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Tag: Delta

  • NAPTIP rescues 52 victims of human trafficking in Edo, Delta

    The Benin Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) rescued no fewer than 52 victims of human trafficking in the third quarter of this year.

    The Zonal Commander of the agency comprising Edo and Delta, Mr Nduka Nwanwenne, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin yesterday that the rescue was made from July to  September.

    He also disclosed that within the period under review, 15 suspected human traffickers were arrested.

    He disclosed that 37 cases were reported within the same period, while the zone secured one conviction,with 34 cases still pending in courts.

    The Zonal Commander said the Edo judiciary had designated two courts to handle  cases of human trafficking.

    He explained that with this development, there would be speedy trial of such cases, thereby enabling quick dispensation of Justice.

     

  • Ijaw professionals worry over ecological disasters in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa

    The Niger Delta region has been going through ecological challenges. These environmental teething troubles are fast snowballing into disasters that threaten human existence.

    The horrid situation has been a source of concern to the Ijaw Professionals Association (IPA), a group of intellectuals championing environmental rights, justice and remediation. The group said it was piqued by the fact that despite obvious threats of extinction facing the region, relevant authorities are paying lip service to the life-threatening natural disaster.

    IPA raised the alarm over ecological disasters that threaten to wipe out many communities in the region after its general meeting recently.

    At the meeting IPA, whose activities cover Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa states, unanimously agreed to bring the ecological emergencies and humanitarian crises in the region to the notice of authorities for appropriate actions.

    Leaders of IPA that attended the meeting were President, Homeland Chapter, Iniruo Wills; Vice-President, Stella Alaere Raine and Publicity Secretary, Marie-Therese Teibowei. The trio signed the communique issued after the meeting.

    In the communique, the group identified floods, looming earthquakes, toxic soot and continuous hydrocarbon pollution as major environmental challenges that needed urgent attention in the region.

    IPA lamented that massive floods that ravaged communities in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers displaced hundreds of thousands of residents of these areas. The situation has left the people with no shelter, food, water, medication and other necessities. It said the development heightened fears of disease epidemic that is capable of spreading beyond national and international borders.

    The group commended the “selfless and courageous efforts of the Ijaw Flood Control Unit (IFCU) Ijaw Women Connect (IWC), Ijaw Youths Development Association (IYDA) and various individuals and community-based organisations that mobilised resources and coordinated community self-helps in the last two weeks in the face of gross neglect by local, state and federal governments”.

    IPA called on governments of the affected states to immediately swing into action to provide adequate social reliefs and effective short, medium and long-term measures in order to control floods and other ecological catastrophes.

    The group expressed disappointment that the authorities didn’t learn any lesson from the human casualties and social consequences that resulted from the 1999 and 2012 floods, the annual warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigerian Hydrological Surveys Agency (NIHSA).

    It said the state and the Federal Government ignored the reports and recommendations by relevant authorities and committees and the several months of warnings by the agencies this year.

    The group said: “Neither the Federal Government nor the state governments took any action to protect our vulnerable communities from floods. They only resorted to fire brigade and cosmetic approaches after many people have been displaced.

     

    “We condemn the Federal Government’s typical attitude of burying its head in the sand whenever Ijaw and Niger Delta communities are affected by ecological disasters and the discrimination against our communities reflected in the difference between how much and how fast the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) responds to emergencies in other parts of the country and how little and slowly it responds to disasters in our homeland.

    “We equally condemn the utter neglect of the environment by governments in the Niger Delta states and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    “These governments and NDDC have been receiving billions of dollars (hundreds of billions of Naira) every year since 1999 by way of the 13 per cent petroleum derivation funds, the statutory NDDC Fund and the Ecological Fund, mostly for the protection of the Niger Delta.

    “Yet, they are culpable for the near-zero budget provision for environmental exigencies.”

    On other disasters, it said: “The rain of toxic soot, black particulate matter in and around Rivers State, has continued unchecked and unabated for over two years now; leaving the entire population increasingly at the risk of cancer and other terminal or debilitating diseases.

    “We are worried about the warning issued a few days ago by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NSRDA) about impending earthquakes in five states, including Bayelsa State, especially around the petroleum-producing communities of Igbogene, Biseni and others, thus adding another troubling dimension to the mortal cocktail of environmental hazards faced by the Ijaw and the people of the Niger Delta.

    “There has been continued menace of hydrocarbon pollution of our communities, waters and forests; with grossly ineffective regulation or control for 60 years and counting.”

    But the group commended the action of the Bayelsa State government for setting up a committee to assess and respond to the damage caused by the floods. It, however, appealed to the state government to take proactive steps to prevent future occurrences.

     

    Solutions

     

    Beyond highlighting the problems, IPA proffered solutions. It called on the Federal Government to immediately deploy adequate relief materials, shelter and services to all the flood-affected and threatened communities in the region.

    The group also called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the environment in the affected areas and mobilise required personnel and materials to deal with the situation within international humanitarian best practices and law.

    It also urged the government to direct the Ecological Fund Office, NDDC, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Federal Ministry of Environment to work in collaboration with the concerned state governments to urgently commission an integrated ecological and water resources management master plan.

    IPA said such master plan must be backed by clear implementation time lines, a credible monitoring and evaluation framework, dedicated funding and sovereign/World Bank guarantees for service providers.

    The group further asked the Federal Government to adequately fund the Nigerian Geological Surveys Agency (NGSA) to commission or conduct, in consultation with concerned state governments, a thorough study to monitor and predict earthquake flash points and adequately prepare to avert or deal with any event or risk of earthquakes and tremors, to avoid the national threat and shame of being caught unawares.

    The group called on the government to promptly release all the held-up funds due to Bayelsa State and other affected states from the Ecological Fund, and avoid any politicisation or discrimination.

    It called on the governments of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers to co-operate with the IWC and IYDA to improve efforts of the Ijaw Flood Control Unit.

    Addressing the states, it said: “Demonstrate that charity begins at home by equipping, funding and deploying the respective State Emergency Management Agencies and Ministries of Environment to respond robustly to the scandalous humanitarian crises that our flood-ravaged communities experience.

    “Work with the states’ Houses of Assembly to present and pass a supplementary budget for the purpose, and declare and implement a constructive state of environmental emergency, as prescribed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Enact laws to establish and equip State Ecological Management Boards for effective protection, enhancement and economic benefits of the states,” it said.

    Also, the group called on donor agencies, including private sectors, such as the Red Cross to come to the aid of affected communities with medical support and other forms of aid and pay special attention to vulnerable persons, the aged, children, physically-challenged persons and women.

    IPA asked the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and the Minister of Environment to take action to stop the toxic soot rain on Port Harcourt and its environs caused by petroleum operators and save peoples’ lives.

    It further urged the Ijaw and Niger Delta federal lawmakers to be alive to their responsibilities by working actively to ensure that respective federal and state authorities implement all the recommendations.

     

  • BudgIT ranks Edo high on ability to meet monthly recurrent expenditure

    …Edo leads in covering all expenditure without borrowing

     

    The frugal allocation of resources by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State which has enabled the state to meet her monthly recurrent expenditure commitments has been applauded by independent researchers, BudgIT.

    The organisation’s favourable ranking validates investors’ rating of Edo State as an emerging investment haven with sound reforms in critical sectors such as land administration, company registration and the positive disposition of the government to investment, domestic and foreign. 

    In its “State of the States 2018 Report on the ability of States to Meet Monthly Recurrent Expenditure Obligations for January – June 2018,” BudgIT, a civic organisation, said: “Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Ondo are among the top ten states in our Index.”

    The organisation in its fiscal sustainability index analysis explained that “Index A looks at the ability of states to meet their recurrent expenditure obligation with state-owned revenue like value added tax, 13 per cent derivation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). States like Rivers, Lagos, Delta, Bayelsa and Edo sit top of Index A.”

    On Index B which looks at the states’ ability to cover all recurrent expenditure without resorting to borrowing,  the organisation noted: “Interestingly about 16 states could cover the recurrent expenditure obligation without borrowing funds – a marked improvement over 2017.

    Read Also: BudgIT knocks NASS

    “In the first six months of 2017, only four states could effectively meet their recurrent expenditure without borrowing, selling assets or/and donor funds. States like Kano, Bayelsa, Edo, Rivers and Delta sit on top of the index.

    BudgIT added that “Edo State appears to have shown some initiative by trying to resuscitate its rubber and palm plantations in conjunction with the private sector, a move likely to increase earnings.”

    The plan is to “leverage on high-yielding varieties and long tradition of oil palm production to acquire about 100,000 hectares of land for the development of oil palm estates.”

    BudgIT advised that “the timelines in which this project will be achieved are crucial.

    It assured that “the Gelegele Seaport, which is to be transformed into a container port, holds great promise, if Edo aggressively revitalises her rubber industry – especially as the commodity trades at about $2,000 per ton.

    The organisation projected that “If Edo puts 400,000 hectares under rubber cultivation and invests in research to take yield above four tons per hectares, its rubber-based economy could top $3bn in the near term, on the back of efficient distribution through the seaport.”

    It further explained in the State of the States Report that “Despite increasing production capacity over the last seven years, Nigeria ranked 15 on the global production chart for rubber, as at 2016, with a capacity of 156,341 tons – a mere 1.19% of global output (at 13.15million tons).

    “This leaves a lot of market room, more so with the increasing application of rubber in the production of items such as stamp, shoes, mulch and roofing. Edo can therefore achieve increase output by putting the following measures in place: mechanised farming; standard storage facilities; stellar transportation systems; processing facilities and alternate point(s) of export/exit point from the country.

    “Formal trade agreements with any importing countries would also be a great advantage. Investment in rail infrastructure could also potentially open Edo’s economy to the Southwest and North-west corridor, ensuring smooth transfer of goods and services that in turn results in a larger transfer of funds into the public purse.”

  • Airtel’s 4G Internet service for Delta

    Airtel Nigeria has re-emphasised its commitment to give the best Internet experience to the consumer.

    Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, who restated the company’s commitment on Tuesday at the launch of Airtel’s 4G service in Warri and its environs, said the innovation would make life better for Nigerians.

    Ogunsanya, who was represented at the event by the company’s Regional Operations Director, Southern Region, Mr. Oladapo Dosunmu, noted that the target of taking the 4G service to Warri is to boost commerce and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs in Delta.

    “With this launch, we will power people, businesses and aid governance through Technology. Specifically, our 4G launch in Warri will help boost commerce and also provide entrepreneurs a veritable platform to connect with more stakeholders.

    “In implementing this definitive network upgrade and expansion, we hope it will help improve productivity, spread prosperity, and help the residents and telecoms consumers in Warri to fulfill their potentials as well as realize their dreams. I am very proud of this roll-out because we have put in a lot of work to ensure that we offer Nigerians a true 4G experience.

    “Airtel is passionate about enriching lives and creating value for all its stakeholders. We believe that delivering a superior 4G experience is a major step in actualising our objective of making life simple and better for Nigerians.

    “We take very serious our commitment to deliver 4G service that works to Nigerians as we will dramatically improve mobile Internet experience for telecoms consumers across the country”, he said.

  • Group urges NASS to reorder development of Niger Delta

    The National Assembly has been tasked to restructure the policy framework governing the operations of agencies and structures established for the development of the Niger Delta region.

    This was part of the demands of the Niger Delta Amnesty Vendors Association (NDAV), contained in a communique issued in Warri Delta state on Wednesday and signed by seven members of its executive council, including its President, Comrade Tari Okosi and Secretary, Eferebo Sylvania.

    The body also appealed to President Munammadu Buhari to address the issues currently bedeviling the smooth running of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, especially the issue of due payment of, asking that the budget of the programme be reviewed upwards.

    It, however warned those stoking crisis in the Niger Delta region in the name of agitating for a better run of the amnesty programme to cease actions as such would be a distraction to the programme and plans of Coordinator of the office, Professor Charles Dokubo.

    The group, which said it had been engaging aggrieved ex-agitators in the region to forestall further breakdown of law and order, said the new Coordinator of the amnesty programme, Prof Dokubo, has done much, within the short period he has piloted the amnesty office and should be be distracted.

    Itemising its demands, the NDAV said “the task of sustainable peace and development in the region should not be compromised for personal greed and politics of sentiments. However, while we continue to engage aggrieved persons on productive discussions on possible approaches to addressing several of their pending issues from the previous administration, we therefore urge all stakeholders of the region and beneficiaries of the programme to support the good works of Mr President, through the office of his Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme.

    “We passionately appeal to the leadership of President Munammadu Buhari to address the bottlenecks surrounding the disbursement of funds to the Amnesty Office and also consider increasing the budget for the office.

    “The National Assembly should, as a matter of urgency, readdress the policy framework governing the operations of the other Niger Delta interventionist agencies such as the NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to adequately address the immediate needs of the people”, the group demanded.

  • Flooding: Delta community protest meagre relief funding, neglect

    A flood-ravaged community, Polobubo, in Warri North council of Delta State, has lamented the level of neglect its people have had to face due to lack of attention from those who should show genuine concerns.

    Polobubo, also known as Tsekelewu, an oil bearing community, has virtually been submerged by recent rising water levels and had called out to government, oil companies it plays host to and aid agencies to come help its people with evacuation and relief materials.

    Although it expressed appreciation to the Delta State for coming to its inhabitants with a N5 million aid for relief materials, it noted that the gesture would be nothing to ease the distress of over 30,000 persons.

    The community, in a statement signed by the National President of Polobubo (Tsekelewu) Group of Communities, Mr Ebilate Mac-Yoroki, also protested the state government’s refusal to lead Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), to visit it and see the level of distress the people are in.

    Read Also: Flood renders many homeless in Kogi

    The statement, which noted that though the state government had made an inadequate attempt at relieving the people of the community, through the N5 million relief materials’ fund, lamented that the legislative representatives had abandoned them to their fate.

    “We thank the Delta state government for donating N5 million to buy relief materials for the flood devastated people of Polobubo ( Tsekelewu).
    This is a community of over 30,000 people with four government primary and two secondary schools. It also has several private schools, churches etc.

    “We are a joint host communities to the Chevron Opuekeba platform ,Tsekelewu oil fields and Shell Opuama flow station, where government accrue billions of dollars regularly. For 30000 people to live on N5m is very a pathetic theory. We also protest Governor Okowa’s refusal to allow the Vice President visit Polobubo community where oil is being produced to feed the nation.

    “We therefore call on the federal and Delta state governments to urgently come to the aid of these innocent people, in a reasonable manner. Meanwhile Senator James Manager and Hon Daniel Reyeineju of the House of Representatives are not even aware of their dying voters’ plight. May God have mercy on us”, statement said.

  • ‘Why Delta is able to pay workers regularly’

    Delta State Accountant-General, Cyril Agbele has explained why Delta State pays its workforce regularly. Agbele, in an interview, said the state adopted a deliberate policy of paying salaries and pensions on a first line charge basis.

    He said: “By implication, no other payment such as contracts obligation and overhead are made until salaries are paid.  This policy is borne out of this administration’s conviction that human resource is a key factor in the successful implementation of the administration’s SMART agenda. The administration’s resolve at ensuring welfare of both serving public servants and pensioners is also reflected in its commitment towards settlement of outstanding contributory pensions past benefit arrears that were accumulated by the past administration.”

    He added that Delta State government could fare well without oil.

    “It would have been difficult but not unmanageable as our economic realities such as employment strength would have been tailored in line with our revenue profile. In the same manner, certain interventionist agencies such as Delta State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) would not have been created with its attendant development strides across the oil-producing and difficult to reach riverside communities.

    “The state’s public service had 49,632 public servants, 2,208 political office holders and 4,669 Youth Corps/Student Nurses; totalling 56,509 staff strength on its pay roll as at May 29, 2015 when this administration took over.

    “However, with cost-saving measures put in place through the Biometric screening of the pay roll, 403 people have been weeded out from the service while the staff strength has been reduced to 44,058, 2,546 political office holders and 975 Corps/Student Nurses all totalling 47,579 at the end of August, 2018.

    “Suffice to note that aside biometric screening, retirements and other natural means of exit from the service accounts for the reduction in staff strength. Similar feat has been achieved in pension administration through strict monitoring and screening by the state’s pension administrators with 11,606 pensioners in the “pay as you go” scheme at inception and 9,464 as at August 31, 2018 respectively.

    “The pension figures are, however, without prejudice to additions and exits associated with natural retirement/deaths within the period under review,” he said.

    On Delta State monthly IGR and Lagos’, he said:  “It is instructive to note that Lagos State remains the commercial nerve centre of this country and the most cosmopolitan of every other state in Nigeria.

    In the circumstances, it has the advantage of hosting commercially-viable sea ports and international airports with its concomitant commercial activities in goods and services which place it at a vantage position above other states in harnessing revenues.

    “The foregoing notwithstanding, Delta State has, within its constrained position of not having a functional sea port/international airport managed to shore up its Internally Generated Revenue to an average of between N4 – N5 billion monthly through reforms in its taxes and fees regime.

    “The state has galvanised taxes from hitherto untapped informal sector and land/allied resources regularisation policies.

    “The foregoing modest IGR achievement is in spite loss of PAYE taxes arising from relocation of major oil companies from the state due to security challenges for which this administration has put in concerted efforts to restore normalcy and peaceful environment to engender oil production activities.

    “The assertion that without the 13% Oil Derivation that Delta State would have been bankrupt like other states in the country is wrong.

    “This assertion is not correct, as the state would have tailored its expenditure along its revenue profile. Like I earlier mentioned, most recruitments into the public service would have been tailored to the state’s profile for example, likewise contractual obligations and other expenditure lines.

    “In addition to the above, it is worthy to note that the state undergoes a critical cost benefit and liquidity ratio analysis by technical experts within its public service as well as debt sustainability analysis under the purview of the Debt Management Office before embarking on any borrowing with a view to ensuring a sustainable debt position.  Consequently, the assertion of likelihood of bankruptcy without oil is fallacious.”

    On the role of Delta State government in re-settlement of erstwhile militants, Agbele said: “I am aware that the state government has adopted multifaceted strategies towards ensuring and enthroning peace in the Niger Delta not just for Delta State but also for the entire country.  It is without doubt that peace in the Niger Delta is essential for the development of the country as it engenders uninterrupted oil production and gas activities in the region.”

    On steps to be more financially solvent, he said the state has put the following measures in place: “Realistic budgeting that are not superfluous in addition to strict budgetary control using the SAP, ERP Software, strict financial discipline through procurement reforms, cash budgeting, biometric time and attendance scheme on pay roll and prioritisation of capital expenditure for maximum multiplier impact on the population. Award of contacts within expected inflows. Invoice discounting of contractual obligations to manage liquidity and ensure that contractors remain on site, strengthened internal controls in the revenue generation chain with emphasis on broadening the state’s tax net through informal sector participation and blocking of all loopholes that could encourage leakages.

    Such strategies include Direct Bank Lodgement System for all classes of revenue introduction of e-receipts to reduce service turnaround time for clients while blocking the loophole of proliferation of government receipts, among other strategies.”

  • Robbery: One set ablaze, two arrested in Delta

    A suspected armed robber was on Tuesday night set ablaze by an angry mob around at Estate Roundabout, along the Okumagba Avenue, Warri South council area of Delta state.

    The Nation gathered that two other suspected members of the armed robbery gang were reportedly arrested by policemen, while a fourth suspect reportedly escaped both death and arrest.

    According to sources, the four-man gang was reportedly busted in the process of attempting to dispose a tricycle driver, popularly called Keke NAPEP, of his vehicle.

    It was further gathered that the tricycle driver raised the alarm on his assailants, calling the attention of other tricycle drivers and passersby around, all of whom rushed up to give the fleeing suspects a chase.

    The only suspect, who was caught by the chasing mob, was immediately set ablaze before the arrival of security agents to the scene. Policemen from the ‘B’ Division of the Warri Police Area Command later arrested two other members of the robbery gang.

    Confirming the development, the Delta state Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Mustafa, said “they were caught trying to rob a Keke. One escaped, two were arrested and one was set ablaze”.

  • Okowa loses aide to suspected gunmen

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Wednesday mourned the demise of his Special Adviser on Investments, Mr Sunday Ozege, who was killed on Tuesday by suspected gunmen along the Benin bypass in Edo.

    The governor’s condolence was issued and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu in Asaba.

    Okowa commiserated with the Ozege family of Ogume in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, describing the deceased as a very hard working and easy-going man.

    The governor said that Ozege, who had served the state in various committees, was a strong pillar of support to his administration.

    Read Also:Buhari has done well in Delta State more than Jonathan – Emerhor

    “I was shocked to hear of the tragic death of Mr Sunday Ozege in the hands of suspected gunmen along the Benin bypass in Edo State.

    “He will be missed by thousands of people whom he had assisted in one way or the other.

    “His role in politics and the development of his community and state will remain an inspiration for other political actors.

    “My condolences to his family, members of the State Executive Council, close associates and the people of Ogume Community,” Okowa said.

  • Lassa Fever: Delta confirms death, says no cause for alarm

    The Delta Ministry of Health has confirmed the death of a woman who allegedly manifested symptoms of Lassa fever virus.

    Dr (Mrs.) Isioma Okoba, Chairman of the State’s Primary Health Development Agency, made the disclosure at a media briefing on Monday in Asaba.
    “The woman, who is now deceased, is from Umolu community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area; she reportedly took ill on Aug. 18, 2018 and was admitted at the Chairman of the State’s Primary Health Development Agency

    “Her condition deteriorated and she was transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, the following day.

    “When she was not getting better, we took her samples and sent to the laboratory in Irrua, Edo, for analysis but before the result could come out, she passed away,” Okoba said.

    Read Also: 2019:Delta APC tackles PDP

    The chairman of the Delta PHDA said when the result of the laboratory analysis finally came out, it was confirmed that the deceased had Lassa fever.
    “After the death of the woman, we went to Umolu community and also visited the Chairman of the State’s Primary Health Development Agency where the deceased was first admitted to do contact tracing with a view to ensuring the disease is not spread.

    “We took her family members into observation as well as the medical officers that treated the woman at the Kwale hospital; two of the nurses that had contact with the woman later developed symptoms of the fever.

    “So, we took samples from them and sent it for laboratory analysis in Irrua, where we are still expecting the results.

    “Meanwhile, the two patients are currently under medical care and they are responding to treatment, pending the outcome of the test,” Okoba said.

    The chairman, however, assured the people of the state that the ministry was working to ensure there was no outbreak of the disease and appealed to the residents not to panic.

    She said the ministry had mobilized its disease surveillance officers in the 25 local government areas to go round and report any symptoms of the disease, if found, for prompt action.

    “There is no need for panic, the state government is onto of the situation.

    “We are working round the clock to guard against spread; our surveillance officers in the communities are working too,” she said.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye said the state government recently released funds for the construction and furnishing of an Isolated Ward at the FMC, Asaba, to handle isolated cases.

    “The administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is committed to the protection of the health of the people of the state.

    “So, presently we are doing a lot of interventions in checking the spread of diseases in the state.

    “Part of the efforts is the ongoing construction and furnishing of a special ward at the premises of the FMC, Asaba, to accommodate isolated cases of deadly diseases so that they do not spread,” Ononye said.

     

    NAN