakin started his police career in 1984 in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, as a Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) at the Bodija Police Station. In 1985, he attended the Anti-Riot Mobile Police Training at Gwoza, Borno State. He was the Unit Commander, Number 4 Squadron, Ibadan. In 1989, he joined the Interpol Lagos as a Detective Superintendent.

    t Interpol, he performed excellently, became the head and was made the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Organised Crime Division; OC, Europe/North America of the Economic and Financial Crimes Division and the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of Interpol.

    Ogunsakin was among the officers that worked on the team that put an end to the terror reign of the notorious armed robbery gang of Lawrence Anini in the country.

    Shortly after his redeployment, said: “I am going to do my professional work and create an environment for the peaceful conduct of elections. I will be fair to all.”

    The new Rivers police boss was appointed commissioner of police, SFU in 2009. Prior to the appointment, he was the deputy police commissioner, Information Technology, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    Ogunsakin also served as the Director of Operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) between June 2008 and May 2009. He is a former Head of Investigations at the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

    The representative of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro constituency of Rivers State in the House of Representatives, Dakuku Peterside, believes there is the need to give peace a chance in the state.

    Peterside, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) and ex-Rivers Commissioner for Works, said: “Mbu is only a symptom of an ailment. Mbu is not all about the problem. He is not the fundamental problem. The fundamental problem is to guarantee the rights of Rivers people to associate freely. The rights of Rivers people to gather when they so choose to. That is the issue. Mbu is only a vehicle that they have abused.

    “The police force is established by our constitution and they have rights. It is funded by tax payers’ money. They have rather abused the institution of the police force. Whether you change Mbu or not, is not the issue. The President is under oath to guarantee the freedom of all Nigerians. He is on oath to protect lives and property. Are lives and property protected? The answer is no.

    “For me, when there is breakdown of law and order, when you continue to go on with lawlessness, it is the first sign of a failed state. We are advancing to that point. We must do something drastic to halt the decline that we are currently experiencing.

    “We must do something very fundamental to stop the lawlessness that pervades the land. Until we stop the lawlessness, then there is no hope for our people. Our people will take their destinies into their own hands. They will stop this impunity by their votes. Of course, February 2015 is by the corner.

    “Our people are tired of this lawlessness. They are tired of this impunity. They will use their votes and stop this madness.

    “Whether Mbu comes or Mbu goes is immaterial. The Nigeria police should keep themselves to their constitutionally-guaranteed duty of enforcement of law and order. Whether it is Mr. White or Mr. John, we are not excited.

    “What we want to see is the fact that the police force must be impartial, must be fair to all manner of people, protect lives and property and ensure the maintenance of law and order. That will be our ultimate joy and will be the ultimate joy of our people.”

    Senator Magnus Abe, who was at the receiving end of Mbu’s reign of terror, said change must come.

    Abe, while recalling his experience in the hand of Mbu’s men, said: “I was not alone there (Rivers College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, Port Harcourt). There were more than two hundred people, who saw what happened. This young man was there with the camera. He was beaten up and his camera was destroyed. So, if nothing happened, why were they so eager to make sure that no picture of what happened got out?

    “They (policemen) opened fire on us in their midst. We were not in any crowd. To say that I was not shot is the largest understatement or the biggest lie of the century. These men opened fire, teargassed, everything was fired everywhere. People saw what happened.

    “That I was not killed, yes, but to say they opened fire on you and you did not die, therefore nothing happened, is the height of. I do not know how to describe it. However, for me, I am going to court. I have asked my lawyers to file my case in court, against all those who had hands in what happened. I will meet them in court.”

    He said the time had come for a new direction for the state.

    Abe said: “We have had lots of these crises. Any right-thinking person will agree that it is time for us to put some of these things behind us. Since last year, there had been a concerted attempt to remove the governor (Amaechi) from office and overthrow the government of Rivers State by force and there is no provision in our Constitution for that kind of behaviour.

    “Having tried by all earthly means and they have failed, I will appeal to them to now sheathe their swords and let us work together, to try to help the people of Rivers State. That is the reason for which we say we are playing politics. What we are doing now is not helping them. It is clear that the governor cannot be removed without the law.

    “So, since that is clear and that is what we all agreed, as citizens of Nigeria, let us work with the governor (Amaechi), let him do his job and let all of us, who also have jobs to do, be allowed to do our own jobs. If we do that, it will help the state (Rivers), it will help the country.

    “For us to turn Rivers State into a theatre of war, because of the ambition of any single individual, is morally, politically and spiritually wrong. We cannot kill ourselves here, because of anybody. If people feel that they want to join a political party, they should be allowed to join the party of their choice.

    “If you feel that you have superior reason why people should follow your own party, explain your reasons to the people. Do not carry guns to go and attack or kill the people, for going to join another party. There is no justification for that kind of behaviour. As far as I know, the President (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan) himself has said he does not think that anybody’s ambition is worth anybody’s blood.

    “Nobody should assume that when you throw a stone into the market, you know who it will hit. If we continue to buy guns and arm people, every gun you buy has a lifespan of over one hundred years.

    “So, who knows who will be your friend tomorrow? Who knows who will be your enemy tomorrow? Who knows in which direction these guns will point tomorrow? Let us play our politics, win or lose, let us thank God for the privilege he has given to us to lead and we should move on with our lives.”

    The Rivers Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ibibia Walter, however, insisted that Mbu exhibited professionalism.

    Walter said: “Mbu exhibited professionalism

    while in Rivers State. Many Rivers people appreciated the works of Mbu in Rivers State. Mbu was accused of protecting the PDP by Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the APC and SRM’s leaders, who found it difficult to pocket Mbu, who showed so much professionalism.

    “That is why he (Mbu) has been deployed to a higher challenge. The incoming police commissioner (Ogunsakin) must also show professionalism.”

    The President of the pro-Amaechi’s SRM, Charles Aholu, a lawyer, declared that Mbu would be remembered for rascality, partisanship and trampling on rights of Rivers people.

    Aholu said: “Mbu’s redeployment from Rivers State to Abuja is a victory for democracy. Mbu will be remembered for the rascality he perpetrated on the psyche of Rivers people. He will be remembered as the only cop that has worn a very clear apparel of partisanship, when it comes to policing.

    “Mbu will also be remembered for trampling on the rights of Rivers citizens and for us, these are not good remarks.

    “The incoming police commissioner (Ogunsakin) should not make the mistakes that Mbu made. We will expect him to be professional in his approach. We believe that he will be professional.”

    The new Rivers police commissioner said in an interview: “As a policeman, you must be prepared for every challenge. Whether you are doing investigation, operations or even administration, you must be prepared to step on toes.

    “If you are doing investigation or working on a case, you must believe in yourself and then know that you have responsibilities. The responsibility you have is your guts, your country and you will do justice to the case you are doing.

    “If you are investigating any case, you must have it at the back of your mind that your friends, brothers, sisters and church members are going to come to try to influence you, either on the side of the suspect or the complainant.

    “So, you must be able to define your own pedigree. Once you believe in God and you believe in fairness, you will overcome every challenge. I have friends, but my friends know me when it comes to my job. I do not joke with my job. I can hardly be influenced.”

    Ogunsakin also admitted that initially, he did not want to become a policeman, while opting to work in a foreign mission

    He said: “Everybody has an ambition. As a small child, when you are growing up, you always want to grow up to be like your father. So, it is true that while we were in the university I did not want to become a police officer, because the profession did not look attractive then, but the event that happened later did change my whole perception about the police.

    “I am very proud to be a police officer. I thank God for that. I have satisfaction being a policeman and people must appreciate that police are friends of the public.

    “There were several jobs when we finished school, but my target was to work in foreign mission, but I am now a policeman and I am very happy to be a policeman.”

    The new Rivers police boss admitted that he did not know he was going to join the Nigeria police, but it happened after an event, as he was impressed by how a police officer handled the matter, when he and his friend were wrongly accused of assaulting a police officer, which he said propelled him to join the police.

    Ogunsakin said: “Prior to that incident, if there was any profession I was interested in, it was not definitely the Nigeria police. I was on the verge of joining the Nigerian Foreign Service, when a friend and I were accused of assaulting a police officer and we were taken to the police station.

    “An ASP handled the situation so professionally, that I was so keen to want to join the Nigeria police, because of his action and that led me to where I am now. I am actually proud to be a policeman and I am enjoying the job.”

    Hailing from Ekiti State, fondly referred to as “The Fountain of Knowledge” and “The Land of Honour,” which has Dr. Kayode Fayemi as governor, the new Rivers police commissioner places emphasis on integrity and fear of God, standing out as a police officer who cannot be compromised.

    Ogunsakin said: “As soon as I finished the training, that lasted for 13 months, at the Police Staff College, Jos, I was posted to Ibadan as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). I was privileged to serve in the office of Mrs. Koloko, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) at Dugbe Motor Traffic Division.

    “My working with Mrs. Koloko shaped my job in the Nigeria Police, because she was a very strict disciplinarian. She had zero tolerance to corruption. I was to spend three months attachment with her, but ended up spending eight months, out of the nine months attachment I was supposed to do, because she would not let me go.

    “Initially, senior officers who had worked with her tried to discourage me from doing my attachment with her, when they heard that I was posted to her office, because they believed she was wicked and all that, but then, I had no choice, I was posted there.

    “My first day, I got to the office around 7:30 am and she was already there. The second day, I was in the office by 7:45 am, she was there again and I told myself I had to adjust my timing, because she did not say anything. The third day, I got to the office five minutes before her and the fourth day 10 minutes earlier and since then, I studied her conduct.

    “I did my best and she reciprocated by giving me a lot of sensitive jobs, counseling me and she was very good to me. She mentored me. She stays in Ibadan, but she still comes around to encourage us.

    “After my attachment, I was posted to the Crime Department of Bodija Station in Ibadan. After about a year, there was an opening in the Anti-Riot Police, otherwise known as the Mobile Police and I was very interested. So, I went to the Commander in the Mobile then, who is late now, and I told him I was interested in Mobile Police.

    “The Commander just looked at me and said I was just about a year old in the Nigeria Police Force and that the Commissioner of Police then, Senator Nuhu Aliyu, now retired, would not consider me, because I had to spend at least three years, before I could be admitted to the Mobile Police. I begged him that I wanted to do it.

    “Fortunately for me, not many officers wanted to go into Mobile Police then, because most officers wanted to work in other divisions. I put more pressure and I was taken to the then Deputy Commissioner of Police, who was initially reluctant, but eventually took me to the then Commissioner of Police, who asked me if I really wanted to join the Mobile Police and I said yes. He then said if I had made up my mind to join the Mobile Police, he believed I could do great.

    “The mobile training I received has always been a good part of me, because it was quite different from the ordinary learning process of the police. It was effective, thorough and strenuous. There is a saying in the Mobile Police, the three “S” which is Silence, Speed and Surprise. The Silence, Speed and Surprise are the key “S” that prepares you for other issues.”

    He believes it pays to work hard, be professional in one’s duties, shun corruption and put one’s trust only in the Lord.

    Ogunsakin said: “When I left the Mobile Police after three and a half years, I was in Lagos and I had an instance when my boys killed eight armed robbers in one night, when Anini was terrorising the state.

    “If you are good in the Mobile Police, you are good, because they are very professional. I was nicknamed ‘Tunde OC Court’ or ‘Tunde Idiagbon’ in Ibadan, because they knew that I would never want to hear about anybody collecting money at the road blocks. My experience at the road traffic in Ibadan helped me a lot. Back then in Ibadan, anybody that was caught was taken to court, hence the nickname given to me.

    “That was how I got myself into Interpol, because when I left the Mobile Police, I met with Aliyu, who said I would be good in investigation and he brought me to Lagos. As soon as I got to Alagbon in Lagos, I was posted to Interpol. As at that time, not many people wanted to work in the Interpol.

    “I handled the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) case and we recovered about N23 million. I handled the case of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), where we recovered about N650 million and the suspects were charged to court and other cases like that.

    “Subsequently, I briefly worked in the Provost’s Office and I was moved to the Police Staff College as the Director of Studies for few months. I was taken back to Abuja and I worked in the Force Secretary’s Office. From there, I was moved to IG Monitoring Unit, where I worked under Mr. Sunday Ehindero (former IGP). From there, I was moved to the ICPC as the Head of Investigations.

    “I must mention that Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, is somebody I see myself very lucky to have worked with, because I learnt a lot from him. When I got to the ICPC, there were lots of things we wanted to do, but he was like, he slowed us down, saying we had to be very thorough.

    “Most of the cases I handled, I had to first send them to his office and he would call me to his office saying: ‘Tunde, o ya sit down, you want to charge this man to the court’ and I would said yes sir. ‘I am the Judge in this court, you are the prosecutor, convince me why this man should go to the court and all that.’ If you are not prepared, then you would mess yourself up. So, before taking a case to him, you must know what he was going to ask you and you must be well prepared.

    “I was later moved to the EFCC as the Director of Operations. From there, I was posted back to the Police as the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Information Technology. It was a section of the Police I enjoyed, because of the dynamism of the society and the globalisation of policing. You must be up to date in Information Technology, to be able to do good policing. I left the place and thanks to the IGP and Police Management Team, I was posted to the SFU as the Commissioner of Police.”

    In Ogunsakin’s interaction with police officers across the globe, he said he found that police officers are respectfully remunerated. In United Kingdom, for instance, he noted that a police inspector friend of his (now retired) then earned about 47,000 Pounds annually, and upon retirement, the house he lived in worth about 300,000 Pounds would become his and would go on vacation twice a year, to any location of his choice in the world and the government would pay, while education, medicals and others for his children were free, making cases of corruption in the UK to be very minimal.

    He called on the members of the National Assembly and other people at the helm of affairs to give priority attention to police welfare.

    The new Rivers police commissioner said: “Police officers and men have to be very well remunerated, because there are so many good police officers and men that corruption practices will be unattractive to, if they are well looked after.

    “The core problem of corruption today is because of lack of security. Anybody in the corridors of power thinks that it is his time and the best he will do is to get enriched before the time runs out. Because of our kind of polity and cultural demands, people tend to prepare for the future.

    “In a situation where you have a future, in the sense that you have a welfare package and your retirement is secured, then corruption will become very unattractive.”

    Ogunsakin also admonished Nigerians, especially the youths, to imbibe the culture of integrity in whatever they do.

    Will his integrity not give way in Rivers? All eyes will be on Ogunsakin. Certainly.

  • Odi moves against PDP over unpaid N37.6b compensation

    Odi moves against PDP over unpaid N37.6b compensation

    Tempers are rising in Odi, an oil-producing community plundered by military invasion in November 1999. The community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has reasons to loathe the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government.

    The rural community has experienced backwardness, violence, anguish and entrenched poverty since 1999. In a case many felt it was like using a sledge hammer to kill an ant, former President Olusegun Obasanjo overran the community with battalions of soldiers and military hard-wares.

    The indigenes recalled with shock the killings, raping, looting and crumbling of buildings in their community for an offence that they never conspired to commit. They are indignant that the government has refused to honour an order from a court mandating it to pay the community N37.6billion damages. They are distraught that instead of paying the money, the Federal Government is insensitive to their plight.

    So, Odi remains in dire straits. But, following the “political revolution” in the country, Odi seems tired of PDP and is set to dump the ruling party. Their anger further stems from the fact that despite coming from their state and occupying the presidency for over four years, President Goodluck Jonathan, has done nothing to alleviate their plight. So, the people are rushing to an alternative platform presented to them by the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Two prominent indigenes of Odi, Timi Frank and Preye Anganaba, were the first to take the bull by the horns by defecting to the APC. Frank, who was the former National Youth Leader of the defunct new PDP, and Anganaba, raised political consciousness of Odi people when they led a delegation of party enthusiasts to the community recently to participate in the registration exercise of APC.

    On arriving Ward 2 where registration officials were conducting the exercise, the duo were stunned. They saw sea of heads struggling to partake in the exercise. The people of the community were, however, orderly as they queued despite the hot weather.

     

     

     

     

  • Sacked Risonpalm workers spit fire over gratuity

    Sacked Risonpalm workers spit fire over gratuity

    Crisis is brewing between disengaged workers of defunct Rivers State owned Risonpalm Limited and SIAT, the new owners of the palm oil company, over the nonpayment of entitlements.

    The aggrieved workers are threatening to disrupt the operation of SIAT and force the management to pay their entitlements if all the dialogue presently being initiated on the matter failed.

    Risonpalm Limited started operation in 1975 with over 3000 workers, but collapsed due to managerial problem which lingered till 2009 when it was finally abandoned.

    The palm fruits were left unsecured and became easy targets for some youths in the host community who illegally harvest the palm fruits and sell to local palm oil mill owners.

    The subsequent stopping of operation led to the frustration of workers and the gradual decay of Ubima Palm Estate, the headquarters of the Risonpalm Limited amidst appeals to Rivers State government by the host communities and stakeholders to restore the company’s lost glory.

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi brought back the original planner of the palm plantation to take over the company, which name was changed to SIAT along with a new board in 2010.

    The former management of the company and staff were asked to leave with a promise that they would be paid their entitlements.

    The Chairman of disengaged workers, Chief Jude Woka decried the fate of his members.

    He explained that the payment SIAT made to workers was paltry and not befitting for those who spent decades of their youthful years in service of the state-owned company. He alleged that some ex-workers who spent years in service got as little as N5,000 while some did not receive a dime.

    He recalled that Mrs. Victoria Ngozi Welekwe, who joined Risonpalm in 1982 and was disengaged in 2011, did not receive a dime. He said the computation of the workers entitlement was done secretly without consultation with the finance controller.

    He also regretted that about 17,000 hectares of arable land were expropriated from the workers’ homeland by the defunct Risonpalm but at the end they were abandoned and left to suffer. More frustrating, he alleged that of the N5billion earmarked for worker’s gratuity, only N165 million was paid by SIAT.

    He said: “We have informed Governor Chibuike Amaechi of our plight, having made several efforts to ensure that the entitlements owed to us will be paid. The non-payment of our outstanding retirement benefits has brought untold hardship to the disengaged workers. Some have died; some are sick and unemployable as a result of age.

    “Also, it is quite unfortunate to inform the governor and the public that some of the disengaged workers served for about 30-35 years and when they were disengaged, they paid them a token of N100,000.00 as retirement benefit for 30 years service and N200,000.00 for 35 years respectively. We have also written to all relevant authorities involved to pay us, but all to no avail. We have equally written reminder letters to SIAT management but all efforts proved abortive.

    “Are we going to wait for the payment till we all died? We have work for years, spent our life in Risonpalm, It is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to pay off staffs which is line with the partnership agreement with Rivers State government. I wonder why up till now the company has not met this obligation.

    “I want the government to know that if people are paid N5 million and N10 million, it will change their lives. Risonpalm was a state-owned company, the government should take us seriously like the way they took the staffs of Tide, RSTV, RIVOC and the rest of state own establishments. The 3,000, workforce will do everything possible under my leadership to get our money.”

    Mr. Emmanuel Amadi, one of the oldest disengaged staff, said the unpaid entitlement has sent many of his colleagues to early grave.

    Amadi said: “The total amount owned us is N5billion, which the company promised to pay us off during their familiarisation tour of the host communities. However, only N165 million was paid by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Risonpalm sole administrator. As a result of the forceful evacuation of staffs from the Estate which was issued within 24 hours by the new company’s board without consideration of their plight? This heartless action brought unexpected shock that led to hardship, death and sickness among others.”

    Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Emmanuel Chinda, who was contacted, said part of the money owed the disengage workers have been paid to them including 17 months salaries.

    Chinda said: “We do not owe anybody, what we suppose to give them, part of it has been paid to them, and after many years of rot and abandonment we came on board and decided to revive the company. Today, people are protesting and agitating for entitlements even when they knew there were no workers at the company when we met it. As for me I don’t think they should be demanding for gratuity and all that because they all abandoned the company. We are ready to discuss with their leaders and see how we can sort thing out but believe me some money was paid to them.”

  • APC on a rescue mission in Rivers, others, says Peterside

    APC on a rescue mission in Rivers, others, says Peterside

    The representative of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency of Rivers State in the House of Representatives, Dakuku Peterside, isthe Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) and ex-Rivers State Commissioner for Works. In this interview with Bisi Olaniyi at his coastal Opobo hometown, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    H ow do you feel, coming home to register as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC)?

    I feel very elated. Today, we have made yet another history. Some years ago, I was elected to represent the people of Andoni, Opobo and Nkoro, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but a lot has happened since then and I have changed party platform. I am now a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Today, I have formalised my membership of the APC. That is why I said history is being made today.

    We are reintegrating our people back to the mainstream of national politics. At the time we fought and agitated for democracy, we did not subscribe to repressive government. We did not subscribe to any government that will take our natural resources. We did not subscribe to corruption. We did not subscribe to repression, intimidation and lawlessness, but that is our lot, under the leadership of the present government in Nigeria. And so, we are on a rescue mission, to ensure that the people do not continue under this style of governance that represents corruption, represents repression and represents the fact that people can take away that which belongs to us. We have since moved on.

    The beauty of democracy is that people must have choices. People must have options. The beauty of democracy is freedom to belong to any political party of your choice. The beauty of democracy is the freedom to express your opinion and to associate with whomever you want to associate with.

    Under the present circumstance, led by the PDP, our people cannot enjoy those constitutionally-guaranteed rights of freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of movement. Those fundamental freedoms that make us, in the first instance, to cherish democracy, cannot be guaranteed under the present arrangement. That is why we have opted for a platform that will guarantee the rights of our people, that will secure our commonwealth, that will restore hope to our people again. A platform that will galvanise the aspirations of our people and a platform that will meet the yearnings of our people. I can assure you that the APC is that platform that will meet the aspirations of our people and can of course, restore hope in our people.

    I believe that the journey of a thousand miles starts with the very first step. Today, we have started the very first step. In 2015, we will elect an APC president for the country and APC governor for Rivers state, but that on its own is not an end. It of course marks the beginning of good governance. It will mark the beginning of prosperity again and the development of all our people and of course our state and nation. We are very optimistic that when the change in government will come, it will signify a new beginning for our people and I believe that APC is the vehicle that will take us to that new beginning.

    How do you react to violence in some parts of Rivers State, during the membership registration of the APC?

    It is most unfortunate. Again, it is the hallmark of the PDP. They have championed violence against the same people, who gave them their mandate, some two, three years ago. They have championed violence against the same people who gave them over two million votes. They have been at the forefront of intimidation of the people. Democracy is a matter of choice. You cannot intimidate us into belonging to a particular political party, especially one that does not protect our interest. Politics is a game of interest. It is clear that the PDP, as it is presently constituted, cannot protect the interest of Rivers people and indeed cannot protect the interest of Nigerians. On the issue of violence, everybody can see clearly the hand of the PDP, wherever you experience violence. They are scared about the fact that the masses have embraced the APC. They are scared of change, but change is inevitable.

    How will you react to the February 6, 2014 redeployment of Mbu Josepn Mbu and how will you advise the incoming Rivers Commissioner of Police, Johnson Tunde Ogunsakin, an indigene of Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State?

    Mbu is only a symptom of an ailment. Mbu is not all about the problem. He is not the fundamental problem. The fundamental problem is to guarantee the rights of Rivers people to associate freely. The rights of Rivers people to gather when they so choose to. To make choices. That is the issue. Mbu is only a vehicle that they have abused.

    The police force is established by our constitution and they have rights. It is funded by tax payers’ money. They have rather abused the institution of the police force. Whether you change Mbu or not, is not the issue. The President is under oath to guarantee the freedom of all Nigerians. He is on oath to protect lives and property. Are lives and property protected? The answer is no.

    For me, when there is breakdown of law and order, when you continue to go on with lawlessness, it is the first sign of a failed state. We are advancing to that point. We must do something drastic to halt the decline that we are currently experiencing.

    We must do something very fundamental to stop the lawlessness that pervades the land. Until we stop the lawlessness, then there is no hope for our people. Our people will take their destinies into their own hands. They will stop this impunity by their votes. Of course, February 2015 is by the corner.

    Our people are tired of this lawlessness. They are tired of this impunity. They will use their votes and stop this madness. Whether Mbu comes or Mbu goes is immaterial. The Nigeria police should keep themselves to their constitutionally-guaranteed duty of enforcement of law and order. Whether it is Mr. White or Mr. John, we are not excited.

    What we want to see is the fact that the police force must be impartial, must be fair to all manner of people, protect lives and property and ensure the maintenance of law and order. That will be our ultimate joy and will be the ultimate joy of our people.

    How do you react to the Friday, February 7, 2014 Supreme Court’s judgment, in the suit involving Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Sir Celestine Omehia?

    We have always known that Omehia has no business trying to join a case for which he is not a party to, ab initio, and for which he has no stake.  The Supreme Court said he simply could not have his cake and eat it and that he is a pretender. Justices of the Supreme Court reprimanded him.

    We have always had confidence in the judiciary. That is why we have never resorted to violence or self-help. We have absolute confidence, first in God and secondly, that the institution of the Supreme Court would be able to do justice according to law and that it is not about emotions. It is not about sentiments. And so, we are glad that the Supreme Court did not disappoint the people of Nigeria.

    That the Justices of the Supreme Court, by their action, have deepened democracy and our people, once more, are very hopeful, very optimistic and they look to a glorious and very bright future and all of us will have the opportunities to enjoy the good things that constitutional democracy guarantees all over the world. Ours cannot be an exception. So, we are actually elated.

     

  • Tension in Obite as oracle fingers traditional title holder in woman’s death

    Tension in Obite as oracle fingers traditional title holder in woman’s death

    Obite Community in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State has been in the news for the wrong reasons in recent times. The community was unearthed by Niger Delta Report as the setting for the repulsive gang rape video that surfaced on the internet two years ago.

    The latest bizarre incident in the area was the mysterious death of Ms Chikodi Nwankwoala, a middle-aged lady, allegedly killed by strangulation on the first week of the year; she was found dangling from the branch of a tree in the early hours of January 5.

    The story, exclusively reported by Niger Delta Report, became even more intriguing when leaders of the community, suspecting foul play in the circumstance surrounding the death, levied themselves to raise N500,000 to consult an oracle in their bid to unravel the gruesome death.

    The finding of that traditional investigation has been made public but rather than lay the spectre of uncertainty and confusion to rest in Obite, it is threatening and bigger and wider crisis in the Etche town.

    Sources in the town told our reporter last weekend that after the oracle’s consultation, one of the family member was revealed as the hand that pulled the rope and squeezed the life out of Chikodi.

    “Last weekend ,after the contribution of N500,000 by the three communities in Obite, the elders unanimously agreed to consult an oracle and other deities to unveil the killers of their daughter. Finally, they said the oracle has spoken,” our source stated.

    The oracle is said to ahve fingered an older sibling of the deceased.

    Chief Linus Nwankwoala, one of the elders in the community confirmed the result. He said: “The oracle mentioned the name of the oldest man in the family of the deceased – Chief Ndubuisi Nwanwoala, who later ran away from the community.”

    The death initially looked like a suicide: the victim’s lifeless body dangled from a tree, but her kinsmen doubted that she took her life. Those who knew her said the late Chikodi was hale and healthy and full of life. And she had no quarrel with anybody before she retired to bed that night. She had done her chores and cooked for the household, it was said.

    One of the chiefs in the community, who pleaded anonymity, said they had no doubt the answer over motive could lie within the family compound.

    He said: “The oracle did not only mention his name, the deity also said he was responsible for many deaths in his family. The oracle gave us a short ladder to lead us to our community and when we got to the community nobody showed them the house of the suspect and they went directly pointing at him.

    “That was how the community became angry, especially the youths who wanted to descend on the suspect, before he escaped through the back door. The youths also attempted to burn down his building but the police were fast to prevent such tragedy. Since then he has not returned to the community.”

    Now Obite community is polarised along the line of those who support the accused and his accusers.

    The division was highlighted during a meeting called on Saturday, January 8 to deliberate on the matter. The assembly was attended by the Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, Reginald Ukwuoma as well as the councillor representing the area (Obite Ward 10) in the legislative arm of the council, Kingsley Echebe, and other prominent members of the community who came from within and outside the area.

    Nevertheless, Chief Ndubuisi Nwanwoala, who was not in the community during a meeting to deliberate his fate on Saturday, told Niger Delta Report during a phone interview that he was innocent. He blamed his fate on a clandestine plot by his detractors in the community.

    “How can I kill my own sister?” he asked, adding: “I am innocent. It was just a gang-up against me by my detractors who are seriously looking for my downfall. The same lady the community is accusing me of killing was somebody I gave job through the assistance of my wife. I was even planning to make her a staff in the local government where she worked before her death. I did not kill my sister; I am not bordered because very soon the truth of the matter will surface.”

    His supporters at the meeting also expressed the view that he would be vindicated at the end of the day. Some of those who spoke on condition of anonymity also doubted the oracle, but its minders and leaders of the community who made the consultation.

    “The elders who consulted the oracle have done something strange that made the oracle to say it is the suspect. Chief Ndubuisi is innocent,” one dissatisfied member of the community said.

    In spite of the voice of reason, it was gathered that but for the timely intervention of some members of the community the houses of the suspect and his properties would have been subjected to violent attacks by aggrieved youths who blamed him for the death of his sister. Those in this group said his house must be demolished first before any discussion, as it had been done to members of the community who allegedly committed such heinous crimes in the past and.

    Chief Longinus Nweke, one of the leaders, suggested that there was no need beating around the bush over the matter when the tradition that governs the community over such matter was clear.

    “Whoever that killed our sister will not see good, by now I think the person that the oracle has indicted should have his house being demolish as it is been done in this community.”

    His suggestion however did not go down well with the Local Government Chairman Hon. Reginald Ukwuoma, who immediately interrupted Chief Longinus Nweke saying the issue of demolition of house is needless since house is not greater than the life of Chikodi. Ukwuoma, who disclosed that he had just been informed about the matter further stated that he was at the meeting to avert tragedy. “They went ahead to consult, and what they consulted accused a member of this community of being responsible to the death of the decease. But it appeared there is a doubt over the methodology on how the consultation was done.”

    “I am not a supporter of evil, but you don’t demolish somebody’s house because he killed (someone). Since some community members doubt the first oracle consultation we need to give peace a chance. Let the community look at ways they could feel comfortable and satisfied with. At the end who ever that is indicted must face the punishment no matter how highly place the person is.

    “I am not against the doubt neither am I supporting anybody; but this can be done in a proper way. The community can reinforce and look for a means traditionally on how to do it better without any doubt. The matter has been reported to the police. As the Local Government Chairman I will say the community especially the youths should remain law-abiding. I will not encourage the issue of demolishing house. Whoever that is supporting evil will see evil and who ever that has done this atrocity must be punish by God. I am in this meeting to maintain peace, I know the youths are angry but they should calm down before they take law into their hands.”

    In Echebe’s view, justice must prevail anyhow: “The man in question as far as I am concern has been accused, the community has a way of knowing the truth, I am not going to support anybody even if it is my brother or father that was indicted at the end of this matter he will face justice. As the councillor of this ward believes me, the killer will not go unpunished.

    His view enjoyed the support of a large number of attendants, most of who felt that the suspect must be dealt with, not only to serve as deterrent to others, but to enable the spirit of Chikodi a true peaceful rest.

    Chibueze Ukwulor, an indigene of Obite 2, said: “She can now rest in peace even though she has not been buried. Her death and the way she was strangulated to death were mysterious. No death has ever shocked the community the way her death did. That was why the day we heard the news all the communities Obite 1, 2 and 3 joined hands together to find her killer. We don’t need to argue it the oracle has accused somebody of being responsible for the death.”

    At the time of this report, there was palpable tension in Obite as proponents of the contending views continued to make their case. Meanwhile, Ndubuisi was yet to return to the community, ostensibly because of fear for his life.

    One of the elders of the community while leaving the meeting, told our reporter: “We have not heard the last of this matter yet. The end is yet to come.”

     

  • Sylva’s return to reckoning

    Sylva’s return to reckoning

    It was like a homecoming for estranged loyalists of the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva. Ever since they were driven out of the Government House by the “Oga at the top” in connivance with the highest echelon of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wednesday last week was the first day most of them came back to the state. Thanks to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    They ran away from the state as PDP members but they came back as members of the vibrant opposition. With enthusiasm, they arrived into the embrace of their friends who besieged a temporary headquarters of APC at Enepa, Yenizuegene, Yenagoa.

    It was like a joke but it got serious when people started trickling into the streets of Enepa. Like dew drops, they began to assembly and in a twinkle, they formed a crowd of persons. “We are tired of PDP. We want APC,” one of the enthused youths shouted.

    The enthusiasts soon took over the pubs and restaurants on the street of Enepa as they waited patiently for chieftains of APC in the state. Soon, they rose immediately a convoy of vehicles drive into the party headquarters. “APC!” “Change!” The crowd consisting mainly of youths shouted.

    They rushed the convoy and barricaded it. Shortly after that Tiwe Orunimighe emerged from one of the vehicles causing uproar among the crowd. Tiwe is the former Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in the state. He was also the former leader of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).

    During the era of Sylva, Tiwe was very popular. He was known as a grass-root mobiliser and he led many protest against the national PDP for rejecting Sylva. As a diehard believer in Sylva, he stuck to him, swam with him and unfortunately drowned alongside him. He is a man in touch with the youths. No wonder, the crowd rose to welcome him.

    In fact, as a trustworthy loyalist, Tiwe was nominated by Sylva to drive the process of mid-wifing APC in the state. He came back to the state as the interim Chairman APC. The crowd was excited to see the former Special Adviser on Youth to Sylva, Sylva’s former Chief of Staff, Samuel Ogbuku and other known loyalists of Sylva.

    Tiwe was accompanied by a member of the interim National Committee of APC, Miriki Ebikibina. In the convoy were other members of the state interim committee. They were later introduced by Tiwe as Elder Chris Alagoa (interim Secretary) and Mr. Aroz Zuokomor (Interim Publicity Secretary). Tiwe said other interim executive members would be introduced later.

    The interim chairman further unveiled members of the Registration Committee led by an activist and lawyer from Cross River State, Obono Obla. Obla, Adokeye Ameye and Preye Aganaba were in the state to begin the membership drive in the state of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Tue development excited the crowd and many of them volunteered to be train for the exercise. Tiwe said APC had come to stay. Describing PDP as dead and buried, he said APC had taken over the country.

    He told the youths that President Goodluck Jonathan, though from the Niger Delta, had failed to guarantee their future. He said politics should be devoid of ethnic sentiment and urged the people to forego tribal chauvinism and identify with positive change.

    “They have always said our son is the President. Yes we agreed. But you and l know that as youths you don’t have a future”, he said. He said PDP both at the centre and in the state had been hijacked by “Ogas at the top” who he said were lording it over other members of their party.

    “Have you ever seen where sitting governors abandoned their party to embrace the opposition? This is to tell you the level of impunity that exists in PDP”, he said.

    He said APC with 16 states was already in control of the majority in the country explaining that APC states boasted the population “two times the population of PDP-controlled states”. He asked the people to secure their future by coming out en masse to register as members of APC.

    “This exercise is different from that of PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Our party APC has seen the future because in the nearest future we will be going digital. So, your passport is required for registration.

    “Even though INEC comes with electronic voting and any kind of voting, we are set,” he said.

    But he said the party would bear the burden and cost of providing passports adding that photographers had been deployed to take passports of willing members.

    “We will manage to go to your places, get your passports and attach them to your forms. We need your signature on the form or your thumbprint. Don’t allow anybody to take your form. It is what qualifies you as a member of the party.

    “In the next one year, APC will be the government of the day. The former Vice-President of the country who is the number one founding member of APC, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, has gone to APC.

    “Have you ever heard in the history of this country that elected members of a party abandoned the party and defected to another party? This is to tell you the direction that we are going. As we speak, APC states are 16 and by the census of this country, the population of those states are two times the states of PDP.”

    He further promised that the party would provide equal opportunity for everybody to actualise their political aspirations.

    “They used to say that APC is a ghost party in Bayelsa. Now you can identify the people behind the party in the state. Everybody has an opportunity to register as a member. With your membership cards you are equal to any of our party chieftains and you can contest for any position.

    Obla advised the people to partake freely in the exercise.

    “I am happy that the revolution is starting from Bayelsa State. I now know that APC has come to stay. From today no more CPC, no more new PDP, no more ACN and no more APGA”, he said.

    Explaining the registration process, he said: “It is a very simple exercise. Go to your polling units. All you need is two passport photograph. Meet your registration officer. He will give you a form. Fill your name, your phone number, sign or thumbprint.

    “The form is in two parts. One will be detached and given to you the other one will be sent to Abuja. The one given to you will be your temporary membership card until about two months when a permanent card will be sent to you. The registration is open to all Nigerians from 18 years old and above.”

  • National language policy as a vehicle for preserving Ijaw, others

    National language policy as a vehicle for preserving Ijaw, others

    The Bayelsa State government recently said it has earmarked money to sponsor Nollywood films done in Ijaw language. This initiative brings to mind the concern of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on our dying languages. More than half of the 6000 languages currently spoken in the world are estimated to be in danger of disappearing during the 21st century. These include Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo and even Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo.

    It is a well-known fact that the country does not have a well-articulated national language policy. We need a national language policy to protect our local languages.

    In many countries, a language policy is designed to favour or discourage the use of a particular language. Some now have policies to protect and promote local languages being threatened. This is what Nigeria should do and it must be through legislation.

    Experts, such as Ghil’ad Zuckermann, believe that everything must be done to protect local languages. He once said: “Native tongue title and language rights should be promoted. The government ought to define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander vernaculars as official languages of Australia. We must change the linguistic landscape of Whyalla and elsewhere. Signs should be in both English and the local indigenous language.”

    This is the way Nigeria should go. And this is how: Let’s tackle the problem from the root. For most of us, the first language we spoke as children were our mother tongue. We were not introduced to English language until we got to school. It is no longer that way. Now children speak English first and stumble on their mother tongue or never get to speak them at all.

    Since a national policy cannot compel parents to speak local languages to their children, we have to turn to schools. Here, I mean nursery schools. The policy should decree that every nursery school, be it private or public, should have teachers who teach the pupils their local languages. This way, we can catch them young. This should be continued by primary schools.

    Really, it will not be a bad idea if the policy requires that the mother tongue or language of the immediate community be the medium of instruction at pre-primary and early primary levels, with English emerging as medium of instruction halfway through primary education. I understand the Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi is pushing for this. He needs to speed up action and use the state as launch pad.

    And for secondary school level, the old practice where students were expected to write and pass one local language in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) should be revisited and be made a key component of the national language policy. Each child must learn one of three major Nigerian languages (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba).

    If the United States is forcing its citizens to learn one international language before being given a degree, then we should follow suit and in our own case, it should be the learning and understanding of a local language that should be a prerequisite for being found worthy of receiving a university degree. English should remain the language of instruction.

    We should also make it part of the national language policy the need for Houses of Assembly to address plenary atleast once a week in their local language. The Lagos Assembly has started that with members addressing plenary in Yoruba language. This should be reciprocated by other assemblies.

    Efforts should be made to ensure there are effectual supporting policies and practices; adequate facilities; curricula that reflect the difference between first and second language teaching; adequate instructional materials; and positive public sentiment.

    By the time we try these steps, we will be on the way to reversing the current trend. Not only that we will also see an improvement in students’ performance in examinations, as experts believe that students who have better understanding of their mother tongues stand a better chance of doing well in other areas.

    When there is proper transition from the mother tongue to English in such a way that pupils are not made to learn too many languages too quickly, the multilingual approach is always advantageous. I believe when we do take these steps we will be on the way to reversing the fact that the emphasis on English language has not reflected in the number of candidates who pass the language in terminal examinations, such as the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE). The 2012 result shows that 771,731 candidates, representing 46.14 per cent, obtained six credits and above; 952,156 candidates, representing 56,93 per cent, obtained five credits and above; while 1,107,747, representing 66.24 per cent, obtained credits in four subjects. But, only 649,156 candidates, representing 38.81 per cent, obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

    Efforts, such as the one introduced by Bayelsa State government in sponsoring Ijaw language films should also be replicated by other governors in their native languages. We all know Nollywood has a huge fan base home and abroad.

    A word is enough for the wise. We must act now.

    •Fadun, an Insurance Executive and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senatrorial candidate in Ogun West, writes this piece from Lagos.

     

  • Akwa Ibom partners Seven Energy on power supply

    Akwa Ibom State has entered into partnership with Seven Energy, an indigenous Nigerian oil and gas company, to improve power supply in the state.

    The partnership was sealed at the monthly power sector operational stakeholders meeting held in the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Power.

    While addressing the operational stakeholders which consists of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ibom Power, Government and industry representatives, Seven Energy’s Vice President, Operations, Ani Umoren said: “Seven Energy will engage in the partnership through one of its principal subsidiaries, SEPTA Energy Nigeria”

    Umoren noted that the major challenge confronting Akwa Ibom state’s power sector is “how to achieve steady power generation, transmission and distribution to improve profitability”.

    He said the partnership between SEPTA Energy and Akwa Ibom Power sector stakeholders is aimed at addressing this challenge because “part of the objective of the partnership is to deliver continuous power supply in Akwa Ibom State.”

    Speaking further, he explained that “SEPTA Energy is willing to work with Akwa Ibom power stakeholders to ensure that power generated from Ibom Power plant is used to enhance economic activities in the state.”

    He added that the partnership will also provide a roadmap and coordination towards achieving sustainable power in Akwa Ibom state.”

    Responding to the partnership, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Power, Dr. Victor Udo, said: “The partnership is a welcome development because it will help actualise the vision of His Excellency for uninterrupted power supply within the shortest possible time.

    “SEPTA Energy is the supplier of gas to Ibom Power plant, if the gas is supplied and the power generated is successfully transmitted and distributed but the final consumers do not pay their electricity bills it amounts to losses so there is need for proper coordination between the power sector stakeholders. The partnership with SEPTA Energy is a win-win-win situation for the Government, public and private sector.”

     

  • FMC takes over Otuoke hospital

    The Board members of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenagoa have toured the Otuoke Cottage Hospital (OCH) preparatory to its take-over by the Federal Government.

    The members toured the facility on Tuesday.

    The Medical Director of the hospital and tour guard, Dr. Benjamin Tembowei, described the facility as a modern hospital with state-of-the art equipment and called for it to be replicated in other parts of the country. He said such facilities established in the country would discourage Nigerians from seeking medical help in other developed countries like Indian, Germany and China.

    He said:”If people can replicate this in other places, it will go a long way in assisting the poor man in the society. This equipment if we have the manpower to man them, Indians can come here too and be treated.”

    He eulogised the Federal Government for its directive to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) to take over the hospital.

    Tracing the origin of the hospital, he said the foundation was laid by President Jonathan in 2006 during his brief tenure in the state as the governor.

    He said: “Unfortunately the work could not go on because of logistic problems until the office of the Millennium Development Goals adopted and finished it.

    “The aims of the MDGs is to decrease maternal and child mortality. I know the place is far from Yenagoa Metropolis and it is rural, we will achieve the aim when it is taken over by the FG. I am very happy because it will become a federal institution with better funding.”

    He also spoke of the challenges facing the facility.

    The Medical Director said: “We need more monitors and aesthetic machines. What we have is not enough. The hospital depends mainly on two 350KVA generators for its electricity supplies. “We use three drums of diesel a day.”

    He reeled out the problems of the hospital as lack of electricity, lack of potable water which he blamed on the difficult terrains of the state. He recalled that some sophisticated equipment such as two most modern 4D coloured ultra-scan and x-ray machines were destroyed by the 2012 floods.

    He appealed to the board to facilitate the process of replacing the damaged equipment.

    He said: “For sometimes now for about three, four months ago we don’t have generator. To run this light, we have two 350 KVA generators and to run it every day is capital intensive.”

    “We use three drums of diesel a day and it is not easy. Another problem we have is water. In Bayelsa State, the iron content is very high, we need to filter to get water and this equipment is sensitive.

    “We need to also create awareness for people to know that it has been taken over by the federal government. That the federal government is taking it over is not a new concept. It has been done in Ebonyi State, Bauchi, Lagos and Edo states. We are happy this is happening to us. It will give us sense of belonging.”