The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • NLC declares support for Otti over civil service reform

    NLC declares support for Otti over civil service reform

    The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abia State chapter, has declared support for the Governor Alex Otti administration over the ongoing workers’ verification and other reforms being carried out by the government, to establish a strong and productive civil service that will benefit citizens.

    In a statement signed by the state Chairman, Nweke Pascal Iheme and Secretary, Emma Alozie and made available to reporters in Umuahia, NLC hailed the governor for demonstrating commitment to repositioning the civil service and lauded his pledge to clear the backlog of salary and pension arrears before the end of the year.

    The statement said: “His Excellency Dr. Otti has demonstrated his commitment to reposition the civil service and the welfare of the workers and pensioners. A commitment he assured would be achieved before the end of the year.”

    The NLC, however, expressed concern about the invitation of many MDAs to appear for verification on the same day. A situation they said has brought avoidable hitches and frustration on the side of the workers. It said the number should be reduced.

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    The union therefore called on the government to extend the deadline for the verification, while appealing that the MDAs should appear on separate days so that workers wouldn’t be subjected to avoidable suffering.

    Governor Otti had on the day of his inauguration restated his earlier promise to clear years of accumulated salary and pension arrears being owed workers and pensioners on or before December 31, 2023 and subsequently directed that necessary verification and reforms be carried out so that no genuine workers would be short changed.

  • Agency decries scarcity of digital infrastructure

    Agency decries scarcity of digital infrastructure

    Anambra State ICT Agency has identified dearth of digital infrastructure as the biggest challenge to adoption of effective technology in the Southeast.

    It stressed the need for governments of five Southeast states to begin investment in digital infrastructure to boost the chances of effective digital adoption and open up myriads of tech opportunities in the region.

    Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Chukwuemeka Agbata, spoke while delivering a keynote address at the Conference of the International Igbo Professionals for Development (IIPD).

    The conference with the theme: ‘Aku Ruo Ulo, Ala Igbo Arise,’ was aimed at reawakening sense of urgency among Ala-Igbo to work together to rebuild the Igbo land in governance, economic development, politics, infrastructure, tourism, education, health care, among others.

    Agbata said absence of hi-speed fibre internet in major cities across the Southeast had mitigated opportunities in the technology industry that Igbo youths could take advantage to unleash their potential.

    He said: “Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has taken initiatives to encourage broadband companies to come into the state, which include removal of Right of Way (RoW) for them as well as laying of fibre ducts across the state.

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    “The Southeast governors need to begin to explore the capabilities of technology to advance the region’s economy, to liberalise innovation by making hi-speed fibre internet available.

    “Igbo governors must begin to exemplify excellence to inspire the younger generation in the tech area.

    “The region must begin to push the right awareness and advocacy about the region to discourage the dominant negative stories about the region in the digital space.

    “The thing about tech is that when you start, you can’t hold, but when it materialises, the dividends are huge and massive.

    “If all states can emulate and replicate what Anambra has been doing, there would have been a lot of activities going on in the tech area in the region, which will set Igbo land on a fast lane towards effective tech adoption.”

  • Abia govt demolishes two-storey building with structural defect

    Abia govt demolishes two-storey building with structural defect

    The Abia state government at the weekend demolished a two-storey building in Umuahia, the state capital, in a proactive move to save lives and property.

    A rapid response team, comprising the Ministries of Lands and Housing; Power & Public Utilities; Works; and the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), the Nigerian Police Force, the Abia State Fire Service, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and the Nigerian Society of Engineers, were on the ground to ensure that the structurally defective building was safely brought down.

    The demolition of the building located at No.5 Akanu Street (opposite FCMB, near Government House) Umuahia, followed the alarm raised by occupants, who hurriedly evacuated the building of their own accord after visible defects were noticed on the structure, sandwiched between two other buildings.

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    Addressing newsmen shortly after the demolition exercise, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Chaka Chukwumerije, pointed out that the primary objective of the exercise was to save lives.

    Chukwumerije saidsaid: “The site was quickly cordoned off by UCDA, the road blocked by the fire service, and everyone in the surrounding area evacuated, by the Nigerian Police, in order to preserve public safety and ensure no casualties were recorded.

    “The initial efforts to strip the building block by block, in order to preserve the surrounding structures, was deemed unsafe, and quickly replaced by a swift demolishment of the building, while minimising the damage to surrounding structures.”

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday, who affirmed that the present administration in the state believes in due process, thanked God that no life was lost, even as he enjoined builders to always engage the services of professionals.

    The General Manager Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Town Planner Kenneth Agomoh, reiterated the Governor Alex Otti administration’s commitment to restore the integrity and sanity of buildings, in the state; and encouraged the public to come forward with any information relating to defective structures.

    He said that going forward, the UCDA will be proactive in checkmating illegal structures.

  • Bayelsa threatens prosecution of residents, ministries building without permits

    Bayelsa threatens prosecution of residents, ministries building without permits

    The Bayelsa State Government has advised residents of Yenagoa, the state capital, and its environs, ministries and agencies to obtain planning permits before embarking on physical development and construction activities.

    The Executive Chairman, Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board (BSPPDB), Hon Kuroakegha Dorgu, also warned that those that failed to comply and obtain genuine permits would be dragged before the physical Planning and Development tribunal for prosecution.

    Dorgu gave this advice yesterday during a visit by the members of the State House of Assembly Committee on Physical Planning and Development as part of their oversight functions led by Hon. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown.

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    He emphasised the need for government’s ministries and agencies to always obtain building permits from the Board before embarking on any project in the state.

    He stated that other agencies of the Federal Government always complied whenever they wanted to carry out any building projects in the state, noting that they would first approach the Board to obtain building permits.

    Dorgu pointed out that the same procedure should be applicable to the state-owned ministries and agencies.

    He noted that the law establishing the Board did not exempt anyone, adding that any ministry or agency that did not comply, would be taken to the Physical Planning and Development Tribunal for prosecution.

    The Executive Chairman also hinted that plans were underway to carry out urban renewal in some areas of Yenagoa metropolis, stressing that the Board was the only agency of government saddled with the responsibility of planning the state aside controlling development.

    He further said that with the proclamation of new planning areas by Governor Douye Diri, plans would soon be designed for those areas for development.

  • Community protests imposition of leader

    Community protests imposition of leader

    Protesters from Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South local government area of Delta state, yesterday, condemned in its entirety the decision of the Delta State Government Executive Council meeting approving Mr. Clement Ikolo as the king of Ewu Kingdom.

    This pronouncement of Mr. Ikolo as the Ewu king has thrown the entire Ewu kingdom into crisis with mass protest and barricades in all access roads to Ewu community, saying that Ewu king remains His Royal Majesty Bernard Awarieta, that other announcement by the state government is mere political exercise.

    The protesters comprises women, youths and men expressed their grievances towards the government decision against the tradition of the community with display of placards carrying several inscriptions; such as, “Government don’t throw Ewu Kingdom into crisis, Clement Ikolo is from Olomu and not Ewu.”

    The spokesman of Ahanwa kingmaker’s family ruling house, Chief Anthony Okagbare (JP), said Ewu is a peaceful kingdom and Delta government should not use Mr. Clement Ikolo imposed king to truncate peace and the tradition of the Ewu kingdom.

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    Okagbare said, “Governor Oborevwori’s friends in Olomu whom are bent on imposing Chief Ikolo on Ewu kingdom should tell the governor the truth. Why is Mr. Ikolo not come direct to Ewu community after his being confirmed instead, he went to Olomu with his former commissioner cousin who is also from Olomu.

    “Why did Ikolo not come straight to Ewu kingdom with his Olomu friends close to the governor and see who would have received them, every provess was followed to the satisfaction of all the communities and clans that makes up the kingdom before His Royal Majesty, Bernard Awarieta emerged and crowned on the 20th of May, 2021.

    “The kingdom has only one king and he is His Royal Majesty, Bernand Awarieta who has been attending several committee set up by the state government and waiting to be given Staff of Office, and only to be told that government has approved Okolo as king of where? It will not be accepted.”

  • Court orders tribunal to hear LP’s petition in Delta governorship dispute

    Court orders tribunal to hear LP’s petition in Delta governorship dispute

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to hear, on merit, a petition filed by the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate in the last election, Ken Pela, challenging the election of Sheriff Oborevwori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    A three-member panel of the appellate court held, in a judgment yesterday, that, as against the finding of the tribunal, Pela and his party did not abandon their petition.

    The court then remitted the petition back to the tribunal for hearing within the time stipulated in the Electoral Act.

    The judgment was on the appeal filed by Pela and his party against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and six others.

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    LP’s Pela, who came third behind Oborevwori and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had challenged the outcome of the election and prayed the tribunal to, among others, void Oborevwori ‘s return as the winner.

    In a judgment on July 6, the tribunal, with Justice C. H. Achuchaogu as the chairman, held that the petition was deemed abandoned on the grounds that the petitioners’ application for pre-hearing session was not properly filed.

    The tribunal proceeded to dismiss it, holding among others that “the petition was incompetent and a flagrant violation of Paragraph 18(1) of the 4th Schedule of the Electoral Act 2023.”

  • Bayelsa voters vow to stop rigging

    Bayelsa voters vow to stop rigging

    Voters from the 105 wards of Bayelsa State have declared their readiness to stand together against the alleged plot by some chieftains of the opposition to instigate violence and rig the November 11 governorship election.

    According to a cross section of voters, despite their desire to encourage massive turnout of voters and fair electoral processes for the poll, the alleged plot by loyalists of the opposition to cause violence and use parallel security agents during the poll would be resisted, as they would not allow a situation that would threaten the peace and security of the state.

    A voter from Southern Ijaw, Mr. Bolou Israel, expressed regrets that persons in the opposition had devised strategies to orchestrate violence and insecurity to rig the poll, which they would fight against.

    Israel, said to be loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said: “We have resolved to ensure that a proper democratic process is followed and that the opposition parties cannot force themselves on the people if they are rejected.

    “All we hear from their people is that ‘we know Douye Diri is doing well, he has done a lot of projects to deserve re-election’. However, they sing it everywhere that they will write the results, as if we are in a zoo country. How do you achieve that in this modern age?”

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    Mr. Sinivie Akenge from Yenagoa said the forthcoming governorship election was critical to the development of Bayelsa State, noting that the state was making steady progress and that anyone plotting violence to divide and cause problem was an enemy to the people.

    Akenge said: “We are calling on the international community to beam its searchlight on Bayelsa. The opposition candidate is allegedly drumming songs of war.

    “All they are telling their supporters is that they want to win by any possible unconventional means. The security agencies must be on red alert and the people must stand strong to allow proper voting. We will defend our votes.”

    Mrs. Janet Tonworio frowned at certain statements credited to candidate of the opposition that the state owed him a second term and so, this election was a revenge.

    She said the opposition should simply present its candidate to the electorate and that the people would assess his previous outing as a governor almost 12 years ago and the recent public service experience as a minister on how those offices impacted lives of the people.

    “This election is between the incumbent governor and Chief Sylva of the APC.  One thing is sure; you can only rig where you are popular. ‘Bayelsans’ have long rejected the opposition candidate. We hear he is coming for a revenge mission against those who allegedly stopped him in 2011. This is 12 years after, he is still bitter. Bayelsa must stand strong.

    “They want to preload BVAS and compromise INEC. The federal might won’t work; the President is a known democrat of many years standing. Our former President recently said that if you want to govern us, present yourself and if the people like you, they vote for you and if they reject you, you go back to your house or you go and do business.”

  • Anambra residents lament power outage

    Anambra residents lament power outage

    • EEDC explains reasons

    Residents of Awka, Anambra State capital, have decried two-day blackout following power outage by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC).

    The people, particularly those into business activities, counted the losses they had incurred within the few days of the development.

    A cyber cafe owner, who identified himself as Ejikeme Okafor, said his business had suffered decline since the fuel subsidy removal, adding that  power outage had aggravated the situation.

    “If I tell you how much I spend on fuel daily since the fuel subsidy removal, you’ll pity me. Now, EEDC has come with theirs. I don’t know what these people want us to do,” he lamented.

    EEDC said the outage followed loss of supply from its source of power at the TCN Station, Onitsha on Wednesday evening.

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    The power company, through its Head, Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, said power would be restored soon, as engineers were patrolling the lines to ascertain the cause of power outage.

    He said: “We wish to inform our esteemed customers in Awka, Anambra State that the power outage currently being experienced is due to the loss of supply from its source of power at TCN Station, Onitsha, at about 6:53pm, yesterday (Wednesday).

    “As a result of this development, all feeders under EEDC Awka district are out of power supply.”

    “TCN engineers are already patrolling the lines to ascertain the cause of power outage.

    “We therefore apologise to our esteemed customers in Awka and appeal for their patience and understanding as we are on standby, hoping that the issue is resolved and power is restored within the shortest time possible.”

  • Relief for Warri residents as Oborevwrori okays roads reconstruction

    Relief for Warri residents as Oborevwrori okays roads reconstruction

    Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s approval of reconstruction of some roads in Warri has brought relief to road users across the metropolis.

    The approval, made at the inaugural State Executive Council meeting in Asaba, has been welcomed by residents, including the Chairman of Warri South Local Government, Dr. Michael Tidi.

    Lauding the move, Tidi said the roads were strategic to the socio-economic revival of the oil city, adding that Governor Oborevwori was keeping the promise to bring back the lost glory of Warri.

    The roads approved for reconstruction are Upper-Lower Erejuwa, Esisi, from Warri-Sapele Road to Estate Roundabout with spur to Nana College, linking Ajamimogha, all in Warri City centre. 

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    The Warri South boss recalled several remedial works done by his administration with limited resources, through direct labour, to make Esisi Road and Estate Roundabout passable. 

    He said Upper-Lower Erejuwa Road built decades ago by the late Samuel Ogbemudia administration in the defunct Bendel State, Esisi and Ajamimogha roads connect major markets and other vital commercial investments in Warri, “which is the economic nerve centre of Delta State.” 

    Tidi urged Warri residents, particularly people of the area where the roads would be reconstructed, to support the projects, hoping that Warri “will witness the M.O.R.E. agenda of this administration.” Residents had bemoaned poor conditions of roads, worsened by the rains and called on the governor to intervene.

  • Soludo’s wife laments death of baby rescued from pit toilet

    Soludo’s wife laments death of baby rescued from pit toilet

    Anambra State Governor’s wife, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has stressed the need for parents, guardians and the society to rise against increasing moral decay and abandonment of basic societal norms.

    She spoke yesterday while reacting to the death of a three-day old baby boy rescued from a pit toilet in Otuocha, Anambra East, three days after his 20-year-old mother dumped him inside the pit.

    The baby, who was rescued and taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, by the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Ify Obinabo, died while receiving medical attention. 

    Mrs. Soludo described the act as inhumane, saying the news of the death came to her as a shock, having prayed for his full recovery while at hospital.

    She said: “As a mother, I feel the pains of having to deal with such news, which brings shock and discomfort.

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    “I was in prayers for full recovery of the baby boy immediately it was confirmed that he had been taken to hospital and was looking forward to visiting him, until the sudden news of his passing away.

    “This ugly incident, along with so many others of such, tells an unacceptable story of the present society, and how morality has been eroded by growing, unmitigated decadence.”

    Blaming some parents and guardians who have abandoned their primary responsibility to home and proper child upbringing, the governor’s wife regretted that moral deterioration had thrived, following failure of those entrusted with such sensitive task.

    “The society must rise up immediately and take decisive actions if the spate of current moral decline will be cut down, while individuals and institutions entrusted with the job of societal sanity have to show renewed zeal and commitment to the occupation. 

    “Once again, I call on parents to teach their children more about culture, tradition, fear of God and common values such as sanctity of life, value of patience, self-control, hard work, perseverance, among others,” she said