By Bassey Anthony, Uyo

A former Minister of Lands and Housing, Nduese Essien, has called for the abolition of state/local government joint account. He said the practice has impeded development at the grassroots.

According to him, those insisting on the joint account have ulterior motives which target the withholding of local government funds. He added that the third tier of government has been stifled.

Essien spoke on a Planet FM 101.1 radio programme in Uyo. He insisted that federal allocations must be sent directly to the councils.

He said: “I call on the House of Assembly to enforce the payment of local government allocation directly to them as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari. Whoever is withholding the local government funds has ulterior motives, chief among which is to stifle development at the local level.”

Essien noted that Akwa Ibom State is yet to set up a special commission to manage the 13 per cent oil derivation fund, and urged Governor Udom Emmanuel to do so.

According to him, the oil producing communities in the state are underdeveloped because of non-implementation of the 13 per cent derivation law passed by the House of Assembly.

The former minister decried the lack of succession development plans, noting that the act has led to abandonment of signature projects of previous administrations.

According to him, the unwholesome practice is responsible for the abandonment of key signature projects such as the Tropicana in Uyo, Sheraton hotel in Ikot Ekpene, outright sale of Qua River Hotel in Eket and many other projects in the state.

By Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri

An electrician, Bright Odi (33), has died after he was allegedly kicked on the scrotum by Victor Iwu at Umueje Obinze, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

Iwu and Odi were allegedly quarrelling on how to share the bride price of their sister who got married on Sunday.

It was gathered that the victim fell and started writhing in pains after the kick. He was rushed to the hospital where he died the following day.

Angry youths yesterday besieged Iwu’s family home and set it ablaze when they didn’t meet him there.

Interim Chairman of Owerri West, Okechukwu Enyioha, said he has called security agencies to take over the matter.

Police spokesman Orlando Ikeokwu said the Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinmoyede, has ordered that the case be transferred to the State Criminal and Intelligence Department for investigation.

By Chris Oji Enugu

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said nothing will stop its election for a new executive in January 2021.

A statement debunking a viral letter from Miyetti Allah, allegedly addressed to the President-General, Chief Nnia Nwodo, regarding the choice of his successor, described the letter as an insult.

A statement by Nwodo’s media aide, Emeka Attamah, reads: “The spurious letter purportedly written by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, congratulated Nwodo for his able leadership and enjoined him to ensure Prof. George Obiozor succeeds him.

“They claimed that discussions with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma showed that Obiozor would protect their interest, and to recompense Nwodo, they have forwarded his name to the presidency for appointment. What insult! What impudence!

“The home address written on the letter does not reflect Nwodo’s address. The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not for sale and nobody can manipulate the choice of Ndigbo and the election.

“Chief Nwodo has never, and will never, attend any meeting where the people of Imo State will determine who represents them. Ohanaeze will conduct election for all who indicate interest and purchase the form.

“Chief Nwodo has a pedigree he is proud of and is desirous of protecting. He has made a name for himself through hard work, social interactions and unequalled intellectual and transparent service and leadership. It is therefore preposterous for anybody to imagine, believe or imply that Nwodo requires recommendation to be considered for an appointment in Nigeria. That alone should bring out the absurdity, incongruity and imbecility of the badly conceived and baseless letter.

“The public should discountenance the letter and see it as the pitiable handiwork of unsuccessful detractors.”

From Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri

Doctors in Imo State have said the government’s insincerity about their welfare led to their indefinite strike.

The Nigerian Medial Association (NMA), on November 24, embarked on indefinite strike to press home its demands.

NMA Chairman Dr. Chidiebere Okwara, at a news conference yesterday, accused the state of being insensitive to the plights of doctors and health workers.

He said all state-owned health facilities would be shut if the government did not meet their demands by December 9. Okwara added that if the strike prolonged, private health facilities would also join.

The doctors’ demands include ‘immediate payment of outstanding arrears from March 2020 till date to doctors at the state Teaching Hospital, Orlu, and other health facilities.

‘Regularisation of salaries in the state Specialist Hospital, Ministry of Health, Local Government Areas and payments to correct the shortfalls pending the start of the 2014 Consolidated Medical Salaries structure.

‘Circularisation of the policy statement made by the governor, more specifically, the circularisation of the start of CONMESS 2014, to take effect from January 2021’.

Okwara said: “NMA will continue to interface with the government to monitor progress made towards restoring the accreditation of three colleges of medicine, Imo State University, and some faculties in the teaching hospital. This includes closing the infrastructural and manpower gaps.

“If the measures are not satisfactorily met, the NMA may begin the proposed strike. Regrettably, none of these had been done despite the expiration of the two weeks extension.”

From Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

IYC said the IMC had outlived its usefulness and should not be allowed to remain in office.

A statement yesterday in Port Harcourt by its President, Peter Igbifa, said the Prof. Keme Pondei-led committee had been lacklustre and uninspiring since its appointment on October 30, 2019.

Igbifa said the IYC and other stakeholders in the Niger Delta were earlier against appointing an interim committee for the NDDC because they believed some powerful forces would not allow it discharge its responsibilities.

According to him, even persons who earlier supported the idea had seen a disconnect between the committee and the people.

Igbifa said: “The IYC Worldwide believes that the IMC has outlived its usefulness and does not have anything new to add to the development of the Niger Delta. Its lacklustre and uninspiring performance is glaring.

“When President Muhammadu Buhari appointed the committee on October 30, 2019, many persons were displeased with the idea, knowing it will be hamstrung by powers that be.

“Today, even the doubting Thomases will agree that there is a huge disconnect between the people, their development needs and what the IMC is doing.

“…There is no audit going on in the NDDC. Even if there is, that does not stop the president from inaugurating a substantive board.

“The essence of the commission is to develop and empower the people, but it is becoming a mirage and the people are living in hopelessness, want, squalor and misery.

“The council is no longer comfortable with the IMC and demands the inauguration of a substantive board. Failure to do that will leave the council with no other option but to occupy the NDDC. Inaugurating a substantive Board would not stop the forensic auditors or consultants from doing their job.”