The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ikpoba-Okha local government Area

  • Omozogie-Uteh community connected to national grid

    The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has connected Omozogie quarters in Uteh community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area to the national grid.

    It is the first time the residents are getting electricity after many years of waiting. They, therefore, set up an Electricity Committee to watch against energy theft.

    At a town hall meeting before the inauguration of a sub-station, BEDC’s Head of Community Relations, Mrs. Virginia Osineme, urged the people to see the substation as a collective responsibility that should be protected against vandalism and other forms of energy theft.

    Mrs. Osineme educated residents on basic safety tips on proper earthing of their premises, importance of engaging licensed electricians to wire their houses, and the need to avoid substandard electrical accessories.

    She said: “The protection of the substation is everybody’s business. If there is no light, you know who to meet and talk to. If you see anybody in the substation that is not authorised by BEDC and the electricity committee, he or she is a vandal and should be arrested.”

    The Ikpoba Hill Business Manager, Mrs. Ekaete Ntukidem, praised the residents for their patience during the process of connecting them to the national grid.

    “Meters have been properly installed and functional to provide you with fair and transparent billing. Please, ensure no new wire is connected illegally to the network. We will know because of the check meter attached to the transformer, vend as at when due and don’t allow electricians to tamper with the transformer.”

    Spokesman for the community Mr. Iyoha Omozogie said the sub-station would boost business in the community.

    “We thank the management and staff of BEDC for their direction in ensuring that our community is connected to the national grid. We also thank members of the community for their selfless donations and doggedness in ensuring the yearning of the people becomes a reality. We now have light in Omozogie.

    “The community has set up an electricity committee which will work with BEDC in ensuring meters were not bypassed to mitigate energy losses, ensure quick response to faults and protection of the substation.”

  • Edo begins demolition of school under high tension cable

    Edo begins demolition of school under high tension cable

    Edo State Government has commenced demolition of Etete Primary school in Ikpoba-Okha local government area in line with its resolve to remove all structures built under high tension cable.

    Pupils of the school were relocated to nearby primary schools while the state government has secured a location for the construction of a new school for the pupils.

    The demolition of the school was to serve as a warning to landlords who built houses under high tension cable.

    Chairman of the Interministerial Committee on the removal of structures under high tension cable, Mika Amonakha, had earlier warned landlords at Evboriaria power line route to relocate and remove their buildings.

    Some of the landlords have vowed not to leave until they were compensated because they were given approval to build by the state government.

    When our reporter visited Etete Primary school, the roofs were being removed while residents scavenged whatever they could from the school.

    Headmaster of the school, Comrade Omo Omoregie said the demolition followed a directive by the state government in line with the danger posed by the high tension cable.

    Comrade Omoregie said pupils and teachers have been relocated to Ivbiotor Primary School and Manpower Technical Training ground at Evboriaria.

  • Nine die in Edo road accident 

    Nine die in Edo road accident 

    Nine persons were on Tuesday morning killed in a road accident involving a tipper and a commercial bus driver.

    The accident occurred at about 6am along Upper Sokponba road near Oka market in Ikpoba-Okha local government area.

    All the passengers in the commercial bus marked BEN 435 ZN died.

    Six of the passengers including a pregnant woman died on the spot while others died at the hospital they were rushed to.

    Eye witnesses said the tipper rammed into the commercial bus after it parked to pick a passenger.

    The incident sparked protest from family members, friends and other commercial drivers plying the route.

    Bon fires were set on the road while commercial drivers suspended work which made passengers to trek long distance.

    The protesters set the tipper ablaze but the driver was not seen.

    At the Central Hospital morgue, families were seen coming in to identify their relatives.

    It was not however confirmed whether the baby in the deceased pregnant woman was rescued.

    When contacted for comments, Edo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samuel Odukoya, confirmed the incident and said nine persons were confirmed dead.

    He said the protesters prevented his men from getting access to the scene.

    A bus driver who gave his name as Osas said they decided not to work to protest reckless driving of tipper drivers.

     

     

  • Edo traditional ruler flees as villagers set palace ablaze

    Edo traditional ruler flees as villagers set palace ablaze

    Traditional ruler of Oghoghobi community in Ikpoba-Okha local government area, His Royal Highness Kingsley Omorose has fled his community after angry villagers invaded his palace and set it ablaze.

    Other properties belonging to the traditional ruler was torched including those owned some of his loyalists.

    The villagers stormed the palace after gunmen killed a former youth chairman of the community, Mr. Lambert Igbinomwahia popularly known as ‘let them say.’

    Late Igbinomwahia was killed at his residence by unknown gunmen as he approached the gate to open for them to come in.

    After the shooting, the villagers stormed the traditional ruler’s palace having fingered bom as the mastermind and razed it.

    Those who spoke said the traditional ruler was suspected as the arrowhead because of several threats he has made to the deceased.

    Mother of the deceased, Magdalene, said the deceased was her only son.

    According to her, “The Enogie called my son and told him to stop selling land. My son said he has not been selling land.”

    She urged security agencies to unravel the killers of her son.

    The embattled traditional ruler who spoke through the telephone described the allegations against him as a ploy to dent his image.

    HRH Omorose said he could not plan any evil against his subject and confirmed that there was a pending issue between the deceased and community.

    State Police Commissioner, Haliru Gwandu, who confirmed the incident, said he drafted men to the area immediately police received signal.

    Gwandu stated that the issue at stake was between the deceased and the traditional ruler.

  • Cows chase pupils out of classroom in Edo

    Cows chase pupils out of classroom in Edo

    Pupils of Ohovbe Primary School in Ikpoba-Okha local government area were on Tuesday chased out of their classrooms by cows.

    The pupils were said to have stayed outside for about one hour before the herdsman came to take them out.

    It was gathered that the herdsmen have turn the school to grazing ground and the cows used to hide inside the classrooms whenever it rains.

    The classrooms however were unkempt as there were no windows and doors. They oozed of cow dung.

    A part of the school perimeter fence has broken down which gave the herdsmen access to the school.

    Head teacher of the school, Mrs Emumen Mercy showed reporters a recent video, recorded by one of the school teachers.

    Mrs. Mercy said they have faced the predicament for many months and called on relevant agencies to save the children from danger.

    Some of the teachers said they have reported the activities to government officials but nothing was done about it.

    They claimed that the cows used to stay in the school field even when the pupils are playing during break.

     

  • Gunmen kills APC Youth leader in Edo

    Gunmen kills APC Youth leader in Edo

    The All Progressives Congress Youth leader in Ward 4 in Ikpoba-Okha local government Area was killed by unknown gunmen on Monday evening in his wife’s shop.

    The unfortunate incident was said to have taken place at the Ikpoba-hill axis of Benin City at about 9pm.

    The APC Youth leader identified as Sunny Omokaro according to our Sources said Sunny was relaxing in his wife shop after returning from a political meeting they held when some men numbering about four ram  into the wife’s shop.

    Apparently disturbed by the manner of the men, Sunny asked them to leave his wife shop who deals on beer.

    Unknowingly that the men were been chased by policemen, brought out their guns and shot Sunny at the chest and they left him in pool of blood.

    Our Sources said Sunny died before he could get to the hospital.

    When contacted, the state public relations officer, DPS Abiodu Osifo said he is yet to be briefed on the matter.