The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Okowa

  • Ex-militants to Okowa: Don’t impose PDP candidate on Patani LG

    Ex-militants from Patani Local Government Area of Delta State yesterday protested against GovernorIfeanyiOkowa’s alleged imposition of Mr. Perez Omoun as the sole chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming local government council election.

    The ex-militants, led by their Commander, British Columbus, said imposition of candidates on the electorates without following due process or providing a level playing ground is against internal democracy and also brings rancor.

    Another chieftain of the party in the local governmentarea, Rev, Israel Unutame, who also spoke on the issue, called on the national leadership of the party, led by Ahmed Makarfi to call Okowa to order to avoid crises in the local government elections.

  • Open letter to Okowa

    SIR: As Delta State gears up for the Local Government elections, it is our expectation that your name will go down in history books with a pride of place. My main reason of writing is to sincerely appeal and encourage you to fully ensure a fair and level playing ground in this election so that only the best candidates chosen by the people will emerge victorious to represent them. Only the people can genuinely assess the candidates that can work to attract development to their respective local government areas. Too much time has been wasted doing nothing at developing the local government areas.

    It is on record that your predecessor Emmanuel Uduaghan failed woefully when he, for many years, left the vital aspect of grassroot governance in the hands of caretaker committees who he cash-strapped and teleguided to pursue his personal agenda of delaying elections. We cannot forget that.

    Local governments in Delta State have not developed as expected because many of those that were put into positions were inexperienced and visionless. They were picked and imposed on the people through rigging and the godfatherism factor. Political gate keepers and godfathers now see their support to their god-sons and god-daughters as a way of sustaining their political relevance and as an economic investment that must yield superlative dividends by all means against the development of the communities. Why have our local government areas remain undeveloped for a long time? For how long can we continue like this? I believe that after this election, with the right persons in positions, local governments will be catalysts at catapulting your Smart Agenda.

    Too many campaign promises have been broken by local government chairmen time and time again. Now we no longer see constituency projects executed by Ward Councillors like many years back. This is despite the monthly allocation of 20.60% of Federal allocations to local government areas and their Internally Generated Revenues, IGR. For example, there is a very crucial bridge at Urhuoka Abraka which is very vital for the transportation of farmers and their products for years. Almost every politician in that region has campaigned about building a befitting bridge to replace the dilapidated one there when they enter office. Nothing has been done for decades about that bridge which has become a death trap now because of its deplorable state. Photograph attached.

    I urge you to kindly use this election to put an end to godfatherism , rigging and sponsored candidates which has been a bitter pill forced down the throat of Deltans since 1999. Present-day godfatherism is a primordial tradition taken to a criminal extent where few persons benefit to the detriment of the masses. The phenomenon has far-reaching negative effects on the democratization process in Delta State, nay Nigeria. This is engineered by the political permutation that ’if you have your people on ground in all the local governments, you hold political authority, whether the people like it or not’. This is not always correct.

     

    • Frederick Omoyoma Odorige, 

    Hungary.

  • Niger Delta: Wike, Okowa, Ibori call for united front

    Niger Delta: Wike, Okowa, Ibori call for united front

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State yesterday visited former Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori, at his Oghara country home, in what is said to be part of the efforts to reposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the  2019 elections.

    On hand to receive Wike was his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa.

    Wike, who doubles as co-chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, asked Niger Delta leaders to unite for the rapid development of the geo-political zone.

    “Niger Delta must continue to be united. Whatever it takes, unity is still very key. When we are divided, outsiders will come and exploit our resources to the disadvantage of our communities,” Wike’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, was quoted him as saying.

    He added:”We have to fight to protect the interest of the Niger Delta.  We draw strength from people like former Governor James Ibori, a man who has variegated experiences.”

    Governor Wike said that Rivers and Delta States are already co-operating in the spirit of Niger Delta Development.

    “We must work as brothers. We must work as a team. We must not allow our united front to be divided”, he said.

    Ibori commended the two governors for their cooperation on developmental issues.

    He urged both governors to work towards building a stronger united force for all the Niger Delta states.

    He said: “We need to be united to be able to serve our people better. We have to cooperate for the good of our people.”

    He commended the developmental efforts of the Rivers State Governor and urged him to do more.

    Also speaking, Okowa said that the Niger Delta needs to work together for the geo-political zone to be a stronger political voice in the country.

    The meeting later went into a closed door session.

    The Nation gathered that it was all about strengthening the PDP in the South-South for the polls.

    An Oghara based source told The Nation that the Rivers State governor arrived the town in a chopper yesterday afternoon and moved to the home of the former governor in a convoy of cars.

    Ibori has kept a low profile since his return from jail in London earlier this year.

     

  • Delta committed to peace, youth development, says Okowa

    Delta committed to peace, youth development, says Okowa

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has said his administration will continue to promote youth development.

    Okowa spoke when he received a delegation of youths, led by Mr Kenneth Okorie, chairman, Delta State Youth Council, yesterday in Asaba.

    Okorie led youths on a peace walk to mark the grand finale of the International Youth Week celebration.

    The governor, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr Tam Brisibe, said the government’s programmes and policies were tilted towards youth development.

    Okowa commended them for the peaceful manner they conducted their affairs while marking the week, assuring them that more youths would be considered for employment.

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has advised youth corps members to shun crimes during their service year in the state.

    Dickson spoke at the end of Batch ‘A’ Stream II Orientation Ceremony yesterday in Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.

    The governor was represented by Serana Dokubo-Spiff, secretary to the state government and chairman, NYSC Governing Board.

    “As you proceed to the next stage of the service year, I urge you, while in your various places of your primary assignment to shun all forms of crime. Always ensure that the evil forces do not influence you as you perform the national service. Above all, always be security-conscious in your environment,” he said.

    Dickson congratulated them for completing the orientation programme, which he said, is the first in the four-phase programme.

     

     

     

     

  • PDP’s convention ‘ll signal party’s readiness to win in 2019, says Okowa

    PDP’s convention ‘ll signal party’s readiness to win in 2019, says Okowa

    DELTA State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has predicted a presidential win for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections.

    But Okowa, who chairs the party’s Special Non-Elective National Convention Committee, said the convention billed to hold on Saturday will signpost the party’s readiness to return to power at the centre.

    The governor spoke yesterday at PDP secretariat in Abuja during the inaugural meeting of the committee, adding that the convention would be an acid test of the party’s readiness for the election.

    According him, the PDP has realised its mistakes and has learnt its lessons. He restated the party’s determination to correct the mistakes of the past.

    The governor said the party has now embraced good governance, anchored on accountability, rule of law and improved welfare for the citizenry.

    “Yesterday, we were inaugurated with the task of organising a successful national convention for our great party. It is our hope that the various committees will set out to work immediately as we have barley a few days to go.

    “As an organised party, I have confidence in our leaders of the various sub-committees that we will be able to deliver a successful national convention that we can all be proud of.

    “I trust in our abilities because I have seen a good number of committed party members who are dedicated to the cause of ensuring we return to power in 2019,” the governor said.

    On preparations for Saturday’s national convention, Okowa said a lot of grounds had already been covered by the PDP leadership despite the limited time-frame.

    “Our party is back alive and with the national convention, PDP will send a very strong message that will make Nigerians to realise that we are very much ready to take over power come 2019,” the governor said.

  • Okowa urged to pay contractors

    Okowa urged to pay contractors

    Delta State House of Assembly ex-Chief Security Officer Ebi Baikefie has urged Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to pay debts owed contractors.

    He said reports by representative of the Ijaw ethnic nationality on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Commission (DESOPADEC) Chief Favour  Izuokumor that  contractors have  been paid  was not true.

    Baikefie said he is  owed for contracts he executed two years ago.

    He implored the commissioner of DESOPADEC to give a true report to the governor not to complicate issues.

    “Okowa should look at the issues on ground, address them instead of painting contrary reports in the media.  We cannot continue to destroy what we build. “

    Baikefie appealed to Okowa to clear all outstanding debts.

  • Lawmaker laud’s Okowa’s appropriation bill

    MEMBER representing Ughelli South constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Reuben Izeze, has said that the 2017 Appropriation Bill presented by the Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, captured major developmental challenges in the state.

    Izeze, who gave this revelation made during his 2nd annual constituency briefing /town hall meeting held at the Unity hall of Ughelli South Local government council, stated that Okowa has performed going by his developmental projects in Delta.

  • Okowa: I do not owe council workers

    Okowa: I do not owe council workers

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has debunked claims that his administration Is indebted to local council workers in the state.

    The governor also said the expected tranche of the Paris Club Refund might not be able to clear the backlog of owed salaries, but just about three months salaries.

    Local government employees and primary school teachers across the state have been owed varying months in salaries, ranging between 8 and 13 months.

    He spoke yesterday at a town hall meeting at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Effurun.

    He urged local councils to find out ways to pay off outstanding salaries.

    Okowa said: “The local governments have to think of a way to handle it. I am not, as governor, owing the salaries of local government workers.

    “For the Paris Club Refund, the money that will come in may not be able to take care of more than three months salaries. We are praying that it comes.

    “The money that comes from the federal government is no longer enough because there is recession. The salary for that level (local government workers) was increased during the oil boom.

    “The money that used to come was about 3.4 to 3.5 billion, but what comes in now is about 2.3 billion. Plus the 10% of IGR to their salaries adds up to about 2.9 billion. Then deductions for pensions and traditional rulers, all these cause shortages.”

  • Okowa decries dwindling Delta oil output

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has decried the dwindling oil production in the state.

    The governor spoke yesterday at the palace of the Okobaro of Ughievwen kingdom, HRM Ediri Egbi, Owahwa ll, in Ughelli South Council Area after inspecting and inaugurating roads in the area.

    Okowa said Delta ranked first among oil producing states in the nation, until the resurge of militancy two years ago.

    “We are hopeful that peace will return in the next few weeks. Delta is number four in terms of oil production, that should not be our fate. We used to be number one before dropping to number two. If we continue to ensure the peace, we will rise to number two and in the near future, we will be number one,” Okowa said.

    He commended the monarch, including others, who came from neighboring kingdoms for their partnership and cooperation in ensuring peace in their kingdoms.

    The Okobaro of Ughievwen, while commending the governor for ensuring development across the council area, urged the state government to gainfully engage the youth.

    “Government should look inward to the issues of engaging youths as a number of times, there has been demonstrations to the palace. But on our part, we will continue to make sure that there is peace.

    “Then, this place gets flooded when it rains. The river is blocked and we need quick attention from government so that the water can flow through,” Owahwa ll noted.

    Commissioner for Works James Augoye stated that the project was awarded on  January 6, 2016 to Setraco Construction Company while the Okpe-Olomu road was awarded to Obakpor Engineering Company on March 24, 2016.

    Ughelli South Council Area chief Evang. Paul Etaga hailed the governor for the rehabilitation of the roads, pointing out that their benefits were enormous to the people of the area.

  • Okowa’s Sambisa forest

    Government house could be a mysterious place; not to mention spooky. A former media aide who served in Aso Rock, Nigeria’s Presidential Villa recently insinuated that there exist all sorts of atrocious denizens in that rarefied seat of power.

    Reuben Abati it was who dared to suggest that Aso Rock especially of his time, headed by President Goodluck Jonathan was haunted by demons. Of course Nigerians chewed him up, believing he was trying to make excuses for his boss’ damnable inefficiency and demonic treasury-looting during his stint.

    But Hardball would concede here that there might well be psychological and even metaphorical demons traipsing every seat of power in Nigeria. And the higher the office, the more the ghouls – both in size and number.

    This notion is triggered by the mid-term reviews going on across the land currently. Governors are now being ‘compelled’ to account for the last two years.

    While some have tangible things to show, others suddenly freeze at the realization that they have been fooling around the place in the last 24 months with nothing to show for the billions they had received. It can be a trying moment when you are faced with journalists and your people throwing a barrage of questions at you and you don’t have coherent answers.

    Hardball does not suggest that Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta State was in such awkward situation but it was at such a stewardship forum that he made it known to the world that Sambisa forest may have practically walked away from Borno State and settled in his state, Delta.

    Lamenting the menace of the Fulani herdsmen in the Abraka Axis of his state, Okowa noted: “We are aware that there are challenges at the Abraka area but I will not call it Sambisa Forest…” so what would he call it? Sambraka Forest?

    At the midterm briefing, Okowa was full of lamentations at the bloody incursions of the herdsmen in his domain in the last two years. He cut a pitiable spectacle but the truth is that the herders have really wreaked havoc in Delta, killing raping and maiming at will. Indeed about two monarchs have been put down. The cattle Fulani have actually put the fear of cattle in the minds of the people.

    But what has Okowa done about this challenge in two years? Nothing from what we can see. He neither promulgated a law as some of his counterparts have done nor did he consider the business proposition of ranching. It’s just not enough to announce tearfully that Sambisa has relocated to Okpella; what has he done about it?