Second Vice-President of the Nigeria Statistical Association, Mr Fidelis Adaka, has called on oil companies operating in the Niger Delta to help in developing infrastructure in the area.

Adaka made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba on Sunday.

He said the development of infrastructure in the communities would cushion the effect of long time oil exploitation in the region and better the life of the people.

He said government alone could not provide the basic needs of the oil producing communities such as good roads, pipe borne water, health facilities and electricity.

The vice-chairman of the association said there was need for the companies and government to collaborate in developing the region.

He noted that such collaboration would ensure economic growth and create employment in the region.

Adaka said concentration of social amenities and industries in major cities were at the detriment of the rural areas where a large number of the population resided.

He also warned against youths’ restiveness in the region to avoid driving away foreign investors and noted that security of investment was paramount to investors.

According to him, many foreigners are scared of investing in the region for fear of insecurity.

“It is only when there is peace and security in the region that investors will be willing to come in.

“Conducive environment will attract more industries to the region, thereby creating jobs for the people,’’ he said.

The post Oil firms in Niger Delta enjoined to help in developing infrastructure appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) recorded 68 road traffic accidents between July and September in Delta, the Sector Commander, Mr Imoh Etuk, has said.

Etuk, who made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba on Sunday, said 45 persons were killed in the crashes while 285 others were injured.

The sector commander said a greater number of the crashes was caused by speed limit violation.

He regretted that in spite of massive enlightenment and sensitisation of motorists by the commission, the country had continued to record high rates of road crashes.

He said the command would embark on road safety campaign which would feature rallies, lecture and other events next week.

Etuk warned supporters of politicians in the state to desist from covering car registration number plates with posters of aspirants for elective offices.

He said it was an offence to do so and that henceforth FRSC officials would apprehend offenders and prosecute them.

The post FRSC records 68 road crashes in three months in Delta appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

Justice Theresa Obot of the Akwa Ibom State High Court has said the state government had set up a family court to tackle the increasing cases of child witchcraft in the state.

Obot told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja that the court was created after a commission of enquiry set up to investigate allegations of child witchcraft concluded its assignment.

According to her, the court was set up to prosecute cases and allegations of child witchcraft in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the commission of enquiry was set up in November 2010, following rampant stigmatisation of children in the state for alleged witchcraft.

According to her, priority attention was being given to cases of child witchcraft in the state.

“We in the judiciary lay so much emphasis on the child witchcraft stigmatisation and the courts now make it a point of duty to address those issues.

“So when such cases come in, we try not to limit ourselves to only the punishment of alleged child witch, but also to provide counselling.

“Because in a family court, when a child and the parents have problems, we offer reconciliation,’’ Justice Obot said.

She said “anybody who says a child is a witch or wizard, he or she will be prosecuted, after which they will also receive counselling.

“So, that has helped to reduce incidences of child witchcraft in Akwa Ibom state.

“We are not saying that it is over, but so far the incidence has been reduced to the barest minimum.’’

Justice Obot said the courts also recommend counselling for parents who stigmatised their children after they had been punished.

The post Akwa Ibom raises family court over child witchcraft appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

By Daniel Abia / Snr Correspondent P/Harcourt

Like the gory tale of other oil producing communities in the Niger Delta coastal belt, the pathetic story of Rumuekpe community in the Emohua Local Government area of Rivers State is rather mind rending. Located deep down the mangrove settlement off the busy East-West road, Rumuekpe is comfortably seated amid well-orchestrated green vegetation.

With about eight villages and a population of more than 5,000 (verifiable) people, in that community one can dare say, without sounding immodest, that Rumuekpe is one of the richest communities in Rivers State.

The community has enough preserve of oil and gas, two major natural resources that have changed the development fortunes of countries of the world thereby turning an hitherto desert like Dubai to what it is today and making the entire Middle East the attraction of the entire world, including the United States and United Kingdom.

That oil and gas could transform the desert of the United Arab Emirate to the Dubai of today is because the political visionary leaders of that country were able to plough their resources into where their minds directed and by extension compelled the operating companies on the right thing to do at a given time.

Rumuekpe community can boast of at least more than 300 oil wells. It is a host to such petro-dollar multinational oil companies like Shell, Agip, Elf/Total and the Niger Delta Petroleum Resources (NDPR), all doing active oil businesses in the area and raking in billions of dollars as second ticks away.

In that community, there are such indispensable facilities like manifold, microwave, flow stations and many others littered in Rumuekpe. These are the facilities that spin the billion dollars that the companies make on daily basis.

Unfortunately, access to these facilities or some of them is only through a bush track-tarred road dotted with potholes and ditches. Besides this single narrow pass way, every other access road in some parts of the entire Rumuekpe community is only by bush track already overgrown by grasses.

It is most likely that the youths of the village must have heard about the visit of the national task force (NATFORCE) against the importation of illegal arms, smuggling of foods and vandalisation of pipelines and other offenses, hence they were mobilised to clear the bush track and make it passable at least for that day.

Between 2003 and 2005, Rumuekpe was engrossed in an unprecedented deadly intra communal clash that claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent citizens of the community with many more, including the aged ones, taking refuge in neighboring communities of Rumuji, Ndele and Alimi Elele, among others, to avoid being caught up in a cross fire.

Though the crisis could be traced to a disagreement among the youths of the area, it is also important to note that the crisis was given vent because the oil multinationals failed in their wisdom to execute the needed social responsibility, which is basically what they owe to the people.

Eke Chukwuemeka, a youth leader in the village, recalled in an interview with Daily Independent that Shell came to Rumuekpe way back in 1956 to commence the exploration and exploitation of oil in the community. Fifty-eight years of operation in a given place is enough period for Shell to have developed its location of work.

It begs for question how Shell will take its foreign partners to the sites of their facilities without thinking of what to do to develop a community where those facilities are located. This is not the story in other climes. They cannot dare it. Not in Dubai. Not in Riyadh. Not in Bahrain. Not in Kuwait. It is impossible in Texas. But it is very possible in Rumuekpe. Why?

Shell was accused of adopting the divide and operate system to keep the youths of the community perpetually in hatred against themselves. The youths were alleged to have been sponsored by the oil companies, particularly Shell, to kill their fellow youths in the other faction, maim some, rape women and burned down houses.

It was shocking to realise in the course of the trip that there is hardly a modern building in the community. Most of what is left after the senseless war is a retinue of destroyed and uncompleted buildings. The surviving youths have now been abandoned by those oil companies to indulge in drug addiction and alcoholism.

Majority of the youths are jobless while thousands more have chosen to migrate to Port Harcourt, the state capital, and other nearby cities in search of greener pastures.

“Of all the four oil companies operating in Rumuekpe, there is no single indigene of this community that they have found worthy to work in the oil companies.

“Are you telling me that you need a university qualification for the women to be cleaners in your companies? Can’t you engage these boys and send them for training? The oil companies have been very wicked to us as a people,” lamented Chukwuemeka.

He added: “We need development. There is no government, whether state or federal, that has ever come here to help this community but they make billions everyday from the oil that comes from this community. How can anybody live in a community that produces so much oil wells and houses so much facilities without anybody thinking of developing it? This is sad.”

Mrs. Eunice Orji, women leader in the community, decried the non-availability of modern market in the entire community. She said people living in the entire Rumuekpe were dying every day.

“From 5.00 p.m. everyday when you come here, you will hear heavy sound of gas faring with fearful balls of fire. Our palm trees, plantains and other crops have been destroyed by the effect of the flaring. When rain falls and you put your bucket to collect water, what you get is colour water, which is not good for drinking. Oil spills have contaminated our streams which are the major sources of our drinking water in this community,” Eunice said.

“No government official has ever come here to give us hope. The officials of the oil companies have never been here. It means that we have been neglected, yet they are living fat from our resources.”

However, succor came the way of the community on Friday, November 14 when the national task force against the importation of illegal arms, light weapons and vandalisation of oil pipelines visited the area to ascertain the extent of damage done in the community during the dark days of its communal crisis.

Fifty youths from the community were promised an automatic employment by the NATFORCE as a way of restoring peace in the area.

Director General of NATFORCE, Dr Osita Okereke, who led members of his team on a fact-finding mission to ascertain the level of damage done to the community, said it was important to engage the youths so that “they can become responsible to themselves and the community generally”.

Osita explained the need for the people of the community to be at peace with one another so that both the government and the operating companies can bring meaningful development to the community.

“We are going to carry your message to the appropriate quarters. We are going to try our best, believing that with your prayers and cooperation, change will come. I’m going to make sure the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria hears it. I can assure you that your issues will be immediately looked into.”

The NATFORCE DG said: “I can see so many youth here who can go outside and look for their daily bread. I will want you the community leaders to compile a list of 50 youths who are vibrant to join the National Task Force to work in Bayelsa, Rivers and other States”.   In his reaction, the community leader of Rumuekpe, Chief Alex Nwakanma, said: “We are delighted with the presence of the Federal Government coming to wade into this crisis. I want to tell you that your visit here is an indication that all hope is not lost. We desire quick development”.

For the people to further recover from the trauma of the crisis, he suggested that government should adopt what he called a 3Rs formula of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation to assuage the pains of the community.

“We need roads, hospitals, schools for our children, electricity and employment for the unemployed youths of the community. These are the greatest needs of Rumuekpe community. This is what we need. It does not require too many grammars. You can see that there is no social infrastructure in this community.

“look at the youth, they are wasting way. These boys have endured a lot. They need to be meaningfully engaged. If they are meaningfully engaged, you won’t see this kind of situation from them (crisis and drug addiction). They are not criminals, they are not bad, they are only reacting to an unfavorable condition, and we believe that if those conditions are reversed, these boys will be meaningful,” he added.

Eunice Orji had cried out to the Federal Government to “urgently come to our rescue because apart from poverty, the effect of oil exploration by the multinationals is killing us and our crops”.

The post Rivers: What Shell can’t do in Dubai, Texas, it’s doing in Rumuekpe appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

Fishermen in Ibeno Local Government area of Akwa Ibom have decried the activities of pirates in the Atlantic Ocean that have resulted in the loss of their boats, money and fishing gadgets.

The fishermen told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibeno on Tuesday that the development had crippled their economic well being.

According to them fishermen, the pirates attacked their boats with sophisticated weapons between 7.00 a.m. and 8.00 a.m. on Monday and took away their boats and other belongings.

One of the victims, Mrs Disoni Obatimihi of Nkpanang community, described the incident as “unfortunate and sad’’. She told NAN that she lost N2.4 million and two engine boats, which she bought on hire purchase to the sea pirates.

Obatimihi appealed to the state government to come to their aid to ameliorate the suffering.

Another victim, Mr James Enoch, said the pirates took his boat at gunpoint, adding that the  activities of the pirates were becoming very regular.

Mr Kinsley Enikuemehin said the attacks caused hardship to fishermen in the area.

“After the sea pirates collected my engine, money and fishing accessories, they dropped me at the high sea until I saw another boat that came to my rescue.’’

Enikuemehin appealed to the Federal Government to intervene and ensure that the marine police patrol the high sea to check the activities of pirates. According to him, the activities of pirates may lead to scarcity of fish during the yuletide, if not checked.

In a separate interview, Mr Samuel Ayadi, the state Chairman, Artisan Fishermen Association of Nigeria, said the activities of sea pirates constituted a major challenge to fishermen in the state. Ayadi said the sea pirates stole 20 units of harbour engines from fishermen on November 17 at the high sea.

He said sea pirates were now operating on the Atlantic Ocean almost every day.

According to him, along the Ikot Abasi axis, the pirates took away seven engine boats, fish and money belonging to fishermen on Saturday, November 5.

He said more than 50 outboard engines boats had been stolen from fishermen by sea pirates in the past one month.

The post Ibeno fishermen cry out over activities of pirates in Atlantic Ocean appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

By John Dugbe / Special Correspondent, Ughelli 

The profile of the Nigerian tourism and hospitality industry was raised once again with the commissioning and opening of Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites in the ancient city of Asaba, Delta State, recently.

The hotel, which is the first internationally operated in the area, has come to boost hospitality business in the capital city of the Big Heart. The commissioning ceremony kicked off with the divine message from Apostle M. T. Oki who prayed for a successful business environment in the state and Nigeria at large through which the tourism industry, which Swiss Spirit Hotel belongs, can prosper. He further wished the management and staff of the hotel long life and prosperity, and advised that the hotel should be run with the high aesthetical standards befitting such establishments as this, and have the fear of God in all dealings with stakeholders and clients at all times in order to succeed in the hospitality market place

General Manager of the hotel, Mr. Lee Hess, in his speech welcomed all guests and showed his happiness to be part of history in the unveiling of the first internationally operated hotel in Asaba.

He explained that the hotel consists of 48 ultra-modern rooms, world-class banquet and conference facilities, a fully equipped gym with fitness instructors and therapists, in addition to other first class amenities for the comfort and enjoyment of tourists and other categories of clients.

According to him, Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites, with him at the helm of affairs are committed to creating a memorable experience for all guests, and promised “to exceed our guests’ expectations”.

The hotel management, according to Lee, “will continually upgrade and improve our level of services and will be the first to implement the latest trends in the ever-changing hospitality business. Our hotel shall always be the benchmark for others in Asaba”.

Managing Director of the hotel, Dr. Wasiu Babalola, on his part said “the commissioning ceremony marks the culmination of a long process to back up our interest in ensuring that we make international brands available where people think it is not profitable to do, due to economic considerations, but we are determined in offering quality and standard services that complement the status of our customers as we give value for money spent”.

Assuring the guests of their zeal and sense of purpose, Babalola asserted: “We pride ourselves that should it not work, then you can have your money back. It was about two years ago that we identified the potential for international hotel development in all state capitals beyond Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, and we are thankful to the people of Delta State by priding themselves as the first capital city in Nigeria to have Swiss Spirit Hotels brand, although other ones are currently being developed in Nigerian cities such as Kano, Makurdi and Owerri, among others”.

He explained further that “with headquarters in Switzerland, Swiss International was created over 32 years ago in 1982. The company is offering licence arrangements for hotels and management services, ranging from full operational management, technical services, and marketing, sales, revenue and distribution management.  Swiss International also offers the luxury brand, ‘Royal Swiss,’ and the mid-market brand ‘Swiss Inns, Hotels and Suites’”.

He noted that the management of Swiss International is in Asaba with Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites for a full hospitality business, adding that their team of experienced and dynamic professionals was committed to providing residents of Asaba and beyond with hospitality solutions with a Swiss touch.

The commissioning ceremony was graced by many dignitaries among which are Taleb Tebite (a member of Delta House of Assembly), former Chairman, Delta Post Primary Education Board, Mrs. Evelyn Aluta, Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Joel Onowakpo, Delta Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Patrick Ferife, and Austin Igbine, management of Central Bank of Nigeria, managements of Diamond and Access Banks. To entertain the guests, top gospel musicians, Frank Edward and Eben, as well as the ‘galala’ exponent, Daddy Showkey, were on ground to usher in Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites as it berthed in Asaba to the delight of all.

The post Boost to tourism, as Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites opens in Asaba appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

By Francis Onoiribholo  / Bureau Chief, Benin

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Nigeria (SOGON) at Women’s Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC), a Benin based health NGO, has organised enlightenment workshop in Lagos where it expressed worry about the absence of legal instrument and accurate data for a proper feasibility study for Maternal Death Review (MDR).

It said the absence of legal instrument was hindering prosecution of cases of questionable maternal deaths.

SOGON said this during the thrre-day training workshop organised by the Women’s Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC) in Lagos.

Dr. Chris Agboghoroma, General Secretary of SOGON, noted that government needed to review the present policy that prevents exposing the name of any erring medical personnel for prosecution in cases of maternal deaths. The training centred on the overview and critical analysis on Maternal Death Review Committee, Maternal Death Review Data Flow, Maternal Death Review Analysis, Monitoring and Supervision of Maternal Death Review Facilitators and the Guidelines on Implementing Maternal Death Review in Lagos State.

Speaking on the occasion, WHARC Deputy Executive Director and expert in Maternal and Child Health Care, Dr. Wilson Imongan, listed some of the objectives of the training.

Imongan named them to include building capacity of medical professionals on maternal death review towards developing programmes for reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria with reference to Lagos State if Nigeria must achieve MDGs 5 by 2015.

He also said it would help in the building of the capacity of non-Maternal Death Review Committee members on conducting Maternal Death Review.

WHARC Project Officer for Macarthur projects, Miss Chioma Ekwo, said the three Macarthur project facilities related to maternal mortality rate included Ajeromi General Hospital, Lagos Island Maternity and Gbagada General Hospitals in Lagos State.

Medical Director of the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital and member of the Lagos State Maternal Death Review Steering Committee, Dr. Donald Imosemi, commended management of WHARC for organising the training programme.

Imosemi, a facilitator at the workshop, said experience gathered by participants on Maternal Death Review would equip them in their planned reduction of Maternal Death as Nigeria ranked second highest after Asia.

Dr Orebanjo, Medical Director of the Ajeromi General Hospital, appreciated the organisers and facilitators whose lectures, he said, had broadened and increased their knowledge on Maternal Death Review.

He urged health care providers to be committed in their various primary assignments geared towards reducing Maternal Deaths in their various health care facilities.

The training was attended by members of the Maternal Death Review Committee and other health care providers.

The post Absence of legal instrument, accurate data for maternal death review worries SOGON appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

By Francis Onoiribholo  / Bureau Chief, Benin

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has commissioned three blocks of 18 classrooms at Ekiuwah Primary School, Uteh, Ivbiyeneva Primary School and Idogbo Primary School all in Ikpoba Okha Local Government area of the state.

Inaugurating the projects, Oshiomhole said: “I am so excited to be here. I remember very well during my electioneer campaigns, I visited Uteh and I stopped at this school.

“I saw Edo children living in Uteh, sitting on the floor of a classroom with dust all over the place and I remember I saw a female teacher who came to class with a plastic chair and I asked the young lady, ‘why will you bring a plastic chair to the school?’

“And she said, ‘as you can see there are no chairs or tables even for the teachers and there is no need to talk of bench for the pupils and the classrooms are leaking everywhere.

“That is what the previous party, PDP, left behind after 10 years. What PDP left behind cannot be renovated. They had to be demolished and rebuilt.

“When I came into office, at the Executive Council meeting, we decided we are going to build beautiful schools, that in every school we will use aluminum roof and we will use red and that red is a symbol of the quiet revolution that is going on in Edo State; bloodless revolution.

“And I said, we will ensure that we are going to use aluminum windows with glass and we are going to put modern furniture in our classrooms, one pupil, and one desk. We put ceiling fans so that when it is hot, you put on the ceiling fan and the children will have some comfort”, he said.

The Governor added: “To our children, I want to congratulate you because now you have a brand new beautiful school. Everybody will be remembered even by the children for their legacies. PDP legacy is dilapidated schools.

The post Oshiomhole commissions blocks of 18 classrooms in Ikpoba Okha appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

By Emma Arubi (Warri) and John Dugbe (Ughelli) 

THE Ugborodo Community Graduate Association (UGA) has condemned the action of President Goodluck Jonathan for failing to perform the ground breaking ceremony of the $16 billion dollar Delta Gas City project at Ogidigben on November 14 again after several postponements because of a threat by his Ijaw kinsmen of Gbaramatu kingdom.

In a statement in Warri, Secretary General of the association, Esiategiwa Mino, said the action amounted to a break of promise and unnecessarily pandering to the whims and caprices of his Ijaw kinsmen.

But then, a prominent Gbaramatu chief, Captain Beck Hitler, berated the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought for allegedly insulting the President over the aborted groundbreaking ceremony of the controversial Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Warri South West Local Government area of Delta State.

Hitler, at a briefing in Warri, said “The President’s decision to abort the ceremony was for the interest of peace and safety of lives”, adding that “Nigerians have commended President Jonathan for averting bloodshed in Delta State”.

Nonetheless, The group of graduates argued that the claim of the Gbaramatu Ijaw to Ogidigben land was unfounded, baseless and without facts and urged Jonathan to stand by his promise and raise above tribal sentiment the governance of the country that is his constituency.

Citing the inaction of the President on the petition by a Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo, as regards the threat to his life by Tompolo, the Ugborodo graduate association said it speaks volume as to who governs the country legally, noting that Ogidigben land belongs wholly to the Ugborodo people with the Gbaramatu Ijaws as tenants.

They expressed regrets that while the President performed the ground breaking ceremony for the Maritime University, Ship/Dockyard at Okerenkoko and Oporoza respectively with ease even when the land belongs to the Itsekirs, it beats their imagination that he failed to perform same ceremony to the Itsekiri nation because of threat from a segment of the Ijaw nation.

The group further condemned the kidnap of 14 journalists on their legitimate duties with the sole aim of stifling the truth about who owns Ogidigben EPZ site by destroying their cameras and memory cards of the tape recorders and even seizing some of them out right, noting that when the journalists covered the Ijaw protest and warning to Jonathan on Wednesday last Week, nobody harassed them.

While calling on the President to stop the marginalisation and oppression of Itsekiri people on their land by the Ijaws through sheer force of arms, they called on him to reschedule another date for the event urgently to prove that he is President of the country and not Ijaw president.

In his own remarks, Hitler, a marine expert, warned that Itsekiri Leaders of Thought cannot blackmail or force Jonathan to do what was wrong for any reason whatsoever, but that instead they should blame their son, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, for not settling the crisis before inviting the President for the ceremony.

According to him, “Itsekiri leaders have been claiming that the EPZ is completely cited in Ogidigben, an Itsekiri town; unfortunately, this has further exposed the falsehood, tricks and manipulating tendency of the Itsekiris which they have failed on the EPZ project”.

He said, the Ijaws of Gbaramatu and Ogulagha will never accept any form of injustice and oppression from the Itsekiris, until critical issues relating to the location of the EPZ project were settled amicably to accommodate the interests of all stakeholders.

Hitler noted that the Ijaws and Nigerians are not scared of Itsekiri Leaders of Thought threats to seek secession from United Nations, adding that even the United Nations will fall to the trick of Itsekiri.

He advised Uduaghan and Itsekiri leaders to be honest and genuinely proffer lasting solutions to the lingering crisis over the location of EPZ project to pave way for the groundbreaking of the $6 billion mega-project in Delta State.

The post Claims, counter claims over Jonathan’s role in Ogidigben Delta Gas City project appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

By John Dugbe Special Correspondent, Ughelli

Nigerians are very communal in the way live and are always forming associations to help one another. These associations give loans and engage in projects and programmes that empower members in the absence of the presence of government.

Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF), which comprises some Ijaw communities in Warri North and Warri South-West Local Government Areas of Delta State, recently held its annual general meeting with a resolve to focus on economic empowerment projects that will impact on the livelihood of the people of Egbema and Gbaramatu kingdoms.

Speaking at the event, held in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, executive chairman of EGCDF, Chief Michael Johnny, stated that the foundation has embarked on 91 infrastructure projects from 2007 till date, saying that the major focus of his administration will now be on economic empowerment projects that will impact on the livelihood of the people.

Johnny said the 91 projects cut across sectors health, education, transportation, hospitality, micro-credit scheme and housing, adding that out of the 91 projects, 74 have been completed and commissioned. He explained that the foundation inherited 18 uncompleted projects at various stages of completion, and in line with the foundation’s policy of zero tolerance for abandoned projects, 13 of the projects have been completed while five have been revoked and re-award to competent contractors from same communities and they are ongoing.

He said, “the foundation held meetings with all GMoU communities in Egbema and Gbaramatu kingdoms to address the rising menace of illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism around Chevron Nigeria Limited facilities. Our administration was able to renovate and furnished to taste the EGCDF secretariat; acquired a land space for future expansion of the secretariat; purchased two Toyota Prado Jeeps for our two monarchs; procured two 200hp Passport 19 speedboats for easy movement on the waterways.”

The executive chairman said further, “We also embarked on non-infrastructure projects such as scholarship scheme for secondary schools, first degree, master degree and doctorate degree; educational incentives for NYSC and private teachers to boost education standard of community schools; micro-credit scheme to alleviate the suffering of rural dwellers and employment for indigenes of the GMoU communities.”

According to Johnny, the foundation will establish third party collaboration with government and other external donor agencies to boost the delivery capacity of the association.

He said since it is obvious that without building the capacity and economic potential of the populace “our development efforts will be inconclusive. This initiative will, therefore, give significance to the infrastructure projects executed in the various communities. This direction in our development stride is further necessitated by the drastic climate change that has adversely affected the traditional source of livelihood of the populace and vision of the Delta State government of ‘Delta Beyond Oil’.”

He added, “It is on this premise that the RDC leadership enlightened the communities to select income generating projects that will impact on their economic well-being as they select their priority projects for 2015 and subsequent years. These projects have been put into a five-year community development plan, which will avail us the opportunity to reach out to donor agencies for partnership”.

General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Deji Haastrup, in his speech at the event, said beyond infrastructure development, the GMoU was o built around some principles and values like transparency and accountability, adding that the greatest success of the GMoU was in meeting its objectives of making communities take the driver’s seat in their own development and ensuring empowerment and capacity building opportunities come to the people.

He added, “The NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture will, in partnership with our other stakeholders, continue to work at improving this process that has been acknowledged as an industry best practice. Based on our experience with the current model, we shall soon be progressing into what we call GMoU+. The GMoU+ will help us to empirically monitor and evaluate the impact of the GMoU on our communities while we continue to realise our individual and collective aspirations through the process”.

He explained that the, “GMoU+ will focus on business development; third party partnership and collaboration; delivery on the Millennium Development Goals; operational excellence and human rights”.

On his part, General Secretary of the EGCDF, Jude Ebitimi Ukori, said the meeting was organised with the core values of the foundation as well as international best practices to afford them the opportunity to render account of their stewardship, adding that the GMoU process that gave birth to the formation of the foundation has recorded monumental achievements in terms of development projects and programmes.

He noted, “The GMoU process as a developmental vehicle is assuredly delivering on its set goals and objectives. The most outstanding of all is the sustained peace and harmony in our CNL operational areas. The efficient capacity building and leadership breeding among others cannot be overemphasised. There is really no perfect situation on earth, yet we are striving harder to meet expectations”.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Community Affairs, Vincent Omorie, said the he supported the GMoU process because it has have continued to make giant strides in implementing projects in the communities.

Uduaghan prayed for the realization of dream of the leaders, who laid the foundation of the GMoU process to be sustained, adding that the success story of the foundation is attributed to the outstanding contributions of the founding leaders.

The two monarchs in the communities, HRM Bini Pere III, King, Gold Oro Tiemo, the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom and HRH Chief P. T. Oyagha Heavens, the regent of Gbaramatu Kingdom, in their speeches presented by Chief M. O E Tiemo and Chief Alfred M. Bubor respectively, said the meeting was meant to celebrate the strong bond of brotherly love and peace existing between the two kingdoms.

According to the monarchs, “In spite of the occasioned challenges, we still remain as one great people. This has brought the tremendous achievements of the GMoU we are celebrating. The foundation is God ordained and has come to elevate both kingdoms. It is one of the main agents of development of our communities and the people generally”.

The post Day Egbema, Gbaramatu communities celebrated development appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

Bayelsa State Government has said it was working hard to link the three senatorial zones in the state by roads for accelerated economic growth.

State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Development, Mr Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo, said this in Yenagoa after inspecting some ongoing projects in the state.

Ehwrudjakpo said the importance of roads, seaports and airports to economic development all over the world cannot be over-emphasised.

He added that “roads and airports are major means of transportation in Nigeria and most part of Africa and these are necessary in efforts to woo investors.

“I must say that we are on top of the game to link the Central and the East senatorial districts to the West by road to create an enabling environment for business.

“It is necessary to link the three zones because this will help us to tap into most of our wealth in coastal areas.

“We are doing all these to reposition Bayelsa as one of the economic hubs in Africa. The road construction at the central district is in progress.

“At the east senatorial zone in Nembe Local Government area, the intention was to hand-over the road in December 2014 but shifted to match 2015 due to difficult terrain.

“I believe when those roads are completed, people can get to Nembe and other communities in the state easily and move about with ease.’’

The commissioner said in the West, the Sagbama-Ekeremor road in Sagbama Local Council had also gone far “and we will achieve our dream of linking the three senatorial zones.’’

On the cost of the project, Ehwrudjakpo said it would be revealed when compiled.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the projects inspected were the new governor/deputy governor’s office, first fly-over bridge and tower hotel.

Others include the Bayelsa palm-Elebele road and bridge, cargo international airport, ecumenical centre and Opolo-AIT road.

The post Bayelsa to link three senatorial districts by roads appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

Proprietor of Raymos Gwanah Farms Limited in Illah, Oshimili North Local Government area of Delta State, Mr Raymos Gwanah, has called for more government’s support for farmers to enhance food production.

Gwanah made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in his farm at the Benin Owena River Basin, Illah.

He urged government to provide tractors for farmer as well as access roads to farm settlements to boost production.

He said with such infrastructure in place, more private individuals would be encouraged to venture into farming and produce more food.

He noted that rice cultivation was herculean, adding that mechanisation of farming remained the only way of ensuring mass production of food for consumption and exportation.

The proprietor said the river basin authority had few tractors and with its current scope of irrigation, farmers could not do dry season planting.

Gwanah, however, said his farm had placed order for the importation of 10 water-pump-fitted tractors to enable it to go into all season farming and cultivate more hectares of land.

“What you are seeing here today is 102 hectares of land ready for cultivation; in 2012, we cultivated 30 hectares of rice, but flood washed it away. “This year, we acquired two brand new tractors, a sprayer and other implements and cultivated 60 hectares. During the harvest, we had challenges with threshing, winnowing, bagging and drying.

“But by the grace of God, today, we have a multifunctional machine which harvests, threshes and winnows, and we are currently expecting a grain dryer.

“However, one big challenge we have is lack of access road to the farm to enable us to evacuate the produce after harvest.

As you have experienced, it is difficult to get to the farm especially during the rainy seasons,” he said.

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By Francis Onoiribholo  / Bureau Chief, Benin

Most Nigerian women seeking family planning services now prefer the long-acting methods to daily pills and injectibles.

This discovery was made known by the Matron in charge of Evboutubu Primary Health Centre, Benin City, Edo State, Mrs. Mary Atoe.

Atoe spoke to journalists during the ongoing awareness campaign for family planning and distribution of free family planning kits by the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI).

She noted that the majority of women who turned up for family planning services go for implanting methods, which, she said, last longer than the daily pills and injectible types.

According to Atoe, “The long-acting methods are very safe and convenient to use, as most women who use them experience less side effects and do not raise blood pressure.

“They prefer the implants which last in the body for about four to five years, rather than coming for monthly injections or swallowing pills.”

She observed that awareness for family planning services spearheaded by NURHI are so high in the community that the chairman of the community personally paid a visit to the health centre to express appreciation and laud NURHI for the noble objective.

She also noted that the free distribution of family planning products to residents of the community by NURHI recorded more than 90 per cent success, considering the large number of people who have turned out to access commodities.

One of the women who turned up for the programme, Mrs. Esosa Timothy, and who commended NURHI for the initiative, said she came because she desired an apple time to rest from the last delivery before another pregnancy, just as she also wants to space her pregnancy in order to give her children quality life.  Timothy encouraged other women who are still trapped in taboo to have the courage to come forward and access the programme, adding that as far as it does no harm to the body or come with serious side effects, women should access it.

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By John Dugbe / Special Correspondent, Ughelli

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wellington Hotel, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government area of Delta State, has filed a suit against his late wife’s children, Mrs. Mary Agbonifo (Nee Ogbevire), over property.

The suit, which was filed against his late wife’s children at the Warri South Customary Court with suit number No. WSACC/M/261/2014, prayed the court to include him (Chief Godspower Agbonifo) in the sharing of his late wife’s property.

Among the respondents sued by Agbonifo were Deacon Tony Okene, Paul Okene, Efeturi Okene and Festus Agbonifo and four new generation banks operating in Effurun/Warri, Delta State.

One of the family members of the late wife, Chief Julius Ogbevire, expressed deep shock at the reaction of his late sister’s husband, Agbonifo, who has taken his children to court over his late wife’s property.

Ogbevire said: “This is shocking, as we have not seen this in the entire Urhobo nation where father takes his own children to court to be included in the sharing of his late wife property. I see this as a taboo in Urhobo nation for a title chief to go to that extent.

“There is no part of Urhobo nation that we have heard such narration where a father struggles to be included, using court suit as means to be part of sharing of his late wife’s property, this is appalling and has never be a tradition of Urhobo.”

The post Father sues children, four banks in Effurun over late wife’s property appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

By John Dugbe / Special Correspondent, Ughelli

Oil communities under the aegis of Shoreline Oil Communities in Delta, Bayelsa and Ondo states, have given Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) seven days ultimatum to begin negotiation with over 100 oil shoreline communities affected by the Bonga oil spillage of December 2011, else their facilities would be shut down in the affected communities of the three states.

In a four-point communiqué at a meeting at Ogulagha, Burutu Local Government area of Delta State and signed by Chief Otobo Itiemogha and Mr. Victor Disi for National Working Committee of shoreline communities impacted by the Bonga spill, they stated: “Now let it be known that unless SNEPCO and SPDC commence negotiation, with the proper authorised agents of the communities (as mandated by the power of attorney) within seven days, the communities shall shut down all production at SPDC faculties in their various communities, beginning with Forcados export terminal”.

As at the time of filing in this report, information had it that the shoreline oil communities affected by the Bonga spillage were already mobilising towards their planned action.

According to information made available to journalists, leaders of the affected communities were angry that since the Bonga spillage occurred, SPDC which initially said was a “mystery spill” before it later admitted it, has not done anything to remedy the situation, not even by sending relief materials.

Rather, only National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) it has done something to that effect.

To make matter worse, SPDC was accused for using divide and rule tactics by suing “unauthorised persons” to sign general memorandum of understanding (GMOU).

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By John Dugbe  / Special Correspondent, Ughelli

The Idisi family of Ovu, Ethiope East and Jesse, Ethiope West Local Government areas of Delta State has in Oviorie-Ovu, Ethiope East Local Government, attributed the sustenance of the Lonestar Drilling Company till date to the glory and special grace of God Almighty.

Chairperson of the Lonestar Drilling Company, Chief Margret Idisi, and her children, Lovette, Steady, and others gave these thanks to God during the remembrance of their late father, Chief Saturday Humphrey Idisi. The remembrance ceremony was graced by personalities across the state and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Ethiope East and West.

Lovette Idisi, a lawyer, is running for the House of Representatives to represent Ethiope Federal Constituency.

Mrs. Margret Idisi, who had a brief chat with newsmen, described the ceremony as wonderful, looking back to five years ago, saying she thought the family wouldn’t live till date because of different happenings here and there but that they are happy because God has been there for them.

“My most joy today is to see my children together and working for a common purpose to maintain the legacy that their father has maintained and all these is to the glory of God almighty that have kept the family intact for a memorable day like this.”

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The zoning of the governorship position in Akwa Ibom State to Eket Senatorial District by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has finally been endorsed by elders, youths and women of Uyo Senatorial District.

Announcing the decision of the district to support the zoning of the governorship position to Eket, Senator Effiong Bob, after a meeting in his residence in the state capital said, “Elders of PDP in Uyo Senatorial District decided to toe the line of peace in the interest of the party since the decision of the party was final”.

According to Bob, “It was a difficult decision to arrive at following the popularity of Obong Bassey Albert Akpan, who had already won the election, but there was nothing any member of PDP could do to win the election if that person is not from EKet Senatorial District based on the zoning arrangement of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

“Something happened before something happened, that is why we have decided to follow Jesus, a man of peace, no turning back, this peace has caused us something, if there is provision of independent candidacy by INEC, OBA would be  the next governor of this state, but since Uyo would not want to play opposition, we have decided to follow the decision of our party.”

He told the supporters that contrary to the belief in some quarters that Obong Albert had disappointed the people for accepting to step down, saying, “if the people demand apology it should not be from Albert, since he did not step down on his own but forced by his party which he had to obey.

“Uyo district is known for peace, when we speak, others listen, for the interest of peace we have decided to support Eket senatorial for governorship.

“Uyo had it, Ikot Ekpene has it, Eket must also have it in 2015. Bassey Albert has not committed any offense, he has not betrayed anyone, it pains him more than any of his supporters, but he has to abide by the party decision.”

Bob stressed that “Albert is innocent, the party is supreme”, calling on Uyo people to support whomever the elders of Uyo would pick from Eket to be the next Governor.

In his speech, Albert said “based on the support  garnered so far, if the party had allowed every aspirant to contest, I would become the next governor of the state. It pains me, I feel it, because millions of Akwa Ibom people wanted me”.

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By Igoniko Oduma  /  Correspondent, Yenagoa

Commandant General, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ade Abolurin, has said the government has acquired tugboats, ordinary boats, surveillance equipment and other gadgets to combat illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, piracy and oil and telecoms related crimes in the Niger Delta.

Abolurin, who visited the Bayelsa State Command of the corps in Yenagoa, warned pipeline vandals and oil thieves operating in the state to quit the creeks within seven days.

He said the days ahead would be too dangerous and tough for vandals to still continue with their crimes in the country.

“We have come to serve quit notice to vandals. It is not only that Bayelsa is not their home, they are non-Nigerians and should leave Nigeria to allow peace to reign in the country. In the next seven days, it will be too dangerous for vandals to still continue with the evil ways of life.

“Vandals that refuse to take the quit notice seriously will by themselves die a natural death.

“As we work and partner with other agencies in the area of synergy, particularly with the members of the armed forces and other paramilitary services and stakeholders, I am sure indeed that we have come to see the end of vandalism in this area,” he said.

The NSCDC chief added: “Should there be anyone who harbours them and say tomorrow you will be going, stay in my compound or in my accommodation, both the person who provides them with accommodation and the person they are helping will all be affected.

“We will deploy modern technology in the approach to vandalism. Therefore in due course, be rest-assured of our support in terms of all available necessary equipment and machinery.

“Very soon, I can assure you that from the 24th of this month, an intensive training towards improving manpower development and capacity building will commence in Bayelsa.  And on the 28th of this month, we will inaugurate an ultra-modern training centre in Bayelsa here.

“And I can assure you that all the graduates of the school that will be very successful shall between then and end of the year proceed abroad for further advance training and this is courtesy of government at work.”

The post We’ve acquired tugboats, gadgets to fight oil theft in N’Delta –NSCDC boss appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.

By Francis Onoiribholo / Bureau Chief Benin

Public Health Centres (PHC) in three urban local government areas of Edo State have received family planning kits worth millions of naira from the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) for the prosecution of family planning awareness sensitization programme in the area

The three benefiting local government areas are Egor, Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha.

The Quality Imprisonment Officer, QIO, of Benin field office of NURHI, Dr. Ishola Gbenla, while presenting the items during family planning awareness sensitization programme organized by the NGO at Ugbekun Public Health Centre, said the exact total cost of the donated family planning consumables was not immediately available.

“It would be difficult and not feasible to put the total cost at a fixed figure, considering all that have been spent. We cannot actually talk of naira in figure, but we can talk of people that have benefited from the programme.

“However, I can assure you that the donated family planning kits, including commodities and consumables are worth millions of naira. The turnout has been very impressive,” Dr. Gbenla said.

The latest family planning awareness campaign by NURHI include donation of thousands of free family planning kits to Primary Health Centres in the three local government government areas of Benin metropolis, namely, Egor, Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha, where they were subsequently distributed free of charge to willing users who turned up.

Family planning items donated include male and female condoms, daily pills, injectibles, intra-uterine device (IUD) and implants, among others.

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By Isaac Olamikan / Special Correspondent, Benin

The people of Owan in the West and East Local Governments of Edo State have appealed to the government (at all levels) to come to their rescue by addressing the neglect of the community before things get out of hand.

The Owan Transformation Movement led by Rogers Abumen said during a chat the issue of lack of representation in government by their locality can no longer be hidden under the carpet.

The group asserted that in terms of human resources they boast of some of the best brains in the country so the issue of under development of their community cannot be said to be as a result of poor human resources.

“We are blessed with some of the best brains in the country; so we cannot put the blame of the under development of our area on the problem of inadequate human resources.

“We lack government presence in Owan because we’re not properly represented in government. Some greedy politicians seem to have sold our future for a plate of porridge,” Abumen said.

Supporting this position, Eguaoje Monday, the association’s Vice-Chairman said they have collectively agreed on ensuring that the right candidates are given the mandate to represent them in political office starting from 2015.

“Our vote this time around must be for the people that we trust in.

We’re tired of voting for pretenders who end up by selling us cheaply in the scheme of things,” he submitted.

Sandra Oisamaye, the woman leader of the association, was of the opinion that their resolve to henceforth always demand for good representation is the solution to the locality’s backwardness.

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