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Tag: Delta

  • Delta Govt. distributed fingerlings, feeds to 100 fish farmers

    Delta Govt. distributed fingerlings, feeds to 100 fish farmers

    The Delta Government has supplied 100 fish farmers with fingerlings, feeds and cash as well as distributed tractors to 64 cooperative societies to boost agriculture in the state.

    Mr Ovie Ossai, the Political Assistant on Special Duties (Media) to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, disclosed this to newsmen in Asaba on Wednesday.

    Ossai said government also supplied 106 cooperatives Mellon Sheller while 18 other societies received outboard engines and fishing gears support packages to boost production.

    “The state government also distributed improved variety of cassava cuttings, fertilisers, and cash to 475 cassava farmers.

    “Also, 100 poultry farmers were supported with 200-day-old chicks each, feeds and cash to enhance production.

    Read Also:  Delta 2019: Hurdles before Okowa

    “Fifty poultry farmers got 200 layers each, feeds and cash while 50 piggery farmers received 10 growers, feeds and cash as well.

    “The state government also distributed tomatoes seedlings, agrochemicals and cash to 40 farmers,’’ Ossai said.

    The governor’s aide said the state government was committed to transforming agriculture in the state.

    He remarked that the Daily Independent newspaper’s “Man of the Year, 2017’’ award to Okowa was a product of good governance in Delta.

    Ossai said that the state government had completed numerous projects in the health, education and agriculture sectors while many were ongoing.

    NAN

  • NCAA probes Delta Airlines’ air return

    NCAA probes Delta Airlines’ air return

    THE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has classified the fire that engulfed the engine of an Atlanta, United States (U.S.)-bound Delta Airlines flight as “a very serious incident”.

    The authority said it has, therefore, handed over its investigation to the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

    A statement by its spokesman, Sam Adurogboye, explained that the classification was in line with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    According to Adurogboye, the aircraft with registration number N858NW with 219 passengers on board took off from the Lagos Airport at about 9.51p.m. Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) on Tuesday, February 13, when the crew noticed abnormal engine conditions in one of the two engines.

    He said the aircraft’s pilot made an air return after declaring emergency at 9.51 pm UTC.

    The statement said: “Some of the passengers, who sustained injuries, were rushed down to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja for prompt medical attention.

    “In line with safety standards, the international Runway (18R) was promptly closed to traffic while the domestic Runway (18L/36R) was opened to other flights for emergency operations.

    “However, at time 0020UTC (1:20 am local time), the international Runway (18R) was reopened to traffic after the aircraft was evacuated from the runway and a runway sweeping and inspection conducted.”

    It added: “This incident was classified as serious incident in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) classification, and investigation was handed over to Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB).

    “The flight has been rescheduled for Wednesday February 14, 2018 and affected passengers are already being checked in for departure.

    “The NCAA wishes to commend the prompt response of airport safety Services and other stakeholders.

    “NCAA wishes to reassure the travelling public, airlines and other aviation stakeholders of her continued commitment to Aviation safety and security.”

    Adurogboye said the pilot acted in accordance with the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) by making an air return.

    Another statement yesterday by the United States carrier’s media consultant in Nigeria, Mr. Tope Awe, said the A330-200 had an issue with one of its two engines.

    “The flight landed safely and customers exited the aircraft on the runway via emergency slides.

    “Airport fire authorities met the aircraft upon arrival. Delta’s customers were bussed back to the terminal. Delta is aware of five customers reporting non-critical injuries as a result of the evacuation.

    “Delta teams have provided overnight hotel accommodations to customers and will rebook customers on an alternate Delta aircraft Wednesday afternoon.

    “The safety of Delta’s customers and crew members is always our top priority,” Awe said.

  • Delta to tackle multiple taxes

    Delta State government has said plans have reached an advanced stage to roll out a new tax regime, to address multiple taxes.

    Economic Planning Commissioner Mr. Kingsley Emu said the tax module would be launched in June.

    He said it would address multiplicity of taxes.

    Emu spoke at the unveiling of Delta State Capital Business Directory in Asaba.

    The directory was compiled by the Chairman, Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA), Mr. Afam Obiago.

    Emu said given the components of the proposed tax harmonisation module, every tax payer would get the relevant taxes due to him or her in a debit sheet.

    He said when operational, tax payers would enjoy the convenience of getting their comprehensive taxes due to them in one debit sheet, adding that it will help them plan their cash-flow.

    The commissioner said: “As a state, we are addressing multiplicity of tax. We call it tax harmonisation. We have started the demo, as we need a lot of information and technology to put it together. I assure you that it will be launched in June.

    “The numerous taxes do not mean multiplicity of tax, but tax harmonisation. It means the taxes you are due to pay will come to you in a debit sheet that will state the taxes that are supposed to be your responsibility.”

    He hailed the author of the directory, stressing that it will assist the state in building its database to strengthen its internally-generated revenue.

  • FIRS seals two companies over N8bn tax debt in Delta, Edo

    FIRS seals two companies over N8bn tax debt in Delta, Edo

    Officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS ) on Wednesday sealed two companies in Delta and Edo over N8 billion tax debt.

    The Leader of the enforcement team, Mrs Anita Erinne, said the companies were sealed over failure to remit over N8 billion taxes payable to the Federal Government.

    She said that one of the affected companies (name withheld), located in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta, was indebted to the tune of N121 million.

    She also revealed that the other defaulting company in Edo owed the government N8.1 billion.

    The team leader tendered separate “Warrant of Distraints’’ signed by the FIRS Chairman, Mr Babatunde Fowler, to the companies to justify the exercise.

    According to her, Section 3 of FIRS (Establishment) Act, No.13 of 2007 and Section 44(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 empowers the FIRS to close any defaulting company.

    “No member of staff or anybody should remove the FIRS seals until the companies paid their debts.

    “Any attempt to do that, the company will be liable to a tune of N200,000 as a fine to the government,’’ she warned.

    Erinne, however, advised companies to comply with the tax laws and remit their taxes promptly to avoid being sealed.

    The FIRS in 2017 netted N3.2 trillion in 10 months, an amount that represented 79.35 per cent of its target for the year.

    The Chairman of the Service, Mr Babatunde Fowler, then expressed readiness of his personnel to help Federal Government in blocking revenue leakages and increase collection of taxes payable to the government.

    NAN

  • One dead as security agents storm Delta community

    The police last night confirmed the death of one person in Saturday’s joint security operation in the oil-rich Ugborodo community, Warri South-West council area of Delta State. But community sources said two persons were killed.

    Some properties were destroyed, including that of the Olaja-Orori (Spiritual Head) of the community, Benson Dube Omadeli, and the youth chairman, Ofe Nene, who had been declared wanted by security agents over a previous crisis in the community, which claimed a life.

    Crisis in Ugborodo has become interminable, all resulting from who controls the leadership offices and financial resources of the host community to most of the oil giant, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) multi-billion dollars facility as well as the ‘suspended’ multi-billion dollars Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP), in Ogidigben.

    However, last Saturday’s military operation, which was jointly carried out by men of the Nigerian Army, the police and the Department of State Security (DSS), was reportedly targeted at some elements within the community, who had been running rings of oil theft, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

    A statement by the Delta police command’s spokesman, Andrew Aniamaka (DSP), said the operation was in the interest of the community, saying it was raised “to rid the areas of hoodlums, who use them as bases for various nefarious activities, which include militancy, illegal oil bunkering and oil pipeline vandalism”.

    The Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayiri Emami, denied having a hand in the military action.

    He said: “The people that are alleging are in Ugborodo, is Ugborodo not our community? Is it meant for bunkerers or kidnappers? Call anybody in Ugborodo, everybody is happy now in Ugborodo now, the police are here. Those were people exchanging gunshots with the police. Am I a soldier, how could I have joined them (security forces)?

    “I am not a soldier that someone will be telling you that I led the army into Ugborodo. I’m the Ologbotsere, if something is happening in my domain, I have the duty to come and see what is actually happening and I am here and found out that the police are keeping peace, returning everybody that had been driven out of the community, which is they are to protect lives and property”, Emami said.

    The Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Suleiman Apoche, said his men were there to ensure law and order while the police moved in.

    “The Police went in there. We only provided security for law and order. I am also not aware there was fracas,” he said.

     

  • Leadership crisis tears Labour Party apart in Delta

    Leadership crisis tears Labour Party apart in Delta

    Ahead of next year’s general elections, the protracted crisis in the Delta State Labour Party (LP)  is taking  its toll on the chapter. OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE examines the genesis of the crisis and its impact on the preparations for the 2019 governorship poll.

    There is unease within the ranks of the Labour Party (LP) in Delta State, following a leadership tussle threatening to tear the chapter apart.

    The factional leaders, Chief Tony Ezeagwu and Emeka Nwaola, are in court to seeking adjudication on the rightful person to lead the party.

    Ezeagwu has already filed a suit at the state High Court in Kwale, praying the court to restrain the caretaker committee chairman, Nkwoala, from parading himself as chairman.

    Nkwoala said the caretaker committee which he heads as chairman has raised a team of lawyers to defend the case.

    He said that going by the constitution of the party, Ezeagwu’s three year tenure ended in September last year, adding that a special national convention formally dissolved the Ezeagwu-led executive and inaugurated the caretaker committee in October, 2017.

    Nwaola stressed: “Because Ezeagwu has taken us to court, it shows that he has accepted the decision of the convention, and should therefore, stop parading himself as chairman until the court gives a ruling on the matter.

    “For now, he is still going about illegally claiming to be chairman of the Labour Party by operating from the party’s former office. Ezeagwu does not share the ideology of the party; he is neither a trade unionist nor a member of a professional body.”

    Ezeagwu told reporters that the court has already issued an order restraining Nkwoala from parading himself as chairman.

    The crisis in the party started last year when the governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) in Delta State for the 2015 election, Chief Great Ogboru, resigned from the party, shortly before dumping the party for the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Ogboru had claimed to have entered into an agreement with the leadership of the LP in the state and at the national level to use the party to realise his ambition.

    According to Ogboru, part of the agreement was that members of LP would form the government with him and his DPP, if he had won the election, and the party would revert to status quo, if he failed.

    In his letter of resignation addressed to the party chairman, Nkwoala, Ogboru said all the members of DPP who came into the LP would be defecting the APC to provide “a strong, formidable, reliable and credible alternative to leadership in our state, and by extension good governance.”

    The letter dated April 26, 2016 added that all those who came from DPP to LP “and others of like minds will henceforth, cease to be members of the LP.”

    Ogboru added: “This, of course, is part of our agreement when we moved enmass to the LP. I have also written to you as chairman because this was our understanding with you then, that you shall revert back to the chairman in the event of our mass exodus to a new party,” it added.

    But, the national leadership of the party distanced the party from Ogboru’s claims. Instead, it suspended Ogboru and 13 others over alleged anti-party activities, gross misconduct and conspiracy.

    The LP National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulkadir Salam, dismissed the resignation, saying that Ogboru resigned to an “unfounded and unknown chairman created by him.”

    Salam reaffirmed Ezeagwu as the authentic chairman recognised by the National Secretariat, stressing that he did not receive any resignation letter from Ogboru, but got to know about it on the pages of newspapers.

    The leadership crisis further deepened in last year, following a special national convention of the party and the emergence of a caretaker committee headed by Nkwoala as a parallel structure to the state executive committee led by Ezeagwu.

    The factional National Chairman of the party, Dr. Michael Omotosho, who was represented by his national youth leader, Andrew Ukpebitere, inaugurated the caretaker committee, saying that the Ezeagwu-led state executive committee was dissolved alongside the national executive under the chairmanship of Salam at the party’s special convention in Abuja.

    However, Ezeagwu described his purported removal as illegal, insisting that he remained the chairman.

    Ezeagwu described the national convention as illegal, saying that it was organised by disgruntled elements in the party. He said they did not have a right to organise a national convention in the first instance.

    Ukpebitere urged Ezeagwu to summit himself to the disciplinary committee that was set up to try his anti-party activities and other allegations proffered against him or risk being arrested.

    He said: “Ezeagwu’s constitutional three years tenure has since elapsed. INEC participated in the Special National Convention. The dissolution also affected the executives of the party in Anambra and Rivers states. He will be arrested in accordance with the law if he does not stop parading himself as the state chairman of the party.”

    The chairman of the caretaker committee, Nkwoala while vowing to rebuild the party and make it the beautiful bride ahead of council elections in the state, said his appointment has been communicated to the state Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of Security (DSS).

    But, Ezeagwu is optimistic over the chances of the Labour Party at the next general elections. He said the emergence of an authentic chairman at the end of the day will help the party emerged stronger.

    He said: “The main reasons I have gone to court is for the court to pronounce who the authentic chairman of the party is? The LP is strong and on ground .When a judgment is delivered, the LP will field candidates for the forthcoming elections. I have obtained an order restraining Emeka Nwaoala from parading himself as Chairman of the Labour Party.”

    But, with the legal battle between the two gladiators, the party is weakened  and preparations for the  governorship elections is taking a back seat, paving the way for  the ruling PDP  to profit from the festering crisis, ahead of the poll.

  • Senate alarmed over spread of Lassa fever to 14 states

    Senate alarmed over spread of Lassa fever to 14 states

    The Senate Thursday expressed concern over the spread of Lassa fever to fourteen states of the federation.

    It listed the affected states to include Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Imo, Kogi, Bauchi, Anambra, Benue, Federal capital Territory, Abia, Ekiti and Delta.

    It also said that the outbreak of the disease which was first recorded on the 5th of January, 2018, has risen to 363 as against the lesser number of cases recorded in previous years.

    It said that out of the 363 cases, 81 persons have tested positive, while 44 persons have been admitted at the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Teaching Hospital, Edo State.

    About 11 deaths have been recorded, of which 3 are health workers, it said.

    Senator representing Edo Central, Clifford Ordia, drew attention of his colleague to ravaging spread of disease in a motion entitled “Urgent need to support the Centre for Research, Control and Treatment of Lassa Fever disease in Nigeria.”

    The upper chamber mandated its joint committee on Health and Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases, to investigate steps taken by the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of the disease.

    It asked the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health to urgently provide the Center all necessary equipment to enable it meet its responsibilities to Nigerians seeking medical care at the center.

    It also resolved to urge the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to engage in sensitisation and education of the public on the prevention, control and treatment of Lassa fever.

    The upper chamber urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to quickly visit the center in Irrua Specialist Hospital for on the spot assessment, with a view to providing relief material to the victims.

    Ordia who quoting the World Health Organization said that fever is an acute viral heamorrhagic illness of two to 21 days duration that occurs in West Africa and is transmitted to human through contact with or exposure to food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.

     He said person to person infection and laboratory transmission can also occur particularly in hospitals lacking adequate infection prevention and control equipment.

    Ordia said: “The institute is the only centre in Nigeria known for excellence in the management, control and treatment of Lassa fever in Nigeria. The centre received samples from all states referred above for the purpose of examination and treatment.

    “The centre also engages in the training of Health care workers, i.e. Doctors, Nurses and Laboratory Technologists on the management of Lassa fever in Nigeria. Last year alone, the centre trained 67 health workers from 15 states with reported cases of the outbreak.

    “The centre is presently overwhelmed by the number of samples received, including patients on admission which has stretched the bed space, beddings, Dialysis Machine,  X-Ray equipment, Ultra Sound Scan, ECG Machine, Ventilators monitors, human and financial resources beyond limit.”

    “The centre is confronted with the challenges of Inadequate protective instruments for the health workers engaged in the management of  victims; inadequate drugs, i.e Ribarvirin for patient treatment; inadequate disinfectants and other infection prevention and control consumables; and lack of operational vehicles, public address system and health education materials for contact tracing and community sensitization.”

    The Edo Central lawmaker said that the Senate should resolve to make more funds available for the centre in the 2018 budget.

    It also urged the Federal Government to set up centres in different parts of the country.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, said health care should be one of the major responsibilities of government.

    Ekweremadu noted that “If this matter is not addressed, we will be fail in our responsibilities. And to know that this issue has been going on for years is worrisome.

    “We need to give this issue the attention it needs. We have enough medical doctors. We need to provide the needed equipment they need to work with. I believe that the committee will help us address the issue. We cannot allow this to continue to spread.”

  • Lassa fever: Delta donates protective kits to FMC Asaba

    Lassa fever: Delta donates protective kits to FMC Asaba

    The Delta Government has donated personal protective medical equipment to the Federal Medical Centre ( FMC ), Asaba, as part of efforts to curtail the scourge of Lassa fever in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Azinge, presented the items to the Chief Medical Director of the centre, Dr Victor Osiatuma, on behalf of the state government on Thursday in Asaba.

    He stated that the kits would enable the medical personnel in the hospital to effectively fight the disease which recently re-emerged in the state.

    The commissioner revealed that so far two confirmed cases had been recorded in the state and the victims receiving medical attention at the facility.

    He said the first case of the disease brought to the FMC was a 43-year-old man resident in the state who was successfully treated and later referred to the Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo.

    Azinge further stated that family members of the man and the ambulance driver who conveyed him to the hospital are being closely monitored while other contact tracing are on-going.

    He assured residents that relevant authorities are on top of the situation, assuring that there is no cause for alarm as the state had effectively handled the disease the last time it emerged.

    According to the commissioner, all primary health care centres in the state have been activated and sensitised on how to respond to any suspected case of the disease.

    He therefore advised the residents to report suspected cases of malaria and typhoid that are not responding to treatment to the nearest medical facility as early report of cases would help save lives.

    Azinge disclosed that he was in contact with his counterpart in Anambra regarding the death of the second victim brought into Asaba.

    He said the corpse would be handed over to his Anambra colleague to ensure proper burial of the corpse in order not to expose more persons to the disease.

    Receiving the items, Osiatuma expressed gratitude to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for the gesture and assured of the effective use of the items.

    The protective items included 250 pieces of disposable coat/suit, 500 pieces of Elbow Length Gloves, 50 packets of surgical hand gloves and 50 sets protective boots, among others.
    On the death of the second victim of the disease in the hospital, Osiatuma revealed that the woman was brought in from Anambra last Sunday, but unfortunately died on the next day.

    He said the hospital is strictly following the protocol of handling the corpse in order not to spread the disease as workers were following laid down procedure in handling such cases.

    Osiatuma assured residents of the state on the ability of the hospital to handle the disease, saying with the donated items and training given to their personnel the disease would be effectively curbed.

    NAN

  • Monarch dares Army of ‘illegal sale’ of community land

    Monarch dares Army of ‘illegal sale’ of community land

    The traditional ruler (Ovie) of Uvwie Kingdom in Delta State, His Majesty, Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, (JP) has appealed to the Federal Government to halt reselling of land acquired from the community for use by the Nigerian Army’s Effurun Barrack in the state.

    The monarch, who spoke with our reporter, claimed that the officials of the 3 Battalion of the Nigeria Army have allegedly turned into a land selling body, much to the angst of the original owners of the land, who have no plan to farm and build homes as a result of the acquisition of the land.

    Abe Sideso I recalled that the military took possession of the land in 1975 without paying compensation to the people, adding, “The community gave out land for public purpose, not for private or commercial purpose, to the Nigerian Army.

    “The army is not using most parts of the land and we do not have place to farm. They should give us the area, which they are not using. I wrote to them in 2009 no response. The next thing (they did) was that some houses in the village (in the area unoccupied by them) were marked for demolition because we asked that part of our land not in use should be given back to us”.

    “Imagine that the army floated a strong property company and started selling the land? We are not a violent people. I promised myself that no blood would be spilled.

    “Even the areas that were not part of the land (given to the army) are included in the alleged certificate of occupancy.

    “We have had a peaceful demonstration. I know how strategic Uvwie is to the nation, so any violence will affect the nation economy and that of Delta State” the monarch said.

    Speaking further, the monarch recalled that in 2017, the kingdom drew global attention to their plight, adding, “Our lawyers wrote another petition to them. The Chief of Army staff sent the Military Intelligence to come and see things. We have not heard anything from that potent undertaking for the Nigerian Army.

    “We are appealing to the Army to release to us our unused land. There is evidence of our land being sold by the army to people” he stared.

  • Alleged human parts seller set ablaze

    Alleged human parts seller set ablaze

    A woman, allegedly found in possession of human parts, was yesterday afternoon set ablaze by a mob around Ekete-Inland area in Udu council area of Delta state.

    Our correspondent gathered the woman, who was reportedly known to be moving around the area disguised as a lunatic, was caught with human parts as well as a fresh human corpse at the spot where she always stayed.

    According to eyewitnesses, the woman was discovered with the parts when residents were disposing refuse and burning dirt gathered during the day’s environmental sanitation exercise.

    One of the witnesses, who spoke under conditions of anonymity, said the woman attracted attention of some members of the community, who suspected her strange attitude while burning refuse close to her shack.

    “When some of the people who were burning refuse observed she was behaving strangely, they went on to look into her hut and to their surprise they saw a fresh corpse of a young girl and other human parts.

    “This made the people to raise the alarm and suspecting that she might have been in this sort of business for a very long time, people got angry and seized her,” the source said.

    The crowd, which grew more and more with time, unleashed anger on her, setting the woman ablaze before security operatives could arrive to rescue her.

    Spokesman of the Delta state police command, Andrew Aniamaka (DSP), said he would only be able to comment after briefing by the Divisional Police Officer of the area.