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Tag: Rivers

  • 2018 PDP Convention: Wike welcomes delegates

    Ahead of the 2018 PDP National Convention, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has welcomed all delegates of the party to the state .

    In a statement signed by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Governor Wike assured the delegates of a memorable stay in the state.

    He said: “The good people of Rivers State are most delighted and honoured to play host to the distinguished National Delegates of our great party as we elect our Presidential flagbearer this weekend and collectively work towards rescuing our nation from the brink of collapse.

    Read Also: Buhari meets Anyim, Uduaghan, Marafa in Aso Rock

    “As we gather for this all-important national convention, I assure all delegates of our great party of their security before, during and after the convention. Working with the security agencies and other stakeholders, we will ensure that your stay in Port Harcourt is memorable. ”

    The statement further quoted the Rivers State Governor as saying: “Once again, I welcome all delegates, journalists, observers and other visitors to Rivers State, the Treasure Base of the Nation. While you are here, enjoy the peace, love, cuisine, heritage and hospitality of Rivers State and her people.

    “I pray for journey mercies as you return to your respective destinations. I welcome you.”

    The National Convention of the PDP hold between October 6 and 7, 2018 at the Adokiye Amasiemaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

  • Ijaw professionals worry over ecological disasters in Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa

    The Niger Delta region has been going through ecological challenges. These environmental teething troubles are fast snowballing into disasters that threaten human existence.

    The horrid situation has been a source of concern to the Ijaw Professionals Association (IPA), a group of intellectuals championing environmental rights, justice and remediation. The group said it was piqued by the fact that despite obvious threats of extinction facing the region, relevant authorities are paying lip service to the life-threatening natural disaster.

    IPA raised the alarm over ecological disasters that threaten to wipe out many communities in the region after its general meeting recently.

    At the meeting IPA, whose activities cover Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa states, unanimously agreed to bring the ecological emergencies and humanitarian crises in the region to the notice of authorities for appropriate actions.

    Leaders of IPA that attended the meeting were President, Homeland Chapter, Iniruo Wills; Vice-President, Stella Alaere Raine and Publicity Secretary, Marie-Therese Teibowei. The trio signed the communique issued after the meeting.

    In the communique, the group identified floods, looming earthquakes, toxic soot and continuous hydrocarbon pollution as major environmental challenges that needed urgent attention in the region.

    IPA lamented that massive floods that ravaged communities in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers displaced hundreds of thousands of residents of these areas. The situation has left the people with no shelter, food, water, medication and other necessities. It said the development heightened fears of disease epidemic that is capable of spreading beyond national and international borders.

    The group commended the “selfless and courageous efforts of the Ijaw Flood Control Unit (IFCU) Ijaw Women Connect (IWC), Ijaw Youths Development Association (IYDA) and various individuals and community-based organisations that mobilised resources and coordinated community self-helps in the last two weeks in the face of gross neglect by local, state and federal governments”.

    IPA called on governments of the affected states to immediately swing into action to provide adequate social reliefs and effective short, medium and long-term measures in order to control floods and other ecological catastrophes.

    The group expressed disappointment that the authorities didn’t learn any lesson from the human casualties and social consequences that resulted from the 1999 and 2012 floods, the annual warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigerian Hydrological Surveys Agency (NIHSA).

    It said the state and the Federal Government ignored the reports and recommendations by relevant authorities and committees and the several months of warnings by the agencies this year.

    The group said: “Neither the Federal Government nor the state governments took any action to protect our vulnerable communities from floods. They only resorted to fire brigade and cosmetic approaches after many people have been displaced.

     

    “We condemn the Federal Government’s typical attitude of burying its head in the sand whenever Ijaw and Niger Delta communities are affected by ecological disasters and the discrimination against our communities reflected in the difference between how much and how fast the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) responds to emergencies in other parts of the country and how little and slowly it responds to disasters in our homeland.

    “We equally condemn the utter neglect of the environment by governments in the Niger Delta states and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    “These governments and NDDC have been receiving billions of dollars (hundreds of billions of Naira) every year since 1999 by way of the 13 per cent petroleum derivation funds, the statutory NDDC Fund and the Ecological Fund, mostly for the protection of the Niger Delta.

    “Yet, they are culpable for the near-zero budget provision for environmental exigencies.”

    On other disasters, it said: “The rain of toxic soot, black particulate matter in and around Rivers State, has continued unchecked and unabated for over two years now; leaving the entire population increasingly at the risk of cancer and other terminal or debilitating diseases.

    “We are worried about the warning issued a few days ago by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NSRDA) about impending earthquakes in five states, including Bayelsa State, especially around the petroleum-producing communities of Igbogene, Biseni and others, thus adding another troubling dimension to the mortal cocktail of environmental hazards faced by the Ijaw and the people of the Niger Delta.

    “There has been continued menace of hydrocarbon pollution of our communities, waters and forests; with grossly ineffective regulation or control for 60 years and counting.”

    But the group commended the action of the Bayelsa State government for setting up a committee to assess and respond to the damage caused by the floods. It, however, appealed to the state government to take proactive steps to prevent future occurrences.

     

    Solutions

     

    Beyond highlighting the problems, IPA proffered solutions. It called on the Federal Government to immediately deploy adequate relief materials, shelter and services to all the flood-affected and threatened communities in the region.

    The group also called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the environment in the affected areas and mobilise required personnel and materials to deal with the situation within international humanitarian best practices and law.

    It also urged the government to direct the Ecological Fund Office, NDDC, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Federal Ministry of Environment to work in collaboration with the concerned state governments to urgently commission an integrated ecological and water resources management master plan.

    IPA said such master plan must be backed by clear implementation time lines, a credible monitoring and evaluation framework, dedicated funding and sovereign/World Bank guarantees for service providers.

    The group further asked the Federal Government to adequately fund the Nigerian Geological Surveys Agency (NGSA) to commission or conduct, in consultation with concerned state governments, a thorough study to monitor and predict earthquake flash points and adequately prepare to avert or deal with any event or risk of earthquakes and tremors, to avoid the national threat and shame of being caught unawares.

    The group called on the government to promptly release all the held-up funds due to Bayelsa State and other affected states from the Ecological Fund, and avoid any politicisation or discrimination.

    It called on the governments of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers to co-operate with the IWC and IYDA to improve efforts of the Ijaw Flood Control Unit.

    Addressing the states, it said: “Demonstrate that charity begins at home by equipping, funding and deploying the respective State Emergency Management Agencies and Ministries of Environment to respond robustly to the scandalous humanitarian crises that our flood-ravaged communities experience.

    “Work with the states’ Houses of Assembly to present and pass a supplementary budget for the purpose, and declare and implement a constructive state of environmental emergency, as prescribed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Enact laws to establish and equip State Ecological Management Boards for effective protection, enhancement and economic benefits of the states,” it said.

    Also, the group called on donor agencies, including private sectors, such as the Red Cross to come to the aid of affected communities with medical support and other forms of aid and pay special attention to vulnerable persons, the aged, children, physically-challenged persons and women.

    IPA asked the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and the Minister of Environment to take action to stop the toxic soot rain on Port Harcourt and its environs caused by petroleum operators and save peoples’ lives.

    It further urged the Ijaw and Niger Delta federal lawmakers to be alive to their responsibilities by working actively to ensure that respective federal and state authorities implement all the recommendations.

     

  • Aspirants opposed to Port Harcourt venue are against Rivers, Niger Delta, says Wike

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike yesterday slammed some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirants for alleged opposition to Port Harcourt as venue for the party’s National Convention October 5 and 6.

    He said such aspirants, by their action, showed “they are against the economic interest of the state and Niger Delta.”

    Besides, he said such aspirants have failed to live up to their campaign for the restructuring of the country.

    PDP is billed to hold a convention to elect its presidential candidate on October 5 and 6 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Thirteen aspirants are jostling for the ticket.

    The Port Harcourt venue, endorsed by some aspirants, has not gone down well with other aspirants.

    Describing the opposition to Port Harcourt as strange, Wike said there was no other way to explain such cold feeling towards holding the convention in Port Harcourt apart from the fact that the aspirants involved had no economic interest of Rivers and Niger Delta at heart.

    He said: “Those who are against the PDP convention holding in Port Harcourt don’t have the the economic interest of Rivers and Niger Delta at heart.

    “If you are telling the people of the state and by extension Niger Delta that you don’t want such event to hold in their domain as an aspirant, how will you act when you become a president? How do you expect the people you are telling that you don’t like their state to vote for you during the election?”

    The governor described as worrisome that the same people who have been traversing the length and breadth of the country calling for the restructuring of Nigeria were kicking against the choice of Port Harcourt as venue for the convention.

    He asked: “Why are they not acting in tandem with their campaign for the restructuring of Nigeria? From their opposition to Port Harcourt, it means the restructuring campaign is a mere lip service”.

    All the aspirants, he said, will enjoy a level playing field, insisting that the choice of Port Harcourt is not meant to give any aspirant an edge over others.

    The governor said: “Every aspirant will be given a level playing field.

    Holding the convention in Port Harcourt does not mean anybody will have undue advantage. What it will do for the state is that it will boost its local economy because groundnut, sellers of water in satchets and food vendors will have more sales. Hoteliers will also record increased business.

    “That is the only thing Rivers State stands to gain from holding the convention in Port Harcourt. And anybody who is against Port Harcourt hosting the event does not like the state. He is against the economic interest of the state”.

    According to Wike, the person who will emerge the candidate of the party will emerge on the basis of his political clout and not on any other consideration.

    He said that what PDP members need at the moment “is not to bicker over the choice of convention venue but to work in unity to achieve the goal of the party which he said is to wrest power from the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “We need to work together, we don’t need any division at this moment. Our goal must be to win in 2019.”

  • Rivers displaces Lagos as top investment destination

    RIVERS State dislodged Lagos State as the number one foreign investment destination in Nigeria in the first half of 2018,according to an investment profile report by the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). Rivers received 35% of the $45.74 billion invested in 42 projects in nine states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the period, the NIPC said. It was followed by Bayelsa and Lagos states with 26% each.

    The sectoral analysis of the investment profile shows that mining and quarrying accounted for 61% of the total investment and manufacturing 28%. Other sectors are transportation and storage, five per cent; real estate, three per cent; and the remaining sectors accounting for three per cent.

    The report also showed that the investments were from investors in 11 countries, with French companies accounting for 35% of the value, closely followed by Nigerian companies at 31%. The report said the UK’s investment stood at 20%; Luxembourg seven percent and the remaining eight percent were from the other countries. “The top 10 announcements accounted for 43.1 billion dollars, representing 94 per cent of the value of the announcements,” the report read.

    The NIPC however said the report was based only on investment announcements cited in NIPC’s newsletters from January to June 2018 and might not contain exhaustive information on all investment announcements in Nigeria during the period. “Nevertheless, the report gives a sense of investors’ interest in the Nigerian economy in the first half of 2018,” it said. “NIPC did not independently verify the authenticity of the investment announcements but is working on tracking the announcements as they progress to actual investments.”

  • 2019: I’m not vying for the position of Vice President – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that he will not be vying for the position of Vice President of the country as being speculated in certain quarters ahead of the 2019 elections.

    Governor Wike said though some of the Presidential aspirants seeking his support have offered him the position of Vice President in the course of political consultations, he insisted that the interest of Rivers State is paramount.

    Speaking in an interview with The Osasu Show at the Government House Port Harcourt on Thursday, Governor Wike said: “There are aspirants who have promised me the position of the Vice President, but I said I will not seek the position.

    “Not even in the dream will I seek that position at this point. I am a first term governor and the National Chairman of PDP is from my State and the South-South.

    “These are mere allegations. People can carry rumours, but everything I will do, will be in the interest of Rivers State. Nobody can use Rivers State as a tool. They did that in the past, but not anymore “.

    Governor Wike said that the decision to host the October 5/6 2018 National Convention in Port Harcourt was initiated without his knowledge, adding that he eventually attended a meeting where Governors and Presidential Aspirants ratified the resolution.

    He expressed surprise that a few Presidential aspirants who never opposed the decision to host the National Convention in Port Harcourt, have turned around to sponsor reports against the venue of the convention.

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    He said: “I am shocked that a few Presidential aspirants who never opposed Port Harcourt as a venue would begin the sponsorship of media attacks on the venue of the convention, which was not initiated by us.

    “When we say that there are moles amongst the Presidential aspirants, this is one of the manifestations. A decision that is collectively taken, is being contested through clandestine sponsorship.

    “But if they want, the National Convention can be held at Maiduguri, Yola, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano or any other city. A presidential aspirant that would lose, would lose.

    “All the national delegates that will vote at the National Convention will emerge from the different local government areas of the country and from the statutory delegates list. None will be elected in Port Harcourt. Therefore, it is uncharitable to attempt to create the impression that hosting it in Port Harcourt will influence the outcome”.

    “For the over three years that we have managed Rivers State, nobody of good conscience will say that we have not done well. We are not threatened because in Rivers State, PDP is a dominant party”, he said

  • NEMA’s impactful outings on disaster management

    These are indeed trying times. The floods are here again, and as usual, thousands are affected. Homes have been destroyed, farms have been washed away, and the list goes on. While it is succinct to state that just like in other climes where natural disasters such as hurricane, earthquakes, and floods have continued to wreak havoc, the responses of disaster management agencies come to bear in no small measure in cushioning effects and giving those affected a sense of belonging and a life afterward.

    And this brings us to the recent flooding experienced in some parts of Nigeria as a result of heavy rainfalls that causes rivers Niger and Benue to overflow. As at the last count, Niger Kogi, Anambra, and Delta states have been declared as National Disasters by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). It is also understood that Taraba Adamawa, Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Benue, Bayelsa and Kwara states are being monitored carefully by NEMA.

    In this regard, I will start on a high note. The preparedness and responses by NEMA have been excellent in my opinion. I recall when the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency issued a warning that Rivers Benue and Niger had almost reached levels that resulted in flooding in 2012, NEMA issued a statement informing Nigerians on its preparedness for the flooding and it also consequently issued precautionary information to these communities.

    Now, this is why I decided to pen this article. Kogi state is among the worst hit states and as at the last time I checked, the director general of NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja has somewhat relocated to Kogi state. This was aside from the fact that he had held series of meetings with stakeholders to assess the reports from the fact-finding committees that visited flood-prone states after the warning by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. I was more than impressed, and in my opinion, this was indeed a proactive approach and a radical departure from that norm that placed so much emphasis on reactionary activities.

    I stand to be corrected, NEMA in the past two years had indeed shown how and what it meant to have a disaster management agency in a country. This is in line with the adoption of the preventive disaster management operations introduced into the agency by the director general, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja. I also recall that sometime in 2017, while addressing the 2017 General Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Cancun, Mexico, the DG was quoted as saying “support from the political leadership in Nigeria has enabled a giant stride towards ensuring appropriate actions on reducing risks, disaster preparedness, mitigation and recovery in the country. He also said the Federal Government has empowered and equipped NEMA to comprehensively manage disasters in Nigeria, with a fully functional Department of Disaster Risk Reduction already created in the agency.

    Now, this was why I wasn’t surprised and also impressed with the responses of NEMA in recent times in disaster management in Nigeria. Hear what the DG has to say: “President Muhammadu Buhari approved N3 billion for the first stages of preparedness, response disaster mitigation and it was on that note that stakeholders under the coordination of NEMA had activated a National Contingency Plan, a policy document, which gives NEMA the power to establish operational structure. An operational structure has been put in place with a National Emergency Operational Centre domiciled at the NEMA headquarters and five Zonal Emergency Operational Centres (EOC).”

    I am left in awe whenever I hear the DG of NEMA speak on issues concerning disaster management. His grasp and understanding thrill me, so much so that I have told all that cared to listen that one of the best decision of President Muhammdu Buhari was to have appointed a highly detailed and competent individual to head NEMA. And why they would always ask me.

    The reason is simple. Which category of people is mostly affected by disasters? The answer is obvious, and that is mainly why I am in praise of President Muhammdu Buhari because he has demonstrated that this is a government that is concerned about the ordinary Nigerians unlike in times past where our inefficiency in disaster management results in loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties.

    Back to the crux of the issue, NEMA’s outings in disaster management in the past two years can best be described as impactful. It is instructive to state that DG has visited almost all parts of the country that has in one way or the other experienced any form of disaster, be it human-made or natural for on the spot assessment and also leading rescue and relief operations. For example, the DG of NEMA was on the ground during rescue operations when a building collapsed in Abuja recently. He was also in Benue during the September 2017 flood that affected scores of villages in the state. And the list goes on.

    Read Also: NEMA warns of impending flooding in 12 states

    In my opinion, what this signifies or indicates is that there is a government that cares and holds that critical constituency so dearly and the need for them to feel the impact of his administration. This is even aside from the efforts of NEMA in assisting the Nigeria military in the resettlement of thousands of Nigerians that were displaced as a result of the insurgency in North East Nigeria. It also suffices to state that under this arrangement, thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have successfully returned to their communities. This is also commendable.

    The list can go on without end. But what is instructive and a takeaway from the activities of NEMA is that once there is a will, there would always be a way. This much the DG of NEMA has demonstrated with the support he has received from the political authorities. And if most political office holders exhibit this much patriotism, Nigeria would indeed be better for it.

    Adamu is a public affairs analyst and contributed this piece from Abuja

  • 2019: Niger Delta militants endorse Buhari

    Niger Delta creek warlords under the auspices of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers ( RNDA ) on Monday backed the second term ambition of President Muhammadu Buhari .

    The militants declared that Buhari is the only Nigerian President that has shown practical commitment to peace and willingness to develop the Niger Delta region.

    The Leader, RNDA, ‘Maj.-Gen’. John Mark Ezenobi aka Obama in a statement said they took the decision to support Buhari at a crucial meeting attended by the group’s service commanders in Benin River of Egbema in Rivers State.

    The RNDA said it reviewed the activities of past presidents including those of former President Goodluck Jonathan and came up with a verdict that Buhari remained the best among them.

    The RNDA, a coalition of nine militant groups, said the Niger Delta region suffered from under development and massive looting of oil resources under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It described the 16-year administration of the PDP including the period Jonathan administered the country as a disaster.

    The group said despite ongoing devilish efforts to damage Buhari’s reputation, his integrity and sustained fight against corruption stood him out as the best candidate for the Presidency in 2019.

    RNDA said it was unfortunate that “self-acclaimed” leaders of the Niger Delta region and “so-called” PDP South South Governors were still celebrating looters, who contributed to the under-development of the Niger Delta region.

    It dismissed members of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) as a group of failed and corrupt PDP members and self-acclaimed fathers to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    RNDA said most of the people parading themselves as PANDEF misled Jonathan and the likes of former ministers of Petroleum and Niger Delta Affairs, Diezani Allison-Madueke and Godday Orubebe and looted the funds meant for the development of the region.

    The statement said: “The RNDA with the coalition of the nine militant groups in the creeks has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for another term in office.

    “This endorsement is because of the President’s integrity characterized so far in fighting against menance of corruption to standstill in the country because the it is corruption and bad leadership that have contributed to the under development of the Niger Delta region and the country at large,

    “Buhari-led Federal Government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has shown much commitment to address the under-developmental challenges facing the Niger Delta region for decades caused by the corrupt previous bad administration of PDP, which wasted 16 years of governance.

    “RNDA note with regret that the six years administration of former President Good luck ‘Badluck’ Jonathan was characterised by massive corruption, looting, favouritism and gross non-supervision of his appointees with no completed project in the long-neglected region.

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    “Jonathan’s government took the people of the Niger Deltaand region back to the stone age of under development”.

    “RNDA accepted the Federal Government’s ceasefire agreement in 2016 for dialogue. This led to the remarkable and sustained peace process in the region following renewed destruction and bombing of oil installation and facilities that crippled the nation’s crude oil output and eventually led to recession.

    “Most worrisome and painful is the fact that Former President Jonathan’s administration goofed on the development of the region as he was unable to complete the road to his Otuoke community in Bayelsa State.

    “RNDA is pleased with President Buhari’s willingness and commitment to the development of the Niger Delta since he came on board in 2015 inspite of the economic recession that greeted the emergence of his administration as the crude oil price hit an all time low of N35 per barrel.

    “President Buhari fight against corruption which was the signpost of the previous PDP administrations clearly defined his stand on the development of the region.

    “We commend him for the smooth take off of academic activities at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, and we commend the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi for the approval for the dredging of the Escravos River to enable cargo vessels access Warri which will in turn boost economic activities”.

    The militants, however, urged the Federal Government to look into the implementation of the three percent gas fund to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    They appealed to Buhari to expedite efforts in the construction of Bonny inland roads, completion of the East West road, approval for the deep Sea Port project at Akwa Ibom State, Gas Flare penalty fund and pipeline surveillance jobs.

    Others they said required government’s attention are, proper funding of the NDDC and release of 10 licences for modular refineries as well as the relocation of the headquarters of multinational oil companies to the Niger Delta.

    The militant coalition identified good leaders of the region saying their superlative efforts brought the peace and development in Niger Delta.

    The named the leaders as the Paramount Ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom and National leader of the Pan Niger Delta People’s Congress (PNPDC), HRM Pere Charles Ayemi Botu (Former National Chairman of TROMPCON), the Ibenanaowei of Ogulagha Kingdom, HRM Elder Captain Joseph Timiyan and Alabo Graham Douglas.

    Others are former Minister of Aviation, High Chief Francis Inegbiniki, Jude Tabai, son of retired Supreme Court Justice, Elder T. k Ogoriba, HOSTCOM National Chairman, Dr. Mike Emuh among others”

    The group described them as men of integrity who staked their lives for the peace of the region and appealed to President Buhari to begin dialogue with the individuals.

    But RNDA asked President Buhari and the office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to be wary of some some self-acclaimed leaders of the Niger Delta such like Mike Loyibo.

    He said such persons parade themselves in Abuja on behalf of the region to curry favour but have never pushed for any form of development for the region.

    “While we wish to work with the new Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Professor Charles Dokubo, he should be mindful of Members of PANDEF .

    “PANDEF misled the immediate past Coordinator of PAP, Retired General Paul Boroh and abandoned him when the tide was against him despite spending millions of naira on the group made up of failed and corrupt PDP politicians”, the group said.

  • No faction in Rivers APC, says Lulu-Briggs

    One of the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers, Chief Dumu Lulu Briggs, has dispelled speculations of a crisis in the state chapter of the party.
    He said the APC in Rivers state was going into the 2019 elections as a united house.
    Briggs who spoke to newsmen after submitting his nomination form at the APC national secretariat said the entire party machinery in the state were behind the current leadership of the party in the state until the leadership is nullified by a competent court.
    According to him, what is happening in Rivers state is not peculiar to the state, pointing out that party members are only support different aspirants within the fold of the party, pointing out that this should be expected in anyplace where people aspire to elective offices.
    He said “ “l think that there is a lot of misconception. We do not have factions in the All Progressives Congress in River State. People in the party have sympathy for certain persons and that you find across  the entire country, not just in Rivers State. It is almost all the state where there is contest for governors.
    “Rivers state is going through a phase. Therefore there is a lost of interest in getting PDP governors out of office to ensure that we have an APC governor in place. So, you have some other persons who support this aspirations and the party would seem to be divided along that line.
    “That is what you find in every contest and all of that would be decided on Sept 28 when the party would have these candidates come together and all the major interest in the party would be collapsed together.
    “All of us are loyal to Mr. President who is the leader of the party. The issues of Rivers APC is in the court in Rivers States and the court would help to resolve some of those issues and the rest of them the party members would sit and resolve them. So, we don’t have factions of APC in Rivers, but one party with people’s different interest.
    “I think that the PDP was more fractured than APC in 2015 ahead of their primaries. I don’t know if Senator Abbe said there is a faction in the party. Of course there is a national leadership of the party and l know they have recognized the state Executive Committee headed by Ezuka Amakiri.
    “So he is recognized by the national leadership of the party and all  of us who are party members must be loyal to  them until the court of law says otherwise. Presently we have one party led by Ezuka Amakiri in Rivers state.”
    On his relationship with with members of the party in Rivers state, Briggs said as a matter of fact, my aspiration is supported by the little guys on the streets and that is where I derive my strength from. They are doing tremendous work for the party and the state.
    “I can tell you I have the ranks and files of the party behind this aspiration and across, you can see people in labour party supporting my aspiration, you see people in APGA supporting my aspiration and APC will be blessed to have me as a governorship candidate in the 2019 general elections.
    “We are supporting the President at the center and to tell him that Nigerians are fully behind him, in the anti-corruption war and his economic drive. In a nutshell this is why l am here. I just came today to submit my intent and nomination forms. I couldn’t have left here without coming to you at least you hold our conscience and therefore we all have to come to you. I want to thank for keeping watch and make sure that democracy works in Nigeria.”

  • Tonye Cole needed to give leadership in Rivers, says monarch

    A former Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Theophilus Princewill, has stated that the co-founder of Sahara Group, Pastor Tonye Cole, is needed to give leadership in the Niger Delta state.

    Princewill, who is also the Amanyanabo of Kalabari, spoke yesterday in his palace at Buguma, the headquarters of Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers state, while receiving Cole, the endorsed governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers for the 2019 election.

    Cole, in a long convoy of vehicles, with his teeming supporters and well-wishers who defied heavy rain, was earlier received by his kinsmen in Jack Compound in Abonnema-Kalabari, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru LGA, with his people, led by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court,

    Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, wishing him well, while stating that they were very proud of him.

    The APC’s governorship aspirant then proceeded to the palace of the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Bob-Manuel, who along with members of his council of chiefs, happily received Cole, a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

    Cole was accompanied by Rivers Chairman of APC, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree; ex-governorship candidate, Prince Tonye Princewill; a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Dawari George; and ex-Rivers Commissioner for Women Affairs, Joeba West; among many other eminent personalities.

    King Princewill said: “I am interested in the unity of Kalabari people. We should give Tonye Cole the support that he needs to be governor. He deserves it. He has immensely contributed to the development of Rivers State and Nigeria. Just by the mention of Tonye Cole for governorship, the whole of Rivers State is vibrating.

    “Instead of having many governorship aspirants from Kalabari, we should unite, work as a team and support Tonye Cole. If we are not divided, we will succeed. I am happy that a Kalabari man is coming to give leadership to Rivers State.

    “I am pleading with Kalabari people to ensure 100 per cent support for Tonye Cole. Let our votes be for Tonye Cole. If that is done, we will win. United we stand, divided we fall. God being with us, we will achieve the purpose of having Tonye Cole as Rivers State governor in 2019.”

    In his remarks, the governorship aspirant said he was in Kalabari land for the blessings of the monarchs and his kinsmen, stressing that the task of providing quality leadership in Rivers could not be done as a divided house, but in unity.

    Cole also stated that courage was needed to face the governorship battle and have victory, while calling on Rivers people to hold themselves as one, thereby ensuring peace, security and prosperity.

  • Flooding: Edo intensifies work at resettlement camps, safe havens

    The Edo State Government has said that work has intensified at designated resettlement camps across the state to receive residents, who are displaced by flooding.

    Persistent rainfall in the past few weeks dislodged some persons from their homes, as the state government announced the opening of resettlement camps for residents that were adversely affected by the heavy downpours.

    The state government issued flood alert in parts of the state last week, following new predictions that the state will experience flooding incidence with the persistent rainfall and the release of water from dams in neighbouring countries.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr Yakubu Gowon, said that an inter-ministerial committee to oversee the relocation of affected persons and running of the resettlement camps and safe havens has been set up.

    He disclosed that the committee is made up of officials of the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), special assistants to the governor in the various wards, officials of ministries of infrastructure, environment and health, local council chairmen, members of the Red Cross, Fire Service and local government councillors, who are on standby to assist people in distress.

    He listed the areas earmarked as safe havens to include “the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camp in Oghomere in Etsako Central Local Government Area and the skills acquisition centre in Fugar.

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    “In Esan South East Local Government Area, the council hall and the hall of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Ubiaja will serve as safe haven.  In Ikpoba-Okha local council, Western Boys High School hall has been pencilled down to receive those displaced from their homes in the council area,” he added.

    He said that men and women will be separated in the camps to protect their rights and assured that effort is being made to procure more relief materials to be delivered when the camps are ready.

    “In Ovia North East, the local government chairman has donated a place in Okada while another place in Gelegele, in the same local council will provide succour to flood victims,” Gowon said.

    The governor’s aide maintained that the relevant ministries have desilted blocked drainages to ease the flow of water in the city.

    Two weeks ago, Edo State government donated relief materials to communities affected by windstorm in Esan West and Owan West local government areas of the state. Similar donation had been made in ten local councils where windstorm destroyed houses.

    Handing over the relief materials on behalf of the state government to chairmen of the two local councils in Benin City, the state capital, Gowon said “This is a continuous exercise, we have donated relief materials to communities in about 12 local government areas and we have been receiving letters of appreciation from the beneficiaries.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Hydrological Services Agencies (NHISA) have warned that 12 states across the country would experience flooding due to torrential rain falls.

    The two agencies gave the warning during an emergency stakeholders’ meeting held with relevant stakeholders in Abuja.

    Mr Clem Nze, Director, Engineering Hydrology, NHISA, listed the states to include: Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Edo, Anambra, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states, from the River Niger axis.

    He also listed Taraba, Benue and Adamawa as states to be affected from the River Benue axis.

    He said that the decision to raise the alarm was to ensure preparedness among stakeholders and residents of flood-prone communities.

    The NEMA and NHISA alert followed a similar alert issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMeT), warning of high floods in some identified states across the country including Edo.