Can the newly registered All Peoples Congress, APC, truly upstage the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, in Delta State? While many will hasten to say no, others might be slow in answering if they consider a recent remark in the media by Chief Frank Kokori, a former member of the DPP, who was quoted as saying that the emergence of APC meant the possible death of DPP in Delta State. Well, the fact is that the DPP still remains the party to beat in Delta State.

Kokori’s statement is disturbing given his past principled stand against corruption, bad leadership and the ruling elites’ disrespect for the rule of law and cherished democratic principles. Kokori had aligned with DPP, especially in Delta, because of the correct perception of the party as one that stands for justice. It is no longer news that Kokori has now switched camp from the DPP to APC which he considers to be the bigger party.

What worries discerning observers here is the dangerous thinking that might is right. Also worrisome is the fact that nothing else matters to the APC leadership and its new converts in their determination to win the state by all means. In the calculations of the APC’s leadership especially in Lagos, the character, the giant strides and the pedigree of the DPP leadership in the state do not matter.

In fact, the legend and the progressive personality of Chief Great Ogboru, the de facto leader of the DPP in the state, his travails and sustained but dogged battle to free the state, obviously count for nothing as far as the buccaneer in APC is concerned. Democracy is no doubt a game of numbers and Deltans remain the ultimate decider of who leads them after an election.

Long before its registration, the APC had nurtured a renegade group led by the late Senator Pius Ewherido to destabilise the DPP. The late senator was assisted by Akamukali, the clownish delusional political neophyte that now claims the national leadership of DPP despite INEC’s assurance to the contrary.  But INEC has since issued a statement reassuring the party’s members that it “has not recognised the existence of any faction in the DPP, please.”

Ewherido, who wanted the APC’s governorship ticket in 2015, had worked assiduously with Akamukali, who was later expelled from the party, to factionalise DPP and finally deal it a death blow. Ewherido’s sudden death however blew this plan apart and threw the likes of Akamukali into disarray.  But the DPP’s popularity has continued to soar, a fact that was visibly demonstrated recently in Abrakar when the party held a stakeholders meeting.

APC has two opposing dominant personalities and groups, Buhari and Tinubu, CPC and ACN. Nigerians already know where Buhari stands on any issue and his antecedents speak for him. He remains arguably the most consistent, the most predictable and the most cheated past Nigerian leader. But he has now become more tutored by practical experience as a player in the murky waters of Nigerian politics especially since 1999.

Tinubu is different. He has benefitted more than any other Nigerian in terms of his past positions, his hold on his party and his overbearing influence on his governors. He has also tremendously benefitted financially and has become the godfather to his contemporaries.

Kokori and his co-travellers have to carefully consider Delta’s idiosyncrasy before pitching their tents with any outside political groups especially those who disguise their real intention in the state. They need to be wary of Emperor Tinubu and the inherent dangers in the APC taking over Delta by stealth. DPP is tested and it is the original party to lead the state. The fact is south west is progressive and it supports progressive parties and not individuals.

Kokori is a dogged fighter who should remain steadfast with the progressive DPP. What he needs to do now is to be a long distance runner. Kokori should also not forget quickly how the Tinubu camp abandoned him since the advent of democracy in 1999 despite his contribution to the struggle for June 12. Despite his gallantry on June 12, Kokori has nothing to show, not necessarily in terms of finance or political patronage but in terms of being recognised as a leader in his own right.

Kokori needs to know too that Tinubu, Ibori and Uduaghan are partners and that they are working together to achieve a common political objective in Delta State. It is a known fact that the three of them own the ACN and by extension APC in Delta State. The calculation is to discredit and weaken the people’s preferred candidate, Chief Ogboru, and foist the Ibori/Uduaghan candidate on the people of Delta State using the APC. This was where Ewherido got it wrong, he had  by assummed that the APC would give him its ticket in 2015.

Kokori is towing the same line and he might get it wrong too. He needs to be reminded that this was the same strategy employed by the trio in the re-run and the 2011 governoship elections when Omo-Agege, a PDP member had to contest on the platform of the ACN. Tinubu led ACN to Delta to flag off Omo-Agege’s campaign, knowing full well that Omo-Agege was not even qualified to participate in the re-run. But because his spoiler’s role would have facilitated the Ibori/Uduaghan/Tinubu agenda to divide the Urhobo in order to give Uduaghan a head start, Tinubu and the ACN turned the blind eye. The rumour then was that Uduaghan would planned to use the ACN platform to contest the re-run if the PDP had withheld its ticket.

Deltans know what the DPP stands for in Delta State. They also know that the APC’s agenda is to preserve the status quo. While Kokori appears impatient and understandably battle weary, he needs to remember that a known devil is better than an unknown one. DPP is synonymous with Delta.

*Doyin Iyiola, a media consultant writes from London.

The on-going rift between the management and staff of the Delta state owned construction outfit, Direct Labour Agency (DLA) seems to be nearing an end, following the intervention of various leadership of Labour in the state, in a bid to halt the lingering crisis.

The leaderships of Labour have therefore, at a joint resolution urged the state Government to take a definite action on the crisis to avoid a total breakdown of industrial relations in Delta State.

It however, suspended the current strike action by workers in DLA, since they downed tools due to alleged inexperienced and ineffective handling of the agency’s activities by the Director General, Emmanuel Igbini.

When Blank NEWS Online visited the DLA premises in Asaba, workers were seen going about their normal duties but the serene office environment had remained with signs of compressed indignation. Attempts to see the DG Igbini was fruitless since some staff who were confronted on the whereabouts of the DG simply moved on without making a statement.

Recall that members of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) and staff of DLA have been in contention with Igbini’s led management over deliberate refusal to implement series of agreements reached with stakeholders, union and representatives of the state government for a healthy industrial peace and harmony in the agency.

Although Blank NEWS Online sources close to the Director General claim that Igbini has been meeting with some aggrieved top government officials to save his job, another source says that the embattled DLA boss is “unrepentant”, alleging that he has vowed not to yield to the terms of Labour in restoring industrial peace.

This is just as a grapevine source has disclosed to Blank NEWS Online that “Labour is very aware of Igbini’s diversionary tactics. The leaderships of Labour in their wisdom have stepped in and would not condone any disappointment in their bid to resolve the lingering industrial crisis.”

Labour, according to an insider source, have scheduled another joint meeting for Monday, August 19, 2013 for a definite action plan, even as DLA workers insist on Igbini’s sack by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan over alleged financial impropriety and high-handedness.

Meanwhile, the joint five-point Communique issued by Labour on Monday, August 12, 2013, as a result of the lingering crisis in Delta State Direct Labour Agency (DLA) was signed by the various labour leadership in the state.

They include Comrade S.E.O. Diatake, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN); Comrade Fidel Emeni, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE); Comrade Mike Arinze, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Comrade William Akporeha, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The leadership of Labour in the state which met on Monday, August 12, 2013 resolved as follows:

I. That the Memorandum of Understanding reached in the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour and Industrial Relations on 15th April, 2013 still stands.

II. That the purported dissolution of the DLA unit of AUPCTRE by the management of DLA is null and void.

III. That all acts of victimization such as demotion, transfer, queries, etc arising from the crisis that was resolved on 15th April, 2013 are null and void.

IV. Accordingly and having regard to the intervention by the state Government represented by Comrade Mike Okeme, Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour and Industrial Relations, the current strike action by workers in DLA is hereby suspended.

V. That the state Government is hereby requested as a matter of urgency to take a definite action to resolve the industrial relations crisis in DLA once and for all to avoid a total breakdown of industrial peace and harmony in DLA and in Delta State in general.

Delta State government has once again re-affirmed its pledge to support the economically poor and underprivileged families in the state and enhance its poverty alleviation programme by setting up a special scheme which will avail such families of monthly financial assistance and an annual exit payment, through the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) scheme.

This disclosure was made by the Delta State Commissioner, Special Duties, Directorate of Millennium Development Goals, Queen Mother Victoria Ikenchuku, while presenting the mid-term report of her Directorate to journalists in Government House, Asaba, on Tuesday, August 13, 2013.

The Commissioner revealed that the Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) which was introduced in 2007 is funded from the savings of Debt Relief Gains of $1 billion of which the Federal Government’s share is $750 million, while the State share is $250million, adding that the scheme seeks to engage and support States and Local Governments in achieving the MDGs by the target date of 2015.

Addressing the need to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, which is Goal 1 of the MDG Goals, Queen Victoria noted that the Delta State government had already keyed into the Federal Government designed Conditional Grants Scheme (CGS) since 2008 and identified Five (5) Local Government Areas, as part of the selection mechanism for an objective implementation of the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme in the State, with the weakest MDG indicators and Five (5) wards and communities from the poverty mapping data already collected and collated by OSSAP-MDGs, using the Baseline Facility Inventory and Needs Assessment.

Speaking further, the Queen Mother said that, “the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) is a social safety net intervention whereby grants are provided to targeted extremely poor households on the condition that their children of basic school age attend school and participate in the free health care programme for children and pregnant women and to this end, a total of 2,250 extremely poor households in five poorest Local Government Areas of Delta State have been targeted as beneficiaries of the Scheme”.

The selected beneficiaries LGA’s are Ukwuani, Oshimili South, Warri South West, Okpe, and Udu and the selection survey of households is already on-going in the five identified communities in five LGA’s.

According to her, “The selection of beneficiaries from each community was restricted to poor female – headed households, poor aged – headed households, and child – headed households”, adding that the criteria used were Shelter, income, access to education and health, widowhood, and HIV-impacted households amongst other indices to select the five LGAs.

She further added that, “The life span of the scheme is one year and the Conditional Cash Transfer, CCT, is intended to increase access to education, basic health care and ability to engage in income generating activities by the poor households, while beneficiaries are also assisted in saving towards income that would be invested in petty trading that would provide some steady income for the household”.

The MDG Commissioner also said that “The financial monthly disbursement per household is N5,000.00 (Five Thousand Naira) while the exit payment is N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira),” adding that “The exit payment is intended to enable the beneficiary start off an agricultural skill which she would have acquired during the year.”

She noted that the Directorate would collaborate with the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), to impact Agricultural Skills on would-be beneficiaries in the selected rural wards/communities, even as she anticipated that this would ensure that the households become self-reliant at the end of the one year scheme.

The challenges, according to her, include community acceptance and buy-in into the projects that are meant to improve their lives, dealing with resistance and apathy in certain communities, intensive capital funding brought about by running costs, commitment by the beneficiaries to acquiring skills and sustainability of the trade engaged in and harassment by community youths over financial gratifications before projects can be sited in the communities as well as the peculiarities and challenges of the terrain in the State.

Listing the achievements of the Directorate, the Commissioner said that from 2008 to date, the Directorate has strengthened existing primary health care facilities in the Twenty Five LGAs in the state through provision of Maternity Wards, Medical Staff Quarters, Units of Delivery Packs, Units of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets, Doses of Anti- Malaria Drugs as well as teaching aids to the schools of midwifery in Asaba and Sapele amongst others.

With specific reference to local governments, the Directorate has so far funded the construction, renovation and provision of Classrooms/administration Blocks, gender friendly toilets, in primary schools, motorized, solar powered or ring wells water schemes, which could be motorized, solar powered or ring wells, provision of teachers’ and pupils’ desks, chairs and tables, construction and furnishing of primary health care centres staff quarters as well as payment of stipends to Village Health Workers for rendering primary health care services employed by the National Primary Health Care in implementation of the SURE P.

Queen Ikenchuku asserted that since 2008 till date, the state government has dutifully provided its counterpart funding of N1billion annually to the Directorate and the total funding to the MDG project in the state so far is N6.7 billion, made up of N2.5 billion from the Federal Government and N4.2 billion from the Delta state government.

The Commissioner affirmed that the Delta State Directorate of MDGs is an interventionist Directorate, which utilizes the Conditional Grant Scheme Fund to complement the State investments in projects and facilities to enhance the living conditions of all Deltans and ensure the ultimate objective of achieving the Millennium Development Goals by target year of 2015 and beyond.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has said that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) was determined to check the challenge of oil theft in the country, claiming that the measures taken by the Forum to support the Federal Government was paying off.

According to him, the NGF meeting, Sunday night in Abuja, the Forum had to do something after the shutdown of two major pipelines (Trans-Niger and Nembe) led to the combined loss of about 300,000 barrels per day. “This resulted in the drop of our oil output from 2.5million bpd to 2.1million bpd. But as I speak today, the two pipelines vandalized and damaged have been repaired and re-opened.”

He called for the cooperation and vigilance of all Nigerians to effectively check illegal oil bunkering which has drastically reduced the socio-economic potentials of the country.

Uduaghan however, while fielding questions from newsmen, had promised that his administration in Delta state will continue to support athletes and other youths who are prepared to make a living out of sports.

The Governor, who commended Delta State-born Blessing Okagbare’s feat in clinching the silver medal in the Long Jump event in the on-going International Athletics Championships in Moscow, encouraged her to be focused in the determination to secure a gold medal for Nigeria in the World Championships.

Meanwhile, the vice chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko disclosed that the NGF has resolved to streamline their position on the on-going review of the constitution and come up with a common position for the Governors.

The Governors also considered the current strike action by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and appealed to lecturers to call off the strike in the interest of the nation’s educational development.

The once peaceful scenario of Asaba, the Delta state capital, may soon turn into a hot-bed of crisis if urgent security measures are not put in place to curb an alleged impending invasion by thugs on the orders of embattled Director General of Delta state owned construction outfit, Direct Labour Agency (DLA), Emmanuel Igbini, a security alert has revealed.

The crisis, according to dependable sources claimed that the unending feud in DLA reached its head on Wednesday, August 07, 2013 when the state chapter of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), under the headship of Comrade Fidel Emeni, sealed-up the agency’s office in Asaba, calling for the immediate sack of Igbini by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Blank NEWS Online understands that Igbini, who has severally been accused of gross financial impropriety to the tune of N3.7 billion, high-handedness in running the affairs of the agency and utter disregard to due process was also said to have turned down series of agreements reached with stakeholders and the Union, including representatives of the state government, as he refused to implement the demands for sustainable peace.

“He has flouted all reasonable agreements. He now operate from the unit offices and went ahead to highhandedly dissolve the branch of DLA union via a newspaper advert after purportedly mobilizing non-union members to pass a vote of no confidence on a democratically elected union, an act which is a flagrant disregard to union rules and regulations. He now runs the affairs of the agency through subversive generosity to dissident staff”, an aggrieved staff told Blank NEWS Online.

It was also revealed that during one of the peace meetings at the instance of the Head of Service (HOS), Sir Okey Ofili, the embattled Igbini walked out on Ofili after telling him (HOS) to his face that he is not answerable to anybody outside the state governor and refused to attend the meeting which was held to resolve the agency’s crisis.

The aborted meeting was scheduled to hold at the Conference Hall, Office of the Head of Service on Monday, July 22, 2013, following a letter titled “Re: Seven (7) Days Extension of Ultimatum issued on 28th June 2013, Which Expired Wednesday 17th July 2013” and dated 19th July, 2013 with Ref No. ED 23T/2.

Igbini is said to have also severally rebuffed the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, Commissioner for Works, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon and a former chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour and Industrial Relations, Comrade Mike Okeme, as well as the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mr. Obuh, who had indicated interest to resolve the impasse.

Okeme, had earlier on 15th April 2013 after exhaustive discussion on dispute at stake succeeded in reaching a nine-point resolution between the Management of Direct Labour Agency (DLA); Leaderships of Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC); Trade Union Congress (TUC); Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE); Association of senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and the in-house Union of DLA but to Okeme’s chagrin, Igbini vehemently refused to implement any of the resolutions in the Memorandum of Agreement signed by all including Igbini and Okeme.

Okeme, as a former labour boss further made unyielding efforts to persuade Igbini to implement the agreement to no avail via a letter titled “Re: Implementation of Agreement Reached on 15th April, 2013 in the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour and Industrial Relations” and dated 9th July 2013 with Ref No. SA/SCOM/LR.23/Vol.2/220.

Part of the letter reads:

“I am directed to remind you of the need to implement the agreement reached on 15th April, 2013 in the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour and Industrial Relations and your promise to adopt it as a working document in your Agency and to also inform you that my office have received several correspondences stating that inspite of the signed agreement, the status quo have remained same and the polity is again being heated.

“I am further directed to inform you that in the interest of industrial peace and harmony, it is paramount that you implement the agreement to have a good working relationship with your staff in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the Agency.”

He is also said to have gone ahead to make inciting statements and publications against the union, despite his failure to implement desirable measures and moves by stakeholders to entrench peaceful working relations in the Agency.

However, earlier in a letter with Ref No. AUP/DT/ADM/Vol.1/ 2013/63 and dated 18th July, 2013, the state chapter of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), warned Igbini that “Please note that at the expiration of this Seven (7) days without any tangible action on your part to redress the grievances, the Union may not be able to restrain its members from any action they deem necessary.”

Meanwhile, Igbini’s boastful remarks that “Governor Uduaghan who appointed me is fully behind me. Nobody can challenge my office. I’m only answerable to the Governor because i’m working for him”, had triggered sharp reactions from a cross-sections of Deltans who claim that Igbini’s arrogance may not be unconnected with prior allegations that the Agency exists as a financial drain pipe for selfish interest.

They have therefore called on Nigeria’s anti-graft body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to urgently embark on a careful scrutiny of the financial records of the Agency’s past and present Management dealings viz-a-viz the output on roads maintenance and equipment purchased.

Recall that in the breakdown of Delta State 2013 budget, Mr. Kenneth Okpara, Commissioner for Economic Planning on Thursday, January, 2013, mentioned the release of N2Bn to repair about 159 roads as one of the quick wins made by the Uduaghan led team in 2012, even as government sources proved that more funds were released to DLA in recent times.

The situation however, came to a head after the DLA boss, Emmanuel Igbini had turned down agreements reached with stakeholders and the Union, including representatives of the state government, as the entire staff and members of AUPCTRE thronged out on Wednesday August 07, 2013 and sealed-up the DLA office in Asaba, appealing to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to urgently sack Igbini due to alleged fraudulent activities and sundry diversion of the Agency’s funds into private Diamond Bank accounts in Asaba and GT Bank in Warri, where hundreds of millions of naira have already allegedly been lodged.

The state chapter of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), has therefore demanded that since all entreaties and agreements have failed, it is rife for the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to urgently step in to safe-guard the Peace and Security agenda of his administration, just as they listed six contentions and reasons why they want Igbini ousted.

Their contentions include lack of due process and disregard to extant rules in the public service; poor management of the agency and lack of transparency and accountability; abuse of career of staff of the agency; victimization, harassment, intimidation and coercion of staff; falsehood, propaganda and blackmail as instrument of diversion; and non implementation of agreement reached between AUPCTRE state exco, TUC, NLC and in-house Unions of DLA in the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour and Industrial Relations to His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Meanwhile, the indicted DG, Emmanuel Igbini is said to have also engaged the services of hired thugs from Ughelli and Warri to physically challenge the aggrieved workers who had allegedly chased him out out of office.

A security source told Blank NEWS Online that the police is already aware of “the plot by a certain DG in Asaba to mobilize truck-loads of thugs from somewhere else to breach peace in the state capital.”

When contacted on phone at 06:44pm (09/08/2913), the Delta state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Lucky Uyabame said he was yet to be briefed on the alleged plot by the DG, Igbini to storm Asaba with thugs but assured that he would confirm the reports.

Igbini is alleged to have misappropriated huge sums of money released by the state government for the purchase of equipment and road maintenance across the state. “He approves, he buys and sell alone. When he assumed office, he inherited over N1bn (One Billion naira) cash, aside equipment and he lied to the state government that he used the monies for the repairs of equipment.

“But now, over N2bn (Two Billion naira) given to him by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for road intervention and maintenance is now being used by him to purchase scraps to make quick wealth”, a DLA source revealed.

All attempts by Blank NEWS Online to reach the DG of DLA was unsuccessful, just as it was disclosed that he had been directed not to speak yet on the issue, as he has continually refused to pick calls or reply to text messages.

Some Deltans who have spoken on the issue, on condition of anonymity said: “He (Emmanuel Igbini) is a desperate thief who claimed to have submitted to EFFC when he was without job and living on the benevolence of friends and relatives.He may not need to submit to EFFC now because EFFC now have a thousand and one reason to fish him out. With over N2.6 billion misappropriated by him I wonder why we should be begging EFFC to bring him to book.”

Another queried, “I wonder why somebody who claimed to have voluntarily submitted to EFCC should be scared of following due process in a government parastatal. Do EFFC probe jobless people who are living on charity? Who does he want to fool by such frivolous claims? What about the numerous family members that are being paid salaries as PAs and placed on permanent night allowances while residing in the comfort of their homes? What about the intense heat that DLA staff are subjected to under the guise of saving money by shutting down the generator that has been in use long before he assumed the office of DG? What about the allowances of the innocent staff of DLA that he seized and added to increase his own allowance to six hundred thousand monthly besides his salary as DG? What about the numerous inflated LPOs awarded to himself daily for purchases of various items ranging from construction materials to construction equipment most of which the agency do not have need of? What about exhuming dead and condemned equipment from the junk yard of various construction companies and claiming to have bought them at a price that could conveniently purchase a new equipment? The least is endless but does all of these befit the towering status of somebody who claimed to be the only honest Deltan?”

Yet another Deltan asked, “How did he find his way into such an exalted position as a sacked junior staff of ELF? We understand he wears coverall about trying to fool the masses yet he keeps siphoning govt funds and tax payers money under various guise ranging from inflated LPOs to fraudulent allowances.”

Persons who also have commented on the stories so far said, “We learnt some comrades (past leaders from outside DLA)who should know better have compromised by accepting LPO bribes to scuttle the legitimate struggle of DLA workers against the tyranny of Mr Igbini. Where therefore is the solidarity that was the hallmark of such struggles in the past?My advice to them is that that money you collected from Mr Igbini is not a secret because Mr Igbini is not good at keeping such issues secret(in fact he counts them as credit and not secret) and it is loaded with curses and the wrath of God because the entire staff of DLA are groaning, sweating, weeping and bleeding under that bribe. Be warned!”

Another submitted that, “Its been reported on news that NLC and TUC came to his aid once again and he was given another opportunity to … .Well, you have done well to broker peace here but I have my reservation about the communique he signed because I do not see Mr Igbini following due process. I feel for the staff of DLA whose careers are daily being toyed with and the NLC and TUC who may have to dedicate a greater part of their valuable time to secure his sojourn in DLA..I can assure you that you will have a hectic time this year if you intend to enforce his compliance to this seemingly simple agreement-complince to due process. WATCH OUT FOR HIS ACTION AND REACTION CONCERNING THE COMMUNIQUE THAT LED TO THE SUSPENSION OF THE STRIKE AND YOU WILL WISH THAT YOU WERE NEVER PART OF IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.WATCH OUT!”

But amazingly, the unperturbed and self-styled Comrade Engr. Igbini Odafe Emmanuel posted a comment in Blank NEWS Online about a story titled: DG Flees Office As Union Pickets DLA **Igbini Accused of Fraud, May Face EFCC Probe.”

The comment POSTED BY COMRADE ENGR IGBINI ODAFE EMMANUEL | SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2013, 9:33 PM reads: “In fact I am now in EFCC Maximum Prison. I hope this breaking news makes you guys happy.”

Blank NEWS Online in its REPLY TO THIS COMMENT POSTED BY BLANKNEWSONLINE | SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2013, 11:58 PM said, “You have a “Right Of Reply”…Send to Email: blanknewsonline@ymail.com.”

Engr. Emmanuel Edafe Igbini, a former Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Delta State contested against Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2007 and during the Court of Appeal-ordered rerun in the state, until his appointment in form of compensation on August 10, 2011 by Governor Uduaghan.

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Godwill Obielum has donated relief materials worth millions of naira to be distributed among indigenes of the seven Itsekiri communities in Delta state, who were recently displaced as a result of an attack on their communities.

Chief Obielum who presented the relief materials at the weekend observed that what happened was a sad development and commiserated with the families of those killed during the crisis and urged government at all levels to assist the victims.

According to Chief Obielum, “we must be our brother’s keepers because this is a very sad situation that urgently requires that our brothers and sisters who were displaced are assisted for them not to continue suffering’.”

“Government at all levels, and corporate organizations should assist them because, we are in a Delta where an injury to one is an injury to all,” Chief Obielum said, adding, “our people should not resort to violence on issues that can be resolved peacefully through dialogue or through political representatives.”

Chief Obielum who was represented by the Tiemeyewe of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Sam Eyengho who was accompanied by members of Proper Inheritance Political Associates (PIPA) urged all Nigerians to always engage in actions which would strengthen our democratic values by working towards peace, reiterating, “democracy is all about representative government, so, we should not engage in any action which would not encourage peaceful co-existence, because peace is very important for democracy to thrive.”

The former Police boss, urged those who were affected by the crisis not to engage in action which will further escalate the situation as every lover of democracy identifies with their plights and appropriate measures would be taken by government to reduce their plight.

Receiving the relief materials which include bags of beans, rice, garri, cartons of tomatoes, groundnut oil, palm oil, mosquito nets, among others, Mr David Edu who is the Chairman, Caretaker Committee for Warri North Local Government Council thanked Chief Obielum for coming to the aids of those affected by the crisis and assured that the relief materials would go a long way to assist those who were affected.

He observed that Chief Obielum’s gesture was unique, noting that when flood ravaged some communities in Delta State last year, it was on record how Chief Obielum promptly rendered assistance to ensure that those affected by the flood were properly assisted.

“Please, thank Chief Obielum for us, we appreciate what he is doing for people who are suffering in Delta State, we pray that God will continue to reward him for his service to mankind,” the transition committee chairman remarked.

Hon. Sony Jaye, who led those the relief materials were meant for thanked Chief Obielum for coming to their aid.

Blank NEWS Online can report that Chief Obielum has however risen to the challenge of not leaving the task of assuaging the predicaments of the affected people to government alone, by rising to the occasion to assist and complement the state government’s efforts in this regard.

Recall that the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan had on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 during a peace and security stakeholders meeting in Warri with security commanders and leaders of ljaw and ltsekiri communities in Warri North Local Government disclosed of the state government’s preparedness to rehabilitate and send relief materials to the victims of the affected communities after a thorough assessment of the area would have been carried out.

The governor had also commended Chief Edwin Clark who intervened to calm the situation and Itsekiri youths for not retaliating during the unfortunate and condemnable crisis, where attackers allegedly from the Ijaw ethnic nationality, destroyed several itsekiri communities including Gbokoda, Obaghoro and Ebrohimi, even as a leader of the ljaw community, Chief Emmanuel Ebimami and the leaders of itsekiri community, Mr. Micheal Diden, Chief Ayiri Emami and Mr. Ezekiel Akpasibowa claimed that the violence was perpetrated crude oil thieves.

-By Our Crime Correspondent:

The Nigeria Police in Lagos State have disclosed the names of homosexual suspects who are on the police radar as Patrick Kentebe 30, Jubril Lawal 25, Ekene Sunday 32, Femi Amos 40, Lanre Okifo 29 and James Edet 24.

These men are being hunted for by the police. Dozens of homosexuals have fled the country in recent time. Our source further learnt that community members helped the police in fishing out the suspects as the police are also on the hunt for many other suspects not named.

Blanknews correspondent Edirin Evans authoritatively gathered information from a reliable source who happens to be a sister to one of the suspects Lanre Okifo at No.12 Meiro street, Agege, Lagos, the witness narrated how she saw her brother and his friend Patrick Kentebe who just arrived from the United Kingdom on holiday having anal sex in his room.

The witness Miss Tosin termed the act an abomination, as she never believes her brother could get involved in such act and this prompted her to raise alarm that attracted people.

They were seriously beaten up by the angry mob. They were about to be burnt alive when police arrived and took them away. It was later gathered that Patrick escaped under custody.

Our correspondent further gathered from the Divisional Police headquarters, Ikeja that Patrick’s partner Lanre who happens to be a son of a prominent politician from the state, named several other people involved in the homosexual act.

Although the Senate has passed the same sex marriage prohibition law in May this year, the President has not sign the act into law.

It remain illegal at the moment for any arrest made on anyone on this issue but unfortunately the police have placed a ransom amount on the above persons.

According to 2007 Pen Global attitudes projects of Nigeria, residents believe that homosexuality is a way of life that society should not accept, they see it as a taboo that is against their cultural and religious practices, which was the second highest rate of non acceptance by 45 countries surveyed.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and his economic team had once again shown commitment to reduce dependence on oil and gas which was perceived to be the economic bedrock of the state, even as he successfully organized a 2-day “Corporate Nigeria Stakeholders’ and Investors Forum”.

The event took place at the United Nations Headquaters in New York, United States of America, on July 29th and 30th, 2013, according to a statement issued by the Delta state Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah and made available to Blank NEWS Online.

According to the statement, “This unusual tranformation agenda and purposeful paradigm shift largely concentrates on economic opportunities in the state in areas such as agriculture, tourism, telecommunication, transportation, power generation to mention but a few, through a Public Private Partnership initiative.

“For this reason, the government is wooing investors in diaspora especially from United States of America and other developed economies in the world into the state so as to apply expertise in all fields for the development of the state. According to them it will equally help to foster wealth creation, capacity building and ultimately expansion of human capital development.”

At the Forum, Delta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Kingsley Emu, while presenting a key note address with the title “Harnessing Investment Opportunities in Delta State”, affirmed that Delta state is not just an investment destination but that the state has also created enabling environment which has afforded investors to get value for thier money and to also recoup their capital within the framework of their revenue projection.

Mr Emu had emphasised that “Delta Beyond Oil” initiative has recorded many milestones in the overall interest of the good people of Delta, especially the less privileged.

“Where we are now in terms of policy direction is Delta Beyond Oil. What we are saying is that when the oil wells eventually run dry what are those things we should do with the revenue from oil in the decades while the oil wells lasted. How can we diversify our economy using our areas of comparative advantage? The major ones are the micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs).The success of the MSMEs underscores what we have always believed; that is, Delta is a land of limitless possibilities in terms of human capital and natural resources. Out of all these possibilities, we thought the one we could advance to the next level would be the MSMEs. This is because this happens to be where we have been doing very well. To our credit we have won four consecutive Central Bank of Nigeria awards. When you talk about MSMEs, you must involve agriculture whether it is agrarian farming or aquaculture, Delta State is 60 percent riverine and we are maximizing this advantage very well for the economic good of the state. There are two ministries that are coordinating these MSMEs; the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation which incubates them and brings them to life before they are passed to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry which takes them to medium and possibly big industries. This is one of the initiatives driving our Delta Beyond Oil vision.”

In the areas of human capital development Mr Emu said: “Let me also tell you that we are remodeling our schools all over the state. That’s a huge investment in the future of our children. We have e-libraries, air-conditioned classroom blocks, excellent sporting facilities. We are building 50 model schools, the type never before seen in the state. Don’t forget that Delta State unlike most states has about 21 big towns and cities. We are also offering scholarships to our graduates who make First Class Honours in various fields to pursue further studies in abroad this has greatly boost our efforts in terms of human capital development.”

As part of boost to the stakeholders’ investors forum, a member of House of Representative Committee on Diaspora Affairs, who represented Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Hon Joseph Akinlaja in his presentation talked about the opportunities Nigerians in diaspora stand to benefit and the need for them to come back home to invest. He maintained that the Federal Government will not renege in her promise in the release of the Diaspora Bond. The message reads in parts:

“According to the World Bank, Nigeria is one of the world’s fastest growing emerging economies. No one needs to tell you what this means- a billion investment opportunities lie in various sectors, with a lot of these sectors largely untapped-Agriculture, Information Technology, Medicine, Mining, Textiles, Electricity, Energy- the list goes on. To be more empirical, there is an organization called the Nigerians in Diaspora Alumni Network (NIDAN). NIDAN is an organizations that consists of former Nigerians in Diaspora that have returned home, and now own thriving businesses. They lend support to one another, and I am sure they will continue to capitalize on investment and growth opportunities in the Nigerian economy. Most of these successful businesses are in medicine, IT Tech firms, entertainment industry, and several other professions.”

Hon Akinlaja read further, “With respect to the Diaspora Bond, we know the Federal Government has plans to issue a $500 million Diaspora by issuing a first tranche of $100 million in 2013. This will be a major milestone in the process of involving our Nigerians in Diaspora in the development of the Nigerian economy. As said earlier, there are lots of opportunities for development that these funds can be put to. Also, of all the countries in Africa, Nigeria received $21 billion in remittances from its citizens abroad, putting us at number one in Africa. This fact, along with the success of the Nigeria’s $1 billion Eurobond in 2013 promises to show that Diaspora bond will be a very viable agent of investment and development in Nigeria. Nigeria remains an attractive investment destination for anyone, no matter the challenge see face today as a nation. We have the human and material resources in abundance. You are part of the solution; let us do all we can to make Nigeria the great country that we know it can be.”

However, the forum, organised by Heartlink Group was officially endorsed by the Embassy of Federal Republic of Nigeria and was fully attended by all target groups, giving rooms for participants to ask questions from the officials of Delta State government to clear all the grey linings about investment opportunities in the state.

Meanwhile, the Delta state Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike Ogeah, in an appraisal of the 2-day Corporate Nigeria Stakeholders’ & Investors’ Forum, noted that although the memorable event has come and gone, the tempo to achieve the forum’s aims and objectives of bridging the gap between potential investors in Nigeria and in the Diaspora has been effectively put into motion with a synergy of input and support from professionals from various industries.

The forum which was sponsored by Delta State Government attracted a powerful delegation of the state’s economic team, just as various topics were treated to address the theme at hand some of which include, “The Nigerian Investment Environment – Opportunities and Challenges”, BY ENGR FALOBI; “Disseminating Delta Beyond Oil Message”, by CHIKE OGEAH, while Mr. Kingsley Emu diligently took the audience through INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT with particular focus on Delta State, where an urgent need for a Nigeria Investment Summit Group was also explored.

However, the turning point of the event was when Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Executive Governor of Delta State was presented with Excellence Award in Governance as well as his ardent support of Arts / Culture in Nigeria by the Consul- General of the Consulate of Nigeria to New York, Ambassador Habib Habu for the CNSF team. The award was received on Dr. Uduaghan’s behalf by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Festus Okubor.

Nigerian artistes including Mike Aremu, Gbenga Adeyinka, Jimmyjatt among others were also showcased to add colour to the purposeful Diaspora event.

In attendance were Mrs Vivian Okeke representing Prof Ade Adefuye, Ambassador/Head of Mission Embassy of Nigeria to USA, Hon. Habiba Baba Habu, the Consul General of the Consulate of Nigeria in New York, Hon Chike Ogeah, Delta State Commissioner for Information, Arc. TC Awagu, President, Institute of Directors, and Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, MD/CEO, Kresta Laurel Nigeria Limited, Engr Dideolu Falobi.

Others were Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Global Excellence, Mayor Akinpelu, Norman Sixth Wokoma, Hon Oma Djebah, Senior Adviser to Delta State Governor on Foreign Relations, Dr Ayodeji Fred Mafikuyomi, Mr Michael Agbolade Adeniyi, Wale Rauf’ Sokunle, Benjamin Okpeseyi, MD/CEO of Heartlink Ventures Limited Nigeria, Kemi Otegbade among others.

Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has stated that payment of taxes by individuals and organisations was a civic duty and not a form of punishment by government.

Uduaghan who said this while inaugurating the reconstituted Delta Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR) in Asaba, explained that tax payment, being a civil and moral responsibility helps government to provide basic amenities for the development of the society.

He emphasised that government was only enforcing the laws as entrenched in the constitution and charged Nigerians to pay their taxes regularly so as to sustain infrastructural development in all sectors of the economy.

“The payment of taxes was not a form of punishment on citizens but a civic and moral responsibility which all citizens should willingly exercise, we should all pay our taxes and expect returns on the taxes through sustained tempo of the provision of infrastructure in all sectors of the economy .

“In all societies, taxes are necessary to prop government’s revenue and shore up its expenditure, especially now that the world is coming to terms with the dire consequences of global economic meltdown”.

Governor Uduaghan who commended the Board of Internal Revenue for the increase in the average monthly internal generated revenue from 1.2 billion naira to 5.7 billion naira urged the newly inaugurated Board to explore all untapped sources of revenue in the state so as to boost the state finances.

He enjoined them to critically look at all avenues of collectible revenue to beef up the state’s finances explaining that the revenue from Federation Account was fluctuating and was dependent on the vagaries of the international oil market which was not good for developmental planning. He emphasized that the time has come to diversify the economy of the country.

“This board plays a very vital role in the financial health of the state since we cannot fold our hands and wait for whatever accrues from the Federal Account. We have to critically look at all avenues of collectible revenue to beef up the state’s finances especially as that of the Federation Account is dependent on the vagaries of the international oil market. Oil is a finite commodity and can get exhausted anytime. We have to plan properly and diversify our economy so that we can be insulated from the vagaries of oil price fluctuation”.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to provide basic socio-economic infrastructure development to enhance the actualization of the “Delta Beyond Oil” initiative.

He however called on prominent and well-to-do Deltans to come and invest in the state as government has provided a conducive environment for investors.

Governor Uduaghan commended the members of the Board of Internal Revenue for their outstanding work during their last tenure and charged them to work harder and explore other sources of revenue with a view to increase the state internal generated revenue and not to rest on their oars.

“The reward of hard work is more work…..I urged you to look more closely at ways of improvement rather than relaxing, because you can perform better. Do not dwell so much on your challenges. It is your ability to subdue your challenges and achieve positive results that makes you great men. You are already on the right path”.

The Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Honorable Joel-Onowakpo Thomas thanked Governor Uduaghan for finding the members worthy for re-appointment to the Board.

He stated that the Board would fiercely pursue the Delta Beyond Oil Initiative and would also tackle some of the challenges the Board faced.

Hon. Thomas pledged the Board’s loyalty and commitment to the improvement of the state’s internal revenue through hard work and fairness in delivering their duties.

Members of the Inaugurated Delta State Board of Internal Revenue include; Hon. Joel- Onowakpo Thomas-Chairman, Chief Thompson Otiti Ovwere, Chief Barr. Frank Nwugo and Barr. Austin None Oboroegbeyi

The Delta state Government has recorded tremendous successes in the reduction of mortality, morbidity and HIV/Aids prevalence in the State through the provision of quality, accessible and affordable health care services to Deltans and other residents, even as the state government has subsidized payments for dialysis treatment for patients suffering from renal failure.

This was disclosed by the Delta state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara, during the ongoing mid-term reports by members of the Delta state executive council in Asaba.

According to him, “The health of a people plays out significantly in their productivity and thus their wealth…and the Ministry of Health has tenaciously been executing all the activities and programmes related to the responsibilities assigned to her… as a professional Ministry involved in the formulation of policies/strategies for the achievement of the State Government’s goals and objectives in Health related matters.”

In this regard therefore, the Delta state Government, according to Otumara, has ensured that essential facilities such as uninterrupted power supply has been provided to Maternity/Labour ward complex, Laboratory and Children Emergency units amongst others, adding that “This provision is considered very necessary to the twin Programmes of Free Maternal and Free Under-five Health Care.”

Speaking further, the Delta Health Commissioner affirmed that the Free Maternal Health Programme of the state government which was launched by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in November 2007, with the goal of reducing maternal mortality by more than 50%, has cost the government a total sum of N1.8 billion and has been a tremendous source of relief both medically and financially to Deltans.

Otumara said, “The services which initially included Ante-Natal Care, deliveries including caesarean sections as well as essential laboratory tests have been expanded to include management of ectopic pregnancies and complications of abortions as well as blood transfusion services.”

He further explained that following the rapidly increasing number of patients benefitting from the programme, several health personnel have been recruited to strengthen the work-force, adding that the statistics since inception of the programme revealed that total ANC bookings was 278,484; Routine ANC (919,248); Total Deliveries (127,849); Pre-natal Deaths (44/1000 births); Maternal Deaths (407); Maternal Mortality Ratio (244/100,000 live births) and HIV Prevalence at 2.9% from 4.1% in 2008.

In the area of rural health scheme, Otumara noted that the scheme which involves free treatment of patients with both medical and surgical conditions, at no costs to the client and also includes Laboratory services, HIV Screening, Pharmaceutical services, General Medical as well as Specialist care including Surgery has been expanded by adding immunization and dental care.

While confirming that 443 Communities have been visited since 2008 till date, he equally revealed that all the Local Government Areas of the State have benefited from this scheme, which has brought succor to many rural dwellers and has so far cost the State Government N570,000,000 (Five Hundred and Seventy Million Naira) within the period under review.

The Delta state Health Commissioner explained further that the Free Under Five Medical Care Program which was flagged off in May 2010 has also offered free medical services for all kinds of ailments for children between the ages of 0-5 years, adding that while admissions increased from 82,486 in 2010 to 351,106 in 2012, the death rate was 151 in 2010 and 1,347 in 2012, which recorded a reduction ratio of 0.23 percent to 0.18 percent in the period under review.

Although he attributed the cause of deaths recorded among children from 0-5 years in the state to several common ailments including Malaria which was the highest at 27 percent, Neonatal sepsis (12%); Birth Asphyxia (7%); Respiratory tract infections (6%); Meningitis (3%); Meningitis (3%) and others which accounted for 20 percent, the Health Commissioner said that “Since inception, the Ministry of Health has spent approximately 1.2 Billion Naira on the Free Under-Five Health Programme in Delta State.”

Otumara said that “The three Programmes so far enunciated have highlighted the Human Capital Development Programme of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration which is very fundamental and prepares Delta State for sustainable progress.”

In the area of Infrastructural Development, the Delta state Health Commissioner noted that the State Government awarded contracts for the infrastructural development and equipment for the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), located at Oghara, to the tune of N17,660,530,135.56 (Seventeen billion, six hundred and sixty million, five hundred and thirty thousand, one hundred and thirty-five naira, fifty-six kobo) since inception of the project, even as he added that about N8 billion of this amount has been fully paid by the administration of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Otumara, who said that the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara which was commissioned in June 2010 by President Goodluck Jonathan, has since been fully functional with an array of foreign-based Medical Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, Information Technology experts and Medical Laboratory Scientists, added that DELSUTH has also made mile-stone achievements with the first successful Knee Replacement Surgery in a public institution in Nigeria and the medical institution was poised to undertake the first Kidney Transplant operation in a few months time.

The Health Commissioner who also disclosed that DELSUTH is making in-roads in area of skill acquisition for patient care, at establishing an international Skill Acquisition Centre for Doctors and Minimal Invasive Surgery well anchored in the Department of General Surgery, further added that the state government has already established huge Dialysis departments in Warri and Oghara for sustainable Renal Transplantation and subsidized dialysis treatment from N20,000 to N5,000 per session for indigenous patients in the state.

Otumara also said that the state government has awarded 390 projects across the three senatorial districts and in the three tiers of Health Institutions; Primary, secondary and Tertiary Health Institutions out of which 248 have been completed while others are at various stages of completion, adding that amount expended so far on hospital/ health centre Infrastructural Development is N4,614,507,203.80 (Four Billion, Six Hundred and Fourteen Million, Five Hundred and Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Three Naira, Eighty Kobo) from 2007 to 2011.

According to Otumara, “Thus far the State Government has spent the sum of ₦5,463,776,470.82 (Five billion, four hundred and sixty-three million, seven hundred and seventy-six thousand, four hundred and seventy naira, eighty-two kobo) only on the procurement of equipment in our hospitals and health centres.

“Our Mobile Field Hospital is already in very good use especially during the flood incident of 2012. The Intensive Care Unit ambulances would soon be rolled out to strategic points in our highways as we eventually actualize our Emergency Medical Services for Delta State Dream,” he said.

The state Commissioner for Health also noted that various Primary Health Care Centres and hospitals were built, rehabilitated and upgraded while some health institutions were completed and made functional, including Eku Baptist Hospital, Maternal and Child Care Hospital, Warri and Primary Health Care Centres in Uzere, Ubuluku, Onicha-Olona, Ogriegbene and Abigborodo, adding that the State Government has spent a total of ₦3.1 Billion on the Central Hospital Asaba Project.

Other areas where the delta state Ministry of health achieved success, according to the mid-term include, monitoring, inspection and registration of private Health Institution in the State as well as renewal of certificates of the registered ones, provision of financial assistance to Deltans to the sum of ₦1.4 Billion, the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) to the tune of N3.9 billion (Three Billion, Nine Hundred Million Naira), which has ensured that the hospitals have been able to meet patients’ drug requirements without any further infusion of new capital by the government as well as Immunization activities and Disease Surveillance in Delta State.

AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, a political pressure group, Proper Inheritance Political Associates (PIPA) from Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West has endorsed Chief Godwill Obielum to be the next Governor of Delta State.

PIPA in a statement signed by the Chairman of PIPA , Chief Sam Eyengho, the Tieyemewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, the Secretary , Prince Pecchia Egodo and the public relations Officer, Mr. Eugene Eyube said Deltans should support Chief Obielum because he is capable to provide people-oriented leadership in the state.

“The call” on Chief Obielum to contest for the Governorship position and for Deltans to support Chief Obielum, “was necessitated by the need for a knowledgeable and experienced achiever to take over and build on the enviable legacies Dr. Uduaghan has built in all spheres of Delta State.”

According to the statement, “Chief Godwill Obielum, is de-tribilised, matured, peace loving, experienced and a seasoned security guru,” adding, “he is the person who can bring unity to the different political divides and ethnic nationalities in the state.”

Chief Sam Eyengho further stated, “these calls are borne out of the conviction that only a synergy of focused and sincere politicians can move Delta State to enviable position in this nation.”

While urging Deltans to be peaceful, Chief Eyengho reiterated that it was important for Deltans to support Chief Godwill Obielum noting that it was a good development that Deltans are clamouring for Chief Obielum to be the next Governor of the state.

He emphasized that the emergence of Chief Obielum as Governor will be acceptable by all Deltans and non-Deltans “because, he will bring unity of purpose to all and sundry in the state.”

Prominent Urhobo Leaders have called on Chief Ede Dafinone to contest the Delta Central senatorial bye-election in a bid to make a formidable replacement as a result of the vacuum created by the unfortunate and sudden demise of Senator Akpor Pius Ewherido, whom they said represented the people effectively at the National Assembly.

The leaders, mainly politicians, professionals and businessmen, met in Abuja on Wednesday, July 2013, where they described the death of Senator Pius Ewherido as shocking.

The leaders who said the late senator made his family, the Urhobo nation, Delta State and the country proud, promised to begin house to house mobilization for the actualization of the objective.

“Chief Ede Dafinone is devoutly religious, faithfully discharging his duties to his family, to the senatorial district, to Delta State and to the nation. He has the knowledge and the skills to succeed in the senate”, the leaders said in a statement issued after the meeting.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of Urhobo Politicians, Businessmen and Professional Forum, Chief Abel Minna and made available to Blank NEWS Online, also commended Dafinone for his contributions to the development of human resources in Urhobo land, particularly the hundreds of women trained in hair dressing and fashion designing, tailoring, catering, welding, aluminum works, electrical and computer skills.

They hailed him for training Urhobo sons and daughters in local and foreign universities as well as transforming the lives of the women in the senatorial area.

“Dafinone deserves the biggest thanks for developing the people,” the statement said.

Praising Dafinone for his altruistic and philanthropic disposition, the leaders said: “We are very impressed about his people- oriented programmes in Urhobo land. It is time for indigenes and non-indigenes in Delta Central to unite and support a person who can effectively represent them, enhance unity and provide opportunities for all.”

“We want him to contest the senatorial election because of his proven leadership qualities and our belief that he can represent the area very well in the senate” the statement affirmed.

Recall that Ede Dafinone, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in Delta State had contested for Senate (Delta Central) in 2006 under the mandate of change and development, owing to his grassroots mobilisation status with representation in the eight local governments

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state and his counterparts from Kano and Ekiti states, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Kayode Fayemi respectively, were among recipients of the year 2012 Zik Prize for Good Governance Award.

The 2012 Zik Prize for Leadership Award was organized by the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC) and held at the Civic Centre, Lagos, Saturday.

Uduaghan, in his speech, after he was conferred with the award, called on government at all levels in the country to depend less on oil revenue and harness their vast resources to develop their economies to ensure speedy development of the country.

Uduaghan said “Nigeria can be bouyant without the sole depenent on oil revenue as all states have vast mineral and other resources which they can develop and generate revenue from.

“When the late sage, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and his ilks were managing the affairs of the country, there was no oil revenue, yet the country was  bouyant. Governments at all levels should look beyond oil  revenue and develop their economies to ensure speedy development of the country. This is what we are doing presently in Delta State with the “Delta Beyond Oil” vision. We  are harnessing our various revenue sources so that we will become less dependent on oil revenue”.

Receiving the award from the former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Business Magnet;  Ide Ahaba, Chief Sonny Odogwu, Governor Uduaghan who was accompanied by his wife; Roli, top government officials and friends, said that the award will encourage him further in “building a state that will not be dependent solely on revenue from oil.”

He used the occasion to call for a more united Nigeria, reiterating, “we need a strong Nigeria, a united Nigeria and a peaceful Nigeria.”

Others who received the award include the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Reginald Ihejiahi; Minister of Works and Housing, Ama Pepple and former Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries, Eze Festus Odimegwu.

In his address, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal stated that the award recipients were eminently qualified and singled out the Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan for his exemplary leadership qualities.

According to Tambuwal, “if the Nigerian constitution allows for third term in office, Governor Uduaghan would have gotten it because of what he is doing in Delta State.”

The Governor of Ekiti State who responded on behalf of the award recipients said, “the legacy of Zik shines greater today,” assuring that the recipients of the awards would rededicate themselves to work for a just and equitable Nigeria.

“We will continue to work for Nigeria to be greater than what it is now,” Fayemi said.

Earlier in his speech, Chief Sonny Odogwu who was the chairman of the occasion said the award ceremony was inspiring and befitting because the late Zik is one of the greatest leaders Africa has ever produced and commended the organizers of the event for selecting people who have made contributions towards the development of the society for the award.

Former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan praised the institution for the award which he observed will encourage African leaders asserting, “it is a great departure from the Pull Him Down syndrome. Award like this inspires people to do more for the country.”

Some Deltans who spoke at the occasion including  Mr Albert Okumagba, former Commissioner in the state, Mr Paul Osaji, the Commissioner for Energy, Charles Emetulu; that of Higher Education, Hope Eghagha, Mr Amaju Pinnick, Mr Okolugbo, among others stated that the Governor deserves the award.

They noted that the three-point agenda of the Governor has impacted positively on Deltans in all aspects of life and noted that the award was evident that outsiders have also noticed what the Governor was doing in the state.

John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton a Philosopher and the first Baron Acton of Aldenham must have had Rivers State in mind when he stated that, “The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is really free is the amount of security enjoyed by minorities”. Using the above statement, let us see if recent developments in Rivers State show that Nigeria is truly free.

“The state of anarchy, oppression, victimization and anomie is indeed here with us in Rivers State. This is just a dress rehearsal for 2015 general elections. The royal rumble continues with personal ambition superseding the will of the people. The outcome of setting a dry bush on fire can never be predicted”, Peter Negedu observed.

“The governor however had a close shave with death when upon sighting him leader of the G5 rebel lawmakers Evans Babakaya Bipialaka, who had been proclaimed Speaker by four of his supporters, pointed at the governor and shouted instructions to the thugs and policemen allegedly brought to the premises by his group, saying: “Shoot him! . . . Shoot him! . . .” – News Express an international renowned Social Media said.

News Express went further to state after the above directive, “Amaechi reportedly walked towards Bipialaka, saying: “Shoot me?” He then ordered his security details to arrest Bipialaka, but the order could not be effected due to stiff resistance by the rebel leader’s orderly assisted by thugs and policemen”.

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), while reacting to the shameful incident said that Rivers State was fast drifting into a state of anarchy. It warned that if urgent steps were not taking by government and its security apparatus, the state may return to the dark days of uncontrollable politically motivated gang violence. MOSOP regretted that such a development could cripple both social and economic activities in the state.

Last Thursday, Governor Amaechi, who is also Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF while receiving the Senate Committee investigating the fracas that broke out in the House of Assembly on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th July respectively said ‘We are under Siege’ referring to the state, even as he recalled how the Police alleged fired teargas into government house. According to the governor, “We are under siege here. For two months now, we have not met with security men. Security commanders in the state don’t come to me any longer. They are either scared or they don’t deliberately want to see me. They withdrew soldiers attached to me yesterday (Wednesday 10th and this morning, Thursday 1th July). They withdrew the APC attached to Government House”.

A journalist with ThisDay Newspapers, Mr. Ernest Chinwo aptly captures the situation in these words: “From the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the brawling occasioned by the power tussle in the state chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) moved Wednesday to the streets of Port Harcourt, the state capital. A day after lawmakers loyal to the state Governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, and those opposed to him clashed in the Assembly, injuring some legislators, supporters of the two rival groups took turns to settle their political differences with fisticuffs, leaving an unspecified number of people injured. Wednesday’s clashes between the rival groups roused security agencies to seal off the Assembly complex to prevent a total breakdown of law and order in the state”.

In another development, the Minister of State for Education Chief Nyesom Wike had in an event in Buguma the traditional headquarters of Kalabari Kingdom where the Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, hails from urged his supporters to be ready to fight against those he described as outsiders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to Wike, “We cannot be intimidated. Do not allow anybody to provoke you. Rivers people have said enough is enough. If they say they want to meet us in the field, they should come to the field and meet us. We are not afraid of anybody. If you (Amaechi’s supporters) like, you should continue to put your own band there, we will continue to do what we are doing. What I can tell you today, Nigerians know that those friends from this state, they have lost control of the state. This is the first time that Rivers people are seeing that the National Assembly will be making laws for them. The National Assembly members (from Rivers state) should withdraw. They should all come back home.  “This is not the time anybody will use police to arrest you. If they come for arrest, we will also arrest them back. This is the time for action. Let them know it clearly that we are not afraid of anybody. I have decided to come here (Buguma) to send the message to them. I am not going to be afraid of anybody”.

Dame Patience Jonathan Nigerian First Lady and a daughter of Rivers State in a statement noted that impoverished people, including women and children, always bear the consequences of the kind of impasse in Rivers State., “This office wishes to call on all feuding parties in Rivers State to spare a thought for the social, political and economic costs of the crisis, and consider an urgent way to resolve all political differences. It is our position that the greater consequences of the impasse is, as usual, reserved for the poor, the weak and the vulnerable, especially women and children, who are usually innocent bystanders in all these. This derives naturally from the saying that when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. On a larger scale, we subscribe to the fact that conflicts and violence are the most lethal threats to peace, which itself is the irreducible minimum condition for development. The situation must therefore not be allowed to degenerate to a level that can be hijacked by miscreants and hoodlums, thus exposing everyone to insecurity from which there may be no easy escape. We therefore call on elders of the state to position themselves appropriately in the circumstances, and continue to seek the highest good of Rivers state and its people, by stone-walling the activities of the few who would rather fan little embers into a consuming inferno. It is therefore incumbent on all people of goodwill to seek to restore peace, brotherliness and love in Rivers State, for the state to press forward in the direction of growth and progress.”

Sadly and maybe in defiance to the plea of the first lady some organized youths on 16th July, 2013 stormed Port Harcourt International Airport to embarrass and held hostage the governors of Jigawa, Kano, Niger and Adamawa that came to pay Governor Amaechi a solidarity visit creating the impression that some people from a section of the country is no longer wanted in the State which may scare away some of the investors that will like to invest in the State thereby crippling the economic fortunes of the State. One may be forced to ask the relevance of this type of politics in a State we have a performing Governor.

Reacting to the attack on the Northern Governors that paid a solidarity visit to Governor Amaechi on 16th July, 2013 by members of the Grass Root Development Initiatives a pro group of Chief Nyesom Wike the Minister of State of Education, the federal lawmaker representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency of Rivers State, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, described the incident  as barbaric, sadistic and dangerous the hiring of thugs and ex-militants by desperate Rivers politicians to deliberately embarrass the northern governors who were in Port Harcourt to pay solidarity visit to Amaechi.  “When did we degenerate to this Hobbesian and primitive state?” the lawmaker asked. He warned that those fanning the embers of discord must be ready to reap the whirlwind, adding, “They should reflect on the events of the Western Region parliament in Ibadan that eventually led to the end of the First Republic and the disputed Ondo State election in 1983, and decide if this is the path they want to go.” He expressed concern over the indifference of the police in the attack. “I wonder why the police in Rivers State under Commissioner Joseph Mbu chose to play politics with the safety and security of the people of Rivers State and tarnish the image of Rivers people.”

In her reaction, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said members of GDI had mobilised hoodlums to disrupt the visit. She alleged: “Wike had boasted after the failed impeachment attempt at the Rivers State House of Assembly that he would set Rivers State ablaze and render it ungovernable. This portends grave danger and has far-reaching implications for our fledgling democracy”

On his side, Atiku the former Vice President of Nigeria described the escalating situation in the state as unhelpful, and advised that leaders of whatever hue be given the respect they deserve wherever they go. He reminded politicians to be mindful of “our political history” in all that they do. He said he was still vividly reminded of the chain of political crises that had disrupted democracy in the past.

Meanwhile, in a bit to whittle down the security of Gov Amaechi and maybe exposed him to grave danger, the Inspector General of Police, Alh Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar through a press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank E. Mba has summoned leading Pro-Amaechi and Security Figures that includes Rivers State House of Assembly Majority Leader, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, the Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to the Rivers State Governor, Ag. ASP Debeware-Semeikumo, and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor, Tony Iwelu to report to Force CID, Force Headquarters, Abuja without summoning the Assemblyman Evans Bipi who ignited the clashes by invading the House of Assembly with thugs in order to impose himself as the Speaker.

In another development, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has raised the alarm over the presence of Policemen not known to either him or officials of the Rivers State Government. Gov. Amaechi in a statement signed by Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Seminatiri alleged that one Inspector Bawa yesterday reported to the Government House claiming to have been posted from the Police Headquarters Abuja to “monitor the Rivers State Governor’s lodge.” The Governor noted that, “we are aware that on issues of personal safety, an official reserves the right to pick the security personnel to whom he or she may entrust their safety. This is more so in the case of a State Governor. We are worried that we can no longer guarantee the safety of Governor Chibuike Amaechi and wish to reiterate our call on all relevant authorities to ensure the safety of Governor Amaechi and the peace and security of everyone in Rivers State.”

REPLAYING THE UGLY PAST:

Records have it that before the incumbent administration came to into power in 2007, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital was turned into a war zone or aptly put a jungle where the fittest determines the fate of the lesser animals. It sounds pretty surprising, but not unexpected that this hitherto ‘garden city’ was at it were, ranked among the three most dangerous cities in the world. The human resources unit of New York-based Marsh & McLennan Cos. had equated Port Harcourt with Baghdad, capital of Iraq, Sana in Yemen and Khartoum in Sudan, as the world’s most dangerous cities.

Going by the ranking published by Bloomberg, Port Harcourt ranked with Baghdad as one of the world’s most dangerous cities for foreign workers as criminal gangs and militia groups seeking greater control of energy revenue step up attacks.

Is this where these gladiators want to take Rivers State to, we are watching?

HOW DID THIS MADNESS BEGIN?

The genesis of the present crisis in Rivers State stems from claims that Governor Amaechi may contest the office of the President or Vice President with a candidate from the Northern part of the country come 2015, thereby truncating the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan who is from the same geo-political zone with him (South-South). To these people annihilating Amaechi politically by deploring any undemocratic machinery does not matter if their agenda can be achieved. While this assumption held sway, one day one problem became the order in Rivers State. With her oil-wells reallocated to neighbouring sister states, Rivers is being denied billions of Naira, some of which would have helped to defray the cost of rehabilitating terrible and impassable Federal Roads in the State like the Aba-PH road where travellers have to spend three hours before entering Port Harcourt a journey of 20minutes. Apart from Ebonyi and few other States, Rivers is denied appointments into federal establishments; the state-owned jet has been grounded, even when facts points that it genuinely belong to the State. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF election where Amaechi defeated his Plateau State counterpart, Jonah Jang with 19 to 16 votes is in a manner of speaking, in the state of invalidation. The Governor has been suspended from a party he has contributed so much in building even against the constitution of the party. Insecurity is all time high in the State, as investors who trooped to the state are now scared, due to the unfriendly atmosphere under the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu.

Mbu’s ignominious move to empower the five anti-Amaechi lawmakers: Chinda, Kelechi Godspower Nwogu (Omuma), Evans Bapakaye Bipi (Ogu/Bolo), Martins Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor I) and Victor Ihunwo (Port Harcourt III) who are loyal to the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike to impeach the Speaker, Otelemaba Dan Amachree, to pave the way for the eventual removal of the Governor (Amaechi) clearly bears this out. That the situation was resisted and the machinations of the five lawmakers failed is a thing of joy. Although, attempts to thwart the plan of the five dissenting voices resulted in the exchange of blows by the lawmakers and their supporters in the hallowed chambers of the Assembly, with both sides sustaining injuries, while the mace, the symbol of legislative authority was broken.

Though President Goodluck Jonathan hosted most of the key actors in this macabre dance in Rivers State few days ago at the State House, Abuja, while his wife and Nigerian’s first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan had spent about eleven days in Port Harcourt, where she allegedly met with the gladiators opposed to governor Amaechi but reacting to the futile attempt by the five lawmakers to impeach the Speaker of the 32-members State Assembly, the President described the Rivers PDP crisis as untoward and regrettable and called on all those involved in the crises to show greater respect for the constitution and the rule of law in a statement by the presidential spokesman, Reuben Abat”i.

Mr. Emeka Reuben Okala a Social Commentator who is based in United Kingdom asked, “If I may ask: What were the crimes of Hon. Otelemaba Amachree, the Speaker that drove a group of just five disgruntled lawmakers to hastily declare him impeached just like that? The last time I checked, before an elected officer is impeached in a democracy, charges are preferred against him or her for whatever alleged offences that they may have committed. A chance is given to them to defend themselves, even in a kangaroo court. I have waited patiently since yesterday as many versions of the story of this very disturbing, macabre incident unfold, but have not yet read anywhere about the offence(s) of the Speaker and the chance he was given to defend himself. Do you just get into the Chamber and pronounce the Speaker impeached just like that? I’m still struggling to understand the meaning of the madness of yesterday (9th July)! To make the whole drama look most idiotic, the ‘so-called’ lawmakers who carried out the ignoble act, were just only five in number out of a total number of 32 thirty-two, a far distance from a quorum. I don’t get it! To add insult to injury, the Governor of the state gave an order to a policeman to get the unruly and dangerous lawmaker [law-breaker] arrested and the policeman disobeyed, even in the very presence of the Commissioner of Police Mr. Mbu. This cannot happen even under a military rule. It happened once in Nigeria immediately after Gen. Aguyi Ironsi was senselessly wasted, and law and order totally broken, with the attendant near war situation. An ordinary foot soldier refused to take an order from Brigadier Ogundipe who was then the highest ranking army officer. The soldier told him (Ogundipe) in the face that he would only take order from his boss! Who was his boss? A far junior officer to Ogundipe.

Is Rivers State at a brink of war? Has Law and Order totally broken down in my State? The policeman who refused to carry out the Governor’s Order couldn’t have had the gut to do so without an instruction from his “boss” in that regard — a boss who should be reporting to Amaechi in the first place, being the Chief Security Officer of the state.

With what happened yesterday, the current Commissioner of Police in the state Mr. Mbu failed in his duty to provide security when it was most needed. Suppose Mr. Bipialaka’s (acclaimed speaker) supporters or thugs had obeyed their commander and shot the Governor; what would have happened could better be imagined than experienced. More so, with the CP present, but doing practically nothing!

For crying out loud, the CP’s duty should be reviewed as a matter of urgency, especially as there is clearly no love lost between him and the Governor, in the interest and safety of the State and its people.

If the account of Ibim Semenitari, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, is authentic, then Mr. Evans Bipialaka should be arrested and investigated for giving instruction to thugs to “Shoot him (the governor)”, and for engaging in and instigating an illegal action that threatened Law and Order in the state”.

Segun Adeniyi, Spokesperson of the late President, Yar’Adua and a columnist with Thisday Newspaper seems to have a clearer piece of this funny and strange happenings in Rivers State in an article he titled, ‘What a National Disgrace’. According to him, “Such is the level of chicanery in our system today that 16 is officially recognised as a bigger number than 19 while a “majority” of five is now enough to impeach a speaker in a House of Assembly where there are 32 members; and as a commentator pointed out during the week, since the Bible says “one shall chase a thousand”, those five lawmakers are more than enough to also impeach the sitting governor! The problem, however, is that a system that encourages these kinds of perfidy is clearly endangered”. The Conference of Speakers of State Legislators of Nigeria through Mr. Inuwa Garba its Chairman and the Gombe State Assemble Speaker condemned the purported ousting of Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Otelemeba Dan Amachree, saying it is unconstitutional and barbaric. “It has come to the notice of the Conference of the Speakers of State Legislators of Nigeria that five Honourable members of Rivers State House of Assembly with the aid of hoodlums allegedly invaded the Honourable House and announced the impeachment of the Speaker of the House, Right Honourable Otelemeba Dan Amachree and purported to have replaced him with Honourable Evans. “The Conference of Speakers do hereby condemns the action of the five Honourable members of that House in totality as it contravenes the Constitution. “Section 92 (2c) of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides that the Speaker could only be removed by the resolution of the House via the vote of not less than two-thirds majority of the entire members of that House. “In view of that Constitutional provision, five members alone cannot remove a Speaker of the House of Assembly of 32 Honourable members. This therefore, implies that the action of those five members is unconstitutional and null and void.” Garba urged the National Assembly “to declare action of the five honourable members as treason and commence process of taking appropriate constitutional action against them in order to save our democracy”.

NOW, THE QUESTION WE SHOULD BE ASKING IS THAT ARE THOSE ENGINEERING THE MESS IN RIVERS STATE ACTUALLY INTERESTED IN THE FUTURE OF THE POLITICS OF PRESIDENT JONATHAN?

In a previous article on the macabre dance in Rivers State, I have said Governor Amaechi is never the problem of President Jonathan actualizing his future political calculations, but some people who felt otherwise have continued to engineer one crisis or the other creating the impression that they are very interested in the future political feats of the President, while destroying all his democratic legacies and his feats these past few years. Today the institution of the Presidency in Nigeria has been reduced to an indecorous and unseemly status by those who feel that bringing down Amaechi is the solution to winning the 2015 presidential election not knowing that they are working towards bringing down the aspiration of Mr. President and can only said to have succeeded to bring his image and his person to scorn, if the statements by these great Nigerians and Institutions are anything to go by.

First to react to this macabre dance was the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who expressed regret that the failure to punish similar crude attempts in the past such as the Ngige saga in Anambra State in July of 2004 had encouraged impunity among those seeking to impeach elected leaders by means other than that enshrined in the constitution. “It is sad that those who are seeking to subvert our nascent democracy are some of those who never fought for what many laid down their lives for. These persons are advised to take heed to the festering crisis in Egypt following a forced change of leadership in that country,” Atiku said.

Second, in its Editorial of July 12th titled ‘Jonathan’s rivers of shame’ the Nation Newspapers stated thus: “THE theatre of the absurd unfolding in Rivers State should give any patriotic and peace-loving Nigerian a sense of foreboding. With impunity in the air, the constitution in peril and official stamp from the high office of the presidency, the moral legitimacy of this republic is fast sliding downhill. By the week and recently by the day, the conflict between Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and President Goodluck Jonathan, imbues the nation with nausea. Respect for law has swapped places with brigandage, and the average Nigerian watches as the President engages in a bestial war of proxies. The recent development has all the trappings of déjà vu. The first open show of power was the order to strand Governor Amaechi’s aircraft. The presidency failed to cloak it as a matter of technical procedure without political undertone. Findings from investigations have exposed not only the imbecilities of the aviation authorities but also revealed them as couriers of malicious orders. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) election has showcased, more than any other evidence, the desperation of the president. After defying the rules of aircraft landing, the necessity for peace, he and his proxy governors defied the purity of arithmetic by making 16 superior to 19 votes. He executed that anomaly purely in bungled bid to remove Governor Amaechi as chairman of the NGF. He also inspired the factionalisation of the group such that his loyalists now formed a parallel forum”.

Third, Lagos State chapter of the PDP described the crisis in Rivers State as “highly embarrassing.” Speaking in an exclusive chat with Daily Independent on Tuesday, Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Taofik Gani, said the action of Rivers lawmakers was unbecoming because it is sending a wrong signal to the outside world about how democracy is being practiced in Nigeria. He added that politicians, as leaders and elder statesmen, must learn to resolve their differences amicably in the interest of the citizens of the state.

Similarly, the Action Congress of Nigeria, Accord Party and the National Coordinator of Northern Politicians, Academician and Professional Businessman [CNAPAPB] Dr. Junaid Muhammed have in their statements called for the immediate impeachment of Mr. President as a recourse to saving our democratic principles from further ignobility.

The Jigawa state chapter of the PDP condemned the political crises and fracas in the River state House of Assembly saying “it is real unfortunate and quick attention is needed to save the situation“.

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka while lending his voice on the matter, blamed President Goodluck Jonathan for the political crisis rocking Rivers State, warning that Nigeria was fast sliding towards monarchism; the system of government where too much power is vested in one person”.

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana said it was regrettable that exactly 10 years after a group of thugs attempted to abduct a sitting governor in Anambra State, another set of thugs attempted to undermine democratic institutions in Rivers State. Falana said the silence of President Jonathan on the unfortunate development in Rivers State was tantamount to an endorsement of the political crisis. “We have been through this route before. We must tell them that we are not a conquered people. The case of Rivers is more absurd, more odious, where five members of the assembly aided by the state invaded the Assembly chambers and chased away their colleagues”.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Governor Muazu Babangida of Niger State, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Razak Atunwa and a non-governmental organisation, Stop Impunity Nigeria (S.I.N.) all deplored the mayhem in the State House of Assembly.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on their own side has threatened to suspend operations over the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly.

To the National Labour Congress (NLC) the anti-Amaechi lawmakers are desperados; describing the acts as shameful. “While it is unimaginable and ridiculous in a democracy that five members of the House of Assembly would contemplate impeaching a speaker who enjoys the support of 26 other members. It is a shameful tactics employed by the combatants in their desperation for power,” Omar added that the disturbing part was the ignoble role of the police in the crisis. “It is not helpful for the Presidency to continuously deny the stoking of crisis in the state. The travails of the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Ameachi, in recent times and the reaction of stalwarts in government and the ruling party are apparent indicators that the Presidency cannot absolve itself from the crisis in the state. The threat to withdraw security to the Governor, which is guaranteed by the constitution, and the sour relationship between Amaechi and the state Commissioner of Police, whom he has called for redeployment and the request turned down, are clear pointers to the complicity of the Federal Government,” NLC argued.

Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Environment Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), said Nigerians considered it embarrassing and appalling, the unfolding scenario that made members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to resort to uncivilised action and barbarism reminiscent of the jungle. “We are alarmed at the preceding events which indicated an attempt by five legislators in a house of 32 members purportedly impeaching the Speaker and replacing him. This act, which is a flagrant disregard of all laid down rules of the House and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not only illegal, unlawful and undemocratic, it is also immoral, retrogressive and a threat to

To Anthony Cardinal Okogie, Archbishop Emeritus of Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, “I condemn the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly. More importantly, it is very disappointing to see our so-called honourables exchanging blows like gangsters.“Such an act, if not checkmated, is an invitation to terrorism and gangsterism. I call on every right thinking Nigerian to rise and speak against such unruly conduct by men who are supposed to be making laws of our land.

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in his reaction stated, “However, we all know the truth but most are afraid to speak.  There are no way the police and small number of five lawmakers would act so brazenly, unless they receive instructions from their high places, attempted to impeach the Speaker. Nigerians must ask: Is this way the President Jonathan intends to transform Nigeria? By turning it from an imperfect democracy into a perfect mess? “In some ways, this Rivers episode is not surprising. What happened in the Rivers House is one more reminder. PDP leaders hold democracy in contempt and will trample on it, if given the slightest opportunity. If they invert the relatively small numbers involved in the Nigerian Governors Forum and the Rivers State House, what they might do to general elections involving such a large population as ours is a hard piece of wood to chew.”

My question is, must we continue in these acts of impunity and continue to give the image of Mr. President a negative outlook without Mr. President intervening to stop all these inimical acts geared towards creating unnecessary enemies for him?

But not minding all these provocative acts, Governor Amaechi have demonstrated uncommon leadership making his detractors and those that want him out to look dumb and confused!

INTERVENTION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

Though the Senate has sent its Committee to visit Rivers State and investigate the matter the crisis in the assembly, the House of Representatives have in a resolution said it was taken over the affairs of the Rivers Assembly in a in bid to restore sanity to the State. In a unanimous voice vote, the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, invoked Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and resolved that the National Assembly should take over the functions of the crisis-ridden Assembly.

Also, the House resolved that the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, should as a matter of urgency re-deploy the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mbu.

The senator representing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, commended the timely intervention of the House of Representatives in the crisis in Rivers State. He said the unanimous position of members during the debate on Rivers Assembly crisis rekindled their commitment against undemocratic tendencies now creeping into the national polity. He said a situation where democratic institutions were abused and crippled by agencies established to protect democracy portended danger at the tunnel and urged other democratic institutions in the country not to sit and watch Nigeria’s hard earned democracy being wasted on the alter of political interest.

Anthony Cardinal Okogie, Archbishop Emeritus of Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos in a statement commended the House of Representatives for declaring legislative emergency in the state stating that such a step was necessary in order to safeguard the integrity of governance in the country.

Conclusion:

The fact remains that many Nigerians and institutions have cried out for Governor Amaechi to be left alone but sadly, the more the pleas, the more those who want to continue to disparage the President will continue in acts capable of undermining the image of the present occupant of such exalted office.

Even as I congratulate Pastor Ayodele Oritsejafor on his well deserved re-election as CAN President, let me appeal to him to intervene and find a way out of this madness in Rivers State seeing that the two political leaders (Jonathan and Amaechi) have much respect for him and may listen to him as other pleas in this regard seem to have fallen on deaf ears.

Also, the General Overseer of Redeemed Church of God, Senior Pastor, Enoch Adeboye need to intervene in this mater, as the present faceoff between the two is already threatening Nigeria’ s democracy, hence these respected men of God should not watch from the sides.

I will conclude this article by quoting Alan Barth (1906–1979) an Author and a journalist specializing in civil liberties and best known for his 30-year stint as an editorial writer at the Washington Post when he stated that, “Thought that is silenced is always rebellious. Majorities, of course, are often mistaken. This is why the silencing of minorities is necessarily dangerous. Criticism and dissent is the indispensable antidote to major delusions”.

While to Woody Allen an American film director, writer, musician, actor and comedian must have foreseen our present sorrow state when he stated, “We stand today at a crossroads: One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other leads to total extinction. Let us hope we have the wisdom to make the right choice”.

>>Eze Chukwuemeka Eze Writes From Port Harcourt, Nigeria

ELDER statesman, Chief Edwin Clark and Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has called on Nigerians to engage in actions that would deepen the unity and peace of the country.

Speaking at the finals of the 1st Chief (Dr.) E.K Clark National Wrestling Championship held in Warri on Friday, July 26, 2013, they emphasised that Nigeria is an indivisible entity that cannot disintegrate and urged politicians in particular to engage in actions that will strenghten the unity and encourage speedy development of the country.

Chief Clark personally apologized to Nigerians for any of his action or speeches that have threatened the peace and unity of the country reiterating, “I apologize to all Nigerians if my utterance or my action threatened the peace and unity of this country.”All politicians, leaders should emphasize only those things that keep this country together, we cannot split, Nigeria is a large country,”

He emphasised that “love is one of the greatest thing that binds us together and nigdrians should learn to love one another and work asssidously for the unity of the country”.

He disclosed that he had to rescind his decision to reply to a statement against his person by the Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido when he discovered that a wrestler from Jigawa State was squared against a wrestler from Delta State reiterated that most of the statements issued by politicians were as a result of political interests not that they were against the unity of the country.

The former Minister of Information used the occasion to call for a national conference to be convened noting, “we need to discuss the basis of our unity in this country.”
While also apologizing to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan if he has done any wrong to him, Chief Clark assured him of his support and that of his followers.

Governor Uduaghan in his speech called on the people of the South –South Region and indeed nigerians to ensure that they put the unity of the country first in whatever they do. He called for support for the success of President Goodluck Jonathan and his transformational agenda.

“The unity of Nigeria is paramount, the unity of South-South is paramount, the unity of Delta State is paramount, Nigerians should continue to support the President to succeed.

“Our people in the South-South should support the President, whatever challenges we have, we can discuss it back home, it is not for us to pull the President down. We should avoid statements that are inciting, many of us prayed for democracy, we should also work for the sustenance of our democracy.”

Governor Uduaghan who was happy with the success recorded at the National Wrestling Championship reiterated, “when there is no unity, there is no development.”

All men of goodwill who look forward to a more progressive and equitable world appreciate the tremendous good Transparency International, TI does with its periodic verdict on nations and institutions across the globe. Sometimes I just wonder what our world would look like without watchdogs like Transparency International that continually reminds us about the way we are.

Recently, TI released the 2013 Global Corruption Barometer, GCB and rated political parties and the Nigeria Police as the most corrupt institutions in Nigeria. TI’s 2013 GCB is a product of interviews with a total number of 114,000 respondents across 107 countries between September 2012 and March 2013. The Berlin-based organisation said the primary aim of the 2013 GCB report was to explore respondents’ personal experiences of paying bribes for government services on one hand and on the other, to gauge perception of the integrity of major public institutions. There is also TI’s desire towards a better understanding of the willingness and disposition of citizens in countries under review to fight corruption.

From TI’s investigation, Nigeria is among the 88 countries where anti-corruption effort is ineffectual. This verdict is ominous. Yet it has not provided leads or talking points in our media. This important issue was merely reported and left alone. I am sure I did not see follow-ups. So why are we not paying the needed attention to this uncomplimentary report which has the capacity of stalling our investment drive and growth efforts?

If corruption is any abuse of a position of trust, either by an individual or an institution to gain an unfair advantage, then this report by TI is incontrovertible. I know corruption has many layers but this report reminds me again of some of our nation’s recent experiences that are not only irritating but reprehensible and regrettable.

Two institutions that characterise the existence and flourishing of democracy in any country are the party system and the institution of parliament. If one of the institutions, political parties carry the moral burden of being the den of corruption, then it is right to conclude that our democracy is sick. The other institution that shapes the growth of democracy is the police which help primarily in the maintenance of law and order in a purely democratic setting. This institution has been described in the TI report as the bastion of corruption with no ray of hope.

If these two institutions (political parties and the Police) that I consider most critical to the growth and survival of democracy and our country Nigeria has been described in such very uncomplimentary terms by TI GCB report, then where lies our hope?

Have our political parties derailed from its lofty objective of seeking to influence or entirely control government course of action, usually by putting forward candidates with aligned political views? Your guess is as good as mine. But I hate to think like a few of our compatriots who are of the opinion that Nigeria is in reverse gear. Of late, I just noticed that some us are becoming more romantic about our past republics, particularly the Second Republic politics. Despite the shortcomings of that era, it still remains one of the most colourful and vibrant republics, that is if the focus is on political parties.

Many still remember principal characters of that era like Augustus Meredith Adisa Akinloye, national chairman of National Party of Nigeria, NPN and how he and his colleagues at the commanding height of NPN leadership held sway on every party issue. At the time, Alhaji Shehu Shagari was a member of NPN and president of Nigeria, yet he submitted himself to party rules and regulations. All that changed with the emergence of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 and as they say, the rest is history.

Today, political parties are extensions of individuals’ or group’s personal estates. There is complete absence of principles, discipline, solidarity, group interest and camaraderie. A party member could be sanctioned at the flimsiest of excuses. While some have been suspended for their perceived popularity, others have suffered similar fates either for fraternizing with members of other parties or for holding a different view. At the bottom of the scramble we see in our parties is the desire to highjack party machinery for personal and selfish gains, and corruption is always the destination.

Yes, abuse of position of trust is corruption and this is prevalent in our parties. Nigeria’s political parties must therefore look inwards and seek ways of ensuring that there is a level playing ground for every member. And to avoid a repeat of such an unflattering report in future like this one from TI, our parties must return to their traditional roles of seeking to influence government through their members with aligned political views. They must also stop forthwith, all forms of witch-hunt and intimidation against vocal members and perceived enemies.

For the Nigeria Police, I am not under any illusions, it is a long walk. TI’s verdict therefore is something that is already known to Nigerian people.

The police force represents everything but the same purpose it is meant to serve. The problem of Nigeria Police is not all about the quality of persons that populate it or the culture but also of funding which is a creation of the Nigerian state. The state that does not fund its police and yet still expects optimal policing is a misnomer or a fallacy.

For instance, for 2013, the budget of the Nigeria Police is N311, 148, 387,311($1.6bn). This budget is meant to police a population of over 160 million with a force strength of 330,000 officers and men. This contrasts sharply with the budget of Austin, a county in the state of Texas with a population of 843,162 people. The Austin Police Department has a budget of $284.4m which is about N45, 504,000,000 with staff strength of 2,300.

Whereas it cost an average of $123,478 to keep a policeman in Austin, Texas, it cost $5,893 to train and maintain a Nigerian policeman within the same period. It cost 21 times the same amount used for an average Nigerian policeman to train and equip a policeman in Austin, Texas. The implication of this comparative poor funding can be seen in training, moral, conduct, equipment and skill of the average Nigerian policeman. Worse still, an ill-equipped policeman in Nigeria is expected to police about 500 persons whereas a policeman in Austin who is well equipped and has access to modern technology will be policing about 366 persons. Thus it will be sheer madness to expect similar level of performance between a local Austin police and his counterpart federal police in Nigeria.

Every day, one is confronted with a plethora of woes of officers and men of the force. I am aware that more often than not, the individual police officer sources his or her kits from boots to uniforms and other accessories. It is also common knowledge that their take-home pay cannot really take them home in the real sense of that word. In barracks and duty posts, issues of low morale, welfare, training, lack of modern equipment and more echo. I acknowledge the fact that some state governments have done well for the police yet it is not anywhere near the ideal or what our expectation is from the force.

Under these circumstances, corruption will naturally grow and fester. Officers and men of the Nigeria Police live among us and are part of us, with needs and aspirations like any of us. They say every society deserves its police, perhaps our police is a reflection of our reality. But we must halt this reality if we hope to build a virile nation where safety of lives and property, law and order is a national priority.

The political crisis in Rivers State today is direct fallout from failure of the police which is predicated on the many challenges facing the force. We are all witnesses to the flagrant disregard and disrespect of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, an elected public officer by Mbu Joseph Mbu, Rivers State Commissioner of Police. Mbu as confirmed by the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives has consistently worked at cross-purposes with the governor, thereby compromising the security situation in the state. This is explainable. Mbu and the police he represents will prefer to serve those who have the power to appoint or remove them instead of the Nigerian people as contemplated by the Nigerian constitution. Nigerians also watched the theatre of absurd that played out in Rivers State when five out 32 members attempted to impeach the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly. Sadly, while the assembly was on fire, the commissioner of police, like Emperor Nero, fiddled. Nigerians also saw how four Northern governors who were on reconciliatory mission to Rivers State were pelted and held hostage by hired thugs at the Port Harcourt Airport under the watchful eyes of the police. And in Rivers State, most people are of the view that the police high command is exacerbating the crisis in the state because of certain interests that must be protected at all costs.

Corruption therefore is at the root of institutional decadence, dereliction of duty, deficit of professionalism and political meddlesomeness that has characterised the Nigeria Police of today as can be seen in the case of Commissioner Mbu in Rivers State, a classic case of a political policeman who does not know his bounds.

As we consolidate our democratic experience, let me say that we must strengthen our institutions. The police for instance, must be structured to serve the interest of Nigerians and not the selfish and narrow desires of a few. It is a sad commentary that our political parties and the police emerged as TI’s most corrupt institutions in Nigeria. This without doubt, calls for deep reflection. Nigerians therefore must work towards building strong institutions; this is the only way to guarantee justice, fairness, equity, peace and the rule of law.

>>Hon. Dakuku Peterside, member of House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream represents Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency

Following the recent theft of three thunder arrestors belonging to the near-moribund state owned Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS), Asaba, by yet to be identified persons within the Delta state civil service, the state government has constituted a board of inquiry to identify and punish the culpable culprits.

The incident of the recent theft case had triggered the pointing of accusing fingers among staff and management of the broadcasting outfit, owing to incessant outages in the news broadcast of the media establishment.

In a bid to investigate the circumstances surrounding the theft, which many media watchers described as unfortunate and a sabotage of government efforts to globalize the media outfit, having been listed in StarTimes cable network, a statement from the Delta state Ministry of Information, dated July 23, 2013 and tagged “GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT” reads:

“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly Deltans, that the State Government has constituted a 3-man Board of Inquiry to look into the theft of three thunder arrestors recently procured by the Delta State Government to enhance the services of Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba.”

The statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Sir Austin Mowah and made available to Blank NEWS Online indicated that, “The Board of Inquiry which is at the instance of His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan (CON), Governor of Delta State is headed by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Barrister Chike Ogeah.

“Other members of the Committee are Mr. Paul Osahor, Director of Information and Mr. Precious Anuku, Director of Planning Research and Statistics who will serve as Member/Secretary.

“The Committee is to among other things ascertain the immediate and remote causes leading to the theft of the thunder arrestors and identify those culpable, and recommend appropriate measures to forestall future occurrence and sanctions for those found culpable.”

AHEAD of the 2015 gubernatorial elections in Delta State, Chief Godwill Obielum has been urged to contest for the position of governor as he has the intelligence, charisma and boldness to lead Deltans after Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s meritorious governance of the oil-rich state.

This was part of the resolution reached at a meeting of a new political pressure group, the Delta Progressive Movement (DPM) at a meeting held at the Ogwashi-Uku Town Hall, Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government
Area of Delta State.

Those who spoke at the meeting which witnessed an impressive turn-out of people from across the state, said Chief Obielum is also large-hearted and has the ability to carry everybody along as a democrat.

Hon. Joseph Modeme who is the coordinator of the DPM in the area, stated that the organization is made up of the progressive-minded individuals who are committed to having a progressive state, asserting, “all members of the DPM are members of the PDP and we are begging Chief Godwill Obielum to come out and contest for the Governorship election of our state, we are going to set up structures in all the Wards and all the communities and villages in the state, we want every family to sing one song; Obielum For Governor 2015 and we believe that Chief Obielum will have no option than to contest for the position.”

The PDP stalwart, noted that Deltans have seen qualities in Chief Obielum that have surpassed other aspirants for the governorship position, stating, “he is bold, he is intelligent, he is experienced, he is not a tribalist and he will be acceptable to every Deltan.”

“We know him too well, he has a good heart, he loves Delta State and has vision for Delta State which we want him to actualize by ensuring that he becomes our Governor in 2015,” Hon. Modeme stated.

He emphasized that every Deltans should support Chief Obielum for him to emerge as Governor in 2015 because he will attract a lot of development and bring his wealth of experience to governance.

Also speaking, Prince Possy Anigala, said, “I see sterling qualities in Chief Godwill Obielum, he is a leader who will carry people along and work for the good of Delta State, we are happy to be working for him and we pray that he listens to the voice of all Deltans and come out and contest for the governorship election.”

Others who spoke at the occasion included Mr Sylvester Okoni and Mrs Patricia Okolugbo who also emphasized that it is the turn of Delta North to produce the next Governor of Delta State.

She urged every Deltan to work for the emergence of Chief Godwill Obielum as Governor, saying that Chief Obielum is a good administrator who has the wealth of experience to ensure that Delta State remains the envy of all Nigerians.

Delta State Government says it is irrevocably committed to the pursuit of the right to sight of all Deltans.

State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan stated this in a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Ministry of Health and MTN Foundation Eyesight Restoration Intervention Scheme at Agbor.

The Governor, who was represented on the occasion by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Otumara, said the right to sight is a free gift from God, which was indispensable in enjoying and achieving one’s aspirations in life.

He enumerated some of the efforts in this regard to include Mrs Roli Nere Uduaghan’s fight against blindness through her various campaigns toward the cure of cataract and refractive errors of the eyes, adding that screening and treatment of eye diseases were also critical thrust of the State’s Free Rural Health Scheme.

Governor Uduaghan also disclosed that the State Government, in 2005, inaugurated the Delta State Committee for the prevention of Blindness, which he said had been working assiduously to reduce the prevalence of blindness in the State.

He said a-Five-Year Strategic Vision 2020 Eye Care Plan has since been developed in the State in line with the objective of the National Vision 2020 Strategic Plan, affirming that the objective was to beef up human resources for the prevention of blindness and enhancement of infrastructure in eye care across the State.

The Governor thanked the MTN Foundation, for what he described as a ‘noble initiative’ in partnering with the Delta State Government to eradicate preventable blindness, assuring that his administration would honour the State’s part of the MoU on the partnership.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of MTN Foundation, Ms Nonny Ugboma, said the intervention scheme was expected to provide a veritable platform for data gathering for epidemological studies, operational research and planning of disease control.

She said it would also provide screening for cataract and other eye diseases for a minimum of ten thousand patients, carry out two thousand cataract surgeries and give out two thousand reading glasses, as well as two thousand packs of drugs.

The Executive Secretary said the scheme, which has the endorsement of the Federal Ministry of Health, has already been implemented in Osun and Niger States, with Abia, Jigawa and Sokoto to follow soon.

The representative of the Commissioner for Health and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Daniel Omodon, in a welcome address that the Ministry had put in place machinery to ensure a successful collaboration, through the provision of its state-of-the-art mobile field hospital manned by trained personnel.

The highlight of the occasion was the unveiling of some beneficiaries of cataract operation who were full of gratitude to both the State Government and MTN Foundation.

Dignitaries present at the occasion included the Commissioner for Special Duties, Millinnium Development Goals, Queen Victoria Ikenchukwu; her Energy counterpart, Mr Charles Emetulu; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Monitoring, Dr Mrs Rukevwe Ugwumba and her Education Monitoring counterpart, Pastor Rhoda Ikede, among others.

The Executive Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR), Hon. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has said that anyone planning to succeed Governor Emmanuel Udughan of Delta State must be prepared to wear the big shoe that he will leave behind.

Hon. Joel-Onowakpo stated that Governor Uduaghan has not only fulfilled his campaign promises to Deltans through the effective delivery of his 3-point agenda of peace and security, infrastructure and human capital development, but has gone ahead to building the capacity to drive his Delta Beyond Oil vision.

Speaking in Warri on Thursday, July 11, 2013, shortly after the inspection of all the DBIR Zonal Offices under construction across the state, the DBIR boss expressed satisfaction over the way and manner the Governor has been piloting the affairs of the state.

“We’ll, if you ask me about the infrastructure of the state government, I will not stop there. The 3-point agenda of His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan (CON), is well known to everybody-peace and security, infrastructure and human capital development. I want to say that as at this moment, which is two years to the end of his tenure, he has concluded and surpassed those agenda.

“What he is doing now is building capacity for the Delta Beyond Oil Vision. He has not only developed physical infrastructure, he has not only provided peace and security, he has not only provided the human capital development, he has completed that and what he is doing now is building capacity to drive the Delta Beyond Oil vision. He is one man who has the interest of the people of this state at heart,” he stated.

While saying that there is no aspect of the promise of the present administration that is not yet fulfilled, he pointed out that the visible infrastructures and improved human capacity of Deltans are eloquent testimonies of a man who have the vision, dexterity and knack to deliver the dividend of democracy beyond promises made.

“What I want to say is that for anybody who is to come after His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (CON) will have a big shoe to wear because the standard he has set is so high that if you don’t meet up, the people will begin to grumble. If you look at our schools if our schools fall short of the standard after now, people will stone the person. The roads that are being constructed, the bridges that are being built, the human capacity that is in place. If any Governor comes in today and is not able to meet the standard, I think the people will grumble. So I want to say that not only being a Governor, the person must be prepared to work,” Hon. Joel-Onowakpo stated.

He therefore, appealed to the people of the state to continue to support the present administration to enable it consolidate on its achievements.

Speaking further on the pace of infrastructure development for his agency across the state, he reaffirmed that no DBIR Office will be in a rented apartment in the next few years.

He stated that it was in line with this desire that the Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan gave the approval for the on-going construction of the Zonal Offices across the state.

“We felt that it is not just enough being a revenue collection agency and being in a rented apartment.”

He said the tour was to ensure that what the Board conceived is what is going on on site. “We’ll, you have been with us. I cannot say on my own that I am impressed, you should be able to say that for yourself. But the regional projects that were started two months ago some of them have been roofed, some of them are in roofing stage and they are going to deliver some in August.

“The whole idea is that we want those offices occupied by the staff of the Board of Internal Revenue and the focus is that if we continue with this process, in a space of another four years, no Delta State Board of Internal Revenue office will be in a rented apartment. That is the focus, that is the objective.”

Hon. Joel-Onowakpo said that the on-going transformation in the Board will be enhanced with all the offices situated on their permanent site as there are some information technology equipment s that cannot be mounted on a rented building, adding that revenue generation would continue to be on the increase with all that the state government is putting in place.

The Inspection tour which was concluded with the visit to the gigantic new DBIR Headquarters under-construction in Warri, saw the members of the Board visiting the Delta North Senatorial District in ASABA and DBIR Zonal Office in Agbor, IKA South Local Government Area.

Others visited were DBIR Zonal Office in Effurun, UVWIE Local Government Area, Zonal Office at Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area and DBIR Zonal Office at Ughelli and DBIR Zonal Office at Kokori, Warri North Local Government Area.

Delta State Government has approved over twenty-seven projects running into billions of naira to boost infrastructural development in the state.

The Commissioner of Information, Barrister Chike Ogeah made the disclosure when briefed journalists on Wednesday this week, after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in Warri.

He disclosed that the sum of one hundred and ninety-eight million naira (198,000,000 naira) has been approved for this year’s aviation scholarship scheme to boost the training of 38 deltans as pilots and aeronautical engineers.

Barrister Ogeah also stated that government has set up a seven man committee on Innovation awareness to create a link between inventors in the state and the state government.

While reiterating the state government’s commitment to improving health care system in the state, Barr. Ogeah disclosed that over seventy-four million naira (74) was approved for various renovation work in the State Ministry of Health with the State School of Midwifery, Asaba and the School of Nursing, Warri, Agbor and Eku among the beneficiaries.

The Commissioner also explained that eight million naira was approved for the construction of an Incubator Shelter at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Twenty one million naira for the renovation of the State Cottage Hospital, Abavo and a one hundred K.V.A Generator for the General Hospital located in Owhelogbo.

Barrister Ogeah stated that over One billion naira was approved for various projects in the Water sector. “Other approved projects” according to him “include the setting up of a Technology Centre in Asaba, the Delta State Counterpart Fund for this year’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the rehabilitation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation camp, Issele-Uku and the construction of various road projects including the Emu-Obodeti-Abraka road. and the Direct Labor maintenance of water schemes at one hundred and Ninety-four million naira.

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has stated that the state government would rehabilitate the affected communities of the recent crisis in Warri North Local area and promised to prosecute the perpetuators of the crime.

Dr Uduaghan who said this Wednesday, July 10, 2013 during a peace and security stakeholders meeting in Warri with security commanders and leaders of ljaw and ltsekiri communities in Warri North Local Government said that a thorough assessment of the area would be carried out and relief materials sent to the victims.

He informed the gathering that the government in colloboration with Delta State Oil Producing Communities Development Commission (DESOPADEC) would help rebuild the affected communities and provide relief materials for the displaced victims.

While assuring that the people that all those arrested in connection with the mayhem would be prosecuted, he said that he acted on warning signals and quickly deployed security personnel to the communities to maintain peace, explaining that the state government was on top of the situation and that the security agencies have been strengthened to handle the situation, even as he has held series of peace meetings with leaders of the area.

“The state government wish to condemn the perpetuators of this violence and will prosecute all persons arrested in connection with the crisis. We are on top of the situation and the security agencies have been strengthened to handle the situation. Let me assured you all that the state government in colloboration with Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission [DESOPADEC] assess the effects of the crisis in the area and rehabilitate the affected communities and victims”.

Speaking further, the governor expressed gratitude to itsekiri youths for not retaliating and commended notable ljaw leaders especially Chief Edwin Clark who intervened to calm the situation and condemned the violent act.

The Chairman of the Transition Committee of Warri North Local Government Area, Mr. David Edun who briefed the gathering on the extent of the violence in the area said the attackers destroyed several itsekiri communities including Gbokoda, Obaghoro and Ebrohimi.

Also speaking the leader of the ljaw community, Chief Emmanuel Ebimami and the leaders of itsekiri community, Mr. Micheal Diden, Chief Ayiri Emami and Mr. Ezekiel Akpasibowa explained that the violence was perpetuated by criminals who wanted to steal crude oil.

According to them “This violence is caused by criminals who have the desire to break pipelines and steal crude oil, it is not an ethnic agitation. We thank the governor and security operatives for arresting the situation.”

Responding the security operatives present at the meeting appealed to the people in the local government to allow peace to reign in the interest of development in the area.

They harped that the situation was put under control as a result of the large troop of security personnel deployed to the area and appealed to the indigens to co-operate with the security agencies.

The security commanders present at the meeting include the commanding officer, Four Brigade Nigeria Army in Edo State, Brigadier- General Pat Akem, the Commanding Officer 61 Detachment, Nigeria Air-force Warri, Air-Commodore Phillip Jatau and the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba.