Category: Southeast report

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has urged the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NNRA) to move beyond oil and gas and explore other areas such as space that will contribute to the development of the country.

He spoke yesterday when the NNRA Director General, Dr. Yau Idris, accompanied by members of the Bayelsa State House of Representatives Caucus visited him at the Government House in Yenagoa.

The NNRA members were in the state to inform the governor of the agency’s plan to site its Southsouth zonal headquarters in Bayelsa.

Diri said locating the agency’s office in the state was a welcome development that would benefit the people.

He thanked the Minister of State, Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, for approving the zonal headquarters for the state.

While appreciating members of the National Assembly from Bayelsa for setting their political differences aside to work for development of the state, he said what should be paramount in their stewardship should be bequeathing a better society to the next generation.

The governor said: “Your agency is welcomed to our state. Bayelsa is peaceful and looking for investors and partnership with all well-meaning corporate and private bodies.

“We request more agencies, ministries, departments and parastatals  to have their offices here.

“I appreciate the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources and the Bayelsa State House of Representatives Caucus, especially the Deputy Chairman, Petroleum Upstream Committee, Preye Oseke, who has been in touch with the government and made this possible.

“As we are in the saddle of governance, the only choice we have is to work in unity and leave development for our children. Let us not leave a Bayelsa of hatred, war and illiteracy, sickness and disease to our children. Let’s make Bayelsa and Nigeria a state and country our children will be proud of.”

NNRA Director General Idris noted that the agency is a regulatory body in charge of issues relating to radiation.

According to him, the NNRA, an agency under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, has 80 per cent of its activities related to oil and gas.

He said the agency is also responsible for regulating radiation activities in the health, mining, agriculture and manufacturing sectors, among others.

Idris stated that the increase in the agency’s activities and the need to expand informed the decision to approach the Minister of State Petroleum, who approved the siting of the office in Yenagoa.

 

 

The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has said it is working with the leaders of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to reclassify repentant militants in Rivers State.

MOSIEND’s National President, Kennedy Tonjo West, who spoke in Port Harcourt yesterday, said only names of those captured in the reclassification exercise would be handed over to the leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for training.

He said: “As I speak with you, there are hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries in Rivers State that have not been sent on training.

“MOSIEND right now is partnering aggrieved militant leaders and MEND leaders in Rivers State to conduct a three-day reclassification exercise. We did it in 2013 and we are about to do it again so that all those who are in the programme that have not been trained over the years can be captured.

“We will present the document just as we did in 2013 to the Presidential Amnesty Programme coordinator for onward training and reintegration.

“We are partnering MEND leaders in Rivers State, especially from Bakana Camp and from Elem- Ifoko camp to conduct reclassification programme for their members.”

The MOSIEND leader congratulated the PAP Interim Administrator, Col. Milland Dikio (rtd), on his reappointment and called on the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, to give Dikio freedom to administer the scheme.

West said: “While we want to congratulate Colonel Dikio for getting second tenure, we also want to commend the Federal Government for appointing him for a second term.”

“Dikio should know that much is expected of him. He should not be vindictive of those leaders who felt that he did not perform in one year and did not want his return. The moment you are a leader, you cannot satisfy everybody at the same time.”

 

Edo State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have disagreed on the performance of Governor Godwin Obaseki of the PDP and good governance in the state.

Edo PDP, through its Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, yesterday in Benin, described APC as a rag-tag party.

The newly-elected Chairman of APC in Edo State, Col. David Imuse (rtd.), was quoted by the party’s Assistant Publicity Secretary, Victor Osehobo, as insisting that Obaseki’s PDP administration was the worst political scam that had ever happened in the political history of Edo.

Nehikhare said: “Edo people are disappointed. Edo people were hoping for a quality team to keep the ruling party (PDP) and government on their toes, to attempt to stand in gap for them, but what Edo people have been saddled with is a team that lacks vision and inspiration, but motivated by greed, bitterness, resentment and cynicism. The APC executive is a selection of cronies of the defeated godfather.

“It is a pity that APC members in Edo State have still not exorcised the demons in their midst. Governor Obaseki’s insistence on using the state’s resources to develop and build infrastructure for Edo people and not stomach infrastructure for APC leaders and cabal was the reason he left APC for PDP on June 19, 2020.

“Our party, the PDP, and its government, are the most organised, people-centred and credible administration in Edo State. Our policies and programmes for the society are with a view to promoting the collective good and not the personal aggrandisement policy that is the cardinal programme of APC.”

“APC has a deplorable effect on our society – corroding justice, good governance and prosperity. APC is like a desperate conman. APC is trying to flog a clapped-out and broken-down model, by slapping on a new coat of paint. They are arrogant enough to think that Edo people will forget what they are.”

The Edo publicity secretary of PDP also stated that Obaseki and PDP would continue to deliver on good governance, while claiming that resetting Edo agenda was causing serious discomfort for APC.

Osehobo said: “As you know, we do not have a governor in Edo State, we have a sole administrator. Obaseki’s PDP administration is the greatest scam that has ever happened in Edo political history. Obaseki surrounds himself with political sycophants, predators, opportunists and vagabonds.

“APC is now fully prepared to play the role of credible opposition with constructive criticisms based on facts and intelligence. With the political road to year 2023 and 2024 now under construction, a united APC in the state will not only deliver Edo to the party, but also retake the seat of government in Benin City.

“Leadership of our party (APC) will be governed with new ideas that will cater for now and future. It has faced a lot of obstacles over time, just as it has climbed many mountains and descended several valleys, prepared to meet the challenges of future.”

The Edo APC assistant publicity secretary also urged members of the party in the state to ignore the propaganda of Obaseki’s administration and remained focused on bringing about the desired change in 2024.

 

 

The senator representing Anambra North in the National Assembly, Ifeanyi Uba, has applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja for an order to allow him visit leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who is being detained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Uba, the candidate of the Young Democratic Party (YDP) in the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State, prayed the court to grant him leave to visit Kanu in custody as part of his oversight legislative function.

This happened as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, urged the Federal Government to release Kanu to end the insecurity in the Southeast.

In the motion on notice, Uba also sought an order directing the DSS to give him access to its detention facility for purposes of visiting Kanu.

In a supporting affidavit, Uba said: “There had been serious agitation aimed at pressing home his release and this had degenerated into proclamation of sit-at-home orders in the Southeast, a situation which is crippling the economy of the Southeast.

“I know that the sit-at-home orders are a medium of expression of solidarity to the detained defendant and same has been hijacked by unknown criminal elements who are now terrorising the Southeast and engaging in wanton killings, assassinations and burning of valuable properties.

“I state that the sit-at-home orders have gravely affected the economy of the Southeast and had often led to the killing of flouters, arson and assassination of notable persons by a terror group called unknown gunmen.

“There is an allegation that all the above criminalities are being championed by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra under the leadership of the detained defendant; an allegation which has been denied severally; yet, the situation continues to worsen…:

Uba’s lawyer Maxwell Opara said the application was necessitated by the DSS’ insistence that his client needed an order of the court to visit the detainee.

“Thetained on the order of the court, and that we should get the court’s permission to visit him,” Opara said.

Ozigbo noted that a different approach should be adopted in addressing the agitations for self-determination in the country.

The PDP candidate, alongside 17 other candidates, are slugging it out for the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State, following the approval of their parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ozigbo spoke on Sunday night in Awka, the state capital, during a governorship debate organised by a local radio station.

But two other front runners with Ozigbo for the governorship seat, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Senator Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not attend the debate.

On the detained IPOB leader, Ozigbo said Kanu should be released by the APC administration, adding that non-violent and diplomatic means of addressing the calls for secession should be adopted.

“Indeed, Nnamdi Kanu should actually be released while we go back to the root cause for the agitation.

“I always focus on the root causes of problem-solving. We can’t be addressing a problem from the symptoms. An efficient way to address any crisis is to deal with the root.

“Why the agitations? If you think deeply, you’ll understand that it is because Nigeria is not working. Our leaders have failed us. The sense of hopelessness brought about by poor governance pervades the land.”

“There’s a lot we need to do to get Nigeria working again,” he said.

 

 

 

All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Anambra State, Senator Andy Uba, yesterday unfolded his development plans for the state.

He promised to establish industrial parks to drive industrialisation across the state, if elected in the November 6 poll.

The APC candidate described himself as the best man for the job, drawing attention to his antecedents as a problem solver and developer of human resources.

He said it was ironical that many people he had assisted one way in the other, including All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Prof. Charles Soludo, are in the race with him.

Emphasising that he has an edge over other contender, Uba, who addressed reporters in Lagos, said he understood the gravity of the challenges on the ground, the solutions they require and people’s expectations.

He said: “I know my people. I know what they want. I know what they are going through.”

Uba reiterated that he had made sacrifices in the past for some people to attain enviable heights, like the erstwhile CBN governor, a minister and other highly placed individuals.

Unfolding his plan for industrial parks to drive industrialisation, he said: “Industrial parks encourage rapid industrialisation through Foreign Direct Investment, expertise as well as the production of quality goods and services.

“That way, more and better jobs are created; more people are gainfully employed and are able to spend a part of their earnings in the market place, which boosts the economy, creates a bigger tax base for the government, and reduces crime rate in the state.

“The World Bank-funded Ethiopian Competitiveness and Job Creation Project (CIC) is a good case in point, illustrating the demonstrable benefit of industrial parks, especially from small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).

“My government will work with the Federal Government to construct the Onitsha-Awka-Nnewi gas pipeline, which will become a boost to manufacturing in the state, especially the industrial parks we intend to set up.”

Uba decried the worsening insecurity in Anambra State, which he said had threatened the electioneering.

According to him, a proactive state government ought to have found solution to the problem.

The APC stalwart recalled that he rose swiftly in 2007 to solve the same problem by visiting Ralph Uwazuruike of MASSOB in detention, five times, to dialogue with him and his men.

Uba regretted that Governor Willy Obiano lacked the wisdom and skills of engagement and capacity to reduce youth restiveness through job creation.

The APC candidate stressed that in the absence of credible government, people have resorted to non-state actors who are responsible for the sit-at-home order in the Southeast.

He said one of the ways to boost employment is to partner the private sector through the provision of an enabling environment.

Urging Anambra not to despair, Uba said infrastructural development would be one of his priorities.

He added: “Roads are bad in Anambra, and there is no water system. There is no Government House.”

Uba promised that if elected, he would conduct local government elections and pave the way for council autonomy.

The APC candidate stressed that while N220 million was due to the each of the 21 local government areas, the state government was only willing to release a meagre N5 million as monthly allocation.

Uba said he has the backing of the church, adding that he and his deputy, Emeka Okafor, belong to Anglican and Catholic.

Acknowledging the push for zoning, he said many of the governorship flag bearers are from the South Senatorial District.

Uba rejected the notion that the Uba brothers -himself, Ogochukwu and Chris – were working at cross-purpose.

The APC stalwart explained that they were on the same page about his ambition to rule the state.

On his structure, he said: “I have a formidable structure while in he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The structure is still working with him.”

He expressed delight that Anambra APC had been enlarging its coast, following the defection of the deputy governor, National Assembly members and other chieftains into the fold.

Uba said the top politicians defected to APC because of their belief in his ability.

He said although he was not desperate to become governor, the time was ripe for him to fulfil his destiny.

 

 

 

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated a female politician, Dame Anengi Barasua, as the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area of the state.

Barasua, who was the Vice-Chairman of the council,  was sworn in at the Government House, Port Harcourt following the death of the former council Chairman, Mr. David Irimagha in September.

Wike said he was shocked when he learnt about the sudden death of Irimagha, who he described as one of his staunchest supporters in Bonny and the State.

He urged the new chairman to continue with the laudable projects initiated by her predecessor aimed at improving the wellbeing of the people of  Bonny.

He said: “Go ahead, continue with the projects he started and even initiate new ones. It is an opportunity for you to showcase your leadership. There is nothing stopping a woman from ascending to the highest position. You never can tell what other opportunities will come if you perform better.”

Wike advised the council chairman to work in unison with critical stakeholders in Bonny led by  the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr. Rodaford Long-John.

“I have never heard of political crisis in Bonny in terms of leadership, I don’t want to also hear of  it. Keep the place together. Work with the leadership.”

“I don’t want you to go there and divide Bonny or create new structure for yourself. It will not work. The leadership must be there. Keep Bonny united. Make sure that you work for the development of Bonny.”

The governor charged the council chairman to work assiduously for the growth and  development of  Bonny Local government area.

He disclosed that the state  government would play active part in the burial ceremony of late Irimagha.

Dame Barasua promised to adhere to the vision of her predecessor and to offer the council good governance.

“I will look up to God for wisdom and strength to carry Bonny forward . I will uphold the vision of my late boss and add mine. And by the grace of God, I am going to give Bonny people good governance”, she said.