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Tag: Delta

  • Oando Chief predicts 2.2m bpd oil output by June

    Oando Chief predicts 2.2m bpd oil output by June

     The Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s Oando says worst disruptions in oil-producing Delta region are over, and production could reach 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of June.

    Oando chief Pade Durotoye told the Africa Independents Forum on Wednesday in London that the long-closed Forcados oilfield could also be back to capacity by the end of June.

    “We think that the worst is behind us,’’ Durotoye said. “Before the end of June, we will have Forcados back, which would take us comfortably back to 2.2 million bpd.’’

    Attacks in the Niger Delta had pushed production to just over 1 million bpd at certain points last year, the lowest in decades, but attacks have abated since the start of the year.

    The first Foracdos cargo from the main Trans-Forcados export line loaded last week, though operator Royal Dutch Shell has said force majeure remains in place.

    Durotoye said “bold actions’’ by the government to address security in the area had helped, and that if it continued, Oando could boost output from 50,000 bpd to 150,000 bpd within18 months.

    Durotoye said concerns over more violence had made investors to view the region with a lot of caution.

    “Capital is still going to be constrained,’’ he said.

    Durotoye also said Nigeria’s long-delayed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which governs everything from the operations of state oil company NNPC to fiscal terms on oil exploration projects, was moving at a more assured pace.

    “We expect approval sometime in the second half of the year,’’ Durotoye said.

    Uncertainty over fiscal terms has held back upstream investment, especially in capital-intensive deepwater offshore.

    Durotoye said that PIB approval would “put some (investor) concerns to bed.’’

     

  • World Bank trains 70 Delta govt. officials on financial management

    World Bank trains 70 Delta govt. officials on financial management

    The State Employment and Expenditure For Results (SEEFOR ) project, which is sponsored by the World Bank and EU, has trained 70 Delta Government officials on prudent management of resources.

    The State Coordinator of SEEFOR, Mr Benson Ojoko, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba on Sunday.

    Ojoko told NAN that the training was done in conjunction with the state government.

    He said that the civil servants made up Permanent Secretaries, Directors of Research and Planning were chosen from the core ministries, department and agencies of the state to participate in the training.

    He said that the training was aimed at building the capacity of the government officials, who played vital roles in implementing government policies and programmes.

    Ojoko said that the training being carried out under the Public Financial Reform Component of SEEFOR project was aimed at building capacity towards sustainable development of the state.

    The coordinator said that the training, which was centred on Medium Term Sector Strategies (MTSS), was in line with the state government’s development agenda.

    He explained that MTSS strategies were aimed at improving healthcare and infrastructure as well as ensuring the wellbeing of the people of the state.

    “MTSS is a tool for effectively translating government policies and programmes into concrete programme which will ultimately impact on the people.

    “It also helps in ensuring proper planning especially as it relates to making provision for existing government projects or investments during budget process.

    “MTSS helps to address the menace of abandoned projects because it is implemented under a multi-year budget framework,’’ he said.

    The coordinator said that the second phase of the exercise, which would focus on procurement reform and integrated financial management information system, would be held in two weeks’ time.

  • Delta communities draw up economic blueprint

    Aniocha and Oshimili people of Delta State are set to draw up their own economic blueprint for the development of the area.

    To achieve this, a non-partisan and non-profit making socio–cultural organisation known as Njiko Aniochaoshimili has been convened to organize an economic summit to draw up the area’s economic recovery roadmap.

    According to the convener of the organisation, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, “an Economic Summit by sons and daughters of our area will be held in Asaba to interrogate issues like targeting more efficient and effective internally generated funds from Aniocha Oshimili; identifying agricultural potentials of Aniocha Oshimili Axis, with particular attention to institutional and donor agencies intervention and the impact of IT hub on employment and wealth creation in Aniocha Oshimili.”

    Other areas of interest to the organization include the tourism potential of Aniocha-Oshimili Axis of Delta State; the vision of a model Delta State Capital Territory and prospects for a mega/ commercial city; security challenges in Aniocha Oshimili district and wealth creation and job opportunities through private secto initiatives.

    The socio-cultural organization will also consider the area’s oil sector opportunities with a view to creating the enabling environment for foreign and domestic investment.

    To address these issues at the summit, sons and daughters from Aniocha and Oshomili in Nigeria and some in diaspora have been lined up to lead conversations on these sub themes.

    The group will also address the litany of issues that confronts communities within Aniocha-Oshimili.

    Some of these include; quality of public education, unemployment, housing, transportation, electricity and security.

    The Njiko Aniochaoshimili platform aims to work from the community level, by helping to bring citizens and stakeholders together in order to address these issues, while supporting efforts to create enabling environment for the growth and development of the communities.

    To implement its mission effectively, Njiko Aniochaoshimili will serve as a thought leadership and advocacy group that will work with elected officials in the state and local governments to help address issues that affect the constituents.

    The group will periodically invite elected officials to brief the organization on their contributions and claims of developments in the area, thus holding them accountabl as well as work with elected representatives in advocating for legislations that are inclusive and that help address specific issues that affect constituents.

    Njiko Aniochaoshimili will “provide an online platform for stakeholders in the district to work together and share their ideas and research on the development of innovative solutions that will address pressing challenges within our communities” Azinge said.

    The group will also organise workshops and conferences that address topics of common interest in the district such as Agriculture, Security, Energy, Infrastructure, I.C.T and Education. “Resolutions from these seminars will form part of the recommendations presented to stakeholders in the Local State and Federal Governments”.

    Njiko Aniochaoshimili hopes to foster partnership with similar organisations and agencies at the State and National levels in order to create a powerful network of Institutions devoted to similar goals.

    They will equally “engage in public opinion surveys that obtain data on the needs of the district, such as level of unemployment and access to basic amenities by citizens and residents. This will allow for detailed demographic analysis and the development of solutions that would address these challenges.”

    Njiko Aniochaoshimili will rekindle the “I can do spirit” that the district is noted for and provide solutions that will help reposition Aniocha Oshimili as a prime hub for economic activity, I.C.T development, and agricultural growth in Delta State and indeed Nigeria.

  • Educationist advocates re-introduction of teachers’ training colleges

    Mrs Oghenekvwe Abigor, the Headmistress, Olodi Primary School, Warri, on Wednesday suggested the re-introduction of Teachers’ Training Colleges (TTCs) into the country’s educational system.

    Speaking with newsmen in Warri, Abigor said that the return of such colleges would help address the falling standard of teaching in the country.

    She said that TTCs were the foundation through which the basic rudiments of teaching was taught and imparted in aspiring teachers.

    While commending the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) for its effort at improving the teaching profession, Abigor said some of the basic things TTCs were known for could be introduced into the Colleges of Education curriculum.

    “TTCs are the foundation of teaching where teachers are exposed to the basic rudiments of the teaching profession.

    “I appeal to the TRCN to re-introduce the TTCs or incorporate some of those things taught in the colleges into the Colleges of Education,to improve on our teaching standard.

    “How can you send somebody to go and study Psychology and ask him to go and teach?

    “I make bold to say that without a Teachers’ Grade Two Certificate, which you get on graduation from a TTC, you are not a teacher”

    Abigor commended Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta for his doggedness towards improving the standard of education in the state.

    “New teachers posted to my school under this administration, are paired with qualified teachers who train them on how to teach pupils,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the TRCN has threatened to eliminate unregistered and non-professional teachers from 2018, to bring sanity into the teaching profession.

     

  • Delta Assembly impeaches Speaker Igbuya

    Delta State House of Assembly Speaker Monday Igbuya, representing Sapele, has been impeached.

    A new Speaker, Sheriff Oboriowori, representing Okpe, was elected and sworn in yesterday.

    The impeachment was held at plenary, presided over by Deputy Speaker Friday Osanebi.

    The motion for Igbuya’s removal was moved by Johnson Erijo (Isoko South II) and seconded by Peter Onwusanya (Oshimili South).

    It was adopted by the 22 members present at plenary.

    The Assembly also removed Majority Leader Tim Owhefere, representing Isoko North. He was replaced by Johnson Erijo, representing Isoko South II.

    Upon reconvening for the day’s business, the lawmakers called for opening prayers, which was led by Alphonsus Ojo, representing Ukwuani.

    Erijo moved the motion to remove Igbuya under matters of urgent public importance.

    The lawmaker said the action became necessary because of alleged incompetence of the embattled Speaker, as well as his “highhandedness and unacceptable leadership style”.

    He noted that for the Assembly to function well, a new Speaker is needed.

    Erijo said the legislature was key to the growth of democracy and the development of the state.

    Osanebi called for nomination of a new Speaker.

    Onwusanya nominated Oboriovwori, representing Okpe; he was seconded by Daniel Mayuku, representing Warri South West.

    Efe Ofobruku, representing Uvwie, nominated Eric Oharisi, representing Ughelli North II; he was seconded by Daniel Yingi, representing Burutu I.

    Oharisi stepped down for Oboriovwori, who he described as an elder brother.

    He praised Ofobruku and Yingi for nominating him.

    Osanebi put Oboriovwori’s nomination to vote and he was unanimously adopted.

    The Clerk, Mrs Lyna Ocholor, administered relevant oaths on Oboriovwori and Erijo.

    In his acceptance speech, Oboriovwori promised to adhere to the rules of Assembly.

    He said as the first among equals, he would accord every member due respect.

    The new Speaker said he would not allow the integrity of the Assembly to be trampled upon.

  • Police in Delta probe death of commander

    The police in Delta are investigating the murder of the Ughelli Area Commander, ACP, Usman Ndanbaba, by unidentified persons,  the Commissioner of Police, Mr  Zanna Ibrahim, has confirmed.

    Ibrahim spoke on Tuesday in reaction to the news of    the killing of Ndanbaba on Sunday night.

    He said the command was investigating the attack and would ensure that the culprits were brought to book.

    The Delta Command of Nigeria Police was on Tuesday thrown into a  mourning mood over the death of Ndanbaba, the  Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, said.

    Aniamaka said  “the whole command is saddened by the news and there is nothing we can do about it now.”

    The late police officer was allegedly shot by unidentified persons on Sunday night while he was returning from an outing at about 8p.m in his car.

    A source said the officer was trailed by his attackers and shot at the roundabout opposite the palace of  Ovie of Ughelli on Isoko Road.

    He was allegedly shot twice at close range, following which he was rushed to an undisclosed hospital where he died.

  • Delta monarch relives palace’s desecration

    Delta monarch relives palace’s desecration

    HRH Odjevworo Akpomeyoma Majoroh, Ojeta 11, Ovie of Oruarivie-Abraka, was regal in  a  red frock with a matching beaded  red crown as he sat on a luxurious couch, to receive the  leadership of the apex Urhobo socio-cultural organisation, Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU). They came after an attack on his palace by irate youths.

    But beneath this façade, the king is sad and visibly worried by the events of the past few weeks in his kingdom. He is at a loss why his subjects will turn against him unleashing violence of the most unimaginable proportion against the exalted throne of his ancestors.

    All is not well with Abraka community, Ethiope East Local Government Area, host to the  Delta State University. It is embroiled in crisis following the beheading of an indigene allegedly by Fulani herdsmen.

    The occasion was a fact-finding visit, earlier this week, by the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) led by Chief Osiobe Okotie, its first vice-president.

    The royal father described kings in Urhobo land as “an endangered species”, adding not everyone is happy in a system where monarchy is rotational.

    His words: “Kings in Urhobo Land are an endangered species. People are extremely jealous of their status, especially in areas where kingship is rotated, everybody is not happy.  This was an excuse for them to do what they wanted to do.”

    He said he felt pained by allegations that he had not done enough for his people, adding: “It is unfortunate that my own people will say I am not doing enough. I know what I have done. I know my contributions to the community.”

    He said the most disturbing aspect of the whole episode was the deliberate attempt to desecrate the throne by bringing a corpse to the palace, as it is a taboo for a king to see a dead person.

    His words: “The youths knew that traditionally it is taboo for a king to see dead bodies and that dead body is forbidden in a palace.”

    He said following the desecration of the palace grounds by the actions of the youths , he had to stay indoors for the whole day until the palace was ritually cleansed

    According to him, trouble started in the morning hour of the fateful day after he was briefed by the President-General of the community of a murder of his subject allegedly by Fulani herdsmen.

    He said: “What happened was on that day which was a Tuesday at about 10.30a.m the president-general briefed me of yet another incident at our farmland Ovre that Fulani herdsmen killed someone. I directed that he got the President of that community and incident the case at the Police Station. I did not get the details that day as I was heading to our ancestral shrine as it is our traditional market day. Upon my return I was briefed on the matter. I ordered that they should get the police and recover the corpse for safety reasons; before I knew it my personal assistant came in to inform me that the youths from my community were moving en masse to the palace with the corpse of the boy. I called the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to come with reinforcements. I also put a call to the president-general and the youth leader who informed me that they were outside the palace fence. The vigilante group was also on ground outside the palace. After a while I heard protests outside and the protesters started hitting the gate .I was calm and thinking of the next course of action when I heard the protesters breaking windows panes in the palace. My entire living room was filled with splinters of glasses and guns were booming outside.”

    The monarch said the protesters destroyed vehicles parked in the palace grounds, and were in the process of setting the palace, including him and his guests on fire, when the military intervened.

    He said after the youths fled they split into two groups, adding that one group headed towards the Hausa quarters and attacked its residents.

    He said a major grouse of the youths was that he has refused to supply them with ammunitions to fight the herdsmen ,adding “ Some persons want me to provide ammunitions for them, but I ask am I involve myself in illegality to solve this problem”.

    The royal father accused security agencies of being aware of the activities of the herdsmen, but did nothing to check their activities.

    He said he was awaiting government action following the intervention of the state government, adding that he hoped that meetings between the Hausa/Fulani leadership and his community and government would provide a workable solution to the problem.

    President-General, Abraka community, Dr. Tedwins Emudainowho described the Ovre-Oruarivie forest as “Sambissa Forest”, claiming that with over 2000 herdsmen committing various atrocities ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes the situation was a keg of gunpowder waiting to explode.

    He said the immediate cause of the crisis was the beheading of Solomon Ejoor who along with three persons attempted to rescue their mother trapped by Fulani herdsmen in her farm, adding that since 2012 no fewer than 18 persons have been killed in the community.

    Chief Osiobe Okotie thanked God for sparing the life of the monarch, adding that the UPU was in the process of convening a forum to sensitise youths to respect constituted authority.

    He urged the Federal and State governments to “do something urgently about the Abraka situation before it gets out of hand.”

    His words: “We want to use this opportunity to send a message across to the federal/state government to do something urgently about the Abraka situation before it gets out of hand. We cannot sit and watch our people being slaughtered .The UPU is using this medium to send a message to President Muhammadu Buhari to take appropriate action because information getting to us is that the area where this dastardly act occur there are over 2000 herdsmen fully armed raping our women, our daughters. They have taken over our lands .We do not know their mission. It is the responsibility of the government whether federal or state to ensure that the lives of its citizens are protected .The government should as a matter of urgency step into this matter so that people will not be forced to either protect themselves or do anything otherwise, so we want to avoid that .UPU is watching, our eyes are on Abraka.”

  • Medical doctor kidnapped in Delta

    A medical practitioner, Dr Felix Ukpeteru with the Ughelli Central Hospital, was on Friday reported abducted by a gang of kidnappers from Ughelli town in Ughelli North council area of Delta state.

    The Nation gathered that the father of two and a pediatric expert was abducted along Isoko road by Otovwodo Primary School, Ughelli.

    Giving details of the incident, a senior police officer at the Ughelli ‘A’ Division police station, said: “He was abducted on Friday night and whisked in another vehicle suspected to driven by the hoodlums.”

    “We recovered his light brown Toyota SUV jeep with registration number UGH 184 AE which was left at the scene of the incident and efforts are already in motion towards rescuing him and bringing the perpetrators to book.”

    Confirming the incident, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim said: “We were able to confirm that he had closed from his place of work at the Central Hospital, Ughelli at about 4pm before he was kidnapped and his abductors have already established contact with his wife.”

  • FRSC records 110 deaths in road accidents in Edo, Delta, other

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Wednesday said no fewer than 110 deaths were recorded in Edo, Delta and Anambra due to road accidents in the first quarter of 2017.

    Mr Kehinde Adeleye, the Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 5, comprising Edo, Delta and Anambra, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Wednesday.

    Adeleye said 1,334 persons were involved in 170 road accidents within the period under review, with 551 people sustaining varying degrees of injury.

    Giving a breakdown of the incidents, the Zonal Commander said that in Edo 30 deaths were recorded from 62 accidents involving 495 people in January

    He said that in Delta 61 deaths were recorded in 52 road accidents involving 252 people, while in Anambra 46 deaths were recorded in 66 accidents involving 487 people within the period.

    Adeleye explained that compared with the statistics of the last quarter of 2016, the figure was high as 70 deaths, 363 were injured in 142 accidents involving 1,251 people in the zone.

    He, however, said the figure was similar to that recorded in the first quarter of 2016 which was 111 deaths from 110 accidents involving 924 persons with 525 injured.

    The FRSC Zonal commander attributed road accidents to speed violations, dangerous driving as well as break failure.

    Adeleye advised drivers to maintain speed limits, especially with the approaching rainy season and to avoid buying fairly used tyres.

    He also appealed to stakeholders to ensure strict compliance and enforcement of Federal Government directives or policies made to ensure safer roads.

    The zonal commander commended the NSCDC and the Army for their collaboration with the corps toward ensuring that the correct data on road traffic crashes were obtained from the hinterlands.

  • FG urged to fix economy and check rising food prices  

     

    Hope Foundation Network, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Asaba, Delta has urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in proffering solutions to the nation’s economy.

    The Founder and Executive Director of the Organization, Mrs Bunmi Akinloye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Asaba that the continuous increase in the prices of foodstuffs had affected many families.

    She stressed the need for the Federal Government to involve relevant stakeholders, who could help in finding  lasting solution to the situation.

    She also urged politicians to fulfil their election promises, adding that most of them hardly kept to their promises once they get into office.

    Akinloye, who commended the Federal Government on its programmes and policies, especially those geared towards agriculture, women and youth empowerment, stressed the need for the government to do more.

    “The programmes and policies of the Federal Government are really commendable, especially those that have to do with agriculture, women and youth empowerment.

    “But more still needs to be done in the area of power and education because the poor power situation is really taking a toll on businesses in the country.

    “Where there is inadequate power supply, businesses are bound to fail and there is no amount of empowerment you give to the people if there is no power to run their businesses,’’ she said.

    Akinloye also noted that apart from power, education is also very vital to the development of the nation’s economy.

    She, therefore, appealed to  governments at all levels to make education accessible to all citizens of the country, adding that apart from helping to boost the economy , it would also assist to reduce crime and security challenges.