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Tag: Niger-Delta

  • No state can control its resources 100 per cent, says El Rufai

    No state can control its resources 100 per cent, says El Rufai

    Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Committee on True Federalism, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, said Wednesday that demanding equal states for all the geopolitical zones  is  injustice to others because it will amount to trying to make “the unequal equal”

    The governor also said that it will be difficult for states agitating for resource control to achieve 100 per cent control of resources in their states.

    To him, because states without oil are more, those with oil might not get the required vote in the National Assembly for their wish.

    The governor who spoke at an interactive session with Nigerian Youths in Abuja also said he was prepared to open the books for those willing to audit his security votes.

    According to him, his security vote is being controlled by the Secretary to the State Government.

    The governor who was responding to questions and suggestions raised by some of the youths said rather that make suggestions that will not stand the test of time, the youths should find a way of engaging the process after learning from history.

    He said: There is absolutely no way in the Nigeria of today that a state that has oil will have 100 per cent of the revenue. That is not possible because to get that document through, you have to pass it through the National Assembly and in the National Assembly, there are more states that have no oil than those that have oil and so, they will vote it down.

    “So, you better start proposing something that works for the entire country and not just you. Otherwise, it will not help. The greatest injustice you can do is to try to make the unequal equal or the equal unequal.

    “You cannot come here and say we should create nine states in each zone. Nigeria is not equal in terms of land mass, population, resources etc. so, you can’t do that. It is injustice trying to make the unequal equal because there is nowhere in the world.”

    He said those agitating for the scrapping of the Senate should realize that no member of the senate will vote to scrap the chamber, saying “Whatever you learn with some knowledge of history is incomplete. Unfortunately, in this country, history is not a subject in our schools. We started with a parliamentary system of government with the Queen as our leader, then, we became a Republic in 1963. You should not trace history without learning from the mistakes of the past or make recommendations without some sense of history.

    “When you make “recommendation that you want to abolish the senate, you should know that the senate cannot be abolished unless the Senate votes to abolish the senate. Who is going to vote to make himself unemployed?

    “We have a political process and so, we are not over throwing the government and starting afresh. So, we have to work with what we have in a sensible and pragmatic manner and reform what need to be reformed.

    “When you say create states on the one hand and on the other hand you say cost of governance is too high, you are contradicting yourself. For every state you create, you are adding to the budget of the country. So, you cannot be saying that the cost of governance is too high and yet ask for more states.

    “We must think for once what will be of interest to the country. We must think of what will be of interest to Nigeria because what will work in one part of the country may not work in another. If we don’t think first of what is of interest to all of us before the individuals, we will only have series of conflicting argument without consensus.

    Speaking on security vote and its legality, the governor said there were a lot of misconception about security votes, saying security votes was not unconstitutional.

    He said “Go and read your constitution. The state House of Assembly has the power to appropriate anything and security vote is a line charge in the budget and so. It is not illegal. But it is how it is used is the issue.

    “I know of a former governor who used to collect N1.5 billion in cash as security votes and come to Abuja. It has been subject of abuse and that is not how it should be. The idea of security vote is for the governor to have discretionary funds to deal with emergency situations because you don’t know when you will have security challenges and you need money to be able to respond to these challenges.

    “Sometimes, you need money to pay for information and sometimes, you can’t imagine the type of people you pay as informant because armed robbers patronize a lot of places and you need to know what they are planning next. Another use of security vote is to support security agents in the states.”

  • Oil mogul to Canadian envoy: Niger Delta is investors haven

    The President of   Belema Oil Producing Limited,  Mr.  Tein Jackrich,  has described Niger Delta  as investors’ haven.

    Jackrich also said the region is peaceful, conducive and very good for both foreign and local investments.

    He spoke when the Canadian  Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria,  Mr.  James Christolf, visited  him in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital,  at the weekend.

    He said: “There are all manner of news about this state,  they are not true.  All over the world, there are challenges. You have been in this state now,  you have seen how calm everywhere is. This is a great state I must tell you.

    “One of the things your visit to the state has done is also to demonstrate that investing in the state is safe. The state is friendly,  the youths are friendly,  Niger Delta youths are exceptionally good and friendly.

    “The issue in this whole thing is that,  until we understand that the manner we do business 40years ago needs to change in this jet age, when technology has evolved; the manner we look at the youths needs to change.”

    Jackrich went on: ” The vision behind Belemaoil Producing Limited is not just to much more for shareholders,  the business managers,  but to ensure that there are strategic visible footprint in the communities we operate.

    “We consider the communities as strategic partners in creating wealth for all stakeholders. That is the reason why immediately we took over the operation,  we took on the transformational agenda with great vigour.

    “We have provided jobs for more than 500 of the indigenes. Training and scholarship awards to as much as 400 has been given out this year2017/2018 alone and still counting.

    “Belemaoil also collaborated the Rivers State government in giving out scholarships to deserving indugenesbof the state to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the state this year.

    “To us,  the main thing is to educate these youths in such a manner that will equip them adquately to be able to take on the responsibilities that will enable them add the same values to others, and I chose Canada for a good place to train them.”

    Christolf praised Belemaoil.

    He said: “I am very new in the country,  having arrived barely one month ago. When the opportunity was presented to me to come here (Port Harcourt),  I quickly accepted it.

    “This is because firstly,  there are potential strategic alliances to be formed with Canadian companies and part of our job is to come here and make sure that we meet people, and understand companies,  like Belemaoil and all others you mentioned to provide services.“

  • Niger Delta: Army deploys troops for operation crocodile smile

    Niger Delta: Army deploys troops for operation crocodile smile

    The Nigerian Army says it has deployed troops for the commencement of “Operation Crocodile Smile”  in the six Niger Delta states.

    Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, said this on Saturday while addressing troops to signal commencement of the exercise.

    Udoh said the operation was confidence building patrol rather than a show of force as widely reported.

    READ ALSO: Army to begin ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ in Ogun

    “Operation Crocodile Smile is not a show of force but a confidence-building patrol that seeks to reassure the people of Rivers state and the Niger Delta that the army is ready to work.

    “We are ready to work in close synergy and collaboration with other security services and agencies of government to ensure that there is peace and security for the people.

    “Our operation aims to reassure the public that we are ready to fight crimes like cultism, militancy, and kidnapping so that people can go about their business without fear,” he said.

    Udoh said that troops would carry out collaborative patrols with the Nigerian Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Immigration Service and the Department of State Security (DSS).

    Others are Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Nigerian Customs Service and personnel of the Nigerian Prison Service.

    He said the division would carry out the exercise in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states while another formation would cover other states in the Niger Delta.

    “Army, police and other security services was established to ensure peace; enforce law and order and create the enabling environment for economic activities to thrive.

    “This is our ultimate mandate, and, as such, we urge Nigerians to give us the necessary support to enable us to succeed,” he said.

    The three weeks exercise is slated for Oct. 7 to Oct. 28. (NAN)

  • Boroh to Niger Delta ex-agitators: help build economy

    Boroh to Niger Delta ex-agitators: help build economy

    The Federal Government has urged 200 Niger Delta ex-agitators, who graduated from the Innoson-Kiara Academy, Nnewi in Anambra, to use their skills positively to grow the economy.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (Rtd), spoke at the Batch ‘B’ graduation ceremony.

    A statement by the Academy Head, Media and Communication Department, Mr Piriye Kiyaramo, said the ex-agitators underwent a nine months intensive automobile course in automobile manufacturing, engineering and maintenance.

    Gen. Boroh commended the graduating ex-agitators for making President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government proud in their performance during the training.

    The special adviser said the entrepreneurship drive of the Presidential Amnesty Programme was geared toward creating an enabling environment for beneficiaries to develop their full potential in different vocational skills.

    “This is with a view to making you lead productive and creative lives in line with the ongoing reintegration process of 30,000 ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region.

    “The focus of the Presidential Amnesty Programme is to create the enabling environment for youths in the region, particularly the ex-agitators to have sustainable sources of livelihood as they reintegrate with their communities,” he said.

    The Chief Executive Officer of the academy, Mr Endi Ezengwa, said the trainees were exposed to practical automobile engineering works during their practical training at the factory.

    Ezengwa said of the 199 candidates that sat for the National Technical Certificate (NTC) from the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, 195 bagged distinctions while four others made credits.

    He said that Innoson Car Manufacturing Company was willing to absorb the graduands, with a salary of N60, 000 which would be reviewed upwards at the end of a probation period of one year.

    Ezengwa urged the state governments in the Niger Delta  to create an enabling environment for the graduands to put into practice the skills they have acquired from the academy.

    “We encourage the respective state governors to actively engage us to establish mini-automobile factories in the Niger Delta area,” he added.

    He commended Boroh for his vision and sincerity in driving the youth empowerment scheme through various vocational trainings, describing him as a “focused man, who has his people at heart”.

    Ezengwa said the course covered automobile manufacturing, auto maintenance, auto mechanical, auto electrical, auto painting, welding, among other aspects of the automobile engineering production chain.

    He noted that the Amnesty Office under Gen. Boroh had introduced innovative approach to fill the manpower gaps in critical skills among youths in the Niger Delta.

    The Project Coordinator and representative of the Vendor, Mr Momoh Aminu, explained that the rationale for the training was to ensure that beneficiaries were equipped with marketable skills.

    “The idea had been for everyone that participates in the training to have mastery of a particular area and then everybody now works compositely toward the end product.

    “So far, the trainees have been exceptional because within a short period they have been able to display capacity in assimilating the theory and practical aspects of the training and this is really good for Nigeria.

    “At the end of the day, we will be talking about people, who are armed with critical technical skills which the country needs, not just for the development of the Niger Delta area, but for Nigeria in general,” he stressed.

    Speaking on behalf of the ex- agitators, President of the trainees, Mr Raphael Ajalaja, expressed satisfaction with the leadership of Gen. Boroh, especially the manner he handled the programme.

    Ajalaja also expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for giving them such opportunity to be trained at the centre.

    Another graduate, Miss Gloria Edward, said the automobile training had developed their capacity to several business opportunities.

    Edward urged the Amnesty Coordinator to empower them at the end of the programme to enable them establish their automobile businesses.

    The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of three vehicles; 18-seater bus, 4×4 wheel truck and a 32-seater bus assembled from the scratch to the finish by the ex-agitators.

  • Scavengers and Niger Delta’s development

    Scavengers and Niger Delta’s development

    NIGER -DELTA is a region with several languages and cultures, rich in natural resources and agricultural potentials but its people live in poverty and squalor with Pidgin English as a common denominator. Crude oil and gasflare is common but does not reflect on standard of living, unemployment is common and scavengers feed on disunity, perpetuate crisis to feed fat in collaboration with external bats. This is inimical to development. In devouring trade by batter, they defecate on unity of purpose to fortify themselves with reactionary forces that retard good purpose. Traditional rulers abandon sacred spiritual roles as intermediaries between gods, ancestors and people for politics and contracts, chiefdoms become kingdoms and villages without kingdoms become kingdoms in scrambling for resources, historical stools are trampled for greed. This loquacious greed brought memory of dark ages  where the weak were slaughtered, moles and conspirators exploited poor for avarice. Nigerians must question pedigree of characters challenging Clark’s leadership, their public records apart from putting beads round necks with beaded crowns, parading flashy cars despite poverty around subjects. Can they summon a meeting of the Niger-Delta to get support and legitimacy?

    The PNDPC face-off with PANDEF brings conspiracy. When hyenas look after goats and sheep, the result is catastrophic. Niger-Delta consists of independent ethnic groups. Edwin Clark is the summation of the ethnic nationalities in unity. There is no living or dead Ijaw leader who commands the respect, acceptance and leadership Edwin Clark commands in the region. PANDEF is a collection of statesmen, youths, intellectuals, politicians, traditional and common persons from the Niger Delta. Leadership is earned not bought, nationalities in the Niger-Delta cannot place their heritage on stomach scavengers who pride themselves in mischief to drain solidarity. PANDEF is not Ijaw podium, its Niger-Delta ethnic nationalities in demonstrating collective voice devoid of divisions, its dialogue against arms conflict that destroy and cause human and environmental catastrophe.

    Clark’s leadership is not from PANDEF, it started since 1960s as an erudite scholar in public service that is still counting. He is a voice of reason, caution and wisdom, Clark’s nationalism for Nigeria’s minorities is likened to John the Baptist crying in the wilderness. He acquired leadership in a family known for public service, as student in London under West African students union and after graduation sustained family tradition in several cadres of education, law and advocacy, politics and economy, administration, social crusade and as Senator of the federal republic of Nigeria. Clark’s voice against decade’s of injustices sustains stability, redresses injustices of multinational oil companies and his heart of accommodation, irrespective of tribe is rare. He has paid his dues but can Ijaw produce another Edwin Clark? It’s difficult seeing Clark’s selfless disposition, building people without prejudice.

    When military invaded Gbaramatu in Delta, in search of Tompolo, there was no voice heard that pricked the conscience of the nation like Chief Clark. He wept, refused food and his health worsened, neglecting self for his people. We must restrict scavengers from polluting legitimate struggle, reaping where they did not sow. What is PNDPC bringing that PANDEF is not  doing excellently? What pedigree have  these characters shown to demand the burden of leadership? We must restrict political rodents from defacing identity, leadership is not tea sessions but commitment, not harem of wives or fleet of cars but burning night candles for solutions. Clark’s accusers are blackmailers; fit and intellectually stable at 90 years, he tackled President Yar’Adua privately for calling him father and restrained from criticising him publicly.  Clark’s effort led to creation of ministry of Niger Delta and nominated the pioneer minister.

    Clark’s demand led to Niger-Delta master plan and construction of the South-east uncompleted road, the amnesty programme and reconciliatory efforts were Clark’s statesmanship, oil production was stable under Yar’Adua and Jonathan because of Clark. President Jonathan followed Yar’Adua footsteps by calling Clark his father. Clark never criticised Jonathan publicly but engaged him privately. Mischief makers claim Clark was a beneficiary of Jonathan but was it Jonathan who made Clark relevant under Col. Ogbemudia, Gen. Gowon, President Shagari and subsequent Nigerian leaders?

    Those who lack knowledge are ignorant. Clark was frustrated by some Jonathan’s policies but either  invited him or visited the villa to counsel but some were unheeded. Jonathan’s beneficiaries in Niger-Delta today heap present frustrations on Clark but they forge tleadership is not stomach activism. Clark’s leadership is incontrovertible, wisdom in old age built on merit, and we must differentiate Niger-Delta leadership from Ijaw leadership as Clark towers above all. Niger-Delta is raped economically, the struggle for leadership is self-egoism. They don’t shoulder burden like Isaac Adaka Boro, Ken Saro Wiwa and Clark because understanding of leadership is not tears, tribulation, suffering but pleasure. This is bane of miscreants destroying region’s development. Clark a unifying voice since 1970s is not wealthy but lives on good name. During the civil war, he was a voice of unity and reconciliation.  At over 90 years, Clark does not desire material gains or fame, rather bequeathing good legacy. His children are standing tall on their feet because he made them understand they do not have him for patronages.  Clark did not use public service to benefit family because it negates his principles. Clark his father, Fuludu his grandfather and Ambakaderemo his great grandfather whose big compound was compared to Oba of Benin palace by British intelligence did same.  When envy drives a greedy servant to take his master’s sit for want of glory, honour is sacrificed. Rebellion against Clark’s leadership is sacrilege.

    *Abugo is SA, Social Advocacy/Director of Orientation, Delta State.

  • No alternative to peace in Niger Delta, says Boroh

    The Coordinator of  Presidential Amnesty Programme and Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd.), has said only peace will enhance Niger Delta’s development.

    He implored agitators in the creeks to embrace peace, clear vestiges of violence and sustain developmental efforts of the government.

    Boroh, represented by his Special Adviser, Maj. Martins Abdul (retd.), spoke in Yenagoa yesterday at the fourth edition of Miss Peace Bayelsa Beauty Pageant 2017 and Bayelsa Peace Awards, organised by PGR Entertainment.

    The amnesty boss, who received a Distinguished Advocate of Peace Award, praised the pageant organisers for holding the event at a time the country and world needed peace.

    He said: ”The pageant is  timely because now, the country and entire world need peace. For a young man to have this idea to organise a peace pageant, it is a laudable project.

    ”Without peace, there is no development. Now, we have problems in Niger Delta because investors are still afraid of coming. They are afraid because of threat posed by those in the creeks.

    ”As long as this happens,  development will be elusive. The government is poised to develop parts of the country, including Niger Delta, but violence remains the bane.  Without peace, there will not be development.

    ”So far, so good, in the last two years, the Presidential Amnesty Programme in Niger Delta has guaranteed peace. At the time the programme began, crisis was very high. Until August 2016 we still had problems.

    “Fortunately, we have  doused tension. We have  stabilised the region.

    ”We can boast of pilots, engineers and specialists  in professions. I urge parents, guardians and stakeholders to take this home to our children, our brothers and sisters that there is no alternative to peace.

    ”They (agitators) in the creeks should  embrace peace so that we can develop the region.”

    The Director, Miss Peace Bayelsa Organisation, Mr. Seleipre Tonbie, said the show began in 2011 to promote peace.

    He said the pageant was a reminder of the proclamation of amnesty by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, adding that agitation led to the proclamation.

    Tonbie said: ”The Miss Peace Bayelsa Beauty Pageant is aimed at creating role models, who will serve as an ambassador of peace and enhance a new strength synergy and spirit of the advancement of peace in Bayelsa and Niger Delta.

    ”We have the ideology that peace is not a mere absence of war, but a virtue that springs from the force of character.

    “Promotion of peace through emulation of acceptable character representation becomes pertinent via pageantry, which showcases young, intelligent, confident, talented and creative women, who believe in their contributions to social awakening and growth. The quest for peace should be a conscious and collective effort to embrace change.”

    The highlight of the event, which ended about 3a.m.,  was the conferment of Distinguished Advocate of Peace Awards on two ex-militant leaders, Ebikabowei Ben aka Boyloaf and Chief Reuben Wilson aka General Pastor.

    Miss Samanta Davidson, representing Nembe Local Government, won this year’s Miss Peace Bayelsa. Miss Gbarian Ekpetiama and Miss Gbomo West emerged first and second runners-up.

  • No alternative to peace in Niger Delta – Boroh

    No alternative to peace in Niger Delta – Boroh

    The Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd.), at the weekend, insisted that only sustained peace would develop the Niger Delta region.

    He implored agitators in the creeks to come out and embrace peace to clear vestiges of violence and sustain developmental efforts of the government in the region

    Boroh, who was represented by one of his special advisers, Maj. Martins Abdul (retd.), spoke in Yenagoa on Monday during the fourth edition of Miss Peace Bayelsa Beauty Pageant 2017 and Bayelsa Peace Awards organised by PGR Entertainment.

    The amnesty boss, who received a Distinguished Advocate of Peace Award at the occasion, praised the organisers of the pageant for putting the event together at a time the country and the world were in need of peace.

    Boroh said: ”The pageant is very timely because right now, the country and the entire world need peace. For a young man to have this idea to organise peace pageant, it is a laudable project.

    “Without peace, there is no development. Right now, we have problems in the Niger Delta because investors are still afraid of coming to invest. They are afraid because of threat posed by those who are still in the creeks.

    “As long as that happens, the desired development will continue to be elusive. The government is poised to develop all parts of the country including the Niger Delta region but violence remains the bane.  Without peace, there will not be development in the region.

    “So far, so good, in the last two years, the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta has been able to guarantee some level of peace in the region. At a time the programme commenced, the crisis was very high and up until August 2016 we still had the problem.

    “Fortunately, we have been able to douse the tension. We have tried as much as possible with the government’s commitment and the little resources available to stabilise the region.

    “We can boast of pilots, engineers and specialists of different professions now in the region. I want to urge parents, guardians and stakeholders to please take this home to our children, our brothers and sisters that there is no alternative to peace.

    “They (agitators) in the creek should come out and  embrace peace so that we can develop the region and make it like Dubai.”

    In his remarks, the Director, Miss Peace Bayelsa Organisation, Mr Seleipre Tonbie, said the show was established in 2011 to promote peace in the state.

    He said the pageant was a reminder of the proclamation of amnesty by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and the violent agitation that led to the proclamation.

    Tonbie said: “The Miss Peace Bayelsa Beauty Pageant is also aimed at creating new role models that will serve as an ambassador of peace and enhance a new strength synergy and spirit of the advancement of peace in Bayelsa and the Niger Delta.

    “We have the ideology that peace is not a mere absence of war, but a virtue that springs from the force of character.

    “Therefore, the promotion of peace through the emulation of acceptable character representation becomes pertinent via pageantry which showcases young, intelligent, confident, talented and creative females who believe in their contribution to social awakening and growth. The quest for peace should be conscious and collective effort to embrace change.”

    The highlight of the event, which ended at about 3:00am on was the conferment of Distinguished Advocate of Peace Awards on two prominent ex-militant leaders, Ebikabowei Ben, aka Boyloaf, and Chief Reuben Wilson, aka ‘General Pastor’.

    Miss Samanta Davidson, representing Nembe Local Government Area, won this year’s Miss Peace Bayelsa, while Miss Gbarian Ekpetiama and Miss Gbomo West emerged first and second runners-up.

  • Niger Delta: Fed Govt moves to establish oil, gas institute in Bayelsa

    THE Federal Government has concluded arrangements to establish an oil and gas institute in Bayelsa State as part of ongoing negotiations to tackle developmental problems in the Niger Delta region. The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, made the disclosure, yesterday, when he visited Yenagoa, the state capital, for some official engagements.

    While paying a courtesy visit to Governor Seriake Dickson, Onu said the institute would be sited in Odi, a community in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, which suffered military invasion under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Onu, who was received by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) said the institute, when established would improve manpower in the Niger Delta and reduce unemployment in the country. He said the proposed establishment of the institute in Bayelsa was strategic because of the contributions of the state to oil and gas sector in the country.

    The minister said the institute would enhance development of skills among the people of the region to stimulate the local economy and create activities in the oil-producing communities. He said: “The institute will not only create jobs and improve skills, but it will also create wealth. We need to develop capacity in oil and gas processes in the country”. The minister, who was also in Odi, to inaugurate the ultramodern Bioresources Laboratory complex and the livestock feed milling complex at the Bioresources Development Center (BIODEC), said the government was deploying technology to monitor pipelines and track the country’s oil.

    He said the laboratory would be deployed to investigate pipeline breaches following its capacity to embed fingerprints in oil. He said with the facility oil theft would soon be a thing of the past, as the fingerprinting would enable the country to track its crude oil anywhere when stolen and solve the problem of economic sabotage. Onu said the fingerprinting of the country’s crude oil would begin at the end of the year insisting that the technology could be deployed in the country. He said: “This lab, the ultramodern laboratory, I feel very happy; for me, Nigeria is changing. With this capacity here now, we will be able to do many things.

    “I just gave them an instruction that by the end of the year, we should have fingerprinting of our crude oil, so that if anybody steals it, we will be able to identify it, because even crude oil can have fingerprints and with the equipment we have here, we can do it in Nigeria. “One problem that we have is that we rely on outside, from other people to solve our problems. We produce crude oil, we export it, but we now import refined petroleum products.

  • Okowa hails Nigerian Navy for peace in Niger Delta

    Okowa hails Nigerian Navy for peace in Niger Delta

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Thursday commended the Nigerian Navy for ensuring peace, checking piracy and securing oil facilities in the Niger Delta.

    Okowa made the commendation when he received the Flag Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Oghara, Rear Adm. Peter Onaji, who led top officers of the Command on a familiarisation visit to Asaba.

    He charged the Navy not to relent in its efforts to protect oil and gas facilities in the region.

    “The activities of the Navy have helped to curb sea piracy and protection of national assets, especially facilities that transport crude and gas.

    “It is important that the Navy does not relax on its duties, because of the importance of having secure maritime for socio-economic activities.

    “Today, we have peace in the creeks largely due to the efficiency of the Navy in collaboration with other security agencies and stakeholders which has impacted greatly on the economy of the country,” the Governor said.

    He also commended the Chief of Naval Staff for his commitment to developing the Navy in the wake of any challenge, adding that his initiatives had been felt in Delta and the entire region.

    He charged the Navy to make its Medical facilities and Educational Institutions available to the general public while assuring that his administration would partner with it to build a secondary school in the state.

    Onaji told the governor that he was recently posted as the Commanding Officer in charge of Logistics Command, Oghara, and that his visit was to intimate him with the activities of the command.

    He thanked the governor for his administration’s numerous assistance to the Navy and other security agencies operating in the state.

    He said that the Navy would ensure the securing of the waterways and would also be available to tackle security issues as the need arose.

  • ‘Buhari has done what Jonathan failed to do for N’Delta’

    ‘Buhari has done what Jonathan failed to do for N’Delta’

    Former Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Mr. Clever Ikisipo, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his passion to develop the Niger Delta region  particularly Bayelsa State.

    Ikisikpo, a kinsman to former President Goodluck Jonathan, said Buhari had done what Jonathan’s administration failed to do for his people.

    He spoke at the weekend when students’ representatives from Bayelsa East District, consisting of Ogbia, Nembe and Brass local government areas, conferred on him an award for his oustanding leadership qualities in Kolo area of the state.

    He said Buhari ensured that some persons from Bayelsa were given a licence to build refinery and were awarded oil blocks adding that other developmental projects were being undertaken in the state and other parts of the region.

    Ikisipo, an erstwhile two-time member of the House of Representatives said: ”If I say we should appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari, people will ask, why should we appreciate him. You may not know why we should thank God for making Buhari the President of Nigeria.

    ”Today, what our own could not give to us, Buhari has given to us. An Ogbia man, Dr. Eruani Azibapu, has been given a licence to build a private refinery. We had an opportunity given to the people of Ogbia, Nembe and Brass to own oil blocks in the past, did we get any? No.

    ”But Buhari has given one of us, a woman, an oil block. That is why I am saying we should appreciate Buhari. He is doing well for the Niger Delta people. Because if the refinery is built today, it will take not less than 10,000 workers. Will Brass, Ogbia and Nembe, not get up to 3,000 workers there? Then, would you not be empowered?

    ”So, are we not supposed to appreciate Buhari? The oil block we could not get is to be given to one us. If oil block is given to an Ogbia, Nembe or Brass person, are we not going to get one of the Alakijas, are we not going to get one of the Danjumas. Oil block is one the things that make those people billionaires. Today, Danjuma can give somebody N2bn without batting an eyelid.

    ”Finally, I want to also say we need to appreciate Buhari for fighting corruption and bringing positive change in the country. My friend, one of the serving senators from Bayelsa State, asked me, so, if Buhari had not taken over government, so we would not know the quantum of amount coming into Bayelsa State.”

    Ikisikpo regretted that when the Ijaw had the opportunity to develop the region, they misused it.

    For instance, he said that some of the presidential aides from Bayelsa squandered the commonwealth of the people through excessive greed and reckless spendings and made it impossible for the region to feel the impact of governance.

    He said:  ”I want to tell you some bitter truth. There is an adage that says, ‘before you remove the speck in someone’s eyes, first remove the log in your own eyes.’

    ”God gave us an elephant but we allowed the elephant to get rotten. Some may not get the adage perhaps. If we had judiciously used that elephant properly, I think by now, Bayelsa East would have become a ‘small Dubai’.

    ”But we misused the opportunity. Through that opportunity, we could not get oil blocks, through that opportunity; we could not get even modular refineries in Bayelsa East.

    “Bayelsa East is the first place to produce crude oil in Nigeria, but go to Oloibiri where oil was first discovered in commercial quantity, the place is a thick forest, where you can kill the biggest animal on earth. Is it supposed to be so?

    ”When I entered the House of Representatives in 2003, my first motion was how to make Oloibiri a place that would be conducive to every Ogbia person, every Nembe person and every Brass person. I moved a motion that the Federal Government should build an oil museum there. A beautiful resolution was given, but nothing happened.

    ”At the House of Reps, the first position given to me was deputy chairman, House Committee on Appropriation. The former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswan, was the chairman.

    “I told him in our first budget meetings that what I wanted was the Yenegwe-Okaki-Kolo-Nembe-Brass Road. When we met with the Budget Office, they asked if the road was a federal government road. I said yes. And they said, go and bring documents. We got the documents at Federal Ministry of Works and presented them.

    ”That was a project that was started during Melford Okilo’s administration, but was abandoned and went into oblivion. Today, the project has been forsaken. Like I said, we were given an elephant, if the elephant that we were given, had used the opportunity very well, that road would have moved up to Brass today.”