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Tag: Delta

  • Delta community decries govt neglect

    Indigenes of Ezi community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State have urged Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to redress their alleged political marginalisation.

    They advised the governor to appoint their sons and daughters into his administration for the sake of equity and justice.

    Rising from a meeting in Asaba, the state capital, the community leaders, under the auspices of Ezi Patriots, noted that the area had suffered years of neglect in the hands of previous administrations.

    They said none of the indigenes had been given a political office – elective or appointive – at the state level.

    A statement by Ezi Patriots’ Chairman, Emeka Oshuoha, and Secretary, Comrade Nnamdi Ofonye, said their call was meant to draw the attention of the government and other well-meaning stakeholders to their plight.

    They said the community deserved to have a sense of belonging in the state’s political affairs.

    The statement reads: “It is a pity that a community, which prides itself to have produced the first Catholic reverend father in West Africa – Rev. Paul Emecheta – would be allowed to face such level of neglect. No light, no roads; the community has continuously been threatened by gully erosion.

  • Community to Delta Govt.: You’re shielding criminals, oil thieves

    Community to Delta Govt.: You’re shielding criminals, oil thieves

    It was a very dejected and nonplussed Chief Yangaboy Angalabiri that spoke with our reporter last weekend in Odimodi community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The over 90-year-old Amadiwei (traditional head) of the community was embattled; he was yet to fully recover from militants’ invasion of the community in the wee hours of August 31. Yet, another crisis is in the offing in his community. The old man, like most men his age, is battling a cocktail of ailments.

    “You have seen me; even if you do not know my age, you can know that I am a very old man. Yet, as old as I am, some people want to chase me out of my community and make me a stranger in a foreign land.

    “They are doing this because they have money, they have government and they know big men in the military. I don’t have money, I am standing on the path of truth,” he bewailed in a shaky voice.

    Odimodi has not known peace since the beginning of this year, or in a very long time. The community has risen against itself over the leadership of the community’s executive. There are allegations that a faction led by Preslyn Iyalagha is undermining the traditional institution and using wealth, influence and ties to the state government and security agencies to thwart the peace and orderliness of the oil-rich clan.

    Iyalagha is battling with the traditional institution over the establishment of a committee for the community.

    There seems to be no end in sight for the beleaguered community as the drums of wars seem to be sounding again. The threat to the peace this time around, is not from the camp of the militants who invaded the community on that long, fearful night of August, but the atmosphere is charged by a Delta State Government directive to security operatives to “invade” the community today, October 23 and install a new executive for the community, against the wish of the people, who have vowed to resist the move.

    A terse letter from Burutu Local Government Area, signed by the Secretary, Hon. Awisi Victor said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa directed the Local Government Area to oversee “the selection of a new caretaker committee to be headed by Ifiekorowei son by the Eluwe Congress of Odimodi community.”

    But those indigenous to the town are obstinate that the Eluwei (general) congress of the clan cannot be forced by a state government, which they also averred, lacked the powers to coerce them to install an executive when they have one that was legally constituted.

    n the wake of that directive, a gunboat of the JTF, carrying some exiled members of the community last week visited. It was learnt that the community accused those brought in and “their paymasters” of instigating the attack on the town, a suspicion which led to their banishment from the town.

    However, sources in Odimodi said the soldiers who brought them last week said they were directed by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Burutai to resettle the duo and others.

    “Two of the military men were Israel Owowo and Chigozie Igbomba. We don’t know the interest of the army in escorting people who were chased out of the town over the August 31 invasion, during which at least five buildings were razed down. They attempted a ‘coup’ to overthrow the legitimate authority of the kingdom. The Amadiwei and dozens others were chased into the bush by gun-wielding gang, who laid siege to the town until they were overpowered by the JTF troops from Warri.

    “Now, in a strange twist, soldiers who came to rescue the village from the invasion have now been sent to force those who we believe are part of those terrorising the community, back to the town. What kind of thing is that?” an aggrieved member of the town told Niger Delta Report.

    Meanwhile, it was gathered that the latest development was the fallout of a peace move of the state government. In a meeting held on September 29; one month after the invasion, it was gathered that the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Festus Ovie Agas, who presided over the meeting, sued for peace among the brothers.

    Sources in the meeting said the SSG impressed upon the committee on the need to “let bygone be bygone”, in the interest of peace, but his demeanour was construed as a ploy to force those whose houses were burnt soft pedal on their quest for investigation and prosecution of the culprits.

    Community representatives, who ostensibly had gotten wind of the mindset of the SSG, went with their position paper, which they presented to him after he allegedly refused to allow them speak.

    The document marked “The Position of the Odimodi in Re: The Bombing and Burning of Houses and Holding the Entire Community Hostage with Explosives, Guns and other Dangerous Weapons…” said the attack by the Red Beret militant group, was financed by one of the protagonists.

    “The macabre dance leading to the bombing, burning down of houses and holding the entire community hostage is a classic case of ‘corruption fighting back’ because the Odimodi community has said no to the sole sponsor of the Red Beret.

    “We are constrained to make this point clearly because we do not want the state government to convert the acts of criminality against our community as a mere misunderstanding between two groups in the community.

    If they intended to tie the arm of the SSG from helping “his friends”, they failed.

    Agas, in a letter No.SC/T.6/Vol.78/191 of October, said after the meeting, it was resolved and agreed on by all parties that the executive committee set up by the community should be dissolved to pave the way for another selected by an Eluwe Congress under the supervision of the council chairman.

    The letter further directed that all pending court cases should be withdrawn and directed security agencies (JTF) to maintain surveillance until the return of total peace.

    In what the community leaders considered a veiled threat, the letter, signed by A.C. Abuah on behalf of the SSG, said: “… the security agencies have been directed to deal with anybody or group of persons who violates the above stated resolutions.”

    The leadership of the community swiftly met and strongly denounced the ‘Resolution’ and ‘agreement’ claimed by the Ovie Agas-led meeting.

    In a letter to the governor, signed by Apostle Monday Laide, Elder Anthony Pudie, Chief Godspower Omonime and Chief SMB Bibaikefie (JP), a copy of which was made available to Niger Delta Report, members of the Chiefs/Elders’ Council, Amadiwei-in-Council and various clan heads, accused the SSG of bending the truth.

    The letter stated: “The fact that such agreements were not reached is underscored by the threat to use the security agencies to ‘deal with anybody or group of persons who violates’ them. You will agree that if all parties had agreed …there would be no need for the threats contained in his letter or fears of violating the said resolutions reached with the SSG.”

    They accused the SSG of attempting to force a predetermined “unilateral and dictatorial resolution” down their throat in order to protect his perceived allies and cronies who are fingered for the crimes against the community.

    “The SSG is acting the script of the trio of the Chairman of Burutu LGA, a serving member of the Delta State House of Assembly and a one-time commissioner in the state. Two of the suspects who attacked, bombed ad burnt down our homes are currently political aides of the same trio.”

    Rather than the autonomous resolution, the community demanded that the persons arrested in connection with their town should be investigated and tried in the law court and punished, if found guilty.

    “The SSG is poised to shield these criminals who are cronies and without any moral sense appoint these same persons to run our community government. The SSG is simply adding salt to injury and this will be difficult to take by the Odimodi people.”

    Continuing, they hinted that the state government was not interested in getting justice for the aggrieved people of the area, but to shield their supporters and those who aided their elections.

    “The brazenness with which the supposed agents of government are not only trying to shield these criminals but also insisting on imposing these same characters as members of the executive of our community using the machinery of the government is why we are requesting you to stop and call for a thorough investigation.

    “The SSG has repeatedly mocked the Chairman of our community, Chief Elex Pukon, whose house was completely razed during the August 31 attack…. SSG told Chief Pukon that the story of the burning down of his house was a mere expression of ‘misplaced sentiments’.

    “Even when Ebikeme Clark confirmed to the SSG that Chief Pulkon lost all of his properties in the attack, SSG mockingly told Mr Clark to buy Chief Pukon some ‘Okrika (second-hand) clothes’ to wear.”

    Speaking with our reporter on the crisis in the clan, Chief Angalabiri explained that there was no leadership crisis in the community as the public is being made to believe, explaining that the problem stemmed from the activities of persons who wanted to impose themselves as leaders of the clan.

    “There is no leadership crisis in Odimodi; what we have is a situation where some criminal elements want to start the business of illegal bunkering and restart militancy. The traditional leadership of the town, chiefs, elders and leaders as well as youths and women have said no. That is why we are being attacked by these boys.”

    He lamented that, in spite of the havoc wreaked on the community, carnage, razing of buildings and general bedlam, the government and security agencies did not deem it fit to take sides with the community, but instead chose to support the alleged criminals.

    “Government rejected us and we are left in dejection because we thought the government is to support the upright and just. But we were mistaken as the government wants to come and impose an executive led by our traducers. They have refused to deal with the criminals,” he said.

    The nonagenarian expressed concerns that the action of the government and security agencies’ lackadaisical response to the issue of militancy, oil theft and arson attack on the community could escalate the tension in the town.

    He remarked that unless the state government develops the willpower to insulate criminality from party affiliation and affinity, there would be no headway in the effort to bring lasting peace to the town.

    He particularly cautioned that a situation where acts of criminality are treated as ‘family affair’ while victims are mocked and treated with disdain by government official creates the impression that a section of the society is above the law.

    “Two suspects were arrested. Those quizzed made revealing statements to security operatives. But pressure from government ensured that they were released unconditionally.

    “Because we have stood on the path of truth and insisted on justice, we are being threatened and labelled as fighting the government because some persons are close to people in the corridors of power in the state and Burutu council,” he added.

    Mr Ovie Agas, who answered our reporter’s call on Monday morning defended the government’s directive, saying: “We asked them to find an in-house settlement.”

    Further attempts to get clarification on the ‘in-house settlement’ he suggested were rebuffed, as he declined further telephone calls.

    At the time of filing this report, uneasy calm pervaded the community. Some of those who spoke with Niger Delta Report described the situation as calm before the Friday storm”.

     

  • Okowa, Delta roads and government of ‘madmen’

    At a time residents of urban cities in Delta State are contemplating whether to adopt canoe or camel as means of transportation due to the awful condition of roads in the state, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa dropped a bombshell on Sunday, October 11.

    He told newsmen at the Olu Palace (Aghofen) in Warri, after paying a condolence visit to the Regent of Warri Kingdom, Prince Eroro Emiko, on the death of the 18th Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, that “only a mad man constructs roads in the rainy season, because you would just have destroyed the roads rather than repair it. In the dry season, we will attend to the roads.”

    Some commentators see the statement as a veiled jibe at his predecessor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who governed the state from 2007 till May 29, this year. The cold war between the former associates and leaders of the PDP is an open secret.

    A section of the debaters flayed the governor’s choice of words as unbecoming of his position as the highest political officeholder in the land.

    There is no doubt that the condition of roads in the urban areas of the state, particularly in the commercial axis of Warri-Effurun, leaves much more to be desired from those who administered and are administering the affairs of the oil-rich state.

    Roads in Warri and its environs have deteriorated to an unbearable level since Okowa took over the reign of government five months ago, and this probably led to the question that brought the ‘Madman’ analogy. The governor was seen as not only passing the bulk, but flaying his forerunner in office.

    Recall that, in the dying days of the Uduaghan administration, a contract was awarded for the resurfacing of Airport Road, one of the busiest roads linking the twin cities of Effurun and Warri.

    In a mad rush to complete the project, the contractor, a well-known politician in the state, worked in the rain and shine in those last weeks. The result of the desperate move was a new coat that did not cohere with the old, leading to its peeling off even as the new layer was being laid.

    The effect, to rephrase Okowa, was the destruction of the road, rather than repairing it. It was not the first time such contract would be awarded, and like many before that, the road and its users have been worse off.

    The Airport Road project is the first and the only road to receive the attention of the present administration in the Warri area. The contract awarded was not to repair the road, but to remove the new ‘surface’ that was debarking and making driving on the road a nightmare for motorists.

    “It is a shame that what one government spent money to lay another is spending even more money to remove! This can only happen in a society where we are led by mad men,” an aged retired civil servant, who asked not to be named because of security reasons, lamented.

    Equally sad is the fact that the contractor handling the scraping job has left the site with a large portion of the road undone, thereby making it worse off.

    There is no respite anywhere for motorists and the rains bring even more hardship.

    On a normal day and time, driving round the twin-cities–from Effurun Roundabout, through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Expressway, to Warri/Effurun/Sapele Road-should not take more than 30 minutes. But, in the present time, it could take up to three or four hours, depending on the time of the day, weather and other factors.

    During a torrential downpour on Monday, it took over two hours to manoeuvre from the Ogunu, through the flyover bridge to Ajamimogha Road – a distance less than half a kilometre. Those going to Ubeji from the Ekpan axis of Effurun spent up to five hours through the less than five kilometre road.

    The gridlock returned to the cities after another downpour on Tuesday and like the previous days, it not only affected those living in the cities, but also travellers passing through Efurun to Ughelli, Bayelsa communities and other towns in the region.

    Mr Sunny Fole, a businessman who was taking his mother to the clinic in nearby Oghara, spent several hours at the Effurun Roundabout. But fortunately for him, the medical need was not urgent.

    Okowa has promised a new dawn for residents of the area during the dry season. But residents of the areas are used to failed promises by their government officials and so residents have adopted a ‘wait-and-see’ stance.

     

     

  • Free health care for Delta communities

    Free health care for Delta communities

    The Nigerian Army has concluded a four-day free medical health care programme for beneficiaries in Ekpan and Effurun communities in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The Commander, 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Effurun Barracks, Lt. Col. Okon Bassey, said the programme was in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    While declaring the intervention exercise open at Ekpan Secondary School, Lt. Col. Bassey stated that the exercise was also in commemoration of Nigeria’s 55th Independence anniversary celebration.

    Noting the relative peace being enjoyed in Warri and its environs since his assumption of office, the Commander urged the communities to always co-operate with the Army and other security agencies by providing them with useful information when they notice any strange movement. He also called on the public to avail themselves of the free medical health care service.

    He further said that aside their primary duty of protecting the nation’s citizens, the Army, through the programme, shows it is humane. He pointed out that the Army has a Civil Affairs Department that relates with the people.

    “We are here to improve the relationship with the people. This is in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, which is to build a Nigerian Army that is professionally responsive in the discharge of its constitutional role.

    “We have mobile clinics that are meant for this kind of programmes. We do this to show that we also have human feelings. It is not all about carrying guns, but we have to carry guns because we have to keep peace. In Delta State, you can attest to the fact that there is relative peace. When you are sleeping, we are busy ensuring that you are safe.

    “We are bringing the free medical services to our communities in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff. In carrying out our constitutional role, which is to preserve the integrity of the nation, we also have to deal with the civilian populace in such a way that they will feel that we are actually here for them. It is not just about carrying guns. We also have a touch of humanity in us, and this is one of the ways to show it.

    “We are here in Ekpan and subsequently we are going to move to other communities as our resources can carry. This free medical service is meant for the women, the elderly and the children. The Chief of Army Staff has given us this directive so that the people will see that we are doing our jobs as professionals. We have professional personnel in the Nigerian Military who are doctors, laboratory scientists and a host of others.

    “So, once in a while, we come out not only to take care of the security issues, but also to take care of people’s personal issues ,” Lt. Col. Bassey said.

    Also speaking, the Principal of Ekpan Secondary School and one of the beneficiaries of the programme, Mrs. Otejiro Oru, described the development as commendable.

    “We want them to continue doing this because as you can see, the whole place is filled with people who are here because of one medical problem or the other.  This is an opportunity for me and others to see the doctor explain one or two things to him and also take some advice from him. Most time, we do not usually have the opportunity to see the doctor when we are not sick. So, I thank the Chief of Army Staff who brought this vision to fruition,” Mrs. Oru said.

  • Three suspected oil thieves held in Delta

    •Woman among suspects

    The Navy has arrested three persons, including a woman, in Delta State for alleged oil theft.

    The operation was part of Navy’s quest to rid the Niger Delta of oil thieves and other criminals.

    It was led by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, in the Jones Creek of Warri Southwest Local Government Area.

    The Navy also destroyed five Illegal refineries and 320,000 metric tonnes of illegally-refined petroleum products.

    It raided some clandestine bases of oil thieves and burnt the equipment used to refine and steal petroleum products, including engine boats, estimated at several millions of naira.

    Twelve “Cotonou boats”, said to be laden with petroleum products, were destroyed.

    Addressing reporters after the operation, which lasted five hours, Suleiman said the crusade against illegal oil bunkering would continue until the perpetrators were brought to their knees.

    He said: “It is the mandate given to us by the Chief of Naval Staff, to go all out against illegal oil bunkerers. We must attain this through the effort of all concerned, including the media, stakeholders and informants.

    “It is possible that we may not be able to eradicate the scourge completely, but we will try as much as possible to reduce it to the barest minimum.”

    The Naval chief stressed the need to fight oil theft and save the nation a huge revenue loss.

    He said the suspects would be handed over to the appropriate authorities.

  • Lifeline for 17 farmer co-operatives in Delta

    Lifeline for 17 farmer co-operatives in Delta

    It was a carnival of sort penultimate weekend in Asaba, the Delta State Capital, as several local farming groups gathered to witness the inauguration of the Production and Processing Support Scheme (PPSS) by Governor Arthur Okowa.

    Also at the event, Okowa handed over 25 tractors and farm implements to 17 benefitting co-operative societies which had earlier signed an agreement with government under its tractorisation scheme.

    The tractorisation policy of the Okowa administration, according to Prof. Eric Eboh, Chief Job Creation Officer, is to promote private sector ownership and management of tractor services, adding that the policy will make tractor services accessible and affordable to farmers in a sustainable manner.

    The PPSS, an initiative under the Job Creation Scheme, aims at increased agricultural productivity through provision of inputs, equipment, technologies, micro-credit and technical assistance to local farmers.

    The first phase of the PPSS intervention covers six commodities namely cassava, plantain, vegetables, poultry, fishery and piggery.

    The mood at the event was upbeat as expectant co-operative groups waited for the unveiling of financial packages to them by Governor Okowa.

    Meanwhile, cool music serenaded guests who sat under white canopies fluttering in the cool morning breeze. Guests included top government functionaries, traditional rulers, politicians and agricultural producers, agro-processors and other agricultural value chain operators.

    In his speech, the Governor said the PPSS was an innovative approach to policy formulation and implementation strategies for effective economic diversification and self-reliance.

    He lamented that despite favourable climatic conditions, vast arable land and fertile soils, the country is yet to maximise her potential in agriculture production for economic growth, employment, job creation, import substitution and sustainable development.

    •Governor Okowa test-driving one of the tractors
    •Governor Okowa test-driving one of the tractors

    Okowa highlighted the factors militating against agriculture to include prevalence of subsistence farming, non-prioritisation of agriculture and agric-business at different levels of governance, poor storage facilities and absence of a sustainable value chain.

    He blamed the discovery of oil, stressing that with oil boom, agriculture became a drudgery and unappealing for millions of Nigerians.

    He said the PPSS and other policy initiatives are designed to turn around the fortunes of agriculture and make it attractive and appealing to youths.

    His words: “The PPSS and other policy initiatives of this administration are designed to turn the situation around. They are not only envisioned to engender improved processes, better output and profitability for existing farmers, but to make farming attractive and appealing to our youths.”

    He said PPSS was conceived to help overcome the problems of resource scarcity, poor technology and infrastructural deficits. Financial institutions should rise up to the challenge of agricultural financing with robust credit policies.

    He advised the beneficiaries to reciprocate government’s gesture by ensuring that they apply themselves diligently to their businesses.

    Earlier in his address, Prof. Eboh had said selection of beneficiaries was done carefully to ensure that the support packages reached the right target, adding that the selection process has been ‘inclusive, objective, fair, equitable and thorough’.

    He said the creation of a database of farmers has been a major achievement recorded under the PPSS, noting that the database had entries consolidated from a variety of sources.

    Eboh said the database is in line with the Know-Your-Farmer principle which is an international best practice in agricultural programming.

    He noted that finding markets for farmers has been an age-old problem which the Job Creation Office will, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Commerce, tackle.

    To this end, Eboh said plans have reached advanced stage to set up an Agriculture Marketing Solutions Coordinating Committee, adding that it will make recommendations to government on measures to tackle agricultural bottlenecks.

    According to him, the PPSP interventions will, “from now through the year-end generate direct and multiplier income benefits to the tune of more than N3 billion.”

    He assured that PPSS package will be monitored by an independent monitoring and evaluation group comprising specialists in livestock, crops and fisheries who will make periodic reports on farmers.

    A visually impaired farmer, Mr. Nkem Ofili who exhibited his farm produce at the event expressed happiness over government’s initiative, stressing that with the availability of loans, his tomato farm will have a new lease of life.

    He said following the successes of the last harvest, he plans to expand by planting Okro and cucumber.

    On why he prefers vegetable farming, Mr. Ofili said it was due to its short gestation period and because it is easily sold.

    He said: “We have a tomato farm and we have the intention of expanding it when we receive the loan. We have just finished our harvest and we are planning on planting Okro and cucumber. Vegetables are sought after by everybody. They have short gestation period. So, when we invest, within three or four months, our investment comes back.”

    According to him, the greatest challenge which his farming business is experiencing is access to loan facilities, adding that with the loan facility given to benefiting co-operative society, farming in Delta State will experience a new lease of life.

    Ofili said although he is visually impaired, he derives great pleasure when he touches his harvest.

    “I might not be able to see the products but with my sense of touch, I am gladdened that they came out well.”

    Another beneficiary, Mrs. Rita Kairue whose co-operative society manages a poultry farm, expressed joy at being selected, adding that with the loan, her co-operative group will expand its egg production from 10 cartons to 100 cartons daily.

    “Our co-operative society is into poultry farming and with the loan given to us by government; we plan to increase our production levels from 10 cartons to 100 cartons of eggs daily. The loan has greatly impacted positively on our work.”

    For Tina Brown-Kporaro, President Omena multi-purpose Co-operative Society, Otu-Jeremi.Ughelli South Local Government Area, in the past, laudable government initiatives were often hijacked by politicians. He praised the Okowa administration for ensuring that the real farmers got financial assistance.   Mrs. Brown –Kporaro urged youths to form groups to enable them to benefit from the programme, stressing that with the loan, her co-operative will expand its farm capacity which currently is five acres.

    “We have waited so long for this kind of thing to happen. We are so glad that we are a part of it. We are into plantain, the full value chain of plantain farming from planting to processing into powder and chips for export.

    “We have five acres of plantain but with this loan, we will expand our capacity.

    “Most youths looking for white collar jobs should have a rethink. Delta State is blessed with arable land and, as such, they should work in the farms. They should look inwards. They should form themselves into groups so that they can access such loans.

    “Before now, this programme would have been hijacked by politicians, but this is the first time the women at the grassroots are benefiting from this government. This may be because Governor Okowa has put the right persons to run the agency.”

     

  • Residents jittery over killings, robberies in Delta communities

    Residents jittery over killings, robberies in Delta communities

    People living in the Oil City of Warri and environs and other parts of Delta State are living in constant fear once again. Unmitigated incidents of armed robbery, bizarre killings and other violent crimes spike in the commercial nerve centre and other communities of the oil-rich state.

    Investigations carried out by Niger Delta Report revealed that dozens of persons have been killed, maimed and robbed by daredevil robbers, whose operations have sent chill down the spines of residents and made the twin cities of Effurun and Warri living hell for inhabitants, within the past couple of weeks.

    Our findings revealed that seven persons were killed between Wednesday last week and the time of filing this report on Tuesday afternoon.

    On Wednesday, October 7, Mr Stephen Omare, younger brother to Frank Omare, a former Commissioner for Environment in the state, was shot by yet unknown gunmen around the Omimi Link Road between Refinery and NPA roads in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area.

    Eyewitness told our reporter that the young man, an engineer, was on his way to an appointment with some friends and his kinsmen at a popular hotel on Refinery Road when he was caught in the hail of bullets from his attackers. His car was badly riddled with bullets and he was pronounced ‘Dead on Arrival’ at a private hospital where he was rushed to shortly afterwards.

    A few days later, on a Sunday along Jakpa Road, a commuter was gunned down by armed men who rode in a tricycle (popularly called keke), around the White House (Asheshe) Road Junction. The cause of the broad day light murder was unknown, although some eyewitness told our reporter that the hoodlums who killed the young man ostensibly thought he was carrying cash.

    “They were probably trailing another victim, who was riding in a keke, because after shooting the man, they went in search of money inside the keke but could find none,” a bystander said.

    In-between those two cold blooded killings, there was a report about the shooting of a mobile policeman along the Okumagba Avenue area of Warri. The fate of the security agent was not immediately known.

    Similarly, there have also been reports of incessant robbery operations along the busy Airport Road and other parts of Warri and Effurun.

    Last Friday, several persons were casually dispossessed of cash and other valuables along the busy Airport road in broad daylight, despite the torrential downpour in the area. The criminals, who mostly rode in tricycle, wielded various sizes and calibres of firearms.

    The incidents have raised concerns over bloody “ember months” that are similar to that of 2011, when up to 100 people were mowed down across several areas by hoodlums who terrorised the state in Toyota Hilux vans, until the gang was neutralised.

    Already, people are fleeing the Udu/Orhumworun areas of the state following relentless attacks by knives, machete, broken bottle and cudgel-wielding cult gangs and armed robbers. The notorious groups have killed and maimed several people, as reported in Niger Delta Report of October 2.

    Mrs Omamurhomun Ukana, one of the latest victims of violent robbery in that area, was killed on her way home on Thursday, September 10. She was stabbed on the back, head and neck and bled to death shortly after the attack.

    A similar fate was visited on Mr Ogheneruona Oyibo, a staff of a state broadcasting outfit, who was lucky to survive with lifelong physical and psychological scars.

    Residents of the areas blamed the parlous security situation on the perceived neglect of the affairs of the Central and South districts of the state by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    “Since he assumed office, the regularly security meeting that used to be held in the Governor’s Office Annexe in Warri, has stopped. There is lack of government presence in these areas. The criminals are filling the void left by government’s absconding from its duty,” a source said.

    Recall that before his inauguration, the governor had reportedly vowed to close down Warri. Although Governor Okowa debunked the report, he is yet to attend any official function at the Warri Annexe, nearly five months into his government.

    A security source that spoke on condition of anonymity because of security reasons, said the usual government support to security agencies in the state have stopped, ostensibly due to paucity of funds.

    “Most of the security agencies are not getting the usual government support again. If you go to some police stations now, there is no patrol vehicle. I am particularly aware of the situation at Ugborikoko Police Station, which has just one patrol van and that was provided by the Inspector-General of Police, and not the state government,” the source added.

    However, a cross section of individuals who spoke with our reporter, accused the government and security agencies of not being proactive in tackling crime in the state. Some of them, who blamed the increase in robbery incident on joblessness and government’s tightening the noose on illegal bunkering, said these fallouts are expected.

    “If the security agencies are on top of their games, they should have nipped the crimes in their bud before what we are experiencing now,” a lawyer said.

    Speaking further, the lawyer, who is also a security expert, advised the state government to look inward, particularly by holding meetings with former militant leaders in the state.

    “Some of these guns are owned by ex-militants. Government should address the issue of ex-militants; the Governor should call them to a meeting and pressure them to rein in their boys. They know these boys, you can’t say you are a militant, you receive money from government and yet you are still terrorising the state.”

    Meanwhile, the state government recently appointed Mr David Tonwe as chairman of the state security apparatus. The move is seen as a bid to stem the wave of violent crimes across the state.

    Attempts to get Tonwe to speak on the unpalatable prevailing security situation were futile at press time, as he did not answer our call. Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, was also not reachable.

    However, a senior police officer in the Warri Area Command said the increase in robbery and other violent crimes was expected during the last three months of the year, stressing that the police was working on how to curb the marauding hoodlums.

  • $16b EPZ: Tompolo’s men sack site workers in Delta

    Gunmen, said to be loyal to former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), at the weekend chased away workers on the Madangho site of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project, Ogidigben, Delta State.

    The site workers were said to have been hired by an Itsekiri contractor and owner of JAD Catering.

    It was learnt that JAD Catering, a company belonging to a former chairman of Warri Southwest Local Government Area, was clearing the Madangho stretch of the project site when the gunmen chased them away.

    Tompolo reportedly got the clearing of the EPZ site at the Kpokpo axis; Chief Thomas Ereyitomi secured the other stretch of the clearing contract, leaving the Madangho site to JAD Catering.

    Attempts to get the comments of Tompolo’s lieutenant, Paul Bebenimibo, on the incident, were unsuccessful.

    His terse response to our correspondent’s questions was: “You are mischievous.”

    A source, who attributed the incident to Tompolo’s men, said the incident occurred at 3pm on Saturday.

    He said the workers were clearing the site when they were allegedly chased away at gun point by Tompolo’s men, who demanded compensation.

    It was learnt that although there were military men on the site, they watched the militants shoot severally into the air to scare the JAD workers.

    “The workers, who were clearing the site, were chased away by gun-wielding militants of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo over compensation.

    “They came in a large number while the military men on the project site looked away as the militants shot sporadically into the air to scare the JAD workers on site,” the source said.

    The Chairman of Ugborodo Interface Committee, Austin Oborogbeyi, could not be reached for comments last night.

  • Save us from hunger Warri Wolves’ players beg Delta govt

    Save us from hunger Warri Wolves’ players beg Delta govt

    Players of Warri Wolves have again called on the Delta State government to offset their unpaid wages to help motivate them in the Glo Premier League title race.

    Wolves, despite coming off a week-long strike over unpaid wages, thumped title rivals, Sunshine Stars, 3-0 with a commanding performance that saw Gbolahan Salami score a hat-trick.

    Three of the influential players, who pleaded to speak with supersport.com after Saturday’s match, confirmed that they have been paid three out of six months salaries owed them but insisted that they are still unhappy with other financial obligations yet to be met by the club and its sponsor, the Delta State government.

    “Most of us are family men and the major bread winners in our family. Imagine not being paid for months. We are grateful that we have been paid three months out of the six months salaries we are owed but to be honest most of those money have gone into paying debt and tuition fees of our children,” one of the players lamented.

    Another Wolves star told supersport.com: “It is not what we expected as we had high hope of receving all of our money. Unfortunately we got just three months and I personally think we will be motivated if we are paid off our money as we are still in the title race and can win this. But right now the whole team is not so happy though like they say half bread is better than none. I still think that paying us everything we are owed will motivate us to win the title.”

    The third player reeled out that the high cost of living is biting on him and some of the players who have wives and children to cater for as well as other dependants. “We do not have any other profession other than football. Some of us have to pay rent for the accommodation where our families live. We also have to pay tuition fees and other bills to run the home. Football is not a profession in which one can actually practice forever. That’s the reason we are calling on the government and the club to pay us our money as we are grateful for the part-payment so far.”

    Already the League Management Company (LMC), which oversees the running of the top flight in Nigeria, had written to Wolves’ management to remind it of a 60-day deadline to pay up their players or face a six-point deduction. That deadline elapses on October 24.

    “You are hereby reminded that the 60-day period, within which you are expected to remedy the breach, will lapse on October 24, 2015. Be advised that your club will become liable to the initial deduction of six points, should you fail to meet the deadline,” part of the LMC letter to Wolves read.

    The LMC also urged the players of Wolves “to adhere to the grievance procedure and the rules and regulations of the league” as stated in the competition’s framework and rules which allows the players to give a 45-day notice to the club and 15 days for the LMC to resolve any dispute including financial obligation.

    Players of Wolves claim they are still owed three months salaries, 115 per cent signing-on fees from last season as well as 10 league match bonuses and seven bonuses in the CAF Confederation Cup.

    Warri Wolves, owned and financed by the Delta State government, are currently second in the standings of the Glo Premier League with 55 points, three behind leaders, Enyimba.

  • ‘In Bonny, we suffer the resource curse of the Niger Delta’

    ‘In Bonny, we suffer the resource curse of the Niger Delta’

    Mr Simeon Wilcox, a lawyer, is the youth leader of Bonny Kingdom and spokesman of Joint Niger Delta Youth Movement (JNDYM). In this exclusive interview with Precious Dikewoha, he examines  the  activities of the  multinationals in the oil rich Bonny Kingdom and the Niger Delta region and also speaks on the burdens that come with it, the needs to engage the youths and so on.   

     

    Will you say the rich environment is a blessing or curse to the Bonny people?

    A professor wrote a book and titled it “The Resource Curse”; what he meant is that having everything you need under your table by nature makes you lazy. Having everything you need under your table removes that aspect of life that makes you struggle because by implication it gives you that impression that after all you are the owner so what are you fighting for. I will not deny the fact that the resource curse in the Niger Delta and particularly in Bonny kingdom is the biggest challenge the nature has brought for us. It is a blessing having the resources but what you do with it is what determines if it will be a curse or a blessing.
    In our own case we have everything we need and everything we pray to have but we don’t have the benefits therein. Our people are still unemployed, largely unskilled. The social cultural activities don’t show the presence of the multinationals that are there. Something has got to be done, which is the right management of the resources that we have. And in terms of developing new frameworks to work with the communities and these multinationals and at the end of the day there has to be a meeting point for the benefit of the region.

    The multinational companies operating in the region have always complained that our youths are unskilled do you agree to that?

    Far from that, the Amnesty programme is a programme that started based on the perception that the Niger Delta youths are not skilled. If you think back, you will realize that the youths were trained, they got scholarships but when these scholarships comes up the non-indigenes will be the ones to benefit. Before the Amnesty Programme, vacancies were being announced secretly and before it gets to the knowledge of the host communities they’ve already brought those that will be employed. So that was how the youths started agitating against such method of neo-colonialism. While these youths were agitating they took them to Abuja for negotiation, Amnesty was given but has it changed anything. The only thing I know is that they know now that we have the capacity to resist them and win the war. But as to the number of persons that have been trained, I will give kudos to former President, Goodluck Jonathan and late President Yar’Adua because the Niger Delta region is not as it uses to be. We have a lot of trained youths, the Amnesty Programme trained quiet a large number of people like pilots, pipe welders, Engineers and so on. Now the level of skill development in the Niger Delta region has increased.
    The next question is, is it matching the number of jobs being created? The companies operating in the region cannot be giving the same excuses of yesteryears that the people are not qualified. It is not true; we have lots of qualified youths in the region. I know quite a number of people that the Federal government trained that are still looking for jobs. Let me narrow it down to Bonny that has NLNG base, the NLNG trained some persons but they still say the youths are unskilled. We gave them a list of persons to employ but when they got there they deliberately failed them and the next minute they brought in their own people. There has to be a meeting point, the Federal government has to come in. We can’t keep these things the way it has always being, it won’t work that way.

    With many multinational companies operating in Bonny, one would have expected the area to be will developed

    Bonny is the third highest revenue producer in Rivers State, NLNG gives the Federal government N7 billion annually, now they are building more facilities they are going to employ more people. I know the state government is only responsible for income tax; Shell is in charge of 35 percent of Nigeria’s crude oil. In all these Bonny has no roads; it has no Federal government presence. The only Federal government presence is the Federal Polytechnics of Oil and Gas. NNDC approved contract to link Bonny roads together but till today that project has been abandoned, in fact they have squandered the money. We had a press conference and we gave an ultimatum but till today nobody has reacted. Bonny is the only community that produces so much yet has little. If you want to travel to Bonny you need to prepare for one hour rough riding on the sea and get attacked by pirates. If you travel to Bonny and you don’t go with NLNG boat or a private boat mounted with securities then you are not safe how then do you expect us to be happy? NLNG has 1,200 staff only 90 are from Bonny and out of that 90 we have people who are not staffs. Bonny people are getting blind because of the constant gas flaring, our shores are washing off, our youths are unemployed Shell pays N37 million as rent while NLNG pays N140 million to state government.

    From when oil was discovered in the Niger Delta region till date what different does it make to the people?

    Without oil Niger Delta region would have been also developed. It might not be as accelerated as oil has made it to be. Places without oil still have some scanty development because nothing remains static in life. But the development in Bonny is not commensurate. If you put it on a scale of 100 it is not up to 10. Before they started NLNG they took my people to Bintu in Mali and showed them how it is properly organized and promised them that Bonny will be like Bintu, a paradise on earth but guess what 20 years after that Bonny is still a shanty town. The light they gave to us is fading away they even want to privatize it. The light you hear about in Bonny is not free, we still pay bills and tariffs it’s just that they subsidized it. The Bonny master plan has failed; it was only last year they tried to revive it through the Amayanabo of Bonny. Although they have contributed to the development of the area but as an oil producing area it is not commensurate, a place where Nigeria has its resources, those that don’t have oil are far more developed than us.