Governor of Nigeria‘s oil-rich Delta state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has called for technical and capacity building assistance to enable the state predict and manage flood disasters in the state.

Governor Uduaghan who spoke while receiving Baroness Valerie Amos, The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and /Emergency Relief Co-ordinator in his office in Asaba explained that the state was preparing for the managment of the predicted flood for this year.

Dr. Uduaghan said “the state reacted promptly in handling the last year’s flood and post flood challenges especially the evacuation and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons. Now preparations are in top gear  to handle any flooding eventualities this year”.

He appealed for technical and capacity building assistance and cooperation from the United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Baroness Valerie Amos  for  officials handling flood issues in the state.

Explaining further, Governor Uduaghan said “The assistance will improve the state ability to  predict flooding aand managing flooding challenges. It will also ensure improved management of  internal displaced persons and the flooded areas.”

In her address, Baroness Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General on Humanitarian Affairs said she was in the state to look at the consequences of last year flooding disaster in the state and seek for ways to partner with the state government on strengthening  disaster management in the state.

She promised to collaborate with government in ensuring quick responses to emergency situations.

Also during a Town Hall meeting in Asaba organised by the state government as part of official visit of the United Nations Under-Secretary -General For Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief, Baroness Valerie Amos, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan restated his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the United Nation in the effective management of  the post flood challenges facing displaced persons in the state.

He said the state government alone cannot handle the post flood challenges because of the enormous funds required, adding that Delta state government was willing to partner with the United Nations to enable it effectively manage the post flood challenges and mitigate the devastating effects of the flood on Deltans in the future.

“As a State with an office dedicated to foreign Relations, we place a high premium on partnership with the international communities and global organizations. We cannot handle these challenges flood alone. The state needs your help.

“We engage in a series of meetings in the US and Nigeria in order to make certain that the emergency situation in Delta is accorded its due priority and that the victims benefit directly from the intervening efforts of the WHO, UNDP, UNICEF and other implementing agencies of the UN”

The governor explained that the Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, Baronness Valerie Amos and her team was in the state to access the extent of damage done by last year’s flooding and identify areas the United Nations can be of assistance to the state and displaced victims.

Speaking further he enumerated the post flood challenges faced by the state to include, the provision of farm seedlings and fertilizers to farmers in the affected communities, rehabilitation of affected houses and resettle who lost their farm produce to the flood stressing that most of the affected victims were farmers.

Dr. Uduaghan said the state was also faced with the problem of re-building destroyed houses for the victim but noted that the displaced victims have agreed to be relocated from flood plane areas to new settlement adding that the decision also had its own challenges.

The governor observed that the state also have the responsibility of rebuilding destroyed primary and secondary  schools in the affected communities to enable the children continue with their education explaining that the Post Flood Disaster Committee estimated that it would cost about one million naira to rehabilitate affected  schools.

While stressing that his administration would continue to work hard to support the flood victims who are vulnerable to the aftermath of the flood, Governor Uduaghan appealed for the support and cooperation of the United Nations agencies in this regards.

His words “ As a state government, we will continue to work hard to support the flood victims who have remained vulnerable in the aftermath of the flood. With your support, we know we will do even more and build on any modest stride following today’s assessment mission.”

In  brief remark, the Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, Baroness Valerie Amos commended Governor Uduaghan for his efforts and  strategies in tackling the flood crisis and its aftermath .

She said that United Nations was ready to partner with Delta State Government in disaster management and post flood challenges in the state so as to make a difference in the lives of the victims.

Baroness Amos noted that the United Nation would focus on technical and capacity building support, the empowerment of women, education and Health saying “The United Nation will work together with Delta State in the area of women empowerment, education, health and technical expertise.”

She opined that United Nation have received the report of the technical committee set up to access the flood crisis in the state and has been discussing with the World Bank on possible areas of assistance to Delta State.

“We want to ensure that the disaster management especially on the flood crisis is adequately done to have impact in the lives of the affected victims.”

In his address, the Chairman of the occasion and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Ike Nwachukwu said that “ flood disasters should not be taken lightly as it is devastating” .

He asked Baroness Amos to help provide assistance and funding to Delta state and other states ravaged by floods last year as “ no state has the capacity to handle the post-flood challenges facing them due to its enormous cost”.

He charged her to be an ambassador of the country by portraying the positive image she has seen during her visit.

Senator Nwachukwu commended Dr, Uduaghan on the management of last year’s flood disaster and the security challenges in the state and enjoined other state governments to emulate Delta State.

In a welcome address, the Senior Adviser to the Governor on Foreign Relations, Mr. Oma Djebah explained that the presence of Baroness Amos and her team in the state would help strengthen the partnership with the state government and improve on the living standard of the displaced flood victims.

Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has charged the Federal Government on the proper management of the sovereign wealth fund to ensure effective participation of the various states in the country.

The Governor who said this during the 2nd Anniversary Public Lecture of the 5th Assembly in Asaba explained that states were not against the establishment of the sovereign wealth fund per se but the way and manner in which it was being managed.

He opined that states should be able to decide the amount to save and what to do with their savings since they are not appendages of the Federal government. “We are not against sovereign wealth fund but what we are against is the way and manner the fund is being managed”.

Governor Uduaghan called for the immediate review of the Value Added Tax Law to enable state government collect VAT in their locality and remit an agreed  percentage to the Federal government.

He explained that the idea of VAT being collected and shared to states who abhor some of the VAT-able items like alcohol was unacceptable.“We collect VAT on alcohol in Delta State and the money is being shared to some states in the North where alcohol is prohibited. This is not acceptable”.

Dr. Uduaghan also advocated for the practice of true Fiscal Federalism in the country to enable federating states have access to their resources for maximum development.

He stated that the practice of Fiscal Federalism would create the opportunity for states to develop their mineral and other resources  and improve their revenue bases. This would engender healthy competition among the various states in the federation and enhance infrastructural development.

“The issue of Fiscal Federalism is an issue that is dear to all state governors. If we are practicing true Fiscal Federalism in this country, the state governors will not need to go to Abuja to beg or lobby for what is rightfully theirs”.

The governor commended the  Delta State House of Assembly for their contributions to the development of the state explaining that the constant dialogue between the Legislative and Executive Arms on issues has led to the developmental strides in the state.

He therefore recommended the Delta State model of Executive and Legislative cooperation and dialogue to other state governments in order to promote peaceful co-existence and development in their states.

“Delta State House of Assembly has done well. This is because the Legislative and Executive Arms of government dialogue over issues in the interest of the state. In most issues, they agree, in others, the Legislature uses their veto power but in the end, no matter how it goes, the interest of Deltans is always considered”, he stated.

Speaking further, the governor commended Deltans for the support given so far to his administration and charged politicians to be peaceful and eschew violence and acts that would heat up the polity as 2015 election activities begin

In his Remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu called for the implementation of true Fiscal Federalism in the country stressing that it would bring about prosperity and development to the federating states.

Senator Ekweremadu stated that Fiscal Federalism would guarantee the country’s growth and ensure maximum protection of the people’s interest as well as provide good living standards for the masses.

He explained that a situation where states depended on the monthly Federal revenues from the mono –oil economy for their developmental activities was unacceptable as it has made most states unproductive and left other sectors of the economy underdeveloped.

“A federating arrangement where the states converge at the federal capital every month to share the wealth from oil revenue generated in a few other states is not encouraging. Because of Federal allocation, other sectors of the economy like tourism lies dormant. This is not ideal”.

The Senator commended Delta state government for its  “Delta Beyond Oil” vision adding that it would help develop other sectors of the economy and reduce the over dependence on oil revenue.

He challenged other state governments to follow the Delta State lead and create ways of diversifying their revenue base rather than depending sorely on oil revenue allocation.

In a welcome address, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Honorable Victor Ochei explained that the idea of the public lecture was to deliberate and proffer solutions on topical national issues.

He explained that there was need for the implementation of fiscal federalism in Nigeria especially on legislative issues adding that the over dependence on a mono-product economy has held states captive to the federal government.

The speaker said that Delta State Government was promoting the “Delta Beyond Oil” initiative to help develop other sector of the economy explaining that taxation was one of the means used to achieve the initiative.

Rt. Honorable Ochei stated that the idea of Fiscal Federalism suggested that each tier of government in a federating state would be allowed to pursue its own financial policy initiative explaining that it would ensure rapid development in the country.

Honorable Emeka Ihedioha the Deputy Speaker House of Representative delivered the first lecture on  “Legislative Issues in Fiscal Federalism in Nigeria” while Alhaji Alkali Mohammed, the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) delivered the second lecture on “Delta State Beyond Oil: Taxation as a Catalyst for the Social-Economic Development of Delta State” .

Delta State Ministry of Information has frowned at a publication posted on Saharareporters web journal on June 11, 2013, alleging that the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Kenneth Okpara may have tampered with the sum N150 million originally meant for the state’s Vision 2020 Plan.

A statement dated June 12, 2013 and signed by the Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah Esq said that certain interest groups determined to frustrate positive change in the machinery of governance may have been responsible for the unfounded allegations.

He claimed that Saharareporters had chosen to propagate falsehood as the writers had conceived malice before thought by deliberately maligning the person and administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, despite the clarification made available by the state Government.

The statement titled, Re: Delta Commissioner may have pocketed “Vision 2020” N150 million and made available to Blank NEWS Online reads:

“The attention of the Delta State Ministry of Information has been drawn to a publication posted on Saharareporters web journal of June 11, 2013 with the above title. Earlier in May this year, a community newspaper publisher had sought explanation from the Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning on what he thought was the expenditure profile of N150 million on the Delta State Vision 2020 Plan.

“In the detailed response to the enquiry which Saharareporters made reference to, it was made clear that only N90,300,000 (ninety million three hundred thousand naira only) was released in two tranches of N30 million on November 15, 2011 and N60.3 million on June 12, 2012.

“The major expenditure was the payment of N29 million to the project facilitator, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), for the design and installation of M & E System, a result-based monitoring and evaluation software, in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Other expenditures were for the purchase of a purpose-branded Toyota Hilux vehicle; printing and distribution of additional 1,000 copies of the Delta State Vision 2020 Plan as well as a two-week intensive course in January 2013 for 50 participants drawn from 40 MDAs in the state by UNITAR.

“The salaries of the Vision 2020 secretariat staff, transport and travelling expenses, stationeries and bank charges brought total expenditure to N57.861 million.

“By June 11, 2013, the day of the Saharareporters publication, the bank balance from the N90.3 million released for the Vision 2020 Plan stood at N32.438 million.

“These facts were available to Saharareporters at the time of its publication. For reasons not too difficult to discern, Saharareporters chose the path of armchair journalism, fiction and malice. His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State, had mandated the Commissioner for Economic Planning to evolve measures that would improve the management of resources, project execution and reduce waste in governance.

“We know there are interest groups determined to frustrate positive change in the machinery of governance. With the plausible and variable true story on the Vision 2020 Plan expenditure available to Saharareporters, that it chose to propagate falsehood shows that the clarification it sought from the Government was not done in good faith in the first instance. Clearly, there was malice before thought and a barely disguised agenda of maligning the person and administration of the Governor of Delta State under any guise.

“We have gone to great depth to again give details of the expenditure of the N90.3 million just to enable Deltans, Nigerians and followers of Saharareporters have a glimpse of the real intent behind the on line journal’s denial of the truth in favour of fiction.”

The management of Fiogret Limited has again reaffirmed that the Company which has been put on a hot-bed of unnecessary attacks by AMCON is not bankrupt, neither is the Chief Executive, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, as it describes the attacks as political intimidation.

The company has therefore issued a statement to correct the wrong information, on the company’s indebtedness, being fed the general public by AMCON especially by its chairman, Mr Mustafa Chike Obi, saying it considers Chike Obi’s remarks as malicious given the fact that he singled out Ogboru out of the 13,000 purported debtors of AMCON.

While frowning at the incessant harassment from AMCON and its agents, Chief Ogboru views the continued harassment as a form of political intimidation when considered against the fact that the so called dispute between AMCON and Fiogret does not in any way call for this kind arm twisting tactics by AMCON.

Dependable sources have revealed that there have been several failed attempts to shut down Ogboru’s businesses illegally. “More intriguing is the fact that the current face-off between AMCON and Fiogret was due only to Fiogret’s principled refusal to first, pay unnecessary interest charges to AMCON and second, to withdraw all cases it instituted against AMCON, the banks and its agents.”

The management of Fiogret Limited, in a bid to restate the true position of things as it relates to the company’s indebtedness to AMCON, therefore allayed the fears of concerned members of the public on its rumoured insolvency, affirming that “The fact is that Ogboru is not bankrupt and his company, Fiogret Limited, is solvent.”

In a press statement dated June 1, 2013 and made available to Blank NEWS Online, the management of Fiogret Limited

The statement reads:

“We refer to an interview in the Vanguard Newspaper of Thursday, May 30, 2013, by Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi, the Managing Director of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) wherein the AMCON boss wrongly singled out our Chairman, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, from a purported list of 13,000 AMCON debtors worldwide, and wrongly portrayed him as a “politician” debtor who has refused to pay an alleged total debt of N617 Million only owed to AMCON.

“Mr. Chike-Obi obviously misunderstands the facts and we wish to use this opportunity to present the facts properly. We also want to clarify the true state of affairs. The facts are:

a. It is a fact that the alleged indebtedness mentioned by the AMCON boss arose from contracts between us and Afribank Plc (now Mainstreet Bank), Equitorial Trust Bank Limited (now Sterling Bank Plc) and Oceanic Bank International Plc (now Ecobank Plc). The indebtedness is disputed.

b. Litigations arose from these contracts due to breaches by the Banks. Our cumulative total Claim against the Banks is over and above whatever AMCON claims is owed (N617 Million or more). We emphasise that these cases went to Court before AMCON came into existence and are still in court.

c. However, when AMCON came into existence and despite the pendency of the cases in Court, we, without any prejudice whatsoever to our rights, welcomed a possible amicable settlement in “good faith” in order “to make light” AMCON’s “institutional burden, as an interventionist agency” of Government.

d. Following several negotiations with AMCON, we agreed to pay a total sum of about N658 Million which includes the N617 Million paid by AMCON for the alleged debts and an additional N41 Million as interest.

e. AMCON requested us to pay an initial deposit of N85 Million but we increased it to N200 Million. And, on April 26, 2013, we paid a total sum of N189 Million to AMCON, as part of the initial good faith payment which has been duly received.

f. We agreed to pay the balance of about N458 Million by an irrevocable Bank Guarantee in exchange for our title documents in AMCON’s custody.

g. AMCON requested us to spread the balance payment over FIVE (5) years but we opted for THREE (3) years.

h. During the negotiations, AMCON asked for about N126 Million in additional interest and withdrawal of our petition to the EFCC to investigate the fraudulently obtained mortgage debenture documents unfairly used against us and all our suits including those on civil libel, breach of trust, and public interest. These were not acceptable to us. In other words, the difference in our position and that of AMCON is N126 Million and the withdrawal of the EFCC Petition and pending cases against some banks.

1.0 However, the AMCON boss chose to tell the entire world that we and/or our Chairman refused to pay N617 Million when in fact we accepted to pay N658 Million from which we have paid N189 Million with a proposal to give a Bank Guarantee for the outstanding sum as stated above.

2.0 These are the correct facts and granite truths.”

A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Chief Godwill Obielum has said Nigerians deserve to celebrate 14 years of uninterrupted democracy based on the level of development in the country.

Speaking in Asaba on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 as the nation celebrate 14 years of democracy, Chief Obielum said that as a country, Nigeria’s democracy is developing very fast with the level of freedom being witnessed in the country.

He observed that the most important benefit from democracy is freedom, stating that Nigerians are enjoying freedom and called for support for elected and appointed representatives of the people in government.

“14 years is still young but, what we have witnessed in the country today deserves celebration, people are free to even criticise government, people are free to call on government to engage in actions which ordinarily cannot happen during the military,” Chief Obielum said, asserting, “as a people, we must support the government of the day, it is a duty to support the government because, with our support, those in government will see reasons to deliver on their electoral promises.”

On Governor Uduaghan’s administration, Chief Obielum stated that Governor Uduaghan has recorded achievements in so many areas, especially in the areas of job creation, ensuring good learning environment through massive infrastructural development in the education sector, good neighbourliness among ethnic nationalities, reiterating, “Governor Uduaghan has done well and we need to support him.”

“In the area of security, we are aware of the commitment of the Governor to ensure a peaceful state and he has done a lot to check security challenges including kidnapping which became obvious as a result of the militant activities in the Niger-Delta,” Chief Obielum said.

On his interest for the Governorship position of the state in 2015, a position he contested for in 2007 PDP primaries, Chief Obielum said, “it is God that gives power, all that we need to do is to support the government in power, encourage them to work because four or eight years may not be enough for them to execute their programmes for the people and as such, they deserves our support instead of engaging in actions which could distract them now.”

“I can tell you that we have done very well as a nation within the past 14 years, we need to engage in actions that will deepen our democracy and this we can do by encouraging and supporting our elected officials and those who are holding political offices,” he said.

Oil rich Delta state Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has described education as panacea for sustainable growth of the Nigerian child and called on parents and guardians to genuinely give guaranty to their children’s early education to enable them face future challenges.

The governor, a guest at the Delta State Children’s Parliament Session stated this while declaring the 2013 National Children’s Day celebration open at the Delta State House of Assembly Chambers, Asaba.

Uduaghan, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), enjoined parents to pay give adequate attention to the upbringing of their children and wards to make them useful to society through attainment of self-actualization.

He commended the Delta State Children Parliament and warned them against youthful vices but rather imbibe the virtues of respect and hard work, explaining that the enactment of the Child Right Act by the Delta State Government is to ensure proper education of the child at the foundation stage.

He listed areas of priority to the child by the state government to include, free medical programme for 0-5 years, free treatment to pregnant women, free primary school fees, payment of WAEC and NECO fees to indigent Deltans and offer of bursary/scholarship to Deltans.

Speaker of the Children’s parliament, Enobere Valentina Elohor, presided of the plenary session of the children’s parliament which held at the hallowed chambers of the Delta state House of Assembly.

The parliamentarians deliberated on myriad of issues of needs, rights and plight of the child and made far-reaching resolutions that would improve the lives of Delta State children.

Children from across the state however defied the hot afternoon sun and shoddy arrangement by the organizers to attended the Children’ Day Anniversary which held concurrently at the state Assembly Complex.

Blank NEWS Online source revealed that the organizers had requested for few seats despite the expected large turnout of children, who were neither entertained nor given gift items.

Our eyewitness source further disclosed that school teachers, parents and guardians were left to take responsibility for their students/pupils and wards by making alternative arrangement for feeding, water and chairs which the organizers failed to provide.

Recall that the 2nd Delta State Children’s Parliament was inaugurated in May 2012 to provide opportunity for children to come together and review issues of Child Rights instruments, stipulated in the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the child.

The Children parliament has representatives from the 25 local government areas of the state, including children with special need.

Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has disclosed that the state government has released the sum of over N1.6 billion to the 25 local government Councils being their share of the Subsidy, Reinvestment and Empowerment Program (SURE-P) funds

Governor Uduaghan who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay at the SURE-P Interactive Session/Town Hall Meeting with Stakeholders and Traditional Rulers in Asaba  at the weekend stated that some local government Councils were already implementing some of  the approved programmes and projects after due consultation with the state government.

The Governor said that the SURE-P initiative was an addition to the state projects and programmes which were all put in place to ensure that the down trodden, women and youths in the rural communities were not left out of the benefits and dividends of democracy.

“Here in Delta State, we have put up a lot of projects and programmes to make sure that the down trodden, women and youths in the rural and riverine communities are not left out of the benefits and dividends of democracy. So, SURE-P is an addition to our schemes and everything will be done to ensure the success of this initiative”.

Dr. Uduaghan informed the  audience that the government  was poised to tackle headlong the challenges posed by climate change explaining that the state was a member of the R20 Team, a body dedicated to tackling the issue of climate change.

He called on the Royal Fathers to assist the state government in monitoring projects that would be set up by the SURE-P Initiative stressing that Dr Goodluck Jonathan has set up the Initiative to ensure that individuals at the grassroots were not neglected.

“I employ our Royal Fathers who are the custodians of the people to help in monitoring projects that is set up by the SURE-P Initiative as Mr. President with all good intentions has put up the SURE-P Initiative so that people at the rural level will not be neglected”.

Governor Uduaghan assured the delegates that the state government would continue to collaborate and cooperate with the Federal government and remained loyal to the People’s Democratic Party at the state and National levels.

In a brief speech, the Minister of Labor and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu stated that the SURE-P Initiative was designed to transfer part of the wealth saved from the oil subsidy to provide employment opportunities to women, youths and people with disabilities in the various communities.

He opined that the royal fathers  were the true advocates for the people at the grassroots stating that their presence would make the SURE-P Initiative more meaningful to the people.

Speaking on behalf of the royal fathers, the Ovie of Uwvie Kingdom, Abe I, said that the SURE-P Initiative should be properly formed in the state stating that the royal fathers should be carried along and be well informed on the priorities of the SURE-P Initiative.

He commended DR. Goodluck Jonathan on the SURE-P Initiative and assured the delegates of the commitment of the royal fathers in ensuring the success of the initiative in the state.

Beneficiaries present at the occasion commended President Goodluck Jonathan for instituting the SURE-P Initiative and assured the delegates of their dedication to the initiative.

Earlier during a courtesy call on Governor Uduaghan by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu and other Federal Government officals at the New Government House, in Asaba, the governor expressed his administration’s support in ensuring the success of the Federal Government’s Subsidy, Reinvestment and Empowerment Program (SURE-P) in the state.

Uduaghan said that the state government would partner with the Federal Government SURE-P a success story.

“The SURE-P program is a program that Delta State is very interested in. We want to give it all the support to make the program a success as it is a program that will give confidence to the people. Even if the subsidy has to be completely removed, the people will be assured that the money saved from the subsidy removal will be used for their benefit”, the Governor stated.

Governor Uduaghan explained that the state was judiciously utilizing its share of the SURE-P funds and has achieved a lot with the funds for the benefits of Deltans.

He said the funds have been used in the rehabilitation of roads in the state through the Direct Labour Agency, provision of small and medium scale loans in the state Micro-Credit Scheme and the purchase and subsidization of buses in the state transport scheme, explaining that the state still has some savings from the funds.

Governor Uduahan also said that the state government was closely monitoring the usage of the funds at the local government areas to ensure its judicious use.

His words, “At the local government level, the state government made sure the chairmen used the money appropriately. We asked for details of the projects they want to carry out with the funds. We want to ensure that they do not use the money to pay workers salary and allowances.”

Explaining further, he noted that there had been challenges with the initial take-off of the programme throughout the federation as expected of any new programme and appealed to all stakeholders to work together as a team to ensure that these challenges were tackled.

According to him “Challenges are expected at the beginning of any new programme, the SURE-P programme is not an exception. This will not make us condemn it, what has to be done is to sit down and see how best we can help address the issue so that the program will be successful.”

The Labour Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu who was accompanied by his Information counterpart, Mr.  Labaran Maku on a sensitization and appraisal tour of SURE-P projects in his speech said the purpose of the visit to Delta was to sensitize Nigerians on the SURE-P programme and what have been achieved so far.

He explained that President Jonathan had promised Nigerians that his administration will alleviate the hardships caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy and deliver the benefits of democracy to them through the SURE-P programme.

The Minister said the aim of the programme was to provide employment opportunities to women, youths and people with disabilities in the various communities in the nation.

Wogu said that the South-South states have received over 337.9 million naira from the SURE-P funds to carry out projects and programmes in the states. He explained that each state has employed 3,000 persons in various SURE-P programmes and another 2,000 people per state will be added to the scheme this year.

He informed the governor that a total of 3426 Deltans made up of 1610 males, 1816 females and 256 disabled persons were presently deployed to 256 SURE-P project sites in the state.

The Minister stated about 83 million naira have been utilized so far from the oil subsidy saving as  monthly stipends, basic hand tools and management requirement  for these beneficiaries in state.

Ahead of Nigeria‘s Democracy Day anniversary on May 29, Delta state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has harped on the need for greater unity, devoid of hatred and destructive rumours among Deltans.

Speaking about the rumour of his death, he said he had a health challenge recently and rather than pray for his quick recovery, some persons were wishing him dead and planning to buy a casket for his burial.

He said this at an Inter-denominational Thanksgiving service on Sunday, May 26, 2013 held at the Flock of Christ Mission, Enerhen in Uvwie Local Government Area of the State, to mark the 2013 Democracy Day and 2nd Anniversary of his administration.

In his words; “As Deltans, let us do away with hatred, we should shun ethnic hatred; hatred will lead us to nowhere but destruction. There is too much hatred for one another in the state and too much rumour mongering. Rumour came recently that I have passed away and many people were happy about the news. I can be sick because I am human being. I actually had a health challenge recently. But I am alright now; I spent three days in Abuja over my health. People were spreading rumour that I was dead and they were ready to buy a casket for my burial. But you can see I have conquered the fear of death. There is so much rumour in our state and it is unfair to spread all types of rumour. If people are sick, we should pray for their recovery and not to wish them dead”

“We must stop spreading dangerous rumours; they are destructive rumours, they do not build the society, they destroy society and that is why I am urging all Deltans on the need to live in unity and Deltans should help my administration to finish strong. Pray for us to succeed,” he added.

Governor Uduaghan said he had stormy elections and praised Rev. (Dr) Simeon Okah of Flock of Christ Mission and National Vice President, PFN, South-South Zone for his prayers and support.

The Governor who had earlier read the First Scripture from Zachariah 4:1-14 said that; “We had stormy elections in the state and Rev. Okah supported us greatly and he was even prosecuted for being on my side. After the elections, he challenged me on education, agriculture and other issues. I want to say that we are determined to remain strong. We are doing more in area of education. We are finishing strong in several areas but not in agriculture. But we will do something to finish strong in agriculture.”

On security challenges, Governor Uduaghan said; “We are being proactive in security challenges, especially kidnapping. We are destroying places where kidnappers stay and where they keep their victims. We are also chasing the native doctors assisting kidnappers. We have jailed many kidnappers and I must commend the judiciary for their support in the war against kidnappers. The judiciary has tried in this aspect and we are winning the war against kidnappers. We still have some challenges but we shall overcome them.”

The governor who also spoke on the recent ban on okada, commended Deltans for their understanding, saying that, “we are not being wicked by banning okada, but trying to create a peaceful state for all and rid the state of criminals. We are trying to finish strong in all that we are doing. I want to thank our royal father for embracing Christianity. Most of our royal fathers are now inviting men of God to their Palace for prayers. Embracing Christ by royal fathers means that there is hope. I want to urge all royal fathers in the state to embrace Christ.”

He urged all Nigerians to pray for President Goodluck Jonathan as he tackles Boko Haram and other national problems. And he said; “We are all potential victims of Boko Haram and this is why we must support the President to win this war.”

In his message, Rev. Okah said man was created in the image of God, adding that for that alone man should be thankful to God, stressing that, “ we must love each other and be united as a state and together we shall make it as a state. We should continue to pray for the Governor of the state for him to deliver on his promises.”

The State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Agbe Utuama read the second scripture taking from Romans 12;1-11 just as Delta State University Choir, Government House Chapel Choir and Flock Voices of Christ Mission Choir thrilled the congregation at the ceremony.

Earlier on Friday, May 24, 2013, the Delta State Government unfolded its program to mark Democracy Day in the state.

The state Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, Esq, who discloised this at a news briefing in Asaba said the week-long celebration starts on Sunday at Flock of Christ Mission, Warri.

On Monday, there will be Walk for Life at 7am, to be led by the Governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan to be followed by activities marking children’s day celebration at 10am.

He said Tuesday will be for the final of the Governor’s Cup at the Warri Stadium and called on all Deltans to be at the venue for the match. On Wednesday, which is the D-day, the Governor will commission a lot of projects in the state.

This will enable the people to know what the governor has been able to do in the state as a mark of democracy dividends. On the same day, they will be lunch for traditional rulers and opinion leaders and other Deltans in the state at 2pm. The occasion will also provide them opportunity to interact.

The commissioner also disclosed that there will be talent hunt show to be handled by a member of the committee and Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Barrister Richard Mofe- Damijo.

According told him, project commissioning in the state will continue after the Wednesday celebration.

A youth leader, politician and entertainment dude, Hon. Nwador Ifeanyi Anyim has lauded the efforts and development initiatives of Hon. (Evng.) Ossai Nicholas Ossai, member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.

This statement was made by Hon. Nwador Ifeanyi Anyim, shortly after a courtesy visit on Hon. (Evang.) Ossai Nicholas Ossai in his Abuja residence.

Blank NEWS Online source revealed that the statement was based on Hon. (Evang.) Ossai Nicholas Ossai’s positive impact on Ndokwa development through the creation of job opportunities, philanthropic gestures, youth empowerment programs among others.

Hon. Nwador while enumerating some of Hon. (Evang.) Ossai Nicholas Ossai’s development initiatives stated that the House of Representatives member had effectively carried out his legislative duties by influencing and embarking on people oriented projects as part of his Constituency Projects within his short period in office.

He noted that until the Legislator‘s assumption of office, the Ndokwa nation had been neglected.

According to Nwador, a former contender for the National Assembly seat in 2011 under the auspices of the National Conscience Party (NCP), “Hon. (Evang.) Ossai Nicholas Ossai has paid his dues in politics and administration by entrenching good representation of his constituents at the National Assembly.”

He also described him as a God fearing man, who has the vision of transforming Ndokwa/Ukwuani Constituency into a God favoured nation, being the second largest ethnic group in Delta state and host of one of the largest gas reserve in Africa.

Nwador therefore called on all Ndokwa sons and daughters at home and in the Diaspora to join hands with Hon. (Evang.) Ossai Nicholas Ossai in transforming the Ndokwa nation to greater heights.

He further passed a vote of confidence on the Governor of Delta state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for implementing his three point agenda of Peace and Security, Human Capital Development and Infrastructure Development as well as Hon. (Evang.) Ossai Nicholas Ossai for effective representation at the National Assembly.

In a bid to track-up funds allegedly being diverted by some Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Delta state, Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has directed that all internal revenues accruing to the state government must be collected solely by the Board of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Uduaghan who gave the directive on Monday, May 13, 2013, while declaring open the Board of Internal Revenue Retreat 2013 in Asaba, said that government was not unaware of its revenue been collected in different ministries, parastatals and agencies by officials who were not staff of the Board.

Accordingly, he directed that “If it requires posting staff of the board to different ministries and parastatals for collecting government revenues, this should be done immediately”.

He noted that the state government was poised to ensure that revenue loss was minimized to the barest minimum in the state.

His words: “I have directed that the collection of all government money pass through the Board of Internal Revenue. There are a lot of our revenue being collected that we are not aware of especially in the ministries, parastatals and agencies. We will send Board officials to these places to collect these revenues.”

The governor explained that government needed the improved internally generated revenue to ensure infrastructural development of the state and the payment of workers’ emoluments and wages.

He congratulated the Board for the increase in the monthly internally generated revenue of the state from 1.2 billion naira to 5.7 billion naira and charged them to work harder to ensure that the monthly IGR would be able to offset the state’s monthly wage bill.

Dr. Uduaghan observed that the payment of workers salary from the internally generated revenue would enable the state improve on its infrastructural development projects as the federal allocation would be deployed fully to infrastructural projects.

Governor Uduaghan urged the management and staff of the board to be proactive, seek new revenue sources and develop a critical framework to support the collection of revenue in the state.

He promised that workers’ salaries and emoluments would be paid on or before the 20th of every month and charged the staff of the Board to think outside the box to seek new ways of improving the revenue generation in the state.

He advised the board to use the knowledge they would acquire from the Retreat to generate other avenues that have not been identified to collect taxes in the state and increase the IGR.

Dr. Uduaghan while speaking on the theme of the Retreat “Delta Beyond Oil- The Implications and the Role of Board of Internal Revenue” explained that the state could no longer depend solely on the revenue from oil given the fluctuation of oil price and volatility of production in the country.

The governor said the “Delta beyond Oil” vision would help diversify the state economy and reduce over-dependence on oil and gas thereby attracting investment to the state.

“We want to use our oil money to diversify our economy in such a way that price fluctuation and production volatility do not destabilize us”, he stated.

“The state government is preparing the economy for a time when  the rise or fall of oil revenue will not be a factor in our total revenue especially now that most countries are now producing oil and our major  market, The United States of America now produces most of its domestic oil and gas needs”, he said.

Governor Uduaghan opined that the state has mapped out strategies to encourage investments in various other sectors of the economy especially in agriculture, tourism and energy.

In his address, the Chairman of the Board of lnternal Revenue, Hon. Joel Onohwapor-Thomas expressed the Board’s commitment towards the “Delta Beyond Oil ” vision of  the state and promised to create an enabling environment to ensure that the vision succeeded.

He commended the governor for providing the board with the needed working facilities and assured him that they would ensure improvement on the strategies for revenue collection in order to increase the internal generated revenue.

In a welcome address, The Chairman of the planning Committee, Barrister Austin Oboroegbeye stated that the retreat was organised to educate staff and other stakeholders on ways of promoting the Agenda of “Delta Beyond Oil” through revenue drive.

He also explained that the retreat was in line with Governor Uduaghan’s Human Capital Development agenda of training and re-training of staff for greater productivity.

The Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) has fixed its National Convention for May 25, 2013.

A statement signed by the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Abubakar Ateeku Yusuf, on behalf of the National Chairman, Major Gen.Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), has revealed.

The recent statement made available to Blank NEWS Online reads:

“Resolution of the NEC Meeting of DPP held at the Gracious Hotel; Abuja: At an emergency meeting of DPP held on 9th May,2013, presided over by its National chairman; Major Gen.Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), decided that:

(1) The Merger Committee formed as a result of the resolution of the february 13 NEC Meeting is hereby disbanded and a new committee to be Appointed to Continue the merger Negotiations with Other Political Party’s.

(2) The NEC Expelled Mr. Olusameka Akamukali former Acting Deputy National Chairman Of the Party for Anti-Party Activities and Gross Misconduct and the NEC have Accordingly appointed a new deputy National chairman to replaced him in the person of Mr. Gashon Benson from Rivers State.

(3)The Party resolved to hold its National Convention on 25/5/2013 in Abuja.

In the wake of the recent uprising between the people of Ogume Clan in Ndokwa West local government area of Delta state and Hausa/Fulani herdsmen, the state government has reassured of efforts to curtail the excesses of herdsmen whose cattle allegedly destroy farmlands in parts of the state.

The State Government which denied there was a siege of any sort, also assured that all the victims during the last clash which claimed some lives would be adequately compensated.

Reacting to a recent inciting security alert advertorial issued by Ogume Clan Development Association, in the aftermath of the wanton destruction of farmlands in Ogume clan by cattle belonging to Hausa/Fulani herdsmen, the state Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike C. Ogeah Esq, said the Government of Delta State had waded into the issue in a bid to restore order and harmony between Ogume community and Hausa/Fulani herdsmen.

The statement titled “Re: Ogume Under Siege” and made available to Blank NEWS Online on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 reads:

“In an advertorial published in the Vanguard newspaper of Monday, May 6, 2013, the Ogume Clan Development Association drew the attention of the public to the security challenge in the area over the destruction of farmlands in the clan by cattle belonging to Fulani herdsmen.

“The Government of Delta State had waded into the issue on the outset and held meetings with leaders of the Ogume Clan and the herdsmen with a view to restoring order and harmony as acknowledged in the advertorial. Again, as rightly noted in the said publication by the Ogume Clan Development Association, the clan had lived harmoniously with the Fulani herdsmen whereby a piece of land was allocated to the herdsmen.

“The Government of Delta State has been liaising with all stakeholders and security agencies over the matter and wishes to reassure the Ogume Clan that measures are being taken to resolve the challenge and give succour to the farmers whose crops were damaged as well as those affected by the violent attacks by some renegade herdsmen. The State Government hereby assures the Ogume Clan and, indeed, every other community that provides grazing grounds for Fulani herdsmen that measures have been taken to ensure that the herdsmen are confined to the designated grazing areas.

“The Government appeals to the Ogume Clan and its leaders to remain calm as the dispute will soon be a thing of the past while succour will be provided to all that suffered any loss. These will be unveiled in the coming days.”