The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • ‘Why we chose agriculture to curb poverty’

    ‘Why we chose agriculture to curb poverty’

    Sylvester Okoh is the Project Manager of PIND Foundation. He spoke with reporters on the foundation’s strategies. Shola O’Neil was there.

     

    What informed PIND’s choice on projects?

    Well, there may be a couple of factors but what I can clearly tell you is that, for you to do development work and get it to succeed and affect the people positively, you have to first of all go down to the root cause of the problem. Most times development intervention coming from anybody will be addressing the symptoms and not the root cause.

    PIND’s intervention strategy is first look at the sector we want to intervene in. what are the things making things not to work well? We look at the market issues and the factors that are making markets not to work. These markets we refer to is not just the market for selling and buying but market for services. Why is stem not available for the farmer when he wants it? Why is the farmer not having access to fertiliser? Why is there a problem for him to get loans to expand his farm? Why is it that when he smokes his fish he does not get a place to sell it?

    So, it is when you look at all these issues and you begin to address them one by one that you can have a very smooth flow and the chain will move in a very orderly manner. If you take one of them and deal with it; ‘oh, the people need money’ and you give them money. You forget if the stem is available even if they have the money. The fish feeds they want to buy is not available. So the money becomes almost useless.

    It is that whole thing we are looking at when we talk of sector study, when we talk of how to intervene. You first of all find out what the issues are and then you agree on what is going to happen and who is going to do what. So when you begin to address these sectors one after the other, then you begin to talk about how to do development work.

    Why agriculture as the focus of intervention?

    Somebody told us the other day that if you really want to be a multi-billionaire, you cannot do it earning salaries. Dangote is not paid by anybody. Otedola is not paid by anybody; they work for themselves. And in this region there are so many persons that are working hard in spite of the situation we find ourselves. We think that if we encourage young people in activities that will give them money, to take up activities that are very productive, those services that are required by even the oil companies, they will do much better. It is better to be in the agricultural sector because the potentials are there. The market is there too. So do not forget that the oil sector is employing few persons but the agricultural sector is going to provide a lot of opportunities and our strategies is pro-poor. So if you are talking of how many persons your intervention can pull at the same time; agriculture is just there for it.

    Tell us about your interventions in the various communities

    We are working in nine states of the Niger Delta and we did sector studies and thorough analysis and we have very good reasons for starting from certain places. For example, in Delta State, just like in Bayelsa, predominantly people are into fishing. So, the fish farm we have in Ekpan is informed by that. In Edo state the people are good farmers. They have land and their land is very fertile. So if we are doing cassava there you can understand why. So, we take decisions as to locations of projects based on available statistics. When you talk of oil palm production in Nigeria you talk of Imo and Rivers states. Our first intervention in oil palm is in Oguta area and if you go there the predominant occupation is palm oil processing and that is why we are there. And it is logical to be there because if we get it right there we will be affecting so many people at the same time.

    Challenges since 2010 when PIND started

    The challenges have been quite a number. Getting stakeholders to pay attention to developmental strategies is one. In the last couple of years, several development agencies did not want to come here, for obvious reasons and getting them back here is a challenge. We are making progress in that direction. At least at the moment we have several agencies working with us in this region.

    And for the specific value-chain you have in cassava, we have quite a large market. But the challenge has been how to cultivate large portions of land. And the reason for that challenge is because the cost of land preparation is very high and it is difficult to do that for commercial basis without government intervention. That is another challenge.

    For aquaculture, we are working seriously with several organizations, consultants, the feed companies and sometimes trying to inculcate in the farmers the culture of how to do it well and how to reduce their cost of production. That is working out very well.

    But then going forward, even if you achieve high rate of production at very lower cost so that you can compete in the market, there will be a time where there will be a gloat. So what we are trying to do now is looking at the market. How can we add value to the fish such that they can go to packaging and go to export?

  • Panic as Delta kidnap gangs target octogenarians

    Panic as Delta kidnap gangs target octogenarians

    •Kidnap ‘heahe members of Sakpa family in Ovwhodokpokpor Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State were thrown into celebration on Monday when the matriarch of the family Mama Helen Sakpa was rescued from the hold of kidnappers around Forcados area of Burutu LGA of the state.

    The 73-year-old grandmother was abducted from her home in Ughelli area of Delta State by gun-toting youths, who later sent a N50milion ransom ‘note’ to the family.

    She was the latest in a long list of abducted octogenarians in the area, as kidnap gangs operating in the Delta Central area of the state systematically shift base from Kokori in Agbon Clan of Ethiope East LGA to Olomu in Ughelli.

    Her octogenarian husband was beaten to pulp by the hoodlums on the fateful day she was abducted last Thursday, October 31.

    The incident occurred barely three days after Mrs Otiti Esegba, a 76-year- old was snatched by gunmen from her bed in the dead of the night in Oviri community in the same Olomu clan.

    Similarly, a popular medical doctor in the area, Dr. Richard Kofi, was abducted from his clinic in Oviri-Olomu by armed gang.

    Speaking on her escaped, Mrs Esegba told newsmen: “At about 2am while asleep, I heard a great noise and before I knew it two heavily armed men storm into the house and seized me after pulling down my door.

    “Three others also armed joined them and ransacked the house, took my jewelries, my george wrappers and several thousands of naira. They started beating and hitting me with guns.

    “Thereafter I was dragged into one of the waiting okada, one sat behind me and the three others took the other okada. The one seated behind me held my mouth, I was blinded folded and also held my throat.

    “They took me to what look like an uncompleted building, i then asked them what did i do, what is the matter. I told them that i will give them money, that they should not kill me.”

    Luckily for her, the ordeal lasted for hours before she ‘divinely’ escaped from her kidnappers’ den in the uncompleted building she was taken to.

    For Mama Sakpa, the nightmare lasted for five days before she was rescued by men of the Nigerian Navy.

    She was rescued by a special squad from the Nigerian Naval Ship (NNS) Delta who stormed a kidnappers’ den around Agip Flow Station in Forcados, Burutu L.G.A of Delta State.

    It was a joyful moment as the frail looking old woman was handed over to her family at the NNS Delta, Warri.

    The Executive Officer of the base, Naval Capt. Julius Nwagu said the operation was successfully carried out following a tip-off to its officers who were on duty at the Nigerian Agip Oil Company’s Belebowie station, near Forcados.

    He said the kidnappers had approached the family with a hefty N50 million ransom demand before the feat.

    Nwogu attributed the successful operation to the gesture of a local in the area who tipped off the security operatives. They swiftly moved in and secured Madam Sakpa’s release.

    He said, “At about 9:00am this morning, we got a report from our task force in Agip Belebowie around Forcados area that a 73 years old woman who was kidnapped on Thursday 31 october, 2013 at Ovwhodokpokpor Town was rescued by Naval Task Force.

    “The gunmen before taking her away the assaulted the husband (Mr. Benson Sakpa) and since that time, the State Security Services (SSS) and the vigilante group have been on the search for the woman.

    “The gunmen demanded for N50milion, which the family could not afford. After fruitless effort the kidnappers dropped her in a bush around Agip Belebowie in Forcados. She was found in the bush by a villager who alerted our task force who went in to rescue her.”

    Nwagu said the rescue was an indication of what could be achieved if members of the public volunteer information and appealed to the public to provide security agencies with information that could help track the activities of kidnappers and other criminals in the state.

    Narrating her ordeal in her native Urhobo Language narrated, the victim said she was having her dinner on that day when five powerful men, armed with guns and cutlass stormed her home and took her away.

    Corroborating her account, her son Mr. Dickson Sakpa expressed delight that his mother was freed and had reunited with the family without harm.

    He however said the family was happy that they did not part with any money to secure her freedom, adding that the past five days had been very traumatic for them.

    However, it was gathered that the kidnap of the aged women amidst similar incidents have thrown the old and young people in the Olomu Clan into panic.

    Reacting to the worrisome development the traditional ruler (Ohworode) of Olomu Kingdom, HRM, Ovie R. L. Ogbon, said the cases were worrisome.

    Speaking shortly after the escape of Mrs Esegba, the 98-year-old Ohworode said, “This is condemnable in its entirety; this is a taboo! it is unacceptable. I thank God that she has been released.

    “I want the Governor to accent to the anti-kidnapping bill quickly, such people must die. I am going to call a meeting of all the communities, the Olomu vigilante and communities vigilante must be coordinated to forestall recurrence of such again.

    “Olomu is a peaceful place, we are hardworking and industrious people, we don’t condone or harbour criminals. Criminal elements should not use Olomu for their evil operations,” added the monarch, who is one of the oldest king in Niger Delta.

    Speaking in the same vein, Chief Felix Osiaje, President General of Akperhe Community in Olomu described the incidents as ‘insiders’ job’.

    Osiaje, a friend of the Esegba family, said, “This is an insider job, no stranger can come into my community to do this devilish act, there is an insider involve in this thing. I am happy that she escaped but i am going to the village to find a solution to this act.

    “We don’t tolerate criminally, we will get to the root of this matter.”

    dquarters’ shift to Olomu clan

  • Group warns Agip on local content act violation

    A Niger Delta pressure group, Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC) is spoiling for a showdown with Italian oil giant, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) over perceived unfair deal to Nigerian workers.

    The group threatened to shutdown NAOC’s operation in the region and send the company’s Vice Chairman/Managing Director, Mr. Ciro Pagano, to jail if the situation persists.

    The threat was contained in a press statement signed by Nelly Emma, John Sailor and Mukoro Stanley, President, Secretary and Public Relations Officer of NDIMRC respectively.

    It decried the prevailing situation in the company where key positions are held by foreigners to the detriment of Nigerians and the Local Content Act of the Federal Government.

    It stated: “Our investigations have shown that Nigerians are not well treated in Agip; they are being denied key positions in the company. For instance; the General Manager (Finance) is an Italian; the General Manager (Upstream Business) Italian; the General Manager (Gas Business) Italian; the General Manager (Commercial) Italian; the General Manager (District) Italian and General Manager (Projects) Italian.”

    “Our findings revealed that only the positions of General Manager (Legal), General Manager (Public Affairs), General Manager Nigerian Content Development (NCD) and General Manager (Human Resources) are being held by Nigerians and we think this is not good enough for the Nigerian Local Content and people of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.”

    “We are of the strong view that Nigerians ought to be given the positions of the General Manager (Projects); General Manager (Gas Business); General Manager (Finance) and General Manager (Upstream Business), the mistreatment and short-changing of Nigerians by

    management of the company is a great concern to us and it must stop.

    The group said it is planning a protest at all the installations and offices of NAOC, including Abuja and Port-Harcourt. It says it also plans to expose alleged sleazy oil deals of some of the company’s big wigs.

    NDIMRC lamented that the prevailing situation in Agip could encourage other multinational firms in the the region to revert to the old practice where key positions in the oil and gas industry are dominated by foreigners.

    “It is It is not the same story at the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and so why must the case of Agip be a different one? We are blaming the Vice Chairman/Managing Director of the company and the General Manager, Projects (Mr. Nicolo) for this pathetic development in the company that has reduced our people to ‘mere messengers’

    The group therefore urged President Jonathan to prevail on the management of the company to change its attitude towards Nigerians or “risk a very tough time in the days ahead”.

    “President Jonathan must call Agip to order now; otherwise we will cripple the activities

    of the company across the country with well planned protests.”

    A senior management staff of the oil firm who spoke on condition of anonymity debunked the allegations, describing it as ‘cheap blackmail’.

    “Nigeria Agip Oil Company is a law-abiding company and our operations and policy meet all international and local laws. We won’t submit to cheap blackmail of anyone, “ the source, who asked not to he named because he wasn’t permitted to speak on the matter, added.

     

  • ‘Southsouth should not be forced to support Jonathan’

    ‘Southsouth should not be forced to support Jonathan’

    The representative of the Rivers Southeast Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Magnus Ngei Abe, has declared that the people of the Southsouth zone should not be forced to support the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Abe, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, said there was no need to heat up the polity ahead of 2015 general elections, since there is freedom of association and choice of who to support, as guaranteed by Nigeria’s constitution.

    He expressed displeasure over the utterances of some politicians, who claimed that with President Jonathan seeking re-election in 2015, no other person from his geopolitical zone should aspire to be the nation’s President.

    Abe, a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), is an ally of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), but had been at loggerheads with President Jonathan over 2015.

    The President is from Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, while his wife, Dame Patience, hails from Okrika, the headquarters of Okrika LGA of Rivers State, both in the Southsouth and Niger Delta.

    It is being speculated that Amaechi, an Ikwerre, who is a former Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, is nursing vice-presidential ambition, which he has been denying.

    Abe also stated that the ascendancy of the Southsouth zone was as a result of the zoning arrangement in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressing that the people of the crude oil and gas-rich zone did not constitute majority in the country, hence the need not to abuse the benefit.

    The senator berated persons attacking Amaechi for not supporting the second term ambition of President Jonathan, declaring that while the President had the constitutional right to seek re-election, the Rivers governor also had the constitutional right to support whoever he wanted to support.

    He said: “The best thing for us to do in this country, whether North, East, South, West or Southsouth, is to allow our politics to be driven by ideas.

    “Those who feel strongly enough about something, regardless of where they come from, must be allowed to canvass their opinions and express their feelings.

    “Those who acknowledge that President Jonathan has the constitutional right to contest, must also acknowledge the constitutional right of others to support whoever they want to support or refuse to support who they do not want to support. The constitution is for everybody.”

    Abe also stated that the NGF chairman remained a leading light in the country, especially as a performer, noting that his developmental strides would speak for him at the appropriate time.

    The senator added: “Governor Amaechi has already achieved a lot for Rivers people in different sectors. A leader with a focus and we will continue to support him under rain or sun. We must leave a legacy for the people of Rivers State, through the projects of this government.”

     

  • ‘Cause of crisis in financial, capital market’

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has identified lack of customer sophistication as one of the causes of the crisis in the financial and capital market.

    CBN’s Deputy Director/Head, Consumer Education of the Consumer Protection Department (CPD), Hajia Khadijah Kasim, made the disclosure at a news conference in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    She reiterated that when the present management of the CBN assumed duty in 2009, the financial system was virtually on the brink of collapse.

    Kasim noted that the apex bank introduced reforms to sanitise and stabilise the financial system, with consumer protection included as a cardinal component of the reform programme.

    She said: “The CBN is putting a lot of structures in place to ensure that consumers get maximum benefits from financial services provision, which would ultimately result in not only enabling people take charge of their financial well-being, but also enhance economic development.

    “We must increase awareness and understanding of financial products and services, enhance efficient usage of financial resources and empower Nigerians with the requisite knowledge to make informed choices and take effective actions that will enhance their financial well-being.

    “By so doing, we are able to empower them with the confidence to participate in the formal financial system.

    “It is only when the vast majority of the Nigerian population is financially literate that they can come on board the formal financial system, thereby contributing to financial stability.”

    The CBN boss also stated that the apex bank had developed the Financial Literacy Framework (FLF), which articulated a multi-stakeholder approach to the delivery of financial literacy across all segments and sectors of the society.

  • Pains, agony imposed on Officer Wellington by Boko Haram

    Pains, agony imposed on Officer Wellington by Boko Haram

    •Victim begs Uduaghan for help

    Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Wellington Asiayei is helpless on his sick bed in a poorly-ventilated room in a slum in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. He watches as his sons clean his gaping bed sores.

    With power supply to his apartment epileptic, Asiayei is battling failing health and the minor irritations of the stifling conditions in his room.

    He has remained an invalid, dependent on charity, since his near fatal shooting in January, 2012 by Boko Haram insurgents in daring attacks on police formations in Kano State. Unable to pay his medical bills, Asiayei is compelled to receive unskilled, medical attention at home.

    Despite his uncertain future, Rawlings Asiayei, his 25-year-old son who studies Petroleum Engineering at the Rivers State University of Technology (RSUT), says he will do anything to help his father overcome his predicament.

    Until his tragic encounter with the merchants of death, Asiayei, 49, who hails from Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, served with SCID, Kano State Police Command, Bompai.

    Had he gone straight to a scheduled prayer meeting from work as he was wont to do, Asianye probably would have been spared this nightmare.

    Despite his predicament, Asiayei, a Christian, is without bitterness towards his attackers but wants God’s forgiveness for his assailants.

    He says he has prayed for God’s forgiveness of the murderous Boko Haram sect, adding that a demon drives them into committing such violent acts.

    His words: “I have already forgiven them. Whosoever that is behind this problem, I forgive him, because I know that there is a demon in him that is responsible for the acts that he carries out in the name of religion. I have forgiven whoever is behind my problem so that God can intervene in my case.”

    Recounting his ordeal to The Nation, Asiayei said: “About 5.30 pm, I closed from work. I walked from my office to the barracks because it is a short distance. The day was a Friday; so, I took my Bible because I was supposed to attend a prayer meeting but headed to the barracks because I live among the rank and file as I am unable to get an SPO’s quarters. I decided to quickly wash some clothes. While we were outside, my neighbour recounted the attack of Boko Haram group on the AIG’s office and the Farm Centre Police Station.

     

  • Kokori…A town in search of peace

    Kokori…A town in search of peace

    okori in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State is in search of peace. The town has been troubled since kidnap kingpin Kelvin Oniarah and his gang invaded the town claiming to be freedom fighters.

     

    About a month ago, the palace of the Agbon traditional ruler, Ogurime-Rime, Ukori 1, Mike Omeru, Ovie of Agbon Kingdom, was destroyed by some irate youths.

     

    As part of the search for peace, elders of Kokori community have sent an eight-man delegation to appeal to the traditional ruler. On the delegation were Chief Josiah Orhorhoro, the Orosue of Kokori community, the President-General, Chief Gabriel Avwunudiogba, the Secretary to the Elders’ Council, Chief Pleasure Ogbe, Chief James Omoraka, Chief Sunday Umunade, Chief Ochuko Umukoro and others.They said their visit to the monarch at his Otorho-Agbon lodge, ancestral home of the Agbon people, was to appeal to him and the Agbon traditional Council of Chiefs for the action of the youths.

    Orhorhoro likened the actions of the youths to the voice of Jacob and the hands Esau.

    He said illustrious sons and daughters of the community were angry about the attack on the monarch, saying before the king ascended the throne he was of immense help to the community.

    The delegation said: “In such a crisis situation, what we ought to have been doing was to always be in contact with you (the king) to access the situation and look for a lasting solution but because we have offended you through our children and yours, we could not face you on any issue and this was what the Council of Chiefs and Elders saw that we were sent to come and say we are sorry, please forgive us.

    “We all left the town at the heat of the crisis, even left our little children and as we speak to you, cost of food item has increased by 100 per cent; that is if we would even have them to buy but today some of those youths have gone far, while some were said to have been killed and it is not our prayer that our traditional ruler should be in such a discomforted state and we, the subject, should be somewhere smiling. It is for this reason we were sent to come and say we are sorry for the treatment meted on you by the youth.”

    The Agbon Traditional Council of Chiefs was also represented by six chiefs from the six sub-clans: Chief Johnson Eruvweteghware (Okpara), Chief Cliff Ogbodu (Kokori), Chief John Ejitobor (Orhoakpo), Chief Moses Orogun (Eku), Prime Minister of Agbon Kingdom, Chief Philip Eyagomare (Ovu), Chief Godwin Esigbone (Igun) and the Secretary to the Agbon Traditional Council of Chiefs, Chief Emmanuel Avworo. They commended the Kokori Council Chiefs and Elders for appealing to the monarch.

    The Urhobo Peace Initiative has also tried to ensure that peace returns to the community. It enjoined all Agbon sub clans to join hands with Kokori community to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis.

    The Chairman of the group, Chief Igho Osiebe, Adviser, Mr. Osumiri Ete, Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Eharisi-Ayomah and Chief Lucky Emojeya commended the Kokori community’s leadership for working for peace.

    Osiobe said they were pained to see that they could not move freely in their community as a result of the crisis, urging the six sub clans to look deeply into the remote cause of the crisis and find a lasting solution.

    The monarch commended the Orosue of Kokori and his chiefs for taking this bold step of peace, adding that there were rumour that some persons were behind the crisis.

    The monarch said: “Again, when I look out from the way the crisis is happening, with what is being reported on the pages of newspapers, it goes a long way to show that there are some people out there that do not want peace to reign in Kokori community but by His grace, we will surmount it someday; no matter the storm.

    “On April 22, the Delta State Commissioner of Police invited me to Asaba because of the security problem of Kokori and that l should present the youths causing problem in the area but I told the Commissioner of Police that my kingdom covers six sub clans of Agbon and not only Kokori and the commissioner apologise to me that I should not be offended that he thought I am for only Kokori.

    “The insecurity problem in Kokori had been before I was crowned King. It started last year when government called on leadership of Kokori community and asked them that their youths were creating violence; that they should be produced before it gets to the point Federal Government and for the period the crisis lasted, l did my best to ensure there was no unnecessary molestation of persons in the community.

    “I have no hand in what happened in Kokori; it was wrong representation by some community and national dailies that had caused some of the problem because it was from when l was confirmed king that one of the community papers started giving false representation on the pages of newspaper about the kingship and how it went.

    “When we were contesting the Kingship position, it was one of the community reporters that were used to circulate petitions for my co-contestants and when l called him and asked why, he said he was asked to help distribute them.

    “The last l read from him was that the women of Kokori said I was not the one that constructed the Kokori-Eku Road and the ring road was given out by Shell to Niger Cat and state government gave some to Niger-Cat and all these were done while I was the Chairman of the Board of Niger-Cat Construction Company.

    “The truth is that if I was not the chairman of Niger-Cat, those roads wouldn’t have been possible and l want to state here that during my election to the kingship throne in Kokori, out of the 30 votes cast, 18 voted for me, which qualified me for the next round before Agbon Council of Chiefs’ final election of six sub clans, where out of 48 persons, 43 voted for me, which is an indication that my ascending the throne follows due process.”

     

     

     

  • Panic after kidnappers free Cross River’s deputy governor’s dad

    Panic after kidnappers free Cross River’s deputy governor’s dad

    Mbarakom community in Creek Town, Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, was a quiet, peaceful little town on the edge of the river, where people went about their daily businesses with little to worry about.

    That was until three weeks ago when heavily armed gunmen stormed the community – in a manner often seen in action movies – and whisked away the octogenarian father of the deputy of Cross River State, Etubom Essien Akabom Efiok and his nephew, Chief Okon Ita Akabom.

    The gunmen had gained access to the area through the river in two speedboats in the wee hours of that fateful day shooting sporadically as they headed towards Efiok’s house about 10 minutes’ walk away from the jetty to abduct him. Picking him up was easy for them to the extent they also whisked off his nephew who lives in the building opposite.

    Although they were both released in good condition a couple of days later amidst unconfirmed reports of a hefty ransom, things are no longer as they used to be in the sleepy community. Fear now pervades the atmosphere, as the spectre of the commando-like operation hovered and fears of recurrence troubled the people for whom the development still remains incomprehensible.

    Creek Town has a rich historical background of being the cradle of the Efik. The town had the advantage of having received western civilisation, education and Christianity through its early contact with the western explorers as far back as the 19th century. Relics of the contact and its earlier civilisation still remain.

    Apart from being a major tourist destination in Cross River State, the town is noted for its record of serenity and hospitality.

    A resident of the area, Ekpenyong, told Niger Delta Report that the kidnap of the deputy governor’s father had shaken them to their marrow and had distorted the spirit of tranquillity they had before now savoured. “Things are no longer the same. The fact that those boys could invade this community with the kind of sophisticated guns they came with and just carry away the father of the deputy governor is something we would never be able to come to terms with.”

    The development also served to highlight the poor security situation in the area with residents calling on relevant authorities to do something about the situation.

    A visit to the community revealed that a marine police post by the beach through, which people get access to Creek Town, has been abandoned for years. The only police post in the area is in a derelict state and residents complained that it has shortage of manpower.

    “We have an entire police station, with full quarters but less than five policemen. The kidnappers came here with full confidence knowing that nothing would happen. We need to forestall such an occurrence and there is no way we can achieve that with the kind of security we have in this area,” another resident, simply identified as Ita, complained.

    Senator Bassey Otu, representing the Southern Senatorial district of the state and who also hails from the area, called for the immediate completion of the abandoned Marine Police Base to enhance the provision of adequate security in the riverine community.

    Otu expressed dismay at the absence of a functional security post in the ancient Efik community, stating that the Police Station established about 30 years ago is still ill-equipped with skeletal personnel to combat crime, especially of such magnitude.

    Otu said the station was proposed to be supported with a Marine Police Base, which was later abandoned after the offices were constructed without a Jetty.

    The facility, according to him, on completion would not only have provided security cover for that flank of Odukpani Local Government Area in Western Calabar, but also help to checkmate illegal oil bunkering and tackle illegal timber logging now thriving along the estuaries of the adjoining tributaries that traverses the communities.

    The senator enjoined the youths and residents of the area to constitute functional and legal vigilante groups to help check the situation.

    He said: “A situation in which yet to be identified gunmen invaded the community for several odd hours at night and made away with the victims especially the aged Monarch who is a member of the Etuboms’ Council of the Obong of Calabar without hindrance and only to release them about 48 hours after is despicable.”

    He acknowledged that although they were armed with sophisticated weapons and shooting sporadically to scare intervention during the raid, a timely and co-ordinated rescue alarm would have inhibited the progress of their adventure, if not curb the heinous crime.

    The senator decried the alleged complicity of miscreant resident youths in the crime and their indulgence in illegal bunkering activities associated with crude oil theft.

    He consoled the elders of the community over the apparent threat to life which they suffered during the raid and appealed to them to admonish to youths on the essence of exemplary character and to be pro-active during emergencies.

    The senator further drew attention to the existence of poor police presence in most parts of Odukpani Local Government Area in places, such as Akpap-Okoyong and Ikot Effiong Otop where the post is sited in a rented apartment that deserves attention.

    Also irked by the development, the Elders forum of Creek Town also condemned the situation which they said was an attempt by unscrupulous elements to tarnish their good image.

    They urged the government to support efforts of all security operatives to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are brought to book. They reiterated the need to properly set up the Police Station, re-establish the Marine Police post as well as other security agencies.

    The elders, who spoke through Chief Thomas Mkpang, said: “HRH Elder Etubom Essien Akabom Efiok is a respected traditional ruler of Creek Town who has contributed immensely to the socio role to the efforts of the Elders Forum of Creek Town in attracting development to Creek Town through the Cross River State Community and Social Development Agency is a case in point. Any attack or humiliation on this patriotic citizen is therefore irrational and retrogressive,

    “The kidnappers who invaded the ancient town through the river with Alsatian dogs and sophisticated arms, firing and terrorising innocent citizens to the extent of breaking into the residence of the traditional ruler to execute their evil intentions should note that their daring actions are capable of invoking the wrath of God and the wrath of the land, the repercussion of which would be too grievous for them to bear.

    “We, therefore, advise and warn unequivocally all persons concerned to desist from acts inimical to the corporate existence of Creek Town.”

     

  • MTN supports fight against crime in Bayelsa

    MTN supports fight against crime in Bayelsa

    Telecommunication giant, Mobile Telecommunications Nigeria (MTN) Limited, has joined the operation to flush out criminals in Bayelsa State. The company through its foundation donated five hilux patrol pick-up vehicles to the government.

    The Acting Senior Manager Sales, Eastern Region, MTN Nigeria, Mr Onamari Horsfall, handed the keys to the veicles over to the Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

    He said the vehicles were donated in accordance with the company’s corporate social responsibility and commitment to a secure and safe environment for lives and property across the country.

    Dickson lauded the communication company for keying into his administration’s vision of providing adequate security in the state.

    He said security would engender socio-economic growth by attracting investors.

    Referring to the maintenance of law and order as a collective responsibility, Dickson who was represented by his deputy Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd.) described MTN’s efforts as complementary.

    He said the security patrol vehicles would be added to the already-acquired security assets to combat crime and insecurity.

    The governor also presented vehicles to the newly-completed Okaka Prisons. He said the gesture was aimed at ensuring efficient and effective prison administration in the state.

    He explained that his administration’s support to the security outfit was borne out of “the far-reaching services it renders to society as a place of rehabilitation”.

    He said the present administration collaborated with the Federal Government to complete the Okaka Prison which was commissioned earlier in the year. He said the facility had brought relief to the congested prison in neighbouring Ahoada in Rivers State.

    He said: “We put in a lot of efforts in ensuring that the prison facilities were supported by the State Government. It is an entirely Federal Government concern but the State Government has a responsibility to complement the efforts of the Federal Government.

    “So, we did that and the prison is now in use, saving us from the long journeys we used to make to Ahoada. Prison primarily is not a place for punishment but it is a place we reform people.

    “But, it is also meant to keep away dangerous people away from us so that society will live in peace. This is why the State Government is collaborating with the Nigerian Prisons by providing these vehicles to facilitate the work of the prison.”

  • The Amaechi, Wike tango

    The Amaechi, Wike tango

    The Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi are unlikely to settle their quarrel any time soon.

    As it has been for the past few months, the duo have engaged in exchange of words for the better part of this week.

    Wike believes the governor is nurturing a vice-presidential ambition. Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), however, stated that he had not told anybody that he wanted to be vice-president, declaring that Wike and his cohorts were groping in the dark.

    The Rivers Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah, also alleged that Amaechi, gave N500 million to a nearby state to mobilise people to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa to receive the visiting leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The NGF chairman, in his response to the allegation, stressed that with the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), giving N500 million cash to mobilise people was not possible in Nigeria, describing Obuah as a blatant liar.

    Wike and Obuah spoke at the thanksgiving and inauguration of the Eleme Local Government chapter of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) at the Alesa Unity Stadium, Eleme, the headquarters of Eleme LGA of Rivers state. The minister of state for education is the grand patron of the GDI.

    A former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (rtd.); the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; and the interim National Chairman of the opposition party, Chief Bisi Akande, among other leaders of the party, came to Port Harcourt on Tuesday to woo Amaechi to join the APC.

    Wike said: “Some people will tell you that they are not interested in being the vice-president. Meanwhile, underground they are scheming. The meeting they held this morning, they said if they mobilised very well, APC people who are coming to Rivers state will know that the governor is on the ground. You and I know that, that is not mobilisation.

    “What you must know, before now, your governor had told you lies that nothing would make him to leave PDP, but the same governor told his people to go to the airport and receive the APC leaders, like Tinubu, Buhari and co. Does that not show people who are inconsistent? Does that not show that you do not have a governor who is consistent?

    “If you like, go and mobilise people from Edo State, Imo State or any part of this country, Rivers State, we have taken a decision, that they will stand by their brother, son-in-law and the man from the Southsouth to be the President of this country, come 2015.

    “They are giving money to all the local government areas (23) to mobilise one thousand people each. We know that they cannot even get 200 people from each local government. What they are doing is to go to Imo State to mobilise people.

    “They deceived you that they would not leave PDP, now they are leaving PDP. All we want them to do is to officially announce that they have left PDP and we will do our thanksgiving. We stand by President Goodluck Jonathan. Nothing will make us to leave Jonathan. On Jonathan we stand.”

    The supervising minister of education also lauded the GDI members in Eleme for the wonderful mobilisation, saying nobody gave them money, but they came en masse to show solidarity, especially for Dr. Jonathan to be re-elected as the President in 2015.

    The Rivers governor, who spoke through the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, declared that Wike, Obuah and their supporters were confused and needed help.

    Okocha said: “Wike boasted on October 27 at the GDI’s rally in Port Harcourt that six commissioners in Governor Amaechi’s cabinet would resign and address the next rally of the GDI. At the Eleme rally that followed, no Rivers commissioner addressed the GDI’s rally. Nigerians will now know that Obuah is a blatant liar.

    “How will a governor or anybody give N500 million to mobilise people, with CBN’s cashless policy? That the APC’s leaders are coming to Port Harcourt to woo Governor Amaechi and his supporters is no longer a secret and not in dispute.

    “Wike, Obuah and their few loyalists are afraid of the crowd of authentic Rivers people that will welcome the APC’s leaders at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

    “They are just groping in the dark. They have nothing else to say. Lie has an expiry date.

    “There is nothing wrong in having ambition. It becomes dangerous when the ambition is inordinate like that of Wike, who wants to be Rivers governor in 2015 at all costs. Governor Amaechi has not told anybody he wants to be vice-president.

    “Wike, Obuah and their followers have tried everything they can do to discredit Governor Amaechi, his government and his supporters, but not working. Stupidity of most PDP leaders and impunity displayed are making leaders of other political parties to be making efforts to poach.”

    The NGF chairman also stated that he had been showing respect to elders and would continue to do so, which he said made him to decide to receive Buhari, Tinubu, Akande and other chieftains of the APC.

    The Rivers governor reiterated that since the APC leaders had earlier met with some of the G-7 governors, it would not be ideal to prevent them from meeting with him.

    The Rivers PDP chairman said: “Any breakdown of law and order in the state, Governor Rotimi Amaechi should be held responsible. Only on Saturday, he gave out N500 million of our state’s money to a nearby state to mobilise people to the airport to receive leaders of APC. Is that what our money is meant for?

    “During the burial of our mother (the late Madam Charity Fyneface Oba, aka Mama Sisi), there was no record of any incident in Rivers state. Amaechi is going about campaigning and giving our money to people from Edo State and nearby states, to come and support him here. We say no. Rivers state money for Rivers state people.”

    Obuah also lauded the GDI members for the “wonderful” mobilisation and support they gave to President Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience during the funeral, especially at the airport, Okrika and the Polo Club, Port Harcourt, which he described as unprecedented.

    The Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, in his speech at the GDI’s rally, stated that Buhari, Tinubu, Akande and other leaders of the APC should not come and tell Rivers people what to do, declaring that nobody would take them to slavery or exploit them again.

    Secondus, a former National Organising Secretary of the PDP and an ex-Rivers Chairman of the PDP, noted that the GDI was for liberation of Rivers people, stating that very soon, Amaechi would declare for the APC, with the members of the GDI and PDP to do thanksgiving, while waiting for the governor at the polls.

    The representative of the Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator George Sekibo, stated that Rivers people were supporting a right cause, in order to ensure good governance, wondering why Amaechi would be fighting President Jonathan, who is from the Southsouth.

    The President-General of the GDI, Bright Amaewhule, insisted that there was no other PDP, while calling on members of the socio-political organisation to support the re-election of President Jonathan in 2015.

    The Coordinator of the GDI in Eleme, Philip Okparaji, saluted Wike’s courage and his highly-principled position to the struggle for the emancipation of Rivers people, as well as his determination to free the people from bondage.