The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Delta govt

  • Delta govt trains 200 youths

    Delta State Commissioner for the Directorate of Youth Development Oghenekaro Ilolo has said no fewer than 200 youths are undergoing training under the state government’s skills acquisition programme.

    Ilolo spoke at a news conference in Asaba yesterday, adding that the programme was designed to empower youths in the state.

    He said the beneficiaries were being trained in cosmetology, tailoring and plumbering, among others to enable them to be self-employed.

    He said the directorate was monitoring the activities of the trainees through its zonal officers.

    The commissioner urged the youths to embrace agriculture for wealth creation, saying that it would help to reduce youth restiveness in the state.

    He said the directorate recently partnered the Delta State Youth Council to carry out a revalidation of voluntary organisations in the state.

    He said the exercise was to ascertain the number of such bodies and ensure that their spread covered at least two-third of the local government areas of the state.

  • Delta govt spends N11b on Asaba flood control projects

    The Delta State government is spending N11 billion to solve the flood menace in Asaba, the capital

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa spoke this during his quarterly media interaction in Asaba yesterday.

    Okowa said his administration would fulfil his campaign promises, including ending the ordeal residents encountered during the rainy season.

    According to him, the government, after a study of flood challenges in the capital, identified three critical areas to tackle.

    “The first is to drain water from the Direct Labour Agency, Jesus Saves and Agric roads and evacuate it into the River Niger.

    This will be completed by the end of May.

    “The contract for the second drain project, which will evacuate water from Ralph Uwechue to the Anwai River, was awarded in February, and it will be completed in 12 months.

    “The third water drainage is to Delta State Broadcasting Station Road and Okpanam Road. This will also be completed in 12 months,” he said.

    He said the drainage projects were handled by competent contractors, and promised that they will be completed on time.

    Okowa, however, appealed to the people to be patient with government, adding that the impact of the projects will be felt in 2019.

    The governor further said that N720 million was spent in conducting the January 6, council election, including the runoff in some parts of the 25 councils.

    He also said government set aside N2 billion for the Ministry of Basic and Primary Education to renovate and furnish over 1,600 public primary schools.

    He said the government was supporting some councils to build rural markets to grow commerce.

    The governor added that the government completed the Oghara Market and approved construction of  Ozoro and Burutu markets.

    On security, he said government inaugurated peace-building committees which ensured the sustainability of peace.

    He urged feuding communities to embrace peace and advised youths, who pose challenges to investors, to desist from the act.

    Okowa said the government also approved some funds for the completion of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, for the hosting of the 2018 Africa Senior Athletics Competition (ASAC) in August.

    According to him, all ancillary facilities, including the swimming pools, parking lots, lightning, among others, will be completed before the competition.

    The governor promised that the facilities will meet international standard.

    “Work is ongoing at the stadium and we hope to complete it early enough for the hosting of the ASAC as we are expecting over 100 countries in attendance.

    Okowa hoped work at the airport will be completed before the competition.

    He said the contractor handling the runway project promised that the work will be ready before April ending.

    “We want to reassure that we are committed and focused in delivering on our promises; there is a lot to be done and we hope that our resources will improve.

    “We are urging the people to support us and for those youths who act as stumbling blocks to investors, I remind them that they are destroying their future,” Okowa said.

  • Businessman sues Delta govt over N44m contract breach

    A businessman has sued the Delta State government to court for an alleged breach of contract.

    The claimant, DL Consultants, through his lawyer Olayemi Oyebola, told the court that the government is refusing to pay the N44,023, 321.66 commission due to his client from an outstanding balance.

    Oyebola argued that his client helped the state recover debts owed by the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), but it has since confiscated the percentage due to his client.

    Joined in the suit are the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Finance, Patrick Uzoka and Company, and Bizplus Consultancy Services Limited.

    Oyebola prayed the court to declare the action of the defendant as “capricious, wicked, vexation and calculated at ruining the business relationship” being enjoyed with various government agencies in Nigeria and beyond.

    He urged the court to grant 30 per cent interest per annum on the said debt until judgment is given, and thereafter at 35 per cent, until judgment sum is liquidated.

    The plaintiff is further praying the court to grant N20 million as general damages.

    When the matter came up at the High Court in Asaba, yesterday, the defendant’s counsel T.P.I Uriah, said the state had since September 15, filed its statement of defence.

    She applied for an extension of time to be able to reply on the point of law.

    Justice Diai adjourned hearing till January 15, 2018.

     

  • U.S. varsity, Delta govt partner on agriculture

    The Michigan State University in the U. S. has expressed its determination to partner with the Delta Government in efforts to develop agriculture in the state.

    Some officials of the university’s Department of International Development expressed the commitment in Asaba when they visited Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    The leader of the delegation, Dr Oyinkan Tasie, an Assistant Professor, International Development, said that the partnership would aid efforts to reposition agriculture as the mainstay of the state’s economy.

    He said the university was collaborating with some states in Nigeria, with a view to helping them to evolve sound and viable agriculture policies via training and development of models.

    ‘‘We have come to seek partnership with the Delta State Government to see ways we can work together to develop institutions and manpower in the agricultural sector.

    “Through the provision of training for efficient manpower development and improved best practices, we are optimistic that the programme, which will also run in six other states in Nigeria, would be a huge success.

    ‘‘Our partnership objective is to help formulate a viable agricultural policy for the state, through collaborative work with the state Ministry of Agriculture and Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.

    ‘‘The partnership will involve training of students and academicians in the various fields of agriculture as well as the provision of technical logistics to improving agricultural programmes in the state,’’ he said.

    Tasie, a lecturer of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Economy, Michigan State University, listed Benue, Ebonyi and Niger as some of the states that were selected for the partnership programme with the university.

    He said the American university was committed to providing the needed technical assistance to the states so as to actualise the main objectives of the agricultural development partnership.

    According to him, the partnership will help to provide a support base for the state government’s agricultural development programmes.

    Okowa expressed the state government’s readiness to collaborate with the institution to improve agricultural production in the state.

    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Festus Agas, said the state government placed high premium on agriculture.

    He said that was why it was committed to entering partnerships that would facilitate the development of the agricultural sector so as to generate revenue for the state and employment opportunities for the citizens.

    ‘‘The state government’s policy thrust is anchored on the SMART agenda, and one of the ways of actualising this objective is through the vehicle of agriculture to provide gainful employment for our people.

    ‘‘Since the inception of the present administration in Delta, government has initiated various agricultural development programmes and investments in agriculture to empower our people,’’ he said.

    Okowa listed the state government’s investments in oil palm production, aqua-culture and rice production as well as its collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria in agriculture as some of its development initiatives.

    According to him, the government will remain committed to providing partnership support and the enabling environment for the success of initiatives that are geared toward improving the state’s economy.

    He expressed optimism that the partnership programme would be mutually beneficial to both the state government and the Michigan State University.

    He commended the university for selecting Delta as one of the states for the agricultural programme and conveyed his administration’s appreciation for the training of students in agriculture.

  • Ceasefire: No dialogue with Delta govt – Avengers

    Ceasefire: No dialogue with Delta govt – Avengers

    •Says insurgency would be protracted

    The militant group, New Delta Avengers, says it is not negotiating with the Delta State government directly or through groups purporting to represent it.

    Spokesperson for the group, Cpl Olleum Bellum, told The Nation that its High Command’s decision to call off Friday’s resumption of hostilities was borne out of respect for Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, and not because of a peace deal with the government

    The group said it is prepared for a protracted fight, if necessary, saying: “We are ready for as long as it takes; we have materials, equipment and men. We will dig in until the issues we raised are addressed.”

    Bellum said that only proper funding of a development agency, DESOPADEC, and meaningful projects in the oil producing areas would bring peace with the present administration in the state.

    “Our demands are unambiguous. What we ask is the same level of development (in the oil producing communities) as we are now seeing in the north. Did Governor Okowa come to execute a sectional agenda?

    “Now, to your question on whether the ceasefire is permanent, there is nothing in life that is permanent.  The ceasefire is not; only our issues are.”

    The militant group’s spokespersons reiterated the group’s position that the oil-bearing areas are being underdeveloped in favour of the governor’s section of the state.

    Asked on report that it was not disarming despite the ceasefire, he said, “Ultimately, our plan is to ensure that all oil royalties must go directly to producing communities.

    “This idea of the baboon working and monkeys in Asaba and everywhere chopping must stop. Do we expect this to happen overnight? No, we don’t that is why we are poised for a long and lengthy fight to achieve this.

    “We are aware that some persons are pacing left and right and claiming that they are representing the New Delta Avengers. They are doing this to extort money and patronages for themselves.

    “We were very clear in our open letter to Niger Delta leader, Chief Edwin Clark, that our respect for him made us (to) change our mind on the planned attacks.

    “Now what we expect is for those who have called for peace to follow up our offer of peace and do the right thing. We do not trust the state government to do the right thing, but we cannot disobey our fathers.”

    Chief  Clark, who chairs the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, a negotiating team between the Niger Delta and federal government, had appealed to the New Avengers to shelve plan to commence its ‘Operation Cripple Delta Oil’, which would have commenced on Friday, June 30.

     

  • Delta govt inaugurates panel on Ugborodo development

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has urged residents of Ugborodo to avoid actions that will have negative effects on local and international investments in their area.

    Okowa spoke during the inauguration of the Austin Oborogbeyi-led Ugborodo Community Development Committee at the Government House Annex in Warri.

    The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ovie Festus Agas, noted that the committee was not a brainchild of the state government but the result of consultations and compromises, which led to uniting representatives of various interests in the community.

    He said: “I wish, therefore, to appeal to our people in Ugborodo community to, at all times, explore every available means of consultation, engagement and dialogue to settle their differences whenever they occur. Crisis is inevitable in any human community. But if it is left unchecked, it becomes inimical to orderly development of the progress of society.

    “There’s no doubt that people of Ugborodo are interested in the socioeconomic well-being of the community. This, I am sure, is the common trend that runs through the mind of every well-meaning son and daughter of Ugborodo community.

    “We should, therefore, as children of Ugborodo, work together in a calm and peaceful manner so that our disagreement will not scare investors away or lead to the relocation of existing ones from our state to other states, thereby creating problems to all of us.

    “It’s important to note that this committee …is a result of a meeting held on January 15, 2015. In that meeting, we had members of the Council of Elders in attendance, when it was agreed that the expanded committee should appoint their executive, which they have done with the appointment of the under-listed members of Ugborodo community, with proven integrity.”

    Oborogbeyi urged the government to help the committee restrain those who would work against the smooth running of the body.

    He said: “This assignment is daunting. But with the calibre of men of the committee, we will not disappoint. Operating with 13 sub-committees, we will not want to put too much power at the centre.

    “Registered trustees are to be screened by security agents; we cannot do it alone. We will seek assistance from the government, particularly the Justice Ministry, to do a thorough job…”

    Members of the committee include Emma Meke (First Vice Chairman); Austin Ajurenmisan (Second Vice Chairman); Dr Ayo Ayomike (Secretary); Comrade Alex Eyengho (Assistant Secretary); Mike Okoturo (PRO) and Alexie Wawe (Assistant PRO).

    Others are: Mrs. Roseline Asin (Treasurer); Oludewa Oritsedunmi (Financial Secretary); Benson Olueh (Welfare Officer); Godwin Edah (Assistant Welfare Officer); Christian Akpieyi (Organizing Secretary); Prince Perry Atete (Provost); Mrs. Betty Igbene (Auditor); and Friday Ejeh (Assistant Financial Secretary).

    The Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, was represented by Chief Yahaya Pessu (the Ojomo of Warri), while Mrs Mercy Olowu and Chief Maleghemi were among the chiefs at the event.

  • Delta Govt. pledges commitment to rights of women, children

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Wednesday expressed the state government’s commitment to protect the rights of women and children in the state.

    Okowa made the remarks when he received the President of Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, who paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba.

    He said the Child Rights Act was domesticated in Delta in 2009 and that as a state, the Act would be diligently implemented.

    He added that “we intend to implement the Act diligently, if anybody is involved in the abuse of women and children, the person must stop, because we will take such issue up and the person will be prosecuted.

    “We must do what we can to safeguard the future of our children because it appears that many families have forgotten their roles right from the family level; it seems that values are lost.

    “As you carry on with your social advocacy, a lot needs to be done for families to play their roles of bringing up well trained children.”

    The governor, however, lamented situations where children grow up without feeling pains or not afraid of inflicting pains on others.

    He cautioned against any form of violence on children, women and less privileged in the society, adding that parents should ensure proper upbringing of their children and wards.

    He assured that government would take up any issue that concerned gender based violence and child abuse.

    He commended Okei-Odumakin for her organisation’s intervention to reduce violence against children, women and the less privileged in the society.

    Mrs Okei-Odumakin, who did a presentation on gender-based violence in the country, called on the governor to establish centres to handle such cases in the state.

    She, however, disclosed that her team was in the state to present policy guidelines on gender-based violence on young persons in Nigeria and to get the state to key into the programme.

  • Delta loses bid to retrieve Ibori‘s $15m

    Delta loses bid to retrieve Ibori‘s $15m

    …Court orders its forfeiture to FG

    The Delta State Government failed on Friday in its bid to claim the $15 million allegedly offered as bribe by former governor James Ibori to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    A Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja ordered that the money, estimated at N4.6b, be forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole, in a judgment held that the earlier denial by Ibori that he owned the money, and the failure of Delta State to prove that the fund was removed from its treasury, qualified the money as an “unclaimed property.”

    The judge further held that in view of the circumstances surrounding the case, where people were reluctant to openly claim its ownership, the money qualified to be forfeited to the Federal Government “as fund derived from unlawful act,” as stipulated under the Money Laundering and EFCC Acts 2004.

    The judge wondered why no one claimed the money between April 25 and 26, 2007 when EFCC said the money was offered its officials by Ibori and July 27, 2012 when the FG advertised in a national daily that the fund was to be forfeited.

    Justice Kolawole, who dubbed the case – “the unclaimed $15m scandal,” – queried why the Delta State government waited until a July 27 advertorial published by the FG, before it decided to claim ownership of the money.

    The EFCC had in April 2007 accused Ibori of offering its then Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu and some others officials $15 million bribe in a bid to stop his prosecution.