RSG Set Up
Committee To Monitor Power Project
The Rivers State
Government has expressed concern over the slow pace of work on its
Independent Power Project (IPP) and has constituted an Executive
Council Committee to liaise with the contractor and set out
appropriate targets for delivery of the project.
The Commissioner
for Information Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke who disclosed this yesterday while
briefing Government House correspondents on the outcome of an
emergency Executive Council Meeting in Port Harcourt, said the
Executive Committee is headed by the State Attorney General and
Commissioner for Justice, Ken Chikere.
Mr. Nwuke said it
has become necessary as a responsible government to dialogue
directly with the contractor handling the project to appreciate the
challenges confronting the contractor in the execution of the job.
According to him,
"Rivers people and indeed the government want to know exactly when
energy would be delivered by the contractor handling the power
project because the state government has in the past eight years put
a lot of efforts in generating power and not too many people in the
state are satisfied with the pace of work achieved so far".
Council, Mr. Nwuke
said, expressed satisfaction with the quality of job but the pace of
work has not matched the expectations of the people, noting that the
process of accountability must be strictly followed to justify
Government expenditure.
"We would monitor
the activities of all those who are working for the people of Rivers
State and Government would not toil with the idea of constantly
evaluating the process by which services are being rendered", Mr.
Nwuke said.
New Look Rivers By End Of Year ~Amaechi ….Goes On Project Inspection
Rivers State
Capital, Port Harcourt and its environs are to wear a new look
before the end of this year, as a number of on-going development
projects are to be completed across the state before then.
The State
Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi made the assertion while speaking
to newsmen at Buguma, during an unscheduled inspection tour of some
ongoing projects in the state.
Governor Amaechi
who observed that some of the contractors are doing well, while some
are not, said based on promises made by the contractors, at least
the 250 new Model Primary Schools, and about 80 of the Primary
Health Centres across the state would be completed between March and
April this year.
The governor
charged contractors to ensure that all projects are completed before
the end of June, and expressed worry that the rainy season was
already setting in and may truncate the spate of development if the
pace of work is not quickened.
Inspecting the
Niger Hospital project site earlier in the Diobu axis, the State
Chief Executive directed that more of the properties around the
hospital be acquired to create enough packing space for the
RSG Plans Tax On Social
Services
Rivers State
Government says it is contemplating introducing a tax law that would
make it mandatory for people, including companies, to contribute to
the development of the social sector.
Governor Chibuike
Rotimi Amaechi disclosed this when the Minister of Health, Prof
Babatunde Osotimehin paid him a courtesy visit at Government House,
Port Harcourt.
Governor Amaechi
explained that the social services insurance law, which would make
everyone to contribute to the funding of the social sector like
Education and Health, is to provide for a management Board of
Trustees.
"Let me reassure
the people that when the law is operational, government would not be
involved in the management of the tax funds because it would be
collected and paid into a Board of Trustees' account", Governor
Amaechi explained.
He stated that
whatever gap that would exist from the tax receipts would be
complemented by the state and local government in the case of
Education and Health respectively.
Governor Amaechi
noted that although the State Government has built health
institutions, it takes more than structures to administer and
provide a sustainable healthcare to people, and called on the people
to take issues of their personal health seriously.
According to him,
"it has never occurred to me, until I spoke with you, that there
could be a management system where the local government, the state
and the community can be involved, I only looked at that as it
concerns the education sector and not the health sector".
The State Chief
Executive explained that the state government is being guided by the
fact that in the past similar efforts were mismanaged and structures
allowed to rot away, emphasizing that the present effort, which cost
millions of naira to build, would be safeguarded.
The governor
explained that the target is to provide a sustainable healthcare
delivery system that can outlive the present administration, adding
that it is for this reason that the state government was
contemplating a social insurance law that would involve private
individuals to contribute in funding social sectors like Education
and Health.
The governor
thanked the Health Minister for finding time to visit the state and
to share his expert knowledge with government on the health
programmes of the state put in place for the people.
Earlier, the
Minister of Health, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin had assured of his
ministry's readiness to partner with the Rivers State Government in
its effort to rejuvenate the health sector in the state.
The Health
Minister, who said he had visited several health institutions under
construction and those already completed in the state, commended
Governor Amaechi for his dynamic leadership in trying to leave a
legacy for future generations.
He stated that the
focus of the Rivers State Government is worthy of emulation by all
leaders in the country because of what the governor has been able to
achieve within the short period he had been in office pointing out
that "whatever we can achieve within the period that we have
opportunity to serve our people we should so do".
Prof. Osotimehim
said he was impressed with the state government's concern for
sustainable development, stressing that unlike most politicians,
Governor Amaechi is building structures and laying a foundation for
the sustenance of the system.
"It is important
that we ensure that physical space is expanded and sustained, we
ensure that we mobilize people to access facilities, we educate
people about their rights and we involve the communities in the
healthcare delivery system", Prof Osotimehim said.
He thanked the
governor for the warm reception accorded him and members of his
entourage, promising that whatever assistance that is required to
achieve the objectives and vision of the Rivers State Government
would be provided from the Federal Ministry of Health.
RSG'II Raise PH
Int’l Airport ~Ikuru
Determined to
provide maximum comfort and safety to air travelers, the Rivers
State Government has reiterated its preparedness to expend resources
in transforming the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa to a
world-class.
The State Deputy
Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, disclosed this when the Federal
Government delegation on the 2008 Christian Pilgrimage to Israel,
led by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, visited
him at Government House, Port Harcourt.
He lamented that
although the airport was picking up gradually, a situation whereby
huge amount of money had been expended without commensurate benefits
remains unacceptable to the people of the state.
Engr. Ikuru, who
represented Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, however, expressed joy
that the airport has resumed normal activities after it shut down
for several months, saying “it was saddening that we spent billions
on the airport and have not had positive impression”.
Disclosing that
the state government was sponsoring about 2,500 pilgrims in the
current exercise, the Deputy Governor explained that 'the aim is to
bring the people ors of Christ”.
closer to God and
make them ambassadors of Christ”.
“We will continue
to send our people to the holy land because it will make us have
good people in the society and good people make a good family,” he
stressed and thanked the Federal Government for considering the
state as an exit point for pilgrims, adding that the gesture will
further draw the attention of the Federal Government to the plight
of the airport.
Earlier, the
leader of the delegation, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike
Ekweremadu, had said they were in the state airlift of pilgrims as
well as interact with them.
to ascertain the
condition of the Port Harcourt International Airport towards the
airlift of pilgrims as well as interact with them.
Senator Ekweremadu
decried the attitude of pilgrims who abscond during pilgrimage,
pointing out that the Federal Government had made all necessary
arrangements for a hitch-free airlift of pilgrims to the holy land
and called on states sponsoring pilgrims to join hands with the
Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission in formulating policies that
would check abscondment.
Sen. Mamorah
Hails Amaechi Over Initiatives
Senate Deputy
Minority Leader, Olorumimbe Mamorah has expressed satisfaction with
the developmental efforts of the Rivers State Government to change
the face of the state.
Senator Mamorah
who accompanied the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
during an inspection tour of ongoing projects in the state capital
and its environs, gave the impression in an interview with
Government House correspondents in Port Harcourt.
The Senate Deputy
Minority Leader said he was particularly impressed with the road
projects which he described as critical to the socio-economic
well-being of the people and the health facilities, given his
background as a medical doctor.
He urged Rivers
people to look forward to a new Rivers State where the availability
of needed infrastructure will promote healthy living, and pointed
out that there is no doubt that the state would be transformed
before Governor Amaechi completes his tenure.
"I was privileged
to go round with Governor Amaechi and I have seen what he is doing,
I am impressed with his actions", he said. governor and his cabinet
for the good job they are doing, while imploring them not to relent
as residents of the state were looking up to them for quality
service delivery which they had already began.
The inspection
tour which was aimed at ensuring compliance with the deadline given
to contractors handling various state government development
projects took Governor Amaechi and his entourage to a number of
project sites in Trans Amadi, Rumuogba, Aba Raod, Eliozu, New
Airport Road and Diobu among others.
Over 150
Roads Under Construction In Rivers
As part of
measures aimed at expanding Infrastructural Development to all parts
of the state, the Rivers State Government says it has embarked on
the construction of over 150 roads across the state.
Governor Chibuike
Rotimi Amaechi made this known while speaking at the Thanksgiving
Service in honour of Prof. Nimi Brigs at Our Saviour's Chapel,
Interdenominational, University of Port Harcourt.
Governor Amaechi
explained that the number of road projects was a direct consequence
of increased Federal allocation accruing to the state, noting that
as the funds are properly utilized, the people would be the ultimate
beneficiaries.
He disclosed that
as a matter of policy, the government insisted that every contractor
handling its project must set aside 20 percent of his contract sum
to Rivers indigenes, not as tax, but as an amount meant for the
supply of latrites, cements, rods and sands etc, which must be
awarded to indigenes, remarking that Rivers people are not ready to
access the fund but prefer quick cash.
The State Chief
Executive also lamented that the N2billion Micro-Finance loan scheme
for the people are not being properly utilized by Rivers people
while the Skye Bank Transport Scheme in partnership with the state
government has equally not attractedenough indigenes' interest.
The Governor said
the people of the state, especially the youths, need value
re-orientation to change their attitude, pointing out that he would
prefer to invest in the provision of infrastructure than to give
individuals money.
"Please our dear
Pastors pray for us, we need God in this State. We need total value
re-orientation we need to change from given us cash to working for
cash", Governor Amaechi declared.
Governor Amaechi
called on Rivers people to work together to stop kidnapping in the
state because of its negative effect on the society, emphasizing
that the present administration is determined to make a difference
in the governance of the state.
He urged the
people to be patient with the state government to enable the
government deliver on its promises, adding that the urban renewal
programme was to restore the beauty of Port Harcourt and solicited
for understanding.
In his sermon, the
Anglican Bishop of the Niger Delta North Diocese Rt. Rev. Ignatius
Kattey thanked God for sparing the life of Prof. Nimi Briggs, noting
that every one on earth has a unique purpose to accomplish.
Bishop Kattey said
Christians owe gratitude to God for their lives and therefore need
to serve Him in spirit and in truth and commended Prof. Briggs for
his interest in God's work.
Responding, Prof.
Nimi Briggs said the Thanksgiving Service was organized for three
reasons mainly to mark his 65th birthday, retirement from service of
the University of Port Harcourt and to mark his survival in the
hands of his abductors which occurred in December 2007.
Niger Delta
Situation Is Overblown ...UN Assistant Secretary General
The United Nations
Assistant Secretary General Dr.Carles Lopse has said that the
situation in the Niger Delta area is being blown out of proportion
to scare away visitors to the region.
Dr. Lopse who is
also the Executive Director of UNITAR made this observation in an
interview with Government House Correspondents, shortly after a
closed door meeting with the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon.
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, at the Brick House in Port Harcourt.
"I think it is
important for us to separate speculation from fact, we are on ground
in the Niger Delta, so we know exactly what is going on here. There
is a lot of rumour about the area but there is also something that
need to be taken care of", Dr. Lopse said.
He opined that
there is the need to transmit the right image about the Niger Delta
region, emphasizing that "there is an image problem which needs to
be managed and once it is handled, people would realize that the
government is committed to the transformation of the area".
On the issue of
scary travel advice issued to foreigners by their home offices, the
UN Assistant Secretary General explained that despite the security
challenges in the region, its offices in Port Harcourt are
functional, because they have assessed the situation and identified
areas that are dangerous, but not to exaggerate the situation and
lump the entire area together as no go areas.
According to him,
"a lot of people live was chosen as base for its operations. here,
and they do not encounter any banditry or any security problem
different from what they would find in many other countries, and
different parts of Nigeria", pointing out that the United Nations'
office is in Port Harcourt which was chosen as base for its
operations.
The UNITAR
Executive Director said he had useful discussions with the state
Governor in terms of its work with stakeholders for capacity
training and development of communities, and expressed satisfaction
with the level of progress being recorded so far.
He affirmed the
excellent working relationship existing between his organization and
the South-South States, especially Rivers State , and expressed hope
that the collaborative effort would continue to be strengthened in
the years ahead to achieve set objectives.
Oil Sector:
South-South Govs Condemn Lopsided Appointments
By Wilson
Uchendu
Elders of
South-South under the auspices of South-South Economic Development
Forum has condemned in its entirety the lopsided appointments in the
oil/gas and energy sectors at the Federal Level of government.
The condemnation
came at a meeting which was held at Brick House, Port Harcourt was
well attended by all Governors in the South-South, Senators, of
Houses of Assembly, established Leaders and Elder Statesmen from the
zone. and Members of House of Representatives from the zone,
Speakers of Houses of Assembly, established Leaders and Elder
Statesmen from the zone.
In a statement at
the end of the meeting the Chairman of the Forum, Senator Liyel
Imoke called for unity and cooperation in the zone. Senator Imoke
said: "We call for regional cooperation and unity towards ensuring
our common strategic development objectives. We denounce all forms
of militancy and criminal activity in the region. We call on our
youths to lay down their arms and allow for peace and development in
the region.
The Forum equally
rejected the recent appointments in the oil and gas sector
particularly those in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC
which neglects the principle of Federal character.
The statement said
"We condemn the recent appointments in the oil/gas and energy
sectors at federal level and call on the Federal Government to
revisit these appointments and ensure equitable representation from
the zone".
Page 6
From the State
PDP
Chieftain Murdered In Cold Blood ABIA State
Stories
byPaschal Agbada & Wilson Uchendu
A Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) top notcher in Abia State, Chief Rex Ebo who
hails from Aforugiri, Umuahia North Local Government has been
brutally murdered in cold blood by yet to be identified gunmen
suspected to be hired-assassins.
Chief Ebo, a
politician in the camp of Chief Onyema Ugochukwu and a father of
four who has business interests in the United States as a hospital
equipment supplier was savagely gunned down in front of the railway
station, near Abia State NUJ Secretariat. After shooting the
politician, the killers drove away in his red coloured Toyota Jeep.
Chief Ebo, 55
was said to have been around since 2007 election having participated
actively in the said election but was equally said to be visiting
his family who are in the United States from where sometimes he runs
his business.
Abia State
Police Command is currently investigating the matter and will come
up with revelations on the murder when it must have concluded
investigation.
NBA Calls
for Iwu's removal Osun State
A vote of no
confidence has been passed on the Chairman of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu by the
Nigeria Bar Association (NBA). The statement noted that regarding
the forth-coming re-run election in Ekiti State, the ‘unpredictable
Chairman of INEC’ should not be allowed to conduct the elections as
they are convinced he would not permit a level playing ground.
At the end of
its National Executive Committee meeting, in Oshogbo Osun State the
association in a communiqué vehemently called for the immediate
suspension or outright removal of the incumbent INEC chairman citing
the embarrassing misconduct of the April 2007 general elections as
their reason.
The communiqué
signed by the National Publicity Secretary Mr. Murtala Abdul
Rasheed, equally counseled Justices of the Appeal Court to resist
the urge to deliver controversial judgments.
The National
Executive Committee of NBA also rejected the proposed registration
of the body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria with the Corporate
Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja.
They stressed
that holders of Senior Advocates of Nigeria were already enjoying
some privileges within the profession.
The apex
lawyers' body in the land frowned at the flexing of muscles between
the two chambers of the National Assembly stating that such would
not augur well for the country.
Quoting the
communiqué… “the National Executive Committee of the NBA regrets the
shameless power tussle between the two chambers of the National
Assembly and their insensitivity to the desire of Nigerians for a
people-oriented constitution.
Nigerian
Navy Rescues Hostages FCT Abuja
Two Russian
hostages-Mr. Sergey Zamotaylov and Konstatin Aksenov who were
abducted last year on the 20th of December 2008 at the Aluminum
Smelter Company (ALSCON), Eket, Akwa-Ibom State were handed over to
the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Alexander Polyakov by the
Federal Government.
The Nigerian
Navy Patrol team on a routine patrol mission along the Bonny River
rescued the hostages as they tried to swim away from their captors.
In handing over
the hostages, the Minister of Defence, Dr. Shettima Mustapha highly
commended the gallant efforts of the men of the Nigerian Navy, the
Commandant and members of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF).
Continuing, the
Minister assured the Ambassador of Nigeria's determination to make
the Niger-Delta a haven for investors by curbing the activities of
militants in the region.
The minister
regretted the suffering the hostages may have undergone in the hands
of their abductors saying it was 'a sad event' and stated further…
“this handing over is a reflection of a sad event. A report came to
me that some Russians were kidnapped in the Niger Delta area for
sometime, but fortunately we thank God Almighty that the Nigerian
Navy rescued the victims of that kidnap.
The event has
caused distrust in the world, it has been widely published.
“I want to
express my concern about the sufferings they have gone through, that
was not intended and I also want to commend the JTF commanders,
members of the JTF, the Nigerian Navy including the civilians who
have in one way or the other contributed to the rescue of these our
brothers who are sitting right here with us”, he stated.
Bayelsa NUT
Goes On Strike BAYELSA State
The Nigeria
Union of Teachers, Bayelsa Chapter has embarked on an in indefinite
strike to agitate the non-implementation of the Teachers Salary
Structure, TSS by the state government.
The angry
teachers had already given a two-week ultimatum to the state
governor, Chief Timipre Sylva to implement TSS or face the music by
the teachers.
In a statement
jointly issued by the state Chairman of NUT, Comrade Alabo Erewari
and the Principal Secretary, Comrade Clinton Ikpitibo the NUT
scribes instructed the principals of Basic Junior Secondary Schools,
Senior Secondary Schools and head teachers of Primary Schools to
comply with the directives of total closure of schools until further
notice. “All teachers of the above-mentioned schools are obliged to
ensure strict compliance with the above resolution until otherwise
directed' the NUT scribes stated in a statement.
However, in her
reaction to the strike action embarked by the NUT, the Commissioner
for Education, Mrs. Josephine Ezonbodo described the strike as an
act of sabotage and an irresponsible way of resolving disputes more
so at this worrisome situation of global economic crisis. “This is a
period of economic meltdown, it is very wrong for them to go on
strike now” she stated.
Collapsed
LAUTECH Hospital Buries 5 Alive Oyo State
The
multi-million naira Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
Teaching Hospital, LAUTECH, Ogbomosho has collapsed while still
under-going construction.
The collapsed
portion of the Hospital according to sources who spoke to Beam was
the pharmacy segment of the gigantic hospital.
The Beam
equally gathered that no fewer than five casual workers on site
during construction were feared buried in the rubbles of the
collapsed building.
Men of the
National Emergency Agency, NEMA, the police, and Federal Road Safety
Commission FRSC were seen at the site of the collapsed building
helping in the rescue of corpses of victims and probably rescue
victims who are still alive but buried inside the rubbles.
The hospital
collapsed when the slab on the forth floor of the building suddenly
cracked and fell on the third floor thereby trapping the casual
workers who are about to close work for the day.
In his
statement concerning the collapsed building, the state Director of
Fire Services, Mr. Oladipo Gbolagade who led his command to the told
newsmen that his men could not do much due to inadequate equipment
scene but reiterated that they responded quickly to the distress
call.
The cause of
the collapsed building is yet to be ascertained as at press time.
Stay Away
From My Government ~Obi Tells Ngige
The incumbent
governor of Anambra State Mr. Peter Obi and his immediate
predecessor Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige are at each others jugular.
This is sequel to an inspection tour of on-going projects in the
state embarked upon by the former governor regarding projects which
according to our source he (Ngige) had initiated while in office.
In a press
release in Awka, Obi's Special Adviser on Communications, Mr. Chuks
Iloegbunam had warned Ngige to steer clear of acts capable of
setting the state ablaze and into chaos. He noted that Ngige's
“desperation politics”, as he called it has no justification.
On Friday,
along Enugu-Onitsha express way, in Akwa to be precise, Ngige had
stopped to inspect a pedestrian bridge which he had initiated and
which was being rounded off in the present dispensation under Obi.
Our source
remarked that while Ngige was carrying on his inspection, a mammoth
crowd gathered besieging the arena and this caused a lot of traffic
build up.
Mr. Chuks in
his statement remarked that… “the Anambra State Government takes
exception to the meddlesome attitude of Dr. Chris Ngige in the
matter of projects being carried out by the Peter Obi
administration.
“Each time
Governor Obi registers an achievement, Dr. Ngige will claim that it
is his. There are several examples to give. When this administration
secured accreditation for the Onitsha General Hospital, Ngige rushed
to the media to claim credit.
“Only this
morning, Dr. Ngige besieged the Unizik Temporary Site where Gov. Obi
is constructing a fly-over to put a stop to all the accidents
happening as a result of pedestrians crossing the Enugu-Onitsha
Expressway at ground level.
“Dr. Ngige is
not the only one who has run the affairs of a Nigerian State,
whether legally or illegally. Why he goes about meddling in the work
of a constitutionally elected government beats our imagination. He
is warned to desist and cease.
The politics of
old which landed the country in a mess no longer has a place in
today's Nigeria.
There is hardly
any justification for desperation politics”.
On the flip
side, Ngige spoke to newsmen in Akwa and pointed out that though it
is good completing the projects instead of abandoning them, noted
that the people know who actually awarded contracts of the
pedestrian bridges in Akwa, Nkpor and Onitsha respectively,
including Arthur Eze Avenue. He stressed that while in office, his
administration had paid RCC-Reynolds Construction Company 50 percent
of the total contract sum the same day the contracts were awarded.
Quoting Ngige…
“they are deceiving themselves and they should stop rich propaganda,
I am a bonafide citizen of the state and also a stakeholder in
Anambra State.
“I have every
right to stop and look at the projects going on in my state, and
more over, I initiated it and started it but anybody can take
whatever glory, I don't care but the people of the state can tell
the story better”, he said.
Investigations
by Beam Checks revealed that the said contracts were actually
awarded in 2005 by the Ngige regime but because of the termination
of his dispensation via a court order, the Obi administration
inherited them and is gradually competing them.
11,000
Workers To Go. Cross River
News reaching
Beam Checks is indicative to the fact that the Cross Rivers State
government may very likely drop not less than 11,000 workers from
its work force between this year and 2012.
The present
workforce in the state is put at 2,000.
The Head of
Service Mrs. Mary Olayi intimated journalists with this fact in
Calabar recently that… “we have since initiated the following
implementation strategies to ensure that between this year and 2012,
the number of public servants lacking necessary skills for excellent
service delivery is reduced by at least half.
Mrs. Olayi
stressed that the standardization of the norminal roll is currently
going on and that there is the … “conduct of personnel audit to
determine staff strength and eliminate ghost workers”.
Page 7
News
Atiku Revives
PDM Ahead Of 2011 Elections
By Paschal
Agbada
The former number
two citizen during Obasanjo's administration Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
has clandestinely started repackaging himself ahead 2011
presidential elections.
This is sequel to
his having injected new life and vibrancy into the Peoples
Democratic Movement (PDM) a political platform of the late General
Shehu Musa Yar'Adua and from which the former Vice President rose
to become prominent in Nigerians political chess board.
Part of this grand
strategy had started with his much talked about visit and
re-unification with his former boss after the former paid Obasanjo
an unscheduled visit in his country home in Abeokuta. Since the
visit, the soft spoken Atiku has been ubiquitous, attending very
many high profile events in the country and making statements that
clearly depict his hidden intentions.
The suggestions
and permutations from the former Vice-President camp seem to give
credence to the rumour that the re-engineering and the buoying of
the PDM has a lot to do with the Turaki Adamawa coming back full
circle into politics as the presidential seat remains his main
allure.
Still coming from
his camp is the fact that a possible return to PDP which he
co-founded is in the threshold.
PDP top notchers
who by dint of their political affiliations are strong supporters of
Atiku revealed to Beam Checks that series of meetings have been
going on between them and the former Vice President.
Also, in almost
every geo-political zone, Atiku has kept a tag on his PDM faithfuls
to get them fully prepared for the rigorous challenges ahead.
Towards his coming
back, the former Vice-President is said to have held top flight
talks with former governors like Chief Lucky Igbinedion of Edo
State, Donald Duke, former Cross River State Governor, Former
Bayelsa Governor, Chief Dieprieye Alamieyeseiyha, James Ibori,
former Governor of Delta State and others. Mallam Garba Shehu,
media consultant to Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, when contacted gave
confirmation to the above mentioned developments and also intimated
of the revival of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM)
He said, “We won't
deny that the PDM has been meeting. It should be known however, that
the membership in the recent years has moved in several directions.
Some are in AC,
some in PDP, why some are in All Nigerians Peoples Party (ANPP).
UN Envoy And
Akunyili In Verbal Fisticuffs
By Wilson
Uchendu
The ongoing
rebranding of Nigerias image by the Federal Ministry of Information
and Communications has taken a fierce and resolute dimension with
the substantive Minister, Prof Dora Akunyili engaging the visiting
United Nations International Childrens' Education Fund, UNICEF, Dr
Suomi Sakai in a verbal fight over the unpalatable statistics given
to Nigeria in the 2009 State of the World's Children Report.
The Minister
lamented that UNICEF still uses the figures of 2003 to assess
Nigeria in this 2009. The report of the UNICEF states that on
maternal mortality ratio, the worrisome figure of 1,100 maternal
deaths per 100,000 was adduced and this means that for every nine
live births, one maternal death was recorded.
Also on child
mortality, UNICEF reported that for every 1,000 births in Nigeria,
there are 180 deaths which means that one death out of every five
births were recorded in Nigeria.
On the exclusive
breast feeding statistics, the report says that Nigerias status is
17% for 2009 which translates to an increase from 11.7% in 2007.
Over these
worrisome figures, Akunyili unleashed her venom when the UNICEF
Representative to Nigeria, Dr Sakai paid her a courtesy visit that
turned out to be a shouting match between the visitor and the host.
The war of words heightened even as the UNICEF envoy insisted on the
correctness of those figures.
Akunyili said, “We
are not going to put ourselves down just because we want to get
grants. I should appeal to those people who wish to publish
controversial figures against the country just to attract fund to
have a rethink.
In this era of
rebranding, Nigeria is no longer going to accept that and enough is
enough. If we get that kind of unacceptable figures again, we are
going to send independent researchers to field and use their figures
to contradict that”.
As if that was not
enough, Akunyili went on, “those figures should be reviewed. Last
year when I complained of 2008 figure, I was told it was 2003/2004
statistics and it is very wrong that we are using 2003 data in
2009”.
The Minister
equally hosted the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sheriff
Naguib who paid her a courtesy visit at her office in Abuja.
Mr. Naguib
pledged the support of his country towards the rebranding efforts
of the Federal Government.
The Egyptian
Ambassador said “ I found a different thing when I arrived Nigeria.
I found the spirit of brotherhood. In her speech, Prof Akunyili
called on other embassies in Nigeria to rally round the truth and
present the actual facts about Nigeria to the outside world.
Rivers People
Call For Scrapping Of NAPEP
By Okechukwu
Geoffrey
Following the
recent vote of no confidence passed on the Magnus Kpakol-led
National Poverty Eradication Programme NAPEP by the Senate, the good
people of Rivers State have called for the immediate scrapping of
the body since according to them NAPEP has not made any reasonable
impact since its establishment several years ago (especially in
Rivers State).
Describing NAPEP
as a huge failure the people say poverty has taken over every nook
and cranny of the country stressing that Magnus Kpakol and his
allies have done nothing to assuage hunger and unemployment ravaging
the land and wondered why such a body should be allowed to stay.
Some of the youths
in an interview with our Port Harcourt correspondent (Okechukwu
Geoffrey), condemned the establishment of NAPEP stating that poverty
is rather in the increase in Rivers State and the country at large
tasking the Yar'Adua-led government to look for an alternative
rather than rely on a faceless body such as NAPEP which they
described as Obasanjo's brainchild.
Even in Ogoni land
where the NAPEP boss come from, beam gathered that they are
suffering untold hardship occasioned by abject poverty.
According to them
Kpakol should visit home and see the high level of suffering in the
land and not to make Abuja a permanent abode.
How will NAPEP
make a difference “when its actors have comfortable homes for
themselves and their families in the nation's capital city” they
asked?
The people
challenged NAPEP to name any reasonable project it has executed in
the state apart from the 'Keke' NAPEP which they said did not help
out in any away as it also charged the same amount as taxis and
buses in the state.
It might interest
our esteemed readers to know that few days ago the Senate passed a
vote of no confidence on the Magnus Kpakol-led National Poverty
Eradication Programme as according to the nation's upper chamber
NAPEP has failed the country.
Meanwhile, the
NAPEP boss has described the action of the Senate as improper as it
was aimed at given the dog a bad name in order to hang it.
In the meantime
the NAPEP Co-ordinator in Rivers State Dr. Innocent Barikor has
described poor funding as responsible for the body's inability to
actualize its lofty dreams.
RSG Sacks
Education Secretaries
The Rivers State
Government has relieved all Education Secretaries from the 23 Local
Government Areas of their appointment.
The State
Commissioner for Information, Mr Ogbonna Nwuke disclosed this today
while briefing Government House correspondents on the outcome of the
State Executive Council meeting in Port Harcourt . Mr Nwuke
explained that henceforth local government council Chairmen are to
liaise directly with the Ministry of Education on matters relating
to the payment of teachers salaries and other issues that affect
teachers in all local government council areas.
Similarly, the
Information Commissioner said Exco expressed dissatisfaction that up
till now some civil servants have not been paid their salaries since
the commencement of the automated salary payment system, stressing
that council has directed that all necessary steps be taken to
ensure that civil servant that those affected are properly
identified and paid without further delay.
Mr Nwuke said all
Ministries have been directed, through their Commissioners to
compile names of all staff who are yet to be paid salaries for
urgent attention so as to save the workers from unnecessary
hardship.
According to the
Commissioner, council equally commended the security agencies for
responding to the security challenges facing the state and advised
the people to give relevant information to the security operatives
to enable them apprehend criminals.
He explained that
the State Government is presently focusing attention on five key
areas of infrastructural development which includes Education, Power
Supply, Health, Road Construction and provision of water supply in
Port Harcourt .
Mr Nwuke said
efforts have been stepped up to provide potable water in Port
Harcourt, as consultants engaged by the state government were
already working, noting that the sum of N4 billion has been set
aside for that purpose.
He also hinted
that Exco commended the Ministry of Urban Development over its
effort in the urban renewal programme, particularly the work it has
done at the Njamanze axis of Port Harcourt and promised that
attention would also be focused on the removal of debris in the
coming days.
Similarly, Exco,
the Commissioner disclosed approved the citing of the Women and
Children's Hospital at Elelenwo, in the Obio/Akpor Local Government
Area.
He said council
equally lauded the people of the state for their understanding and
cooperation, especially in the demolition of structures to give room
for developmental projects, which are aimed at restoring the Garden
City status of Port Harcourt .
Politics Not
About Killings ~Tenor
By Okechukwu
Geoffrey
A popular musician
in Nigeria and the Niger Delta region in particular Poet Morris
Tenor has said that politics is not about killing and putting
innocent people in trouble but carrying the people along in the
scheme of things.
He stated this why
answering questions from newsmen. He mentioned that some persons
have seen the game as an opportunity to not only kill and silence
their enemies but an avenue to also cheat and relegate the people to
the background and said that for the country to move forward
politicians must shun greed, avarice, humiliations, killing and
kidnapping of innocent people in the name of money and quest for
power.
He recalled how
several occasions greedy and selfish politicians in Omagwa land (his
home town) have scuttled his noble dreams for the people whom he
said have suffered untold hardship over the years.
Amongst his
contributions was the setting up of a vigilante group to cushion the
indiscriminate killing of innocent citizens in the area but said it
was sabotaged by the so called politicians who used cult boys to
unleash mayhem on the community.
He specifically
fingered one Samuel Nwanosike (alias Isi) as arrow head.
Rather than engage
in programs that will help move the area forward what he does the
Poet said was to victimize people unnecessarily.
He recalled how
the former councilor (Samuel Nwanosike) wrote false petition against
him alleging that he (Morris Tenor) was responsible for the kidnap
of the white men working at Omagwa/Ozuaha road but all to no avail
as he could not come before the elders and chiefs to defend the said
petition.
The Ikwerre born
musician who described Samuel Nwanosike as “not my equal” said he
would continue to do his best for the people as no amount of false
allegation from the Isi camp will deter his effort.
He also recalled
how he was tortured by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) following
allegations against him by the same group but said he was justified
at the end of the day amidst pop and pageantries by the people.
“Omagwa land will
continue to see me through so far as I mean well for the land” the
music icon concluded.
Maritime
Workers Barricade Company
By Joe Kalu
Industrial
crisis looms in the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria,
Shipping/Courier Branch in Rivers State, over the recalcitrant
attitude of the management of two companies Murphy Shipping and
Commercial Services Ltd and Ideki Shipping Ltd which are based in
Trans-Amadi Industrial layout, Port Harcourt towards the desire of
their workers to be unionized to enable them negotiate for an
improved welfare and extract commensurate responsibility and
commitment from the workers to their employers.
Having
exhausted their patience, the Union leaders in conjunction with the
Nigeria Labour Congress NLC decided to picket the Murphy Company for
over one week running which has adversely affected its tenants-Hull
Blyth Nig.Ltd.
When our
reporter visited the Murphy Co, the union leaders and workers were
seen singing and dancing to their drum beats in front of the
company's gate vowing not to relent until their request is met.
Some of the
placards read. “Deduct and Remit our Check-off Dues”, “the union has
come to stay, no going back”, “We the Junior staff say we are all
members of the Maritime Workers Union”.
Speaking with
newsmen at the gate, the NLC Chairman Comrade Chris Oruge said the
picketing was labour's last resort to bring employers to a
negotiating table.
The Chairman
who was represented by his Special Assistant Comrade Morrison
Otaiyah regretted that the Murphy Management had allowed the
situation to degenerate to the level they were.
He recalled how
the management had reneged in the agreement reached on plans to
unionized the workers with its attendants benefits.
“We met
severally, disclosed and management fears were allayed but
surprisingly it reneged on its promise”.
Also speaking
state Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria,
Shipping/Courier Branch Comrade Ikenna Ajoku urged the Murphy
Company Management to comply with agreements reached last year on
the issue and stop threatening the workers with retrenchment.
He also
disclosed that the NLC had during the negotiation asked the Murphy
management to deduct 2% of the workers salary and pay into the union
account as check-off dues instead of the propaganda it is carrying
that NLC demanded for 10% of the workers salary.
Most of the
Management staff disappeared as soon as the action began and those
who were later sighted refused to talk on the matter.
One Mr. Sanusi
and Mrs. Adiele, the Lagos and Rivers State Human Resources Managers
refused either to touch the matter even with a long spoon when
contacted on phone.
A lady who was
identified as the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Hull Blyth Nig.
Ltd, tenant to Murphy Company was seen under the scorching sun
outside the gate making some phone calls and when she was approached
she lamented: “You people are journalists go and find out from them
why we should suffer their fate, adding it is only in this country
that all these can happen”.
Similarly the
Ideki Shipping Ltd. Management has also reneged in the agreement
reached to allow its workers unionized.
In order to
calm the pressure down the CEO, a former labour party guber
candidate in Enugu State in the last general election not only
invited the police alleging threat to kidnap him but had the two
point men Messrs James Ikoja and Emeka Ikpe, Chairman and Secretary
respectively transferred to Lagos and Abuja without their transfer
allowances as punitive measures.
When our
reporter visited the company one Nonso who claimed to be the
personal Assistance to the managing Director said his master was
away on business trip but volunteered to give an insight into the
lingering crisis.
He said it was
wrong for one or two driver in a company dragging all other workers
in the National Union of Road Transport Workers in a demonstration.
The company
does the job of providing logistic to oil companies.
Oginigba Eze
Odum Holds Thanksgiving Service Soon
By Paschal
Agbada
The Oginigba
Chieftaincy stool that had pitched contenders at each others throat
has finally been settled.
This was made
possible through a high court proceeding that gave a ruling last
year regarding who should occupy the post.
In appreciation
of God's mercies therefore on him through granting him victory in a
Port Harcourt High Court last June over the Oginigba Chieftaincy
stool, the Igwu-Igwu-Oha I, paramount ruler-Nye-Nweli I of Oginigba
community in Evo Kingdom, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers
State, HRH Eze (Amb) Dr. G.B. Odum JP. is right now set to hold a
thanksgiving service cum reception for that singular victory.
March 1,st 2009
has been marked as the d-day for the occasion at St. Jude's Anglican
Church Deanary Oginigba, by 9.am.prompt.
A statement
from the Palace, signed by the Palace secretary, who is also
chairman of the organizing committee, chief Rowland Odum, and made
available to the press, states that all arrangements have been
concluded and that a lot of traditional rulers, top politicians,
corporate organizations and business magnets from within the state
and beyond have been invited to grace the event, as the Executive
Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, Hon Prince Timothy Nsirim JP, will be
the chairman of the occasion.
The release
further added that the Bishop of the Niger Delta North Diocese,
Anglican Communion, RT. Rev. Ignatius C.O. Kattey JP, will be the
host, while Canon Dr. B. Onu, Rector, St. Jude's Anglican Church
Oginigba, is the Co-host, while it urged the entire public to
attend.
Meanwhile, the
Oginigba Community has started wearing a new look in readiness to
the Thanksgiving Service and Reception of their King.
Odili Aide
Against Amnesty to Militants
By Pascal
Agbada
Mr. Lamb-Caleb
Fubara, Special Projects aide to former Governor Peter Odili
lampooned those he felt were touting the notion of granting amnesty
to sworn militants.
He noted that
even if any form of amnesty in the N'Delta was to be granted now
that it cannot be in the Rivers State because of the trauma they
have caused the people of the state.
He said “let me
say this, that the moment the government begins to talk amnesty with
any of the armed groups, it should be ready to explain if it is not
for purposes of 2011 election.
“So, I think It
is not about amnesty, it is about government living up to its
constitutional billing of maintaining law and order. In other wards,
those calling for amnesty in this matter are a little unrealistic.
And I don't see the governor considering that option”.
Mr. Lamb noted
that “the whole scenario tends to put a question mark on the
effectiveness of our security agencies even though it is difficult
to put them down out rightly. You will agree with me that this is
one area the governor deserves some kudos even though the challenges
are still very frightening”.
He pointed out
further “the question is who ever gave out this guns, knowing the
price of a gun and the purchasing power of these hoodlums before
2002? Yet the perpetrator of these crimes will point at oil
bunkering as a cover up.
Come to think
of it, where were these bunkerers who later metamorphosed into
cultists and now kidnappers before 2002 in Rivers State'?
Kaduna
Commissioner Manhandles Rivers Journalists
By Ihuoma
Orjinta reporting from KADA 2009.
If not for
early intervention of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tasiu
S.K. members of Rivers State Sports Writers Association (SWAN) led
by Dickson Waremie, the Press Secretary to Rivers State Ministry of
Sports, would have been severely beaten to stupor in the hands of
the thugs hired by Kaduna State Commissioner for Sports, Alhaji
Shehu Adamu, for daring to demand for accreditation of sixteen
members of SWAN from Rivers State branch.
Trouble started
when the list of expected sports journalists from Rivers State was
submitted to Alhaji Adamu, who is in charge of accreditation of
sports writers from all the 36 states of the Federation including
FCT.
But
Commissioner refused to accept it, saying that accreditation was
over.
But only the
previous day, the same Adamu Commissioner for Sports had requested
the list from a member of the group, Mr. Chris Jonah.
When the said
member wanted to submit the list of his group to the Commissioner,
he refused to accept it but rather accepted the Imo State list for
reason best known to him. There and then, Dickson, insisted on
accreditation of Rivers sports writers delegate, demanding to know
the rationale behind rejecting Rivers list and accepting Imo's.
Adamu, pounced
on him and rendered abusive words on Mr. Waremie. This would have
resulted in physical combat if not for the intervention of people
around.
Not knowing
that the members of volunteer guard milling around were his personal
thugs, Waremie was dehumanized kicked and roughly bundled him
towards the media center door. Unable to move him, the police joined
hand, and started hitting and him with clubs and batons, while the
commissioner supervised the dehumanizing action.
The whole team
maltreated him until, ACP Tusia intervened. Waremie was taken to
ABS Police Post and was detained behind the counter for about two
hours.
Efforts to
bring Alhaji Adamu to formerly report any case against Rivers SWAN
proved abortive, as he refused Police invitation and arrogantly
stated that he has no case with Waremie or Rivers SWAN.
After a meeting
with Assistant Inspector General of Police (AGP) Jackson Elekeke,
Waremie was then released, and cautioned against further quarreling.
The issue of
Rivers SWAN's accreditation was not certified till the time of
filing this report.
Also, only 85%
of Rivers SWAN members in Kaduna were issued with identity cards but
without official documentation which has made it impossible for
them to get adequate information about the ongoing fiesta.
Bauchi
Explodes In Sectarian Crisis
By Wilson
Uchendu
Following the
riot and blood letting in Bauchi, President Umaru Musa Yar 'Adau has
ordered the immediate deployment of troops to quell the upheavel.
Beam Checks
gathered that not less than eight people were feared killed in the
riot said to have erupted by the burning of Mosques in Railway and
Makama Wards (Federal Low Cost Area) of the state.
Sources told
the Beam that the General Officer Commanding 3rd Armoured Brigade in
Jos, Gen. Saleh Maina, has reportedly shifted his base to Bauchi in
order to give firm control over the crisis. It was gathered that a
reprisal campaign after sighting a burnt mosque by some Muslim
faithfuls during the Subh prayers led to the riot.
However, the
Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN,while reacting to the crisis,
condemned and described it as shameful and a disgrace to the
governors and other religious leaders in the region.
The spokesman
of CAN in the 19 Northern States and FCT, Rev. Hayab Joseph
expressed disappointment saying that while other people elsewhere
are busy trying to eke out a living, people of the North are busy
destroying lives and properties in the name of religion. He said
“This is sincerely a disappointment, this is a proof of failure on
the part of the governors in the 19 Nothern States and their
leaders”.
Many houses
belonging to Christians and Muslims were burnt during the riot.
However,
Governor Isa Yuguda in his state-wide broadcast and after meeting
with both Christian and Muslim leaders appealed for calm. Yuguda
said: “Anybody trying to use the situation to cause mischief will
regret it”. Immediately after the meeting the state governor, the
Chairman of CAN in state, Bishop Musa Tula and the Chief Imam of
Bauchi, Alhaji Bala Buba Inna called for peace and urged citizens
to be law abiding and apply principles of good neighbourliness
Page 9
News
Don't Ask
Drivers These Documents At Check-Points
By Joe Kalu
In its concerted
effort to ease traffic, the Rivers State Police Command has reacted
to the incessant complaints from motorists that policemen on road
checks usually request to see documents deemed unnecessary.
In a press release
signed by the Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Rita Inoma Abbey
and made available to the press, the exclusive documents includes
ECMR, MOT, Receipt of Purchase of plate number, Police Clearance and
that road worthiness certificate is to be possessed by only
commercial vehicle owners.
The statement said
that police officers and men have been instructed on this and urged
members of the public who encounters such problems at any check
point to contact the authority with the following telephone numbers:
084-236199, 084-234611 and 08073777757.
In another
development, the command informed all police retirees and
next-of-kins of the ongoing verification exercise involving them
which will last till the end of February, 2009.
The affected
officers are to report at the venue daily with underlisted
documents.
Original and
photocopies of pension advice, identity card (for pre-91 officers
only) approved letter of retirement, six (6) colour passport size
photographs and letter of introduction from last command of service.
NUJ Supends
Justice Nwokorie of Fed. High Court Owerri
By Wilson
Uchendu
The process of
sanitizing the Nigerian Judiciary and weeding bad eggs has thickened
with the recent suspension with immediate effect of Justice Chudi
Nwokorie of the Federal High Court, Owerri by the apex regulatory
board, The National Judicial Council, NJC for illegally sitting
aside an election petition that has been concluded by a higher
court, the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt.
In a statement
endorsed by the secretary of NJC, Mallam Danladi Halilu, the judge
was suspended by NJC for overt dereliction of duty and outright
abuse of judicial powers vested on him. Justice Nwokorie was
suspended for setting aside an election petition between Mr. Declan
Emeluwa of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA and Donatus Onugwe
of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in an Imo State House of
Assembly election.
In the said case,
the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt had earlier ordered the
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC in the state to
conduct a re-run into the disputed seats but curiously in a dramatic
twist, Justice Nwokorie who was presiding at the Federal High Court,
Kastina after entertaining hearings from the suit brought by one of
the parties, decided to upturn the judgment of the Appeal Court and
ordered INEC to cancel the proposed re-run indefinitely.
As if that was not
enough, Justice Nwokorie ordered the immediate swearing in of
Donatus Omigwe of the PDP after declaring him winner of the election
and subsequently ordered INEC to issue him with a certificate of
return.
The statement of
the secretary to the NJC suspending the judge read in part: “The
council at its 45th meeting which was held on the 4th and the 5th
February, 2009, found the conduct of Hon. Justice Nwokorie as an
abuse of judicial powers”.
“Consequently, in
the exercise of its powers under the 1999 constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council decided
to suspend him from office until further notice” the NJC secretary's
statement said.
SDA Establishes
Institute Despite Public Outcry
By Our Reporter
The Seventh Day
Church of God Nigeria is going ahead to actualize its dream of
establishing a theology institute in Rivers State as part of efforts
to ensure the training of gospel preachers to enhance evangelism.
The National
president of the Church Pastor Ijeoma T. Ogu made the disclosure on
the occasion of their 60th Annual Conference held at Ohiauga,
Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA recently.
However, the
public received the news with mixed feelings due to the fact that
the secondary schools the church established at Elele in Rivers
State and Owerrinta in Imo State are far from being standard schools
and despite the parents' continuous complaints the school
authorities seems not to border.
For instance some
of them complained “the dormitory is jam packed with students and it
is so dirty that epidemic is imminent there anytime”.
They also
complained that the school authority appears to encourage stealing
and pilfering as offences like that is often waved aside as “a usual
phenomenon in secondary schools”.
Learning equipment
like lockers and uniforms as well as recommended text books which
the school elected to contract out to its Christian members and
which had long been paid for in bulk at the inception of the school
session is yet to reach them two whole terms into the school
calendar.
All these the
aggrieved parents say is inspite of repeated assurance from the
school authority.
The security and
health care delivery they recalled is also nothing to write home
about. The only reaction from the authority we learnt is the
restriction of parents into some areas and monitoring/eavesdropping
on parents/students discussions on visitation days.
At its PTA meeting
last week the Principal Dr. Dave Nyekwere cleverly dodged, tempers
rose especially when the management introduced yet another levy on
the parents for erecting another structure inspite of their lukewarm
attitude to the numerous complaints.
Many parents and
other stakeholders were of the opinion that the S.D.A should
concentrate its efforts of improving the establishments it has
instead of biting more than it can chew as it were.
