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Tag: Peterside

  • Peterside: Mbu a politician in police uniform

    Peterside: Mbu a politician in police uniform

    The immediate past controversial Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu, is settling down to his new posting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory and his successor, Tunji Ogunsakin, is proving to be his opposite. For a long time to come, the people of Rivers and politicians, especially those in the opposition will remember Mbu.

    Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, in an interview, said forgetting Mbu easily would be difficult given the fact that “he was a politician in police uniform”.

    On whether or not Mbu’s transfer to Abuja may signify the beginning of peace in Rivers State, he said: “Yes and No. Yes because I believe that the police authorities have replaced him with a more professional and competent public officer. CP Mbu who was at the center of the show of shame in Rivers State is simply a politician in police uniform. In the discharge of police responsibility, integrity and impartiality are fundamental if the people you are supposed to police must have confidence in you. Joseph Mbu did not earn and could not have enjoyed the confidence of Rivers State people.

    “Conversely no, because the insecurity in Rivers State is an institutional problem facilitated by the same persons whose duty it is to care about the protection of lives and properties of the people of Rivers State. The transfer of Mbu could be change of strategy due to the persistent pressure of the people and concerns raised by both Chambers of the National Assembly and other, well-meaning members of Nigerian society. You know evil cannot thrive for a long time. Our approach is to wait and see.”

    Peterside, who represents the Andoni/Opbo/Nkoro in the House of Representatives, said Mbu and those who sent him could not have affected the fortunes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

    He said: “APC is actually a mass movement whose time has come. APC offers Rivers people hope as the platform that will restore the dignity of the Rivers man. APC is waxing stronger and stronger by the day as more persons realize that the dynamics of national politics has changed. The reality that PDP will soon be an opposition party stares everybody at the face. The non performance, avoidable mistakes and insensitivity of PDP has further contributed to strengthening APC. The difference between APC and PDP in Rivers State can be likened to the difference between light and darkness. Rivers people would once more be rewarded for their contribution to the national economy. Rivers people know that a good friend is better than a bad brother. The days ahead will show that the ordinary people of Rivers State would love quality service as represented by Governor Amaechi to continue and will outrightly reject corruption and politics of exclusion.”

    Speaking on how APC can retain power in Rivers after the next general elections, he said: “Retaining power in Rivers State is a combination of factors. Who among the gladiators will protect in a fair and equitable manner the interest of all Rivers people against the interest of a particular clan. From the antecedents of the political actors and leaders, who will work for the interest of Rivers people above personal consideration? Who among these political actors have character and competence? Character will be key in Rivers people deciding who to follow. APC in Rivers State is led by men of character who have shown that given the opportunity they will place the interest of Rivers State above their selfish interest. Leaders of APC in Rivers State are those who can give youths in Rivers State hope that there is a future for them against the current regime of hopelessness, exclusion and violence. APC in Rivers State has proven beyond doubt that they have capacity to bring about change. Most importantly, APC leadership in Rivers State is populated by God fearing men and women. The recent party registration exercise in Rivers State has shown that majority of registered voters in Rivers State registered as members of APC to the chagrin of our detractors.”

    He disagreed with people who believe that Governor Rotimi Amaechi is stubborn. As far as he is concerned, Amaechi is only vocal and forthright, adding: “Nobody will take away the fact that Amaechi is fighting for the right ideals. Nobody will deny the fact that Amaechi has performed well, has character and can go to any length to protect the things dear to the minds of Rivers people. Governor Amaechi is not our everyday politician who quite often lacks courage and do not have principles and ideals to live for. Love him or hate him, Governor Amaechi represents the new face of democracy in Nigeria. Whenever Governor Rotimi Amaechi has cause to challenge the establishment it is certainly in the interest of the people and not for selfish interest or ego. A few persons would have preferred the status quo to remain, yet hopes for change. What a contradiction? It is almost obvious that nobody is comfortable with the way things are going currently in the country but very few are ready to risk the comfort of their life and office to champion change in society.”

    He faulted the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) belief that the APC would disintegrate with time, describing the view as unfortunate.The PDP, he said, is behaving like the proverbial woman who cannot give birth and is blaming her mate.

    Peterside also spoke on the allegation that some of the movements from the APC to the PDP were induced.

    “You are aware that there is allegation that some of these movements are influenced by inducement. I may not know the veracity of that allegation but it is definitely a scenario. Ultimately what I am sure is that most members of the National Assembly identity with the philosophy of APC which is change. Very few persons are comfortable with the current dysfunctional system. Most persons yearn for change meaning they believe in APC though local factors vary. You cannot ignore the influence of local politics thus you have a few persons whose heart is in party A but they are physically in party B.”

    Peterside, who recently walked out on the budget defence of the Ministry of Works, gave an insight into the action. He said he was not playing into the gallery.

    Said he: “I looked through the budget proposal of the Executive and confirmed that there is absolutely no intention to do any project in Rivers State in the year 2014 despite our contribution to the national economy and the votes we gave to the current government. I raised alarm that the implication of denying ordinary Rivers people infrastructural projects is akin to declaring war on innocent Rivers people. I perceive this zero allocation to all federal road projects in Rivers State as an extension of the political persecution Rivers State is going through for some time now. I considered it morally indefensible to sit in a session where Rivers State will be denied its due. I had to loudly register my protest by staging a walk out. I am told the Hon. Minister did not deny my assertion but explained that the Ministry discovered that Ahoada-Omoku road dualisation has been awarded by NDDC thus his Ministry is not proceeding with it. The Minister said the money meant for that project will be applied to Degema-Abonnema road which is nowhere in the budget. How he will do that is yet to be seen as there is no budgetary provision for such. The Minister is not the National Assembly that appropriates. The Minister claimed that Bonny-Bodo road will be executed under public private partnership after being listed in the budget for several years. On rehabilitation of Enugu-PH expressway, the Minister said it will be given adequate attention this year but refused to acknowledge that Rivers State government has awarded the section that is in Rivers State to JDP Limited, an Israeli firm. JDP is on site, so Enugu-PH Expressway cannot be said to be a project in Rivers State. Eleme flyover is a project started and executed by Rivers State government through Julius Berger though it was allocated no fund. Eleme flyover to Onne awarded to RCC is not funded. It is obvious that there is a deliberate plan to exclude Rivers State from infrastructural development but like all their previous attempts, this one will fail too. Rivers people will respond to all these injustices at the appropriate time.”

     

  • Peterside: why I walked out on Ministry of Works’ budget defence

    Peterside: why I walked out on Ministry of Works’ budget defence

    House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, yesterday explained the reason why he walked out on the budget defence session of the Ministry of Works.

    The lawmaker, who represents Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency of Rivers State, said he decided to leave the budget session on discovering from the ministry’s details of on-going projects and 2014 budget proposal that there was no allocation for projects in Rivers State.

    “The few projects listed in Rivers State got zero allocation,” he said.

    He said it would have been immoral and grossly irresponsible of him to remain in a budget session that excluded his home state and people despite “our huge contributions to the Federation Account”.

    He wondered why a frontline state, such as Rivers, would be singled out for “such criminal neglect”.

    He said there is more to the omission than meets the eye.

    A statement by Peterside’s media aide, Sylvester Asoya, said: “A breakdown of details of on-going highway and bridge projects in Rivers State show that no single allocation was given to such projects as construction of Eleme Junction Flyover and dualization of the access roads to Onne Port in Rivers State; access roads to Eleme Port Harcourt Refinery; construction of Bodo-Bonny Road with a bridge across the Opobo Channel and the rehabilitation of the Abalamabie (Allison Hart) bridge. It will be recalled that Rivers State government awarded and completed Eleme Junction Flyover project in the year 2009.

    “Although Minister of Works, Mike Onolomemen has absolved the executive of any blame, but the unfair distribution of projects particularly to other Southsouth states raises even more questions. This is the crux of the matter.”

    Onolememen has said the zero allocation to road projects in Rivers State was caused by non-availability of funds.

    Peterside queried the wisdom behind the handling of the Bodo-Bonny Road project through Public Private Partnership after being in the budget for eight years. He said this claim of involving PPP smacked of insincerity as there was nothing to show that the PPP process was in place.

    He faulted the minister’s claim that the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road was being given attention.

    Peterside said: “This is not true because Rivers State government is already working on the Port Harcourt Oyigbo axis of the road through JDP Ltd. And the Port Harcourt-Oyigbo axis is the only part of the Port Harcourt-Enugu road that is located in Rivers State.”

    The lawmaker said Rivers State people must not suffer on account of perceived political differences.

  • APC on a rescue mission in Rivers, others, says Peterside

    APC on a rescue mission in Rivers, others, says Peterside

    The representative of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency of Rivers State in the House of Representatives, Dakuku Peterside, isthe Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) and ex-Rivers State Commissioner for Works. In this interview with Bisi Olaniyi at his coastal Opobo hometown, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    H ow do you feel, coming home to register as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC)?

    I feel very elated. Today, we have made yet another history. Some years ago, I was elected to represent the people of Andoni, Opobo and Nkoro, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but a lot has happened since then and I have changed party platform. I am now a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Today, I have formalised my membership of the APC. That is why I said history is being made today.

    We are reintegrating our people back to the mainstream of national politics. At the time we fought and agitated for democracy, we did not subscribe to repressive government. We did not subscribe to any government that will take our natural resources. We did not subscribe to corruption. We did not subscribe to repression, intimidation and lawlessness, but that is our lot, under the leadership of the present government in Nigeria. And so, we are on a rescue mission, to ensure that the people do not continue under this style of governance that represents corruption, represents repression and represents the fact that people can take away that which belongs to us. We have since moved on.

    The beauty of democracy is that people must have choices. People must have options. The beauty of democracy is freedom to belong to any political party of your choice. The beauty of democracy is the freedom to express your opinion and to associate with whomever you want to associate with.

    Under the present circumstance, led by the PDP, our people cannot enjoy those constitutionally-guaranteed rights of freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of movement. Those fundamental freedoms that make us, in the first instance, to cherish democracy, cannot be guaranteed under the present arrangement. That is why we have opted for a platform that will guarantee the rights of our people, that will secure our commonwealth, that will restore hope to our people again. A platform that will galvanise the aspirations of our people and a platform that will meet the yearnings of our people. I can assure you that the APC is that platform that will meet the aspirations of our people and can of course, restore hope in our people.

    I believe that the journey of a thousand miles starts with the very first step. Today, we have started the very first step. In 2015, we will elect an APC president for the country and APC governor for Rivers state, but that on its own is not an end. It of course marks the beginning of good governance. It will mark the beginning of prosperity again and the development of all our people and of course our state and nation. We are very optimistic that when the change in government will come, it will signify a new beginning for our people and I believe that APC is the vehicle that will take us to that new beginning.

    How do you react to violence in some parts of Rivers State, during the membership registration of the APC?

    It is most unfortunate. Again, it is the hallmark of the PDP. They have championed violence against the same people, who gave them their mandate, some two, three years ago. They have championed violence against the same people who gave them over two million votes. They have been at the forefront of intimidation of the people. Democracy is a matter of choice. You cannot intimidate us into belonging to a particular political party, especially one that does not protect our interest. Politics is a game of interest. It is clear that the PDP, as it is presently constituted, cannot protect the interest of Rivers people and indeed cannot protect the interest of Nigerians. On the issue of violence, everybody can see clearly the hand of the PDP, wherever you experience violence. They are scared about the fact that the masses have embraced the APC. They are scared of change, but change is inevitable.

    How will you react to the February 6, 2014 redeployment of Mbu Josepn Mbu and how will you advise the incoming Rivers Commissioner of Police, Johnson Tunde Ogunsakin, an indigene of Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State?

    Mbu is only a symptom of an ailment. Mbu is not all about the problem. He is not the fundamental problem. The fundamental problem is to guarantee the rights of Rivers people to associate freely. The rights of Rivers people to gather when they so choose to. To make choices. That is the issue. Mbu is only a vehicle that they have abused.

    The police force is established by our constitution and they have rights. It is funded by tax payers’ money. They have rather abused the institution of the police force. Whether you change Mbu or not, is not the issue. The President is under oath to guarantee the freedom of all Nigerians. He is on oath to protect lives and property. Are lives and property protected? The answer is no.

    For me, when there is breakdown of law and order, when you continue to go on with lawlessness, it is the first sign of a failed state. We are advancing to that point. We must do something drastic to halt the decline that we are currently experiencing.

    We must do something very fundamental to stop the lawlessness that pervades the land. Until we stop the lawlessness, then there is no hope for our people. Our people will take their destinies into their own hands. They will stop this impunity by their votes. Of course, February 2015 is by the corner.

    Our people are tired of this lawlessness. They are tired of this impunity. They will use their votes and stop this madness. Whether Mbu comes or Mbu goes is immaterial. The Nigeria police should keep themselves to their constitutionally-guaranteed duty of enforcement of law and order. Whether it is Mr. White or Mr. John, we are not excited.

    What we want to see is the fact that the police force must be impartial, must be fair to all manner of people, protect lives and property and ensure the maintenance of law and order. That will be our ultimate joy and will be the ultimate joy of our people.

    How do you react to the Friday, February 7, 2014 Supreme Court’s judgment, in the suit involving Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Sir Celestine Omehia?

    We have always known that Omehia has no business trying to join a case for which he is not a party to, ab initio, and for which he has no stake.  The Supreme Court said he simply could not have his cake and eat it and that he is a pretender. Justices of the Supreme Court reprimanded him.

    We have always had confidence in the judiciary. That is why we have never resorted to violence or self-help. We have absolute confidence, first in God and secondly, that the institution of the Supreme Court would be able to do justice according to law and that it is not about emotions. It is not about sentiments. And so, we are glad that the Supreme Court did not disappoint the people of Nigeria.

    That the Justices of the Supreme Court, by their action, have deepened democracy and our people, once more, are very hopeful, very optimistic and they look to a glorious and very bright future and all of us will have the opportunities to enjoy the good things that constitutional democracy guarantees all over the world. Ours cannot be an exception. So, we are actually elated.

     

  • A party yet to get to the root of its problem

    A party yet to get to the root of its problem

    The resignation of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is considered a big relief to the troubled party. His exit is also seen as extermination of a virus that has destroyed the party’s system.

    But analysts believe the problem of the PDP is beyond the removal of

    Tukur. They say the party needs self reassessment of its activities in the past 16 years and chart a new method of governance.

    Who succeeds Tukur? The successor is expected to come from the Northeast in line with the party’s zoning formula. A lot of interest will come to play in picking a new Chairman. President Goodluck Jonathan will be much interested in who takes over the party’s number one slot because he is the party leader and his re-election bid in 2015 will depend largely on the influence of the party chairman. The candidates favoured by the PDP governors and anti-Tukur forces are former Bauchi State Governor Adamu Muazu, a former Deputy National Secretary of the party, Dr Musa Babayo, Nigeria’s former ambassador to the United States, Alhaji Hassan Adamu (Waklin Adamawa) and former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Prof Rufai Alkali.

    But there is a new twist to the succession struggle as the First Lady Mrs Patience Jonathan is said to be scheming to install the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar as the chairman, a move which the governors are resisting.

    Will the G-5 governors return to PDP? Five of the seven PDP governors who left and formed a parallel party known as new-PDP have defected to All Progressives Congress (APC). They are Governors Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and AbduFatah Ahmad (Kwara). The remaining two that are still in PDP are Aliyu Babangida (Niger) and Sule Lamido (Jigawa).

    The removal of Tukur is one of the conditions listed for reconciliation to take place. Other demands put forward by the aggrieved governors and their supporters are that: the President should drop his ambition to contest in 2015 in compliance with the agreement he signed in 2011 to serve only one term; Oyinlola should be reinstated as National Secretary of the party as decided by the Appeal Court judgment; the suspension on Governor Rotimi Amaechi as member of the PDP be lifted; Governor Amaechi should be recognised as Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum and reinstatement of States PDP executives sacked by Tukur.

    Will internal democracy rein in PDP? One of the allegations against the leadership of the PDP is lack of internal democracy in decision making. Tukur himself once admitted that “lack of internal democracy in PDP is responsible for the nation’s inability to enjoy a democratic culture. The PDP lacks openness, inclusiveness, fairness, respect as well as proper balance between the principles of fusion and separation of powers as they relate to oversight functions of governance in the party and government. Tukur, at the inauguration of a 50-member advisory committee headed by former President Dr Alex Ekwueme, said: “We cannot reposition our party or be a leading force in deepening democratic culture in Nigeria unless we effectively address these problems and challenges.”

    In spite of this self indictment, Tukur’s tenure was characterised by arbitrary decisions, such as imposition of party candidates for elective offices and support for opposition candidates as witnessed in the Ondo and Anambra governorship elections.

    A major grouse against Tukur leadership was disrespect for the party’s constitution and running the party as a personal estate. For instance, he was accused of failing to convene the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and turning his private residence into party secretariat. He was also accused of constituting a parallel National Working Committee (NWC) made up of his special advisers. The parallel NWC caused the friction between Tukur and Prince Oyinlola because he refused to sign their letter of appointment based on his conviction that their appointments by Tukur was illegal and were unknown to PDP’s establishment manuals.

    The anti-Tukur forces fought and succeeded in the disbandment of the parallel NWC.

    Those that were not in the good book of either the presidency or Tukur were victims of high handedness. Amaechi was suspended from the party on trump up charges without allowing him to defend himself. Wamakko too had similar experience but his suspension was later reversed. The governors were members of the G-7 that had an axe to grind with President Jonathan and Tukur. The party’s state executives were dissolved in Kano and Adamawa States without consultation with governors because of their anti-Tukur posture.

    We’ll not return to PDP, says Peterside

    Former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not return to the embattled party, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, has said.
    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, on Wednesday, said the G-5 Governors would return to the PDP with the exit of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as national chairman.
    Peterside, in a statement, said the latest development in the PDP has further confirmed their fears about the party’s future.
    He said: “Those of us who dumped PDP will not go back to the party. Never. Rather we have been justified that the leadership of the crumbling PDP while we were there was rudderless and had no programme for Nigeria and Nigerians. The stakeholders there who have lost touch with Nigerians realised it too late to their own detriment. I feel sorry for the party. PDP has lost the confidence of Nigerians.”

  • Peterside… A ray of hope from the South

    Peterside… A ray of hope from the South

    His friends describe him as a man who despite his growing profile has remained the man they knew when he was nowhere the ladder of leadership. They believe his humility, fear of God, loyalty to friendship, detribalised nature and compassion for the less privileged have worked in his favour. The man they are talking about is the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Hon. Dakuku Peterside. From his time as Student Union leader, aide to a governor, local government chairman, Commissioner for Works and now member of the House of Representatives, those who know him insist Peterside has remained the humble man they knew right from his days at the Okrika Grammar School. What may have changed, his aides say, is that he has proven himself as a dependable leader driven by the desire for change. They have described him in these words: compassionate, intellectually-driven, imbued with leadership virtues, dependable and obsessed with integrity.

    This man, who turned 43 on the eve of the New Year, has indeed come a long way; yet, those close to him say he is still a mission in progress. Wherever that mission takes him, what is clear now is that he is touching lives in different ways. He has become a role model of sorts to younger people garnering unprecedented followership because of his simplicity, consistency and sense of accommodation.

    Every year the lives of 10 graduates from the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency of Rivers State change for good. Last September, Harry Dunotio Zipporah, Utong, Barthemaeus Abraham, Ofik Tana,Oko Jaja Opuada, Festus Victor Pepple and five others left for the United Kingdom to pursue masters degrees, at no cost to them. All their expenses throughout the duration of their studies at A-list universities, such as the Kingston University, University of Aberdeen and University of Bedfordshire, will be borne by one man, Hon. Peterside through the platform of the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Economic Zone Development Foundation.

    These young men and women are the latest of the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme through which Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro’s generation next are being groomed.

    Besides this scheme, Hon. Peterside also facilitates the participation of Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro scholars in at least four other overseas scholarship programmes sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rivers State government, Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) and oil giant Shell Scholarship.

    Peterside recently brought resource persons from the United Kingdom alongside a former Chairman of Federal inland revenue service( FIRS) to train upcoming women entrepreneurs, 300 women from Andoni/ Opobo/ Nkoro benefitted from the first set of trainees. These women have all developed different business proposals which is being assessed for sponsorship of top ten viable ones which addresses a local need.

    Peterside will in August this year start a scheme to award local university scholarship to 46 underprivileged undergraduates from all the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State. This scholarship is not for the children of the rich. It is meant to give education to the underprivileged or less privileged and other vulnerable members of Rivers State society.

    Peterside, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), has been described as members of the committee as ‘a leader in whom they are well-pleased’. There is no doubt that Zipporah, Abraham, Festus Pepple and other beneficiaries of his scholarship scheme will echo the same sentiment.

    That Peterside cherishes education can be easily gleaned from the fact that despite his tight schedule as the chairman of a very busy House Committee, he still finds time for intellectual activities, such as delivering lectures in Nigeria and abroad and giving talks on areas of national importance. He is also a doctoral candidate at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    He has had the benefit of being educated in some of the best institutions at home and abroad. A native of Biriye, Opobo Kingdom, Dakuku attended the Okrika Grammar School (OGS), the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, the University of Port Harcourt, the Georgia State University, Atlanta, United States and the Harvard-Kennedy school, University of Harvard, United States.

    He earned degrees in Medical Laboratory Sciences (Haematology), Business Administration (Management) and certificates in Leadership and Project Management. Peterside is a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), a fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria (IMCN) and a member of the Institute of Medical Laboratory Sciences of Nigeria (MLSN).

    He has held various leadership positions, such as Rivers State Commissioner for Works (2007-2011), where he anchored Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s transformation of roads and Infrastructural landscape of Rivers State, Board member of the Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority (GPHCDA), Executive Director of the Development and Leadership Institute (DLI) between 2005 and 2007, Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Rivers State on Works (2003-2005) and Chairman, Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area (2002-2003) and he was declared the most outstanding local government chairman by Dr Peter Odili, who was then the governor of Rivers State.

    Peterside has also served as Special Assistant to Rivers State Governor on Youth and Student Affairs and Board member, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), a Federal Government arts and research establishment.

    Peterside, who is the Amaopusenibo of Opobo kingdom, was elected to represent Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro in the House of Representatives in 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Some weeks back, he dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a result of PDP’s endless crises. In a recent interview he said Rivers long term interest and that of his constituents is his incentive for being in politics and that whenever that is compromised or threatened he is bound to stand up for the people. It is obvious that his recent defection to APC is because PDP could no longer protect and advance the interest of Rivers State. Aside serving as the chairman of the strategic Petroleum (Downstream) Committee, he also serves in the House most important committees on Anti-corruption, National Ethics and values; Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes; Co-operation and Integration in Africa, Electoral Matters; Industry; Communications and Works.

    Peterside has sponsored bills, which have gone through various stages in the House of Representatives. They include: A Bill for an Act to amend the firearms Act F28 LFN2004 to increase the penalties for illicit possession, transfer, manufacturing, dealing in and housing of fire arms, small arms and light weapons; a Bill for an Act to establish the National Post graduate College of Medical Laboratory Science and for matters connected therewith 2013; a Bill for an Act to authorise law enforcement Agencies to receive oral and written, in form of SMS, communication made by an individual using telecommunications and internet in order to enhance criminal investigations in Nigeria and for related matters among several other bills. He has at least fifteen motions to his credit.

    He also co-sponsored an act to provide for the establishment of the legal and regulatory framework, institutions and regulatory authorities for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry; establish guidelines for the operation of the upstream and downstream sectors.

    Peterside is a champion of reform and strengthening of institutions as key to unlocking development potentials. He is an international resource person on oil and gas matters and a leading leadership/management scholar and speaker. Peterside has spoken and still speaks in conferences around the world.

    He established the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Economic Zone Development Summit (AONEZDS) as a constituency engagement project and through it, he is showcasing the vast investment cum economic potential of the zone. The summit provides a platform for traditional rulers, academics, thinkers, businesses, NGOs, women, youths, the clergy and professionals to share ideas and shape the economic vision of the constituency.

    Peterside, who is married to a lawyer, Elima, is blessed with three children, Soba, Belema and Miebi.

     

  • Balarabe, Peterside hail defectors

    Balarabe, Peterside hail defectors

    Former Governor of the old Kaduna State Alhaji Balarabe Musa has lauded the defection of the Alhaji Kawu Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also known as the nPDP, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Musa told The Nation that he supports the development, describing it as “very good for the country’s democracy”.

    He urged APC to bring the Labour Party (LP) and other progressives into its fold.

    Musa said: “At the moment, the APC has strengthened its might towards 2015. All it needs is to bring the LP and other credible parties into its fold.

    “Also, I think the APC should not insist on merger alone. It should accommodate any party that wants to maintain its identity but form an alliance.”

    Chairman of the House of Representatives on Petroleum (Downstream Sector) Dagogo Peterside said: “The defection is a watershed in our democratic journey and hope rekindled. The beneficiaries are Nigerians. Our democratic institutions will be strengthened by implication. Never again will the people be taken for granted. I congratulate these men of courage.”

  • Peterside hails Amaechi

    Peterside hails Amaechi

    The Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside (Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro), has described Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as a man of uncommon courage.

    He hailed Business Day for selecting the governor as the winner of its good governance award.

    Peterside said: “We are not surprised that he was selected for this award. For a man, who has dedicated his life to the service of his people, this award is not only fitting, but also encouraging. We are happy that his achievements resonate beyond our state.

    “Governor Amaechi will continue to disappoint his detractors because of the strength of his character, courage and focus. For his admirers, we are confident that he will end well because he is leaving lasting legacies in Rivers State.

    “Award by Business Day for States’ Competitiveness and Good Governance is part of the celebration that is echoing beyond Rivers State.”

    Business Day gave out the award in 13 categories and Rivers State won in a number of categories. Governor Amaechi won the Best Governor in Education Development award.

  • Nigeria’s rising illiterate population dangerous, says Peterside

    Nigeria’s rising illiterate population dangerous, says Peterside

    The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, has said the country should be worried about its rising illiterate population.

    Peterside, in a statement yesterday, said a World Bank report on the situation should be taken seriously.

    Nigerians, the report said, “are relatively poor, with about 46 per cent of the population living in absolute poverty and there is high inequality. Nigeria still faces considerable human development challenges, with poor human development indicators, high regional disparities, and huge pockets of extreme poverty, ranked 156 out of 187 countries on the human development index”.

    He praised the bank for offering to help out.

    Peterside said: “What seems to be cheering news from this depressing verdict is that the bank’s State Education Investment Project would provide $150m credit facilities to Ekiti, Bauchi and Anambra states in partnership with the federal government.”

    He said any country, which refuses to pay attention to education, would discover it has no future.

    “This is why we must constantly remind ourselves that everything that makes life worth living or makes a country great no matter how small, only begins with education because it is the foundation of everything. Today, part of our reality, sadly though, is this decrepit state of education which is no longer a secret. That the gates of our country’s universities have remained shut since July 1, 2013 should naturally give us nightmares. But we are busy trading blames and playing politics with the future of the next generation. These developments in my opinion are indications that we may be headed for a very long night in the education sector,” he said.

    He said it was sad that “Nigeria came abysmally low in the rating of the African Economist and Aneki.com, a professional ranking and records site on their list of countries with the highest literacy rates in Africa”.

    He lamented the fact that Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, Kenya and Namibia led the continent while Nigeria could not even make the first twenty on the list.

  • Rivers shall be free, says Peterside

    Rivers shall be free, says Peterside

    THE Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, has said the crisis in Rivers State will soon be over.

    Peterside spoke with reporters in Abuja.

    He said: “I see peace returning to Rivers State. All those who destabilised the peace of the state for their personal and parochial interest would have seen the futility of their action. I have always known that evil will not triumph over good just as darkness cannot resist light. Governor Amaechi represents light in many ways.”

    Peterside faulted opponents of the governor who said he was averse to reconciliation, adding: “Governor Amaechi desires and is committed to reconciliation but not at the expense of Rivers State interest. He has taken steps to show that he is not averse to reconciliation. The governor has gone to brief the President and I believe that the President is committed to the peace, progress and stability of the nation. The implication of that for me is that the President will take steps to advance peace in all parts of the territory of Nigeria, including Rivers State. I am optimistic that the President will not allow political considerations, including his own perceived ambition prevail over the overall interest of the country.

    “I know the President is conscious of his place in history. Even at the risk of repetition, Gov Amaechi is not averse to reconciliation and peace.”

    He said Amaechi has shown that he will not toy with teh resources of the state to please any individual.

    Peterside added that Amaechi was stubborn in upholding the truth.

    “It is possible Amaechi is stubborn in defending Rivers resources and Rivers interest. But they should know that we are running a Federal system and Amaechi is accountable first to God and to Rivers people who elected him. Nobody has said Amaechi is dishonest. He might be misunderstood today but history will be kind to him,” he said.

    On whether Amaechi has lost focus in governance since this crisis started, Peterside said: “Absolutely not. Governor Amaechi has rather stayed focused on the main task at hand – Serve the people of Rivers State and help them take the revolutionary development he started to the next level. In fact he has accomplished more in six years to deserve optimal respect.

    “You may have noticed his television appearances in recent times and will agree with me that each time he appears cool and confident. Nobody can deny the fact that under his administration, Rivers State has made and is still making tremendous progress.”

    Peterside said Amaechi was not against any form of investigation because he has nothing to hide.

    Amaechi, he said, is one of the most transparent governors, adding that any investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) “must be in the context of law”.

    He added: “There is a subsisting court order barring the EFCC from investigating Rivers State. Governor Rotimi Amaechi did not secure that injunction so EFCC must vacate it first before proceeding to investigate Rivers State and her officials. When we act outside the framework of the law, it is an invitation to anarchy. We are a society governed by law and not brawn.”

    He condemned the role of the police in the crisis in the state.

    Peterside said police has not been fair to the people. He said it was wrong of the police to stop people from assembling.

    Peterisde said: “As you are aware, the constitution of the country guarantees freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly. Not even Rivers State Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu can deny us this constitutional backed right. Peaceful rally is an essential ingredient of sustainable democracy. Mbu without any doubt is on a mission in Rivers State but he will fail. This same Mbu who is stopping civil society from protesting has actively supported anti-Amaechi protests thus cannot conceal his bias against Rivers people and Governor Amaechi in particular.”

    He said Mbu must leave Rivers State, adding that it was wrong to still keep Mbu in Rivers after a National Assembly resolution asking that he should be transferred.

    “Command cannot afford to confront the people of Nigeria through the institution of National Assembly. This call for immediate transfer of CP Mbu out of Rivers State is a resolution of both chambers of the National Assembly where all parts of Nigeria have Representatives. Mind you there is no way the National Assembly will fold its hands and look helpless lest impunity triumphs over the will of the people. Neither the Presidency nor the police is bigger or stronger than Nigerians. There is sufficient justification to transfer Mbu out of Rivers State so peace can reign,” he said.

    On the threat by the t Executive of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State to suspend him and other National Assembly members from PDP, he said: “You mean the persons parading themselves as party Executives in Rivers State? This threat shows two things; the first is that they are the ones who do not want reconciliation in the party because they are afraid of what fate will befall them. Anything established on wrong foundation will certainly fail. The second is that it shows the degree of their desperation and ignorance of the constitutional provisions of PDP constitution. Those who genuinely desire the good of the country are calling the attention of those who are presently in charge of PDP to matters likely to affect the chances of the party in future elections whereas political jobbers are busy protecting non-existent territory and their political interest.”

  • Why we must curb pipeline vandalism, by Peterside

    Why we must curb pipeline vandalism, by Peterside

    Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) Dakuku Peterside has urged Nigerians to help protect oil pipelines.

    Peterside spoke in Enugu during a visit to the Products Pipelines Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    Peterside, who could not hide his displeasure over the poor state of infrastructure at the depot, called on stakeholders to reverse this ugly trend by working together.

    He said: “I have listened patiently to all the speakers. It is indeed disheartening and unbelievable that Enugu Depot is not working. You will agree with me that Enugu is critical and strategic. Therefore, this depot must work.”

    On pipeline vandalism, he said: “We must play this role of protecting our pipelines because they primarily serve us, not NNPC. Therefore, we must assist the law enforcement agents in their search for these unpatriotic Nigerians who are sabotaging government efforts.”

    Peterside said the legislature would do everything within its powers to address the matter. He said the National Assembly was taking pipeline vandalism seriously, adding that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would unbundle the NNPC and create room for competition and efficiency.

    Peterside visited the Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, who was represented by his deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi. The Committee was also in Abia in continuation of its visit to PPMC Port Harcourt Area Office and visited Abia State Governor Theodore Orji who praised Peterside and his team.