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Tag: Uduaghan

  • Mentor younger generation, Uduaghan charges elders

    Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has enjoined elder statesmen in the state to sustain positive growth of the society by mentoring the younger generations.

    Speaking when the immediate past Head of Service to the Delta State Government, Sir Okey Ofili paid him a thank you visit at Government House, Asaba, Dr. Uduaghan observed that it will be wrong for the younger generation to lose moral values due to the failure of elders to inculcate the right ideals in them.

    The Governor decried a situation whereby youths in the society look up to uneducated questionable characters in the society as their role models just because they are wealthy, noting that there is need for all elders to ensure that the youths were properly groomed.

    “We should go back home and see how we can mentor our young ones. As elders and leaders, we need to look backward and see how to bring them (the young ones) up properly.”

    He lauded Sir Ofili for his contributions towards the growth of the civil service, disclosing, “I must say there was no time you advised me wrongly. I want to thank God for seeing you through these last 35 years. God also gave you the grace, intelligence and patience which you exhibited in all the positions you held.”

    The Governor reiterated that Sir Ofili “is a very patient person, very calm, well-educated and well groomed,” and wished him luck in his future endeavours as he observed that the former Head of Service still have a lot to contribute to the growth of the society, especially in the area of mentoring civil servants and youths in his community.

    Earlier, in his remarks, Sir Okey Ofili who was accompanied by the College of Permanent Secretaries in the state thanked Governor Uduaghan for exhibiting high quality leadership that has made the civil service to be professional and apolitical.

    He observed that the Governor “has enabled the civil service to grow in the state professionally despite pressures from all quarters.”

    “I joined the civil service 35 years ago and within this period, I had a total of nine promotions and I want to thank our Governor for giving me the opportunity to serve the state as the Head of Service for three years, nine months,” Sir Ofili said.

     

  • Uduaghan inaugurates task force on property tax collection

    Uduaghan inaugurates task force on property tax collection

    DELTA State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has inaugurated a task force on Ground Rent Collection, with a charge to the people of the state to pay their taxes promptly so as to sustain the improved economic growth in the state. Governor Uduaghan, who stated this yesterday during the inauguration ceremony of the Task Force on House to House Ground Rent Collection in Asaba, said, “ the state government is determined to eradicated poverty and sustain economic growth through infrastructural renewal and development.” The governor observed that the focus of the state in inaugurating the task force was to improve on the level of property tax compliance and charged members of the task force to genuinely collect the tax and remit all money collected to the state coffers. According to him, “l ask you to contribute your quota to support the government. This task imposes a responsibility of going out to collect this money genuinely and remit it to the coffers of the state government.” He charged the people to pay their taxes voluntarily as at when due, adding that the revenue would have a multiplier effect on both the micro and macro economies of the state and boost individual prosperity, saying, “since taxation is the principal source of government revenue, the prosperity of our state and our citizens depends greatly on the nature of revenue and the efficiency of collection.” The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, said that revenue was the bedrock upon which government would deliver on its electoral promises to the people and sustain its growing economy and appealed to the people to support the initiative. He emphasised that the state government’s tax policy was geared towards significantly improving the quality of life of its citizens without imposing excessive burden on them thereby creating a platform for promoting a healthier and more prosperous citizenry. In a welcome address, the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Sir Patrick Ferife, explained that the ground rents was a form of tax imposed on land users to generate revenue, stressing that the rationale behind the payments was to buttress the reversionary interest and supervisory role of government over every land resource in the state. Sir Ferife said that the Ministry of Lands and Survey, in collaboration with the State Board of Internal Revenue, set up the task force with a mandate to collect and pay into government coffers all ground rents paid by landlords in the state. Responding, the Chairman of the task force, Chief Barr. Frank Nwugo commended Governor Uduaghan for the opportunity given them to serve the state, and promised that the committee would do its best to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

  • Uduaghan eyes Senate

    Uduaghan eyes Senate

    Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has dismissed speculations of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), to actualise his senatorial ambition next year.

    The governor, who spoke yesterday in Asaba, said: “I am a foundation and a lifetime member of the PDP.”

    The governor also dropped hint of his ambition to represent Delta South in the Senate, stressing that it was the turn of his Itsekiri ethnic group.

    He said: “There was an unwritten zonal arrangement in the PDP in which senatorial positions rotate. In 2015 that arrangement gives it (senatorial ticket) to the Itsekiri. I am Itsekiri and I have a right to contest.”

  • ‘Uduaghan has kept campaign promises ‘

    ‘Uduaghan has kept campaign promises ‘

    Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Frank Omare, said GoverEmmanuel Uduaghan, has fulfilled 90 per cent of his electoral campaign promises to inhabitants of riverside communities.

    Omare, who spoke with Niger Delta Report at New Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South West Local Government Area of the state, assured that the Uduaghan administration, as part of its determination to finish strong, would achieve the remainder of the promises in the next 17 months before handling over to his successor.

    He said: “I led a team to campaign in this part of this state in 2007 and 2011. In this (Warri SW) LGA, we made commitments that as PDP government, if we are voted into power we are going to do XYZ. Today I am here to ascertain that the things we are going to do in this community, more than 90 per cent have been done.

    “The jetty we promised has been done. When we came, there was no jetty. I came with Honourable Dan Mayuku, we had to jump down from the boat. We promised that we will give them a jetty, there is a jetty there.

    “We equally promised to do something about the numerous schools in the area, solar street lights, which we have linked to the next community,” Omare added.

    Speaking further, Omare, who hails from Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, said that although Salvation City was not the headquarters of this LGA, it had benefited from the government’s infrastructure drive, adding that similar infrastructures were replicated across communities in the entire area.

    “If you can appreciate what has come into this community, so also it has gone to other communities. It means that the government and the governor I serve have listened to me and the budget implementation both in the state and DESOPADEC budgets are reflecting in the various communities,” he added.

    He admonished the people of the area to be patient with elected and appointed political officeholders, stressing that while they all could not be politicians, it was important for those outside the system to support those who are entrusted with public offices.

    “We want to finish very strong. People will make noise, they will blackmail, but the process must be done to its logical conclusion. All ongoing projects will be completed; a few ones (that are) needed will be started.

    “The important thing is that wherever you find yourself, play your role well. In any position, anything you are doing do it well. I lived here up to my third year in the university. When some people see us they do not know where we are coming from.”

    Speaking on the activities of his ministry in the last lap of Uduaghan’s administration, Omare revealed that there are plans to employ over 1,600 environmental marshals to ensure that people behave very well.

    He said the plan would not only provide employment but would also ensure that people in the state adhere to environmental laws and regulation to keep the cities and environment clean.

    “In Asaba, we have installed incinerator that will tackle wastes in the whole of Delta north. We are bringing in an incinerator of about 2,000 tonnages in Warri. Those are things that we are putting together.

    “We are purchasing new equipments for the waste management board. We have bought some, the governor has approved some. Government cannot do everything, but we should be disciplined and things will be well.

    “We are bringing the waste equipment in Warri/Effurun area. We are going to start installing them as soon as few documentation are done. When that is done every waste on the streets will vanish,” he added.

    Omare advised people of the state to change their attitudes toward sanitation and care of their environment, lamenting that “The cultures of our people are fundamentally wrong. People generate a lot of waste in their houses and for people to come and evacuate them they are not willing to pay or register with the PSP or pay N1,000 or 1,500.”

  • Uduaghan is Vanguard Man of the Year

    Uduaghan is Vanguard Man of the Year

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has been voted Man of the Year 2013 by Vanguard newspapers. It is yet another sterling accolade for a leader described as “patiently focused” by Vanguard’s Board of Editors in announcing its decision.

    Uduaghan’s “visionary steps in governance” were extolled by the newspaper which noted that his major policy framed as Delta Beyond Oil encapsulates the three cardinal philosophy that is the hallmark of his administration – human capital development, infrastructure development and peace and security”.

    The governor’s boost to education infrastructure evidenced in the commissioning of 13 model secondary schools and 54 model primary schools as well as the N5 million per year post-graduate scholarship programme for first class graduates in any institution anywhere in the world were highlighted as some of the outstanding bright spots in Nigeria’s quest for quality education.

    On health care, Vanguard noted that Uduaghan put his profession as a medical doctor to good use as he instituted the legacy policy on maternal and child care that picks and pays for a baby’s total wellbeing from conception to the age of five.

    Alongside the micro-credit scheme that has empowered over 100,000 people and the Delta Beyond Oil initiative, Vanguard stated the Uduaghan administration is positioning the state “outside the perimeters of the shock from fluctuating oil revenue”.

    Three other newspapers had earlier recognised Uduaghan as their Man of the Year. They are Nigerian Pilot, Leadership and The Sun which announcement was made on December 30, last year.

  • Uduaghan inaugurates 130 buses for Warri/Effurun BRT route

    Intra-state and city transportation in Delta State received a boost with the inauguration of 130 buses by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan penultimate Monday.

    The move followed the commencement of operation by 130 mid-capacity boats acquired by the state government for water transport to riverside communities in the state and its environs.

    The buses, comprising 100 Toyota Hiace (14-seater buses) and 30 Innoson high capacity buses will add to a fleet of nearly 1,000 modern buses operated by the Delta State Mass Transport Programme and its Private Public Partners.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the buses in Asaba the state capital, Governor Uduaghan pledged to further boost the programme in order to remove wobbly and unworthy cars and buses from the streets of major cities.

    He said: “The state government is determined to banish rickety buses for mass transit from our roads and ensure that people of Delta State move around in comfortable vehicles.

    “With this inauguration, the state now has over 700 18-seater Hiace buses and 130 Tata, Marcopolo and Innoson buses for intra- and inter-city mass transit scheme with the broad goal of providing safe, reliable, efficient and integrated transport operations.”

    The governor further explained that the state government was partnering with the private sector in the mass transit programme, even as he urged the private operators participating in the scheme to always make prompt returns.

    He averred that prompt repayment by the beneficiaries would ensure that more buses are procured and distributed to others waiting on the wings of the very successful scheme.

    “Prompt payment by you (beneficiaries) is the only way more buses can be bought and distributed for the benefit of our people and the state at large,” Governor Uduaghan said.

    While appealing to the operators to continue to maintain the 50 per cent fare subsidy contained in their agreement with the government, Governor Uduaghan urged the drivers to take care of their buses by ensuring regular maintenance of their vehicles. This, he said, will ensure safety and comfort of passengers as well as their own business interest.

    In the same manner, he urged people of Delta State to support and co-operate with the government to enable those in authority and the governed to contribute to the development of the state.

    “This administration remains committed to evolving more people-oriented policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on people’s lives. We pray and hope with faith that the coming year would usher in more peace, progress, prosperity and fulfilment for all across the state,” he said.

    In his remarks, the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Benson Igbakpa, revealed that the state government has approved the construction of a 12.55 kilometres bus rapid transit system in Warri, the third BRT in Africa meant to transport a total of 42,000 passengers per day with 70 buses running simultaneously.

    Igbakpa, who later spoke in a telephone chat with our reporter, further disclosed that contracts for the construction of the BRT lanes have been awarded. He added that the contractors are being mobilised to commence construction in January this year.

    “With the new traffic law signed by His Excellency the governor, sanity will be maintained in our roads. This, along with all these buses, is expected to improve road transport in Delta State. The Warri BRT is expected to transport some 42,000 passengers daily.

    “We expect that very soon, people will start patronising public transport more and those who have cars would prefer to ride in government buses for convenience and ease. This will improve traffic flow because right now, there are just too many vehicles on the road.

    “The governor has promised more buses in the days ahead. When we complete all the projects relating to the transport initiative: the BRT lane, mega bus terminal and junctions, the state will wear a new look and people will appreciate the vision of the governor,” Igbakpa stated.

    Meanwhile, the commissioner revealed efforts to improve water transportation in the state. He disclosed that 130 boats, tagged ‘water buses’ acquired for riverside movement of travellers, goods and services have been inaugurated.

    “The boats have been allocated to the private operators. Before we did the allocation, we built 30 jetties to ease their operation and there is plan to do more in that regard. So, nothing is being left undone here,” he said.

     

  • Uduaghan and state police

    The question of state police has been an enduring debate in the polity. This contention should be unnecessary because we are a federation. And each component part, which is a state, is a federating unit, and that should guarantee its entitlement to undertaking its own security measures.

    But Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State gave the argument what many will describe as native wisdom. In a recent interview with this newspaper, he simplified it to what security experts would call local policing.

    Said he: “I have always believed in state police. It is not just because we are funding police, but it is because of the ability of the local person who is the police force to work better than the foreigner. What do I mean by the foreigner? You bring someone from Maiduguri as a policeman to the community. He really does not have a stake, so to say. It will take him some time to know the place. When you have a lot of criminal activities, his ability to even know who is involved is not as good as the person who comes from the community. Two, he can do anything and get away with it. But when you have somebody from that community, apart from the fact that the person knows the in and out of that community, if he misbehaves, it will backfire on his family and relations.” Bull’s eye!

    Those who cavil at the desirability of state police ought to understand that the local policing is also a democratic idea. It is about a police force that holds a strong credential of legitimacy where it operates.

    We have always failed in Nigeria to understand that the most important approach to security is intelligence. When we bring a so-called stranger to a community he knows little about, he can work his way to legitimacy but that is not an easy proposition. He, sometimes, in this multi-ethnic society, does not even understand the culture deep enough. He may not understand the local language, and he has to rely often on a long process of mediation from locals before he can make judgment on matters of local urgency.

    This can be dangerous in a volatile society like ours where crime can escalate fast. If it is a matter of terrorism, or a matter of armed robbery or even kidnapping, judgment of the quick variety are essential.

    The sense of individual legitimacy is also intelligence in its own. When the police officer feels as sense of stake in the community, he or she would want to be a hero or heroine on that community rather than an indifferent bully or a hectoring presence.

    Uduaghan also gave instance of the United States where policing is fragmented to cater to the smallest community.

    “If you go to a state in America, apart from the state police, they even have county police. Even the universities have their police, so you are able to deal with smaller issues,” he said.

    With the police legitimately engaged in the local area, the state is able to collaborate with the federal on larger issues. This simplifies security and puts all in context.

  • Kidnapping, robbery and oil theft have reduced in Delta —Uduaghan

    Kidnapping, robbery and oil theft have reduced in Delta —Uduaghan

    Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has advocated the unbundling of the Nigerian Police as a way of meeting the security challenges in the country. The Governor stated this in Warri yesterday at a meeting with traditional rulers and Local Government Council Chairmen, where he presented his administration’s efforts in tackling Polio and meeting security challenges in the state. Dr. Uduaghan said, “the Nigerian Police is presently overburdened with handling many sundry issues. As things are presently, there was no way the Nigeria Police can measure up with the security challenges in the country as it did not have the required personnel to perform optimally. Based on this, there is the need for the creation of State Police that will handle some of the less serious issues which the police are presently saddled with.” Governor Uduaghan opined that the creation of the State Police would free up time, resources and energy for the Nigeria Police to pursue more serious cases and checkmate criminality in a more professional way. His words, “we look forward to the creation of the state police to unburden the Nigeria Police with many small cases that they are handling now. If a husband has issues with his wife they go to the Nigerian Police to resolve it. The Nigerian Police should not be handling such issues. I believe that if the State Police is created they would handle small cases and will be in places where the presence of the Nigerian Police is not currently felt.” On the effort of the State government in tackling criminality, Governor Uduaghan said the spate of kidnapping, armed robbery and oil theft was going down, and called on all stakeholders not to relent in their efforts at combating criminality in the state.He specifically commended the traditional ruler of Oghara for the effort of the community in apprehending four heavily armed criminals. The governor also asked the traditional rulers to ensure peace in their community explaining that crisis has now been identified as a factor that contributes to the spread of the deadly Polio disease as health workers find it difficult to immunize children in crisis torn areas. The meeting, which is the fourth of such in the year, was attended by the Deputy Governor, Professor Amos Utuama, as well as local government chairmen in the state.

  • Uduaghan presents N391b budget

    DELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has presented a N391.51 billion budget proposal for the 2014 fiscal year to the House of Assembly with an assurance that his administration will finish strong.

    Tagged “Budget of Consolidation, Sustainable Economic Growth and Development,” Uduaghan said the amount “comprises N159.78 billion or 48.8 per cent for recurrent expenditure and N231.72 billion or 59.1 per cent for capital expenditures.”

    The governor, who was accompanied by his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Peter Nwaoboshi and top government functionaries to the House of Assembly complex for the budget presentation, said the budget was designed to sustain the drive towards the Delta State beyond oil initiatives.

    According to him, “the main focus of year 2014 budget is to sustain the drive towards Delta State beyond oil initiative. We have in this respect put together a budget and business plan with the objectives and priorities we set out in the three-point agenda”.

    “Emphasis in 2014 shall be on the completion of ongoing key projects given the size of carryover projects,” Uduaghan said, adding: “This is a result oriented strategy, wherein an allocation to budget heads are tied to performing projects and programmes that can sustain development.”

    “It is worthy to note that a budget of N472.006 billion (four hundred and seventy two billion, six million naira) with a recurrent expenditure of N156.403 billion (one hundred and fifty six billion, four hundred and three million naira) and a capital budget of N315.602 billion (three hundred and fifteen billion, six hundred and two million naira) was approved for the 2013 fiscal year.

    “I want to restate our strong desire to finish strong and with 2014 being the last full year of this administration in office, Deltans are desirous that the promises and hopes we have raised should be kept,” the governor said.

  • Delta community leaders dare Uduaghan

    Crisis is brewing in peaceful Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State over the leadership of the youth group, Koko Human Resources Development Council (KHRDC).

    The Chief Security Adviser to the state governor, Rear Admiral John Kpokpogri (rtd) and other government officials are accused of meddling into the affairs of the community, ostensibly to score political points.

    Tension rose in the Itsekiri town recently when Kpokpogri invited the 94-year-old traditional head of Koko, Chief Victor Nanna to a security meeting at the Governor’s Office, Warri Annex.

    Mr. Asupa Forteta, who represented Kpokpogri at the meeting, directed the Itsekiri leaders to re-instate an impeached former chairman of the KHRDC, Mr. Frank Olu (aka Ekpen) and extended his tenure by six months.

    Our checks revealed that the Council of Elders of Iweroko and Ameren (Ugogomeje Family of Koko), which is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), is the only authority empowered to direct the affairs of the council.

    Confirming the report, Mr. Edward Daibo told our reporter that the council was appalled by the directive, particularly as it affected the 94-year-old Olare-Aja (Chief Nanna) who was invited along with other members of the council to Warri.

    He said: “The community’s legal adviser and other members went for the meeting with the intention of having a fair hearing on the said petition. But to our uttermost surprise, Forteta came out with a decree reminiscent of the dark days of military administration. Without allowing the community representatives a say or to be heard, he said he had installed the impeached chairman based on his power from the state government.

    “We wish to state that the issue at the Government House and the supposed re-instatement of an impeached chairman are aberrations and unacceptable to the people of Koko community. Apart from being beyond the powers of the people who did it, it has been overtaken by event because the executive, which Ekpen led, has since been disbanded on the expiration of its three-year tenure (February 2010 -February 2013),” Daibo added.

    He said that an executive council, led by Comrade Eyito Omajuwa (chairman), was inaugurated on November 2, 2013 with Alfred Oritsebemigho Asmah as Vice-Chairman; Emmanuel Uti (Secretary); Toritseju Samuel (Financial Secretary); Tonwe Tsola (Treasurer); Tesiro Ologhodudu (Organising Secretary); Harrison Tolu (Provost); Pristley Nanna (Auditor); Lucky Ukuenukun (PRO); Bemigho Amurun (Assistant Organising Secretary); Olomu Olome (Welfare) and Harrison Ayonuwe (Assistant Secretary).

    He appealed to the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, “who is our brother and son, to intervene and call Forteta and his group who are using his name for infamous acts to order so that they would desist from such act forthwith. Their action is capable of causing mayhem in Koko community and bringing the governor’s good name to disrepute.

    “We also appeal to Governor Uduaghan to call his aides to order and stop the abuse of their positions as displayed by Hon. Ogwu in ordering our 94-year-old Olare-Aja to a meeting in Warri over a community matter,” he added.

    However, Forteta said sustaining the peace and ensuring security of lives and property in all parts of the state was government’s top priority, adding that the Delta State government would not fold its arms and allow any part of the state to be over-heated which is capable of putting the lives of people in such area in danger.

    He told the Koko youths council that government does not interfere completely in the affairs of communities but was bound to step in when there is crisis.

    Asupa, who is Senior Special Assistant to Governor Uduaghan on Security Matters noted that for the sake of peace, the contentious issue about the unseating of the chairman Comrade Frank Ekpen and his executive should be revisited, by allowing them to serve out their three-year tenure till June next year.

    He maintained that the Delta State government recognises Comrade Ekpen as chairman, even as he solicited the co-operation of all to move Koko community to greater heights.

    Also speaking, Ekpen said the state government should be commended for the swift intervention. He promised to carry everyone along in the affairs of the council.