• Church Leaders Should Remain Agents Of Change ~Gov. Amaechi

• Women Deserve 60% Of Parliament  ~Dame Amaechi

• Ogoni Youths Resist FG's Plans

• Amaechi Inaugurates 2010 National Sports Festival LOC

• Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Opens In PH…Amaechi Harps On Democratic Culture

• N’Delta: NDDC Speeds Up Work On Kaiama Shore Protection …Also Sagbama-Ebedebiri Road

• Greater P.H City Master Plan…Amaechi Pledges Support

• Aftermath Of Eso Panel:Harry Marshall, A.K. Dikibo’s Assassinations To Be Revisited

• Rivers Assembly Deputy Leader: Appeal Court Nullifies Election...Orders fresh Election

• Gyang Named New Gbong Gwon Jos (Plateau)

• JTF, Militants In Bloody Battle ...I Dead, 3 Wounded (Bayelsa)

Page 2 Mixed Grill

Church Leaders Should Remain Agents Of Change ~Gov. Amaechi

By Ihuoma Orjinata

Church leaders have been called upon to remain as agents of change in the society to guide against social vices and political misbehaviours.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi made the observation last week at the occasion of the 20th Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) theology week in Port Harcourt. He said that  religious priests are the hope of the common man in the task of correcting the ills of the society and pointed out that if church leaders and religious faithfuls stamp their authority in the crusade against corruption and other vices, preach changes, the living environment will be a lot better for all.

“If all the clergy preach to politicians to change their bad behaviours, I believe they will change but when we applaud their corruption and bad governance, the society would be worst for it”.

The State Chief Executive wondered why the church has not been able to speak for the Niger Delta people for the years of deprivation and neglect and appealed to religious leaders in Nigeria to stand out against injustice and oppression. 

The guest lecturer, most Rev. Gabriel Charles Palmer-Buckle the metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Ghana on the topic “the church's mission and contemporary challenges, peace and reconciliation in Africa” said  that God made Africa the preserve of the gospel as the continent plays a prominent role in the fulfillment of the scripture.  

Rev. Palmer Buckle argued that God created Africans for them to develop their countries and not for them to depend on other nations for their development, adding that in most parts of Africa, the church has been in the forefront of reconciliation of the people and communities.

Earlier, the Rector of the institution, Prof Felix Adeigbo said the problem of justice and peace in Africa appears to be a political issue as human right violation, unemployment, and poverty remains the bane of African countries.

Prof Adeigbo opined that the issue of change goes beyond rebranding Nigeria.   

Women Deserve 60% Of Parliament  ~Dame Amaechi

By Ihuoma Orjinta

The wife of Rivers State governor Dame Judith Amaechi has advocated sixty percent slots for women participating in National Parliament of Commonwealth nations coming up by July 2009.

Mrs. Amaechi who played host to commonwealth female parliament steering committee at Government House, Port Harcourt stated that women appreciated the plight of the needy, especially the less privileged.

She added that the occupation of elective position in parliament will afford them the opportunity to tackle the challenges facing humanity.

“I want to state here that the solution to the societal problems is to allocate more seats to the women with a view to providing lasting and sustainable solution to problems bedeviling mankind.   

It is only when we have adequate representation that we can be able to address these problems collectively”.

Lady Amaechi said that a conference of women parliamentarians will guarantee the success of all forms of advocacy against inhuman treatment on women.

“It is very wonderful when women assemble to discuss matters that affect them directly because they are the direct casualties in any situation and I am optimistic that at the end of the commonwealth female parliament meeting, we shall be agitating for sixty percent in parliament.

Today, Rivers State have women in the State Assembly, four women commissioners and special advisers, it is a good start, in Rivers State we will still demand for more”.

She pointed that the challenges facing the women in the request to cater for children and stabilize the family informed the establishment of the empowerment support initiative (ESI), poised to providing free primary education for children where parents cannot provide.

In her remark, the leader of the commonwealth female parliamentarian association Africa Region and member House of Representatives in Botswana Hon Prof. Sheila O. Tiou said the lawmakers are championing initiatives to tackle all harmful practices against women.

According to her, “We are undertaking a study on various harmful practices against women, we want to articulate these issues and come up with a recommendation that will be a basis for women agitation and advocacy in the association's conference in July

Ogoni Youths Resist FG's Plans

By Paschal Agbada

Last week, a motley of  youths from Ogoni gathered at a popular spot vowing to fight against Federal Governments planned relocation of military and paramilitary barracks in the state to the area.

According to the youths who go by the name National Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) the decision is strictly against us, “it is anti-Ogoni”, they said.

The National President of the organization Mr. Des Alonale Lake, in an interview with pressmen stated that very soon the organization would organize a formal protest to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and the incumbent governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi regarding the issue.

It is important to note that NYCOP is an affiliate of MOSOP- Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People.

Page 3 RSG New

Amaechi Inaugurates 2010 National Sports Festival LOC

As part of preparations towards the successful hosting of the 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt next year, the Rivers State Government, has inaugurated a 23-member Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the festival tagged "Garden city Games".

Performing the ceremony in Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Chibuike Amaechi charged members of the committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru to ensure that facilities of World Class were provided for the festival.

Governor Amaechi who noted that the hosting of the festival in Rivers State provides another opportunity to develop more sporting infrastructure said the committee should look into the need to build new facilities, and existing ones should be rebuilt to international standard as well.

He however explained that the need for the building of world class sporting facilities was not necessarily because of the festival, but for the purposes of providing more recreational infrastructure you youths of Rivers State.

The State Chief Executive directed the Ministry of Tourism to expedite actions on the rebuilding of a new Cultural Centre to be called Agbani Derego Cultural Centre.

He also directed the demolition of the number one and two fields in the old Port Harcourt Township axis as well as the information centre, and rebuild them to provide facilities for the National Festival.

Governor Amaechi who explained that recreational facilities are needed in the state said if such facilities were on ground, some of the youths who engaged in criminal activities would have utilized them to exert their energies in sporting activities and probably become successful in sports.

Responding on behalf of the Local Organizing Committee, the Chairman, Engr. Tele Ikuru, thanked Governor Chibuike Amaechi for the confidence reposed in them.

He gave assurances that members of the Committee would not only ensure the show casing of Rivers rich cultural heritage to the world, but would ensure that the State hosts to become the overall winner.

The Local Organizing Committee made of up 23 members, have the Commissioner for Sports Hon. Boma Iyaye as the Vice Chairman while members professional bodies, and parastatals as well.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Opens In PH…Amaechi Harps On Democratic Culture

Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has urged Commonwealth Parliamentarians to dedicate themselves to the performance of their oversight functions to enhance a democratic culture within the Commonwealth nations.

Governor Amaechi gave the advice while declaring open the 56th meeting of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), African Region, at the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, Port Harcourt .

The governor explained that proper performance of the legislative oversight functions by legislators would check the excesses of the executive and promote accountability in governance.

He noted that since Lawmakers are closer to the electorate than the other arms of government, they should be able to interact with the people, appreciate their problems and speak out for them, emphasizing that democracy cannot succeed if the Legislators failed to check the excesses of the Executive arm.

Governor Amaechi thanked members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, African Region, for accepting to hold the meeting in Rivers State , and wished them fruitful deliberations.

Earlier, the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), African Region, and Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Hon. Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, said the task before the Committee is to prepare the agenda for the forthcoming Conference of the Association, also slated to hold in Port Harcourt in July this year.

He said the Committee would recommend among other things the review of the Constitution of the body, to the Conference, and thanked the Rivers State House of Assembly for accepting to host the meeting as well as the conference in July.

Also speaking, the Vice Chairperson of CPA, who is also the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Tonye Harry, lauded Governor Chibuike Amaechi for making the event possible and for availing the state legislature the unique opportunity of being the first local sub-branch to host the conference.

N’Delta: NDDC Speeds Up Work On Kaiama Shore Protection …Also Sagbama-Ebedebiri Road

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC says it is making concerted efforts to ensure that the Kaiama shore protection as well as the Sagbama  Ebedebiri road, cutting across Tungbo, Bulu-Orua, Angiama, Angalabiri and Ayamanasa is completed within schedule.

Already 84, 100 square metres of the shore protection has been covered while 50% bridge work of the road project has been achieved.

Managing Director of the Commission, Mr Timi Alaibe stated this while briefing newsmen shortly after an inspection tour of the two projects.

Mr Alaibe stated that he was particularly impressed with the extent of job on the Kaiama shore protection, pointing out that at this rate the job was certain to be delivered on schedule.

He said the NDDC was desirous to see contractors meet the projects demands to enable the communities benefit from them, warning that the Commission will soon be sending defaulting contractors to the security agencies while efforts

will be made to recover funds from the banks that guaranteed such projects.

At Sagbama  Ebedebiri road, Mr Alaibe also noted with satisfaction the level of work on the project.

He said the road connects several communities that have never seen road before adding " this is remarkable, it is in line with the 7 point Agenda of the President".

Mr Alaibe stated that the beams for the bridge work are ready and would soon be launched to take the project to the next level.

The NDDC Boss solicited the co-operation and support of the communities where the Commission's projects are sited, saying that the NDDC can only deliver its projects successfully with the understanding of the communities.

Greater P.H City Master Plan…Amaechi Pledges Support

By Okechukwu Geoffrey

The governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has pledged to give all the necessary support to the new Greater Port Harcourt City Master Plan but said that for the plan to come to fruition all hands must be on deck.

The governor who disclosed that the sum of 150 billion would be spent by the state government annually on the new master plan also pointed out that a lot is being done to restore Port Harcourt City to its former Garden City status.

The State Chief Executive however called on those in the creeks to come out and join hands to make the new plan work stressing that there are a lot of job opportunities for them in the state.

Thanking the people of the state for their cooperation the governor expressed joy that security has improved compared to what it used to be and said that plans are also in top gear to improve on power supply in the creeks as it is being done in education, road, and health among others.

Governor Amaechi also assured the people that Rivers money is not for sharing like the Abuja based politicians would think but for the development of the state and appealed to Rivers people to embrace the maintenance culture which he said would go a long way to repositioning the city when completed.

Meanwhile, the Sole Administrator of the New Greater Port Harcourt City Master Plan, Dame Aleruchi Cookey Gam said her organization would go into public/private partnership and commended the state governor Chibuike Amaechi for the initiative.

Others who commended the governor for the New Greater Port Harcourt City Master Plan include the first military governor of old Rivers State HRM Alfred Diete Spiff, NAPEP National Co-ordinator, Magnus Kpakol, Minister of State for Petroleum, Odien Ajumogobia and the Managing Director of NDDC Timi Alaibe. They all promised to support the state government in this laudable initiative.

The presentation of the Greater Port Harcourt City Master Plan which took place last Thursday at the main bowl of Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Center in Port Harcourt had so many dignitaries in attendance including women and youths in the state.

LGAs actively involved in the Greater Port Harcourt Master Plan include Ikwerre, Okirika, Ogubolo, Etche and Eleme.

RSG Disburses N600m To Widows

The Rivers State Government has disbursed N600 million soft loans to widows in the state.

The N600 million widow loan scheme covers 96.9 per cent of the Ministry of Women Affairs budget for the fiscal year.

Flagging off the exercise, wife of the Rivers State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi said the fund disbursed to the widows is a part of the N1.5 billion set aside for empowering women through Micro Finances.

According to her, "the Rivers State Governor has set aside N1.5 billion for empowering women through micro finance scheme adding that there can be no sustainable development if the women are not empowered".

Dame Judith Amaechi stated that the state government has continued to articulate and implement gender friendly and women supportive programmes geared toward alleviating the suffering of the women, adding that the State House of Assembly has pledged to make legislation that will promote the interest and welfare of the woman.

"The State Assembly is committed to charting a new course through the passage of women friendly legislation for the women".

Mrs Amaechi charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunities provided by the state government. "I want to charge you to take this programme seriously and lls and also generate meaningful ideas and initiative that will complement the government economic development strides in the state".

work hard in developing your skills and also generate meaningful ideas and initiative that will complement the government economic development strides in the state".

She added that mothers should be able to live an exemplary life worthy of emulation "not only should we as mothers of the state be better people to foster unity and purposely initiative, but we should exhibit exemplary virtues for the benefit of our families and the state at large".

Earlier in her speech, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Vivian Braide said the State Government is poised to provide widows in the state with necessary resources to permanently lift them and their families to a greater height.

Page 5 Cover New

Aftermath Of Eso Panel: Harry Marshall, A.K. Dikibo’s Assassinations To Be Revisited ...Court Stops Odili - By Paschal Agbada

The drama was in High Court 6, in the Port Harcourt Jurisdiction. It was Dr Peter Odili versus the State,  a case that was typically in line with the former Governor's style of running rings around the citizens of the state.

The former governor, Dr. Peter Odili realizing the far reaching effect of the dire consequences that would emanate from the implementation of the Kayode Eso Panel's report, especially on him, had gone to court seeking to stop the government from implementing the panel's report. Unfortunately, like all matters that find their bases in falsehood, it did not take the presiding judge, Justice C.I. Uriri any much time to reserve ruling on the case.

In his words "it is in the best interest of justice that the issue of stay or restrictive injunction be reserved for the substantive application to be heard on merits".

Presenting his request to the court, Odili through his counsel, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) had prayed the court to stop the Rivers State Government from 'acting upon or executing or putting into action the retired Justice Kayode Eso-led Panel's recommendations based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of inquiry that was submitted to the State Government.

It is intstructive to mention here that last month, when the venerable Justice Eso gave his report and recommendations consequent upon their findings, he abundantly had indicted both Odili, Sekibo and even former President retired Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo.

Part of the reason for the indictment of Odili and Sekibo specifically according to the report was that while the state boiled  played possum.

and roiled in crisis the duo pretended and played possum.

As it were, the court really appears dancing the drum beats of the masses and the citizenry in the state whose candid wish is that anybody found culpable in all the madness that rocked the state at the behest of Omehia's quashed tenure and which sent a lot of hapless citizens to the great beyond be brought to book or at least face the full wrath of the law.

However, Odili in his application had sought that the respondent be served through substituted service.

But on the contrary, Uriri who preferred to do what was expedient on the dividually served. and roiled in crisis the duo pretended and played possum.

As it were, the court really appears dancing the drum beats of the masses and the citizenry in the state whose candid wish is that anybody found culpable in all the madness that rocked the state at the behest of Omehia's quashed tenure and which sent a lot of hapless citizens to the great beyond be brought to book or at least face the full wrath of the law.

However, Odili in his application had sought that the respondent be served through substituted service.

But on the contrary, Uriri who preferred to do what was expedient on the dividually served. case stated that while it would have been better and faster to serve the state and other members of the TRC by the substituted style as requested by Odili and his counsel, that it would be better for the rule of law and a better judicial approach considering the circumstances if they be individually served.

While adjournment became imperative pending the hearing of the substitutive application, April 24th, 2009 was reserved for that purpose. The court thus adjourned till then.

In a related matter, the cases of the late Harry Marshal and late Dikibo were to be once again revisited. The Rivers State Government based  on the report from the white paper submitted by the Eso Panel and in consonance with the avowed plan of the state to get to the route cause of all the chaos that pervaded the state in the past have taken this decision so that anybody found guilty would automatically face the law. This according to the report would seriously serve as a deterrent to all would be perpetrators of trouble or criminality in the state.

Rivers Assembly Deputy Leader: Appeal Court Nullifies Election...Orders fresh Election

ByJoe Kalu

The electoral victory of Hon. Hope Odhuluma Ikiriko, member representing Ahoada West Constituency II has been nullified by the Court of Appeal.

Delivering Judgment in suit No. CA/PH/EPT/199/ 2008 Justice Ibrahim Mohammed Saulawa upheld the judgment of the lower Tribunal which had nullified the declaration and return of Ikiriko as member representing Ahoada West Constituency in Rivers State House of Assembly and ordered for a fresh election.

When contacted the Hon member who is of the ruling Peoples Democratic party, PDP refused to comment on the development.

But his opponent Barrister Joseph Elleh of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP said he was satisfied and hopeful that the re-run election wouldvindicate him.

He used the opportunity to thank his supporters for their patience while appealing to them to mobilize for the fresh election that will usher in their hope.

It would be recalled that Barrister Elleh having been dissatisfied with the result of the April 14, 2007 filed a petition at the lower Tribunal seeking a declaration that the Ahoada West Constituency II election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, a declaration that Hope Ikiriko was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast in the election and order of the honourable Court directing Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, to conduct fresh election in Ahoada West Constituency II. Constituency II.

The petition proceeded and conclusively the lower tribunal delivered judgment March 17, 2008 upholding the petitioner's prayer.

However, Hon. Ikiriko not satisfied with the judgment appealed against it on April 29, 2008. After a long legal battle that span two years the court of Appeal affirmed the judgment of the lower court and ordered for a fresh election into the vacant seat on April for fresh election 2009 within 90 days from that date.

Page 6 From The State

Nature abhors a vacuum. This explains the recent naming of the former Comptroller-General of Customs, Jacob Buba Gyang as the new paramount ruler of the Berom ethnic nationality, the fifth Gbong Gwom Jos after the demise of Da Victor Pam who reigned from 1st April 2004 to March 2009.

The emergence of Gyang as the new Monarch stunned many Nigerians as he had repeatedly denied having interest in the coveted throne.

In line with Berom tradition, Beam Checks learnt that any Berom man above 18 years could vie for the throne but this strangely do not include the ruling Houses in the 11 Berom districts. 

The new traditional ruler beat the former Military Governor of Delta State, Col. John Dungs by scoring 8 votes as against Dungs 3 amongst the 12 kingmakers who voted .

The election was conducted amidst tight security to prevent those likely to forment trouble from doing so.

Eight people indicated interest on the throne and they include, Col. David Dungs, Captain Daniel John Pam, son of late Da Victor Pam, and Prince Dung Dongo Doh.

Others are David Jamang Dangyang, Pastor David Chuwang Rvang Pam, Da Sen Luka Gwom, a former Chairman of Berom Educational and Cultural Organization, BECO. Jacob Gyang Buba did not initially tender an interest letter but the traditional council decided to draft him in based on popular demands from the masses.

JTF, Militants In Bloody Battle ...I Dead, 3 Wounded (Bayelsa)

It was a bloody fight between men of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) nicknamed  “Operation Restore Hope” and criminals suspected to be militants over the weekend at Etegwe in the outskirts of Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State.

Beam Checks gathered that the gun-fight started yesterday when some armed gun-men numbering about four launched a strategic attack using sophisticated weapons at the men of the JTF assigned to Setraco Construction Company situated at Akali Street near Tombia Junction in Yenagoa.

But in a swift and bold move, the soldiers successfully repelled the militants in a hot exchange of fire that resulted in the killing of one militant, while three others sustained various degrees of injuries from the battle ready soldiers.

Speaking to newsmen about the incidence, the Coordinator of the Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Col. Rabe Abubakar said: “Four armed men suspected to be militants, attacked men of the JTF…with the view of snatching their rifles and disarming them…since the illegal bunkering business has been blocked, which they used in purchasing arms and ammunitions”.  

One revolver pistol, 2x9mm weapon, were recovered from the militants. Col. Abubakar urged innocent citizens to conduct their lawful ventures without fear as law enforcement agents are capable of defending and protecting their lives and properties.

Scrap Excess Crude Account ~Akpabio (Akwa Ibom)

Akwa Ibom State Chief Executive, Chief Godswill Akpabio has vehemently called for the scrapping of the Excess Crude Account by the Federal Government so that more funds would be allocated to states for a more aggressive infrastructural development as a way of insulating the states from the current global financial meltdown.

The Governor who stated this at Abuja at the weekend also called for a refund of billions of naira his administration expended on federal roads by the Federal Government so as to spur his government into doing more federal roads.

Gov. Akpabio said: “Federal Government should refund money expended by our administration on reconstruction of Federal roads in the state, since we have to work on the roads because we, as a government cannot stand the suffering of the people because the roads were abandoned for decades, to the extent that some of them had become death traps”.

The Akwa Ibom Governor also called for the amendment of the Land Use Act, reduction of salaries of political office holders as a sacrifice to the society they serve, and the need to decongest the country's ports so as to encourage more ships to berth in our ports as there would not be fears of waiting endlessly before goods brought by such ships are cleared.

Gov. Daniel And Legislators Still At Loggerheads ~Refuse To Sit (Ogun)

The Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and a group of lawmakers in the state known as the G-15 led by the Speaker, Hon. Samson Tunji Egbetokun are still flexing muscles even when mediations from some concerned prominent Nigerians such as the Senate President, David Mark, Inspector-General of Police Mike Mbama Okiro on several occasions had appealed to the warring factions to give peace a chance in the overall interest of the state.

Since the purported suspension of former Speaker Mrs. Titi Oseni and Hon. Omotayo Solaja who are known supporters of Gov. Daniel, the legislators have not sat and curiously the Governor has been conducting the affairs of the state from his Shagamu home town instead of the Government House in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

This made the House of Representatives to issue a threat that should the Ogun lawmakers fail to carry out their constitutional responsibilities, it would have no option than to take over their job.

Defending the stance of House of Representatives on the matter, the committee Chairman on Media, Hon. Eseme Eyibo said: “The House will at no time abandon its responsibilities. The Ogun crisis is a national issue.

It is a threat to national security and hence, no responsible House would fold its arms and allow it to drift to the level of anarchy”.

However, Beam Checks gathered that Hon. Egbetokun is not moved by the posturing of the House of Representatives as he was quoted as saying that they “would gladly allow the House of Reps to assume the roles of the State Assembly in Ogun in other to save the state from the dictatorial state such as the posture of Gbenga Daniels portends'.

Gov. Daniel is said to have started a reconciliatory moves with the G-15 in other to allow peace reign once more in the state

Legislators Reject Official Vehicles (Bauchi)

Mallam Isa Yuguda the Bauchi State Governor is now reeling under a devastating state of shock caused by the rejection last Friday of official vehicles given to the legislators.

The official vehicles Honda CRV JEEPS, 2008 models were last Friday driven in a convoy as the legislators cruised into the Government House in all the 31 vehicles.

As they parked the Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in front of the Government House they marched out in suppressed anger and started boarding commercial motorcycles otherwise called “Achaba” on their way back to their offices.

Sources close to Beam Checks revealed that the rejection of the cars was not unconnected with the fact that when the cars were initially given to the Legislators it was alleged that they were not told that the cars were on loan to them.

Only for them to realize that the sum of N237,597.59 was deducted from each lawmakers salaries last month for repaying the loan.

Explaining on the reasons for their actions, one of the lawmakers who divulged the information on conditions of anonymity stated that the impression Government gave when they gave them the cars was that it was official vehicles.

That no mention was made as to the cars being given to them on loan, and wondered why the sudden volte face action by the Governor.

However, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Assembly liaison Alhaji Usman Banki in reaction stated that actually the issue was a minor misunderstanding between the executive arm of government and the legislative emanating from wrong entries made in respect of the accounts of legislature regarding deductions for payment of the vehicles.

The Special Adviser remarked that definitely the issue will be resolved as the two arms of government were in good working relationship. 

Lekki Free Trade Zone Project ...Lagos Maps Out N40.5 Billion  (Lagos)

The Government of Lagos State has set aside a whopping 267 million dollars which translates to about N40.5 billion for the upgrading of Lekki Free Trade Zone Project, LFTZ, into world standards.

Mrs. Sola Oworu, Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Commerce and Industry made this known over the weekend during the yearly ministerial media briefing organized by Prince Ademiyi Oyemade the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry.

The Special Adviser revealed that the fund would be provided by the Lagos State government an a Chinese consortium in a public Private Partnership Iniatitive where the state is expected to cough out about 200 million dollars for the project while the other 67 million dollars would be contributed by the Chinese consortium.

Already according to Mrs. Oworu the Chinese investors in the first stage has provided 20 million dollars while the state government has approved the release of 57 million dollars and pointed out that government has since paid compensation for all those whose property were affected by the LFTZ project.

In his own speech the commissioner for commerce and Industry, Prince Oyemade said that an 18km road and 6km drainage channels had been constructed while at least 54 solar-powered street lights have been put in place to boost security of lives and property around the area.

Gov. Akala Secures Legislators Support For Second Term (Oyo)

Peoples Democratic Party Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly numbering 23 have unanimously given their unalloyed support for the Governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao Akala to seek for a second tenure come 2011.

In a statement issued at the weekend to celebrate the recent victory of Gov. Akala at the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sam Adejumobi stated that God has ordained the Governor to rule Oyo State and that no obstacle would prevent him from going for a second term.

Part of the statement by Hon. Adejumobi read: “We have jointly christened you as “ILUFEMILOYE” of the state to lead us beyond 2011”.

For that gesture from the lawmakers, Gov. Akala commended them and assured the citizens of the state that his government would continue to reel out democratic dividends to the populace just as he promised during electioneering campaign.

Ilaje Regional Development Council    To Assist SMEs (Ondo)

Indigenes doing business in the riverine areas of Ondo State have a cause to be hopeful towards increased funding under the micro finance scheme presently harped upon by several governments in the country.

In this regard, businessmen and women in the water-drenched communities will soon smile.

Reason being that the Ilaje Regional Development Council (IRDC) a socio-economic organization in the vanguard of empowering the hard working men and women in the area has secured a N15 million micro-credit fund for the entrepreneurs for this purpose from Aogo Micro Finance Bank.

Quoting the chairman of IRDC, Prince Philemon Ebiesuwa, it was worth the candle assisting the small and medium enterprises in this way and as a result they had to move into a joint venture arrangement with the micro finance bank.

According to the chairman, this will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the people in the area.

“We realized that access to funding for SMEs' in   the area was a major problem for owners of micro enterprises in our area hence we decided to partner with Aogo Micro Finance Bank to solve the problem”.

However, before disbursement of the funds that would attract 12% interest rate, the bank would organize a grassroots awareness campaign in most of the communities as the targeted beneficiaries which include women, co-operative groups petty traders and artisans are located in this ambience.

For those who are able to repay theirs promptly and as at when due, according to Ebiesuwa, they stand to gain another loan packages if they so desire so as to encourage sincerity.  

Ekiti Rerun: 100,000 Youths On Red Alert For PDP (Ekiti)

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party has stated that it will categorically mobilize not less than 100,000 youths from the states to educate people on the rerun governorship election in the state.

It is on good information that the party emphasized it will also carry out this strategy in all the states where there will be governorship rerun elections throughout the country.

This statement was made at Abuja by the National Youth Leader of the party Chief Muyiwa in exclusive interview with journalists last week Wednesday.

Part of the reason for this strategy was to prove skeptics wrong that Mr. Ayodele Fayose was no longer relevant.

Any threat from Fayose's camp was not considered serious especially as he is touted to be in support of Action Congress, the youth leader said stressing that PDP will win the rerun to prove that their winning in the first place  was  not by accident.

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Woman Throws Day Old Baby Inside Toilet  ~Rescued Alive, Arrested

By Wilson Uchendu

It was a gory incident over the weekend in Benin-City, Capital of Edo State when one Miss Precious Susan Eze, a 28 year old was paraded to newsmen by the state police command for an alleged inhuman and atrocious act of throwing her day-old baby inside a pit toilet after giving birth to the baby, said to be a girl.

According to one Orobosa Osakwe who was said to have found the baby inside the pit toilet, Miss Eze successfully concealed her pregnancy status to neighbours but when she started exhibiting some labour symptoms, Miss Eze requested for a wrapper from the said Orobosa and went into the toilet.

But when Miss Eze stayed longer than usual the toilet amidst painful screaming from both her and her baby who was already inside the toilet, Orobosa come to find out but Miss Eze lied that she was having a very serious menstrual pains.

However, Orobosa alerted neighbours when the persistent infantile cries from the pit toilet became unabated and after several excruciating hours, the neighbours managed to rescue the baby using a ladder.

When asked by newsmen why she indulged in such wicked act, Miss Eze apparently unrepentant and without remorse refused to utter a word, but the Imo State born Miss Eze, residents disclosed have not spent up to a month in that neighbourhood and the father of the new born, a Togolese who had been cohabiting with the suspect is nowhere to be found.

However, when contacted, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Peter Ogbobi said that the baby is now kept with the officials of the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and that the suspect, Miss Eze would be charged to court for attempted murder when investigations are concluded.

Beam Checks efforts to reach the commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Mrs. Maimuna Momodu proved abortive as she was said to be out of town as at the time of going to the press.

Ohakim Denies Re-joining PDP

By Ihuoma Ojinta

The governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim has denied in its totality, the alleged plan to cross-over to his former Party, Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, from the party that brought him to power, Progressive Peoples' Alliance (PPA).

In a chat with the chief press secretary to the Governor, Mr. Henry Ekpe, he said that his boss has no plan to cross-carpet or to abandon the party that brought him to glory, more especially after the legal  battles in electoral Tribunal and Appeal Court, which was recently disposed in the favour of Progressive Peoples' Alliance.

“The governor has not told anybody that he is leaving Progressive Peoples Alliance to any other party.

If he wants to move it will not be a secret matter, he made it open, so any information on that is purely rumour” the CPS said.

It would be recalled that a Niger Delta based newspaper reported on its front-page last week Thursday (2nd April, 2009), that all is set for the Progressive Peoples' Alliance governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim to join the Peoples Democratic Party, the Party at centre.

The paper noted that it was just a matter of weeks, if not days for Governor Ohakim to decamp to PDP, adding that the man was only waiting for the court of Appeal judgment.

According to the report, the governor has been receiving pressure from his former party, PDP, which was said to be threatening him with impeachment should he fail to return to PDP or do anything that goes against the interest of PDP in Imo State.

The Newspaper added that 'there is no going back this time around, the time for it was now rife, alleging that chief Ohakim had never been a true and avowed member of the Progressive Peoples Alliance.

Meanwhile, Imo State House of Assembly last week Thursday passed a resolution urging the state governor, Ikedi Ohakim to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without further delay.

In a motion sponsored by Mbadiwe Emelumba (PDP Orlu West) and 15 others, it was a unanimous adoption by all the PDP legislators during their plenary session.

According to Emelumba, Ohakim is not a newcomer to the party, even though he won his election on April 28, 2007 through another Party.

The lawmakers maintained that since the governorship election petition has been concluded and a winner emerged, it is now proper for Ohakim to join PDP.

RIVPA: Wehere Maintains Stand.

By Okechukwu Geoffrey

The two term former Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Publishers Association (RIVPA) and the publisher of the Surveillance Newspaper Esotericist Monday Wehere has said that the publisher of the Beam Newspaper Chief Oby Ndukwe was duly elected as Chairman of the Association having won two third of the votes cast.

Reacting to the recent publication in the National Network Wehere decried a situation where a publisher of repute like Jerry Needam could resort to attacking Surveillance newspaper.

Dismayed by Jerry's recent publication Wehere wondered when he (Jerry) became Isikima's mouthpiece and wanted to know if the allegations leveled against Isikima Harry such as the six million naira embezzlement,  the bags of rice and goats given to RIVPA which Isikima did not give to anybody among others were false.

Of course, at my age I don't think I will just wake up on my own to fabricate lies over what I know did not happen even Jerry is aware that all the allegations against Isikima were true” Wehere said.

Describing what Jerry did as unethical the Surveillance boss wondered why Isikima could not use his own paper to prove all the allegations wrong and regretted that he had never insulted Jerry let alone his paper for one day saying the signatures used by Jerry in some of the RIVPA stories were forged from the attendant register.

Esotericist Monday Wehere also re-iterated the need for all to join hands with the Oby-led RIVPA to move the association forward pointing out that Isikima Harry does not have followers knowing full well that members have passed a vote of no confidence on him and fresh election conducted.

Some of the publishers who spoke with our reporter on Jerry's recent publication described the insult melted out to Surveillance newspaper as quite unethical and unfortunate as a credible man like Monday Wehere who had served the association for two tenures cannot say what he does not know.

The publishers however described all that Wehere had said concerning Isikima in that interview as correct.

It would be recalled that the former PRO of RIVPA Mr. Jerry Needam in one of his publications insulted the Surveillance newspaper and the publisher in particular describing all that he said in the interview as thrash.

Meanwhile, the new RIVPA led by Chief Oby Ndukwe has since commenced work and dogmatically too as Wehere has also taken the said insult on him by his good colleague (Jerry) for posterity to be the judge.

Akulga Boss Inaugurates Political Appointees

By Joe Kalu

The Executive Chairman of Akuku-Toru LGA of Rivers State Hon (Barr) Paul Awoyesuku has charged political appointees in the area to be transparent and accountable to the people while applying due process in their dealings.

The Chairman gave the charge over the weekend in Abonnema during the inauguration of supervisory councilors and special advisers at the executive chambers of the council in Abonnema.

“This call to serve is not for your personal gain, but should rather be seen as an opportunity to serve your people”.

He however reminded them that he would not hesitate to deal with any one of them who goes contrary to the policies of this administration in its effort to deliver the dividends of democracy.

The Chairman further advised them to hold firm to God whom he noted gives the grace to accomplish the task ahead of them.

Supervisors appointed included Mrs. Ekeinta Alalibo, the Vice Chairman of the Council who would double as the Supervisory Councilor for Education, Mr. Soala Robinson Transport, Procurement and Logistics, Dr. (Mrs) Udeme O. Georgewill, Health, Mr. Nicholas Ikiriko, Works and Housing, Mr Amasaye G. Whyte, Agriculture and Natural Resources and Mr. Kingiye Amachree, Water Resources and Rural Development.

For the special advisers Engr. Ineye Jack special Projects/Duties, Hon. Gandhi Dagogo, Commerce, Industry and Public Private Partnership, Mr. Ibifara Jack, Youths, Sports and Culture.

Mr. Awowari Amakiri, Lands and Survey and Mr. Collins Ekine Briggs, Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment. Hon Awoyesuku also appointed five Chief Aids to the Chairman in the persons of  Hon Tubotamuno Dabiri, Chief of Staff of the Council, Bebu Opuoyibo Chief Protocol Officer, Atiegoba Jack was retained as the Chief Press Secretary CPS, while Mr. Robinson Quakers was appointed the Chief Security Officer, Barr. Tonye Graham Douglas will take charge of legal matters, Hon Alalibo Fredericks, Legislative Matters, Hon Ade Damelda, Political, Mr. Eric Dokubo, Security and Mr. Precious Dan who will be in charge of Satellite Communication Development.

All Female Aero Crew Make History In Flight

By Paschal Agbada

Last week, Aero Contractors, Nigeria's oldest carrier made history as it had in flight for the very first time an all-female crew.

The crew comprised of four women, Captain Bolaji Agbelusi, First Officer Yop Wash, Cabin Executives Jennifer Uloma Shodeinde and Catherine Ekanem.

The flight which was from Osubi airstrip, near Warri to Lagos was in a Bombardier Dash 8300 turbo prop aircraft with 50 passengers on board.

The four history making women, operated the aircraft perfectly from take off to landing with Captain Agbelusi in command and taking off at 11.55am from Osubi to Lagos touching down at 2.28pm to a riotous embrace and reception at the local wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport by Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Dr. Harold Demureen and top officials of the aviation industry.

In 1998, Captain Agbelusi had joined Aero as a second officer on the DHC6 before currently becoming Captain in charge of Bombardier Dash 8.

Demureen in an address to newsmen stated that the feat was a good and perfect development for the country.

In his words, “this is a great day for Nigeria. We have this aircraft coming from Osubi in Warri to Lagos airport all flown by an entire female crew. The Captain, the  first officer and the two cabin crew are all females and I am happy about this. This is good for Nigeria”.

In the press interview, Mr. Demureen disclosed that NCAA was on the verge of seeking approval for the release of 10 percent of Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) Fund meant exclusively for the training and nurturing of critical personnel in the aviation industry. This, he said, is to work towards ensuring a reduction of the dearth of properly trained and skilled hands in the sector.

The fund called BASA Fund is an accrued fund for the Federal Government emanating from royalties from foreign airlines and other agreements through the moribund Nigeria Airways but right now is in the hands of NCAA.

Page 10 News

HIV/AIDS: Shell Expends $.6M  In N'Delta ...To Stop Gas Flaring

By Paschal Agbada

According to information reaching Beam Checks, Shell Petroleum Company had sunk a whopping $667,000 into projects on HIV/AIDS intervention in the N'Delta region.

Disclosing this to newsmen in Port Harcourt last Wednesday the Regional Community Health Manager of the company Dr. Tunde Fakunle stated that the company considered it expedient to attend to their social  responsibilities in this way especially when it realized that the region alone harbour 0.6 per cent prevalent rate of the disease circulation in the country.

The Regional Manager stated that this wholesome amount was made possible through funding by Gbraran Ubie Oil/Gas project as part of SPDC's collaboration with communication for change to prevent and control HIV/AIDS in the region.

In his assessment, not less than 6,000 persons he said had gone through HIV tests in some parts of the region, noting that out of this number, 1000 persons had tested positive.

The Regional Manager also stated that the SPDC has successfully initiated and established five treatment and care centres in Abia, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers States respectively and was also dolling out free services to people located mostly in the hinterlands and grassroots.

He seriously posted the blame for the high rate of prevalence in the region on the door steps of those he chose to christen “mobile men with money”. He said this men patronized commercial sex hawkers a great deal and this help in the spread of the dreaded pandemic.

The community manager therefore emphasized on the need for an awareness campaign to this effect Shell Petroleum was already on the verge of launching a major media intervention blitz starting from Bayelsa State.

The media blitz he noted will include radio, television, drama and a lot more.

The Manager of the Gbaran Ubie Oil/Gas Project, Mr. Graham Herley emphasized that this intervention programmes was one sure way of which Shell wants to shore up a healthy community for its staff and ensure a safe and disease free operational environment for her staff in the host communities.

As part of enhancing a safe environment in the region, Mr.Graham also said that the gas project was planned and conceptualized to check gas flaring from the two distinct platforms in Etelebu and Kolo Creeks and in the same vein, supply domestic gas to Bayelsa and Gbaran power plants.

Tide Headquarters Invaded By Armed Policemen

By Ihuoma Orjinta

Not fewer than fifteen armed policemen from Mile One Police Divisional Headquarters, Diobu, Port Harcourt last week invaded the Rivers State owned newspaper house, beating and injuring well over eight persons, including the photo-journalist for doing his duty.

Trouble started at about 9.10am when five policemen were pictured attempting to deal ruthlessly with a motorist after being stripped naked and physically assaulted.

The Tide photographer, for daring to take photoshots of the motorist being manhandled by uniformed police officers incurred the wrath of the force men making a detachment to invade the Tide offices, beating Ken Nwineh, the photo journalist and others.

The incident attracted both pedestrians and concerned members of the public as Nwineh tried to perform his duty.

An eye witness account said as police sighted the Tide photographer, they seized him, smashed his service camera and manhandled him.

As that was not enough, the armed policemen in an instant raided offices of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, forced their way into the cash office and computer room, bundled twelve (12) staff of the  corporation into their waiting van enroute the Mile One police cell, where they were later released, after a protest by them.

Vision 20/20 Implementation Rests On N'Delta

...Uduaghan, MOSOP, Bayelsa Dep. Gov.

By Wilson Uchendu

The much talked about efforts by the Federal Government in making Nigeria one of the 20 strongest economies by 2020 rests on Niger Delta.

The Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan stated this over the weekend at the conference of the 5th All Nigeria Editors Forum being held in Kaduna, Kaduna State.

Speaking on the topic “Niger Delta Insurgency: A Threat or Challenge To Vision 2020”, the Delta State Chief Executive held the audience spell bound when he categorically posited that the vision 2020 would eventually fail unless the issues of Niger Delta are amicably settled. He frowned at the media reference of the crisis in the Niger Delta as insurgency and maintained that there must be a difference between those fighting genuinely for the emancipation of the region and those that are involved in criminal activities such as bunkering, kidnapping and gun-running.

Governor Uduaghan said “most times, what the media erroneously refer to as activities of those seeking change in the region are pure criminal actions. The illegal crude oil bunkering is the principal source of violence in the zone today”.

He said that the illegal crude bunkering is done with sophisticated technology which are beyond the reach of ordinary individuals and well backed according to the governor by the connivance of strong crooked international traders where the crude is eventually sold to.

He said that as security is beefed up in the country's territorial waters, creeks etc, the issue of bunkering and other criminal activities would be curtailed and urged the Federal Government to treat the issue of Niger Delta with equity and fair play maintaining that “it is the natural instinct of man to rebel against unjust laws, unjust circumstances and hostile encumbrances that prevents him from enjoying his potentials”.

Making his own contributions the President of the Movement for the Survival

 Of Ogoni People (MOSOP) Mr. Ledum Mitee who is equally the Chairman of the Presidential Technical Committee On Niger Delta said that Federal Government policies over the years such as embargo on employment, the discrimination against Niger Delta youths, employing expatriates in jobs which could ordinarily be done by Nigerians have helped to exacerbate the nagging problem of youth unemployment especially in the Niger Delta.

He said “Neglected by the government some of whom are university graduates have been attracted to illegitimate ways of fending for themselves sometimes through participation in oil theft and other vices”.

On his part, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Peremabowei Ebebi advocated the increment formula in shoring Nigeria's crude from the present 13% to about 30% as this according to the Deputy-Governor would help in addressing the present crisis in the region.

Confine Rebranding To Home Fronts ~Yar'Adua To Akunyili

By Wilson Uchendu

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has advised the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili to restrict her rebranding efforts to the shores of Nigeria.

Speaking through Akunyili herself after the Federal Executive Council meeting President Yar'Adua over the weekend advised that the image laundering should be a “Nigerian Project for Nigerians”.

The Minister equally disclosed that the sum of N150 million would be mobilized by the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications in the on-going rebranding project.

She revealed that a 24-member committee had been constituted by FEC to come up with modalities for implementing the image laundering exercise.

According to the Information Minister, the project would be conducted in an honest and accountable manner as none of the members of the Advisory Board is paid any allowance or salary stating that the sum of N20 million out of N150 million would be used to off set the accrued bills of the “Heart of Africa Project” of the Obasanjo regime.

She (Akunyili) disclosed that the “Heart of Africa” project failed because it was not particularly home-driven stressing that the on-going rebranding project is currently getting the needed support from Nigerians.

In another development, the Minister of Interior, Gen. Godwin Abeh (Rtd) over the weekend in Abuja cautioned the newly appointed.

Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service, (FFS), Mr. Olusegun Okebiorun to enhance on the current performance of his men in terms of service in delivery.

Gen. Abeh disclosed this to newsmen during the inauguration of the new comptroller-General “I do know that you have a lot of job ahead of you.

The repositioning of fire fighting generally demand that you prepare yourself” Gen. Abeh said.

Speaking, Mr. Okebiorun pledged his determination towards making the fire service in the country to attain a higher level in service delivery.

N'Delta Minister Assures Of Dimished Crisis In The Region

By Paschal Agbada

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja over the weekend, the Niger Delta Minister Obong Ufot Ekaette said that the Federal Government was highly desirous of restoring investors' confidence in the Niger Delta and therefore would do everything possible within the ambits of its constituted frameworks to forestall any escalation of the crisis.

The Minister made the statement while addressing the Fourth Annual West African Investment Forum which was organized by the Common Wealth Business Council in Abuja.

According to him, the issue of restiveness will soon be a thing of the past as the Federal Government is at the threshold of launching a Comprehensive Youth Empowerment programme for the region.

In a paper titled, “Investment Opportunities in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, the Minister, Ufot Ekaette mentioned key challenges of the region as poverty, environmental degradation,, weak infrastructural base and poor telecommunication.

In the paper according to the Minister, other challenges hampering economic growth of the region and which weakens manpower is high HIV/AIDS prevalence, absence of electricity, severe coastal and gully erosion, and a poor managed educational system.

However, all this according to the Minister  would in no way deter investors as all the initiatives by the Federal Government concerning the region would make all these pale into insignificance when they are all implemented and which would give proper vent to objective harnessing of all the myriads of investment opportunities in the region.

On a final note, the Minister, Ufot Ekaette said that his Ministry was going to make sure that they remove all impediments that would hamper investment in the region while at the same time ensure the implementations of all government policies coordinate and galvanize efforts towards improving and enhancing security in the region.

In a related development, he hinted that the contract for the East-West link road that cuts across almost all oil producing states had already been signed.

Page 11 Commentary

Odili's 'Immunity' Judgment: Contd. From Next Edition

By Inko-Tariah, Opualapuye Mason. Tel 08099235571

2. Declarative and injunctive reliefs granted to the plaintiff in suit no. FHC/PH/CS/78/2007 between Attorney General for River State vs. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission & ORS. Cannot operate to outlaw the 2nd defendant/Applicant's performance of its statutory duties of investigation and prosecution of economic and financial crimes perpetrated by the plaintiff/respondent Dr. Peter Odili, erstwhile Executive Governor of Rivers State of Nigeria, who was not a party to the said suit; and.

3.All the reliefs sought in the plaintiff/respondent's Motion on Notice filed on 13/09/2007 are incompetent in law as there are radically the same in the main suit  the Originating Summons in this case.

Arguing the first ground of their preliminary objection, EFCC submitted that there exist a distinction and limitation in scope of the rather limited investigative powers of the House of Assembly as provided under section 128and 129 of the constitution vis-ŕ-vis the unlimited investigative cum prosecutorial powers of the 2nd defendant/applicant (EFCC) to enforce all laws dealing with economic and financial crimes in Nigeria which includes Rivers State.

Arguing the second round of their preliminary objection, EFCC contented that the judgment of the court in suit no FHC/PH/CS/78/2007 between the Attorney General Rivers State vs. EFCC and 3 ORS delivered on the 20th of march, 2007 which constituted the bedrock upon which Odili reposed his case was the subject of the proceedings in furtherance of an appeal which they (EFCC) had initiated at the Appeal court. EFCC also argued that Odili was not a party to that case and ipso facto should not, indeed, cannot benefit there from. EFCC further argued that the court cannot make orders to restrain the performance of the statutory duties of investigation and prosecution of any persons who is alleged or reasonably suspected to have committed a crime. The court was generally referred to decided judicial authorities.   

Responding, counsel for Odili challenged the grounds of the preliminary objection saying the grounds were strange to law, and were in discord with the position of the law on preliminary objections. He argued that jurisdiction can only be challenged on the grounds fore-under as decided by the Supreme Court.: A) if the court is not properly constituted as regards numbers and qualifications of the members of the Bench (Judges/Justices), and no member is disqualified for one reason or the other. B) If the subject matter of the case is not within its jurisdiction and there is no feature in the case which prevents the court from exercising jurisdiction. C) If the case does not come before the court initiated by due process of law, and upon fulfillment of any condition precedent to the exercise of jurisdiction. He held that the grounds of EFCC's challenge to the jurisdiction of the court were inconsistent with, and widely at variance to, these points as stated by the law lords and, thus, are misconceived. 

On the second ground, he argued that the judgment was a judgment in rem and can be appropriated or benefited by anybody in the world whether or not he was a party to the subject matter. In circular terms, a judgment in rem can be said to be the decision of a court on the status of a subject matter. The counsel for Odili ,thus, argued that having voided and nullified the said investigation report, that report no longer exist in the eye of the law and, thus, cannot be used against anybody including Odili. He said EFCC acknowledged in their counter affidavit that Odili was indicted in that investigation report. In conclusion, he argued that having regard to suit no: FHC/PH/CS/78/2007, EFCC cannot proceed against Odili or anybody on the basis of that voided report. He drew the attention of the court to decided judicial authorities on judgments in rem. On the issue of EFCC's appeal, counsel to Odili argued that EFCC rushed to the appeal court only after Odili commenced this last proceeding against them and that records show they had only applied for an extension of time to appeal at the appellate court which is actually not a successful or substantive appeal in itself. And until set aside by a superior court, the legal effect of the decision of the federal High court was still potent and binding, he continued. He referred the court to judicial authorities on the force of court judgments and the hazardous consequences of disobedience. Odili's counsel posited that in addition to being weird to law, the preliminary objection was bizarre because the supporting arguments are arguments that have already been decided upon in an earlier suit. Revisiting those issues in the same court would amount to inviting the court to sit in appeal on its judgment. He maintained that the only recourse for the EFCC was to go to the appellate court. Odili's counsel continued that the 1999 constitution provides for federal and state governments with each of the governments having their own respective legislative assemblies-the National Assembly for the federal government and the House of Assembly for the state governments. Going by the constitution, the National Assembly makes laws for the federal government while the State Assemblies make laws for the states. And of a truth, I dare to say the constitution is distinct on the legislative powers or responsibilities of the State Assemblies and the National Assembly. By the constitution, the federal government or National Assembly can legislate on issues/matters on the Exclusive legislative list. The State Assemblies can legislate on issues/matters on the Residual legislative list; while both governments can legislate on the concurrent legislative list. The accounts, funds, use and appropriation of the funds of a state which includes management of such funds are on the Residual legislative list as they fall within the legislative competence of the state Houses of Assemble; thus, EFCC, a law of the National Assembly, cannot interfere with any matter that has to do with the accounts or funds of a state that has its own legislature. Doing so will be acting utra vires the constitution. Indeed, EFCC was created by an act of the National Assembly which is a law of the National Assembly. Such a law cannot be forced on Rivers State with its own legislative assembly. Odili's counsel referred the court to the colorful dicta of the Appeal and Supreme courts where the Appeal court held that “the president has no power or authority, save as may be clearly provided by the constitution, to interfere with the powers or authority of a state governor. The governor also has no power or authority to interfere with the functions of the Chief Executive of the federation. This same principle applies to the relationship of the National Assembly and the House of Assembly of a State in their respective powers of law making or other responsibility assigned to them by the constitution. The same principle of non-interference applies to the relationship of the judiciary of a Federation and the judiciary of a state in the exercise and control of judicial powers and jurisdiction of the courts established for the federation and those for the state” in Federal Minister of Internal Affair & ORS vs. Shugaba, (1982) 3 N.C.L.R. 915. The Supreme Court upheld this position on appeal. He also referred the court to the dictum of the Supreme Court in A-G. , Lagos state vs. A-G., Federation where the court held “……the autonomy of each government, which presupposes its separate existence and its independence from the Federal Government is essential to the Federal arrangement. Therefore each government exists not as an appendage of another government but as an autonomous entity in the sense of being able to exercise its own will in the conduct of its affairs, free from direction by another government….”  The court was further referred to more judicial authorities on the independence of the states in a federal setup. Taking a fair study of the judgment of the Federal High Court in suit no: FHC/PH/CS/1291/2007 (Dr. Peter Odili vs. 1.The Attorney-General of the Federal, 2. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), one would find early enough that EFCC actually missed the point or subject matter of the suit; or deliberately feigned to miss the point. And the court recognized the fact that EFCC missed the point. The argument that the court cannot oust, indeed, restrain it from performing its investigative and prosecutorial responsibilities is tardy and cannot be made an issue in the same court since it has already been decided in a final judgment of the court. Indeed, the ratio decidendi  ( binding principles) of that judgment and the thrust of the current originating summons are not about restraining the FECC from exercising its prosecutorial powers but about the nullification of its report on Rivers State between 5th to 14th December, 2007 on points of law and facts. In its judgment, the court stated “the first relief in the counter claim (of EFCC) is that the court was sitting in its civil jurisdiction to make laws outing criminal investigation. That cannot be correct. The court was invited to affirm that which the 2nd defendant proposes was ordered Utra vires the 2nd defendant and was declared unconstitutional, null and void. In other words, the plaintiff seeks a declaration from the court for affirmation of its orders in suit no: FHC/PH/CS/78/2007.” And earlier in the judgment, the court had held, “in the instant case, it is not a general or blanket restraining order without a matter going to court. “This matter went to court and arguments were taken, judgment entered before the order was made. “It does not matter that it was a civil suit. “What matters is the validity and obedience of that order and to who[sic] is the order directed and who is or are the beneficiaries of the order made. “I think with exhibit EFCC 1, the second defendant has realized it ought to have appealed against the judgment of this court.” And since no superior court has stayed the legal operation of that judgment, EFCC and every person are bound by it whether they feel the judgment was rightly or wrongly given. It is thus, naďve for EFCC to go back to that court challenging the correctness of that judgment. Doing so translates to asking the Honourable court to review, indeed, reopen its final judgment that was not given in default.

But how sincere is EFCC in prosecuting Dr. Peter Odili and other former governors in Nigeria? A sober evaluation of the entire exercise would reveal elements of disingenuousness. First, EFCC confined its arguments on the preliminary objection without refuting, challenging or contesting the claims of Odili in the main Originating summons. Indeed they did not contest the claims of Odili and experts in law know that if a set of claims supported by an affidavit is not challenged, indeed, opposed by the respondent/defendant, the affidavit and claims are assumed to be true by the court and the court is guided by it in its judgment. Nobody expects a court to descend to the arena of defense for a respondent/defendant in this case, EFCC-who neglects the right or responsibility to defend itself.  Part of the judgment of the court reads: “in the instant case, I am satisfied that the plaintiff has produced evidence and has proffered arguments and none of the defendants made any submissions on the merit of the application. The 2nd defendant laboured to make submissions on issues that are not before the court, and left the issues before the court. In the circumstance, the case of the plaintiff becomes unchallenged on the merit and the court can accept the case of the plaintiff that is not challenged on the merit. See Empire Digest on declaratory orders to interested parties not before the court at paragraph 263, page 200”. A simple way a defendant can aid a plaintiff win his case is for the defendant to evade challenging the claims of the plaintiff or to proffer extraneous and incongruous arguments as the judge pointed out. EFCC even failed to offer arguments in support of their own counter claims, much less, challenge Odili's claims. This is one point that underscores the connivance theory.

Second, EFCC did not appeal against the Federal High court judgment in suit no: FHC/PH/CS/78/2007 which formed the substratum of Odili's case one year after that judgment was delivered; yet, it threatened to proceed against Odili on the basis of its investigative report already annulled by the court which translates to disobedience of court orders. It was only after Odili had proceeded against EFCC that they initiated proceeding in furtherance of an appeal at the Court of Appeal. The judge was short of chiding EFCC for not appealing against a judgment he believes is well-founded. You could 'hear' this in his judgment. So, why didn't they appeal for that long? However, EFCC stated in paragraph 8 of their affidavit dated 10/10/2007 that they had commenced appeal proceedings against that judgment (FHC/PH/CS/78/2007) and that the Court of Appeal had fixed 30/10/2007 for hearing. Nobody has heard a thing from EFCC about the outcome of that appeal; at least, not as quickly as we heard that they have been restrained by a court from prosecuting Odili. In fact, save for this article, most people are oblivious to the fact that EFCC actually initiated appeal proceedings against the Federal High court's judgment in suit no FHC/PH/CS/78/2007 and that a date was fixed by the appellate court for hearing. What happened to that appeal? There are only two possibilities- either the appeal failed or succeeded. While the outcome remains an enigma, it is disgustingly mischievous for EFCC to attempt to dupe the public with its claim that it has concluded arrangements to vacate the orders of the Federal High court, Port Harcourt at the Federal High court, Abuja when the two courts have coordinate jurisdiction. Even the ordinary mind knows that it is forbidden for a Federal High court to hear, entertain, or sit over, nay, adjudicate over the decision/judgment of another Federal High court with equal jurisdiction. Such orders can rightly be challenged at a superior court like that of the Court of Appeal. More dismal and, indeed, absurd is the fact that EFCC has already gone to the Appeal Court in challenge of the judgment of the Federal High court that formed the basis or bedrock upon which Odili relied his proceedings against them only for them to allegedly come back to the Abuja Federal High court, an inferior court to the Court of Appeal, to vacate the orders of restraint given by the Federal High court, Port Harcourt. This amounts to abuse of judicial process. Indeed, it is a caricature of the judicial process in Nigeria. And this kind of travesty reinforces the connivance theory. EFCC is only making a mockery, a jest, indeed, horseplay of the entire prosecution endeavor. To my mind, the whole exercise is cosmetic. It was reported in The Hard Truth newspaper of October 16 - 22, 2008: VOL 1 No 41 that EFCC had concluded plans to vacate an order of perpetual injunction restraining it from investigating and prosecuting Odili. The report went on to say the anti graft agency was expected to get the injunction vacated within 21 days. No refutation was made against this publication by EFCC. About six months have gone by now and we have neither heard any news about that attempt nor the attempt at the Court of Appeal which hearing according to EFCC was fixed for 30/10/2007; over one year and six months now. Former Senate president Nnamani said recently that the Federal Government was not sincere in its fight against corruption. This is the bald yet unfortunate truth. In all its ballyhoo about prosecuting former corrupt governors since they left office about two years ago, EFCC has only succeeded in getting judgment against Lucky Igbinedion who was initially indicted for misappropriating some excessive amount of money and in the end got a sentence of 3.5 million naira fine after some charges against him were dropped by EFCC. He worked home a free man after the judgment; justice, indeed. As usual, EFCC's Head of media reacted immediately after the judgment that EFCC would appeal against the judgment. But we cannot be beguiled by such statement; we are yet to know the outcome of their appeal initiated about a year and a half ago against the judgment in FHC/PH/CS/78/2007 mentioned above. So, how can we be sure that this appeal will not take forever? Besides, EFCC initially filed a 191-count charge against Igbinedion and later amended to a 24-count charge. Finally, he was arraigned on only one count leaving out 190 counts! Only recently, the A-G, Lagos state appealed against what it considered a lenient sentence given to Ibinabo Feberesima by a magistrate court and secured a tougher sentence at the appellate court. This is the spirit of a diligent public prosecutor. A prosecutor once told me how they could facilitate a lenient sentence for a suspect or even avoid opposing the suspect's plea for leniency if the suspect 'settles them'. If EFCC is sincere about this prosecution, they should share intelligence with the police for the police to effect the prosecution. At least, the police force is created by the constitution and not by any law of the National or State Assembly. Thus, it should have prosecutorial powers over the federal and state governments' officials. On the other hand, if EFCC cannot prosecute Odili, and if this is the position of the law with regards to the 1999 constitution, then they do not have the powers to prosecute other former governors because they all worked in the same system and under the same constitution, laws, circumstances and conditions. It would really be melancholic, indeed, a malignant sore in the hearts of the Rivers people if Odili escapes trial. And if this happens in the long run, it would be injustice to the other former governors that are being prosecuted by the EFCC. Thank God Rotimi Amaechi was displaced after the PDP primaries and got back his mandate by the force of law. At least it has made his allegiance to his state and the people steadfast. Contrariwise, his administration would have been encumbered by the interest of those who would have felt he owed them allegiance for putting him there. God bless the Supreme Court justices who upheld substantial justice in the face of apparent declension. Who ever imagined that Rivers State gets the kind of revenue that can bring about such astronomical development as is on going in the state, yet, provide economic support like the loans scheme the government of Rivers State has made available to indigenes. The days of radio-jingles administration are over. These days, we do not only hear but see, feel, and touch administration in our streets, on our roads, in our hospitals, in our schools, in public offices, on developmental projects and infrastructure, and even on the tables of indigenes. Even the opposition admits that Amaechi, like his Lagos State counterpart-Fashola, is working. I hope we have seen the necessity to be well-informed on issues before we draw our conclusions least we get embarrassed on seeing the light. Thank you for your patience. I am done.                     

Page 13 New

N'Delta Minister Assures Of Dimished Crisis In The Region

By Paschal Agbada

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja last Wednesday, the Niger Delta Minister Obong Ufot Ekaette said that the Federal Government was highly desirous of restoring investors' confidence in the Niger Delta and therefore would do everything possible within the ambits of its constituted frameworks to forestall any escalation of the crisis.

The Minister made the statement while addressing the Fourth Annaul West African Investment Forum which was organized by the Common Wealth Business Council in Abuja.

According to him, the issue of restiveness will soon be a thing of the past as the Federal Government is at the threshold of launching a Comprehensive Youth Empowerment programme for the region.

In a paper titled, “Investment Opportunities in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, the Minister, Ufort Ekaette mentioned key challenges of the region as poverty, environmental degradation,, weak infrastructural base and poor telecommunication.

In the paper according to the Minister, other challenges hampering economic growth of the region and which weakens manpower is high HIV/AIDS prevalence, absence of electricity, severe coastal and gully erosion, and a poor managed educational system.

However, all this according to the Minister  would in no way deter investors as all the initiatives by the Federal Government concerning the region would make all these pale into insignificance when they are all implemented and which would give proper vent to objective harnessing of all the myriads of investment opportunities in the region.

On a final note, the Minister, Ufot Ekaette said that his Ministry was going to make sure that they remove all impediments that would hamper investment in the region while at the same time ensure the implementations of all government policies coordinate and galvanize efforts towards improving and enhancing security in the region.

In a related development, he hinted that the contract for the East-West link road that cuts across almost all oil producing states had already been signed.

Reps Debunk Rift With Senate … Bankole Not Behind Ogun Assembly Take Over

By Wilson Uchendu

The House of Representatives over the weekend denied alleged quarrel with the Nation's Upper Legislative Chamber, the Senate.

Hon. Eseme Eyibo, Committee Chairman on Media and Public Affairs of the House of Representatives disclosed this amongst other miscellaneous issues to newsmen while fielding questions on the much touted impasse resulting from the alleged disagreement between the Senate and the House of Representatives over the botched retreat in Minna on Constitutional Review Conference. Eyibo said those insinuating such disagreement are just formulating issues that do not exist. He disclosed “We are working with the Senate healthily, we are relating at committee, leadership and plenary levels among others without any bickering and we are determined to sustain that relationship and not allow it get tainted.

Commenting on the constitutional review, the Reps spokesman stated that an ad-hoc committee had been set up by the House to examine grey areas in the constitution that require reviewing so that when the joint review of both chambers of National Assembly starts, “ we will be able to take care of the time lost as a result of the incident in Minna”.

Hon. Eyibo equally reiterated the readiness of the House of Representatives to discharge its constitutional duties with utmost responsibility and in line with the rule of law.

He said that Reps intervened in the Ogun State House of Assembly crisis out of its constitutional responsibility and not as a way of furthering the interests of Speaker Dimeji Bankole who hails from the state.

He said “the decision of the house has to do with the constitutional responsibility and not the Speaker.

The Ogun crisis is a national issue, it is a threat to national security. Hence no responsible House would fold its arm and allow it drift to the level of anarchy”.

In another development, the House of Representatives is set to probe the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) over sale of its property. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Committee Chairman on Marine Transport said his committee would among other sundry issues, look into whether due process was followed in the dealings of NPA during its sale of the property.

Chairman Decries Attitude Of Drivers Plying PH/Igwuruta Route

By Okechukwu Geoffrey

The Chairman of the Igwuruta Motorpark in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State Chief Loveday Anele (JP) has decried the attitude of some drivers who ply the Port Harcourt/Igwuruta/Owerri route warning that henceforth any driver caught loading and off loading along the road without entering the park would be dealt with severely.

Anele who dropped the hint during an interview with our reporter in his office said loading and off loading outside the park was wrong and completely against the laws establishing the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and wondered why these crop of drivers would not obey simple instructions considering the fact that reckless driving can cause accident.

Describing their work as legal Chief Anele maintained that the state government including the Local Government Area were solidly behind them pointing out that recently the Ikwerre LGA constituted a taskforce headed by Mr. Innocent Anwuka Amadi to assist the park in checkmating the excesses of those motorists and said they would no longer condone any driver who disobeys the order noting that this is about the third time the authority is putting this warning on the paper.

Anele who also is a member of the Igwuruta Supreme Council of Chiefs and the State Financial Secretary of N.U.R.T.W however condemned in strong terms the attitude of some JTF soldiers whom he said came to the park last week to order the release of all the impounded vehicles with the use of their guns and called on the authorities concerned to call the JTF people to order as most of them are now involved in illegal jobs.

He sounded it loud and clear that enough is enough for both the JTF and all those whose stock in trade is to instigate problem in the park and warned that any passenger caught entering the buses along the road will also not go scot-free and called on the drivers and the passengers to comply adequately.

He described the National Union of Road Transport Workers as a registered body with men of integrity as members and said NURTW since its establishment has performed tremendously.

Speaking, the Chairman Obstruction Parking and Road Decongestion Taskforce in the area Mr. Innocent Anwuka Amadi described the recent intimidation by the Joint Military Task Force as a violation of their rights and appealed to the JTF Commander in the state to call his men to order.

The former Chief Press Secretary of Kelga also called on the drivers and the passengers to work in tandem with the latest order for their own good.

Others who condemned the attitude of the JTF were Patrick Daniel Eje, Peter Okah among others.

Meanwhile, the Park Chairman Chief Anele (JP) also lauded the developmented strides of the state governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi assuring him of their unalloyed support.

F.G's Amnesty: Militants  Urged To 'Grab' It

By Wilson Uchendu

The  so-called militants who claim to be fighting for the emancipation of the people of the Niger Delta region have been urged by the Nigerian Police to take the golden opportunity being thrown at them by the Federal Government and abandon their arms dealings, gun fighting and other sabotage that do not encourage national cohesion.

The Inspector-General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro hinted this to newsmen in Port Harcourt over the weakened shortly after commissioning 40 patrol vehicles donated to the force by the administration of Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State.

Okiro also told the Journalists that the Nigerian Police specifically imported seven new gunboats, later commissioned at NNS Pathfinder, to forestall attacks occasioned by the nefarious activities of militants.

He further disclosed that the sophisticated gunboats and the patrol vehicles would definitely boost the effort of the police command in the state in checkmating criminal activities by militants.

The Inspector-General said “The governor paid for some parts of the gunboats. This is going to assist us take care of incursions from the riverine areas especially” He said that Rivers State ranks first apart from Lagos in providing funds and logistics to the police and commended the state government for that humane gesture.

Sir Okiro further explained that the location of Mobile Police Squadron (MOPOL 56) in Ogoni was never a disguise to commence an oil exploitation in the land as insinuated by the Movement for Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP).

On his part, Governor Amaechi stated that the security situation in Rivers has tremendously experienced an improvement pointing out that economic activities would once more receive an expected boom by December if militants rescind on their criminal act of kidnapping for pecuniary gains.

In a similar vein the Akwa Ibom Governor, Obong Godswill Akpabio also disclosed over the weekend that his government will decisively deal with militants who refused to abandon arms struggle and embrace the recent amnesty granted them by the Federal Government.       

RSSDA Promotes Good Governance  

By Ihuoma Orjinta

Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency, RSSDA, in her bid towards promoting good governance at the grassroots, in partnership with the Durban Municipal, facilitated a learning visit of the Abua Odua local government area and the State House Committee on Sustainable Development to Durban South Africa, to keep its promise of 2008 Excellence in local government award (ELGI).

Addressing a joint session of Abua/Odua Local government delegates, the house committee chairman on sustainable development, Hon Ibonoma Kitchiner, reiterated the determination of the Amaechi led government for good governance at all level.

He stressed that good governance is a prerequisite for sustainable development. Pledging his support toward the proposed local government integrated development bill, which will ensure sustainable development practices in the state.

Hon. Kitchner attributed the improved performance by local government councils to the political will in delivering the dividends of democracy by addressing poverty, protecting the environment and re-distribution of economic wealth, and described the Excellence in Local Government Initiative (ELGI), as a strategy for capacity building and encouragement of healthy competition amongst local government councils to better the lives of the people of Rivers State.

Uniport Alumni Elects New Officers

By Okechukwu Geoffrey

The Rivers State Chapter of the University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association has elected new officers to run its affairs.

Those elected include Prof. Ndimele Ozomekuri as Chairman, Hon. Oseleye Ojuka 1st Vice Chairman, Mrs. Tumini Allison 2nd Vice Chairman, Mr. Omagile Okpolopio  General Secretary.

Others are Dr. Steve Wordu-Asst Secretary, Sir Kaizer Odum -Treasurer, Mr. Sam Woka-Publicity Secretary while Mr. Osaro Obari and Dr. L. Oduleuma were elected Ex-Officios respectively.

Speaking shortly after his election as Chairman Prof. Ndimele Ozomekuri charged members of the association as well as staff of the institution to brace up to a comprehensive moral and infrastructural development of the institution.

Ndimele who also is a lecturer in the University urged graduates of Uniport to not only register but contribute and participate in all activities of the Alumni while calling on graduates of the institution occupying positions of economic and political importance to use their academic, moral and ideological upbringing to make the institution proud.

He said that the Alumni blue print of development would be unveiled at the meeting of the body soon and thanked the Alumni for finding him worthy to serve at this point in time as he promised to also justify the confidence reposed in him by the people.

Page 14 Commentary

TEST OF A LECTURE DELIVERED BY THE RIVERS STATE GOVERNOR, RT. HON. CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI, AT THE “DISTINGUISHED PERSONALITY LECTURE” OF THE CENTRE FOR PEACE AND STRATEGIC STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2009 THE NIGER DELTA: AN OVERVIEW Contd. From Late  Edition

next significant wave of infraction ignited by the agitation was the Movement for Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) era. This witnessed the outrage of the Ogoni people over issues bordering on marginalization and neglect by Shell Petroleum Development Company and the Federal Government. Internal squabbles leading to a major implosion within the Ogoni people led to the murder of the 'Ogoni four' which in turn resulted in the arrest, prosecution and eventual hanging of the "Ogoni nine" including Ken Saro Wiwa. Ledum Mitee, who headed the Technical Committee on Niger Delta was a survivor of that trial.

The next remarkable uprising from the region was the 'Kaiama Declaration' which followed the resolution of a meeting of the Ijaw Youths Conference (IYC) held in Kaiama, Bayelsa State on 11th December, 1998. The resolution inter alia ordered all oil producing companies to vacate the region, latest 30th December, 1998.. In a bid to forcefully enforce the directive, Ijaw youths engaged the Nigerian Army in weeks of violent confrontation resulting in loss of several lives on both sides, and lives and properties innocent citizens.

After the dust of the Kaiama Declaration settled down, there was relative peace over a period of time during which there was no major coordinated offensive. During this period, especially in 2003/2004, fallouts of the 2003 general elections had thrown up a bitter rivalry clash in Rivers State between gangs and cult groups loyal to Dokubo-Asari of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF)/ Niger Delta People's Salvation Front (NDPSF) and Ateke Tom of the Niger Delta Vigilante Group (NDVG). The fight involved the introduction of assorted prohibited fire-arms eventually resulting in militarization and arms saturation of the environment.

Another development which had earlier saturated the region with fire-arms had taken p1ace earlier, during the fratricidal ethnic conflict between the Ijaws/Itshekiri's/Ilaje's/Urhobo's, for the soul of Warri and other contentious political, land and boundary disputes. This conflict also saw huge deployment of fire-arms.

However, the introduction of the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) added a new dimension to the entire saga. In January 2006, MEND kidnapped the first set of foreign hostages and tied their release to the release of Dokubo-Asari and DSP Alamieyeseigha, both of whom were arrested for varying offences. Eventually, the hostages were released under dubious circumstances believed to be associated with ransom payment. This trend complemented with attacks on oil company infrastructure continued throughout 2006, up till about the time of the inauguration of the pr esent administration.

Asari and Alamieyeseigha were eventually released by the new administration. However, the criminal component that had infested the 'struggle' had gained roots. Hostage taking did not abate but rather was on the increase. Ransom payment had become a revenue generation mechanism for the militant, cult and criminal gangs; In fact, revenue accruals from this 'industry" had surpassed illegal bunkering, which hitherto had been the foremost revenue earner.

DIMENSION OF THE CRISIS

· ILLEGAL BUNKERING: Theft of petroleum products, refined and unrefined as well as condensate gas, is a preponderant pre-occupation for militants and other criminal gangs in the region. This is without regards for the dire consequences of such indulgence, e.g. environmental pollution, rampant fire outbreaks, loss of revenue to oil companies/federal Government, loss of life and property; etc.

· Cultism and Militancy: The relationship between cultism and militancy is very close. As a matter of act, most of the so called militants are loose Federations of cult groups. While masquerading under various clauses such as cash reparations for communities, a greater share of oil revenues, they commit all sorts of crimes. The resultant effects of these groups' activities are loss of innocent lives, destruction of properties and loss of value, especially amongst the youths, as it is fast becoming a way of life;

· Sea Piracy and Hijacking of Vessels: Sea piracy has become a major threat and imbues fear among travelers along the various waterways that cascade the region. Vessels are equally not spared, as most often the unescorted ones are hijacked, items therein vandalized and at times ran aground. The situation is further compounded by the terrain and thousands of creeks, which makes effective policing not only difficult, but the creeks provide safe havens for the criminals;

· Hostage taking and kidnapping: Presently it has become an all comers' affair for all criminal minded elements. The absence of strong condemnation from political, religious and traditional leaders on the issue has further boosted the ego of these kidnappers. Today, it is taking a far worrisome dimension, as some cases, victims are kidnapped not only for pecuniary reasons, but for sex and other purposes;

· We also have threats of vandalism of government and non-government facilities;

· Unlawful and wanton seizure of companies' properties/disruption of oil companies operations; and

· Massive and debilitating theft of companies' equipment.

EFFECTS OF THE CRISIS

IMPLICATION FOR NATIONAL SECURITY

Gilbert da Costa, writing for Global Security Organization (26th July, 2008) quoted Dimeji Bankole, Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives as saying that "spiraling violence in the oil rich Niger Delta is now a major national security threat. If care is not taken, it will begin to move out of the Niger Delta and consume the whole nation. This is no longer a Niger Delta problem or a Nigerian problem but a global problem".

The armed struggle and criminality component which have become firmly rooted in the Niger Delta crisis is indeed a "nightmare" as echoed by President Umoru Yar' adua at the last graduation ceremony of the Nigeria Defense Academy (NDA), when he lamented that the Niger Delta crisis remains his greatest nightmare. If the breakdown of law and order in some parts of the region constitute a major concern, the armed rebellion, fledgling insurgency spiced with elements of terrorism and other sundry acts of violence and socio-economic crimes should trigger an alarm.

The crisis have indeed tasked and stretched the Armed Forces and Security Intelligence Community in terms of men and materials, including the Federal and State Governments that invest scarce resources towards the resolution of the crisis which otherwise would have been deployed for the development of the area and other pressing national needs. However, viewed against the backdrop of the potency of the crisis to destabilize the country and possibly rock its corporate existence, such investment may be justified as well directed.

From loss of Human lives to destruction of communities, loss of hard revenue etc, the cumulative loss is mind boggling. "Cumulative earning from crude oil alone has been put at about N84 trillion over the past 45yrs. Last year alone, Nigeria made more than N8. 7 trillion from sale of crude oil". Of course, an aggregate of all other export earnings over the same period amounts to overall insignificance in comparison to this basket.

"In 2008, costs per barrel of crude oil reached their highest ever, while Nigeria 's crude oil output hit their lowest in recent times. Prices averaged over $100pbd in January - September, 2008. Average daily loss was put at $65pbd or N7.67bpd".

The statistics is more worrisome as Nigeria in 2008 slipped behind Angola as Africa 's leading producer. 1.9m bpd ( Nigeria ) as against 1.95m bpd ( Angola ). Effects on the rest of the economy include, spike in country risk perception, loss of investment/potential investment, rise in unemployment

resulting from shut-ins and job losses, increase in crime rate, etc.

Furthermore, cost of production is bound to rise because of "armed contingents that must surround every facility, staff being flown from long distances - like Lagos - to and from platforms in the creeks, loss of Human lives --- And not the least, MASSIVE REDUCTIONS in outputs from shutins/cases of force majeure".

The cost is endless. Destruction of shuttings especially pipelines, flow stations, platforms etc and resultant ecological consequences as well as environmental and health hazard arising from oil spillage and the cost of repairs of such damaged facilities comes to unquantifiable imagination.

States and Federal Movement are also running huge security bills in combating the security problems in the region thereby diverting funds meant for much needed infrastructural development and other compelling necessities.

FACTORS SUSTAINING THIS CRIMINALITY

There are some issues that have contributed in no small measures to the continuation and spread of some of the above discussed threats. These also constitute great challenges to addressing these threats and are considered very fundamental. They include:

· Outdated laws, which unduely favour the oil companies towards payment of compensation arising from pollution that is commensurate to the negative impact of the environment and economic realities on ground;

· Uncooperative attitude of the people, especially in reporting issues to security agencies;

· Unwholesome practices of some corporate organizations having strong relationship with some militant groups for fear of attack;

· Poor response by many organizations in genuinely undertaking Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR);

· Silence and in some cases connivance by some political and traditional leaders;

· Unemployment;

· Illiteracy;

· Godfatherism and patronage by influential citizenry;

· Payment of ransom by relatives of kidnap victims thereby making it lucrative for criminals to continue in the act as well as others to join the crime;

· Availability and easy access to arms;

· Activities of host communities who use youth groups to threaten multinational companies to yield to their demands;

· Manipulation of perception of the State of under development into an instrument of defiance and criminality by unscrupulous elements.

· Involvement of foreign and domestic collaborators who benefit from the problems; and

· Financial benefits from illegal oil bunkering and hostage taking.

PHASES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NIGER DELTA CRISIS

That the crisis still persist is not entirely due to complete inaction or lack of attempts at addressing the contentious issues. Past and present administrations, at Federal and State levels have made conscious attempts at addressing these problems which could be chronicled as follows:

· Setting up of the Sir Henry Will inks Commission in 1957 in response to the concern of ethnic minorities over their perceived slim chances of survival in the Nigerian enterprise, by the colonial administration;

· Niger Delta Development Board, (ND:,)B) via supplementary Federal Government Gazette no. 56 vol. 46 of September 1959;

· Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Decree 1979;

· Special fund for oil producing areas, by Revenue Act of 1981;

· Presidential Task Force for the Development of oil producing Areas of 1989;

· Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Committee OMPADEC of 1992

· Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of 2000;

· Gen. Ogomudia Committee 2002;

· Niger Delta Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee of2007;

· Technical Committee on Niger Delta of2008; and

· Ministry of Niger Delta 2008.

Inestimable amount of resources have been sunk into these initiatives all in the effort to resolve the Niger Delta crisis, yet the inferno rages on.

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