The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • ‘Urhobo nation now back to reckoning’

    THE Ethiope East Local Government Transition Committee Chairman, Olorogun Sunday Eromedoghene, has said with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winning the Delta central senatorial election, the Urhobo nation was back in the mainstream.

    He said the PDP victory was not only a landmark but a gate way to development for Urhobo ethnic nationality.

    He said: “We have seen that what the Urhobo nation has suffered in the recent time was being in opposition and that was why we have to do all within our power with the great help of our amiable governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan who was there for us and even denied himself of travelling all to ensure that PDP wins the Delta Central and all amounted the fact of his laudable programme across the eight local government of the Delta Central and same thing applied to the Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Aigbe Utuama for all his support.”

    Onoriode said the Delta central senatorial election was the first of its kind and attributed the victory to the three point agenda of Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan.

    He said: “What we saw was PDP regaining her lost territory because Delta Central in 1999, 2003, 2007 was being controlled by PDP but all of a sudden in 2011, the opposition came and took over PDP but today PDP has come out with full unity to claim what belong to them and it was the first time in the history of elections where no death issue or any form of violence was recorded or crises and that tells you the election was peaceful unlike previous elections of 2011.”

     

  • Concern over Orhionmwon Local Govt

    Orhionmwon is the largest local government area in Edo South Senatorial district. It was created during the days of the defunct Bendel State and Uhunmwode local government was cut out it in 1991. It houses the largest gas deposit in Nigeria, if not West Africa. Besides abundance of mineral resources, there is the Urhonigbe Rubber Plantation and Factory and Sokponba Resort, among others.

    The sad story of Orhionmwon, despite sitting on abundant wealth, is that of neglect as it is one of the least developed local governments in Edo State. There are no banks operating in Orhionmwon. Its headquarters, Abudu, is more of a ‘hamlet’ while Urhonigbe, which is perhaps the biggest town after Benin City, lacked economic life. Residents of Urhonigbe do their banking activities at Agbor or Eku in Delta State. Community banks operating in some villages, such as Ugo and Okogbo, have since closed shops.

     

  • Contractors celebrate Escravos gas project

    Contractors celebrate Escravos gas project

    It was a ceremony that no doubt cemented the growing peace and trust between the ethnic groups in the area of operation of the American oil firm, Chevron Nigeria Limited. Hundreds of Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje indigenous contractors gathered at the prestigious Wellington Hotel in Effurun, Delta State, to celebrate the completion of the construction stage of the CNL’s EGTL (Escravos Gas-to-Liquids) project in Ugborodo, Escravos, Warri Local Government Area. The ceremony was aptly tagged ‘EGTL Family Party’.

    Over 50 major local community contractors, who worked on the history-making $8.4 billion EGTL project, came together in a re-union, ending the ethnic tension and squabbles over contracts which greeted the project.

    The event was an opportunity for recognition and awards, singing and dancing and presentations by various stakeholders in the Oil and Gas industry.

    There were representatives of the Delta State Government, the Nigerian Police, the Management of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Local Community Contractors, traditional rulers and community leaders, men and women from all walks of life in the various communities. They all gathered to mark the successful completion of the construction phase of the EGTL project and to appreciate Chevron for the enormous socio-economic benefits the EGTL project afforded them as individuals and their communities in general.

    As one of the projects that has benefited local contractors the most in the region, it was not surprising that all the speakers took turns to praise the commitment of Chevron to building the capacities of the local community contractors and empowering them to compete favorably with their counterparts including established foreign firms, in various aspects of project construction in such a complex project as the EGTL.

    The EGTL construction work involved hundreds of contractors that embarked on engineering, procurement, fabrication and storage activities. Records of the project showed that more than 350 companies from Nigeria have supported the project since its inception in 2005. This, in turn, brought immense socio-economic benefits to the Niger Delta communities.

    Most stakeholders at the event conceded that the EGTL project contributed to peace and security in Delta State through infrastructure development such as the utilization of the NPA Delta Port in Warri, a scale of capacity building never before attempted and empowerment through contracts awarded to local contractions and job creation.

    It was gathered that over 15,000 Nigerians have benefitted from employment opportunities related to the project in the past eight years. More than 9,000 (or 60 percent) are believed to be from the Niger Delta. Also, hundreds have been specially trained to facilitate commissioning, start-up, operation and maintenance of the facility, which is scheduled to commence in the coming months.

    The contractors said the successful completion of the construction phase of the EGTL project has proved that Warri and the Niger Delta are investment-friendly. They also expressed delight that the EGTL has provided a model for Nigeria on how to work with communities to advance future projects that could provide similar benefits to other parts of Nigeria.

    Chairman of the organising committee of the event, Mr. Edmund Doyah-Tiemo, a former Chairman of the Egbama-Gbaramatu Communities Development Committee (EGCDC) and CEO, Broad Global Investment, said the NNPC/CNL’s Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) helped to improve relationship with the communities.

    Speaking in the same vein, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, CEO, Tomba Resources Limited, said the EGTL project created the window of opportunities for the integration of members of the local communities, particularly indigenous contractors, to play leading roles in the oil industry.

    Ereyitomi, a Warri Kingdom traditional titleholder, said: “The transformation witnessed by local contractors cannot be over-estimated and their involvement in the EGTL interestingly gave credence to the local content policy of the Federal Government,” he said.

    Mr. Geoffrey Mason, EGTL Director, Southern Gas Constructors (SGC) said: “EGTL stands as a testament to what can be achieved in Delta State; and it is a project that brought together people from many ethnic groups and allowed them to work peacefully side by side.”

    His counterpart, Mr. Mick Kraly, EGTL Project Manager, noted that the project created an atmosphere of unity, trust, love and learning for the participating contractors and workers on the project.

    For Mr. Deji Haastrup, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), it was delightful to see the LCCs put up such a wonderful occasion which testifies to the commitment of the company in building relationships that will engender peace, security, and socio-economic development of communities neighbouring its operations in the Niger Delta.

    The contractors were later assisted by traditional rulers, stakeholders and other guests to cut the party cake. The high point of the occasion was the presentation of awards to some key EGTL stakeholders including; Chevron Nigeria Limited, Messrs. Andrew Fawthrop, Chairman & Managing Director, Kevin Owens, Jide Ajide, Mick Kraly, John Ashima, Chima Nwogu, Trust Inimgba, Tim Hennessey and Geoffrey Mason.

    Representatives of CNL at the event include Emmanuel Imafidon (Director, Business Services); Kevin Owens, (GM, Delta Operations – represented by John Ashima, former EGTL Deputy Project Manager); Deji Haastrup (GM, Policy Government and Public Affairs); Michael Waters, (EGTL Strategic Manager), Chima Nwogu, (Warri Area Manager), Tunji Idowu, (Manager, PGPA West) and Trust Inimgba, (PGPA Superintendent, EGTL) and from SGC: Geoffrey Mason (EGTL Director, SGC) and Tim Hennessey (EGTL Site Business Manager).

    Other guests include Chief Alfred Makaraba Bubor, Mr. Joseph Atseyinku and Mr. Billie Mami.

     

     

     

  • When Kokori women bared it all

    Madam Irerevwo Oyokoko, the spokesperson of the Ewheya (women folk), who spoke on behalf of their leader, Madam Ayovota Ahor, said their action was a last resort and an appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan and the world to save the town from the excruciating grip of soldiers.

    She said it was in reaction to continuous, indiscriminate arrest and torture of innocent people, wanton destruction of buildings and household properties, forced closure of shops, ejection of market women from market place and destruction and setting of fire to the community Egba shrine by men of the Army.

    The invasion of Kokori followed the arrest of notorious crime lord, Kelvin Oniarah, whose actions have placed the community in the news for the wrong reasons.

    Oniarah was arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on September 25, barely one week after he issued a 60-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to develop the town and Urhobo land or face dire consequences. The declaration was witnessed by scores of singing and dancing women and youth of the community.

    But Madam Oyokoko, who led the naked protest, lamented that women of the town were being profiled as people who encourage criminal activities. She said the naked protest was against the activities of troops who have laid siege to the community.

    Speaking with our reporter who visited the town, the women leader said their protest was not in defence of crime as being construed, but the invasion of the town in search of alleged criminals and the chief priest of Egba Cult, known as Osegba and arrest of innocent persons by the troops.

    She particularly faulted the action of the marauding soldiers, who she accused of indiscriminately shooting and killing of their children, vandalism and willful destruction of property in the town.

    She accused the soldiers of carrying out indiscriminate arrest of all their male children and husbands, destruction of shrine located on Market Road as well as disrupting their traditional worship.

    “They destroyed our Egba shrine, they set fire on it. They destroyed many things inside the shrine. For what reason do they have to do so? The soldiers have shrine and deities that protect them in their communities”.

    When our reporter visited the shrine during one visit, the women built a human wall around the shrine by holding hands. They said the move was to prevent soldiers from moving in and chopping down the age-less trees and other artifacts that are symbols of their history and traditional religion.

    The protesters this time were adherent of the Egba shrine, who feared that soldiers were planning to invade the town with motor-saw, axes and other chopping tools to hew down the protective trees around their shrine. Mrs Omotejowho told our reporters that the shrine was their worship place, stressing that there was no law that prevented them from offering sacrifices to their gods.

    Speaking in the same vein, a trader in the town, Mrs. Alice Onowhokpor, wondered why security agents were continuing their siege to the town even when they had arrested the alleged notorious criminal, Kelvin Oniarah. She said the Egba deity, contrary to allegation that it was the power behind the crime lord, is a protection for the entire community from external attacks.

    “It is not a place where individuals go to do charm or anything. The soldiers went there on many occasions to destroy the shrine. The soldiers beat our people when they were coming from service on Sundays. The soldiers beat up our children who were going to school at Isiokolo. They destroyed many cars and motors belonging to our people in their compound.

    “Governor Uduaghan said we should stay in-door as from 6pm to 6am, but I tell you that when you come here at night you won’t see soldiers or policemen on the streets. But when day breaks you will see the soldiers on their armoured vehicles and trucks coming to Kokori to deprive the people from carrying out their normal business.

    “You will see them torturing innocent people doing their daily business or going to farm. They have broke open our doors and windows. Kokori is not developed by the Government.”

    Speaking on the women’s support for criminals in the area, particularly Kelvin, Mrs Onowhokpo and Madam Elizabeth E. Umukoro, said it was wrong to ascribe the deed of a few women to the entire community. Umukoro, a retired civil servant, said it was not true that all women of the town supported the said declaration.

    “The women who were present and spoke at the event where Kelvin issued 60-day ultimatum to the government went there on their own. They are not representatives of Kokori community,” she averred.

    Nevertheless, she said it was difficult to entirely fault those who did because of the prevailing hardship and poverty in the oil bearing community.

    “Kelvin and members of his gang took to what they are doing probably because they were not given the basic essentials of lives from youth. Maybe, that is why they took to Arms. The women who were there reason with Kelvin that Kokori and Urhobo are not develop and that the place should be develop. Kelvin did not share money to the entire people of Kokori women. If he shared money, then he did so to very few people who come his way. So by right, the women are entitled to freedom of speech and to air their grievances.

    “Kokori women are very hardworking people, they are great farmers. In the business profession they are known all over Delta state. They have produced many renowned personalities in the globe. They also rejoice with their children during their graduation in the higher institution of learning. So I am calling on President Goodluck Jonathan and world leaders to prevail on soldiers to leave our community to allow peace reign in the area. Soldiers should stop destroying our community,” Mrs. Umukoro added.

    Speaking in the same vein, Onowhokpor said government should use the opportunity to develop the town and other oil producing Urhobo communities in the state. She said it was unfair that in spite of their position as oil bearing communities they remain impoverished and grossly underdeveloped.

    “Kokori is producing oil that the government is using to develop other parts of the country. Why is it that the government is not developing the area. Look at the road linking Kokori and Ofuoma-Ughelli both communities have oil flow stations and yet the road is un-tarred.

    “Governor Uduaghan awarded contract to Wokson Construction Company to tar the road in 2008 yet the road remain un-tarred as the project was abandoned. Both communities protested to the state government in 2009 and 2010 and yet the road is still abandoned. The government says they will empower our youth in our local government area, they built a house in Kokori for skills acquisition. The building is overgrown with weeds as government could not provide equipment to train the youths,” she added.

    However, the protest was not only against government. The homes of prominent indigenes of Kokori were ravaged by aggrieved youths who exploited the peaceful protest by the women.

    They attacked and vandalized the private residence of the monarch, HRM Ogurimerime Ukori 1; country home and Otobrise Hotel of the member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Akpodiogaga Emeyese. The houses of renowned legal practitioner, Chief Efe Akpofure SAN and Sir Bernald Agbomiyeri, a former DESOPADEC Commissioner and were vandalized and destroy.

    Dozens of property, cars and other valuables were also ravaged in those dark days.

    A top official of the JTF, who spoke on condition of anonymity, denied allegation of vandalisation and looting leveled against troops of the task force. Our source, who asked not to be named because he wasn’t “cleared to speak on Kokori”, said attack on the monarch’s house and destruction of cars were carried out by supporters of the criminals in the area.

    “We know that the women were compelled to embark on the protest so that our men (soldiers) can be forced out of Kokori and so that the boys can continue to do what they have been doing all these while. But, the women did not deploy soldiers so they cannot recall soldiers from Kokori,” our source added.

    Meanwhile, life was gradually returning to normal in the town at the time of this report on Tuesday. Some schools in the town were being reopened just as commercial activities were beginning to pick up in the main market.

    Yet, residents said it would take a very long time for their lives to return back to normal. “We are counting our losses and we are still sleeping with one eye opened because we do not know what or who to believe as it is now. The eyes of the soldiers still watch over from afar.”

     

  • Day Bayelsa celebrated ban of okada

    Day Bayelsa celebrated ban of okada

    On August 31, last year, activities of commercial motorcyclists popularly known as okada were banned in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, by the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson.

    The government acted on public outcries that commercial motorcycles were the reasons behind the rising cases of death and disabilities, armed robberies and chaotic traffic situation in Yenagoa.

    But, despite the complaints, there were mixed feelings when the government restricted commercial motorcyclists to the hinterland and introduced a new transport scheme christened Restoration Cabs in the capital city.

    As part of the new transport scheme, the government acquired 200 cars and 36 buses to cushion the effects of okada’s exit.

    Fears mounted. Residents recalled that similar schemes by past administrations had hit the brick wall. They remembered that such schemes were used as political patronage as politicians who were loyal to the government cornered the cars and converted them to personal use.

    They recollected the taxes acquired for public use which disappeared from the roads and streets. They were only seen in churches, events, relaxation spots and homes of their beneficiaries.

    But after one year, the doubting ‘Thomases’ are surprised at the dogged manner in which the governor has managed the scheme through the Transport Ministry headed by Mrs. Marie Ebikake.

    Therefore, it was with pride that Mrs Ebikake and her members of staff, the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), government officials, Restoration Cab drivers and other stakeholders in the transport sector assembled recently at the Banquet Hall to celebrate the one-year success of the scheme.

    Ebikake, who was particularly happy that she had not failed the people and the governor, rewarded 30 drivers of the cabs. She said such drivers should henceforth take their cars home and remit only N2000 daily to the ministry, instead of N2,500. They were selected for maintaining their cars well.

    She, however, said others who were not among the awardees should continue to park their cabs at the surroundings of the Banquet Hall after their daily operations. She appreciated them by also reducing their daily remittances to N2,000.

    The commissioner attributed her success to the operators, her ministry’s staff and the transparency initiated by the governor of the state.

    She said: “ Previous administrations started this programme. Every administration that came onboard had taxi to empower the masses but no one could survive the way we have survived today.

    “We started with 200 cabs and then we had about 36 buses. People thought when we started that it was going to be a failed story like the previous ones.”

    Ebikake further explained the technology behind the management of the scheme.

    She said: “Today, you cannot run away with our cabs, we will catch you. Even as l sleep on my bed l can see you and l will catch you. That is the level of technology we are using to track these vehicles. I am sure some of you remembered how we went to Ogoni to bring in a cab.”

    Though she observed that 11 of the 200 cars were involved in accident during the period, she said it was not a bad ratio. She asked drivers, who were not among the awardees, to be more committed and dedicated in their duties.

    “If you don’t hear your name today, try harder because we are going to be doing this thing quarterly. I am also aware that many of you have empowered yourself with this programme. You own your houses, pay your house rents and take care of your families,” she said.

    She added that the ministry had taken delivery of nine simulators valued at N50m ($336,000) from the New York, the economic capital of America. She said that the simulators were acquired to equip the newly constructed driving school in Yenagoa adding that the simulators were being installed at the driving school.

    She said the school would be commissioned soon. She added that seven of the simulators were acquired to train operators of cars while two were dedicated for articulated vehicle trainees.

    She said the government also sent five engineers to New York for training on the use of the simulators. She said the transport sector was doing well in the state because of the transparent manner it was being managed by the ministry.

    She said: “We have come to realise that most people don’t know how to drive and we have to go digital not analogue at all times. In Bayelsa State, there are many things going on.

    “We are not using fairly used cars to teach you how to drive; we are using what we called simulators. We just took delivery of them from New York about a week ago. We also sent five of our engineers to New York.

    “These simulators are equipment to train drivers. You are inside the classroom hall sitting and driving as if you are driving on the road.”

    The Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr. Fredi Akeni, praised Mrs Ebikake for her commitment.

    He said: “We need to appreciate when somebody has done well. Transport programmes had emerged previously but they were not sustained due to one reason or the other.

    “But our friend is resolute to ensure that no big man or small man hijack the programme. We are aware that previously when taxes like that came up to benefit people, some persons would hijack it and pack these cars in their home. But she was able to fight the battle and the taxes were delivered to the beneficiaries.”

    He appealed to drivers of the cabs to improve in their operations by ensuring zero tolerance to accident.

    “11 were daunted within this period out of 200. We need to be more careful. Accidents don’t just happen but they are caused. Try to observe road signs,” he said.

    Also, the state Chairman, NURTW, Mr. Eribo ThankGod, said the union was happy with the administration of Dickson and the leadership qualities of Mrs Ebikake. He, however, played the Oliver Twist by appealing to the government to do more in lifting the downtrodden.

    Furthermore, the state Chairman of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Mr. Chris Adokeme, said he was elated at the way the scheme has been managed.

     

  • N321b: Group backs Alison-Madueke

    THE Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change (NDIMRC), has defended the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke over the missing N321 billion fund from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) account.

    The group’s position followed a call by the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Dr. Abdulmumin Jibrin that the minister should be held responsible for the missing money

    It faulted the call, stressing that Dr Jibrin’s allegation against the minister is fraught with political undertone.

    In a statement signed by the group’s President, Secretary and Public Relations Officer, Nelly Emma,John Sailor and Mukoro Stanley respectively described the Minister as transparent who should not take any blame, if any.

    It said: “We strongly believe that the recent allegation by the House of Representatives Chairman on Finance against the Petroleum Minister has political undertone and it is all about 2015 and President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “We want to restate it here that the Northern agenda of which Dr. Abdulmumin Jibrin is part of cannot stop the re-election bid of the President in 2015. The Petroleum Minister cannot be intimidated as we are strongly behind her,” the group stated.

    “The Petroleum Minister is a committed patriot; she is serving her country to the best of her ability. We want to say that all is well with the level of accountability in the oil and gas sector. The recent allegation against the Minister is also aimed at bringing the hard earned reputation of the Petroleum Minister to public ridicule and this is unacceptable to our group and the entire people of the oil-rich Niger Delta.

    “The commendable efforts of the Petroleum Minister since she came on board are very clear; her second name is accountability. The Minister has brought sanity into the oil and gas sector and she should be praised and not condemned as recently done by the House of Representatives chairman on Finance,” the group wrote.

    NDIMRC urged Mrs. Alison-Madueke to continue her good thankless national assignment, noting that Niger Deltans are in no hurry to forget how a former northern minister shared oil blocs to prominent individuals from the North.

    The group said it was such action that is responsible for the poverty in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, which committee chair and his counterparts in the house have done nothing to halt.

    “The time has come for the Minister to listen to the cries of our people by placing them in good positions in the oil and gas sector of the economy. The Minister should also ensure that our local contractors are given a fair deal by the International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the country,” it added.

  • Why oil bunkering may not end in the Niger Delta

    Why oil bunkering may not end in the Niger Delta

    A new study on oil bunkering in the Niger Delta has identified why the illicit trade may not end soon.

    The study was carried out by the National Coalition of Gas Flaring and Oil Spill.

    The group accused oil-bearing communities of complicity in the illegal business.

    The Coordinator of the group, Mr. Inemo Samiama, who is also the Leader of Stakeholders Democracy Network, a non-governmental organisation which commissioned the study, revealed that community people and not criminals are behind the huge cases of illegal oil theft and refining in the Niger Delta.

    Samiama said investigations showed that there is a high-level of connivance between the personnel of multi-national oil companies and those involved in illegal oil bunkering and refining, pointing out that the business has become well-structured and highly sophisticated.

    He said: “Initially, it started with individuals or groups of individuals doing this thing but now it is getting highly organised and well-structured.”

    Continuing, he said during the study, investigation showed that in most places where illegal refining and oil stealing are taking place, there is no government presence and nothing to encourage the people of the communities to engage in legitimate means of livelihood.

    He added: “Government’s presence is not felt in the creeks of some Niger Delta communities. I am not talking about Port Harcourt. Go deep into the creeks, you don’t feel any government presence there. They are basically absent and that vacuum is being occupied by some Robbinhood characters that come in there and provide certain things that are needed. Look at this example again, where oil or kerosene or fuel purchased for generators in the Niger Delta in some of these creeks is like twice or even three times the price of what you buy the same products in Abuja.”

    The study urged the Federal Government to address the issues of poverty and infrastructural decay in the Niger Delta if the fight against stealing and illegal oil refining is to be won.

    He said: “The Niger Delta is being ignored. Still some people think that because you have President Goodluck Jonathan there, people here should keep quiet and be contented. That is not the case. It doesn’t follow that way. You have this example of the East-West Road. Excuse me! It is time the Federal Government realised that even though there is on-going peace in the Niger Delta, even though there is relative calm in the Niger Delta, don’t take the Niger people for granted.”

    In addition, he stated that there is still a lot of frustrations and anger manifesting in the mood of the people when the group visited the different camps.

    “They look at you like ‘what do you want us to do? We have to survive.’ And it is a game of survival and the federal government must pay attention still to the Niger Delta,” he said.

    He also expressed regrets that people thought that amnesty programme, would resolve all the problems in the Niger Delta.

    While the study group is accusing oil bearing communities of complicity in oil theft, some leaders of Oloma and Okoloma communities in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers state have alleged that the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) members are engaged in incessant illegal bunkering activities around Shell Well 11 and Well 2 in the area.

    The communities accused the JTF security operatives of colluding with some big unnamed big shots in the country to extract and sell stolen crude to large vessels under the supervision of security operatives deployed to the area to prevent oil theft and illegal oil bunkering.

    The Presidency in its own reaction fingered multinational oil companies of complicity in the increased rate of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta.

    The Special Assistant to the President on Amnesty Programme, Mr Kingsley Kuku, said the oil companies were aware that their Nigerian employees were engaged in oil theft in the Niger Delta and have failed to take genuine and urgent steps to curb it.

    Kuku said highly-placed individuals and groups are sponsors of those stealing the nation’s crude oil, adding that unless those big shots are arrested and prosecuted, oil theft and illegal bunkering would continue unabated.

    He said: “The process of illegally extracting crude oil from the pipelines in the coastal areas require highly technical and mechanical expertise which ordinary Nigerians or residents of the oil producing communities do not have.”

     

     

  • Uduaghan, others celebrate octogenarian

    Uduaghan, others celebrate octogenarian

    For Chief Isaac Jemide, the Otsodi of Warri Kingdom, Saturday, October 19, was a very special day. Although he is anot known for flamboyance, it was not surprising when the renowned lawyer and traditional titleholder threw open the gates of his home to prominent Nigerians, including Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, members of the Bar and Bench who came to rejoice with him as he turned 80.

    Born in the ancient town of Koko, now headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area, Jemide, a devout Catholic, is renowned for his undying love for his ‘Four Pillars’ – God, Itsekiri, the bar and Rotary.

    At the thanksgiving service held at St. Cyprian’s Catholic Church, Effurun, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan extolled his contributions to the development of Delta State and Nigeria. He said the octogenarian enhanced growth in the area when he served as the House of Assembly member representing Warri in the defunct Bendel State.

    He praised Jemide, a former State Commissioner of the defunct Oil Mineral Development Commission (OMPADEC), for helping to lay the foundation for development in the area during his tour of duty and for being one of the leading lights in the politics of Warri through the Warri Leaders of Thought.

    He prayed God to grant the Otsodi of Warri long life, good health and more wisdom to help in contributing to the affairs of Delta State and Nigeria.

    Uduaghan, while recognis ing the fatherly role of Jemide, said he would always consult him for advice and suggestions that would assist in moving Delta State forward.

    In his tribute on behalf of the legal profession, Dr. Albert Akpomudje (SAN), said: “There are lawyers and there are lawyers. Chief Isaac Jemide exemplifies and personified what a lawyer properly so called should be.”

    Dr Akpomudje recalled that Chief Jemide distinguished himself in corporate world as an External Solicitor to Shell Petroleum Development Company (West), adding that the standard he set contributed to the reputation of the firm’s legal department.

    He also recalled Chief Jemide’s “robust and matured” contribution on the floor of the defunct Bendel State House of Assembly, as a legislator. “It was interesting to listen to skilled stylish objective” manner he handled the programmes of then ruling Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

    Dr. Akpomudje added: “As a fact, most politicians, who are lawyers, can hardly come back to a successful practice for several obvious reasons I will not want to delve into on this occasion. However, Chief Jemide proved so many people wrong as he returned to practise the profession after being in the corporate world for a long time and a legislator. He was alive to sustain a flourishing legal practice as if he never left for the number of years and has remained dogged in practice till date at 80 years of age.”

    Speaking on behalf of his children, Chief Jemide’s first son, Temi said his father’s life was worth celebrating, especially in the house of God. He recalled that his father practiced politics at a time when it was more humane and issue-based, stressing, “Politics today is rough and violent.”

    The service was also attended by Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama (SAN); Chief of Staff, Delta State Government House, Dr. Festus Okubor; Commissioners for Justice and Attorney General, Health and Oil and Gas, Sir Charles Ajuyah, Dr. Joseph Otumara and Mofe Pirah.

    Others were Chief Fred Majemite, Joseph Ayomike, Chief Herman, Chief Eleghemi and Chief Nelson Utienyinone and Ayo Ayomike, among others.

    The official ministers, Rev fathers Peter Medugu, Emmanuel Patrick Joseph Davou, John Iyekowa and Modestus Onuoha, among others, tasked the congregation on the need to be thankful and appreciate of even the littlest things and gesture, not only from men, but also from God.

    A reception party attended by Pa JOS Ayomike, Mr. Amorighoye Sunny Mene, prominent chiefs of the Warri and other neighbouring kingdoms, was later held at Chief Jemide’s resident located on Okoro Street, Marine Quarters Warri.

    The celebrant, who is also a renowned Rotarian, said he was overwhelmed and overjoyed by the outpour of eulogy and the show of love for him during the event.

    “I can’t thank you all enough,” he said.

     

  • Rivers to fight economic crimes

    Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi has said his administration will fight economic and financial crimes.

    Amaechi spoke in Port Harcourt during the public presentation of a book, “Compendium of Nigerian Laws on Corruption, Economic and Financial Crimes”, written by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Chuma Chinye.

    He urged Nigerians to change their attitude towards matters relating to corruption because it impedes meaningful development in the country.

    The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Tele Ikuru, said: “Let us change our thoughts, change our activities, change the way we do things, it is so necessary to build a better country.”

    Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, added that “the author has clearly “shown the calibre and type of people in the Rivers State Government, and quality of people the Rivers State Government has chosen to work with. This shows the quality of people working for us.”

    The Chairman of the occasion, who is also the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said it was regrettable that corruption “is making it impossible for us to do anything as a country and we can only get it right as a country when we stand up against corruption.”

    Also speaking, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Worgu Boms, praised the author’s dexterity and for using the ceremony to celebrate his 50th birthday, pointing out that the bood would be of great help to legal practitioners and researchers.

    The Special Guest of Honour and President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Okey Wali (SAN), said there was need for the Judiciary to update its literature pertaining to economic and financial laws to modern happenings, regretting that Judges still rely on obsolete literature in delivering judgments.

    The author of the book said his desire was to help eradicate corruption, which he described as a plague that has kept Nigeria ill for over 50 years.

     

  • ‘The state in which I met Oredo was appalling’

    ‘The state in which I met Oredo was appalling’

    That was the state of Oredo when you came in?

    It was nothing to write home about but because of my orientation, I swung into action. I felt that before we start our environmental sanitation outside, we must have our environment clean. That is what informed the renovation and the building of more offices around the council secretariat.

    How much was the IGR when you assume office and what is the amount presently?

    When I got in, there was nothing in the IGR account because they said some group of people who felt they have monopoly of power put a stop on the revenue collection hence there was no money in the treasury. I immediately called the staff and they briefed me on what had been happening. I then set-up an 18-man committee to serve as agent to collect the revenue and in the first month we got over N7m. We are still trying to improve on it. I actually met nothing in the account.

    You said nothing from IGR but there were revenue from the cemetery, marriage registry and others. What happened?

    Money was paid in from these areas but there was nothing in the IGR account. The hand-over paper was clear about it. The money from those areas I guess was being used to manage the day to day running of the council.

    When are we going to start seeing the council working on the streets?

    I am barely four months old in the office and the season will not allow me embark on grading and road construction. We just awarded construction of six roads including drains to create a long term span for them. We intend to do more as the cash comes in. We have also awarded (contract for) the renovation of the cemeteries. In three months, you will begin to see work going on.

    We see agents harassing people to pay taxes against your campaign promise that individuals would not be used to collect revenue for the council.

    I didn’t say I was not going to give revenue to agents but I promised to eliminate monopoly when one man will hold onto the resources of the local government. I said the idea of paying council 10% of the revenue whereas they got 80% will not be tolerated. When I got here there was nothing but today I have been able to generate N7m in the second month from the day to day collections. We have gotten N30m from tenement rate we collect yearly. We have billboards which we have given to a consultant to handle for us because of the fraud taking place before now. We have the liquor committee being put in place. By next year, our IGR would have improved. I did not meet any structure on IGR.

    What about what you get from the federation account?

    That is nothing to write home about. A lot of people read on the papers that Oredo got over N100m from the Federation Account and they would not put into consideration the presence of teachers which collect N118m as salaries and the wage bill is about N53m. By the time these monies are paid out, I am left with nothing to deliver on my electioneering promises. I decided to look inwards in line with the law in trying to ensure we tap our IGR legally to enhance the financial situation of the council. I believe in effecting change.

    What legacy do you want to leave?

    We have awarded contracts that will bring better life to our people. This is the first time Oredo local council is awarding road construction contracts after a long time. With what we have done, we are going to leave a beautiful council in a positive aspect. What I intend doing is to create accessible road during the dry season to the rural areas. We want to open up the rural roads. My programme for agriculture is to create a processing factory and a ready market for the products. I am discussing with a company in Italy to set-up a processing factory. We have also discussed that our equity would be the land we are giving to them. In another few months, go to the cemetery and you will appreciate what we are doing. We are emulating the western standard of how cemetery should look. We want to create a different dimension.

    Are you taking your boys off the street following directives by the Ministry of Transport in terms of wrong parking charges?

    I looked at the law and it was clear that wrong parking charges are a function of the local government and not the state. There is a misinterpretation of wrong parking charges and traffic control by the Ministry of Transport. Anybody that parked in a place not designated for parking, it is the local government purview according to Local Government Law as amended. The Permanent Secretary should look at the law before making comments.