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Tag: Delta

  • Low turn-out in Delta

    LOW turn-out yesterday marred the celebration in Delta State as many workers stayed away from the venue of the event at St Patrick School ground in Asaba, the state capital.

    But Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in an address at the occasion, hailed workers as valuable assets in the implementation of any policy, programme and project.

    He reeled out his administration’s achievements.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in collaboration with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) organised the event, which featured March past by unions.

    The governor said: “This administration is constantly aware of the sacrifices of workers and their contributions to the development of our dear state and country; our workers remain unarguably very important assets in any policy, programme and project implementation and that is why the present administration has sought and will continue to seek the hands of labour so that together, we can attain the enviable heights of progress in our beloved state.

    “I sincerely request your (organised labour) cooperation and understanding as partners in progress; we are always conscious of ensuring harmony to bring out the best in the workforce and I assure you that working together, this administration will continue to protect workers’ rights and shall promote incentives for greater productivity leading to greater prosperity.”

     

  • Delta APC Stakeholders meet to forge unity

    Vow level playing ground for all Aspirants

     

    Ahead of the All Progressive Congress, APC wards and local government congresses scheduled to commence on Saturday the 5th of May 2018, leaders and stakeholders of Delta APC met to forge unity; promising level playing ground for all party aspirants.

    Speaking at Delta State APC stakeholders meeting which held at the country home of Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, the leader of Delta APC; Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, Chief Hyacinth Enuha maintained that there is no division in Delta APC but a healthy competition amongst brothers.

    They added that those spreading rumours of division in Delta APC in Abuja are not on ground and does not mean well for the party in Delta state, stressing that APC is stronger now and ready to displace PDP in 2019 and take over government house.

    According to them’ “what the outsider considers as crisis in Delta APC is a healthy competition, we have the Ogboru-Omo-Agege and Emerhor-Enuha tendency in the Delta APC, but after the party primaries we all will work together to defeat PDP at the governorship election.

    This platform is what will produce the APC governor from Delta north in 2019 and will also produce APC governor form Delta central in 2023,in four years from now PDP would be dead in Delta.

    The meeting which has Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, Chief Hyacinth Enuha, Chief Adolor Okotie-Eboh, Air vice Marshall Frank Ajobena (Rtd), Barr. Fred Okpohworo Olokor, NDDC EDP; Engr. Dr. Samuel Adjogbe, and seven APC governorship aspirants in attendance promises to work together and ensure level plying ground for all party aspirants in order to defeat PDP come 2019 election

    The party governorship aspirants who attended the meeting were Prof. Pat Utomi, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Chief Osiobe Okotie, Dr Iyke Odikpo, Dr. Leroy Edozien and Dr. O’Diakpor Obire and they all pledged to work with the two leaders to ensure rancor free party congresses in the state.

    The leaders also charged all stakeholders to return home to their wards and LGAs to work out agree consensus executives that will be supported by all at the congresses where necessary.

    Both aspirants and stakeholders also agreed to work together in unity in order to put in place a structure that can win elections in 2019, stressing that some members of the existing Excos will form the bedrock of the new executives with a focus on enhancing its strengths through the injection of new blood.

    In their different remarks at the meeting, Prof. Pat Utomi, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, promised to do one term in office if elected as governor of the state come 2019, noting that they believe in equity and justice.

  • APC can’t take over Delta in 2019, says Amori

    Political Adviser to National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ighoyota Amori, has described the All Progressives Congress (APC) target to take over power in Delta in 2019 as “an unrealisable dream”.

    Amori, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the APC has no structure in Delta to win any election. He, however, said APC was entitled to such ambition, “but it will remain a dream”.

    According to him, there was no reason why the people would vote out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC, saying the PDP had continually delivered democracy dividends to them.

    He said: “This is a tactical time where people can say all sort of things and have a lot of false expectations. So, APC is entitled to its own dream, but how to actualise that dream is another matter.

    “I know that APC’s dream targeted at Delta is just impossible. PDP is well rooted in the state and it has been so since 1999.

    “The good work started by former Governor James Ibori is being continued by Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

    “So, I see no reason why voters will abandon PDP, which is so close them, to a party yet to find its feet in the state, and even at the federal level.

    “The structure of APC in Delta is so weak and we are not even thinking about them as people who have the capacity to wrest power from PDP in the state. So, it is a non-issue; it is a dream. You know you don’t have control over your dream, you just sleep and dream.

    “Taking over Delta is impossible. APC can never take over Delta from PDP.”

    Amori described Okowa as a prudent manager, who is working well with limited resources available to develop the state.

    “The governor is doing well and Deltans know that. We do not expect him to perform magic beyond the resources available to him, but one good thing about him is that he is a very prudent governor.

    “He has been able to manage the resources available to the state for the benefit of the people. There is nothing today in the state that is not working,” he added.

     

     

  • Delta approves sale of residential quarters to workers

    The Delta Government has approved the sale of Junior and Middle Management Staff Quarters, Asaba, to the civil servants currently occupying them owner occupier basis.

    The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, disclosed this in a statement he signed and made available to the newsmen in Asaba on Thursday.

    Ukah said under the new arrangement, occupiers of one-bedroom apartments in the quarters would pay N800, 000 each while those living in two-bedroom apartments would pay N1.6 million each to own them.

    He said that modalities for the payments would be worked out through the Delta Trust Mortgage Bank.

    The commissioner said that approval had been given for the release of funds for the payment of bursaries to students of the state origin in tertiary institutions across the country.

    Read Also: Communities shut OML 30 in Delta over neglect

    Uka who however did not state the amount involved said the fund to be released would be for 2016/2017 Students’ Special Assistance Scheme.

    He also said that government approved the award of contract for the completion of the second phase of the outstanding work at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

    The commissioner said the award of the contract was to ensure successful hosting of the African International Athletics Championship in the stadium in August.

    Uka added that the state government approved the transfer of ownership of Ughelli Modern Market built by it to Ughelli North Local Government.

    NAN

  • 142,987 PVCs uncollected in Delta

    Executive Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Delta State Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony has said 142,987 permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are uncollected.

    Oriaran-Anthony, who spoke yesterday in Asaba, said about 143,000 uncollected PVCs were from the past voter registration exercise, adding that PVCs from the continuous voter registration exercise were not out.

    She urged them to collect their PVCs to enable them vote in 2019.

  • 142,987 PVC’s yet to be collected in Delta

    The Executive Secretary, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Delta State, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony has said that 142,987 permanent voters cards (PVC) in the State remain uncollected.

    Oriaran-Anthony who spoke to The Nation on Monday in Asaba, said as at April 16, 2018 142987 PVC’s were in its custody, adding that Deltans are have turn up in their numbers for the voter registration exercise.

    She said that about 143,000 PVC’s uncollected were from past voter registration exercise, adding that PVC’s from the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise were not out.

    She adduced reasons for  uncollected PVC’s to include registrants relocating from States after registering, such as persons participating in National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), civil servants who may have retired, and left the States or transferred and students who registered while in school and have graduated .

    Oriaran-Anthony urged persons who registered in the State but were yet to collect their PVC’s to ensure they collect their PVC’s to enable them carry out their civic responsibilities in the 2019 general elections.

  • Delta Governor wants Shell back

    The Delta Government has appealed to the Shell Petroleum Development Company ( SPDC ) to once more resume full operations to Warri.

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, made the appeal on Thursday at the inauguration of the N123 million Ugborodo Ultra-modern Town Hall donated by SPDC Joint Venture.

    The newsmen reports that Ugborodo community is host to many oil multinationals, including Chevron Nigeria Ltd.

    The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mr Mofe Pirah, said the government would continue to provide conducive business environment for the private sector to operate.

    According to Okowa, his administration will continue to upgrade infrastructure in Warri and environs.

    He appealed to other industries that left Warri to return.

    Okowa expressed the hope that with the proposed dredging of the Escravos by the Federal Government, more businesses would return to Warri which, he said, was the state’s industrial hub.

    “I appealed to the industries that moved out of Warri during crisis to come back, Warri is ranked among the most peaceful cities in the country.

    “I want to also plead with Shell to return with the full complement of its western operations.

    “The government will continue to provide conducive environment for the private sector to operate, that is why we keep our doors open to receive genuine suggestions and partnership in every area of human endeavours,’’ he said.

    Okowa, who described the town hall as a good example of Corporate Social Responsibility, added that it was a way of building bridges of confidence and trust between the SPDC and the people.

    He appealed to the Ugborodo people to use the facility responsibly.

    Earlier, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, advised the people, particularly youths against obstructing development projects in the community.

    “I thank the community for creating the enabling environment for this project to succeed. Youths are supposed to be agents of development, so, you should support Shell to attract more development,’’ he said.

    Mr Igo Weli, the General Manager, External Relations of SPDC, said the 500-capacity ultra-modern town hall also had five offices, meeting room for 18 persons, one ICT room, a store and conveniences.

    Read Also: Delta deputy Speaker sacked for alleged falsification

    He said the project was chosen by the Ugborodo community as priority need and was directly supervised by the Ugborodo Project Community Trust under a Project Management Committee arrangement.

    “I appeal to the community to support the Ugborodo Project Community Trust to ensure maintenance of the hall.

    “It is our hope that Ugborodo and other host communities would work towards the successful establishment of a functional Global Memorandum of Understanding ( GMoU ) in this area,’’ he said.

    Mr Victor Omunu, President, Ugborodo Community, represented by the Financial Secretary, Mr Christian Akpeyi, thanked Shell for the hall and promised to make good use of it.

    The newsmen reports that after divesting most of its facilities in Delta to some indigenous oil companies, SPDC still operate the Forcados Export Terminal and one other platform in the state.

    NAN

  • Nasarawa, Yobe, Cross River pay highest price for kerosene in March

    The National Bureau of Statistics ( NBS ), says residents of Nasarawa, Yobe and Cross River, paid the highest price for kerosene in March.

    The NBS said this in its National Household Kerosene “Price Watch’’ for March, 2018 released in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The NBS report said that residents of Nasarawa paid an average price of N306.07 per litre for kerosene, Yobe paid N300.78 while Cross River residents paid N300.68 for the product.

    Meanwhile, the report noted that states with the lowest average price per litre of kerosene were Abia; N229.35; Delta; N227.77 and Borno; N225.13.

    The report said that average price per litre paid by consumers for kerosene decreased by -6.79 per cent month-on-month and -13.66 per cent year-on-year from N288.57 in February to N268.99 in March.

    Read Also: Yobe donates N200m for Army Barrack project

    Similarly, the report said that average price per gallon paid by consumers for the product decreased by -8.45 per cent month-on-month, and -19.57 per cent year-on-year from N1,030.33 in February to N943.27 in March.

    It, however, said that states with the highest average price per gallon of kerosene were Kebbi, N1,105.00; Benue, N1,096.67 ; and Jigawa, N1,061.90, respectively.

    It also noted that states with the lowest average price per gallon of kerosene were Ebonyi, N828.57; Delta, N821.54; and Rivers, N814.08.

    NAN

  • Rep opens 80 market stores in Delta

    The member representing Ethiope at the House of Representatives, Lovette Idisi, has assured Ovu residents in Delta State of more dividends of democracy.

    He spoke while opening over 80 open market stores in Oviorie-Ovu, Ethiope East Local Government Area.

    Idisi said he renovated the market to ameliorate the suffering of traders and appealed for their support in 2019.

    Idisi, accompanied by the council Chairman, Faith Majemite, PDP leaders Chief Mike Adiotomre, Chief Bernard Edewor, the ward councillor, Vwede Orosevwotu and others, said the project is in line with his campaign promises.

    Addressing market masters and community leaders, he said: “Today, we have come here to commission the renovated Oviorie market to bring to our minds that the interest of the people is most paramount to us and we will continue to do our best.

    “Government is a process, things are not done overnight, especially when due processes are followed. Now that we have started, other development will follow as requested, and on the borehole at the market, I have instructed my engineers to be on site to ensure the borehole is done soon.

    “The process may be slow but gradually we are dishing out dividends of democracy to our people in line with our campaign promises, and we are assuring you that more is coming as you vote us back for second term.

    “My appeal is that we should be patient, most  of the things we appropriated for years, it is now they started working out, and we would say it is better late than never, and that it is not about campaign but doing the right thing at the right time.”

  • NDDC ’ll proffer immediate solution to landslide in Tuomo – Official

    The Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) says it will proffer immediate solution to the recent landslide that occurred in Tuomo Community, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta.

    Mr Ogaga Ifowodo, the Commissioner, Warri Office of NDDC, made the assertion on Wednesday in Warri when he led a delegation on an inspection visit to the site.

    A portion of the shoreline protection project in Tuomo Community collapsed on March 18 due to landslide, but no life or property was lost to the incident.

    Ifowodo said that immediate solution was necessary to protect those houses that were already endangered, while waiting for the long lasting solution.

    According to him, the long lasting solution may involve the conduct of a deep soil investigation to understand the soil formation and quality of the underlying layers of soil.

    “The first step now is to look for immediate solution to protect those houses that are really endangered by the landslide.

    “A more lasting solution is to look for the root cause of the problem, because failure have happened in two places along the shoreline.

    “So, we need to identify what is responsible for the failure; we may need to do deep soil investigation to understand the soil formation.

    “How soon, I cannot say for now, because we are just coming from inspection. We need to get back to the office and do our report,’’ he said.

    Ifowodo said that the commission had two projects- shoreline protection and concrete pavement along that shoreline.

    He said: “We don’t want both projects to be endangered.

    “If we do not take immediate step, we are also exposing ourselves to greater cost of finally remediating the situation because a stitch in time saves nine.”

    Ifowodo appealed to people of the affected community to be patient as urgent step would be taken to address the situation.

    Also, Mr Dada Bamidele, the Civil/Operations Manager of Vibroflotation and Geotechnical Nigeria Ltd., said that contracting firm had described the project as an engineering challenge that require engineering solution.

    “Landslide is a natural phenomenon; there are some geographical formation within the soil that may not be obvious within the surface that is responsible for the disaster.

    “No one pray for this kind of a thing, if you do a job anywhere, you will be glad to see your work stand overtime and serve its purpose,” Bamidele said.

    He urged the community to be more cooperative to ensure that whatever solution proposed would be beneficial to all of them.

    An opinion leader in Tuomo Community, Mr Ebikoro Tabekaemi, blamed the situation on poor job done by the contractor.

    “The other portion of the project failed about two years ago and now this place, the contractor is not serious with the job, that is the truth,” he said.

    NAN