Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) By Reuben Abati– 

The monthly Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting was held the other day in Abuja, with the representatives of state governments again cap in hand, asking for their share of federal revenue – read: oil revenue, or better still, national cake, or our money. A paragraph in the report by the online newspaper, Premium Times, caught my attention and here it is: “But at the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting, representatives of the 36 state governments went home SAD (emphasis mine), as they were handed parlous shares from a total N299.75 billion statutory allocation for the month, the lowest allocations in more than five years.” For the month of March 2016, the states shared N55.34 billion, compared to N64.52 billion in February 2016. I have deliberately emphasized the word sad, because the day may well come when after the sharing of national revenue, we may be told that some Commissioners of Finance left the meeting crying, or wailing.

To prevent that happening this time, the Federal Government chose to suspend deductions of salary repayment loans owed by the states. When such deductions were made in February 2016, at least one state, Osun, went back home with a paltry N6 million only. The truth is that most of the 36 states are in dire straits, worst hit by the economic crisis that the country faces. About 27 out of the 36 states of the Federation are effectively insolvent, if not bankrupt. In July 2015, the Federal Government not only bailed out the states financially, the Central Bank of Nigeria further extended the repayment period for bank loans taken by the states from a period of seven years to 20 years. So far the affected states have collected salary assistance loans from the CBN to the tune of N689.5 billion, with an additional N310 billion as loans backed by the Excess Crude Account.

Across the country, these states are owing staff salaries, in some cases up to seven months. Pensioners have not been paid their arrears. Civil servants are angry because their allowances are being withheld. Most of the states (24) have not been able to improve on their internally generated revenue. The people are angry, wondering what this change has brought to their doorsteps. In January 2015, former CBN Governor, Charles Soludo, had sounded a cautionary note of warning in a piece titled “Buhari vs. Jonathan: Beyond the Election” wherein he argued that under President Jonathan, economic prosperity (oil boom) rather than generate wealth and opportunities resulted in greater pressures and the handing over of the economy to “self-conflicted traders and businessmen.”

He warned that the future of the Nigerian economy appeared bleak in the event of a slide in the spot price of crude oil. In November 2015, Soludo wrote a post-election piece titled “Can a New Buharinomics save Nigeria?” in which he slightly revised his trenchant attack on the Jonathan administration and argued that President Muhammadu Buhari had in fact inherited strong economic indicators and that in spite of the dwindling oil prices, he had an opportunity to further strengthen the Nigerian economy, given the right choices. The economist called for a debate on the subject, made his own recommendations and asked for the immediate setting up of a WAR ROOM on the economy.

Between January 2015 and March 2016, Soludo has been proven right in many respects; if you discount the politics of his January 2015 piece, that is, and focus on the analytical prescience of his contributions, you would easily agree that whatever may be happening in the economy today is foreseeable, foretold, and perhaps preventable. There is no challenge more urgent in Nigeria today than the economy. The health of the economy is linked to the well-being of the people. A recursive economy brings hardship and perhaps the last time Nigeria found itself in similar circumstances was truly between 1981 and 1985; the mismanagement of that challenge then, rather than improve our situation resulted in an uncontrollable decline, the effect of which has had Octopal implications for the well-being of the entire society. The concern of the concerned intelligentsia is that things should not get worse than they are now.

Because things are not really looking good, right now, President Goodluck Jonathan, for example, has had the great opportunity of engaging in an inevitable chest-beating-if-nobody-praises-me-I-will-praise-myself presentation in Newark, United States a few days ago. What he didn’t spell out is in the sub-text of his commentary. The current indication is that Nigeria’s GDP growth has dropped to below 3% in 2016 from about 7% in 2014. Income levels have similarly dropped. Inflation has jumped from single digit to a frightening double-digit range (12.11%). The manufacturing sector, which was on the rebound as at 2014, is now below 3% of GDP, which is as bad as saying there is no manufacturing going on at all and that the real sector is prostrate. The country’s reserves have been drained. Government deficit is rising. Unemployment has risen, even if one West African country is nonetheless asking Nigeria to come and help it solve its unemployment problem – I hope we will not again go and give what we do not have at home! Fuel queues are back as a feature of national life. Many Nigerians have not had an hour of electricity supply in the last four months. The people are angry and hungry.

In his November 2015 article, Soludo asked for a War Room. In March 2016, the Federal Government organized a Talk Shop in the form of a 2-day retreat of the National Economic Council (NEC) which came up with 71 proposals to revive the economy. 71 proposals! Sadly, there is nothing new in those proposals. Soludo called for a debate and pro-active measures. The administration is obviously not interested in what he has to say. Instead, there has been a lot of blame-this-blame-that going on. My take is that we cannot leave economics to the economists. Economists are fundamentalists; between the market fundamentalists and the state capitalists they only manage to produce problems, and that is perhaps why the idea of a War Room may be the wrong idiom. I also don’t consider the blame game helpful. Whatever is wrong with the Nigerian economy is an open secret that does not require any prolonged movement of the mandibular.

We are, to say the truth, paying the price for the failure of the Nigerian leadership elite to diversify the Nigerian economy and expand the country’s revenue base. We found oil in 1958, and since then we have been as a country, a victim of the curse of oil. The curse of oil in our context has meant indolence, the emergence of a rentier class, a squandering of riches and the alienation of the poor by the rich. Every country afflicted by the curse of oil has found it difficult to escape from the curse. In our case, it is worse. Crude oil accounts for 90% of Nigeria’s exports, 70% of Federal revenue and about 15% of GDP. The point has been made for years that without oil, or with great falls in the spot price of the Brent crude, Nigeria will be in trouble. Every scholar has spoken about the need for diversification, but oil money is so cheap, it does not allow our ruling elite to think. I wrote the foreword two months ago to a book tilted Memories of Yesteryears written by Akpandem James, formerly of the Independent Newspaper and in one of the chapters he reminisces about a long list of plantations across the South Southern part of the country, but those plantations are no longer there, either in the South South or the North or the East or West, because over the years, Nigerians got used to the easy money that comes with oil.

Oil, everyone said, is a wasting asset. But our leaders never listened. Instead, they argue that we have more gas than oil and that if nobody buys our oil, shale oil or no shale oil, Nigeria will sell gas. A country built on a philosophy of wealth without work or sense, commits a grievous sin. We have confronted the curse of oil on so many occasions. It caused the civil war of 1967-70. It resulted in the desperation of the North to seize Federal power and get a bigger share of the national cake by all means. It led to the agitations in the Niger Delta, the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight, pipeline vandalism, Niger Delta insurgency, environmental degradation and the potent threat of a resurgent militancy in the Niger Delta, which is bound to cripple the Nigerian economy finally and tragically. The curse of oil is the source of a national cake mentality that has turned public service into an arena for primate accumulation. It is the root of corruption in Nigeria.

It is not a Buhari vs. Jonathan apotheosis therefore. To reduce it to that level is to ignobly avoid the messages of history. If anyone must be blamed, it must be all Nigerian leaders from independence at all levels. They have focused more on the fundamentals of ethnic, religious, regional and personal benefits, more than the fundamentals of national benefit. The leaders at the state levels are no better than gluttonous beggars. Elsewhere, states are centres of productive, economic activities. In Nigeria, every Governor is interested in what comes from the easy monthly allocation from Abuja. For IGR, they tax the people, multiple, punitive taxes. They create the impression that government exists to punish the people. Not every problem is Abuja-sourced. We need Governors who can think creatively economically and turn their states into economic units, not cowboys who spend more time in Abuja doing eye service. Truth is: some Governors are so cheap when they go to the Villa, they even expect to be given transport fare!

There are other issues: enhanced financial transparency will help, fraud has to be checked; there should be greater oversight scrutiny by civil society and the legislature; too many lawmakers are too busy trying to get their own bite of the national cake – can they please keep their rumbling and insatiable stomachs in check? And finally, the cost of governance must be reduced: Lawmakers who proudly ride vehicles worth N36.5 million are bandits not servants of the people. Governors who live ostentatiously and claim that there is not enough money to pay salaries are wrong. President Buhari is fighting corruption: he should allow states being run corruptly to sink if they must.

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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

Our attention has been drawn to a mischievous publication by Sahara Reporters to the effect that the Honourable Commissioner for Information in Delta State, Mr. Patrick Ukah, threatened to resign his appointment because of what it claimed was the Commissioner’s grouse with, “Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s decision to split the ministry.”

Much as we do not usually dignify this type of obvious yellow journalism with a response, we would like to make the following clarifications in order to disabuse the minds of the unsuspecting reading public and the friends and associates of the Commissioner who have besieged his office with calls since the report was published.

The entire report is baseless, unfounded and tendentious. The story exists only in the figment of the imagination of Sahara Reporters, a medium very well known for its brand of terrorism journalism which it dubs as “citizens journalism”, whatever that means.

In the first place, the Ministry of Information has not been split into two, and as such no new ministry has been created. The Governor just recently approved the creation of a Directorate of Orientation out of the Department of Orientation in the Ministry to be headed by his Senior Special Assistant, Orientation and Social Mobilisation now renamed Executive Assistant.

Secondly, the moving of the ICT Department and Website to the Government House had occurred before Mr. Ukah was appointed Commissioner in charge of the ministry. And we all know the proximity and interdependency of the website and the ICT Department. That the two are housed in the same place was to ensure efficiency in their operations and engender better coordination.

In the light of the foregoing, Mr. Ukah could not have contemplated, let alone threaten, resignation. It is, therefore, clear that the report by Sahara Reporters is calculated to cause mischief and disaffection in the government of Delta State.

Mr. Ukah, for the avoidance of doubt, enjoys a good working relationship with His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and is irrevocably committed to helping the Governor achieve his goal of prosperity for all Deltans.

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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka<img src="https://blanknewsonline.files.wordpress.

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

Fireworks lit up the night sky in Brazil’s megacities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro after the opposition comfortably surpassed the two-thirds majority needed to send Rousseff for trial in the Senate on charges of manipulating budget accounts.

The floor of the lower house was a sea of Brazilian flags and pumping fists as dozens of lawmakers carried in their arms the deputy who cast the decisive 342nd vote, after three days of a marathon debate.

The final tally was 367 votes cast in favor of impeachment, versus 137 against, and seven abstentions. Two lawmakers did not show up to vote.

Brazilian financial markets opened higher after the vote – which was a major step toward ending 13 years of the left-leaning Workers’ Party rule in the world’s ninth largest economy.

The central bank intervened against a sharp rise in the currency, offering up to $4 billion in derivatives at an auction. The real traded 3.53 per dollar, while yields on rate futures fell and equity futures rose.

If, as is expected, the Senate votes by a simple majority in early May to proceed with the impeachment, Rousseff would be suspended from her post and replaced by Vice President Michel Temer as acting president, pending her trial. Temer would serve out Rousseff’s term until 2018 if she is found guilty.

Brazil is facing its worst recession since the 1930s and Rousseff’s government has been tainted by a vast graft scandal at state oil company.

The impeachment battle, waged during Brazil’s worst recession since the 1930s, has divided the country of 200 million people more deeply than at any time since the end of its military dictatorship in 1985.

It has also sparked a bitter battle between the 68-year-old Rousseff and Temer, 75, that could destabilize any future government and plunge Brazil into months of uncertainty.

Despite anger at rising unemployment, Rousseff’s Workers Party can still rely on support among millions of working-class Brazilians, who credit its welfare programs with pulling their families out of poverty during the past decade.

“The fight is going to continue now in the streets and in the federal Senate,” said Jose Guimaraes, the leader of the Workers’ Party in the lower house. “We lost because the coup-mongers were stronger.”

Opinion polls suggest more than 60 percent of Brazilians support impeaching Rousseff, Brazil’s first female president, less than two years after she won reelection in 2014.

While she has not been accused of corruption, Rousseff’s government has been tainted by a vast graft scandal at state oil company Petrobras and by the economic recession.

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators from both sides took to the streets of towns and cities across Brazil on Sunday, in peaceful protests. Millions watched the congressional vote live on television in bars and restaurants, in their homes or on giant screens in the street, as the soccer-mad nation does for major football matches.

On the grassy esplanade outside Congress, a 6-foot-high (2-meter) security barrier ran for more than half a mile (1 km) to separate rival demonstrations, a symbol of the political rift that has emerged in one of the world’s most unequal societies.

The country is preparing to host the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August and is also battling an epidemic of the Zika virus.

PARALYZED GOVERNMENT

The impeachment battle has paralyzed government in Brasilia, at a time when the country is preparing to host the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August and is also battling an epidemic of the Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects in newborns.

Critics of the impeachment process say it has become a referendum on Rousseff’s popularity – currently languishing in single digits – and sets a worrying precedent for ousting unpopular leaders in Congress in the future.

They note that Rousseff – who would be the first Brazilian president impeached for more than three decades – is accused of a budgetary sleight of hand commonly employed by many elected officials in Brazil.

Legislators denounced corruption and the economic downturn as they voted against Rousseff. One fired a popper of confetti into the air. But few of them mentioned the budgetary allegations.

However, business lobbies have thrown their weight behind the ouster of Rousseff, as they look to Temer to restore business confidence and growth to the $2 trillion economy.

Adriano Pires, head of the Rio de Janeiro-based Brazilian Infrastructure Institute, said Rousseff’s departure could lead to an opening of the country’s crucial oil sector. Union leaders, meanwhile, have voiced concerns about privatizations and job cuts.

*Courtesy Reuters;

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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

Delta state government has raised alarm over the continued presence of fraudsters at the Bureau of Local Government Pensions, (Governor’s Office) Asaba.

The public outcry is coming on the heels of myriad of complaints by members of the public, especially retirees and deceased Next-of-Kins who claim that staff of the Bureau of Local Government Pensions, (Governor’s Office) Asaba demand and collect illegal payment before processing their retirement and death benefits .

A statemnt issued by the state Director of Information, Mr. Paul Osahor and made available to Blank NEWS Online on Thursday, 14th April, 2016 however described the fraudsters as “pension agents” who pose as staff.

“The attention of the Delta State Bureau of Local Government Pensions, (Governor’s Office) Asaba, has been drawn to the fact that some unsuspecting retirees/deceased Next-of-Kin(s) particularly of Primary School/Local Government Education Authorities extraction in the State are being extorted by some unscrupulous and dubious individuals outside the Bureau, who have constituted themselves into pension “agents”.

“These individuals pretend to assist the retirees/deceased Next-of-Kin(s) with processing their retirement/death benefits in the Bureau and thereby collect/charge exorbitant sum of money for their services. More worrisome is that these “agents” charge their prey various sums of money under the guise that they are going to settle officers of the Bureau in order to facilitate payment of their retirement benefits.

“The management of the Bureau wishes to state without any form of contradiction that the Bureau does not collect money under any guise from retirees/families of deceased employees before processing their retirement benefits and has not engaged any “agent” to do so on its behalf. Members of the public, particularly Primary School/Local Government Education Authorities retirees are by this medium advised to process their files/documents directly to the Bureau and avoid the use of a third party or “agent” in order not to fall prey to the antics of these fraudsters.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Bureau operates an open door policy in pension administration and upholds the sanctity of first-come-first-serve policy in effecting payment to retirees of deceased employees.

“Members of the public are by this announcement advised to be vigilant and report any of such “agents” to the Bureau for prosecution. Authorities of the State Universal basic Education, Asaba and Local Government Education Authorities are also advised to take note.

“Members of the public should please be guided”, the statement warned.

Meanwhile, a retiree who pleaded anonymity frowned at the government statement and insists that the perpetrators are genuine staff of the Bureau of Local Government Pensions, (Governor’s Office) Asaba, adding that the same rot and corrupt practices which also thrives at the State Establishment can only stop when the agencies responsible for processing their retirement benefits are fully overhauled.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

Prof. Osinbajo, who spoke shortly after an inspection visit to ongoing repair work at the terminal at the weekend, condemned the act of vandalism, explaining that it was as bad as any kind of terrorism and would not be tolerated by government because it is criminal and had adverse effect on the economy.

According to him ” Federal government is working with the state and Shell Petroleum Development Company to ensure that the damaged pipeline is repaired quickly because government is losing a lot of money since that terminal stopped working, About 300,000 barrels of crude oil daily is shut in which is a great loss to our economy.” he said

“Pipeline vandalism is what we are trying to curtail and we are beefing up security in the area to ensure that such incident does not happen again because it has also affected gas production in the country resulting in the epileptic power supply being experienced in the country.”

Also speaking, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, said that the Focardos Terminal was important to the state and federal government as it was the Export Terminal used by Shell Petroleum development Company to evacuate product for sale stressing that ” all production on land both crude and gas by Shell has been reduced, this is affecting power supply in the country.”

He expressed hope that the repair works on the damaged pipeline would be completed by May ending for operations to commence saying ” We were briefed by Shell that the repair works on the pipeline will be completed by May ending, it means that the terminal will become functional soon.”

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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

Members of Onu Ika have been called upon to be steadfast in their support for the Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, as it is the first time the area is producing the Governor of the state.

The member representing Ika Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Nwokolo, gave this advice on Thursday in Boji-Boji Owa when he presented a brand new 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus to the group.

He said that he was very happy to have a reliable mentor in the person of Senator Okowa who is quite determined to bring prosperity to the door steps of all Deltans.

Hon. Nwokolo disclosed that he decided to present the bus to the group because its members have been attending different ceremonies in Abuja and Asaba in their private vehicles or through public means.

He advised members of the group to put the bus to proper use in order to justify the reason the vehicle was given to them.

Speaking after the keys of the bus was presented, the Head, Collective Leadership of Onu Ika, Nigeria, Mr. Daniel Usifor, expressed appreciation to Hon. Nwokolo for his kind gesture assuring that the vehicle will be used for the purpose it was donated.

He said that the presentation of the bus came to the group as a surprise and called on other politicians in the area to double their efforts in bringing the dividends of democracy to the people of the area.

Also speaking during the ceremony, the Assistant Secretary of the group, Barr. Benson Melekwe, described Hon. Nwokolo as a trail-blazer who have been associating with the body, adding that the donation was unprecedented.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

Governor Okowa at the event assured that the innovative policy would enhance the ease of doing business and property owners would now be able to obtain C of O within 90 days.

The policy according to the Governor was meant to remove all the inherent bottlenecks associated with acquiring legal titles for landed property which were disincentives to investments, stressing that with the new policy, land owners can obtain C of O with digital electronic features within a maximum of ninety days.

“One of the biggest disincentives to investors anywhere in the world is the high cost and delays associated with acquiring the legal titles to landed property, in Delta State, the process of obtaining Certificate of Occupancy [C of O] has over the years become very long, arduous, unwieldy, and opaque, often resulting in unofficial payments far in excess of the approved amount“, he said.

’FastTrack 90’, an innovative policy of this administration designed to enhance ease of business in the state, has been initiated to overcome the bottlenecks that have become a recurring decimal in obtaining C of Os, it will take a maximum of ninety days for land owners to obtain their C of Os from the Ministry of Lands and Surveys and the new system is fast, transparent and in line with global best practices”, the governor added.

Senator Okowa explained that property owners would pay two hundred thousand naira to obtain the new C of O, while those in possession of the old C of Os would pay fifty thousand naira to migrate to the new one emphasising that “the new C of O is electronically generated, secure and fraud proof and its implementation starting in June, 2016”.

He urged all property owners in the state to ensure that they get the new C of O as it “serves as protection against government acquisition, validates your ownership of the property and eliminates needless disputes and contentions” as the new C of O can’t be duplicated, as it has unique protective features.

Governor Okowa reiterated the state government’s commitment to putting the necessary structures, institutions, processes and systems in place that would engender good governance, all-inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

Earlier, Hon Martins Okonta , Special Adviser on Land and Legislative Matters and Mr Abayomi, Managing Director, QueensBridge Capital Investment Ltd, in their addresses said that Fast Track 90 Scheme was an opportunity for property owners to fast track the process of acquiring C of O within ninety days and check sharp practices inherent in the issuance of old C of Os in the state.

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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

The breakdown of the budget passed shows statutory transfer of N351 billion, Debt service of N1.4 trillion, recurrent 2.6 trillion, Capital Expenditure N1.59 trillion and fiscal deficit N2. 2trillion.

Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, Senator Danjuma Goje, said the budget has already been harmonised by both the upper and lower chambers before presenting it.‎

Goje also said the committee observed omission of some Agencies in the budget.

He however, hastened to add that the service wide votes will take care of the omission of workers salary in the 2016 budget.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

They made the appeal over the weekend during a stakeholders meeting of the party held in Akwukwu-Igbo, headquarters of the local government area.

Specifically, Senator Nwaoboshi said that there was no need for any suspicion in the conduct of the forth coming congress as the guidelines given by the leadership of the PDP will be strictly adhered to.

He advised party loyalists in the area to maintain the peace at all times as no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of rancour.

Mr. Ukah however assured party members that a level playing ground will be provided for all aspirants in the area to put their popularity to test in order to have the best elected at the end of the day.

The member representing the area in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Princess Pat Ajudua, the local government Chairman, Mr. Louis Ndukwe, Chief Fred Ajudua, Dr. Austin Obidi, Barr. Kate Onianwa, among other PDP stakeholders in the area, attended the meeting.

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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

At the resumed proceeding on the matter, the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mr. Mohammed Diri, secured leave of the Justice Danladi Umar-led tribunal to withdraw the four-count corruption charge the government entered against Orubebe on October 8, 2015.

Diri told the CCT panel that FG resolved to only prosecute the former Minister on an amended one-count charge bordering on allegation that he had in 2007, made a false declaration of assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, contrary to section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. 15 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting chaired by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Utuaro Tuesday [08-03-16], Commissioner For Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah flanked by his colleagues, Commissioner for Energy, Barr. Neworld Safugha; Special Duty Commissioner [Government House], Mr. Henry Sakpra; Local Government Affairs Commissioner, Mr. Bright Edejewhro; Youth Development Commissioner, Mr. Peter Forteta and Commissioner, Bureau for special Duties, Mr. Chike Ossai, explained that the state government wants to undertake a study on the viability of the mono-rail transit system in the state capital territory and fit it into the Asaba Development Master plan.

According to him “The state government has approved the engagement of a consultant to do a feasibility study for a comprehensive mass transit monorail system for the state capital territory” stressing that “Government has decided to plan ahead because of the increasing population in the state capital territory in order to help boost transportation”

Mr. Ukah also stated that Exco approved the award of contract for the dualisation of Owa-eke/Owa-Alero road from the old Lagos/Asaba road to Owa-Alero, the reconstruction of Ughelli/Afiesere/Ufoma road in Ughelli North local government area; rehabilitation of Okpare/Owhodokpokpor road and the reconstruction of old Otor-Emede/Olomoro road in Isoko local government area.

On the proposed sale of the Independent Power Plant (IPP) in Oghara, the Commissioner for Energy, Barrister Safugha stated that the state government was looking into the process of completing the sale as recommended by the last administration asserting that “The sale of the IPP was recommended by the last administration, this administration keyed into the plan and we have started the sales process but will brief the press at the right time.”

Reiterating that it was the right of the Legislators to investigate any issues including the IPP project before them, Mr. Ukah speaking on the IPP project emphsised that the three arms of government were independent in their functions asserting that the administration has zero tolerance for corruption.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

Delta State Government has challenged residents and people of Okpanam, Oshimili North local government area of the state, to key into the entrepreneurial programmes and other economic projects of the state in order to improve on their economic lives and their immediate environment.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, gave the charge on Monday, March 07, 2016 during the official opening ceremony of Okpanam branch of NOPOV Micro Finance Bank limited.

Ukah, an indigene of the area, bemoaned the attitude of Okpanam people towards the state government programmes particularly the state Micro Credit programme, the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme (YAGEP) and the Skills Training Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) which he noted has been one of the viable economic platform wherein the state government is using to drive its “Prosperity For All Deltans ” vision.

While calling on them to develop change of attitude towards such programmes, Ukah stressed that contrary to people’s perception about the Prosperity agenda of the Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa administration; it is not intended towards “sharing money to Deltans”.

He said, “The Government of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has been doing a lot to better the economic lives of Deltans. In December 2015, 1,600 farmers were enlisted across the state and they benefited from various farm inputs. But, funny enough, no indigene of Okpanam benefited because we do not know”.

“Again, the state government, through the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DSMSMEDA), few months ago, disbursed over N450 Million. We have also disbursed N150 Million just as we are planning to disburse yet another set of funds. In all these, I have never seen an Okpanam person collecting a cheque from this programme. Yet, some of you keep saying that government does mot want to assist you. Government will not come to you if you do not ask from government” Ukah stated.

Commending the management of NOPOV Micro Finance Bank for establishing the bank in the area, the Information Commissioner enjoined residents in the area to take advantage of the bank in accessing the state Micro Credit facilities by forming themselves into cooperative societies.

He said, “God bless you NOPOV for this that you have done for our people. This is what Okpanam need to move forward. Okpanam, this is indeed a clarion call, let us not joke with micro credit facilities; it is not for the multi-millionaires, rather it is for you to better your economic lives”.

On her part, the Executive Secretary, Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DSMSMEDA), Mrs. Shimite Bello while urging the people to take advantage of the bank in accessing the state Micro Credit facilities, lauded the Management of the bank for siting the bank in the area.

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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

Delta State First Lady and founder of 05 Initiative, Dame Mrs Edith Okowa has commissioned a water bore hole project at the Nigerian Prisons, Sapele to improve the health and living condition of the over 380 inmates in the prison.

She also commissioned a fully equipped state of the art Sickle Cell Clinic and renovated labour ward at the Central Hospital, Sapele with an aim to bring succour to sufferers of sickle cell anaemia and replicate the 05 Initiative project in all Central Hospitals in Delta state.

Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Sapele, Mr. Valentine Ike Nwosu who lauded the magnanimity of Dame Okowa for providing water for the inmates, explained that the absence of water in prison could result in the breakdown of law and order.

While commending her for helping to decongest the prison through the payment of fines for inmates who have regained freedom, the Deputy Comptroller appealed for more assistance to help assuage the challenges of the prison.

Some of the Prison Inmates who praised Dame Edith Okowa for her contributions, called on other well meaning Deltans and Nigerians to emulate her good gestures so as to make life better for the needy and downtrodden.

Shortly after the commissioning, Dame Okowa inspected the various equipment in the laboratory as Dr. Ovie Atanunu, H.O.D. Laboratory Department at the Central Hospital demonstrated laboratory procedures in managing crisis with the use of Hematology auto analyzer, Haemoglobin electro phoresis and Hematocrit centrifuge provided by the 05 Initiative.

Dame Okowa described the 05 Initiative as a humanitarian programme which draws its objectives from the Biblical book of Matthew 25: 35-36 with an obligation of “Changing our world, one person at a time.

She said the aim of the 05 Initiative is to establish a one-stop Sickle Cell Clinic at all Central Hospitals in the state ahead of the establishment of a referral centre in Asaba, the Delta capital.

She therefore encouraged Deltans, irrespective of their positions, especially elected officials and political appointees to help fund projects of the 05 Initiative to bring sucour to carriers of sickle cell anaemia through effective, intensive medical treatment, advocacy and enlightenment campaigns.

Earlier in her welcome speech, Director General of the 05 Initiative, Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas, revealed that the scheme was ewtablished to ensure that the survival rate of people with sickle cell disorder is higher, adding that the essence of the equipment at the clinic was to eradicate encumbrances faced by Survival Success People in accessing health facilities.

Dr. Mrs. Alero Olanipekun and Nutritionist Dr. Ejiro Ogheneaga made presentations on the challenges, management, control and treatment of sickle cell disorder while the children and members of the Sickle Cell Club of Delta State had a “Success and Survival” dance and testimonies from focal persons.

The Delta state Commisioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge thanked the founder of 05 Initiative and her team for giving hope to people with Sickle cell disorder, urging the hospital authority to imbibe good maintenance culture in handling the hospital facilities.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

Hon. Power Anuku, the Director-General of Ochor Chris Ochor Political Group has reacted to the publication by the online portal, on the person and office of Hon. Ochor Chris Ochor, the Executive Director, Social Services Development, on the board of
the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC).

Hon. Anuku was reacting to two separate publication titled: “DESOPADEC GREED: DESPITE MILLIONS DIVERTED, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OCHOR OCHOR VOWS AIDES WILL DIE IN PENURY”, published Tuesday 1, March 2016, and “24 HOURS AFTER SECRET REPORTERS EXPOSED DESOPADEC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OCHOR OCHOR FOR DIVERTING CASH, HE MOVES TO SACK AIDES”, published on Wednesday, 2 March 2016.

The Director General who described the publications as false, unfounded and a very poor fabrication and calculated attempt by detractors, to bring the image and reputation of Hon. Ochor Ochor to disrepute, noted that while he would not join issues with the online medium, which is already carving a negative niche for itself as a purveyor of falsehood and sensationalism, he would rather engage in clarifying certain issues, establishing the facts behind the reported mis-information and ultimately setting the records straight for the general public.

According to Anuku, the group of aides working with Hon. Ochor, which also includes the Special Assistants SA’s, had unanimously agreed that since the law establishing the Commission had stipulated only one space for a Special Assistant to the Executive Director, they would all be amenable to an arrangement where the salary is shared amongst all of them to accommodate everyone and ensure that not only one
person among the lot will benefit from the appointment, since they had all worked collectively for the success of their Principal.

This arrangement had been done in good faith and was agreed by all the three SA’s involved, who embraced the proposition by consensus and proceeded to see to its implementation subsequently.

“It was not meant to short change anybody, but rather to get more people empowered. It will interest you to know that the highest paid person in the arrangement receives N150, 000.00 monthly (One hundred and fifty thousand naira only), while the furniture allocation is disbursed among the same persons according to their hierarchy in the administrative structure”, Anuku said.

On the issue of the official car, the Director General of the Ochor Ochor Political Group, noted that even Hon. Ochor Ochor himself had not been allocated an official vehicle for his office as the Executive Director, Social Services Development, DESOPADEC, as at the time of the misleading publication by Secret Reporters and the Commission has not even released any cars to the Assistants to the Executive Directors, so how can anyone now claim that he was trying to divert the car and buy a different car for his Special Assistant, on a matter that had not even been addressed.

“Why should he divert the official car of his Aide to his wife, when in the first place, he had not even received his own car and even at that, the wife still drives a Prado Jeep car?”, he asked.

While urging the publishers to go to the Commission and verify his claims, instead of relying on gossip, half-truths and baseless rumours from disgruntled elements, the DG dismissed all the allegations against Hon. Ochor as false and called on media organizations to always cross check stories sent to them before publication.

Speaking further, Mr. Anuku confirmed that Hon. Ochor Ochor has already engaged almost 50 persons from his mandate area in DESOPADEC, putting them directly under his pay roll and has already set a machinery in motion to explore more empowerment and employment, as well as capacity building and skills acquisition opportunities for his
people.

He then stressed that when it comes to issues of his love for genuine empowerment of his people and followers, Hon. Ochor has vowed to use his office to improve the welfare of the oil producing communities and bring more dividends of democracy to his people, in line with the prosperity for all Deltans objective of the Governor Okowa administration, even as he added that the Executive Director, Social Services Development, DESOPADEC, does not now see himself reneging on his vow by contemplating on sacking his aides because of mere allegations which are absolutely laughable.

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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s immense contribution to the growth of Nigeria has helped in stabilizing democracy in the country, which many generations will be grateful for.

Buhari made this assertion while felicitating with the former President as he turns 79 years old on Saturday, and was contained in a statement signed by his spokesman – Femi Adesina.

The statement reads, “The president affirms that the former president, who is approaching the octogenarian cycle, has contributed immensely to the institutionalization of democracy in Nigeria and Africa through his personal sacrifice, extensive local and international networks, and God-given wisdom,”

“President Buhari believes that Chief Obasanjo’s place in global history is assured for successfully handing over power to a civilian government in 1979 after serving as a military head of state, and returning to power in 1999 through elections to stabilize the polity, during which he most remarkably negotiated a debt relief for Nigeria.

“The president warmly commends Chief Obasanjo’s vision and commitment to the growth of Nigeria and Africa, which translated into a historic growth rate of 6 percent for the Nigerian economy after a long period of slow growth, and also created a rippling effect that buoyed other African economies.

“As he turns 79, the president avers that the former president’s regular shuttles across Nigeria and Africa to counsel on economic, social and political issues, and his willingness to head election monitoring teams that have heralded smooth transitions in many countries are legacies which generations will remain grateful.

“President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will grant the Balogun of the Owu lineage, who is also the Ekerin Balogun of the Egba clan, long life and strength to continue his service to humanity.”

In a similar development, Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has felicitated with former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as he turns 79 years.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, Governor Okowa, prayed for the continued grace of good health and mind for Chief Obasanjo.

“Chief Obasanjo, undoubtedly, exudes an inspiration very much needed at this stage of Nigeria’s socio-political and economic development and it is not for nothing that God has kept him as one of Nigeria’s guides” Governor Okowa noted.

Okowa who observed that Chief Obasanjo does not beg issues said Nigeria needs such forthright leader, at all levels, if the country will see itself out of the woods of its myriad of challenges.

He recounted Chief Obasanjo’s bold developmental legacies that dotted the Nigerian landscape from his days as a military Head of State and as the civilian President between 1999 and 2007 and charged current leaders, both at the federal and state levels, to buy into the elder statesman’s philosophy.

“Dear Chief Obasanjo, the remarkable achievements of your first and second sojourns as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are indelible in the Oil & Gas, Steel, Banking as well as the Communication Sectors of the Nigeria Economy.

“In a life that has seen you become a Statesman amidst your achievements in public service and political endeavours, there is great cause for you, members of your family, your many associates, protégés and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for His benevolence upon you”.

“As you deservedly celebrate this landmark, it is my prayer that Almighty God continue to bless you with robust health and many more years of happiness.

“I join your family, friends and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for His continued guidance, protection and provision for you in the past 79 years of a life of forthrightness and outstanding patriotism with which He has blessed you.”

According to Aniagwu, the governor wished Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a very happy 79th birthday celebration and prayed that God Almighty grant him many more years of good health and strength to continue with his devotion to making Nigeria and Africa a better place for the people and all who live in it.

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E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka