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Tag: Delta State

  • DPR seals 70 stations in six months in Delta

    DPR seals 70 stations in six months in Delta

    The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, (Warri Zonal Office) says it has sealed 70 petrol stations for alleged sharp practice in the past six months in parts of Delta State.

    Mr. Antai Asuquo, Operations Controller, who spoke to reporters yesterday, said that the stations were sanctioned for hoarding, under-dispensing, over pricing, abandonment and diversion of products.

    He said the stations were sealed in Warri, Ughelli, Sapele ,Ozoro ,Oleh ,Kwale, Agbor ,Ubiaruku , and Asaba.

    According to him, the 70 stations are part of the 446 petrol stations visited by the department’s surveillance team.

    Asuquo said fuel was dispensed to motorists in two of the 70 filling stations at no cost because the stations were hoarding the products.

    Read Also: DPR seals 15 filling stations in Akwa Ibom

    His words, “The exercise is a continuous one until the petroleum marketers complied with government’s approved pump price of N145 per litre. It is not our intention to seal a petrol station that has products but the products should be sold to the public at the regulated pump price”.

    Asuquo urged marketers who indulge in sharp practices to desist from it because the regulatory agency would continue to go after them until full compliance was attained.

    The controller cautioned depot owners against selling products above ex-depot price as well as selling to third parties.

    He appealed to the public to assist the DPR with useful information on any station selling above the regulated price.

  • Okowa reshuffles Cabinet, drops two Commissioners

    Okowa reshuffles Cabinet, drops two Commissioners

    Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Thursday, made a minor cabinet reshuffle relieving two commissioners of their portfolios while reassigning four others.

    The two commissioners who were dropped include Dr. Nicholas Azinge [Health], and Dan Okenyi [Culture & Tourism], while those reassigned are Mr. Asupa Forteta, formerly of the Directorate of Youths Development, now heads the Urban Renewal Directorate; while Karo Ilolo, formerly of Directorate of Urban Renewal Directorate now takes charge of the Youths Development Directorate.

    Others are Hon. Bright Edejewhro, formerly of Local Government Affairs Directorate now heads Ministry Of Science and Technology and Hon Joyce Overah, of the Ministry of The Science and Technology now moves to Local Government Affairs Directorate.

    The statement said the decision to reshuffle the cabinet is in line with the state government’s desire to re-energise the machinery of government and bring new impetus into service delivery.

    Read Also:  Okowa  swears in council chairmen, harps on punctuality

    Governor Okowa in a statement signed by the Secretary to State Government, Hon. Ovie Agas thanked the two commissioners relieved of their portfolios for their commitment and contributions to the SMART Agenda and wishes them success in their future endeavours.

    It will be recalled that the Mr. Dan Okenyi who was dropped as Commissioner of Culture & Tourism was also removed from the Ministry of Lands and Survey last year following minor cabinet reshuffle.

    According to the statement the cabinet reshuffle takes effect from February 8, 2018.

    In a swift reaction, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has forwarded a nominee, Dr. Mordi Ononye, for appointment as commissioner and member of the State Executive Council to the Delta State House of Assembly.

    The letter from the Governor conveying the name of the nominee was read at plenary, by the Speaker Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

    The governor in the letter sought for the screening and confirmation of the nominee by the house.

    It is unclear if the name of the nominee forwarded to the State’s legislature would be considered for  any of the vacant portfolios.

     

  • Four robbery suspects killed in Delta

    Four robbery suspects killed in Delta

    Four suspected armed robbers were reportedly felled in the early hours of Wednesday, during a shootout with men of the Delta state police command in Sapele.

    The Nation gathered that the felled suspects, some of the notorious gang members who had been on the wanted list of the state police command for a while now, were cornered up at a popular brothel in Sapele town, following useful tipoff.

    Although the identities of the individual suspects could not be confirmed before filing this report, a reliable police source told the Nation in Warri yesterday that they were part of  a notorious gang, led by one Ahmed and had been terrorising the Sapele area for some time now.

    According to him, the suspects had earlier in the day robbed some neighborhoods of the town and had retired to the brothel after their operations. Luck, however ran out on them when men of men of the Anti-robbery department of the Sapele Area Command were tipped off on their whereabouts.

    “The suspects had after returning to the town after months of fleeing for criminal activities went and rob at several places last night. Acting on citizens’ information, our men rushed to a hotel along Adeola Road in Sapele, where they were said to be hiding.

    “Men of the vigilante group in Sapele who are working with the police cordoned off the hotel premises.  On sighting the police, the robbers opened fire at us (the police) first and in the resulting gun battle. Three of the robbers were shot dead while one who escaped with gunshot injuries was later caught, and he confessed that three of them came from Agbarho, Ughelli North Council Area of the state. The other suspect later died”, he said.

    The spokesman of the Delta State Police Command, Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the development.

  • Ex-militants warns against removal of Mowarin from Amnesty office

    Ex-militants warns against removal of Mowarin from Amnesty office

    Ex-militants from Edo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Ondo and Delta states, have kicked against alleged plot by unknown persons to remove Head of Onshore Education Unit, office of the Amnesty Programme, Major Hassan Kesiena Mowarin (rtd).

    The ex-militants said there have been improvement in the scheme since Morawin assumed office and his appointment showed that the ruling party meant well for the people of the Niger Delta region.

    Spokesman for the ex-militants, Mr. Atangbala One, who spoke to newsmen in Benin City said some few individuals want Morawin removed because true beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme are now selected for the scheme.

    Atangbala alleged that the few cabal in the system placed fake beneficiaries in schools and subsequently force them to remit the sum of N30, 000 to N40, 000 monthly to them

    According to him, “Major Mowarin has been fighting feverishly against the commercialization of admission process for amnesty sponsorship which was supposed to be free for the genuine delegates for the program.

    “But a cabal hijacked it and sell the beneficiary codes of the poor children of the Niger Delta to their cronies.

    “The few cabals who do not mean well for the people of the region have gone as far as paying for on-line media, smear publications and also paying some uninformed persons to stage protest against him all in attempt to remove him and continue with their blood money business.”

  • Oil bearing communities threaten legal action against firm in Delta

    Oil bearing communities threaten legal action against firm in Delta

    Oil bearing communities in Oleh, Isoko South local government area of Delta state, under Oil Mining Lease, OML 30, has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the management of Heritage Energy Services to meet up promises made to the communities.

    The communities had threatened to institute a legal action against the company if it failed to address the issues ranging from non-employment, non-award of contracts to their indigenes and other demands.

    The communities under the auspices of Forum of Communities Executives of Flow Stations, mentioned some of their demands to include; failure to pay 2017 ‘Freedom to Operate’ on the Operation and Maintenance, O&M, of the flow stations; failure to release 2017 and 2018 scholarship and outstanding 2016 GMOU funds that the company inherited from NPDC.

    Read Also:  Oil  windfall ‘ll be invested in infrastructure, says Buhari

    In a statement issued by the chairman, Mr. Wilson Kokarhaye and other Presidents General of the flow station communities said the company has been short-changing them and same time paying deaf ears to the genuine needs of the oil-producing communities in oil block.

    The statement addressed to the Managing Director of Heritage Energy Services, had alleged the unwillingness of the company to give sufficient employment slots to the indigenes of the host communities even when they have qualified and experience persons.

    It also alleged that the few persons engaged by the company are not in the management cadre, but rather, the company chose to flood the place with many non-indigenes as disregard to the Nigerian Local Content Act.

     

  •  Delta to establish rape and domestic violence referral centre

     Delta to establish rape and domestic violence referral centre

    The Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Mrakpor has said victims of rape and domestic violence of speedy justice.

    He assured that the Violence against Persons Bill before the State House of Assembly would further protect the rights of women and children against abuse and violence.

    Mrakpor made this known yesterday during a courtesy visit by the International Federation of Women Lawyers in Asaba-the Delta State Capital.

    Peter Mrakpor while expressing joy on the impactful presence of FIDA in the State in championing the rights of women and children pledged the administration’s commitment to their cause.

    He said the Ministry of Justice would to grant a fiat to members of FIDA to enable them prosecute offenders.

    Mrakpor informed the female lawyer’s efforts to establish a Rape and Domestic Violence Referral Centre in the State, including a Rehabilitation Centre for victims, and charged them to intensify their public enlightenment campaign efforts in order to create adequate awareness.

     While lamenting that women and children are the most vulnerable in society, the Attorney-General promised to mobilize staff of the Ministry and other top government functionaries to be part of FIDA road walk to create awareness on rape, cultism, drug abuse and all forms of harmful practices and discrimination against women.

    Earlier, the chairperson of Delta FIDA, Mrs. Lauretta Omezi stated that the organization which is non-governmental and non-profit organization has affiliate organization in 73 countries across the globe.

    Mrs. Omezi who solicited for partnership with the Ministry towards the attainment of its selfless services, including a request for the establishment of an Office in the Ministry of Justice for the handling of all FIDA related cases, disclosed that FIDA is a dynamic organization whose membership cut across all strata of society including the bench, academia and the business world.

  • Cattle colonies: No Niger Delta land will be used for such – PANDEF

    Cattle colonies: No Niger Delta land will be used for such – PANDEF

    The South-South region of the country has frontally rejected the proposed cattle colonies being proposed by the federal government as its solution to the herdsmen menace, saying no land in the region would be available for such.

    Leaders, elders, opinion molders, traditional rulers and political leadership of the region, at a conference held on the platform of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum ( PANDEF ), in the country home of Ijaw national Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, in Kiagbodo, Burutu council area of Delta state yesterday, reached the conclusion.

    Besides the rejection of federal government’s cattle colonies plan, the conference also frowned at the continued neglect of the oil-rich region by the current administration, particularly the refusal of government to address the 16-point demand presented to it since November 2016.

    The conference, which was chaired by the Convener of the PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, expressed solidarity with the people and government of Benue state over the bloody New Year day massacre, reportedly carried out by suspected Fulani herdsmen, to which more than 70 lives were lost.

    It, however, advised the federal government to handle the festering Fulani herdsmen’s issue as a delicate one, admonishing further that the issue of livestock farming should be situated in the commercial realm where it belongs.

    “Expressed solidarity with the people of Benue State and other parts of the country where communities have suffered untold menace and brutality in the hands of Fulani herdsmen.

    Rejected the idea of setting up Cattle Colonies around the country and advised the federal government to handle this sensitive matter with tact and treat the issue of animal husbandry as commercial transaction which should be left in the hands of relevant stakeholders.

    Emphasized that no Niger Delta land will be available for such cattle colonies”, the conference said.

    On the situation of things in the region, besides the displeasure expressed on the refusal of government to attend to issues concerning the region, it also called for the sustenance of the Amnesty Programme, which it said had the capacity to keep the region peaceful.

    “Noted with concern the slow pace with which the Federal Government continues to handle matters pertaining to the Niger Delta, especially the implementation of the 16-point agenda submitted since the 1st of November 2016.

    “Condemned, in particular, the continued refusal of international and national oil companies to show presence in the Niger Delta, including moving their operational and administrative offices to the region. Noted also with, grave concern, the continued delay in the completion of the East-West road and the underfunding of its implementation.

    “Expressed worry over the fact that plans are being concluded to issue licenses to modular refineries without corresponding participation from stakeholders in the Niger Delta region.

    This notwithstanding, calls on various Niger Delta peoples and communities, especially, the youths and various aggrieved groups to continue to exercise patience and allow PANDEF and its other political leaders to continue dialogue with the federal Government.

    “Calls on Niger Delta Political leaders and leadership of intervention agencies such as NDDC, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to show greater accountability in managing resources allocated for various programmes.

    “Reaffirms its confidence that the Presidential Amnesty Programme is a veritable tool for maintaining peace in the region. Took decision to send high delegation to the FG to discuss issues pertaining to the Amnesty programme and its continuation”, the conference concluded.

  • Gas pipeline explosion sends panic round Delta community

    A midnight gas explosion yesterday sent panic round Ejere community in one of the creeks around Warri South Council Area of Delta State.

    Although there was no casualty, The Nation gathered that residents of the Itsekiri community, who were terrified by the massive blast, were already running out of their homes to make for the open bushes to seek refuge.

    A reliable security source told The Nation that the incident, which occurred at about 4:30am, was an explosion from a gas pipeline operated by the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) and was believed to have been as a result of a system malfunction.

    A community source, who spoke under conditions of anonymity, told The Nation that the explosion shook the houses in the community to their foundations, adding that most people panicked because the explosion was initially taken for a militant attack.

    “People started jumping out of their beds to find escape routes because it was so massive, we even thought it was a militant attack, until army people started coming in at about 6:00am and assured us that there was no cause for alarm”, the source said.

    Efforts to get a feedback from the NGC on the development were unsuccessful as calls and SMS sent across to the company’s spokesman in Warri, Violin Antaih, went unanswered and not replied.

    The explosion, the Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Rear Admiral Suleiman Apochi, said he was yet to get a full briefing on the development as at the time he was reached.

  • Versity Plans yearlong activities to mark decade anniversary

    Versity Plans yearlong activities to mark decade anniversary

    In commemoration of its 10 year anniversary, the Western Delta University (WDU), Oghara, Delta state, has lined out a year-long series of events to celebrate its achievements.
    Disclosing this in a press statement, made available to the Nation in Warri, the Registrar of the institution, G.O Egbiri, said the university, which produced its first set of graduates in 2010, had since graduated seven sets of final year students.
    According to him, the WDU had run its ten years of academic activities uninterrupted, adding that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had recently approved two more programme for the university.
    “Though the university acquired the Federal Government’s approval in May 2007, it actually commenced academic activities on March 31st 2008. WDU produced its first set of graduates in 2010 and since then it has graduated seven sets of final year students regularly.
    “This means WDU has never witnessed any disruption either by staff’s strike action or students’ unrest. Also to be celebrated is the total absence of cultism in the school” said the Registrar.
    Egbiri explained that “WDU offers 15 fully accredited undergraduate courses in Social and Management Sciences as well as Natural and Applied  Sciences. In addition, we have recently received National University Commission’s (NUC) approval for two programmes, namely, B.Sc. Criminology and Security Studies and B.Sc. International Relations.
    “NUC has also given WDU approval for Law degree programme  for which we are presently seeking Council of Legal Education’s approval. Remarkably, the University boasts of fully equipped and functional laboratories”.
    “WDU’s Permanent Site is a sprawling 150 hectres of once luscious and ever-green forest from which an eye-catching picturesque campus is being created through an uncommon harmony between Mother Nature and the most wondrous architectural statements in brick, steel, glass and stone, giving the ambiance of a well-manicured garden”.
    “The celebrations will be spread out through the entire year and will involve special lectures to be delivered by top class national figures and respected Local and Foreign Academics. Also lined up are varieties of Sporting, Literary and Cultural activities involving WDU’s students and staff.
    “Specifically, WDU will host a sports fiesta. The university is already a sports power house; it hosted the All Nigeria Private Universities Games (NUPGA) in 2011 and emerged second”.  In 2017 WDU won 22 medals at the 7th NUPGA games hosted by Nile University, Abuja.
    “Obviously, WDU has firmly established itself in the comity of Nigerian universities within 10 years, the Registrar said. WDU graduates are flying high in various establishments in the country and abroad, while some others are engaged in Postgraduate programmes in top-flight universities across the globe.
    “We at WDU are rolling out the drums in a well-deserved celebration and all universities, industries and the general public are invited to celebrate with us”, he added.
  • Court dismisses suit against Delta NUT members

    Court dismisses suit against Delta NUT members

    An Okpanam Chief Magistrates’ Court in Delta State has acquitted five members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Delta State Wing, accused of stealing and other offences.

    Trial Magistrate, Chinedu Osuma discharged and acquitted them for lack of proof by the plaintiff that the accused committed the offences.

    Those acquitted are: Adimujo Ugochukwu, Jemiriyiegbe Jonathan, Ejarogan Samson, Ekpah John Onyemechi and Joe Iyalekhue.

    They had been arraigned on a four-count charge of felony, stealing, malicious damage and unlawful damage.

    Osuma in his ruling said, “In view of the evidence adduced by the prosecution witnesses, I am satisfied that there is nothing placed before this court either by way of direct evidence or eye witness to the destruction or damage or anything circumstantial placed before me linking the accused persons to this charge.

    “The prosecution being unable to identify the essential elements of the offences charge. I hold that none of the ingredients of the offences as described in the charges has been proved.”

    “I over rule the objection to the application and uphold the no-case submission.
    “On the whole, the sole issue for determination is hereby resolved against the prosecution and in favour of the accused persons and I so hold.”

    “The accused persons are hereby discharged and acquitted of the four counts in the charge. The prosecution having failed to establish all the ingredients in each of the said counts in the charge. This is the ruling of this court.’’

    Earlier during the proceeding, the prosecutor, Sgt. Alex Ibendiogwu had told the court that the accused persons stole blocks, trips of sand, trips of granite, shovels, wheel barrows, wooden pegs, ropes and 12 iron buckets.

    The prosecutor said then that the goods valued at N35, 979, 300 belonged to NARZCO NIG. Ltd.

    Ibendiogwu told the court that the offences contravened   Sections 516, 390(9) and 415 of the Criminal Code Cap C21 Vol 1, Laws of Delta, Nigeria, 2006, respectively.