The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Abia communities hail NDDC on roads’ rehabilitation

    Abia communities hail NDDC on roads’ rehabilitation

    Communities in Arochukwu, Abia State, have expressed appreciation to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), over the ongoing emergency repairs of failed sections of Atani-Amuvi-Amankwu Road and the eight-kilometre Atani Phase II Road.

    Leaders of the communities spoke when the NDDC Executive Director (Projects), Sir Victor Antai, led a team of the commission’s directors and engineers to inspect the roads with concrete drains and solar-powered street lights.

    Speaking on behalf of Ugbo community in Arochukwu, Eze John Okoro, in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, hailed the commission.

    He said: “This road you are seeing today was more like a track road, mostly marshy and undulating, before NDDC intervened. Vehicles couldn’t come into our villages through this road. But today in our life, through NDDC we now have a smooth and asphalted road.

     “On behalf of my community, I’m saying a very big thank you to NDDC, while we appeal for a bridge across the river so that we can access our farmland and then open up the communities.”

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    Speaking in the same vein, the Eze Ogo Atani, Eze Dr. Charles Okoro, lauded the NDDC for its intervention, noting that for many years, the road, which linked many communities, had been impassable.

    He said: “Words are not enough to express the joy of the people who are now enjoying quality roads with the accompanying benefits in social and economic activities.”

    He observed that the roads re-constructed by the NDDC had been in deplorable condition for many years.

    Said he: “Most of our communities were not accessible by road before the NDDC came to our rescue. We are very grateful for this assistance and we appeal for more in the area of electricity where we need transformers.”

    Giving his impression after the inspections, the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, said the road network would have a major impact on the lives of the people, as it would open more opportunities for business and socialisation across state boundaries.

    Antai assured the community leaders of the commission’s commitment to the infrastructural development of the Niger Delta.

    He said: “When the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice. The current board and management of the commission are transforming the entire Niger Delta. We have gone round this community and you can see for yourselves the beautiful job done by the contractor. I am satisfied with the quality of work done.

    “The roads have drains on both sides and are complimented by solar-powered street lights. These street lights form part of the Light up the Niger Delta project of the commission.”

    Antai pledged that NDDC would not relent in its resolve to transform the Niger Delta by executing impactful projects in the region.

    He said: “Arochukwu is very close to Akwa Ibom State, as it shares boundaries with Ini Local Government in Akwa Ibom and is also close to Cross River State. The good road network in Arochukwu is one step away from getting across to the neighbouring states.

    “I must commend the contractor for doing a good job. We will encourage other contractors to step up their game and deliver quality jobs.”

    He commended youths from communities in Arochukwu for being very peaceful and providing an enabling environment for the contractor to keep to the job specifications and standards set by the NDDC, to ensure quality delivery.

  • Opu-Nembe crisis: Coalition urges Tinubu to ensure justice for victims

    Opu-Nembe crisis: Coalition urges Tinubu to ensure justice for victims

    President Bola Tinubu has been urged to intervene and resolve the Opu-Nembe conflict in Bayelsa state.

    The plea was conveyed through an open letter signed on Wednesday, February 21, by the stakeholders in the state.

    The letter, signed by Chief E.T. Ikoli, Chief Johnbull Efere, Afuroyanate Beredugo, Naomi Jonah, Alanabo Digigha, and Mr. Ayebaemi Kieriseiye, outlined the distressing occurrence of unlawful killings during the conflict.

    The letter disclosed that the Inspector General of Police had initiated a criminal investigation into the tragic incident that occurred on February 15, resulting in the loss of innocent lives within the community.

    According to an open letter, gunmen attacked the community, leading to the deaths of Baite Agala, Queen Kieriseiye, and Inikio Walter, who were unarmed.

    The attackers, the coalition said, also caused significant damage to property worth millions of naira and left many residents homeless.

    The letter claimed that gunmen have since August 2023 occupied the community, causing fear among the populace.

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    It said that many residents who opposed the attackers’ presence have either fled or lived in constant fear of retaliation.

    The letter read in part: “Your Excellency, your adherence to the rule of law and the principles of democracy have added prestige to the international reputation of Nigeria, which gave rise to your election as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) within 41 days of your swearing-in as president.

    “You’ve shown Nigerians and indeed the international community that you’re committed to the unity and progress of the country. Your non-interference in legal matters including election petitions across the country has distinguished you as a lover of the rule of law.

    “Despite the immense power you wield as our Commander-in-Chief, you provided a level playing field for all candidates and indeed citizens to get justice from the judiciary. For this and more, we’re grateful.

    “However, we’re constrained to write you this open letter due to a disturbing miscarriage of justice that has been hatched and is about to be perpetuated regarding the Opu-Nembe crisis that we hate to admit has taken our Kingdom backward.

    “We can’t deny the fact that Opu-Nembe Kingdom in Nembe local government area of Bayelsa state like most communities in Nigeria has had its share of violence mostly triggered by political, communal and economic sentiments. A case in point is the heinous violent attack that occurred on the 15th of February 2023, ahead of the just concluded Bayelsa general election.

    “At this juncture, we are forced to ask the following questions: What will be the fate of the families of the victims if the perpetrators are freed without prosecution? Will the Nigerian judiciary be allowed to dispense justice and bring a form of respite to the bereaved?

    “Your Excellency, Opu-Nembe bleeds following the loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties by these hoodlums now occupying our community and only justice can bring restoration and progress.

    “The strength of our democracy depends on the integrity of our institutions and the trust of our citizens.”

    The letter appealed to President Tinubu to ask the Attorney General to order and take decisive action to rectify any order that may have been given surreptitiously on Opu-Nembe crisis.

    The stakeholders urged for immediate measures to rebuild trust in the judiciary and reassert its dedication to preserving the principles of justice and equality for everyone.

  • ‘Intervene in land disputes between Delta, Ondo, Edo’

    ‘Intervene in land disputes between Delta, Ondo, Edo’

    Delta State Government has appealed for intervention by the National Boundary Commission (NBC), in land disputes between the state and its neighbours, to avoid breakdown of law and order.

    Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme spoke yesterday at the NBC office in Abuja.

    Onyeme, the chairman of Delta State Boundary Committee, said ‘Deltans’ have been subjected to provocation in the disputed areas by their neighbours.

    Said he: “I am here on the directive of the governor of Delta State, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, to present to the commission some critical boundary disputes that have been brought before Delta State Boundary Committee, because Delta State Government has confidence in the ability of the NBC, as empowered by the law, to do justice to the matters brought before it.

    “The disputes are between Delta State (Warri North Local Government) and Ondo State, Delta State (Ukwuani Local Government and Edo State, Delta State (Ethiope West Local Government) and Delta State and Edo State (Ugbodu Community, Aniocha North Local Government ).”

    The deputy governor thanked NBC for intervening in inter-state boundary disputes and hoped that the commission would address the issues raised.

    “For us at Delta State Boundary Committee, we have made efforts to appeal to our communities to live in peace with one another, thereby enhancing the spirit of peaceful co-existence at intra and inter-state levels, in line with the MORE Agenda of Governor Oborevwori’s administration.

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    “Delta State Government is appealing to the NBC to intervene in these disputes, with a view to resolving same, in order to avoid further provocation that may lead to breakdown of law and order in the areas, despite appealing to our people to live in harmony with their neighbours.”

    Director-General, National Boundary Commission, Mr. Adamu Adaji, thanked Delta State Boundary Committee for being the first to visit the commission in this dispensation.

    He said the visit was an evidence that the Oborevwori administration did not want anything that would affect negatively, its MORE Agenda.

    Said he: “Let me start by commending you and saying you have set the pace as the first in the new administration to pay this courtesy call.

    “We have had the opportunity of working with Delta State Government. The state has a well-established boundary committee. We will do our best for you to succeed in your MORE Agenda.”

    Adaji expressed shock that the boundary dispute between Delta and Ondo was lingering, noting that the boundary had been properly demarcated, using technical and political approach.

    He assured Onyeme and members of the Delta State Boundary Committee that issues raised would be addressed before the end of the first tenure of the Oborevwori administration.  

  • Reps to investigate NDDC over alleged abandoned shoreline project

    Reps to investigate NDDC over alleged abandoned shoreline project

    House of Representatives has mandated the Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to liaise with NDDC to investigate alleged mismanagement and abandonment of Amassoma Community Shoreline Protection Project in Bayelsa State.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Ambaiowei Ebikebina (PDP-Bayelsa), during plenary in Abuja yesterday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Amassoma Reclamation/Shore Protection Project was awarded by the NNDC on June 10, 2019 to IDEKI Services Ltd.

    Moving the motion, Ebikebina said Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency of Bayelsa was one of the communities that had persistently endured flooding, leading to the 2022 devastating flood in the area.

    This, he said, sacked communities, creating huge humanitarian crisis, adding that the flood situation was heightened by climatic changes, making the situation increasingly unbearable.

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    He said the people of Amassoma and other areas within Southern Ijaw federal constituency were at risk of facing another devastating flood and displacement from their homes.

    He said that only an immediate action would assuage and give comfort to the Southern Ijaw constituents and avert traumatic experience of the past.

    Adopting the motion, the house said such shoreline project was a critical intervention project, adding that the previous companies must be held accountable for alleged waste of public funds.

    The house urged the NDDC to re-mobilise a contractor to complete the Amassoma community shoreline protection project.

    The house also urged the contractor to engage competent consultants to supervise the project and ensure that it was executed diligently to completion before September.

    The house mandated the  NDDC to assess the project to ascertain the extent of work done by the numerous contractors since the project was first awarded.  

  • Cross River discovers duplicate names on payroll

    Cross River discovers duplicate names on payroll

    • Govt apologises for delayed payment of January salary

    Cross River State Government has said the ongoing audit of the nominal roll and payroll has shown discrepancies in the system, including duplicate names of people.

    The Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Innocent Eteng, said this yesterday while explaining to reporters reasons the payment of January salary of some civil servants was delayed.

    The HoS said by the directive of the governor, “Cross River payroll system should be sanitised and the intention is not to witch hunt or punish any civil servant, not even pensioners. We undertook a comprehensive personnel audit to verify the actual wage bill of Cross River State.”

    This is the second audit in eight months since the government came to power last year.

    He said the first exercise was somehow futile because the results did not match the wage bill, “so the governor said we should look at it and sanitise it a little further. That was why the office of the Secretary to the State Government, liaising with my own office, embarked on another verification that has to do with bank verification.

    “The methodology adopted was that the files of workers should be perused and the nominal role of the entire civil/public service should be matched with the payroll, to see if there are irregularities and disparities. That was what the exercise set out to do.”

    Eteng reeled out statistics of what the audit had revealed.

    He said: “We have a payroll of 53,734 people. Out of this number, 48,552 underwent bank verification and 40,311 have been cleared up to date for payment of salaries.

    “The State Primary Health Care Development Authority PHCDA alone has 2,868 persons. Out of this number, 2,789 have been cleared for payment of salaries, and 77 others, we are still sorting their files to see if there are irregularities. Those who have not been paid are those who have issues.

    “The local government workers, we have 4,229 people. Out of this number, 3,366 have been cleared, and 863 are undergoing sorting.

    “At SUBEB, we have 14,410 officials. Out of this number, 13,286 workers have been cleared for payment of January salary, 139 are undergoing sorting.

    “For the civil service, we have 12,526 civil servants, 10,486 have been cleared for payment of January salary. Those who have issues because of irregularities we are trying to reconcile are 2,040 workers.”

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    “Those who have duplicate names on the payroll are 429, those who have names repeated in banks and payroll have been identified and sorted out. One thousand nine hundred and sixty-four of this number is undergoing sorting; we are trying to see how we can match it.

    “We have 19,701 pensioners, local and state governments. Out of this number, 11,253 have been cleared for January payment. Those with same account number 251 pensioners and those who underwent bank verification 14,419, so the exercise is trying to be thorough and transparent.

    “The intention is that those who are not working should not be paid salary and we cannot have persons who are not working on our payroll. We do not blame this on any MDA or any person, but we know that the act of irregularity is bound to exist in the system and those irregularities must be cut if we want to carry the state forward because the vision of His Excellency is that Cross River State workers should enjoy the dividend of democracy, they should not be owed salaries. As I speak, almost everyone that’s cleared is going to receive salary today because the mandate has been sent to the bank already.”

    The HoS said those in the service, who are found wanting, will face appropriate punishment, including losing their job.

    “The governor is also keen to ensure that those who are unemployed are also brought to the system. We cannot have a system where youths are unemployed, therefore he intends to run a state where people who have certificates are brought into the system and the only way he can do this is to clean the payroll. That was why the exercise was undertaken.”

  • Abia condemns butchers’ protest

    Abia condemns butchers’ protest

    Abia State Government has reacted to the street protest by the Umuahia Butchers Association over an unfounded speculation that it plans to relocate the abattoir to another area.

    The government described the protest as ill-conceived, saying there was no truth in the speculation.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the butchers took to the streets of the state capital last Thursday over an alleged plot by the government “to forcefully evict them” from the abattoir located at Mgbarakuma Community, near Umuahia.

    They alleged that the plot was being hatched by the community and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Capt. Macdonald Uba.

    The protesters, who marched through the major streets of Umuahia, ended up at the Government House in Umuahia, displaying placards with inscriptions.

    Some of the inscriptions read: “Save us, our governor”, “Ministry of Lands, Garki land is not for sale, please leave us”, “Abia people, slaughter Garki is not for sale”, among others.

    In an interview with reporters, the President of the association, Chief Ngozi Williams, said the abattoir had existed at Mgbarakuma since 1994.

    According to Williams, the host community had, in the last two years, made several attempts to force them out of the abattoir.

    He said: “The community had gone as far as selling some parcels of land that make up the abattoir to individuals.

    “We were relocated from the old Garki in Umuahia Town to this place in 1994 during the military administration of Col. Ike Nwosu (rtd.) and the abattoir was inaugurated by the then Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Adamu Chiroma.

    “But the Mgbarakuma indigenes came up about two years ago and asked us to leave the place.

    “They claimed that government had revoked the land.

    “Ever before that time, about six hectares of the land were sold to unknown individuals by the community,” Williams said.

    He also said about a month ago, the governor’s aide started fencing the abattoir, claiming that the place had been sold to him by the government.

    “About two to three weeks ago, he brought armed operatives of the Operation Crush to manhandle and chase us out.

    “Most of our property were damaged.

    “We have written to several agencies of the government to register our complaints,” Williams further said.

    He said the development had affected their businesses and appealed to the government to come to their aid.

    “If the government doesn’t want us to continue doing our business in the present location, it should relocate us to another place within Umuahia.

    “This is because it is only the government that has the right to relocate us and not individuals,” Williams said.

    But reacting to the protest and allegations by the association, the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Ebere Ubani, said the butchers were not asked to leave the abattoir.

    Ubani also said that the association was seeking for ways to divert people’s attention from the actual issue on ground.

    “We have never asked them to leave, all we are saying is perform your corporate social responsibility to us as the host community,” he said.

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    Also, the security adviser to the governor described the allegations made by the butchers as “spurious”.

    Uba said the construction works taking place in the market were meant to improve the state of the abattoir and not to evict the butchers.

    He said: “We have begun the fencing of the cattle market in Lokpanta and extended the same to the abattoir in Mgbarakuma.

    “We at no time told them to relocate or to leave the place or plan for the place to be used for any other purpose than what it is currently being used for.

    “The thing is that whatever be their reasons for resisting any further improvements in the market is a figment of their imagination.

    “And I think I should say their resistance is based on their selfish interest.”

    The Chief Security Officer to the Governor, Mr Ken Nwosu, who received the protesters at the Government House, appealed to them to be peaceful and law-abiding.

    Nwosu said protecting the interest of the people remains paramount in the government’s agenda.

    He said: “The letter you have brought to us will definitely be delivered to the governor.

    “I know that issues concerning abattoir and cemetery are under the local government’s jurisdiction.

    “So, your letter will also be delivered to the Transition Committee Chairman of Umuahia South Local Government where the abattoir is situated.”

  • ‘Varsity will produceself-sufficient graduates’

    ‘Varsity will produceself-sufficient graduates’

    The Vice Chancellor, Henry Seriake Dickson University (Hensard), Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, Prof. Dileep Kumar, has said the university is out to produce self-sufficient graduates, who will become employers of labour, rather than job seekers.

    He made this known during the Batch ‘B’ Aptitude Test and Screening of Applicants into the institution, held at Hensard University take-off campus in Toru Orua.

    Kumar said what makes Hensard University different  from others is that it is focused on entrepreneurship and practicals, with the objective of training students, who will come out to tackle the problems in the society.

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    He said: “If any academic system is not integrating practical skills with the theory they are learning, I am not sure these students will fit into the labour market.

    “So, being different from other universities, this is one of the visions of the founder, Senator Seriake Dickson- entrepreneurial education, and he believes he is going to practise it and this university is totally focused on entrepreneurship.”

    Some of the applicants, who spoke to reporters after the exercise, hailed the learning facilities and the ambience of the university.

  • Incessant fire in Anambra worrisome

    Incessant fire in Anambra worrisome

    Anambra State Government has raised the alarm over incessant and preventable fire in parts of the state within a short time.

    Commissioner for Special Duties, Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, in a statement in Awka, said the state recorded 24 fire outbreaks between September 2023 and February 16, 2024, with highest incidents occurring last month.

    She said while nine fire incidents were recorded in January, eight others had been recorded this month.

    Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche urged residents to prioritise fire safety measures in residential and public buildings, markets and other business premises.

    She hailed the state Fire Service headed Martins Agbili for averting fire outbreaks and preventing loss of lives and property.

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    The commissioner underscored the need for residents to partner government to prevent recurrence.

    “People should ensure electrical appliances are switched off when not in use.

    “They should make sure repairs and engineering works on electrical connections are carried out by trained professionals.”

    “They must avoid indiscriminate bush burning, install fire extinguishers or hydrants in their homes, cars and other places where necessary.

    “They should invite fire service to conduct thorough fire audits in residential and public buildings under construction.

    “The government will increase the response time of the fire service to any fire emergency anywhere in the state, through the acquisition of more fire trucks, training of personnel and setting up of fire stations in the 21 local governments and major markets,” the statement said.

  • Ex-agitators drop threats to shut down gas plant

    Ex-agitators drop threats to shut down gas plant

    • From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

    The chairmen of Delta and Edo states Phase 2 Ex-militants in the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), yesterday reversed their threat to shut down Utorogu Gas Plant, Otu-Keremi in Ughelli South Local Government of Delta State.

    The ex-agitators said the threat to shut down the plant followed information that some persons had hijacked N320million meant for Ex- militants Phase 2, hence the call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Interim Administrator, PAP, Maj-Gen Barry Ndiomu (retd) and security agents to go after those behind the alleged hijack.

    The former militants said their earlier threat to shut down the plant was because nobody owed up to the hijack of the N320million, until some persons countered a publication they published without their names not being mentioned, but reacted out of guilty conscience.

    Speaking to reporters in Warri, the Delta State Chairman, Gen. Solomon Adu; Edo State Chairman, Gen. London Gbuke and Gen. Julius Belemu from Bayelsa said the N320million alleged to have been hijacked by few ex-agitators was meant for Phase 2 Ex-militants in the Niger Delta, adding that they were not fighting for themselves, but for the region.

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    They said: “How would they say their attention was drawn to a publication by some self-appointed chairmen of the Phase 2 Ex-agitators from Delta, Edo and Bayelsa states, accusing some persons of hijacking N320million, without mentioning their names, yet they rushed to counter our publication. Is that not laughable?

    “It is shocking to respond to a publication in which your name was not mentioned and allegations you know nothing about, your names not mentioned, we only petitioned President Tinubu and others over the hijack of N320million, and they started issuing statements, calling for arrest for fighting a just cause.

    “It is therefore laughable that some persons, who had hijacked N320million meant for the entire Niger Delta Phase 2 Ex-militants, are coming out to show their faces that they are behind the hijack of the money, even when none of their names were mentioned in the publication.

    “You are urging the security agents not to treat the threat of shutting down Utorogu Gas Plant by Delta, Edo and Bayelsa states, Gen. Solomon Adu, Gen. London Gbuke and Gen. Julius Belemu with kid gloves, when your guilt has proved you all out as prime suspects by revealing yourselves through their response to a publication their names were not mentioned.

    “Like we have earlier stated, since we have seen the names of those behind our petition to the Federal Government over the hijack of the N320million, we are urging the security agents to swing into action by arresting those whose names were not in our publication, but revealed their name by themselves through publication as threat to shut down Utorogu Gas Plant was dropped.”

  • Ebonyi to recruit 2,600 forest guards

    Ebonyi to recruit 2,600 forest guards

    Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has approved the recruitment of 2,600 youths into the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS).

    The approval aims to enhance the capacity of security agencies in the state to fight banditry, kidnapping and others, especially those committed within the forests.

    Ebonyi State Commander of NHFSS, Igwe Larry, said this in a statement.

    He said the approval was a testimony of the confidence of the state government in the ability of the NHFSS to contribute effectively to the curbing of insecurity in the country by complementing the efforts of the Police, Army and other security agencies.

    Larry, on behalf of the Commander General of NHFSS, Dr. Wole Osatimehin and the Deputy Commander General on Technical Services, John Metchie, thanked Governor Nwifuru for the kind gesture.

    He pledged the commitment of the organisation to the security of lives and property of the residents of the state, especially in curbing forest- related crime.

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    Larry announced vacancies for recruitment of young men and women from Ebonyi State into the NHFSS.

    The statement said: “The Nigeria Hunter and Forest Security Service, Ebonyi State Command, appreciates the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, for approving the recruitment of 2,600 Ebonyi youths into the services of Ebonyi State Command of NHFSS.”

    Larry said the approval is in tandem with the Ebonyi People’s Charter of Needs Administration in Ebonyi State.

    To qualify for recruitment, applicants must be 18 years and above and also have WASSCE, National Diploma, NCE, Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.