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Tag: Rivers

  • FG plots to plant 800 guns in Rivers, Wike alleges

    RIVERS State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has raised the alarm that the Federal Government has concluded plans to plant 800 guns in the state, with the objective of destabilising the state.

    In a statement signed by Special Assistant to the state governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor was quoted as saying that the Federal Government resolved to implement the plot during her last security meeting. He stated that the intelligence came from credible sources that were privy to the plot against the state.

    The governor called on the international community “to take note of the proposed illegal action of the APC Federal Government, which is aimed at creating crisis in the state.” He regretted that the Federal Government has continued to work deliberately to compromise the security of the state. “Wike urged the people of the state to remain calm, but vigilant,” he said, adding “that the evil machinations of the Federal Government will not distract the state from delivering on her constitutional responsibilities to Rivers people.”

    Reacting, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has dismissed the allegation, describing it as a distraction and a figment of his (Wike’s)imagination. The minister also posited that the governor may the making the allegation knowing that he was going to be voted out in the coming 2019 general election. “This is a figment of Governor Wike’s imagination and a distraction. I guess the governor is already afraid that he will lose the next election. The Federal Government has no business planting guns anywhere. Perhaps the governor himself plans to plant the guns,” the minister said.

  • 400,000 PVCs unclaimed in Rivers – Senate Committee

    The Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over more than 400,000 Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) unclaimed in Rivers INEC office.

    Sen. Suleiman Nazif, Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, made this known after an oversight function of the committee in Port Harcourt on Monday.

    Nazif is the PDP Senator representing Bauchi North Federal Constituency.

    He said that though INEC had shown readiness in terms of manpower and facility upgrade, low PVC collection rate in Rivers was a source of great concern in the forthcoming general elections.

    “We are here in Rivers to see first-hand how prepared INEC is ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    “We went round their offices and we saw the state of the card readers at the IT Department. We had a chart with the staff and they assured us that they were all geared up and ready for the 2019 elections.

    “We also requested to see the published register and we sought to know the response level toward PVC collection and we found out that over 400,000 PVCs had not yet been collected,’’ Nazif said.

    The lawmaker, however, said that the committee would cooperate with INEC toward ensuring that every person living and in the best state of health claimed his or her PVC before the election.

    Nazif said that though INEC was working very hard, it should do more in the area of distribution of PVCs across localities.

    Read Also: 238,309 PVCs still unclaimed in Nasarawa State – INEC

    He urged INEC to start pasting names of owners of unclaimed PVCs in affected localities to improve on collection response.

    Attributing high number of unclaimed PVCs in the state to relocation or death of some PVC owners, the lawmaker urged every eligible Nigerian voter to secure a Permanent Voter’s Card.

    “What surprised us most is that the recent PVCs produced a couple of months ago had been collected while the old ones remained unclaimed.

    “I think that owners of the unclaimed PVCs may have been posted out from the state. Some of them may be students, who got registered in their final year and may have graduated and left the area, while some owners may have passed on.

    “Whatever be the situation, 400,000 unclaimed PVCs in only one state is not a good sign of a progressive attitude toward election.

    “It is incumbent on all eligible Nigerian voters to secure their PVCs. It is a thing of pride to have a card that enables us exercise our franchise, ‘’ Nazif said.

    Concerning the status of the card readers, the lawmaker explained that he was satisfied with the storage and safety of the device in Rivers.

  • INEC displays Tonye Cole, Uzodinma as Rivers, Imo APC governorship candidates

    •APC candidates’ names missing as commission displays list in Zamfara

    •Adelabu, Akala, Makinde make list in Oyo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday started displaying the lists of cleared candidates of different political parties for next year’s elections. The candidates’ lists are being displayed at state offices of INEC. So far, the lists of candidates from the positions of governor to state houses of assembly are on display. The states that their lists are out include: Lagos, Zamfara, Kwara, Imo, Rivers, Oyo and Abia states.   In Rivers State INEC Office, the names and photographs of governorship candidates, their deputies and political parties are on display.

    While Governor Nyesom Wike and his current deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo-Happy, maintained the list for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP),  Engr. Tonye Cole and Sir Victor Giadon made the list for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Supreme Court in Abuja penultimate week nullified the ward, local government and state congresses that brought about the leadership of Amachree as APC state chairman.

    Cole’s details with those of  his running mate, Victor Giadom, were pasted at the Rivers INEC office in Port Harcourt, among candidates representing other political parties.

    The commission equally pasted other nominees of  Amaechi’s APC faction for other elective offices in the coming elections when visited the commission’s Port Harcourt office.

    Sen. Abe could not be reached for reactions at the time of filing the report yesterday evening, but it was learnt that his spokesman and media aide in the state, Parry Benson, said: “There is nothing really for us to say. It is a matter for the APC national body.”

    In Kwara State, the governorship candidates of PDP, APC and 30 other candidates from other political parties made the INEC  list for the governorship poll.

    The APC has Abdulrahman Abdulrasak,  PDP submitted Razak Atunwa, while Labour Party has Comrade Issa Aremu. The three female governorship candidates are Muibi Muibat Aduke of the APA, Deaconess Comfort Yinka of the UPP and Rukayat Toyin Tijani of the MPN.

    INEC Director, Voter Education, Jacob Ayanda, said that the political parties have the opportunity to change or replace names on or before December 1, this year.

    In Imo State,  there was an initial drama when the  first INEC list came out with the name of the governorship candidate of the APC conspicuously missing. However, a few hours later, the name of Senator Hope Uzodinma was displayed as the candidate of the APC. The display of Uzodinma’s name was said to have been based on the directive from  the  National head

     

  • UNICEF charges C/River Govt. to prioritize child protection

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Cross River State Government to prioritize investment in strengthening the system for child protection and development in the state particularly in equipping the family courts and establishing correctional institutions for juveniles in the state in accordance to the state’s Child Rights Law.

    Chief of the Enugu Field Office of UNICEF, Dr Ibrahim Conte, gave the charge in Calabar, the state capital, during a Stakeholders’ Consultation on Development of Family Court Rules for Cross River State.

    Conte, who was represented by Child Protection Specialist, Enugu Field Office, UNICEF, Mrs Nkiru Maduechesi, said lack of infrastructure and basic facilities can hamper access to justice and other restorative services for children and consequently may constrain their development and ability to maximize their potentials in life.

    Read Also:Ethiopia’s parliament approves first female president

    He said the meeting was an important milestone in efforts aimed at strengthening the Child Protection System in the state through a well-equipped family courts that regulate the enforcement of the Child Rights Law in Cross River State.

    “UNICEF urges members of the Judiciary and other stakeholders to make significant contributions to the Family Court Rules with a view to improving the system for speedy settlement of cases through child-sensitive judicial processes capable of preventing and responding to violence against children effectively and reintegration of children in conflict with the law.

    “Your deliberations today would have far reaching effects in child justice reform efforts in the State.

    UNICEF as the agency mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote the rights of the children is committed in supporting partnerships and initiatives in this regard,” Conte said.

  • Rivers seeks justice for 2015 poll killings

    COMMUNITIES in Rivers State are demanding justice for the 2015 general election violence, beheading and killings in the 23 local governments.

    Residents of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government have called on the Federal Government to prosecute persons behind the killings and violence.

    They spoke on Monday when All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Pastor Tonye Cole visited party members.

    Cole was accompanied by Director-General of Tonye Cole Campaign Organisation Dr. Chidi Lloyd; APC’s candidate for Rivers West Honourable Asita; and Director-General of True Rivers Development Initiative Sampson Ngerebara; among others.

    While addressing APC supporters at Krigene in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, the governorship candidate assured the people they would surely find peace and justice

    Cole said: “The people of Rivers communities lifted their voices up to God and not man. He (God) said I should let you know that there will be no more death in this town and other Rivers communities. No more wasting of lives. As God is our witness, the pains in your hearts, we will find justice for them.

    “Your message has been heard loud and clear. It has been captured. Do not worry. There is no peace in this area, because of the killings and violence of 2015.”

    Asita, the 2015 deputy governorship candidate, regretted that people from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni were involved in the killing of their kinsmen.

    Lloyd also said the violence that greeted the 2015 elections led to the killing of youths, leading to increase in widows in the area.

    A community leader, Eze Ahiakwo, said many people in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni were killed before, during and after the 2015 elections.

    Ahiakwo noted that a prominent indigene of Krigene, Chief Christopher Ahidu, who is leader of APC in Ward 6, was murdered with another member of the community in November, 2014.

  • Army hands over 680,000 adulterated diesel, kerosene to EFCC

    The Nigerian Army has seized over 680,000 litres of adulterated diesel, kerosene and “black oil,” an official said.

    Brig.-Gen. Sunday Igbinomwahia, Chief of Staff of Nigerian Army 6 Division Port Harcourt, spoke at a formal handover of 17 trucks to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    Igbinomwahia said that the products, if supplied to the public may have led to explosions and possible deaths.

    He explained that the trucks and petroleum products were seized after troops raided an abandoned compound formerly used by Union Dicot Salt Company in Port Harcourt.

    According to him, illegal bunkers used the illegal refining facility to store and deliver substandard petroleum products to unsuspecting users.

    “The 17 trucks had been in our custody since Oct. 2 it was seized to enable investigators to determine the authenticity of the petroleum products.

    “Our investigators after carrying out thorough preliminary investigation on the matter came to the conclusion that the petroleum products were illegally refined.

    Igbinomwanhia said each truck was loaded with about 40,000 litres of adulterated petroleum products awaiting distribution to the public before there seizure.

    Read Also: Missing General: Army hands 13 suspects to police

    The officer said the seizure was made by the division’s Special Company that was specifically set up to checkmate activities of illegal bunkers in the state.

    “We have concluded our preliminary investigation, and as such, the trucks and other exhibits will be handed over to EFFC for further probe of the case.

    “The division is in forefront of fighting criminals who are hell bent to sabotage the nation’s economy through there illegal bunkering and vandalism of pipelines,” he said.

    Igbinomwanhia said the division’s special task force had so far seized over 300 suspected illicit trucks and vehicles that were currently in different stages of investigation.

    Receiving the trucks and products, Mr Abdulhamid Bawa, Head of Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Management Directorate of the anti-graft agency, said the commission would conduct speedy investigation into the matter.

    “The petroleum products will be sent to the Department of Petroleum Resources to determine if the product is genuine or adulterated.

    “If the product is genuine, then there is no case; but if found to be illegally refined then the owners of the trucks would be arraigned in court,” he assured.

    NAN

  • Fed Govt, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Rivers to raise panel within 90 days

    ALL revenue lost to oil exploring and exploiting companies due to wrong profit sharing formula under the Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) since August 2003, the Supreme Court ordered yesterday.

    It directed the Federal Government to initiate moves to recover the funds from the oil giants.

    The court’s seven-man panel, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, gave the order in a consent judgment given yesterday in a suit filed by Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states against the Federal Government in 2016.

    The states, who sued through their Attorneys-General, agreed to an amicable settlement, which was reduced to terms of settlement.

    They filed the terms of settlement on April 6, 2018 and the apex court adopted it as its judgment.

    The terms of settlement were signed by the Attorneys-General of the three states – the late Emmanuel Aguma (Rivers), Kemasuode Wogu (Bayelsa) and Uwemedimo Nwoko (Akwa Ibom) as well as the lead counsel for the AGF, Mr. Lucius Nwosu.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata, signed as the witness.

    By the agreement, the AGF is expected to work with the three states to “immediately set up a body and the necessary mechanism for recovery” of all the lost revenue since August 2003.”

    The court directed that the AGF to, within 90 days, put in place the mechanism for the recovery of the lost revenue.

    The three states which had jointly filed the suit marked SC.964/2016, in the names of their respective Attorneys-General, contended that the Federal Government had been short-changed of its supposed shares of an estimated earnings of $1,149,750,000,000, under the Production Sharing Contracts for the period between 2003 and 2015.

    According to them, the huge loss suffered by the Federal Government is due to the failure of the minister of Petroleum Resources for over 15 years to activate the re-adjustment of the sharing formula (the PSC) of 60 per cent share of oil profits to the Federal Government and 40 per cent to the oil companies.

    They argued that the Federal Government had suffered huge losses under the PSC because of non-compliance with Section 16(1) of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act which was said to have come to effect since January 1, 1993.

    The plaintiffs faulted Section 8(1)(f) of the Production Sharing Contracts between the Federal Government and the oil companies, which makes provision for the 60 to 40 per cent sharing agreement.

    They stated that, under the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) Act, there ought to be an upward re-adjustment of Federal Government’s share of oil profit “in a manner as to become economically beneficial to the Federal Government” whenever the price of crude oil exceeded $20 per barrel.

    The states argued that the PSC which provides for the current sharing formula between the Federal Government and the oil companies could no longer be valid because the oil prices had since overshot the $20 per barrel.

    When the case came up on November 14, 2017 Abubakar Malami (SAN), listed as the sole defendant, indicated his preparedness to explore an amicable settlement of the suit.

    Following AGF’s request, the apex court adjourned to give room for the parties to negotiate.

    Other parties in the suit were said to have met with the AGF in his office on March 20, 2018, and agreed to settle, and later came up with the agreement filed as terms of settlement on April 6, 2018.

    With the agreement adopted by the court on Wednesday, the Federal Government has agreed to implement prayers (a) – (c) in the suit.

    Prayer (a) is “a declaration that there is a statutory obligation imposed on the defendant (the AGF/FG) pursuant to Section 16(1) of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act, Cap D3 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, to adjust the share of the Government of the Federation in the additional revenue accruing under the Production Sharing Contracts if the price of crude oil at any time exceeds twenty dollars ($20) per barrel in real terms to such extent that the Production Sharing Contracts shall be economically beneficial to the government of the Federation; and a fortiori the component Federating States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria especially the 1st, 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs.”

    With regard to prayer (b), the court declared “that the failure of the defendant to accordingly adjust the share of the Government of the Federation in the additional revenue in the Production Sharing Contracts…” constitutes “a breach of the said Section 16(1) of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act” and has affected the total revenues of the Federal Government and the states.

    Prayer (c) is therefore, a consequential order of the apex court, “compelling the defendant to adjust the share of the Government of the Federation in the additional revenue under all the PSC in Nigeria’s oil industry within the Inland Basin and Deep Offshore areas as approved by the defendant from the respective times the price of crude oil exceeded twenty dollars ($20) per barrel in real terms and to calculate in arrears with effect from August 2003 and recover and pay immediately all outstanding statutory allocations due and payable to the plaintiffs arising from the said adjustments.”

    By the agreement, parties agreed as follow:

    “That reliefs (a) (b) and (c) in the Amended Originating Summons relating to the larger interest of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the entire citizenry of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and which therefore shall be diligently implemented.

    “That the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation on behalf of the Defendant working jointly with the Plaintiffs hereby undertake to immediately set up a body and the necessary mechanism for recovery of all lost revenue accruing to the Federation Account arising from, associated with or pertaining to relief (C) above in the past and up till the date of full recovery and accruing in future or an acceptable instalmental payments thereof within ninety (90) days next from the date of execution of these presents or its being made judgment of this Honourable Court.

    “That the solicitors of the plaintiff and or their nominee professional advisers shall be members of that body and necessary recovery mechanism set up by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation in (b) above.

    “That the cost of the recovery in clause b. iii (b) above shall be netted off and payable from the Gross recovered sums from time to time prior to placement of the net recoveries in the Federation Account.

    “That the 13 per cent (per cent) derivation due to the plaintiffs shall be paid to them upon recovery in accordance with Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.”

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson described the verdict as victory for the littoral states, according to a statement by his Adviser on Media Relations Fidelis Soriwei.

    According to him, even before the first offshore swamp oil well was discovered under the particular Act by the Nigeria AGIP Energy, the price of crude oil had exceeded $20 per barrel being used as a benchmark to share oil revenues in the state.

    He stressed that in spite of the express agreement that shares from the oil revenue accruable to the Federal Government should be adjusted, the benchmark being used by the multinational oil firms has been static at 20 Dollars per Barrel to date.

    The governor, who spoke on behalf of his Rivers and Akwa Ibom states’ colleagues, said that the judgment demonstrated “the primacy of the law in the socio-economic emancipation of the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the instrumentality of the government and people of Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.”

    Dickson stated further that the implication of the judgment was increase in revenues accruable to the federating states under the extant revenue sharing formula.

    He said: “We commend the Supreme Court of Nigeria for upholding the Rule of law. The courageous intervention of the Supreme Court in this case and other cases is what is needed to bring confidence to the long-suffering people and communities of the Niger Delta and the country at large.

    “This judgment shows clearly that the judiciary is ready and has the courage in deciding cases to uphold the rights of oppressed people.

    “We call on other courts in the judicial system to rise to the occasion in order to give the assurance that oil majors and oil block owners operating in our communities will respect the laws of the land.”

  • Wike declares support for Atiku

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has declared his support for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for 2019 elections.

    He spoke yesterday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, during a special thanksgiving service for the successful hosting of 2018 PDP National Convention.

    His Special Assistant, Electronic Media Simeon Nwakaudu quoted the governor as revealing that he promoted the candidature of Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal at the convention.

    He, however, added that he has accepted the party’s choice as the way forward.

    Wike said: “I supported the Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal fully. I have no regrets for my support for Tambuwal.

    “But the party has made a choice and as a loyal party man, I stand by the choice of the party. I will support His Excellency Atiku Abubakar to victory in 2019. That is what is called party loyalty.”

    Wike said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed Nigeria, adding that Nigerians must work diligently towards sacking the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    “We must put our heads together to ensure that this bad government is sacked.  We must ensure that this bad government goes in 2019,” the governor said.

    He said after the thanksgiving service, Nigerians must head to the fields to work for the PDP victory in 2019.

    The governor noted that the PDP would win in Rivers State despite the machinations of the APC-led Federal Government.

    He added that he would complete his mission in Rivers State through a resounding victory in 2019.

    On the successful hosting of the National Convention, Wike noted that he stood his ground because of the Rivers State’s economy and the fact that the state remains the home of PDP since 1999.

    The PDP National Chairman noted that after the party’s national convention, its leadership has been involved in fence-mending to bring all groups to work for victory in 2019.

    He said Atiku is the best candidate to drive the country to growth and prosperity.

    “APC will be finally buried in February 2019,” he said.

    Secondus thanked the government and people of Rivers State for hosting the convention.

    In a sermon, Apostle Zilly Aggrey said the PDP is right to thank God for the successful hosting of its national convention, noting that it was a platform for greater success.

    Rivers State PDP Chairman Felix Obuah said despite obstacles, God ensured that the national convention was the best ever.

     

  • If you want Nigeria to remain wretched, vote PDP!

    If the Peoples Democratic Party, otherwise known as Pin-Di-Pi, needs to convince Nigerians of its anti-people disposition, it properly showcased it at its national convention held during the week in my own “Garden City”, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Nigerians and the world at large have been talking of the country being hit by recession in the last three years due to the recklessness of the PDP administrations since 1999, especially the Goodluck Jonathan’s which was displaced by the current Muhammad Buhari administration in 2015.

    Economic prosperity took a holiday from Nigeria during the years of the locusts, with factories closing down and turning millions into the unemployment market while churches were either leasing or buying out these industrial houses.

    The business that boomed from all these is majorly okada (commercial motorcycle) business which attracted to its ranks mainly people of Northern extraction, as well as low and medium income workers laid off by redundancy.

    If on the profit side these motorcycle riders barely survived, the huge deficit in that business however is writ large in our orthopaedic hospitals and private but mostly insanitary traditional healing homes where broken bones are being mended on a daily basis, from road accident victims of mostly untutored and drug-induced okada riders.

    The displacement of the PDP government headed by Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and its succession by the APC regime of BUHARI in 2015 exposed where all the nation’s monies had gone. The ones that grew wings ended in safe vaults in European and American banks and in some far-flung financial institutions in far East Asia while the rest, by just a handful, either got buried in septic or underground water tanks in decrepit places or homes or swallowed by rats, snakes, crocodiles and, you never can tell, hippopotamus of uncommon hue.

    For most of the three years of this present administration, it has busied itself unearthing mind-boggling monetary malfeasance never before experienced in this country while it has laboured to get the nation back on course. For Buhari and his team, the task of rediscovery and rejuvenation of the economy has been one helluva fight between it and all forces of reaction spearheaded by PDP mindless conservatives, and edged on by aging revisionists who are busy collecting doles needed for their final rites of passage.

    In the last three years, the PDP moneybags recoiled to their shells, like rainbeaten chickens, scared by the EFCC hounds, but began surfacing a few months back because the season of electioneering is here.

    Money many genuinely hard working and innocent citizens couldn’t muster for their children’s education abroad because of high rates of exchange, was on the loose in Port Harcourt during the week because the PDP locusts are on the march again, seeking to return to the plundering of the nation’s remaining resources.

    The hard currency that could have been used to turn the nation’s economy around was, as usual, squandered to procure votes for presidential aspirants of the PDP. It was repulsive to any decent mind, offensive to our psyche and altogether unacceptable in any sane society.  All those involved in buying votes and people’s conscience for as high as 5000 or 10000 American dollars on the Nigerian soil in Port Harcourt during the week, putting it mildly, are unworthy of our trust and should be outrightly rejected at the coming polls. Their return can only portend one thing for Nigeria – taking the country to the graveyard  for its final burial.

     

    The humour merchant returns home

    Dr Moses Olaiya, Nigeria’s pioneer of stage humour and satire, exited the earthly stage at the age of 81, after a long battle with ill health.

    In his battle with death, Bam Sala, as his stage wife used to call him, exhibited the tenacity with which he held on to theatre performance and dominated the scene. Several times in the last couple of years, he was rumoured dead but he bounced back like a cat with nine lives each time and held on to life until a few days ago.

    If he were to stage a play in heaven on his battle with death, I’m sure the title will be ‘O le ku’, one of his box office specials on earth.

  • Rivers to tackle mental health

    Rivers Deputy Governor Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo has called for collaboration with relevant stakeholders in tackling mental health issues in the state.

    Banigo spoke in Port Harcourt on Wednesday during the 2018 World Mental Health Day celebration organised by the Department of Neuropsychiatry/Mental Health, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

    Represented by the Director, Administration in the Office of the Deputy Governor, Ben Roberts, Banigo said the rising cases of youth involvement in anti-social activities had become worrisome.

    She said that stakeholders must work together to curb the rising cases as drug abuse, cultism, gangsterism and rape in the society.

    Banigo said the state government had through the Ministries of Youth and that of health put measures in place to address mental issues, especially as it concerned youths.

    October 10 is used annually to commemorate the World Mental Health Day. The theme for this year celebration is “Young people and mental health in a changing world.’’