Category: South East

The people of Uquo Ward 5 in Esit Eket Local Government of Akwa Ibom State have denied playing opposition politics.  They said they were loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The people said the rumour that they supported the candidates of other parties, instead of the PDP, was not only false, but also a ‘fabricated’ blackmail to deny them the benefits they enjoyed under the ruling party.

Comprising women, youth leaders, traders, leaders of the PDP at the ward, ex-vice chairmen, former and serving councillors, the people pledged their loyalty to the PDP and promised to vote for its candidates in next year’s elections.

In a communique issued at the weekend by the political leaders of the ward, the people hailed the developmental strides of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

The communique, read by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Projects, Pastor Godwin Williams, said: “We commend the efforts of Governor Emmanuel in his developmental drive in economy, as well as human and infrastructural development.

“Let it be known that we support the succession agenda of our dear governor and will vote for Pastor Umo Eno as our governor.”

“We also thank the political leader of Esit Eket Local Government, Elder Benjamin Udobia, for his resoluteness in attending to the problems of Esit Eket.

“We appreciate the Chairman of Esit Eket, Iniobong Robson, for running people’s oriented government for the good people of the area. We pledge our support to PDP candidates in the coming election.”

The Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government, Robson, said PDP would win election in all wards in the area next year.

The high point was the inauguration of the new PDP office in ward 5 by the council chairman.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 13 Ukpo, AIG Umar Muri, has attributed growing crimes in Nigeria to the inability of the authorities to serve justice with the urgency it deserved.

He said although justice delivery began with the police, the slow pace of trials by the judiciary constituted impediment to serving justice to criminals.

Muri spoke at the zone’s headquarters at Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government, at a reception organised for him by the zone, led by Police Commissioner Echeng Echeng, to mark his retirement from the force.

Muri, who was described by subordinates as a forthright police officer, retired after 32 years.

He said his reason for joining the force was to ensure justice for Nigerians.

Said he: “I always plead with my subordinates to ensure justice is served, no matter who is involved, because serving justice to criminals will act as a deterrent to others who intend to join criminal activities.

“Every justice administration starts with the Nigeria Police Force, but unfortunately, in the judiciary, justice delivery is very slow. Once a judge is transferred, cases remain stunted and crime continues to fester.

“The worst injustice to serve is to a poor man. If you serve injustice to the rich, they will use their wealth to open other doors to gain justice, but the poor will simply say, ‘God punish you’, and God will surely punish you.”

Expressing gratitude to God for the enablement to serve and retire creditably, Muri also thanked the Federal Government through the Inspector General of Police and Police Service Commission for the opportunity to serve humanity.

He urged men and officers of the force to emulate the good qualities of their superiors.

He advised the citizens to learn to be together, appreciate one another and live in harmony, for peace to reign in the state.

“I started service here in Anambra, and I’m ending it here. I have no regrets serving in the state or in the police force. I didn’t join police because of money, I joined to provide service.

“God has done so much for me in the job, including promotion and good health. I think I’m the only AIG that can read without glasses. I don’t have a doctor,” Muri said.

Echeng described the retiring AIG as an icon of the force and an epitome of justice, saying his leadership and commitment to the job were exemplary.

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has urged the Rector of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Prof. Kalu Osonwa and other management members to be alive to their responsibilities.

Dr. Ikpeazu, who lamented the inability of the management to spend within their budget, urged students to hold the management accountable.

The governor, who said the management spent more than they earned/generated, advised them to ensure they boosted their student population.

Ikpeazu, speaking while receiving the report of the Task Force on the Restoration of Accreditation of the Abia State Polytechnic, at the Governor’s Lodge, Aba, said the government would pay the polytechnic’s subventions, which he noted was the statutory obligation the government owed tertiary institutions.

Congratulating the task force on doing a good job, the governor said workers rationalisation must continue.

Ikpeazu, who said he would study the reports and recommendations of the panel, enjoined the management and council of the polytechnic to sit up.

Presenting the report to the governor, the Chairman of the task force, Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji, said the de-accreditation of Abia State Polytechnic a few months ago came as a shock.

He thanked the governor for providing N450million with which the polytechnic was bailed out.

Commissioner for Basic Education Chief Ukwu Rocks Emma, Commissioner for Post Basic Education Sir Israel Mark, Commissioner for Information & Strategy counterpart Dr. Eze Chikamnayo, Commissioner for Homeland Security Opuruchi Bekee, Chief of Staff to governor Chief Okey Ahiwe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Mr. Eze Ajuzie and members of the task force were present during the presentation of the report.

Residents of Ofriyo village in Eket Local Government of Akwa Ibom State are living in fear, following a plan to site a gas plant in the community.

They feared that the plant, under construction, would pose danger to their lives and property, as it was located in the midst of houses, churches and the village square.

Concerned residents of the village, who spoke with The Nation at the weekend on condition of anonymity, blamed leaders for agreeing to site the plant in the community.

They said some members of the village council, because of greed, threw caution to the wind and collected huge amount as ‘development fee’ “for the project to be sited here.”

An indigene of Ofriyo, who preferred anonymity, confirmed that relevant authorities such as the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Nigeria Police, Fire Service and Eket Local Government were not aware of the project.

He said it was important to inform the owner of the business to relocate, so as not to later complain and make claims of expenses.

The source said: “The man (proprietor of the gas plant) came and paid development fees, but the community didn’t ask him what he wanted to do with the place.

“He wasn’t asked whether he wanted to build a house or start a business. But we were informed that he wanted to set up a gas station. It is very risky to lives and property.

“Look at the churches around, people’s houses and businesses around and even the village hall. He needs to be told in time to relocate now because we will oppose the project.”

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has urged the new Commissioner of Police (CP), Mustapha Bala, to build on the achievements of his predecessor, Janet Agbede, who was recently elevated to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).

Janet handed over to Bala last Friday at the Police Command Headquarters in Umuahia.

Ikpeazu hosted Bala at his Umuobiakwa country home in Obingwa Local Government.

The governor assured the new police commissioner that his administration would support him to achieve his objectives of securing the lives and property of the people.

Ikpeazu, who described Abia as one of the most peaceful states, attributed this to the grace of God, the proactive security architecture in the state, coupled with the strong inter-agency cooperation among security agencies.

He advised the police chief to take advantage of the platforms to sustain the gains made and improve on the current status.

The governor took the opportunity to congratulate Agbede on her new promotion, saying it was an evidence of her hard work and commitment.

He wished her well in her new posting.

Agbede thanked Ikpeazu for the support he gave to the police command.

She appealed to the governor to extend the same support to the new commissioner.

Bala thanked the governor for receiving him and informed him that having assumed duties at the command headquarters; he came to pay homage to the governor.

He assured him that he would build on the existing foundation laid by his predecessor and provide security for the people of Abia State.

Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has warned blackmailers to steer clear of its Interim Administrator, Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd).

PAP’s Media Consultant, Donu Kogbara, raised the alarm that detractors desperate to tarnish the image of Ndiomu, had recruited blackmailers to carry out a campaign of calumny against the interim administrator.

Kogbara, in a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, said ready to satisfy their paymasters, the blackmailers had churned out unsubstantiated and false reports against Ndiomu to damage his image and pitch him against key stakeholders of PAP.

She said the first of their vicious attacks was recycled libellous reports claiming that Ndiomu was demanding kickbacks from a suspected dubious PAP contractor.

Describing the allegation as puerile, ridiculous and false, Kogbara insisted that there was no iota of truth in the report.

The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to libellous reports targeting Maj.-Gen Ndiomu (rtd), the Interim Administrator (IA) of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

“Some unnamed ex-militant leaders from the nine states of the Niger Delta reportedly accused Ndiomu of corruption in a ridiculous petition they addressed to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Mongonu (rtd).

“The allegations revolve round 15 companies owned by a vendor, who was awarded contracts by a previous coordinator of the programme and is engaged in a performance-related legal dispute with PAP. The matter is subjudice.

“The matter was in court even before Ndiomu was appointed as the interim administrator and it beats the imagination of everyone how the sponsors of these vicious reports tried to link Ndiomu to such matter.”

Kogbara said similar reports attempting to discredit Ndiomu and distract him from focusing on his new mandate for PAP would be sponsored and bankrolled by enemies, who saw the interim administrator as an obstacle to their intended corrupt engagements with PAP.

She said: “We are aware that some corrupt elements don’t want any change and transformation in PAP. They want the programme to remain business as usual and having seen that Ndiomu was appointed with high recommendations based on his track records of service and performance to bring the required transformation of PAP, they started early to discredit him.

“We are calling on the public to be wary of such reports and to disregard the falsehood being peddled against the interim administrator, who assumed office with uncommon determination and commitment to do the right things for PAP, in line with the agenda to promote growth and development of the Niger Delta.”

Kogbara said Ndiomu’s appointment was based on his incorruptible character, integrity and discipline shaped by his military background, adding that forthrightness propelled him to rise to the pinnacle of his career in the Army.

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has stated that in no distant time the state will turn out to be the economic hub in the African continent.

Emmanuel stated this during the Uyo Senatorial District Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign flag-off and the issue of the party flag to candidates on Thursday in Uyo.

He said his confidence stemmed from the foundation he has laid in the state for the past seven years through infrastructural development, and economic transformation, among other landmark achievements.

“In Nigeria, we are blessed, how I wished that we are given the opportunity in Nigeria to produce the president from Akwa Ibom, watch and see that in no time we are going to be a reference state, it’s going to be the flagship in the whole of Africa.

“The economic foundation we have laid in the state, we are going to build on it. In Akwa Ibom is forward ever.

“I have said this and I will keep saying it, that if you cannot run a kiosk, you cannot run a multinational. If you have not created a dividend somewhere, you cannot give a dividend of democracy, that is why we are having a problem we are having in Nigeria today,” Emmanuel said.

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has alleged that the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state is plotting to bribe APGA candidates of Ukwa La Ngwa extraction to work for PDP in 2023 polls.

This is even as APGA has urged lovers of democracy in the State to resist the alleged plots by PDP, as it is designed to mortgage the future of unborn generations for pecuniary interests.

The state chairman of APGA, Augustine Ehiemere raised the alarm during a press briefing in Umuahia, the state capital.

Ehiemere promised to reveal the names of masterminds being used to woo his party candidates soon, adding that the APGA candidates of Ukwa La Ngwa extraction have been promised: “irreversible financial inducements to sabotage the candidature of APGA governorship candidate, Prof Greg Ibe.”

He pointed out that House of Assembly candidates of APGA of Ukwa/Ngwa bloc were particularly the targets of the financial inducement plots from PDP.

Apart from financial inducements, Ehiemere alleged that the APGA members have been promised plum political appointments if the PDP candidate, Uche Ikonne wins Abia guber in 2023.

The APGA Chairman advised Abians “to ensure that only those who have the competence to revive our economy and navigate the State out of its present economic doldrums receive our mandate.”

Ehiemere further revealed that the discovery of the alleged financial inducements stemmed from an intelligence gathering it conducted recently.

He tipped Prof Greg Ibe to win Abia guber in 2023, based on his competency, capacity, job creation and general acceptability.

•As lawmaker seeks reconstruction of Warri-Sapele-Benin Road

As part of ensuring improved living conditions of oil bearing communities, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has commissioned two road projects in the timber town of Sapele, Delta state.

The projects which are Akporjevughe Road and environs (four kilometres) and Oghene Road and environs (2.5kilometers), were commissioned by the Member representing Sapele/Okpe/Uvwie Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.

Addressing the gathering, the NDDC acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, stated that the projects were part of the mandate of the interventionist agency to bring relief to the people of the region.

Represented by Mr Steve Ogheneare, Director, NDDC, Delta office, the MD disclosed said before the award of the project, the roads were “swampy, prone to perennial flooding and unmotorable throughout the year.”

He added that “with the completion of the projects, the story has changed for residents and commuters, as they now ply the roads with ease.

“NDDC over the years has executed notable infrastructural development projects across the Niger Delta region as part of its mandates. Delta has a fair share of the award with a good number of completed projects and many ongoing.

“Sapele Local Government Area of Delta has benefited about 103 projects awarded, while Sapele town has 63 projects awarded, many of which have been completed,” he stated.

Emphasising the socio-economic importance of the roads to residents, Audu-Ohwavborua pointed out that the drains and culverts would also help channel storm waters to nearby rivers, thus addressing flooding which had been a major challenge in most parts of Ogorode New Road area.

On his part, Hon. Afe called on the Federal Government to urgently fix the failed portions of the East-West Road, particularly the Warri-Sapele-Benin sections, so as to ease hardship faced by travellers.

“I also appeal to NDDC that urgent palliatives should be carried out to the East-West road that has been cut off by flood. They should fix this failed road urgently,” the lawmaker said.

‘Petition frivolous, absurd’

Ex-Niger Delta militant leaders have protested the alleged attempt by the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), retired Major General Barry Ndiomu, to scuttle an ongoing suit against 15 companies demanding N3.8b for jobs not carried out.

The ex-agitators protest is contained in a letter sent to the National Security Adviser, Major General Mohammed Babagana Monguno (rtd.).

They said that despite the fact that there were various cases in different courts against the Amnesty Office, Ndiomu had refused to file a defence as done by his predecessor against the accused 15 companies due to an allegation of exchange of gratification meant to settle the case and allow the Federal Government pay the firms for unexecuted jobs.

 The ex-militant leaders in the letter signed by Boma Inewariku, Gabriel Victor and James Collins among others, called on the NSA to investigate, suspend Ndiomu and appoint the most senior civil servant to take over the running of PAP pending the outcome of the investigation against the Interim Administrator.

The petition read in part: “Our demand for the immediate suspension of Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd.) as the Interim Administrator is because of an allegation of bribery and connivance to embezzle Amnesty programme funds.

“We wish to bring to your notice that it is no news that there are numerous cases pending against PAP in different courts across the country, but of utmost importance are the cases filed against the Amnesty office where these companies are all controlled by one individual who is claiming payments of over N3.8bn for contracts allegedly done by these companies.

 “It is important to state that the alleged contracts awarded to these companies were done without any due process and against all known procedures and the said contracts were allegedly awarded by the late Prof. Charles Dokubo.

“May we also inform you that the immediate past interim administrator, Col. Miland Dixon Dikio (rtd.) stood for justice and resolved to diligently fight and also defended against these corrupt and fraudulent contracts allegedly awarded to the15 companies, which matter is still pending in courts.

 “In fact, sir, it is also pertinent to state that the accredited and verified Amnesty beneficiaries who should have benefited from the alleged contract were not issued any business start-up item (s) as allegedly contained in contract and based on this, the 124 beneficiaries applied to join in the ongoing suit in a representative capacity for all other verified beneficiaries of the programme. Sir, we state unequivocally that the removal of Dikio was indeed a grave mistake and denial of justice and fairness to the people of Niger Delta region.”

However, a close aide to PAP boss described the petition against Ndiomu as “frivolous and absurd.”

The aide, who spoke in confidence, said those who purportedly signed the petition were only desperately trying to fight against the end of the Amnesty programme which had become their cash cow over the years.

“Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu is committed to the mandate handed to him and will not allow any distractions from disgruntled and fraudulent people,” the aide stated.