Category: SouthEast

Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed into law, a bill to establish Ebonyi State Rural Roads Authority (EBRARA), for the development, rehabilitation and reconstruction of rural roads.

The law, which is deemed to have come into force on August 8, 2023, will be cited as Ebonyi State Rural Access Road Authority Law and Other Mathers Connected Therewith 2023.

The purpose of the law is to establish Ebonyi Rural Access Road Authority for the management, design, development, rehabilitation, reconstruction and maintenance of rural roads.

The bill, which was exhaustively deliberated in the committee of the whole, was read page by page and errors of syntax and morphology were corrected.

Speaking about the bill earlier, the Leader of the House, Kingsley Ikoro representing Afikpo North West, said the bill was important due to the ugly situation of rural roads across the 13 local governments.

He said the establishment of the State Rural Access Roads Authority was highly needed; pointing out that the development of any state was measured by the level of development in rural areas.

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Ikoro added that the passage of the bill into law would give the leaders of the board power to ensure proper maintenance and reconstruction of rural roads, for the betterment of its dwellers and transportation of agro produce.

The member representing Ebonyi North West, Aloysius Nwodo, advised his colleagues to support the passage of the bill, which he said would ensure speedy development of rural areas.

He lamented that many people had been victims of bad roads and called for reconstruction of Egwudinagu- Ogbala road, to reduce the suffering of his constituents.

The member representing Ezza South, Friday Ogbuewu and the lawmaker representing Onicha East, Celestine Ogba, stressed that the bill, if passed into law, would address the high rate of rural to urban migration, abate high cost of living and strengthen the economic prosperity of Ebonyi people.

The member representing Ebonyi North East, Mrs. Chinyere Nwogbaga, highlighting the importance of the bill, noted that the board, when established, would promote sustainable development and operation of the rural road sector, as well as attract investors to the state.

Ikoro moved a motion for the passage of the bill and it was seconded by the Deputy Chief Whip, Lucas Chukwu.

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has condemned the burning and destruction of vessels laden with stolen crude oil.

It described it as a worrisome and environmentally unfriendly way of curbing oil theft.

The group urged the military and other security operatives to end the practice of burning vessels laden with crude oil, saying it is against the tenet of environmental protection and environmental health.

Executive Director (ED) of ERA/FoEN, Chima Williams, a lawyer; was commenting on the conduct of the security operatives trying to stop oil theft in the Niger Delta.

He called on the government to move away from such hazardous way of curbing oil theft, saying it should rather fashion out environmentally friendly and effective action plans to engage in the fight. 

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He insisted on the need to protect the livelihood of the people in their pursuit of justice and also create an economic value from seized crude oil and the conveying vessels.

Williams said: “The burning of crude oil laden vessels disposes a high level of chemical content into the water bodies that destroys the eco lives and aquatic organisms that humans need to survive.  

“Destroying such vessels with their crude contents produces high level chemical debris that follows tidal movement to other parts of the country. This kind of devastation destroys the aquatic organisms needed to satisfy man’s nutritional and survival needs.”

He advised the government to move away from such hazardous means of curbing oil theft and map out effective action plans that would protect the environment, protect the livelihood of the people in their pursuit of justice and also create an economic value from seized crude oil and the conveying vessels.

Rumuekpe communities in Emohua Local Government of Rivers State have supported the efforts of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd (PINL), to stamp out oil thieves in their domains.

The seven communities, which host Trans Niger Pipelines, Shell and LNG facilities, said PINL had demonstrated commitment through partnership with them to address economic challenges posed by oil thieves.

The Chairman of the communities’ Council of Chiefs and the Youth President, Chief Onyeagwala Okwudu and Gaius S. Ajuru, said they were happy with the pipeline contractor covering the area.

They said: “We are happy with PINL and commend the excellent performance of PINL in carrying the host communities along by awarding surveillance contracts to indigenous companies, which was achieved through demonstrated commitments, compassion, transparency and integrity in partnering the host communities in the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

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“We condemn illegal oil bunkering in our communities due to its negative impact and resolve to fully commit to the fight against the menace in collaboration with PINL.”

The leaders urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) leadership to identify persons they described as desperate oil thieves, who were back through campaigns of calumny.

They said such persons had resorted to name-calling and violence and appealed to PINL to intensify efforts in eradicating pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

The host communities thanked PINL for engaging youths, monarchs and other stakeholders from Rumuekpe in the pipeline surveillance job.

A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, has placed over 300 elderly people, including Elder Chris Eluemuno, ex-chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Anambra State; on N5,000 monthly stipend.

The cleric, founder and Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, popularly called Ebube Muonso, said the stipend, which takes immediate effect, will be given to those from 75 years and above.

He said it was targeted at improving the welfare of the elderly in his community, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, in Oyi Local Government of Anambra State.

He said: “In John 10:10, Christ said He came so that people may have life and have it in abundance. I am taking part in the Christ Ministry because Jesus Christ preached the good news and gave food to the poor people.

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“It is always good to take care of elderly ones. I have soft spot for them as well as special package for their hospital bills, though secretly. I thank my parents for sending me to school. Education is indeed an enabler.

“I will open an account for them and will continue to pay the stipend until I die. I will write it as a will. I will also open an investment that will be yielding money for the apostolate to the elderly and generation yet unborn.”

Obimma advised youths in the community to be hardworking by engaging in legitimate activities, instead of living a reckless life.

President General of the community, Chief Willie Okafor and Chairlady of Iyom Society, Mrs. Iyom Irene, expressed satisfaction about the cleric’s benevolence, praying God to keep him for them.

“God gave the cleric to the community to assist in human capital and infrastructural development. We urge youths to emulate him,” Okafor said.

Elder Eluemuno thanked the benefactor for the gesture, saying: “Ebube Muonso is about forty something years old and remembers those that are 75 years old and above.

“It was former Governor Peter Obi that first introduced this package for elders in the state, but the scheme fizzled out when he left.

“It is a remarkable venture, which shows that our Nkwelle-Ezunaka community has produced a son. I am one of the beneficiaries because I’m 75 years old.”

The Manager of Elders Salary Scheme, Ubaka Onwuanyi, hailed the priest for coming to the rescue of the elderly and prayed God to continue to guide and protect him.

The Head-Teacher of Union School, Amawbia in Awka South Local Government of Anambra State, Mrs. Celine Ozomma, has praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo for employing 5,000 teachers, which led to the posting of nine teachers to her school.

She also hailed the governor for the roads being rehabilitated in Awka and Amawbia.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Ozomma, however, lamented deteriorating access road to the school, caused by erosion, which she said had made it difficult for teachers to live within the school vicinity.

She appealed for rehabilitation of the roads, saying it would open up the areas, provide access to residents and those building houses in the areas.

“We call on the governor to assist us in tarring the road from Umuokpu junction to Awka, at Kabe Secondary School to Nise, en route to Agulu, to Ekwulobia.

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“Rehabilitation of the road will not only open up the areas and provide access to the people, but will also address the difficulty staff and students encounter while plying the dilapidated road,” she said.

Describing Soludo as a solution governor and an educationist, Ozomma demanded additional teachers to teach other relevant subjects.

The Proprietor of Casrondo Hospital, Dr. Casmir Onyia, commended Soludo for remembering Awka and Amawbia in road rehabilitation.

He, however, asked for the rehabilitation of Kabe road to Nise, which he said would reduce traffic snarls at Amawbia-cum-Government House junction, especially during festive periods.

“God has used Governor Soludo to recognise the need to rehabilitate roads in Awka and Amawbia within the capital territory.

“The rehabilitation of the road will ease the suffocating traffic congestion at the ever busy Amawbia-cum-Government House junction, down to Agulu,” he said.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has promised to assist the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia to complete its accident and emergency ward.

He made this known when he met the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr. Azubuike Onyebuchi, while on a brief stopover at the facility.

The A & E Ward is smaller and said to be ill-equipped to handle the large number of patients that are daily admitted to the facility, hence the construction of a new wing where work is ongoing.

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FMC Umuahia is about the only functional public medical facility in Abia State to manage cases of emergency and other secondary and tertiary health cases, which has added pressure on the workers and the existing accident and emergency ward.

Otti took the opportunity of his visit to empathise with patients receiving treatments.

He promised that he would foot the bills for some of the patients who were lying critically ill at the time of his visit.

Onyebuchi thanked the governor for his visit, describing the offer of support to the establishment and footing of medical bills as unprecedented.

Bayelsa State-based journalists and civil society organisations (CSOs) yesterday concluded a two-day brainstorming session aimed at overcoming challenges to effective coverage of the November11 governorship election.

The event, powered by European Union (EU), was facilitated by the International Press Centre (IPC) and Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO).

The media engagement involved no fewer than 70 journalists drawn from the broadcast, print and online platforms.

The forum featured interactive discussions with election stakeholders, lectures and sessions with resource persons, including representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Bayelsa State Police Command.

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The Executive Director, IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said the media was critical to providing credible information for citizens on the forthcoming governorship election.

He said: “Citizens make their choices on the basis of reliable information and it is the responsibility of journalists to fill this gap.

“We need to organise this programme for journalists to look at aspects of our responsibility in the electoral process.

“We are interested in the issues of people who are generally under-represented in the society, who don’t have voices – the women and the young people. This is why we talk about inclusivity.

“We feel that if journalists will understand these things, then they will be in a position to go out there and do stories that will be in the public interest.”

“We are interested in knowing what the politicians want to do, but we are more interested in journalists bringing to the attention of the politicians what the people really want them to do for them if they get elected. So that is the essence of this workshop.”

Arogundade said between now and November 11, journalists in Bayelsa are expected to give more voices to the voiceless, especially the women, and bring issues of interest of diverse segments in Bayelsa to the attention of the politicians.

He added: “We want to see accurate information, we don’t want disinformation or misinformation to take over the atmosphere such that people will not know what to believe and it is we journalists that will provide accurate and reliable information.

“Another thing is that we want the media or the journalists to give more public enlightenment on the electoral processes and this is what we call voter education. What are the INEC preparations? What are the preparations of security agents like the police for the election? among others.”

The Chairman of Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Samuel Numonengi, hailed the organisers and noted that journalists in the state had always braved all odds and risks to their lives in the discharge of their duties.

He noted that scores of journalists in state survived boat mishaps and had their devices, including mobile phones damaged by water.

Numonengi stated: “What the police said about the safety tips and how journalists should dress while going out to cover election is apt and some of the things they have to do.

“Also, on the side of the INEC, journalists need updates from time to time to enable them adequately inform the public about their activities in the conduct of the polls. We expect more training like this for journalists before the Bayelsa governorship election.”

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said the state would not condone activities of illegal uniformed groups before and during the November 11, 2023 governorship election.

He warned such groups to stay away from the state or be ready to face the wrath of the law.

Diri, the standard-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gave the warning against the backdrop of claims that some politicians were planning to arm youths dressed in acquired uniforms to perpetrate violence during the poll.

He spoke yesterday at the service of songs in honour of the late All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Nestor Binabo, who was the speaker of the House of Assembly and acting governor.

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The event was held at Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet hall, Yenagoa.

Diri called on such individuals to retrace their steps, as the state was no longer a theatre of war during elections.

He asserted that with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), violence, thuggery and ballot box snatching had become irrelevant during elections.

The governor extolled the qualities of the departed politician, noting that Binabo was never known to patronise thugs for election purposes.

He urged politicians to emulate him.

Said he: “To those civilians plotting to dress in military toga during the November election, it is time they realised that Bayelsa is no longer the spot for such games played over the years. That culture of political violence has to stop.

“We are happy that now we have the BVAS. So, those used to violence to attain offices, even from the point of view of INEC, have to stop.

With BVAS, you can no longer write election results or intimidate and terrorise the same people you want to lead. If you plan to do that, please I advise you join the military.”

Diri said only a few leaders in the state had demonstrated their belief in peaceful transition of power and in development for the people and the state, which the late Binabo exemplified.

He advised politicians to make good governance and genuine service to the people their watchword.

This, he noted, was the only panacea to preventing the distasteful situation currently in the Niger Republic.

A former Speaker and Acting Governor of the state, Chief Werinepre Seibarugu, said he had a harmonious working relationship with Binabo, who was his Deputy Speaker in the House of Assembly.

In a sermon titled: ‘What Will You Be Remembered For?’ the state Overseer of the Assemblies of God’s Church, Pastor Living Joshua, said those who impacted lives positively “will be celebrated when death comes, while those who never did, will be easily forgotten.”

He enjoined the congregation to love God with passion like David and to prepare themselves for eternity, as time was running out.