The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Delta State

Accident claims two teachers in Delta

At least two teachers of Adaka Grammar School, Ugboren, Sapele council area of Delta state, lost their lives to an auto-crash near Elume Junction, Sapele yesterday afternoon.

Yesterday’s accident came less than a week from an earlier incident, which claiming the lives of three secondary school principals and a vice principal, who were on their way to Kwale an official assignment.

The Nation gathered that the teachers involved in the unfortunate incident yesterday were in the company of other passengers, including the principal of the school, identified as Mr Esemuede, in the school’s bus when the accident happened.

Although details were still sketchy at the time of filing this report, the Nation gathered that the accident involved only the bus conveying the personnel of the school back to their homes. According to sources, the bus tumbled a couple of times.

It was also gathered that other passengers of the bus, including the principal had been taken to a hospital for medical attention.

“I was just informed of the accident this evening, they said they were returning home after the day’s school classes. I was told two of the teachers died while other injured occupants were taken to a hospital”, a source told the Nation

Confirming the development, the spokesman of the Delta state police command, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, said two people died, adding that the injured persons had been taken to the hospital. He added that an investigation would reveal the cause of the accident.

“I’ve not got much of the details, but yes the accident did take place. I don’t know the type of vehicle, but two people died, until we get the details, I understand that those who were injured were taken to the general hospital in Sapele.

“We have also gone for the evacuation of the vehicle. It was a lone accident, we learned that the vehicle somersaulted. It calls for an investigation to know what exactly happened,” Aniamaka said.

March 30, 2017
NDDC Projects: Warri monarch, Itsekiri protest ‘marginalisation’

Itsekiri ethnic nationality in Delta State is poised for war with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, over alleged marginalization in the allocation of 375 projects for which tenders were invited last week Wednesday.

Leaders of the ethnic group and the monarch, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, are seething over their zero share of the 61 projects sited in Delta state and lack of budgetary allocation to ongoing projects in Itsekiri areas.

The Nation reliably gathered that the Olu-in-Council, the highest decision making body of the ethnic group, will hold emergency meeting over the matter on Saturday, days after the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought met to review it.

“This is the height of injustice we have suffered in the hands of the NDDC and the government since the inception of the commission. For you to neglect an important ethnic group that produces a sizeable portion of the wealth from the oil and gas industry speaks volume.

“The Olu-in-Council, headed by Ogiame Ikenwoli, will meet on Saturday to deliberate and take a decision to make our displeasure known to the Federal Government,” a source privy to the meeting said.

The member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, expressed displeasure at the allocation to his constituency and called for a mass action against NDDC.

A post on his Facebook page, which he confirmed in a telephone chat with our reporter, stated: “I call on us (members of Warri Federal Constituency) to do more and if possible stage a huge protest against the management of NDDC.

“Indicate your readiness to march on NDDC!!!” he urged.

Mr. Amorighoye Mene, Secretary of the ILOT, confirmed to our reporter that the group was peeved by the development, stressing,“The current NDDC management is very unfair and biased against the Itsekiri nation.

“It is also pertinent to add that there is serious underfunding of ongoing projects in Itsekiri areas. Contractors handling the Koko-Ogheye road and Ugborodo projects are being underfunded and not paid for certificates issued.”

“This is very unfair to our people and the current management of NDDC is biased against the Itsekiri because it is difficult to justify how out of 375 and 61 in Delta, not a single project in Itsekiri area. No explanation is good enough.

“We by this statement draw the attention of the world to the action of the NDDC. It has never been like this. We call on the FG to urge the NDDC to review the 2016, to include Itsekiri area”

March 22, 2017
Navy arrests eight suspects, destroyed 30 illegal refineries

The Nigerian Navy operating in the Niger Delta region has arrested eight suspected illegal oil marketers while destroying at least 30 illegal refineries in Delta state.

In a series of intensified anti-crude oil theft operations, Nigerian Navy Ship NNS DELTA discovered and destroyed a total of 10 illegal refineries at a camp around Jones Creek, Warri South West LGA of Delta State.

The facilities destroyed during the raid include 200 metal tanks, 35 dug pits loaded with about 3,000 metric tons (MT) of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and 1,500MT of illegally refined AGO.

In a statement signed by the Acting Director of Information, Navy Captain Suleman Dahun in Abuja, a patrol team deployed by the Base arrested a suspect and destroyed a network of 6 illegal refineries around Ugbodede and Asugbo Creeks in Warri South LGA. The facilities destroyed in the sites during the raid include 25 metal tanks and 14 dug pits laden with about 2,590MT of product suspected to be stolen crude oil and 415MT of illegally refined AGO while one suspect was arrested.

Navy Captain Dahun said another patrol team deployed for anti-illegal bunkering/crude oil theft operations by the same naval base arrested two suspects and destroyed a network of illegal refineries around Ugbodede Creek in Warri South LGA. The facilities destroyed in the raid include a canvas storage pit laden with about 1,500MT of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. The team also discovered and disconnected a 6 inch metal pipe attached to an oil well used for siphoning crude oil.

The Navy spokesman said NNS DELTA patrol team discovered and destroyed about 20 illegal refineries dump yard stores around Ugbuwangue Community in Warri South LGA. The facilities destroyed in the raid include 1,300 drums laden with about 150MT of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO.

“In a similar operations carried out by patrol team deployed by NNS PATHFINDER around marine Base axis, a wooden boat laden with some quantity of suspected illegally refined AGO was arrested. Four suspects were also arrested in connection with the products.

“Also, a patrol team from the Base deployed at Taraba Jetty intercepted another wooden boat laden with an estimated 50,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO with four suspects. The vessel and suspects have been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further action,” Dahun said.

March 22, 2017
Okowa signs 2017 Delta budget

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Tuesday signed the 2017 Delta Appropriation bill of N294.4billion into law after it was passed by the State House of Assembly in February.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okowa had in November 2016 sent a budget proposal of N270.9billion to the State House of Assembly, but the lawmakers, however, amended the budget with an increment of N23.5billion.

At a ceremony held at the Executive Chambers, Government House, Asaba, Okowa expressed hope that the 2017 appropriation law would help position the state on the part of economic recovery.

He said his administration would continue to do its best in promoting transparency and good governance, adding that priority attention would be given to construction and reconstruction of roads in the state.

“I must commend members of the state legislature for doing a thorough job in the passage of the 2017 Delta Appropriation bill.

“We are committed to transforming the state for the betterment of our people.

“It is also our hope that finances coming from various sector would improve this year so that we will be able to meet our obligation to the people of the state.

“We will continue to do our best in bringing good governance to our people. We will give priority attention to the construction and reconstruction of roads in the state to open up our rural areas,” Okowa said.

The governor, however, expressed optimism that the state lawmakers would equally give prompt attention to other executive bills before the House.

He said the state government was poised to empower the people of the state through job creation and urged youths in the state to be patient and peaceful.

Okowa said his administration would continue to do its best to impact on the lives of the people of the state, despite the realities of the current economic recession in the country.

He further disclosed that the state government was committed to developing the rural areas of the state, especially the riverine communities to enhance the living condition of the people.

Okowa said: “As a government, we are committed to developing the riverine areas, because the more we have been able to do that, the more we make the areas economic viable for the dwellers.

“So, I want to urge the youths in the riverine areas to be patient and remain peaceful. We are working and will continue to work towards actualizing our our goal for a prosperous Delta state for all.”

Earlier, the Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Mr Monday Igbuya, had narrated the contributions of the lawmakers in the successful passage of the 2017 appropriation bill.

He said the House worked tirelessly and collaboratively in the discharge of their legislative obligations.

“When the bill was received in the House in November 2016, we took the first and second reading the same day, before sending it to the committees of the House for their considerations,” Igbuya said.

The speaker, however, pledged the support and cooperation of members of the State House of Assembly in the task of building a prosperous state for all Deltans.

March 14, 2017
3 in court for alleged kidnap of 16-year-old girl

Three people were on Tuesday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly kidnapping a 16-year-old girl.

The defendants- Ogei Blessing, Jennifer Ewenyor and Ogei Mabel all from Delta state, were arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation and kidnapping.

They all denied committing the offences.

The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko,
however, ordered the remand of Ogei Blessing and Jennifer Ewenyor, while he granted bail to Ogei Mabel in the sum of N600,000.

The judge explained that he granted the defendant bail because she is a nursing mother.
He said‎ that Ewenyor and Blessing should file their bail application and adjourned the case till May 3 for hearing.

Prosecutor Umoh Inah, had told the court that one Mrs Cynthia Ogeide and Mrs Chioma Douglas reported the matter at the Special Tactical Squad, FCT Command in January.
He said the defendants conspired and kidnapped a 16-year-old girl and further gave her out for “sex slavery.’’
He said when the defendants were arrested; they gave the police false information, which misled the police from conducting a thorough investigation.
The prosecutor added that one Miss Favour, who allegedly harboured the 16-year-old girl was now at large.
The offences contravened Sections 97, 397 and 217 of the Penal Code.

March 14, 2017
Okowa announces minor cabinet reshuffle

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state has announced a minor cabinet reshuffle involving three commissioners.

A statement issued in Asaba on Thursday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu said the changes were meant to fully realise the administration’s SMART Agenda.

The statement said Chief Dan Okenyi of the Ministry of Lands and Survey takes over from Mr Ernest Ogwezzy of the Directorate of Arts, Culture.

Ogwezzy on the other hand moves to the Ministry of Special Duties, while the erstwhile special duites commissioner Mr Chika Ossai, has been deployed to the Ministry for Lands and Survey.

“The reshufflment is with immediate effect,” the statement said.

February 23, 2017
Okowa advocates right pricing for kerosene

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has called on the relevant authorities to take necessary actions to ensure availability and right pricing of kerosene and other petroleum products in the country.

The governor made the call on Thursday at the inauguration of an ultra-modern filling station owned by North-West Petroleum and Gas Company Limited in Asaba.

He said that it was unacceptable that most Nigerians today buy kerosene above the official price, adding that the product was not readily available in spite of high pricing.

The governor said that the situation called for necessary action aimed at easing the suffering of the masses.

“Our people have been finding it very difficult to get kerosene at the appropriate prices, so, we are very much interested in its regular supply at the right price.

“It is our hope and prayer that kerosene will never be out of stock and we thank God that we are going to get it at the official price at this ultra-modern filling station.

“It has been an unlikely thing in the past few months to have kerosene at the appropriate prices.

“I believe that this will lead to greater competition and also drive other filling stations to try to keep their prices at control price as stipulated by the authorities,” Okowa said.

He commended the management the company for its interest in establishing in the state and encouraged it to also establish modular refineries.

“We would rather want a modular refinery to be established here in Delta State than in other places.

“After all, we produce the crude, the transport of the crude will be close by and we will find a place that is very close to you so that you would not need to have transportation challenges.

“We want to encourage other private investors to invest more and provide this kind of project that will help to improve the lives of our people,” he said.

Dr Olaolu Modashiru, a director in the company, said that the friendly environment for investment attracted the company to Delta.

He gave an assurance that the company has a reputation of having products at all times at the right price.

February 9, 2017
Navy to intensify ‘Operation River Sweep’ in N’Delta

The Nigerian Navy, Saturday, said it would intensify its ‘Operation River Sweep (ORS)’ in the Niger Delta region to eliminate pipeline vandals, sea robbers, kidnappers and other the criminal elements within the region’s maritime environment.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, spoke during the command’s medical outreach to Okunbiri community in Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

Garba said: ”The Operation River Sweep taking place in the region has been a success. The idea of introducing the ORS 1 and 2; one in the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) and another in the Central Naval Command, is to continue to keep pressure on the criminal elements within the maritime environment.

”Through this operation, the Nigerian Navy will be able to contain the nefarious activities of criminals in the area adequately.”

Speaking on sea piracy, the Navy and other sister security organisations had successfully minimised their criminal activities, adding that only few isolated cases had been recoded.

”Sea piracy has never been rampant. I will say we are doing our best to ensure that we keep the waterways safe for legitimate activities to take place”, he said.

Garba said that the medical outreach had become an aspect of the command’s corporate social responsibility to its host communities, adding that it was the ninth edition of the programme.

He said the command shifted the focus of the programme to riverside communities and non-motorable villages without access to good medical services.

The FOC called on the beneficiaries to on assist the navy by providing useful information to combat crimes, especially in the maritime domains.

The residents were tested and treated for malaria, typhoid fever, diabetes, high blood pressure, hepartitis, among others.

Also, many children were dewormed and given immunisation treatment against polio and other ailments.

An indigene of the community and former Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Nestor Binabo, commended the Navy for its gesture.

Binabo said that the free medical outreach was the first of its kind in the community, adding that the intervention of the command came at a time many residents found it difficult to access medical care because of poverty.

The former acting governor said: ”The naval establishment has been here in Bayelsa for sometime but the present FOC of the command is a fantatic person.

”The exercise tells me that the command has the people of Bayelsa at heart. You know, a healthy man is a wealthy man. Today, you can see the number of persons that have come out to get medical examinations and treatments. It is no mean feat. We are grateful to the Nigerian Navy for this benevolence.”Navy to intensify ‘Operation River Sweep’ in N’Delta.

January 28, 2017
BREAKING: Delta community protest militarisation, marginalisation

Communities in Burutu Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State on Wednesday protested militarization and marginalisation of their communities.

Demanding that Hydro-Drive, the company contracted to clear the oil spill should vacate their communities so that local contractors from their community can handle the project.

As at the time of filing in this report, there is an ongoing protest at the headquarters of Hydro-Drive on 17, Wharf Road, Apapa, Lagos.

Photos of protesters:

January 11, 2017
Delta has no problem with Ibori – Commissioner

Delta State Government said that it had no case with former Governor, James Ibori and as such was very happy for his release from the London prison.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, stated this in Asaba while responding to questions after briefing newsmen on some of the decisions at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year.

It would be recalled that Ibori was on Dec. 21 released from prison after completing his sentence for fraud in a London prison.

According to Ukah, the close associate of the former governor and all those who knew him and loved him expressed joy at his release.
“We are all very happy that our son, our brother, the former governor has been released. So, it is a thing of joy and the only expression as a state is that we are happy.
“I think for everybody, who has a personal relationship with him, will be very happy and I think that as a state we don’t have issues with our former governor and he is somebody that everybody loved,” he said.

He said that in the last meeting, the state government had approved the award of more roads contracts and assured that ongoing roads construction would get a boost in April next year.

He said the roads approved for constructions and repairs include the construction of Abraka Township road in Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state and Owa Alero-Ute Okpu road in Ika North East LGA.

Other are the construction of Agrarian community roads cutting across Issele-Uku, Onicha-Uku, Ugbodo, Okumnzu, Obumkpa-Idumogo Road in Aniocha LGA and the rehabilitation of Ozoro-Oleh Road in Isoko North and South LGAs.

Also, the construction of Burutu Township road in Burutu LGA, rehabilitation of Charles Street in Agbor, Ika South LGA among others.

The commissioner said that the construction of the Ughelli-Afizere road about 8.5 kilometres road would be completed by April next year.
“Also on the construction of the road in Okpanam, the contractor had gone on the break and to resume work Jan. 5, and with the mandate to connect the drains. Work will run and receive appreciable impact before April 2017,’’ he said.

December 22, 2016