The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Rivers State

  • Senate reassures on national unity

    Senate reassures on national unity

    The president of Senate, Bukola Saraki, has reassured of the National Assembly’s commitment to security of all Nigerians.

    Saraki stated this in a paper presented at the 13th Guild of Editors’ Conference and Extraordinary Convention on Friday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    He spoke on the theme: “Legislative Efforts and Focus on Pro-poor Issues: National Assembly Perspectives.”

    Saraki, who was represented by the Chairman of Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, assured that the NASS was alive and sensitive to its constitutional responsibilities and roles.

    He said the lawmakers would continue to create the enabling environment to produce “the greatest access to opportunity in a united and prosperous nation’’ for generations yet unborn.

    The Senate president commended the editors “for the new path and direction’’ the forum was carving for the journalism profession.

    According to him, the media is deeply involved in standing up against autocracy in whatever guise, a position shared by NASS.

    NAN

  • Why Wike is silent on killing of Policemen, destruction – APC

    Why Wike is silent on killing of Policemen, destruction – APC

    …’Rivers gov is raising false alarm against security agencies’

    The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disclosed why Governor Nyesom Wike is silent on the killing of two policemen, violence and destruction of valuable property in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers by protesting members of the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Rivers APC, at a news conference Thursday at the state secretariat of the party on Forces Avenue, old Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt by its Publicity Secretary, Chief Chris Finebone, who was accompanied by the party’s state Secretary, Chief Emeka Beke, and other leaders of the party, declared that Wike was benefiting from the IPOB’s violence in Rivers and not up to the game of ensuring good governance.

    The main opposition party in Rivers (APC) also accused the state governor of raising false alarm against security agencies, in order to divert attention from what he was planning to do, having earlier sewed police uniform for thugs that were used by his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the 2015 elections and rerun in Rivers, with some of the criminals caught in Bori-Ogoni.

    It stated that Wike ought to have emulated his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who was proactive by immediately declaring three-day dusk to dawn curfew in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia, with the curfew later extended to today (Friday), in order to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

    Rivers APC noted that the failure of Wike’s government to engage in productive ventures, the cultists, kidnappers and other criminals, who recently surrendered their arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons in the state government’s amnesty offer, was responsible for increase in the crime rate in Rivers, with the hungry and angry youths now returning to criminal activities with full force.

    Rivers governor, while addressing reporters at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, alleged that most of the kidnapping and armed robbery taking place in the state were perpetrated by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    Wike also alleged that the SARS Commander in Rivers, Mr. Akin Fakorede, and operatives of the squad were indicted by an official police signal, which he claimed indicated that they were responsible for the series of kidnapping and deadly robbery across the state.

    The main opposition party said: “Ordinarily, the APC has no business involving in any matter between the Rivers governor and any other entity, but in the instant case and even in previous related cases, Wike has either alluded to or expressly stated that the APC benefited from whatever allegations he raised against the police or particularly the SARS. The APC has also been at the receiving end of the false alarms Wike had previously raised against the police, which in all cases turned out to be mere smokescreen by the governor to mask his real intentions.

    “From all indications, the Rivers governor’s accusation on Wednesday that members of SARS abducted some persons and forced them to withdraw N500, 000, is manifestly cooked up to directly smear members of the SARS and the Commander, Akin Fakorede, who is known to have resisted all the advances made by Wike to compromise the officer.

    “Wike has never hidden his disdain for the SARS commander, due to the officer’s principled and professional stance in rejecting the governor’s baits in the past two years. Wike seems to have sworn to have Akin Fakorede compromised or transferred out of Rivers State, to pave way for a replacement that may play ball with him.

    “Just before the killings in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) of Rivers State assumed a frightening dimension, Wike had raised the alarm, accusing the military and police of invading ONELGA. Just after his blackmail of the army and police, his private army, led by Don Wannie, launched his massive killings and beheadings in ONELGA. Same was the case when Wike sponsored a campaign of calumny against the military personnel that tried to normalise security in Ogoniland. He made all manner of accusations against the army that had gone in search of Solomon Ndigbara, Wike’s private army general in Ogoni. Shortly after the sponsored campaign against the army in Ogoni , Ndigbara launched his killings in Ogoniland.

    “Part of the concerns of the APC is that whenever Wike is about committing some security infractions, he diverts attention from himself, by raising false alarm against the security agencies, especially the police. In the instant case, Rivers governor is raising these alarms to distract the police and pave way for his killers to undertake further killings in Rivers State. Without doubt, we believe the security information in our kitty to that effect.”

    Rivers APC also called on Rivers people and Nigerians not to fall for the antics of Wike, stressing that they must remain vigilant.

    It admonished the various security agencies to refuse to be dismayed, demoralised or distracted by the antics of the Rivers governor, but must continue to work to secure the state from the grip of Wike’s killers, who it said were on rampage across Rivers 23 LGAs.

    The party said: “Rivers State APC considers the yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) accusation against the police, particularly against the SARS, as patently malevolent, mischievous and intended to mask the next phase of killings by Wike’s killers.

    “The police and other security agencies must remain focussed and have their eyes on the ball, to forestall worsening security situation in the state, a situation that is already getting out of hand.”

    Rivers APC also urged the peace-loving people of the state to continue to endure Wike’s bad governance till 2019, when they would have the opportunity of effecting the much-needed change through their votes, asking them to prepare to vote wisely for all the candidates of the main opposition party, in order to move forward.

     

  • Abia crisis: IG directs nationwide deployment of policemen

    Abia crisis: IG directs nationwide deployment of policemen

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, on Thursday briefed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the outbreak of violence in some parts of Abia.

    After the briefing, Idris told State House Correspondents that the police was adopting a three-pronged approach to resolve the crisis.

    “The strategy we are using is to ensure that we deploy policemen throughout the country.

    “Secondly, we are in touch with the government.

    “We are trying to mobilise the political leadership to be able to intervene where necessary in how to reduce the tension that is already taking place in the South East.’’

    Trending: Video: IPOB agitators begin stop, search for Northerners

    On allaegation by Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers that the police is behind criminal activities in the state, the I.G. said that Wike was expressing a personal opinion on the security situation in his state.

    He, however, said police did not have to deny the governor’s allegation that crimes were perpetrated in the state by its operatives (SARS).

    Idris explained that the display of a corpse purported to be that of the police in a crime scene did not indicate that the said policeman was involved in the crime.

    “That a Policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with the IPOB issue is different from saying that the policeman was involved in a crime.

    “You cannot say that the one attacked and killed is the one involved in the crime,’’ he stated.

    He described the governor’s comment as a sweeping allegation which “does not make sense to me’’.

    While reacting to the October 1 quit notice given to some Nigerians to leave some parts of the country, the I-G said there was no cause for alarm.

    “I don’t think there is tension in the country; there is no tension here,’’ he said.

  • FG, NLNG sign contract on Bonny-Bodo road

    FG, NLNG sign contract on Bonny-Bodo road

    The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has signed a tripartite agreement of N120 billion with Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas ( NLNG ) and Julius Berger Plc. for the construction of Bonny-Bodo road.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, at the tripartite agreement and contract signing on Wednesday in Abuja said the project would revive and strengthen the nation’s economy.

    The 34 kilometres road when completed would boost socio-economic development in the country and improve the lives of Nigerians in the Niger Delta region living on Bonny Island, Ogoni, Okrika, Eleme and Andoni.

    Fashola emphasised that the project was in compliance with the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan which had infrastructural provision as one of its pillars.

    “The project portrays the commitment of the government to clean and build up as well as reposition the Niger Delta region recognising the private sector partnership in the country.

    “NLNG as a corporate organisation has decided to fund half of the project by taking 50 per cent cost of delivering the project while the Federal Government takes 50 per cent.

    He, however, said the project showed government’s strong credibility and desire to push forward its commitment towards the nation’s economic revival.

    According to the minister, the road on completion will connect communities in the Rivers bringing about development in the country.

    Earlier, the Managing Director of NLNG, Mr Tony Attah noted that NLNG agreed to provide 50 per cent counterpart funding, amounting to N60 billion to boost socio economic development in the region.

    “This is part of our effort to contribute to the advancement of the Niger Delta.

    “It will lead to the accomplishment of the dream of connecting Bonny Island to the rest of Rivers state by road and not only by sea.

    “Our greater joy is that the road will ease the plight of people of Bonny Island, the community that has hosted NLNG Plant and operations for so long.

    “Over the years our empathy with the host community especially with the respect to transportation challenges on Bonny Sea compelled us to open up our company business vessels to accommodate community members.

    On the company’s financial contributions to Nigeria, he said “it generated 90 billion dollars in revenue as at 2015, paid 5.7 billion dollars in taxes and committed more than 200 million dollars to corporate social responsibility projects.

    “The company also pays N6 billion annually to the Rivers State Government and N140 million annually to the Bonny Local Government Council,’’ he said.

    Attah further noted that through its corporate social responsibility, it recently spent 12 million dollars on building, refurbishing and equipping engineering laboratories of six universities selected from six geopolitical zones.

    The Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc., Wolfgang Goesh, thanked the Federal Government for its trust and confidence reposed on the company.

    Goesh assured that the company would deliver a qualitative and timely project.

  • Navy intercepts 1.1m litres of alleged stolen diesel in Rivers

    Navy intercepts 1.1m litres of alleged stolen diesel in Rivers

    The Nigerian Navy has intercepted 1.1 million litres of diesel allegedly stolen from pipelines belonging to multinational oil companies in Rivers.

    No fewer than 13 suspects have also been arrested on account of their alleged role in illegal shipment of petroleum products to undisclosed locations in the state.

    Capt. Victor Choji, the Executive Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder (NNS), Port Harcourt, disclosed this to journalist on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

    Choji said the seizure and arrest was sequel to the intensified mop-up operation in the Niger Delta ordered by naval authorities to stamp out oil theft and illegal refining in the region.

    He said that a vessel, a tug boat, a barge and five large wooden boats were also seized at different locations during the operation.

    The seized items and suspects were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further action.

    “In line with strategic directives to rid Rivers State of oil theft and illegal bunkering, troops of NNS Pathfinder under Operation Delta Safe, made some arrests and seizures at different locations.

    “On May 6, troops intercepted and seized a vessel, MT Preye I and five very large wooden boats with about 409,399 litres of suspected refined diesel at Eagle Island.

    “Eleven crew members on board the vessel were subsequently arrested and had been in our custody undergoing investigation,” he said.

    Choji said the suspects were caught while loading the petroleum product from five wooden boats in the late hours of the night.

    “Similarly, on June 19, troops impounded a tug boat, PK II, and a barge, Naomi 03, laden with about 700,000 litres of suspected illegally refined diesel.

    “Two suspects were arrested over their involvement in the illegal shipment of the petroleum product,” he added.

    He said that a large number of troops had been deployed in the region in line with a harmonised standard operating procedure aimed at enforcing law and order in the area.

    The executive officer of the NNS assured that the navy would not rest in its bid to stop all forms of illegalities in the maritime environment.

    Receiving the items and the suspects, Mr Micheal Adukwu, a senior official of the EFCC, commended the navy and said that there was a synergy in the operations of the two security outfits.

    Adukwu assured that EFCC would carry out further investigations and prosecute the suspects.

  • Insecurity in Rivers: Gunmen kidnap 16 passengers, move them into forest

    Insecurity in Rivers: Gunmen kidnap 16 passengers, move them into forest

    The insecurity in Rivers State heightened Monday, as gunmen hijacked a commercial bus on the ever-busy East-West Road, kidnapping the 16 passengers on board and moved them into the forest, just as the 5-day annual conference of the African Bar Association (AFBA) was opening in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    The hijacked bus belonged to a popular transport company (name withheld), while the driver of the bus was among the kidnapped persons, whose whereabouts remained unknown, as at press time.

    The hijack/kidnap took place on the Emohua axis of the East-West Road in Rivers state, after the gunmen barricaded the dualised road and sporadically opened fire on the bus, thereby forcing the driver to stop.  

    The bus, which was riddled with bullets, was abandoned by the road side.

    The opening ceremony of the AFBA’s annual conference had in attendance the immediate President of the Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who was the keynote speaker, the Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, and his counterpart of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, among other eminent personalities.

    It was gathered that a combined team of security operatives, consisting of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Cultism Unit, the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad and personnel of the Joint Task Force had been deployed in the forest, bordering Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of Rivers state, to ensure quick rescue of the victims and arrest of the criminals.

    Rivers police Spokesman, Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who confirmed the incident, stated that the command was currently analysing the information it received from witnesses, assuring that the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Zaki Ahmed, was on top of the matter.

    Omoni assured that concerted efforts were already being made to apprehend the hoodlums, while pleading with members of the public to be vigilant and assist the police and other security agencies with useful information on suspicious movements in their neighbourhoods.

  • Cultist kill eight, behead four in Rivers  

    Cultist kill eight, behead four in Rivers  

    No fewer than eight people have been gunned down in Ibaa community in Emohua Local Government Area in Rivers State on Friday.

    It was gathered that four of the victims were beheaded and their decapitated heads taken away by the rampaging cultists.

    Mr. Chimdu Emenike, a resident of the community who told our correspondent that he was speaking from his hideout, noted that the cultists invaded the community in reprisal attack.

    He said that Deygbam cultists visited the community around 3 a.m, to avenge the death of their member who was killed by the Icelanders, last month.

    Emenike said, “Some cultists invaded the community and have killed over eight people. They killed and beheaded four people. The whole people are living in fear, but the killers were shouting in the night that we should not run that they know the people they are looking for.”

    “We are calling on the state government and security operatives in the state to send security personnel and restore peace in the troubled community.

    Every effort made to reach the Community development Committee Chairman (CDC) Ibaa, proved abortive as his contact were not reachable at press time.

    Hon. Lucky Worluh, the elected All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairman of the Local government who was sacked by Governor Nyesom Wike, said two days before the recent incident there was open shooting in the area.

    He said cultists have taken over Emohua Local government area, alleging that the present administration has not been give security allocation to the LGA caretaker committee chairmen in the state.

    Worluh said: All we need now is immediate security mobilization of the area, the people are living in fear and the government is not doing anything to assist the people. The area is poorly underdeveloped and he is yet to show any concern.

    “Those given amnesty should be empowered and settled you cannot claim to have given somebody amnesty without empowering the person. Wike should empower the boys.”

    However, the Public Relations Officers of the Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, noted that personnel of the command have been drafted to the community to restore normalcy.

    Omoni confirmed that it was cult reprisal that led to the killings, adding that number of casualties in the incident had not been ascertained.

    Omoni said, “Cultists invaded the community today and killed some people believed to be rival cultists in reprisal. It is a cult related incident. The police are aware of it. The Commissioner of Police in the state has mobilized personnel to the community to restore peace and smock out the perpetrators of the act.”

     

  • Port Harcourt sex hawkers protest against plan to host night vigil in hotel

    Port Harcourt sex hawkers protest against plan to host night vigil in hotel

    Sex hawkers operating at Pedro Hotel in Azikiwe Street in Mile 2, Port Harcourt City Local government area of Rivers State Thursday protested over plan by its manager to force them to attend night vigil expected to hold on Thursday night.

    It was learnt that the sex hawkers became angry with the manager when he insisted that every occupant of the hotel must join the night vigil or her room would be padlocked until the vigil is over.

    The manager who did not mention his name while he was shouting on the ladies said he has been shifting the date of the vigil to accommodate the ladies’ view, adding that nothing will stop him from postponing the vigil again.

    He noted that the night vigil was for the interest of the ladies and the business, stressing further that any lady who failed to attend the vigil will see the other side of him.

    When our correspondent inquired from the receptionist to know the essence of the night vigil, the young girl said nobody is in support of the plan to host night vigil in a brothel.

    She disclosed further that the manager was approached by a pastor who now made him to believe that hosting night vigil with the ladies will increase God’s blessings and prosperity on the business.

    She said the ladies have made their intention clear that they are not going to attend the vigil, adding that the choice of worshipping God is in the hand of the individual which cannot be forced upon.

    One of the sex hawkers, who simply gave her name as Rose, said they have talk to the manager that such plan cannot work because they are in the business which they cannot leave to attend night vigil.

    She said they are not against night vigil because sometimes some of them worship their God and also attend night vigil when it pleases them.

    Rose said: “The manager is just wasting his time, we are going to see what would happen tonight, we are here for business and not for some religious patronage. By tomorrow we are going to pay our rent because we pay him every Friday of the week.

    “How do we cope to meet up with our rent?  If we attend night vigil tonight is he going to allow us to stay in the rooms without payment. Another question I want to ask is that are we going to leave our customers at the room who have already paid for daybreak, so it is not going to happen.”

     

  • Reps investigate alleged brutalisation of workers by  Soldiers

    Reps investigate alleged brutalisation of workers by  Soldiers

    The House of Representatives Tuesday resolved to investigate alleged brutalisation of Nigerian workers in Indorama Fertilizer and Chemical Ltd, Eleme, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by Soldiers and Mobile Policemen.

    To this end, the House has mandated its committee on Privatization and Commercialization Investigate the allegation of Brutalisation by men of the Nigerian Army and the Mobile Police on Nigerians at the instance of foreigners in the company

    The resolution of the House was sequel to the passage of a motion brought under Matters of Urgent National Importance by a member, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole (APC Ondo).

    The committee is also to investigate the alleged huge disparity in the salary structure between the Nigerian employees and their Indian counterparts in the company.

    Kolawole while moving the motion told the House that Indorama Fertiliser & Chemical Ltd in Eleme, Port Harcourt produces 4000 Metric Tonnes of fertilizers per day, estimated at $2 million and which is reportedly the highest in the world.

    He said there was a discord between the company and its Nigerian workers over huge disparity in salaries of their Nigerian workers and Indian counterparts.

    He further states: “Cognizance of the allegations that while the Nigerian workers (field Operator) allegedly earn around N46, 000 (Forty- Six Thousand Naira -after tax) the Indian staff (field operator) earns N2, 140,352 (Two Million, One Hundred and Forty thousand, three Hundred and Fifty-two Naira – after tax) for the same job schedule.

    “The workers downed tools in a peaceful protest on the 13th of July, 2017 and the management called in Soldiers and Mobile Policemen to force the workers back to work

    “Aware that in a bid by the Soldiers and Mopol to force the men back to work, they allegedly used tear gas, stun grenades, belts and Horse whips on many of the Nigerian workers who were beaten and brutalized hence sustaining various degrees of injuries.”

    Kolawole who expressed regret that men of the Nigerian Army who are meant to protect the country against external aggression, and their counterparts in the Mobile Police Units are now being used at will by expatriates against Nigerian workers, added that he had video and pictorial evidence of the assault.

    According to the lawmaker, though the case of salary disparity has been reportedly filed with the Ministry of Labour since last year, “nothing has been has been done about it.”

    When the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Yusuff Lasun called for a vote on the motion, it was passed by members on the floor and subsequently referred to the Committee on Privatization and Commercialisation

    The committee was given two weeks to report back to the House for further legislative action.

  • Magu challenges CSOs on close monitoring of NDDC projects

    Magu challenges CSOs on close monitoring of NDDC projects

    Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, has urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the South-South to closely monitor contract award and execution by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    Magu made the call in Port-Harcourt at an interactive session with CSO leaders in Rivers and Bayelsa states on Monday, the commission said in a statement.

    According to him, proper monitoring of contract award and implementation by citizens is an effective way of fighting the evil of project abandonment in the country.

    “We must monitor how contracts are being given and how they are executed to ensure transparency and accountability.

    “Also, civil society groups are needed to work with the EFCC in ensuring that right things are done, not only in respect of contract issues but also in all other issues.

    “Let people do the right thing within the South-South.

    “If people do the right thing it is for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta”, spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, quoted him as saying.

    The EFCC boss also called on the CSO leaders to be ready to serve as a bridge between the commission and the larger public.

    He decried the rising rate of poverty within the South-South, noting that money meant for the development of the region was not accounted for.

    He, therefore, challenged them to work towards ending corruption in the region by sensitising youths and other interest groups about the evils of the menace.

    Magu stated that for CSOs to rise to the new responsibilities thrust on them, they must be committed, properly-involved and courageous. .

    “We are coming together to adopt a common strategy, be committed and properly involved. You need patience, perseverance and courage.

    “They will fight you because corruption always fights back but they cannot overcome you because you are doing the right thing”, he said.

    The National Director, Coalition of NGOs Against Corruption, Mr Haris Chuma, commended the EFCC on behalf of the CSOs.

    Chuma said the tempo of the fight against corruption had significantly increased since Magu came on board.

    He promised that the group would show more commitment and responsibility in the new roles offered them by the EFCC.

    “We are willing and ready to work with the commission to bring corruption to an end’’, he said.