Category: Southeast report

By Elo Edremoda, Warri

The member representing Warri Federal Constituency, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, has empowered 86 constituents with tricycles, boats, fishing nets and sewing machines.

The items were handed over to the beneficiaries at the weekend at Ugbuwangue community in Warri South Local Government of Delta State, as a zonal intervention constituency project.

Warri Federal Constituency is peopled by the ljaw, the Itsekiri and the Urhobo across Warri South, North and Southwest councils.

Ereyitomi said the donation, which is part of his campaign promises, will help reduce poverty among the constituents by making them business owners.

Urging the beneficiaries to utilise the items, he said the donation would reduce crime.

“To the beneficiaries, this is an opportunity to improve on your economic lives and activities. I, therefore, advise you to put the items given into proper use, just as I appreciate your support for about two years of representing you in the 9th Assembly.

“I will remain dogged and purposeful in attracting the dividends of democracy to Warri Federal Constituency.

“This empowerment will help mitigate youths’ restiveness and other related vices in the constituency and add value to the living standard of the people financially and socially.”

“I thank God for helping me to fulfil my campaign promises to my constituents. I assure you that better things will come as I remain focused and determined in delivering quality people’s oriented representation across the three Warri councils of our constituency,” Ereyitomi said.

He listed other projects earlier influenced in the constituency as a two-day free Google training, enrolment of over 200 students for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) free of charge.

Many Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) faithful attended the event.

The chairman of the ceremony and a PDP chieftain, Dr. Joseph Otumara, noted that the empowerment was first of its kind in the constituency.

Some of the beneficiaries, Gbubemi Etete, Cynthia Emomotimi, Isaac Jaro, Ochuko Maduku and Freeborn Obodo, thanked the legislator for the empowerment and enjoined the constituents to support him to ensure more delivery of the dividends of democracy.

 

 

 

By Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Delta State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has vowed that he will not mismanage the £4.2 million Ibori linked loot returned by the United Kingdom to the Federal Government.

He said it was imperative to clear the mistrust among Deltans about the state government’s intent on the money.

Okowa, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said this on Arise Television NewsDay programme monitored in Asaba at the weekend.

According to Ifeajika, if the Federal Government would not send the money to the state directly, it should use it to fund key projects in the state.

He listed the projects to include ongoing dualisation of Ughelli-Asaba road and the drainage projects in Warri and Effurun.

He said Okowa had kept faith with the mandate given him by Deltans to manage their affairs and resources in the past six years, adding that the issue of the 4.2 million pounds would not breed distrust.

He said: “Initially the Attorney General of the Federation said the money was Federal Government’s money and that they were going to deploy it the way they wanted.

“But, we made a subtle presentation to the Federal Government that it is Delta State Government’s money and that they should do the right thing to give it to us. It is like a father recovering what belongs to a child, you will naturally give it to that child having recovered it.

“That was our contention and we went further to do a formal presentation by asking the Federal Government, if you must not give it to us as cash, we gave options of roads that they should come and do in Delta because it was funny that the Federal Government was going to use that money to do the Lagos- Ibadan Expressway and some other projects that have no bearing with Delta, and we saw it as not too good.”

“When we heard on Monday that the money had been paid to Delta, we were happy. But when we checked our books and accounts for about 24 hours and the money wasn’t there, we had to come and tell Nigerians that the money was not in our kitty, that it didn’t hit our coffers.

“The following day the Accountant-General said he never said that the money had been remitted to Delta. That is funny.

“It is for Nigerians to know what we are going through. We are still hoping that they will send the money to us, and as soon as that is done, we will acknowledge it and tell the world that we have received it. For now, the money hasn’t come,” he said.

On the distrust about the state government’s sincerity in deploying the funds, Ifeajika said that Okowa’s management of financial matters has been without blemish over the last six years.

“If for six years now that Governor  Okowa has been in the saddle and he has never been accused of mismanaging the funds of the state, he’s been very prudent and accountable in all he has been doing, I don’t see why this money will be a different thing.

“It will be like managing the resources of the state the way he’s been doing it from 2015 to date; the money being returned won’t be different.

“I expect that Deltans will still have the confidence that they’ve always had in him and his administration to deliver with whatever funds that are available.

“So, the issue of mismanagement or round-tripping the money is not there at all, because the governor himself has been managing the resources of the state all along and there has been no problem at all.

“We still have confidence in his managerial ability, transparency and accountability. And, Deltans are sure that if the money had come to the state straight, we hope it does come, it will be properly managed; there is no doubt about that”.

 

 

 

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has commenced the reconstruction of the 17.2km phase two  of the Saakpenwa-Bori-Kono Road.

The governor urged the benefitting communities not to use unsubstantiated cultural symbols to demand compensation and  frustrate the completion of the project within 14 months.

Speaking at the commissioning on Friday, Wike said his administration was determined to deliver the project on schedule.

He said: “I urge the local residents to continue to support the contractor. Don’t harass them too much. I do know that the contractor gives you contract to supply sand, security and the rest of them. If you disturb them, obviously, we will suffer at the end of the day.”

The governor explained that the construction  was in fulfillment of the promises he made while inaugurating the phase one of the road.

He said having reconstructed the road from Saakpenwa up to Bori Town, it was proper to extend the same comfort and opportunities  to the people in Kono Town.

He said: “We are very happy to be here again to fulfill the promise we made to our people. Sometimes, when we came to commission the first phase of Saakpenwa-Bori-Kono Road, we did say that we cannot stop the construction at this point (Bori) without taking it to Kono.

“I thank God almighty, we have signed the agreement with CCECC that is the initial contractor, to continue the job.”

Wike urged CCECC, not to use the rainy season as an excuse to delay delivering the project in 14 months because both the contract and the money were signed and released during the same season.

He said: “Don’t tell me this is rainy period. If you know the rain will disturb you, stop taking our money.

“As you take the money, also do the work now.  You can’t keep our money in your account making more money for you at our own expense.”

 

By Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu

A man suspected to be a manager in a telecommunications  company has been abducted in Enugu, the state capital of Enugu State.

The man, whose identity could not be ascertained, was being driven in a white Hilux van Thursday afternoon when hooded gunmen driving in a Lexus 330 Jeep, double-crossed his vehicle along Edinburgh Road by Zik Avenue just in front of Oando filling station.

Sources said the four armed men brought the man and his driver out from the vehicle, ordered the driver to run away while the man was ordered into the waiting Lexus Jeep as they drove off from Zik Avenue towards Agbani Road.

The gunmen reportedly trailed the businessman from WTC end of Edinburgh Road to Zik Avenue Junction in front of the petrol station, shot sporadically before whisking him away.

The incident reportedly caused panic as fear gripped residents within the area.

A source said, “Immediately they double-crossed the man’s car, the four of them emerged from their vehicle with their faces covered. They started shooting sporadically into the air. Two of them forced the man’s door open and ordered him to enter their vehicle.

“They first of all told the driver to run away as they were not for him.

“It was about one hour later that the driver returned back to carry the car. When we asked him, he said the man is their oga at MTN here in Enugu.”

Spokesman of the state Police command, Daniel Ndukwe, said he did not have such information.

But when our correspondent visited MTN office along Zik Avenue, one of the security men, who spoke in confidence, confirmed the incident but said any further information should be directed to their supervisor.

But, an attempt to speak with the supervisor proved abortive, as he was said to be very busy.

 

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Editor

Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi yesterday reiterated his commitment to security of life and property.

He said the state would not condone violence.

Commissioner for Information and Orientation Uchenna Orji, who spoke on his behalf in Abakaliki, said protection of lives and property is a priority.

He said the government had a social contract to guarantee the safety and security of the people at all times.

“The people of Ebonyi and other residents are law-abiding and obedient to constituted authorities.

‘We believe that when we have a peaceful environment, it guarantees development, it guarantees economic progress of the people.

“We are mindful that Southeast needs a lot of attention and interventions by the Federal Government to enable it harness its potential that will trigger economic growth and development.

“So, these concerns are being synthesised to ensure that the zone is not left out in the development programmes of the Federal Government,” Orji said.

He noted that delegates from Ebonyi to the zonal public hearing on the amendment to the 1999 constitution would articulate concerns of the state and make their presentations during the sitting.

 

 

 

 

By Chris Njoku, Owerri

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has appointed former governor Ikedi Ohakim and four others as members of the burial committee for the late Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, Uzodimma described Kanu as a detribalised Nigerian leader.

Kanu was one-time military administrator of old Imo State.

Dr. Ohakim was named as the chairman of the committee.

Other members include another ex-military administrator of Imo State Navy Capt. James Aneke, Minister of State (Mines) Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, Secretary to Imo State Government Chief Cosmas Iwu and his Abia State counterpart, Chris Ezem.

Governor Uzodimma said the committee would liaise with the family of the deceased, “the community and Lagos State Government and organise a befitting state burial for Kanu.”

Admiral Kanu died on January 13. He was a member of the defunct Supreme Military Council of Nigeria.

He was the first military administrator of old Imo State in 1976, from where he proceeded to administer Lagos State in 1977.

 

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has condemned attacks on the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Southeast states.

The five Southeast states are Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.

The Chairman of CLO in Anambra State, Mr. Vincent Ezekwueme, condemned the attacks yesterday in Enugu while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on the negative import of the development.

He said it is unfortunate and despicable that the zone is sliding into anarchy due to the callous and unconscionable actions of some disgruntled people.

Ezekwueme said violence, maiming, killings and arson could not be a solution to any problem, rather it would increase the challenges.

“Money that will be used to provide basic necessities of life will be utilised for the replacement of the damaged facilities,’’ he said.

The CLO boss advised the government to step-up its game on securing and ensuring protection of lives and property  in the zone.

“There is need for collective and collaborative efforts of the government and citizens to invigorate security architecture for effective and efficient policing.

“This will encourage investors and improve the economy, infrastructure as well as reduce unemployment,’’ he said.

He prayed for eternal repose of the souls of security personnel killed in the mayhem.

Ezekwueme also prayed God to give the bereaved families the fortitude to bear the loss.

The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), an election monitoring group, has described as worrisome, the rate at which INEC offices in the Southeast are being destroyed.

The group raised the concern yesterday in Abuja in a statement by its Executive Director, Ms Faith Nwadishi.

“CTA is alarmed at the rate INEC offices are attacked across the country, particularly in the Southeast, with devastating effects.

“This dangerous trend, if not checked, will impede the process of organising the November 6 Anambra State Governorship Election.”

 

 

By Jide Orintunsin, Abuja

Barely one month to the June 26 governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, stakeholders have proffered direct mode of primaries for choosing the party’s standard-bearer.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the governorship election for November 6.

A group of party chieftains in the state, under the aegis of APC Patriots Anambra State Chapter, in a letter dated May 20 to the party’s Chairman, Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, suggested direct mode of election for the party’s governorship primary election.

In the letter, signed by the group’s Coordinator, Ikenga Dozie Ikedife and eight other chieftains, the body said it settled for the direct mode of primaries due to the seeming uncertainty with the current caretaker status of the party’s executive from the ward, local government, state, zonal and national levels, disputations over the legality and propriety of the direct and indirect forms of primaries.

According to the Patriots, “it is our submission that the process be decentralised such that card-bearing party members in each local government are made to congregate at a designated venue within such local government to vote for aspirants of their choice.

“To further bestow a stamp of acceptability on the process, the party can adopt the Option A4 voting method, which will entail party members queuing openly to vote for an aspirant of their choice.

“For Anambra State, therefore, this will mean 21 voting points across the 21 local governments.

“Besides the orderly conduct of the primaries, which recourse to this suggestion will engender, it will also help eliminate any charge of a compromised outcome. For instance, it is easier for aspirants and their agents to monitor the process in the 21 councils, than they ordinarily will across the 326 electoral wards in the state.

“Additionally, by decentralising the voting process, our party will adhere to the COVID-19 protocols, as against having the entire party faithful across the state gather at a particular venue.”

The group, which steering committee consists of the party’s deputy governorship candidate in the 2017 governorship election in Anambra State, Dozie Ikedife, as coordinator, and parades three former House of Representatives members, Emeke Nwogbo, Chizor Obidigwe and Afam Ogene; former National Assembly aspirants in 2019, Mike Mbanefo, Ike Chidolue and Chidi Ogbaji; the party’s Zonal Youth Leader, Olisaemeka Onyeka and Chuks Chinwuba, a renowned political activist, has been at the forefront of ensuring victory for the APC in the November 6 election.

Part of its strategies included the April 27 Interactive Session, which it convoked at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The event was attended by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the aspirants, ministers and leading political figures from the Southeast.