The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Explosion rocks tank farm in Delta

    Explosion rocks tank farm in Delta

    •Two injured – Police

    RESIDENTS of Koko community, headquarters of Warri North council area of Delta State, were thrown into panic yesterday morning, as a tank farm in the area, owned by Ebenco Global Resources, burst into flames.

    According to the Delta Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, there was no loss of lives in the inferno.

    He also disclosed that two persons who sustained injury were recuperating at a hospital.

    “No deaths. But there are two people injured and they are responding to treatment,” the PPRO stated.

    It was gathered that the incident which occurred around 8am, saw several residents scampering for safety.

    The cause of the inferno could not be ascertained as at press time.

    However, firefighters were reported to have put out the flames as at 11 a.m.

  • Fuel marketers sell above pump price despite govt threat

    Fuel marketers sell above pump price despite govt threat

    FUEL marketers operating in Abia State have continued to ignore the directive of the state government urging them to return to the approved pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    The governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu through the Commissioner for Petroleum, Eze Sam Nwanganga had threatened to deal with petroleum marketers dispensing petroleum products above pump price to customers in the state.

    Our correspondent who went round major cities in the state reports that the petroleum marketers defiled the state governor’s order to continue to exploit their customers.

    Checks in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state, Umuahia, the state capital and Isuikwuato reveal that petrol pump price still sells between N350-N500 per liter in few petrol stations that opened for business.

    Unconfirmed reports from Arochukwu local government area of the state have it that some filing station owners dispense between N260-N300 per liter.

    Others who claim to be of stock closed for business, but sources alleged that the petrol station owners had fuel, but prefer selling them to black marketers.

    Though there were no queue in some of the filling stations visited, customers including Mr. Gilbert Onyechere and a commercial tricyclist, Mr. Nlewedim Chima, said that no one buys PMS at such exorbitant without grudging.

    They queried what the government was waiting for before sanctioning the owners of the filling stations in the state that sell above the approved pump price.

    “From what is on ground, we have seen that the members of the IPMAN have decided to jettison governors’ directive to continue ripping us apart.

    “This is over five days that the state government made the announcement and we are yet to see or hear that they have sealed up these filling stations that flouted governor’s directive.”

    Our correspondent reports that the continued hike in PMS pump price has affected prices of inter and intra-city transport fares as customers are made to pay over 50 percent of former transportation price to their locations.

    A member of IPMAN who pleased anonymity said that they only sell with little profit from what they were able to pay to source the product.

  • Security experts laud military successes in 2022, call for better strategies

    Security experts laud military successes in 2022, call for better strategies

    Some security experts have lauded the efforts of the military and other security agencies over the successes recorded in tackling the security challenges bedevilling the nation in 2022.

    They also commended the renewed synergy and review of strategies among the services and agencies that had changed the narratives against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals across the country.

    In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday, a Security Expert and Secretary, International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS), Mr Abdullahi Jabi, said there were success stories in different fronts during the year compared to what the situation was at the beginning of the year.

    Jabi said there were redoubling of efforts coupled with enhanced motivation to the armed forces, as well as development and deployment of new strategies with technology to ensure that the miscreants were dealt with.

    He said the security agencies were able to degrade the capabilities of the enemies of the state psychologically.

    “We are all seeing the result because we can see that the level of insecurity is dying down gradually, unlike when they have the field day that at every one hour, there are casualties and disaster. It is getting reduced and we give it to them because there is a new drive now. The renewed hope, they have put into the struggle to ensure that both kinetic and non-kinetic actions are being used to fight the enemies of the state.

    “So far, the war is winnable with what is happening now,” he said.

    Jabi called for sustained effort to intensify the aspect of information sharing, intelligent gathering and continue to solicit the cooperation of the civil populace who are closer to the miscreants.

    He said that effort should also be made to solve the problem of unemployment by engaging the youths in gainful ventures as well prevent them for taking hard drugs and other substances that make them high to commit this evil.

    He called on the government to be more dutiful by encouraging the private sector to be able to create jobs and promote entrepreneurship that would go a long way in preventing youths from getting involved in crimes and criminalities.

    On the general elections, the expert urged the military to act within the rules of engagement provided for in the electoral Act 2022 to ensure peaceful conduct of the elections.

    On his part, a retired officer and expert in Special Forces Operations, Maj. Daniel Banjo, said the military was able to change the tide against adversaries owing to renewed synergy among the services and other security agencies.

    Banjo said the cooperation between the Nigerian army and the air force in recent time had weakened the capabilities of the terrorists and bandits and had given the military upper hand against them.

    He said the later part of the 2022 was better than what it was during the same period in 2021, urging the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, to continue with and improve on the current strategies.

    The retired officer advocated training of special forces personnel that would have the tactical capability to engage the criminals because of the unconventional nature of the war.

    He also called for enhanced intelligence gathering and sharing that would help in identifying the hideouts of the criminals as well as community engagement that would help boost the confidence of the locals to gave useful information about the criminals.

    According to him, there must be a way for the people to onpass information to the security agencies without fearing for their lives since one of the main weapons of the terrorist is to instill fears in the populace.

    “Criminals are not spirits, they are members of our families and as such individuals have roles to play to support the security agencies in addressing these challenges,” he said.

  • NDDC, shame on Niger Delta, Nigeria, says Onochie

    NDDC, shame on Niger Delta, Nigeria, says Onochie

    The Chairman, Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Lauretta Onochie, has described the commission as a shame to the Niger Delta and the country.

     She said despite the humongous funds allocated to the commission over the years, the region had remained grossly underdeveloped.

    Onochie spoke shortly after assuming office at the headquarters of the commission in Port Harcourt yesterday.

     The former acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, formally handed over to the newly inaugurated board, which has Bayelsa State-born Samuel Ogbuku as the Managing Director and Delta State-born Onochie as the chairman.

    Onochie lamented that that money earmarked for the development of the Niger Delta was being squandered in Abuja, Lagos and overseas, while the people of the region lived in squalour and abject poverty.

    She said: “Today is a historic day, not just for the people of the Niger Delta, but also for the women of the Nigeria. And being a historic day, we have a lot of things going on today. Let me remind us why we are here.

    “This organisation (NDDC) was inaugurated specifically for the people of Niger Delta. It is an interventionist agency that is supposed to bring about prosperity; it is supposed to bring development in our region.  

     “This organisation was set up in the year 2000. And, if you go round the Niger Delta to date, there is little or nothing to show for it. NDDC has been a shame of the Niger Delta and a shame of our nation.”

     But Onochie said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had shown commitment to turn things around since it assumed office over seven years ago.

     She said: “As I said yesterday, at our inauguration, he (Buhari) never does things in his own interest. Everything he does, he does in the interest of Nigerians.  And this board you see here represents that interest. 

    “We are here to reposition NDDC. We are here to serve people of the Niger Delta and by extension people of Nigeria. We are here to do things differently. 

    “When I returned from the diaspora in 2014 to join his (Buhari) campaign, what I heard everywhere was ‘that’s not how we do it here. Madam, this is not London; this is not UK.

    “We are here to do things differently. We have come with ideas and I believe that each and every one of you seated here has great and beautiful ideas. 

    “If you have been lost in the system of doing things in the way it used to be done, please dust it and throw it away. We have new ideas and we welcome the same new ideas from you. 

    ”We are going to improve the working environment because if you are not happy at the place you work, then those of us at the head will not have your 100 percent. You have 100 percent to give, but we demand 110 percent.

    “From what we gathered, there are a lot of politics going on here, not just here, in the ministries as well. We will not tolerate that. Over 20 years, the monies that were expended in this region, they found their ways to Abuja, to Lagos, to Dubai, London, United States, everywhere, except the Niger Delta.

    “And when the President or the government tries to correct things, they use some of the money to mobilize these same people they have put under them to protest against what the government is doing in their own favour.

    “The time has come to say stop. Let us serve Niger Delta. I believe that there are some of here who are where they shouldn’t be. There are some who are not where they should be. All the injustice we have seen in this Niger Delta, we will correct them.”

    The new NDDC Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the management had not come for witch-hunt.

    He said: “I want to first of all assure you that we are not to antagonize anybody. We are here to also depend on your experience. NDDC administration needs experience. We need your support; we need your cooperation.

    “We are not here like one party handing over from one party. We are not here to fight anybody. We are all people from Niger Delta. I want all of you to be rest assured that, based on your competence, you are going to be working with this administration. “

    He said that the new management would do an appraisal of what it met on the ground and study the recommendations made by his predecessor.

    Ogbuku said: “We are definitely not going to look at mediocrity. Everything has to be based on your competence. If you show ingenuity, you have a chance to work with us.

    “Out there, everybody believes that NDDC has failed. So, you are stigmatised to the part of the failure. I am saying what people out there are saying. It may not be fact, it could just be an assumption.

    “But, the staff work here seems to have some level of stigmatization. I don’t blame you; may be, you have not been given the enabling environment. I believe all of here are well experienced, well trained to give the people of Niger Delta the best.”

  • IYC hails Buhari over NDDC substantive board

    IYC hails Buhari over NDDC substantive board

    The umbrella body of Ijaw youths, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for forming the substantive board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), seven years after intense agitation. 

    The national spokesman for IYC, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, made the commendation yesterday in the group’s New Year message and review of previous years in the region. 

    Ekerefe urged the new Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbukwu, not to waste more time, but to hit the ground running. 

    He said: “While a seemingly stable management team has been put in place at the NDDC after seven years’ calls for a substantive board, the IYC hails President Buhari for acceding to the cries of the people by appointing a substantive board for the NDDC. 

    “We commend every individual or group, friends of the region and particularly, the media, who joined the IYC in participating during the long struggle for a substantive board to be appointed by President Buhari.

    “While we congratulate Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for his successful inauguration as the new managing director of the NDDC, he should waste no time to hit the ground running. In doing so, he should be rest assured of the IYC’s commitment to ensure he succeeds as a former leader of the IYC at the formative years, who is now in the saddle of regional development.”

    Ekerefe said the region was yearning for aggressive development, most especially, human capacity building programmes that would place priority on the youth of the region with a non-partisan posture. 

    He enjoined the new board to take note that the failure of past leadership of the commission, which led to the non-appointment of a substantive board for over seven years, was caused by the corruption of successive administrations. 

    Ekerefe said the penchant to repay political god-fathers and misuse of the funds meant for regional development that would benefit all should be discouraged. 

    He noted: “This attitude of successive management jeopardised the development trajectory of the region and further exacerbated the problem. 

    “The new board members under Dr. Ogbuku should learn from the past and resist the temptation of using the commission’s funds meant for regional development to sponsor candidates of political parties to win elections in 2023, as this will not be tolerated. 

    “Any attempt or traceable evidence to show open partisanship that will derail the board from achieving its core mandate, the IYC will not hesitate to call such individuals out and call for their sack to act as a deterrent to others who may have such mindset.”

    On post-flood, Ekerefe frowned at the Federal Government’s lackadaisical attitude towards addressing the effects of the devastating flood in the Niger Delta, especially Bayelsa State that was adjudged to be the worst hit. 

    He said: “We expect serious interventions from the Federal Government to help the affected states of the region, especially to fix roads that were washed away, provide grants and soft loans to farmers to start all over again and provide medical support to fight cholera and other communicable diseases.”

    The spokesman lauded the bold decision taken by the Nigerian National Petroleum Ltd to award crude oil pipeline surveillance jobs to indigenous companies, particularly Tantita Security Ltd, owned by Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

    He said the initiative was already yielding the desired results.

  • Rivers PDP pays N95m to meet campaign requirements

    Rivers PDP pays N95m to meet campaign requirements

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has paid N95million for the use of public facilities in the state for its open door campaign, in line with Executive Order 21.

    It was gathered that the payment by the PDP was in compliance with the precautionary requirement of N5million per venue stipulated by Executive Order 21.

    Other parties in the state, especially All Progressives Congress (APC), have been kicking against the executive orders, describing them as unconstitutional.

    A statement issued by the Chairman of the Publicity and Communications Committee of the Consolidation of the New Rivers Vision Campaign Council, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, confirmed that even the ruling party in the state had complied with the law.

    He said the party had received an official approval from the office of the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Chinedum Mbom, to use the facilities after meeting the requirements.

    Executive Order 21 prescribes the payment of N5million by parties as precautionary fees for the use of public facilities such as schools for campaigns and rallies.

    The letter conveyed to the PDP in Rivers State reads: “I hereby acknowledge receipt of your deposit of N95million only into the state government  account, being the required precautionary deposit for the use of your indicated public schools’ facilities in Rivers State. 

    ‘Sir, Sequel to your compliance with the directive as contained in our letter dated December 6, 2022, I hereby convey to you, my approval of your request for the use of state-owned schools’ facilities as indicated in the annexure to your application.”

    Nwuke said with the letter of approval, the PDP was ready to begin its campaigns in public facilities.  

    He said: “Prior to this time, we had publicly indicated as a responsible political party that the PDP shall comply with the dictates of Executive Order 21.

    “Now that we have received appropriate authorisation, following full compliance with the order, we are prepared to start open air campaigns in Rivers State. 

    “Similarly, we attach a photocopy of the letter of approval to show proof that the PDP is not above the law. While thanking Rivers people for their support for our great party, we assure them that our candidates will fulfil the promises made to the electorate. 

    “Governor Nyesom Wike has met and gone ahead to surpass the promises made to the people to pursue a clear vision that is transforming the state into the home of infrastructure.

    “Siminalayi Fubara and our candidates will consolidate on the dividends of democracy that are being delivered by the PDP. This is our pledge to the masses.”

  • Forum hopeful of APC’s victory

    Forum hopeful of APC’s victory

    The Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) Ward Chairmen in Akwa Ibom State has hailed leaders of the party in the state for the recent reconciliatory meeting held to unite and strengthen the party ahead of the general election.

    In a statement by the Chairman of the forum, Frederick Asuquo, in Uyo, the party’s ward chairmen commended the leaders for the move aimed at repositioning APC.

    The forum praised the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, for convening the reconciliatory meeting, which sought to resolve the factional crisis that divided and threatened the fortune of the party ahead of the elections.

    It also lauded former Niger Delta Affairs Minister Chief God’swill Akpabio, the state Chairman of the party, Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo and other notable chieftains for taking bold steps to settle contending issues and prepare the party for victory.

    The ward chairmen said they had been emboldened to work for the party’s victory in the forthcoming elections.

  • ‘Less than 1% of trained ex-agitators are gainfully employed’

    ‘Less than 1% of trained ex-agitators are gainfully employed’

    Less than one per cent of the trained ex-Niger Delta agitators are gainfully employed, the Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd), has said.

     The Interim Administrator, who spoke in Abuja yesterday, explained why the PAP scholarship programme was halted, saying the N7 billion scholarship programme was unsustainable. 

    Ndiomu, who revealed that auditing of the activities of PAP was ongoing, however, assured the students currently on the programme that everythng possible would be done to ensure they did not suffer any setback.

     Speaking about the employment status of trained agitators, the retired Army General, who expressed shock at the number of trained ex-agitator gainfully employed, said: “Interestingly, when we look at the data we have for even the ex- agitators and members of impacted communities that benefited from either the scholarship scheme or the vocational training programmes, we realise that less than one per cent are gainfully employed. And I’m not joking, less than one per cent, And that is totally at cross purposes with whatever was intended of the amnesty programme.”

     He also cited the example of the 350 Niger Delta youths, who despite presidential directives, were yet to be absolved by government agencies since 2017. 

    He, however, said the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, was already looking into the matter.

     He added that his engagements with heads of government agencies would soon begin to yield positive results that would see more of the ex-agitators gainfully employed.

  • EEDC begins mobile map in Anambra Jan. 10

    EEDC begins mobile map in Anambra Jan. 10

    Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) has begun its operation for 2023, as it takes mobile MAP metering to customers in Anambra State.

    The Head, Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, in a statement yesterday, said the arrangement was to ensure customers accessed prepaid meters within 48 hours.

    He described the exercise, which allowed customers to pay, get metered and reimbursed with the value of the cost of meter through energy over a period, as a conscious way adopted to close metering gap in its network.

    Ezeh said the programme would take place at Ogidi District on January 10 at St. Paul Anglican Church, Ogidi, Ochendo Hall, Ogidi and Afor Market Town Hall, Obosi and would run for three days.

    He said single-phase meter costs N63,061.27, while three-phase meter is N117,910.69, inclusive of VAT.

    Ezeh said the mapping system was a conscious approach the company had adopted to close the existing metering gap in its network.

    He said it was designed to be implemented according to feeders, with three locations selected within the areas covered by the feeder where meters would be supplied simultaneously.

    “Customers living in the listed locations are expected to visit the site along with a valid form of identification (either Drivers’ Licence, Voters Card, NIN or International Passport) and a copy of their bills. At the location, EEDC officials will assist customers with the MAP application to process, and installation will be made once payment is confirmed.

    “This exercise is carried out by EEDC in conjunction with its MAPs (Meter Asset Providers) – MOJEC International Limited and Advanced Energy Management Services (AEMS).”

  • Jubilation as Mbaka returns to Enugu

    Jubilation as Mbaka returns to Enugu

    There was jubilation in Enugu, the capital of Enugu State, yesterday, following the return of the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, after a long stay outside the state.

    Mbaka’s followers trooped out in large number to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu to receive the returning priest, who became popular for his spiritual work and healing.

    Mbaka arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on January 3 via the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta.

    He arrived at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu yesterday to a tumultuous welcome.

    Mbaka’s ministry was closed down earlier in 2022 and on June 3, 2022 the Catholic Diocese of Enugu banned him from commenting on political issues after activities in the ministry were suspended.

    Upon reopening, the church turned the ministry into a chaplaincy to monitor excesses in the ministry.

    Last October, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, sent Mbaka to the monastery.

    Consequently, Rev. Fr. Anthony Amadi was named to take charge of the place, pending the return of Mbaka, as the new chaplain of the Adoration Ministry.