The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Port Harcourt

  • Senator Orji denies being quizzed by EFCC

    Former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Chief Theodore Ahameule Orji has debunked the news that he was drilled on Tuesday by the personnel of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as “fake.”
    Rumours on Tuesday had it that Orji was quizzed by the EFCC over some allegations bordering on mismanagement of about N27bn by the Orji’s administration.
    The EFCC was said to have commenced investigation soon after, but was waiting for enough evidence before inviting him.
    Among the allegations levelled against the former governor was that he diverted billions of naira disbursed to Abia State by the Central Bank of Nigeria for Small and Medium Enterprise.
    The lawmaker was also alleged to have diverted money from the Ecological Fund account, which should have been used in tackling erosion and other disasters peculiar to the state.

    Read Also: I’ve forgiven Theodore Orji, says Orji Kalu

    The ex-governor was alleged to have diverted money from the Abia State Oil Producing Development Area Commission, an agency of government set up for the development of the oil producing areas in Abia State.
     Orji was said to have allegedly used the funds to buy properties in Abia, Port Harcourt and Abuja, some of which the EFCC is planning to seize.
    Our reporter who monitored the mood of the state following the outbreak of the news gathered that there were unease among Orji’s supporters who flayed the said EFCC grilling of the senator which the attributed to the continued witch-hunt of PDP members that the ruling party (APC); perceived as threat to them in 2019.
    But when contacted, Senator Orji in a text message described the said report as fake.
    Orji also uses the opportunity to urge his supporters not to worry over the report.

  • APC built Train stations in villages of PDP chieftains – Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, on Sunday said that in the course of executing the Warri-Itakpe Rail line, stations were built in the villages of Peoples’ Democratic Party(PDP)’s chieftains.

    Amaechi disclosed this at the `Next Level Presentation’ at Presidential Villa Banquet Hall to signal the commencement of the campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 general elections.

    The minister who made a presentation titled `What We are Building ’  said that President Muhammadu Buhari, upon assumption of office, directed that old and abandoned projects be completed.

    “The truth is that the country is compelled to make a choice between good and bad. When I was appointed the Minister for Transportation, the president warned–do not start new contracts, go and complete old ones.

    “We met Itakpe –Warri Rail line which had been in existence for 34  years uncompleted; it would have been the first Standard Guage line in Africa if it was completed.

    “Based on the president’s instruction, I did a memo; I thought we will borrow money from China; but the president refused. He said we should use our internal funds to execute the project.

    “People saw me on social media on Train service from Warri to Itakpe. I got to Warri 8pm because I was going from one station to the other—almost all the villages and most  prominent members of PDP made sure that train stations were in their villages.

    “So, I am compelled to do those stations in villages of members of PDP; it is okay; it is the instruction of the president that you must go and finish the old work.’’

    He said that the tradition in the past was that once one was elected, one left the old things for the old people and awarded new contracts.

    According to Amaechi, the ministry will start commercial service from Itakpe to Warri.

    On PDP’s argument that it started the projects, Amaechi said that Buhari made it clear on commissioning the Abuja –Kaduna rail project that the project was started by the former government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “We completed it but two things are remarkable—we borrowed 500 million dollars to start that project at the time oil was selling at 114 dollars per barrel.

    “ We should not have borrowed; you mean this country could not have afforded 500 million dollars?

    “I will show that we can; when I wrote a memo to the president and to the cabinet requesting that he should allow me borrow 500 million dollars from China to buy locomotives and coaches for Lagos-Ibadan, the cabinet under the directive of the president refused.

    Read Also: PDP kicks as APC wins by-election for House of Reps

    “He(the president) said 500 million dollars; we can get from here and we are funding it from here; so we did and completed Kaduna to Abuja quickly.

    “We spend N56million per month and we get N16 million; so we are augmenting for both rich and poor—N40 million per month under the directive of the president because he fears that the poor might not be able to afford it. So, everybody is using it.’’

    According to him, Lagos to Ibadan railway is almost complete—a distance of 156kms.

    The minister said that application had also been made to construct Kano to Kaduna railway as approval for funds is being awaited.

    “We are about to award the central line from Abuja to Niger to Baru from Baru to Itakpe to Warri; the president had approved a new seaport in Warri. We are negotiating with a Chinese company which will build it.

    “Do not forget that N2.7 billion dollars is N1 trillion. So, we are looking for money to commence already awarded work on the coastal rail.

    “The coastal rail starts from Lagos, from Lagos; it passes through Ogun State, Ondo, Benin, Asaba, and Onitsha. From Benin again, it passes through Warri, Sapele, Ughelli, to Bayelsa, in fact, it goes to Utuoke. From Otuoke, it goes to Port Harcourt.

    “ Then from Port Harcourt, it goes to Aba, Uyo, and ends up in Cross River State.

    “We are almost ready to award Port Harcourt to Maidugiri. The difference between us and the last award is that the last award was 1500km but under the directive of Mr President, it was extended to 2000 km.

    “ The last award was Port Harcourt straight to Maidugiri but in order to satisfy everybody at the directive of the President, we must get to every state capital,’’ he said.

    On his part, Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, said that it would require a long journey into Nigeria’s history to recall when last it had massive investment in infrastructure.

    “It is no coincidence that we look to the 1970s and the 1980s when we built new airports, new seaports, new refineries, new highways and bridges.

    “The closest you will have to that era is the 1990s when petrol-money was also being applied to upgrade infrastructure under the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF)incidentally chaired by Buhari.

    “We lost an enormous opportunity when recently oil money rose to $114 dollar per barrel and stayed there for almost a decade and we have no new airport, refinery, bridges, petrochemical plants,   no new seaports to show accountability to how all the money went,’’ he said.

    The event also witnessed the unveiling of Buhari-Osinbajo 2019—A Basic Guide-The Campaign Manual in Brief.

    NAN

  • Teacher defiles eight year old in Rivers

    A senior Magistrates’ court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ordered for the remand in Prison Custody of a 32-year-old school teacher, Major A. Darima for allegedly defiling  an eight-year-old child in school.

    Darima, a married man, allegedly invited his victim into his apartment, apparently teachers quarters in  Ojims College premises in Rumuji, Emohua Local Government Area of the state, where he allegedly used his finger on the toddler, causing her injuries.

    He was alleged to have carried out his plan on October 11, shortly after official  school hours by 3 in the afternoon.

    Prosecutor Godwin Nwinam said the offence contravened section 218 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. II Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.

    The Suspect pleaded not guilty to the single-count charge.

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    His lawyer, simply identified himself as Mr. Oroke applied for his bail but the court presided over by Magistrate Gomba Osaro denied him bail.

    She ordered that the suspect be remanded in prison custody and his case file forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

    She adjourned the matter till November 29 2018,  for DPP’s advice.

  • 38 year old remanded over robbery

    A chief magistrate court in Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital has ordered the remand in prison Custody of Felix Adebayo for alleged armed robbery.

    Adebayo, aged 38, equally allegedly killed his victim after dispossessing  him of his vehicle and other valuable on gunpoint.

    The incident reportedly took place at No. 33 Azungada close Rumuorosi Port Harcourt on April 18, 2018.

    The Prosecutor, Inspector Wilson Isaiah told the court that the suspect and his accomplices who are presently on the run,  buried the remains of their victim in an abandoned shallow well and sold his car to one Asuquo Solomon Sunday who is now at large (on the run).

    The suspect was charged with a four-count charge of murder and armed robbery.

    However, the charge was not read to him because the court lacks jurisdiction to hear such matter hence, he did not take any plea.

    Read Also: Robbery suspect shot dead in Ogun

    He did not have any legal representation in the sitting.

    Isaiah said, the committed by  the suspect breached section 324 and 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol II Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999 and section 1(1)(2) (a) and (b) and 5 of the robbery and firearms (special provisions) Acts Laws of the federation 2004.

    The presiding Magistrate, Sokari Andrew-Jaja ordered that the suspect be remanded in prison Custody and ordered the police to ensure they arrest and produce the fleeing suspects before the court at the next adjourned date.

    He adjourned the matter till November 20, for mention.

  • Senator urges Wike to respect Rivers monarchs

    The lawmaker representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator Andrew Uchendu, has urged Governor Nyesom Wike to respect the state’s monarchs and not to treat them with contempt, but with decorum and honour.

    Uchendu, the Acting Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Procurement, on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, according to his media aide, Solomon Okocha, described as uncalled for, the comments made by Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), during the 108 and 109 general session of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in the Rivers state capital on Monday.

    He said: “Let me congratulate the most respectable traditional custodians of our rich heritage for successfully hosting the council’s general session in Port Harcourt. It gives me great joy to know that our traditional institution is still waxing strong.

    “I am, however, deeply saddened that Wike, just to exert undue political influence, adopted the archaic tactics of intimidation, harassment and treated our revered royal fathers like a football, by publicly threatening to dethrone them as though they were merely his political appointees, whom he could hire and fire at will, thereby desecrating our culture.

    “This is clearly an affront to our respected traditional institution and we will not take it lightly. Wike should learn to treat our traditional rulers with decorum, respect and honour, especially in the public space. They are not his aides, rather they are rulers of various traditional kingdoms, and as such, they deserve to be treated with utmost dignity and not contempt.

    “Rivers governor should remember his age (51) and be humble, while talking to our traditional rulers and elders of our land. His duty is to preserve and protect them at all times. He should remember that the traditional institution has been in existence, long before he became governor and it will still be here after he leaves office.

    “Wike should go and study the history of the people of the Niger Delta, especially the ancient and great Benin Empire, and he will see how the traditional institution cut down the excesses of the colonial masters during the dark days.”

    Read Also: I didn’t nominate Peter Obi, says Wike

    Uchendu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also urged Rivers traditional rulers to be vigilant and reject intimidation from any politician, stressing that they should guard the sanctity of their traditional stools against political manipulations.

    He said: “It is good enough that Wike said our traditional rulers should remain apolitical, but to go ahead and dictate whom they should see or not, in an attempt to restrict communication between them and their subjects or any other individual, is to treat our royal fathers, our culture, with the highest level of disrespect. In view of this, Wike should immediately tender an unreserved apology to our traditional rulers and the people of Rivers State.

    “The Rivers governor cannot choose for our traditional rulers whom they should interact with, because they are expected at all times to render pieces of advice across the board, whether in party A or B, no matter whose ox is gored.

    “Our traditional rulers must carry out their traditional functions without fear or favour, by consciously and consistently rejecting any form of intimidation from any politician, no matter how highly placed, and in so doing protect the sacredness of the traditional stools which they occupy. And as the saying goes, may our Royal Majesties, live forever.”

    The senator also urged well-meaning Rivers leaders and other lovers of democracy to call Wike to order, asking him not to he jittery about the fact that the state’s electorate would end his bad governance in 2019 with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

  • Man gets bail for alleged stealing, assault

    A chief magistrate court in Port Harcourt,  the Rivers State capital has granted bail in the sum of N100, 000 only to one John Onwuegbula over alleged stealing.

    Onwuegbula, aged 45 allegedly stole two landed properties document valued at N400, 000.00, property of one Chidi Victor Ezeji.

    He also allegedly entered into the land and property of Ezeji and demarcated it in an attempt to sell it.

    The suspect equally reportedly assaulted one of his victim which  caused him boldly harm  just as he  also threatened his life to intimidate and cow him to drop any form of  legal action against him(the accused).

    The accused pleaded not-guilty to the six-count charge against him which borders on stealing and assault.

    The prosecutor, Inspector Wilson Isaiah alleged that the suspect have being perpetrating trouble against his victims between January and October this year but they have tried being peaceful with him all along.

    Read Also: Man in court over alleged stabbing of neighbor

    Isaiah also told the court that his offences breached section 516A (a), 4(a),8, 9, 86(1), 355 and 451 of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol II Laws of Rivers state of Nigeria 1999.

    The Counsel to the defendant urged the court to grant bail to his Client since his offence is a bail-able offence and also to enable them settle their issues amicably since they are Kinsmen.

    The Magistrate, Sokari Andrew-Jaja granted bail to the suspect in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety.

    He said surety must be resident in Port Harcourt and must be a business man in the post of a manager. He also said surety must present his identity car and an evidence of tax payment for 2017 and 2018.

    He adjourned the matter till November 21, for hearing.

  • Nine killed, 12 injured in Enugu road accident

    ‎An auto crash which occurred along the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway has left nine persons dead and 12 critically injured.
    The accident occurred at Ihe axis of Awgu local government  at about 8pm on Sunday.
    According to the Enugu State Police Command spokesman, Superintendent Ebere Amaraizu, the accident occurred when an articulated vehicle conveying a caterpillar had a head on collision with a 508 mini bus conveying passengers believed to be worshipers.

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    According to Amaraizu, the deceased have been deposited at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku – Ozalla mortuary.
    The 12 critically injured were also rushed to the hospital for intensive attention.

  • NNPC pipeline explosion was avoidable – Senate

    The Senate joint Committee investigating the NNPC pipeline explosion that rocked two villages in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State has described the incident as avoidable and vowed to ensure that the culprits were brought to justice.

    The joint committee leader, Senator Kabiru Marafa  led the members comprised of Petroleum Downstream and Police Affairs to the scene of the incident at Umuimo and Umuaduru and expressed deep regrets that such an incident which led to heavy loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties had happened in such peaceful communities.

    He insisted that the committees of Downstream and Police will get to the root of the matter, stressing that the committees were also looking into heavy losses that had affected the economy of the nation.

    He commiserated with the traditional rulers of the affected communities, praying for the peaceful repose of the unfortunate citizens that lost their lives to the pipeline explosion.

    The committee also interacted with the contractor handling the repair of pipelines from Port Harcourt refinery who disclosed that the contract with corporation was to maintain one of the pipelines and that he had been up and doing.

    However he disclosed further that on several occasions he had been surcharged by his employers for leakages that were totally not his fault, adding that the original contract was from Port Harcourt to Abia Depot and that later Abia Depot to Enugu was included.

    The contractor explained that the pipeline that exploded was not the one that had a contract on it, explaining further that the distance between the maintained pipeline and the other was less than four feet and that he was instrumental to putting out the inferno.

    Also at the NNPC Depot at Osisioma, the committee was received by the former Depot Manager who told the committee that the exploded pipeline had been abandoned for close to 16 years, but that there was a quantity of product left inside the pipeline.

    Asked by the committee why the pipeline was not flushed since it had been out of use for a good number of years, he insisted it was standard practice, but his reply drew the ire of the team, who insisted that petroleum product was left there to deliberately snuff life out of innocent citizens.

    Read Also: NNPC, BP signs agreement on PMS

    At this juncture Sen. Marafa asked the NNPC to put all their defense in a single document and ensure that the report gets to them before Tuesday, the same instruction was given to the contractor as well as those that have any information that would enable the committee arrive at a peaceful conclusion.

    The committee later paid a courtesy call on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who thanked them for the visit and urged them to do all within their powers to ensure that justice was not only done but seen to have been done, lamenting that the death of his people was very painful.

    Sen. Theodore Orji for Abia Central Senatorial District who brought the incident to the floor of the senate expressed joy that the committee had come and seen and heard firsthand the immediate and remote cause of the incident and assured that the communities would remain peaceful.

    It would be recalled that a pipeline explosion engulfed the two communities of Umuimo and Umuaduru in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area and claimed the lives of not less than 150/individuals, but the number has gradually increased following the death of some of those receiving treatment at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital and other care centers where they were rushed to.

    Members of the downstream committee that made the visit include Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, Sen. Ibrahim Danbaba, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, Sen. Yahaya Abdullahi, Sen. Albert Akpan and Sen. Shuaibu Laa, while those of the Police were Sen. Theodore Orji and Sen. Obinna Ogba.

    The senate had through a resolution given the committee two weeks to report back their findings.

     

  • Voters card collection low in Rivers – INEC

    Mr Edwin Enabor, the Head, Voter Education, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Rivers has criticized the low rate of voter cards collection in the state.

    Enabor told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday that a large number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) meant for the electorate in Rivers were still unclaimed.

    “The rate at which registrants from the state are collecting their cards is very low; we have a large number of cards lying unclaimed.

    “This is worrisome because these cards are meant to qualify people to participate in the forthcoming elections,’’ he said.

     

    Read Also: Rivers company protests unpaid salary

     

    He said that only about 118,000 cards had so far been claimed since the collection exercise began in September.

    The INEC official urged members of the public who participated in the just concluded registration exercise in the state to collect the PVCs at INEC designated offices.

    He further said that the commission was expecting to take delivery of voter cards for the final batch of registrants within a period of two weeks.

    “We shall continue to create the needed awareness, our expectation is that members of the public will utilize the opportunity to obtain their cards,’’ he said.

  • Lifemate to showcase new products at 2018 Lagos fair

    Lifemate Nigeria Limited has concluded arrangements to showcase its new products at the 31st Lagos International trade fair scheduled from November 2 to November 11 2018.
    The firm  has thrown the door open to individuals and corporate bodies who are interested to be distributors, to obtain franchise right to deal on the firm’s product and sign up with them.
    A lot, according to the firm has been put together to ensure that customers and visitors to its stand get excellent services beyond their expectations.
     Public relation officer of the company, Mrs Ejiemhen Orebayo said they have put in great efforts to ensure that customers are comfortable with it’s over 400 square meter space at the tradefair venue.
    Some new products to be showcased, she stated, range from home,  office and outdoor furnitures, kitchen Cabinets, sanitary wares and massage chairs.

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    Orebayo said aside guaranteed discounts on their products for customers, the firm will also give away free gifts and instant gift items for every item purchased.
    Her words, “We will be offering mouth-watering discounts . Customers will be given special discounts cards at the trade fair  which they can use to claim special discounts at any showroom of the firm located in Lekki, Ikeja, Warri, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Abuja, after the trade fair and throughout the month of November 2018.”
    She said the furniture company will be deploying special and skilled personnel that will be attending to customers while also sharing  products knowledge at the same time.