SHOLA O'NEIL'S BLOG

The Role of 5G Technology in Transforming Emerging Markets - Oghenekevwe Kofi

2024-07-07T23:36:00.000-07:00

The Role of 5G Technology in Transforming Emerging Markets -

- Oghenekevwe Kofi

The introduction of 5G technology has been widely regarded as a transformative force, especially in emerging markets like Nigeria. This technology promises to significantly enhance various sectors such as transportation, education, health, agriculture, and more, ultimately leading to economic development and an improved quality of life. In regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, where internet penetration is on the rise, implementing 5G can play a crucial role in providing access to online educational resources, thereby bridging the digital divide and elevating the standard of education in underserved areas. Moreover, the adoption of 5G is expected to catalyze the advancement of emerging technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, blockchain, and federated learning, further propelling digital transformation.

One of the key impacts of 5G technology lies in its ability to enhance connectivity and data transfer speeds, leading to increased efficiency in logistics networks and subsequently contributing to revenue growth. The high-speed capabilities of 5G open avenues for rapid data transfers, paving the way for the development of new applications and services across various sectors. Businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, stand to benefit from 5G technology by improving efficiency, fostering innovation, and enabling enhanced communication and supply chain management. Additionally, in the realm of financial technology, the integration of 5G networks is poised to attract more customers and expand market share for financial institutions and fintech companies.

In the healthcare sector, the implementation of 5G technology in smart hospitals has shown promising results in enhancing patient care, facility management, and emergency response during crises such as natural disasters and pandemics. Furthermore, the potential economic impact of 5G technology is substantial, with projections indicating a significant boost to economic growth, particularly in Industry 4.0, with an estimated economic value of $13.2 trillion by 2035. The convergence of 5G with other technologies like cloud computing, IoT, and data-driven applications is expected to bring about disruptions that will shape future research directions and opportunities.

Moreover, the development of 5G is closely intertwined with optical networks, highlighting the importance of integrating wireless and optical communication for the advancement of 5G infrastructure and services. In the context of smart cities, 5G technology is poised to play a pivotal role in providing the necessary communication infrastructure for various smart city applications, thereby driving economic and societal transformations. Additionally, in the manufacturing sector, the impact of 5G technology is projected to enhance productivity, maintenance performance, and flexibility, thereby revolutionizing manufacturing processes.

As 5G technology continues to evolve, it is expected to usher in a new era of economic growth and societal improvements, particularly when combined with the Internet of Things (IoT). The strategic positioning of 5G is anticipated to significantly enhance customer service quality, especially with the proliferation of wireless devices and increased data volume in mobile networks. The adoption of 5G networks in developing countries has shown promising financial and environmental gains, highlighting the potential benefits of embracing this technology.

In conclusion, the role of 5G technology in transforming emerging markets like Nigeria is multifaceted and holds immense potential for driving economic growth, improving service delivery across various sectors, and bridging digital divides. By leveraging the capabilities of 5G, countries can unlock new opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and connectivity, ultimately paving the way for a more prosperous and technologically advanced future.

Godwin Obaseki, God’s classic gift to Edo State – Hon Bello-Osagie

2016-06-04T08:07:00.001-07:00

EDO 2016:

Godwin Obaseki, God’s classic gift to Edo State – Hon Bello-Osagie


Hon Bello-Osagie

Do you think that your party, the APC has done enough for the people of Edo state to merit another mandate?

Edo State is very lucky. Let us look at where we are coming from, where we are now and of course, where we want to be in the unfolding dispensation. What readily comes to mind is that Edo state has been quite fortunate. It has witnessed a long regime of underdevelopment. Yes, we saw some shades of development in the past occasioned by the likes of our father, Brig Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, as governor of Bendel State. After that, some people tried within the limit of their capacities.

Edo state citizens were hungry to see visible development, something unusual. We were lucky to have a man that has this capacity to manage the meagre resources. A man of very striking intelligence, a labour leader per excellence who came into the political process and in seven and half years we have seen unprecedented developmental stride occasioned by various policies that brought about what you now see as visible developments in all sectors of our national life and we are still counting.

That is not to say that we have gotten to where we want ought to be, but there is hope. To avoid a contamination of the process we would need a continuation of the stride and this progress that we have made. Therefore our political space is yearning for a leader, a manager, very unusual manager because the times have changed. The days of going to Abuja to collect handouts are over, in my opinion. At $110 per barrel we did not manage the economy very well neither did you make savings for the rainy day. What we see now is a plethora of problems hitting us in the face. What we need now is an intervention. We need a man that has uncommon exposure in the public and private sectors.

Amid the Plethora of candidates in the APC, how do you manage the diverse interests without rocking the boat?

The primaries, which is an internal process of the party shouldn’t ordinary bring any rancour at all. What I have seen are some desperate politicians. Politicians normally take advantage of periods like this because there are gains that are axillary to the process. They see it as a period of harvest and they are the ones who suggest and heat up the polity.

My recommendation is, please go out there and market your credentials and talk about your pedigree to the voters. We derive our powers as representatives from the people and therefore the circus that I see and this culture of lighting up our political space and create the impression that there is crisis is usually the work of some fifth columnists because they can be talking to two, three candidates at the same time. They know where they are going to but they want some pecuniary gains from this and that.

I want to see it as one of the problems that are usually associated with evolution and all we need to do as players and stakeholders is to remove the imaginary boundaries of partisanship and build a coalition of change army that will take us to our destination.

I have seen a plethora of aspirants who are desirous of leading us and taking us to the next stage – wherever we are now is a journey and we definitely need uncommon and exemplary army of leaders to take us through this turbulence so that Edo state citizens can at least continue to enjoy what in my opinion are some of the gains that we have recorded under Comrade Oshiomhole’s administration. In most of the sectors, if not all, some enviable leaps have been recorded and I want to believe that all those aspiring as gubernatorial aspirants are eminently qualified, but we need to take helicopter view to find out who is best suited for the job. Very clearly, it is only one person that must be chosen.

For me, my compass and radar is hungry to pick a man that has the pedigree that will take us to where we want to be. I have looked at it and at the risk of any contradiction, what comes to me very clearly is that we are looking for a man that can creatively manage the resources of the state; a man who understands the policies of government and governance and who has been in the policy cockpit of this government.

My radar has picked Godwin Obaseki, who is somebody that has an intimidating track record in investment banking, asset management and securities in the public sector, both locally and internationally. He has been part of a team, as project manager, that led to the establishment of two new generation banks. He possesses very intimidating educational pedigree; University of Ibadan, Columbia University and Prince University, New York. A man that has been a member of the Presidential Council on Pensions Reforms, Chairman of Edo State Economic Team for seven and half years. He is chairman of Afrinvest. He is a man who believes that service is about the people and therefore his actions have been predicated on vision, purpose, integrity leadership and full service. Pro bono, he has worked for this administration for seven and half years or more without earning any income. How selfless can a man be? I am not under any illusion neither do I have a problem in pitching my tent with him. I have endorsed him and several others have.

When this project started and we were at the very embryonic stage and people were saying ‘we don’t know him’. Today, the pages are unfolding now and because a man cannot operate outside the limitations of his ability, we can see deficit in the disposition of some of the candidates. Therefore, this is not pools betting, where you say let me try. I know where we are coming from, where we are and where we want to be. The strategies of taking us where we want to be can only come from a man who understands what it is to diagnose and come up with prescriptions.

People often say managing a public business is different from running a public office, how do you think Godwin Obaseki will stand to this test?

He has been in the private sector for many years and his involvement in governance has also prepared him. I am a politician and politicians believe that the political space should be reserved for only politicians, but I think we have gone beyond that space because the challenges are new now. We have very uncommon challenges. Anybody can go to Abuja, take handouts and come in. if I need N4bn and you give me N3bn, it is very easy to sit in the comfort of your office and give instructions to your commissions and aides to distribute. But we are talking of uncommon times where you need to be very creative and think of the new frontiers you want to break. Do we now begin to sit down on a note of lamentation and say, ‘we can’t go beyond this point?’

As I speak with you, I am aware that he has been in the engine room of some of the investments that we have seen in Edo state. Dangote is coming with cement and Azura-Edo IPP is over $1bn in foreign direct investment and it is here. By the time these projects take off, people will be absorbed with employed, which is one of the fundamental problem we are facing in the country at the moment. We may not even be able to utilise the power generation from Azura plants; we may have to sell some of these megawatts to other states. That is where we are. When you sit down to listen to Obaseki, I am not under any contradiction that he is eminently qualified and that he is a classic gift to Edo state.

If Godwin Obaseki wins the APC primary, do you think he can withstand the force of the opposition, particularly the PDP?

I am more concerned about our primaries, because we need the unity since it is a family affair. Beyond primaries, when he wins, not if he wins, that might be easier because if I were a member of PDP, I am sure by now I would have resigned from politics because of the public odium around that party. If people sit down and talk about persecution having stolen so much money as if our national currency and foreign currencies are going out of fashion. A man takes N800m and says I don’t know where it is coming from and another takes N400m? These were spokespersons of this same government of yesterday. Now they asked you to come and explain and you run to the courts and say the court should stop them from investigating you or stop any arrest! What kind of environment are we and what are we doing? The values are now upside down.

I do not have any problems with the general election. I want to believe that might be easier because: one, they should talk to the people about what they did in 16 years. APC, we can see what Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has done in 7 1/2 years. They are visible. We can see schools being rebuilt. When we were campaigning with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, we went into a classroom one day, the children were sitting on the floor and from the roof you could see the skies. Then we saw an aeroplane flying pass by and the children were saying, ‘see aeroplane’, from the classroom. I was embarrassed. That is how abysmal we dropped during the PDP years. It was a wholesale collapse of our system and we are gradually seeing some order coming in; how you manage the people, resources coming and that is what we have seen. So, it is only fair that we do not allow the contamination of the process and that is why an Obaseki is the solution.

On the issue of power rotation between the three senatorial districts and clamour that governorship position should go to the central

The point is any area has a right to aspire to any position. Barring any zonal arrangement that can be determined by the party’s structure, individuals can agitate but I think the party has a role to play in which area they want. It is not about what we say on the streets. You have to understand that there are some demographics that support successes that you can record. I don’t think this should divide the party. There are various positions apart from that of the governor and deputy governor. There is speaker, SSG, Chief of Staff. You can always sit down to discuss. It is when we refuse to discuss that we allow people to comment on issues like this.

What you see in the newspapers most times are mostly publicity stunts occasioned by politicians and stakeholders. I do not think this should light up our political space; it is something that can be handled and I have no doubt in my mind that the leadership of the APC has the capacity and it will deal with this in such a way that at the end of the day, only the people should benefit from the effort of leadership.

QUES: There are concerns that the rift between Gov Oshiomhole and his Deputy, Odubu can hurt the party, what is it festering?

I think both of them are talking now. I can tell you very clearly that some persons, politicians, stakeholders have taken this as a project and in some cases the matter is blown out of proportion. The governor, in the past, had always said that the deputy had been loyal. If you have a basis for disagreement, I expect them to sit down and genuine leaders to bring them together to discuss this matter. Most times we blow matters out of proportion. It is not as bad as it is being made.

However, if the governor has been loyal to his boss, let him remain loyal, it will be helpful because I am also aware that before he became a running mate during the 2012 election, the governor was very clear that this is my deputy (and) at the risk of all the pressure, he remained. The deputy governor must continue to see himself as the deputy and somebody has to be in charge. That is not to say that they cannot sit down to talk and I think discussion is at various levels.

As an APC chieftain and one who is close to the governor, do you think he has an ‘anointed candidate’ and if so, is it right for him to pitch his tent with one of the many on the field?

Anywhere in the world, let’s make this very clear, the word ‘endorsement’ is not a Bini or Edo language. The word imposition is not an Etsako or Ishan language, it is in the dictionary. If I have worked for seven and half years and I worked with some individuals and I know quality of individuals around me, it is only fair that I protect my legacy. The only way you can do that is to say all these persons angling to be governor are eminently qualified, but by my assessment, I think for consolidation of the gains that we have made, this man having being part of the policy cockpit and having worked selflessly, he can continue from where I am likely to stop so that the people can continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

So very clearly without mincing words, the governor is eminently qualified and within his right to identify with someone that he feels can continue from wherever he stops. Somebody that, by his own estimation, should be able to do better because he understands the issues. That is why he has identified with Godwin Obaseki.

This is not a child’s play and the challenges are now hydra-headed. The problems that Oshiomhole inherited was smaller because we still had the resources and he needed somebody to proactively manage our meagre resources and that is what he did to take us to where we are now. With the collapse of price of oil and reduction in our crude oil output, we are having more challenges. I am told that we now produce about 1.1million barrels per day. I was a member of the Appropriations Committee; I represented Edo state in the HoR from 2001 – 2015 and some of the figures I saw at that time there were signals of challenges ahead. After we left the thing exploded. So the situation is different. To answer your question, the governor has a right to endorse a candidate. The right he doesn’t is to impose and vitiate the process.

The primaries will be conducted within the rules of engagement that I can assure you. The leadership of the party came to Benin to talk to stakeholders and they assured that the process will be free, credible and fair to the all the parties. There is nothing to add. It is not a local government election; there are people who are responsible for conducting these elections and the leadership of the party at the national level will be involved in the process. I don’t see why people are losing sleeps.

Rather than aspirants talking about what they can do to add value to the process, they are dissipating energies. I reminded some of them to please go back to the voters and market yourself. Nobody is going to listen to campaigns of how your father stole meat in the 15^th century; nobody is ready to listen to that. We have challenges of looking for who will take us to where we want to be and that is where we are.

As a stakeholder, we all have a duty to ensure that we remove the imaginary boundaries of those inclination and build a coalition of change agents that will foster unity and bring about development, uplift the quality of life of our people and development our environment, reposition our state to very enviable heights and reinforce the integrity of our national prestige. This is my take for the state, our party faithful and Nigerians.

I advise players that we should all talk to our supporters to work within the rules of engagement. They must know that it is only one individual that will represent our party and after primaries we have a lot of work to do, we still have the general elections. By the time we begin to kill ourselves and throw brickbats at one another because of internal democracy that is supposed to be a family affair, that can throw spanners into our works during the general elections.

We should see the primary as internal affairs and educate our supporters to work within the rules of engagement. We must avoid using our youths to wreak havoc because it is their future we are talking about. We must prepare the ground for them to take over. If we do that and because only one person will be governor, we must support that person to succeed. That is the only time we can honestly say we are members of the party APC that brought about the change. We have embraced the change mantra. People want to see it translate into dividends of democracy.

The circus associated with publicity stunts must be removed from our polity so that campaigns can be issue-based rather than of calumny. Nobody is interested in how your father discovered River Niger or Mungo Park. Tell us what you have, what are you bringing about to add value to the process?

Nigeria Face of Globe Rep, Arm of Hope Foundation partner on poverty alleviation

2016-03-29T02:13:00.001-07:00

Nigeria Face of Globe Rep, Arm of Hope Foundation partner to alleviate poverty

*Partnership to focus on widow, IDP, Boko Haram victims

Millie Uboho Ogu (Arm of Hope Vice President/International coordinator), Princess adaeze Nwaji

( Arm of Hope International Ambassador / Face of the Globe Nigeria 2016) Eugene Ogu

(President Arm of Hope Foundation)

Nigeria’s representative at this year’s ‘Face of the Globe 2016’ international pageant, Princess Adaeze Nwaji, has promised to use her exposure partnership with the Arm of Hope Foundation to further the cause of the underprivileged and disadvantaged members of the society.

Princess Adaeze, who spoke SOB on her recent deal with AHF, a nongovernment and non-profit organization founded by Apostle Eugene Ogu, who is also founder of ALEM Church in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, expressed joy to assist the organization.

“I am very impressed with what Arm of Hope Foundation has been doing all over the country; from providing shelter for the needy in the north to provision of school in Dogo Nahawa (Plateau state) and others. These are ventures that very few NGOs would risk their lives and resources to undertake.

“My recognition and endorsement by the foundation is a great opportunity to work with like minds and empower the deprived majority. The foundation prides itself in empowering widows, providing shelter for displaced Boko Harm victims. It is committed to educating young leaders as our country can only be built by educating the leaders of tomorrow.”

A beneficiary of AHF kindness in Ndoni


President of AHWO addressing the Ndoni Flood Victims after giving them			relief items

“I sincerely admire and appreciate Arm of Hope volunteers and partners all over the world. Arm of hope foundation is one of the charity organisations in Nigeria that have touched lives of the less privileged tremendously. I feel honoured to be associated with Arm of Hope foundation.”

She brightened up while speaking about her passion for caring for deprived widows, less fortunate children and individuals suffering from mental illnesses.

Speaking further, she disclosed that “pageantry has afforded me great opportunities and platform to express issues I am most passionate about. I intend to give back to the society as much as possible.

“Today, we admire social welfare system in other countries. We must remember that their charity organisations were the hope of the common citizens before their welfare system developed.

“We must join hands together as a people to assist our NGOs and charity organisations because, we can do a lot for each other. To be honest, I care less about how much water went down the bridge because, all I can see is a New Nigeria. It will take a while to sanitise our fatherland however, it takes you and I to make Nigeria great again.

On her chance at the Paris final, she said, “I have been preparing, I have been reading and working on my catwalk and doing other fundraising activities.”

THE CRYPTIC IJALA, OGIAMES’ RESTING PLACE

2015-10-12T01:59:00.001-07:00

THE JOURNEY TO THE CRYPTIC IJALA, OGIAMES’ RESTING PLACE


Mysterious

Like the past17 or so Olus before him, Ogiame Atuwatse II’s final resting place is likely to be the eerie Royal Cemetery sited in Ijala, a sleepy town entrenched between creeks in Warri South LGA. The rustic community can be accessed through the Ubeji/Ifie road or by boat through the Warri river and snaky creeks.

During out visit in search of the resting place of the Olus, were were told by various sources that although there is a road leading to the site, the remains of the late monarch would most likely be brought in through the Ginuwa Creek, which flows into the Warri River.

The murky creek is covered by water hyacinth and other sea weeds and at the time of our visit, there was no sign of any major event taking place in the area. Residents of the area went about their businesses as if oblivious of the significant role Ijaw would play in the days ahead.

“Nobody can tell you exactly when the Olu would be buried, how or if he has already being buried. The last Olu was brought in by canoe, maybe because there was no good road back then. I think it is the tradition for our monarchs to come to their final resting place by boat.

“Again, cars coming into the area at night might arouse suspicion but doing so by canoe is stealthier and less likely to raise attention,” one of the aged inhabitants of Ifie-Kporo told our reporter on condition of anonymity.

The first impression of the Olus’ resting place was that of an abandonment natural treasure. There is an organized disorderliness around the thick forest surrounding the royal cemetery; the forest is dense and fertile, but it untilled. The multi-acre expanse of land is covered by verdure vegetation, very tall palm trees and other ageless trees, which accentuate the aura of mystery around it.

Two guides who accompanied our reporter and two others on the mission boasted that the groove is guarded by spirits and ghosts of past ancestors. There are paths around the wide expanse of land, but there is no visible path into its interior.

Residential houses on the east north and west boundaries were demolished by the state government. Rather than fence and beautify the cemetery as was planned, the site has been abandoned, much to the chagrin of the aggrieved landlords, who lost multimillion naira property to the demolition.

While warning that our reporter that he would be entering the sacred groove at his own risk, the two young men warned that they would not be part of any action that desecrates the sacred land.

Pointing to a very old, very big tree (Egungun in Itsekiri) with several hunches, one of the guides remarked: “That is the grave of the first Olu (Ginuwa I), who left the ancient Benin Kingdom in the 1950s.”

He said the graves of past Olus are bit unmarked by any remarkable objects, but trees are planted over them. “The sizes and age of the trees can tell you how old the grave is, but if you go by boat, you can actually see names etched on the trees.”

The guides would not allow our reporter to get close enough to ascertain the various monarchs, because “You have to perform some sacrifices, before you can pass through the uton (creek). If you don’t perform them, anything you see make you take (accept your fate).”

On the way out after, over one hour traipse round the forest, the myth of a supernatural power was reinforced when a swarm of bees suddenly swooped on the team.

The two guides muttering supplications in Itsekiri swiftly fell on their faces; this reporter, working on information picked up years ago that bees would not sting if they don’t see your faces, did the same thing with two other friends in the company.

The bees flew lower, lingered for about a minute that seemed like eternity, and then went away.

“That was just a warning,” Thomas (not his real name), one of the local escort, said in a voice that brooded no argument.

“If not because we are indigenes of this place and because you came here with good intention, it would have been disastrous,” his counterpart added emphatically.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF OGIAME ATUWATSE II: HIS LEGACIES, TRAVAILS, TRIUMPHS

2015-10-12T01:48:00.001-07:00

THE SUN SETS FOR ATUWATSE II, RISES FOR OMOBA IKENWOLI IN WARRI KINGDOM

OLU ATUWATSE: A REIGN OF TURBULENCE, TRIUMPHS

OMOBA IKENWOLI: AN INHERITANCE OF A TROUBLED NATION

LIFE AND TIMES OF OGIAME ATUWATSE II

The process towards the formal proclamation of the passage of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, took place on Saturday, September 19, at Ode-Itsekiri, also known as Big Warri, in the presence of the entire Itsekiri nation. It culminated in the symbolic breaking of the pot of native chalk.

The shattering of the white pot, wrapped in the ceremonial red cotton, was not only the end of rite of the death of the monarch, but it was also the setting of a sun over one of the most turbulent reigns in present era in the history of the kingdom.

Ogiame Atuwatse II

Ale je efun

Before the ceremony, which took place at about 11:45am that Saturday, darkness had gripped the land. Shadows of rumours swept through, but no one acknowledged it. The Itsekiri tradition forbids for anybody to announce an Olu’s death before the Olu Advisory Council had picked a successor.

As the chant of Ale je efun ‘The chalk is eaten by the earth’, rent the air, the crowd waited, with bated breath, for the revelation of his successor.

At the end of the rite and declaration of Prince Ikenwoli Godfrey (Abiloye) Emiko as his successor, there was palpable relief for thousands of the small, compact and educated tribe.

OLU ATUWATSE II (in red petticoat) surrounded by Chief O. N. Rewane (to his right), Chief G Mabiaku, (left) and Chief Isaac Jemide (behind him in 1987)

The Itsekiri are spread are beyond Warri metropolis and communities from the three Warri (North, South and South West) Uvwie, local government areas of Delta state. They are found in Ologbo and other towns and hamlets in Edo and Ugbolokposo in Uvwie LGA of Detla state.

There had been subdued mourning of the late monarch before the announcement by the Ojomo of Warri Kingdom, Chief Yaya Pessu.

Ogiame Atuwatse II ascended the throne on May 2, 1987. His elaborate coronation was the last public appearance of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who died seven days later. His reign brought some unprecedented prosperity and development to the Itsekiri nation.

From one local government area in 1987 when he was crowned, Warri expanded to three LGAs when he made his royal bow early this month. His reign also saw the establishment of one of the biggest gas project in the country , the Escravos Gas to Liquid (EGTL) project, sited in Ugborodo, Warri South West LGA. The landmark $8.4 billion project, a joint venture between Sasol Oil and Chevron Nigeria Limited, brought with it prosperity and employment opportunities to the land. It also brought loads of controversy to the kingdom.

It was also during his tenure that an Itsekiri man, against all odds assumed the highest political office in the state. Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, an Itsekiri from Abigborodo, Warri North LGA, was inaugurated as governor in May 29, 2007 and served the constitutionally allowed eight-year two tenure till May 29, 2015.

Like the fortunes of EGTL, there are divergent views on the benefits that accrued to the nation during those eight years that Uduaghan was governor.

But to his credit, the monarch resisted the temptation of dabbling into the politics. He played the role of father to all and never publicly supported any candidate, either personally or through proxies; even when Dr Uduaghan, was in the eye of the political storm, Ogiame Atuwatse II maintained a dignified silence and never called for a block vote for him in any of the elections.

There are however those who felt that the management of the economic boom under his administration were cornered by a few, including the monarch who continued to run his successful businesses throughout his reign.

For Mr Amorighoye Mene, the wealth of the nation remained in the pocket of an insignificant few. “If you see what is going, even in Ugborodo, people are not developing. Ugborodo is the closest community to Chevron and EGTL, yet they are undergoing massive demonstration today because of deprivation. There is no water, no transportation, and no light.

“Opportunities came, but it is in the hands of very few. We have remained paupers. The Itsekiri people are deprived and poor. The wealth is in the hands of a few. How has the IRDC impacted on the Itsekiri people? Ask the same of EGTL and others; there are more outsiders working with Chevron than itsekiri sons and daughters,” he added.

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM: WARRI CRISIS, ROYAL EDICT

Beyond the issue of the Itsekiri commonwealth, political and social prosperity, two very striking issues defined the 28-year reign of Olu Atuwatse II: the Warri Crisis (1997 to 2004) and the controversial Royal Edict, signed by the monarch on September 4, 2013. The Warri crisis was sparked off when military dictator Gen Sani Abacha, ordered the relocation of the headquarters of Warri Southwest LGA from Ogbe-Ijoh (an Ijaw town) to Ogidgben- Escravos (an Itsekiri town). The aggrieved Ijaw people took up arms and unleashed mayhems on their age-long neighbours.

In the face of the crisis, widespread massacre of Itsekiris and pulverization of their communities, the monarch refused to public get into the fray or order for reprisal attacks as most of his subject desired. The response of Itsekiri’s when asked why they are not defending themselves in those dark days was usually, ‘Baba gin de’ne maja’ - (Our father (Olu) says we should not fight).

Whereas the Warri crisis was caused by the Federal Government’s political acrobatics with the council, the second issue that shook the kingdom to its foundation was the royal edict. The vexatious edict was an action taken by the Olu; it ripped the Itsekiri nation apart, pitched a section of the subject against the Olu and brought the nation and monarchy to the precipice.

The crisis led to a rebellion that almost unseated the monarch. His close family members and the ruling Emiko (Ginuwa) House were unanimous in their call for the monarch to abdicate the throne, if he felt that his religious beliefs contradicted those of his people’s.

The edict titled, ‘The New Order in Iwere (Warri) Kingdom,’ outlawed the pouring of libation, worship of idols and other forms of traditional worships hitherto practiced by the Itsekiri people.

In proclamation, the monarch said, “I also repent for the name and title of “Ogiame” that my ancestors and I have borne, as it connotes our allegiance to Umalokun (goddess of the river) and other deities of the sea, all of which are false gods."

It was gathered before he ascended the throne, the monarch had told close and important chiefs in the kingdom of his Christian faith and his desire to stick to its tenet and was exempted from the rituals and rites.

After the declaration, the monarch stopped traditional chiefs and Itsekiri indidgens from performing the traditional obeisance, insisting that only God is entitled to be worship by men.

He also outlawed the singing of the Itsekiri national anthem, the Ara Olorire, because of the exaltation accorded to the monarch in its lyrics. In response, the people queried the essence of them having a monarch they cannot extol and worship.

Opponents of the move insisted that Ogiame, the traditional title of the monarchy was the pivot around which the Olu stool revolves. They maintained that without the title, there would be no Olu. Besides, renowned historians and aged members of the kingdom postulated that, contrary to the interpretation of the monarch, the title depicts its history.

“Ogiame, in Bini language, does not mean god or goddess of the sea, but a king that rules over tribes of the rivers. The first Olu (Ginuwa) was a Bini prince who fled the ancient Benin Kingdom in search of peace after disobeying his father. Having being made king, he was named Ogiame (King of the riverine).”

Warning of the consequence of going ahead with the move, over 30 princes and princesses warned: "We consider the history/pedigree of the 'Ogiame' title as such that the Itsekiri people hold it dear and sacrosanct to the extent that it should not be cancelled for whatever reason(s)".

There was rebellion in the land as chiefs, women, youths and masquerades publicly, but respectfully defied the Olu. They laid siege to the palace at Ugbori, singing and chanting the ‘banned’ ‘Ara olorire”.

Protesting youths stormed the palace on Sunday morning with the traditional Ipi masquerades and prevented the monarch’s Foursquare Goespel Church, located in the east wing of the palace ground from holding the Sunday service. Women set up kitchen, slaughtered animal and cooked for the singing and dancing protesters. Movements in and out of the palace were not allowed by the protesters.

Several peace meetings led by Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, the Igba of Warri Kingdom and others failed to yield movement on either sides. Lori-Ogbebor, who addressed the protesters after a 45-minute audience with the monarch, said ‘Baba’ had aggrieved to reconsider his position.

"We want to let the world know that he is still Ogiame. Chiefs spoke with him. He didn’t take the decision suddenly so we don’t expect him to change it suddenly. We have given him to think about it and what we want is a return to the way he used to be known."

Governor Uduaghan too met with the monarch for about 20 and like the chiefs before him, the meeting wasn’t very productive. The governor said, "I have spoken with the king and there is going to be a way out by the grace of God.”

However, one week after the pronouncement, a visibly elated Lori-Ogbebor and other chiefs, emerged after another meeting with the monarch to inform the protesters that the Olu had backtracked on the controversial edict.

Shortly afterwards, the monarch emerged from the inner recess of the palace. It was the first time since the debacle that he would be meeting directly with the people. His presence brought wild jubilations and shouts of ‘Ogiameeeeeee suooooo’ .

The monarch acknowledged the greeting by waving his white horsetail in blessing and acceptance of the homage paid by his people.

Peace returned to the kingdom, but at great cost.

The Olu is ‘Afomasin’, a monarch who never recants. “His words are laws and his pronouncements are written in stone,” one of the Itsekiri leaders told our reporter.

However, the aura of invincibility around the monarch somewhat unraveled due to his recant and this led to questions about whether the title of Afomasin truly remained after the debacle.

Speaking with our reporter on the issue, Mr Amorighoye Sunny Mene, a member of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, clarified that the monarch remained Afomasin in spite of his refutation. “His reputation as the infallible king is unshaken.”

Explaining the processes leading to the Olu making a pronouncement that is Afomasin, Mene said: “Before the Olu speaks ex-cathedral, making a pronouncement, he would have consulted thoroughly with his family, Council of Chiefs and then it is absolute, unchangeable.

Continuing, Mene said, “but the Itsekiri also say, “Da te fo masin, asin neyin kuro ren”, which means that the matter must have been concluded by the king’s inner circle.

Despite Mene’s extenuation, our finding revealed that the fallout of the edict was costly, as it brought to the surface seething differences between the monarch and some prominent Itsekiri leaders.

The fiasco also resulted in suspicion between the monarch and some members of the traditional council, who were accused of sponsoring the weeklong protest against the declaration.

The fallout of the debacle did not help the health of the king, who had prior to the face-off suffered stroke. The protracted illness created its own problems, as it resulted in the monarch speaking through intermediaries. There were unconfirmed rumours that some of those close to him were misrepresenting his decisions to suit their interests.

There were crises in several communities, including the oil-rich Ugborodo community, where the leadership tussle over the lucrative Ugborodo Community Trust had led to several deaths. The Itsekiri Regional Development Committee setup by Chevron to develop the oil bearing communities was also embroiled in crisis.

OLU-DESIGNATE AND HIS CHALLENGES

Omoba (Olu-Designate)

It is under this specter of disunity, poverty and anger in the land that Prince Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko is waiting in the wings to succeed his elder brother, Olu Atuwatse II.

There is no doubt that the University of Benin trained business administrator is the overwhelming favourite for the stool. The uproar of joy, jubilation and thunderous ovation that greeted his announcement last Saturday reverberated throughout the Itsekiri nation and beyond, despite being the first prince in over 200 years to succeed his brother as Olu.

Yet, his ability to mediate on issues surrounding his selection by the Olu Advisory Council could define the early years of his reign.

It was widely expected that Prince Tsola Emiko, the first son of Olu Atuwatse II would succeed his father, in spite of salient flaw in his background. The legal document on the emergence of an Olu is a 1979 gazette of the defunct Bendel State. The declaration was made under Section 8 of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict of the defunct, but applicable to Delta

Saturday Nation gathered that the proclamation followed debates over the succession to the title. The debate, it was learnt, commenced as early as 1930, when a new Olu was to be crowned after the 88-year interregnum.

The gazette, publish under No 51, Volume 16 on page B 178 – 179, specified that there is only one Ruling House, known as Ginuwa I, in Warri. The document, a copy of which is in our possession, states clearly: “Ordinarily, succession passes to a son of a demise Olu…”

Howbeit, in Paragraph 4, it stated: “To qualify, a candidate’s mother must be Itsekiri or of Edo origin and his father must be an Itsekiri.”

It was that section of the law that barred Prince Tsola. His mother is a Yoruba from Southwest.

The gazette further stated that on failure to produce a suitable son it falls “to suitable member of the Otolus (descendant of the last three Olus), provided that brothers are preferred to uncles, and uncles are preferred to grandsons and grandsons are preferred to other relatives within the Otolus.”

In the light of the above, Prince Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko, emerged the hot favourite, as he was his father’s preferred successor. He was bypassed in favour of his brother.

Despite his apparent disqualification, it was learnt that some members of the traditional council, politicians and other interests lobbied for the emergence of Prince Tsola.

“The young man was not unenthusiastic about their push; he met his elders, Otolus and Olori-Ebi and vowed that he is bound by the decision of his family and the kingdom, even though people were offering to foot the bill should he take legal action,” a close source told our reporter.

At the time of this report on Thursday, normalcy had returned to the kingdom and, as the Itsekiris are wont to do, all interests have been set aside and ranks are closed in support of the Omoba.

But there are pressing that the Olu-in-waiting would have to address. Filling of vacant tradition stools, rebuilding of the physical, psychological and social fibres of a nation devastated by years of war and change of values as well as maintaining peace within and with the various ethnic neighbours remain a challenge.

Reliable sources told our reporter that but for the abundance of history to guide the Olu Advisory Council, the selection of the new monarch would have deadlock due to some missing key members of the council.

A prominent Itsekiri historian told our reporter that the council usually comprised of five key members – the Ologbotsere (Prime Minister), Iyatsere (Minister of Defence), Uwangue, Ojomo and Otsodi – who would add two members of the traditional council for the process of selecting a new monarch.

Atuwatse II, for almost his 28-year reign, was without an Ologbotsere, the highest titleholder in the kingdom. The last holder of the title was Chief Ogbemi Newe Rewane, who died shortly after crowning the Atuwatse II.

Similarly, the Uwangue, Chief Bernard Edema Otuedon-Okome, died in June 2014. His death was followed barely a year later by that of Chief Gabriel Mabiaku, the Iyasere, who acted as Ologbotsere for a very long time.

The Olu-designate would be expected to fill these key stools as soon as he is crowned and he would have to do so with strict adherence to the laid down procedure.

But for Mr Edward Ekpoko, Secretary of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, there is no cause for alarm. "The Ologbotsere, like the others, is a family stool; only Ologbotsere descendants can be appointed. When an Ologbotsere is to be appointed, the Olu consults with the family and it is from the list that the family presents that an Olu makes his choice.

"By Itsekiri native law and custom, the family stool is never vacant. Ologbotsere, family will appoint a person, preferably a chief from the Ologbotsere family, who was installed by an Olu. Ologbotsere has three main functions to the Itsekiri.”

Speaking in the same vein, Mene described the Olu-designate as a capable man who has been adequately schooled and prepared for the throne. “I have known him for decades and I can vouch that the Itsekiri nation has chosen the right man for the job.

“The significance is that there is no vacuum; giving our experience, having gone through 88-year interregnum, his peaceful emergence is that of hope, even though we have lost our great king, we have not lost our history and tradition. The emergence of Omoba gives a lot of hope.”

Speaking further, Mene conceded that “The Olu designate has a lot of responsibility, Itsekiri people for a long time passed through very trying time. Destruction of our towns and villages by our neighbor during the crisis has really set us back.

“Also too our people have not been faring well economically. The incoming monarch has to rebuild all that we have lost psychological, economically, religiously, political and socially. The good news is that he has the capacity to do excel.”

HOW TRADITION DELAYED THE ‘DEATH’ OF OLU OF WARRI

2015-10-12T01:39:00.001-07:00

HOW TRADITION DELAYED THE ‘DEATH’ OF OLU OF WARRI

OGIAME ATUWATSE II

OMOBA IKENWOLI

It was one of those times when tradition muzzled a people and prevented from expressing their emotions and grief, at least publicly. An overcast of gloom had pervaded Iwere (Warri) Kingdom in Delta State, as the rumour gathered momentum that the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II had joined his ancestors. It started in the early week of September, but the people could not mourn one of the gravest tragedies of the last three decades because their tradition forbids them from acknowledging the news until the whole hog of rites had been completed.

Olu Ogiame Atuwatse II was the centripetal force that move and the glue that binds the Itsekiri nation. He was the pride of the Itsekiri, a group that prides itself as ‘one people under one monarch’. They occupy, but are not restricted, to the three Warri local government areas of Delta State. The Itsekiri tribes are found in communities such as Ugbolokposo in Uvwie LGA, in Ologbo and other villages and hamlets in Edo state and they all revere their Olu as a deity that is second only to God.

But the death of Atuwatse II remained a rumour until last Saturday, when the Ojomo of Warri Kingdom, Chief Yaya Pessu, who acted the role of Ologbotsere, symbolically broke the pot of white chalk to announce his death. The rite freed the people from the burden of secrecy and era of topsy-turvydom.

The much revered monarch was last sighted by this reporter at his palace, when the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, consulted with him before the constitution of the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission. Three Itsekiri indigenes – Mr Godwin Ebosa, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi and Mr Victor Woods – made the board.

Days later, Niger Delta Report learnt that the monarch had joined his ancestors after a domestic accident. His death took place at a private hospital in Lagos where he was flown to for medical attention. Prior to the sad event, the monarch had been slowed for years by a protracted ailment.

Despite the report, prominent Itsekiri leaders, traditional titleholders and members of the royal family in of the kingdom (Otolus) kept mum. Some of the palace chiefs who are close to this reporter suddenly stopped taking his call, ostensibly to wade off inquiries about the monarch’s death.

The Iwere Integrity Group, in a terse statement denied the report but left open many possible interpretations. The statement was signed by over 30 members and the chairman and secretary, Mr Moses Fregene and Robinson Ariyo respectively.

Barely a day before the Ode-Itsekiri announcement, this reporter spoke with Prince Ebiyemi Emiko, one of those considered as possible successor. The trained journalist also feigned ignorance. Prince ‘Yemi said he wasn’t aware of the death of his brother or that one of the most exalted traditional stool in the land was vacant.

By that time, Chief Yaya Pessu, the highest ranking and oldest member of the Olu Advisory Council, had sent out invitation for a National Assembly of the Itsekiri people. There was anxiety and uneasy calm in the kingdom. Telephone lines of prominent Itsekiri leaders and members of the JOS Ayomike-led Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, rang incessantly as people called for information and news on latest developments.

It was under this specter of tradition-induced silence and tension that the Itsekiri nation gathered at their ancestral home of Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) in Warri South Local Government Area on Saturday. The atmosphere at the Aghofen (Palace) in Ode-Itsekiri was tense. About all the Ojoyes (noble titleholders) were present; they were led by the Chief Pessu and Chief Isaac Jemide, the Otsodi of Warri Kingdom – the duo are the only surviving members of the Olu Advisory Council.

The only dignitary missing was Chief Gabriel Mabiaku, the Iyasere, who died weeks earlier and the most important personage in the kingdom. Olu Atuwatse II was visibly missing and his shadow loomed over the overcrowded galleria; it spread through the roads and walkway from his palace to the waterside and darkened the horizon.

Those who went to the arena hoping, against hope, that the man whose numerous titles include Ogbowuru Afomasin would somehow materialize, had their hopes dashed when Chief Pessu and other chiefs trudge in their traditional white chiefly robes and red cummerbunds. But this time, they also had the symbolic black sash over the red and the usual spring in their gaits was missing.

They came from far and wide, from various clans and lineage of the famous tribe. Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, led Igba and there were chiefs Hayman, Walter Omadeli, Mene Brown, Nelson Utienyinone, Emmanuel Jones, Edward Olley and E A Tetseola, among others.

At the dais where Pessu and Jemide other chiefs sat, an immaculate white chair stood empty; its void symbolized the absence of the highest authority in Iwere (Itsekiri) land.

Even younger men like Mr Temi Kingsway-Eyoyibo and Oregbemi Onamoren- Beecroft, who besieged Ode-Itsekiri decked in his kemeje (traditional male attire), knew that something was amiss. The reality that they were about to hear a bad news about the monarch they loved and respected began to dawn.

“I felt proud being an Itsekiri and in my ancestral home, but at the same time, I dreaded what was coming. Ogiame Atuwatse II was our father, he was our baba and the one whose pronouncement settles all arguments,” Onamoren-Beecroft told our reporter; his voice was laden with emotion.

A few minutes later, after singing the Ara Olorire (Itsekiri National Anthem) and other formalities, the Chief Priest, Chief Pessu, who bore earthen pots of efun (native chalk) raised one over his head and smashed it unto the ground. The poignant rite was accompanied by cries of Ale je efun, which literarily means ‘the ground has eaten the native chalk’, and ‘Ata tse’ (the anchor is broken) signifying that Olu was no more.

The rite was followed by murmurs of ‘eh oooh’, gnashing of teeth and shaking of heads as the import of the ceremony seeped through the sea of people. Some cried, others were too dazed to react. The time was 11:50am. Canon shots rent the air, the boom reaching as far as neighbouring communities like Ubeji, Ugbuwangue and the others communities in the kingdom and the Oil City of Warri metropolis.

But barely 25 minutes later – at 12:15pm, the crowd was animated and in jubilant mood.

Chief Pessu, after consulting with Jemide and other Ojoyes, announced that the late monarch would be succeed by his younger brother, Prince Ikenwoli Godfrey Gbesimi Emiki (aka Abiloye). And the ‘eh oooh’ and sorrow swiftly turned to shouts of joy. There was no doubt that the choice was a very popular one.

It was reminiscent of a similar rite nearly three decades ago, when Chief Ogbeyiwa Newe Rewane, announced the death of Olu Erejuwa II, who reigned from 1936 to 1987. But the euphoria and rapturous response that greeted Saturday’s announcement of Prince Ikenwoli contrasted with the announcement of then Prince Toritseju Emiko as Olu-designate in 1987, because a section, perhaps the large slice, of the kingdom preferred Prince Ikenwoli, who was also his late father’s choice.

The response that greeted the emergence of Prince Ikenwoli, indicated that 28 years after missing out on the throne, he was still a very popular choice. His emergence was the first time in centuries that an Itsekiri monarch would be succeeded by his brother, but there was no dissent.

Prince Tsola Emiko, the first son of the late monarch, as was earlier reported by The Nation, was disqualified on the account of his maternal lineage. The 1979 gazette on the monarchy was unambiquous: only princes born of Itsekiri or Edo mothers can ascend the throne. Prince Tsola’s mother is a Yoruba.

The announcement brought consolation to the grief-stricken nation. Men, women and youths erupted in singing and dancing as their new monarch surfaced to take the vacant white chair surrounded by regally dressed chiefs.

Shouts of ‘eeeeeeeeee iwoooooooo, eeeeeeeeeee iwoooooooo’, rented the air as the 60-year-old University of Benin graduate was led before thousands of singing and dancing Itsekiri men and women.

Decked in a sky blue damask kemeje and a matching wrapper, the Olu-designate emerged. He carried himself with the same grace and dignity that he had maintained nearly 30 years after he missed the stool.

Edged on all sides by younger Ojoyes including chiefs Ayirimi Emami, Thomas Ereyitomi and Francis Omatseye, among others, the man who would be addressed as Olu of Warri in a few months, was sat on the white chair at the centre of the room.

The day’s job was done and Olu-designate had completed the first stage of a long walk to the throne of his father.

But the rite is far from finished; he still has to participate in the burial rites and ceremonies of his older brother and predecessor. The final rite of passage will culminate in the ‘Iken Rites’, at the Royal Cemetery in Ijala, one of the five most important communities in the Warri Kingdom.

The 1979 Gazette of the defunct Bendel State, which is the law regulating succession to the title of the Olu of Warri, states that the Omoba’s failure to perform and complete the burial rites and ceremonies is bar to his installation, irrespective of the event of last Saturday.

The gazette, made under Section 8 of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict, 1979, also specified that after interring the late Olu, Omoba Ikenwoli would proceed on “Ideniken” where he remains for a period of three lunar months.

The period is used to complete the burial rites and ceremonies for Atuwatse II. A very knowledgeable members of the kingdom also informed NDR, that the Ideniken is also an orientation and induction course for the next Olu.

“Prince Ikenwoli has been prepared for the role he is to assume a very long time ago; he is an Abiloye, the Itsekiri’s crown prince of sort. Apart from his formal education, he was schooled in the Itsekiri culture and tradition and that is why there were murmurs when he was overlooked in 1979. But that is not enough; he hasmerely passed a stage and there is now the last and final stage that will put him head and shoulder above his subjects – the Ideniken,” our source added.

CULLED FROM: www.thenationonlineng.net

DELTA: Residents Groan under the Yoke of Bad Roads, Flood

2015-08-23T03:39:00.002-07:00

Delta state residents groan under the yoke of bad roads, floods

Government: Blame it on the rain; help is near

Orogun/Ughelli road

Anybody who has lived or is living in the Oil City of Warri, the economic hub of Delta State, knows that the rainy season is not a good time. Inhabitants of the city and its twin, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state, dread that time of the year when the heavens opened up incessantly, pouring oodles of water into the haphazardly laid city. The fear of the season also stems from the anguish, suffering, dirt and diseases that come with human from overflowing septic pits pouring into the streets and living rooms.

The rain seasons of the past of years have been mostly unwholesome and inhospitable for the cities’ dwellers that battle unyielding floods, revolting nature and bad roads. The headaches of denizens of the area, like most parts of the state, are worsened by lack of drainages and blockade of natural water channels; the mosquitos that come with stagnant pools of water and the damages that bad roads do to cars and other means of transportations. The state of roads, not only in Warri, but across parts of the state, has worsened over the past few months.

Extensive check on condition of roads in the areas showed that over 95 per cent of roads in Warri metropolis and adjoining suburbs are in dire need of repairs. Except for the recently dualised Refinery Road and network of roads in the Odogun (New) Layout in Uvwie, built by the Direct Labour Agency (DLA) and Okumagba Avenue in Warri among others, there is hardly a road in the area that is not fraught with fissures. The situation is worse in Abraka and not much better in Ughelli, Agbarho, Sapele and other parts of the state.

EFFURUN/SAPELE ROAD AFTER BRT PROJECT

The Airport Road (dualised by Ibori and inaugurated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in April 2004) is punctuated by dozens of potholes of varying sizes from Effurun-Warri junction to Court 4 and various sections are washed away by water. A pitiable attempt to resurface the road left residents and motorists seething from poor job done by the construction companies, which is reportedly owned by PDP stalwarts in the state.

“Why would a government leave roads that are badly in need of repairs and come to scatter the one that is good in the name of resurfacing? That tells you that the government is not focused and is only interested in settling a few persons,” a resident, who simply identified himself as Chuks, fumed last Friday at the GTB axis of the road where the job was ongoing.

The PTI/Jakpa road, which was dualised by the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2009 is not faring any better. Apart from been cut off at the Sokoh Estate junction by an end-to-end cavern, the road built by Niger Cat Construction Company, is riddled with potholes around the Canewood Hotel, White House and several other sections and junctions.

The story is the same for the Okere, Emebiren and Esisi roads as well as network of roads within the Marine Quarters, Ovie Palace, Sokoh Estate, Commissioner and several roads in the cities.

Roads in Ubeji, a serene community in Warri South, are as pothole-ridden as their counterparts in the mainland. Traffics in and out of the one-access-road community are so knotty that it sometimes takes hours to navigate to the NPA expressway from the town – a distance of about one kilometer – during the rush hours.

PTI/Osubi Junction on the EAST/WEST ROAD

The federal roads in the areas are worse off. The Warri-Effurun-Sapele road has gone from being one of the best roads to the deadliest nightmares for motorists. The dual carriage road stretching from NPA to the Effurun roundabout is in ruin due to the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) initiative of the past government.

The plan to expand the road in order to create an exclusive bus-only middle-lane hit a snag when the planners realized, late, that a further expansion is needed to increase the incoming and outgoing traffics to double lanes. Bus stops (built on the centre of the road) coupled with concrete barriers separating lanes have not only reduced the road, but have made driving a big test and a course in patience and control. A broken down vehicle (or tricycle) on the now one-lane can unleash chaos.

The NPA Expressway is not faring any better. The nearly four-decade highway has withstood a lot – heavy duty vehicles, tankers loading products at the WRPC Depot and several other vehicles use it. But the road seems to be saying ‘enough is enough’. The constantly gathering pools of water from the Bypass and Ogunu area and other parts have started taking their toll. Traffic from the port complex to other parts are now diverted to the incoming lane to avoid the pits that have secretly crept in and taken over the road over the past years. The road has deteriorated further because of the stoppage of the routine maintenance usually done by the past administration.

The expressway pours into the East/West Highway at Effurun roundabout in a three branches: one going into Warri via Effurun; the other to and fro Benin and Port Harcourt (through Ughelli/DSC roundabout). The onward Port Harcourt road has also deteriorated these past months, especially between the PTI Conference Centre and Woodridge Hotel, where it is now more of an earth road than a federal highway.

Mr Aaron Aghorigho, a businessman, told our reporter that before car owners leave their homes to the office every morning, they need careful plotting of routes in order to avoid the most pothole-plagued roads like Sokoh Estate Road, Housing Complex Road (Ekpan), Alegbo, Ugbolokposo and NPA Bypass among others.

“Unfortunately, the options are becoming fewer by the day as one road after the other gives way to potholes and become gutters. You cannot truly avoid them; you can only calculate the ones with lesser bad spots, the width and depth and decide if the pain of crashing your car through them is worth the mission. For most routes, you do not have that luxury, especially when the crooked road is the only option,” he said with a sardonic smile.

Investigations by Niger Delta Report revealed that the appalling condition of roads around Warri and other parts of Delta state is not due to lack of efforts by the government. The immediate past governments in the state and the Niger Delta Development Commission have invested billions of naira in the construction of access roads, rehabilitation and dualisation of major roads in the city and other parts of the state.

A Commission for Works, Mr Funkekeme Solomon in 2012, disclosed that 252 inter/intra city and rural road contract projects were awarded at a total cost of over N114 billion. Fifty-eight drainage contracts were also awarded at over N1.7billion from 2007 to 2012. The projects covered dualisation of roads in Asaba, Warri, Effurun and other parts of the state, major Federal highways and several other projects. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is also very active in the state.

Sadly though, the investments in roads construction and repairs are undermined by a combination of factors including poor and shoddy project executive with little or no supervision. Our finding revealed that some of the contracts were awarded for political.

Mr John Aruoture, a lawyer and blogger, opined that corruption is at the root of the dreadful state of roads in the Warri and environs. According to him, “If not for corruption, many streets and roads in Warri budgeted for construction would have been completed by either the state government or NDDC.”

It was also gathered that one of the devils tormenting roads in the state is lack of efficient and effective drainage system, in spite of several billions of naira that has been sunk into draining the oil city.

Our finding reveals that even the occasional showers result in flooding on major roads and streets due to absence of effective drains. In places where roads are built with drains the water are stagnant because the drains are blocked or lead nowhere.

“What the state need is a holistic drainage system that not only collects water, but takes it out of cities.

FLOOD RAVAGED JAKPA ROAD

What we have are mostly gutters that lead to nowhere; when they are full, they pour into the roads and floor everywhere. That is bad for the state of the road,” Mr Moses Uwakhonye, a civil engineer, averred.

Furthermore, it was learnt that the problem of flood in Warri and environs is compounded by the jinxed ADB-Assisted Water Project, which nearly 20-year-old underground network of pipelines are constantly rupturing and erupting like volcano on Airport, PTI/Jakpa, Housing Complex and other major roads in the twin cities of Effurun/Warri during tests. The hope that the project would pump water to homes and not continue to be unwanted fountains on the streets is dying along with the Governor Uduaghan administration.

Our finding revealed that intra-city roads in the university town of Abraka and those in Ughelli; those linking communities in Ughelli North and South, including the Abraka-Orogun- Agbarha-Otor- Ughelli and Sapele metropolis are badly in need of repairs that may not come soon as a section of state fears that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa might concentrate on roads in the state capital and Delta North area to the detriment of those areas because roads in Agbor, Issele-Uku, Ibuzor and others are also awful.

“We know that the governor is now mostly focused on his part of the state and nobody expects him to pay much attention to Delta Central and South districts because that is the kind of politics we play in this part of the world. It is unfortunate that our own people couldn’t do it all these times. The dualisation road projects started by Uduaghan may not have been abandoned, but there is little or no hope for them now,” a commercial driver at the Effurun-Abraka Park in Uvwie LGA lamented to our reporter.

Okowa is committed to Prosperous Delta - Aide

In his reaction, Mr Victor Efeizomor, media aide to Governor Okowa, assured that the governor remained committed to his promise to make the state prosperous for all.

“It should be on record that the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has vowed to remained focused as his administration has begun to match words with action in its bid to fulfill electioneering promises to the people of Delta State.

“You will recall that the government not too long embarked on the inspection of some sectors of the construction work on the Asaba/ Ughelli road dualization. He also carried out inspection tour on some major roads in the state, including Warri and its environs, with the intention of ensuring that the project continues. Also, the state government made available funds for the rehabilitation of failed portions of the Asaba –Ughelli road near Ogwashi- Uku.

“Similarly, the government earlier embarked on the desalting of drainages across the state to provide immediate temporary solution to the issue of flooding being face by our people in most communities across the three senatorial districts.”

Efeizomor blamed the slow pace of road construction and repairs on the season. He said there was very little government can do under the prevailing incessant rain. “Once the rains give way, the issue of bad roads in all the three senatorial districts of the state will be given adequate attention.

“On the issue BRT, government has not abandoned it; rather plans are on to inject fresh life into the system for improved transportation system in the state. Okowa’s administration means well for the state, he is desirous of leaving Delta far better than he met it. We are open and welling to partner with all those who have the interest of the state at heart.”

END

PDP STILL BIGGEST PARTY IN AFRICA - HON REYENIEJU

2015-08-23T03:16:00.000-07:00

HOW POLICIES TO PREVENT COUP CRIPPLED MILITARY, AIDED BOKO
HARAM - HON REYENIEJU

*SAYS PDP STILL BIGGEST PARTY IN AFRICA

Hon Daniel Reyenieju is a 3rd term member of the House of Representatives representing Warri Federal Constituency. In this interview, Reyenieju, who was a member of various committees, including Navy, Airforce and Petroleum (Upstream), in the 6th and 7th assemblies, explained how past administrations' policy to cripple the Armed Forces in order to discourage coup plots hampered the Boko Haram fight, why the PDP lost the election and the PIB, among other issues.

EXCERPTS:

Your Party, the PDP has gone from the ruling party to being the opposition...

Interestingly, we are in the minority, yet we remain the biggest party in Africa, irrespective of being the minority party. Yes, being the minority is not a negative point to democracy; it is part of the evolution of democracy. Our party was in government for the past 16 years and we have done creditably well to the best of our ability. It is subject to other peoples' view about it, but for me, as a PDP member, who has represented the party for the past eight years, I wouldn't say we have done too badly. Yes, in some areas we weren't able to meet up the expectations of Nigerians, but you must not forget that we had some challenges after the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Beginning with the president who with thought would be there for up to eight years, but unfortunately we lost him and Goodluck Jonathan took over from him, who did about six years.

There were so many challenges: of infrastructure , dwindling oil prices, governance and most challenging one was the Boko Haram insurgence. It was something we had never experienced before. We had various domestic challenges - kidnapping, robbery and others, but international terrorism was not something we were used to. It was difficult for us to combat it and I think that was the sour point of our regime. Unfortunately we couldn't combat it with a credible approach. We tried our best towards the tail end of the administration and do not forget that the elections were shifted for about six weeks to enable us tackle Boko Haram. Whether we like it or not, I think that was a turning point in the history of the fight against the insurgence because within the six weeks we were able to deplete the flanks of the insurgents.

That also goes to show that at some point our military was ill-motivated and the equipment were not there to fight because within that six weeks a lot of things happened; funds were taken out of the country, huge cash, to directly procure arms and ammunition from the international market for the military. When it started arriving was when we started making some substantial inroad in the fight and this was something we couldn't fight in five years.

--(cut in) A section of the country and the international community wondered why it took that long for the PDP-led FG to take the fight seriously, particularly on the eve of the elections?

Firstly, there was that desperation to get vote for PDP, that was key. Also, the insurgency was becoming something very unbearable and we needed to do something to manage them from that point on. Thirdly, I would say that the inability of our country to manage the Boko Haram as at when it started and when it began to grow up was the fact that our military was depleted by successive governments in the past. There was this sense of getting down the military so that they don't become too powerful to plan coup and take over government. It became an issue which later costs us dearly.

The military was actually down; all we had as military men were just men in uniforms without arms as Girls Guide and Boys Brigades.

People might not know this, but we (lawmakers) knew it because we interact with them. As a member of the House Committee on the Navy and the Air-force, we interact with them and they used to tell us in closed door meetings that the military was ill-equipped. At that point it was too sensitive to bring to the public because it had many negative dimensions to it. We are a country, a sovereign nation for that matter, if we start to expose our military as ill-equipped then we are at risk of being attacked at some points by our neighbors. So we kept quiet and hope that we would be able to manage it. So, while we had it that bad was a result of very many factors.

Even before the death of Gen Abacha, successive military government tried to cripple the military to make them unable to plan coup and take over government. That turned out to be a very sour point in our the history of our military.

But today, I think we are doing well, a lot of arms have been procured and we still need more to be able to combat this menace.

I think we (PDP) were also desperate as a party and it became an issue because people were saying if we have a government that cannot provide security, secure lives and property then of what use is that government. We knew were having challenges with the electorates so we decided to come out very frontally and we did our best.

To what extent would you say the embarrassing situation of Boko Haram contributed to your party's electoral defeat?

I will take it front the political point; don't forget that the North - Northwest, East and Central formed more than 60percent of the aggregated vote of the entire country. I can tell you that for sure. I will give you an example, if you take the votes from Kano State, you have nearly five million votes, juxtapose it with the votes of the entire South-south, which is about six million, you will find out that you have one state taking care of an entire region. It is like that even in the Southeast, take Katsina that could have 2.4 - 2.6million votes and that is almost half of the entire votes from the Southeast region. So, that area (North) was political key in terms of voters' strength in the country. Now, don't forget that it was that same area that was being ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency. People (there) were becoming very tired and it was obvious that it was going to be a problem for us. People were not happy because their loved ones were being killed and their towns being devastated, their economies of those areas were completely down and they (FG under PDP) could not do much and ultimately it was an issue, an electoral issue, which any right-thinking political party would see as dangerous to its success..

Okay, away from your party's electoral loss, do you think the leaders of your party as it is now is capable of providing strong opposition to the APC?

It is subjective, but I think we are doing well, considering that we have never been in opposition before. Now that we are there, it is nothing new because we saw people doing it and we knew what they were doing. If they were doing it negatively, I think what we need to do is be constructive; constructive criticism of the governing party, because Mr President said he doesn't want his party to be seen as a ruling party. We are going to give robust and constructive engagement - we are not going to be opposing, we are going to be engaging the government on issues. We are all Nigerians, whether you like it or not, elections have come and gone. Opposition, ruling or whatever party are all nomenclatures because what affects an APC man as a Nigerian is what affects me as a PDP member. So, we should be looking as one Nigeria people to be able to frontally confront the challenges. Our experiences are common; if there are no roads, power, good healthcare, it is not just for PDP members, it is same for APC or apolitical Nigerians. At some points our fears will also be the fears of the governing party. So, there is nothing that we should be fighting and killing ourselves for on daily basis.

We must at some points continue to prick the consciousness of the ruling party so that they do not derail because we have been there before and we know the challenges and that is why they must consult us in taking some policy actions. We have been there for 16 years and we know the problems of this country. What we need now is just engagement and reminder so that they are not carried away by the victory of an election that has come and gone. I don't like the idea of saying we are opposition party; no, that is not it.

Having resolving the internal crisis that rocked the House at the inception of the 8th Assembly, what are the issues you think the House should now make its focus?

Unfortunately, we started very unfairly to Nigerians. As a member of the House, I use this opportunity to apologize to Nigerians for that unfortunate incident; it was too early in the day, it shouldn't have happened in a house of 360 members. Nigerians were expecting so much from this Assembly, unfortunately we started with crisis and I think it is better to have had the crisis when we had it so that we can now settle down to business.

The House is always very vibrant, but we want to see this better than the 7th. I can assure you that with the crop of people I have seen in the House and the leadership we have as at today, we are going to hit the ground running. The crisis in the House was an issue, which ordinarily, I would have said was uncalled for, but it is natural to have disagreement at some point. I am not in the APC and I won't want to blame them for having such disagreements. I have seen them trying to pick the bits and pieces and get going; they are trying their best. At some point, I saw it as an issue that would have been easily resolved by the APC. I stayed off it because it was my party issue and the only thing I offered, as a ranking member of the House, is to advise those interested parties within the APC to give them some level of guidance based on our experience as a ruling party in the past. We, PDP, at some point also had same challenge.

In terms of our legislative duties, last week we rounded off debates on our legislative agenda as put forward by the Honourable Speaker of the House, whom I must say is a very stable character. I have known him for the past eight years and I know he is of impeccable character. He is capable and able of delivering the House at the end of the session. We debated on the legislative agenda, which is the cardinal points of activities for the next four years and it was unanimously adopted by the House and we are set to get running.

What we need to do as Nigerians, because we have a new government in place, is to support, as members of the House, the executive to be able to discharge its responsibilities in terms of making good laws for the governance of the country, security and protection of lives and property, food security and power. These are critical areas which we need to focus on.

In saying that, I would want to say that there is over-stigmatization of Nigerians, everyone is being seen as corrupt. People are being pushed out of government on a daily basis and we just say they are corrupt. I don't want to say that all Nigerians are corrupt. Not all Nigerians are corrupt and most of these Nigerians being kicked out of offices are entitled to jobs.

The drive, which is one of the key points of this administration is anti-corruption. The president has no tolerance for corruption and we would support him with good laws and strengthen those in existence to support the executive in this drive.

Unfortunately for us, economically, oil prices are tumbling on daily basis. As at the last time, it was about $49 and that is exceeding very low. So, it is good that the President has come out to talk about diversification of our economy. It has been a mono-economy that depends about 90percent on oil. That is risky for our nation and when the president said we need to go back to the land and cultivate it, to see how we can use agriculture to sustain the economy, I was very happy. We would be ready to give him all the support he needs to achieve this.

The oil sector has not done too well a couple of years back and it is something Nigerians need to review and that is why we are ready to support Mr President in that regard by passing good laws to enable him carry on with his reform agenda in the oil and gas sector. I sympathize with him about the time he is taking over the rein of governance when our economy is not so rosy, we are facing challenges and the funds are not there. All we need to do as an arm of government that makes laws and monitors them in terms of oversight, we will do our very best to see that he gets the maximum support from us. This is the rebirth of our nation and taking over from one government.

Nevertheless, I want him to know that the days are not waiting for us; the minutes are counting into hours, into days and months. Eventually, the years will start counting and the four years that we think are enough may not be enough if we do not start early enough. I am saying this because I listened to APC National Leader, Asiwaju (Bola) Tinubu, recently and he said that the president is on honeymoon with Nigerians. I think that honeymoon needs to be cut short and I need to tell the president that he needs to sacrifice his honeymoon for the sake of this nation. The nation is need of action.

What is the state of the Petroleum Industry Bill? Do you think it will ever see the light of day?

I apologize to Nigerians once more on the PIB, which has been in the parliament for almost 16 years of the PDP. The PIB had always been in the front burner. I was opportuned to be a member of the Petroleum Committee (Upstream) in 2007-2011 and I was a member of the committee that was set up to look into the bill. We worked very seriously and we got to a point where we started considering it on clause by clause basis. Unfortunately, it was aborted because our time ran out. Then in the next assembly, I was also a member of the Petroleum Committee from 2011 to 2015. We did creditably well; we did anything that needed to be done. I was the only returning member of the committee to handle the PIB so I was in the driving seat. We did a lot; all consideration of the bill and harmonized all considerations and came out with the report and it was presented to the House. Sadly again, we started and finished the consideration almost on the day the House was winding down, which was about the same thing that happened in the 6th Assembly. Although in that assembly we couldn't conclude the clause by clause consideration, but in the 7th we actually did complete it, but almost the same day we were winding down the House. It became like it was jinxed.

The issue is that the bill needs to concur with the progress in the Senate, but the Senate couldn't get to the extent which we got to. The PIB was passed by the House (7th Assembly) now we have to wait for the Senate to conclude because we definitely have two different versions and we have to come back again to gavel-to-gavel table where we need to harmonize the two positions. After harmonization, it doesn't take anything more again, we merely need to adopt and it goes and become law.

However, because we have a new government in place, we may have the government of the day coming up with some input, fresh ideas, which 'may' affect us. But I think it is one issue we need to take up. I promise I will be one of those that will bring it up as soon as possible.

How has the non-passage of the PIB affected the oil bearing communities and the oil sector?

I will take that of the communities first. The bill is for the entire country; it is to reform and allow our oil companies to run in line with best practices all over the world. It is not an oil producing environment bill; this is where we get it wrong and this is where the wrong perception that the bill is fashioned towards supporting the oil producing states or region. A law made by the National Assembly is never sectional. Don't forget that oil could also be found in the north or any other part of the country today and the bill covers it; if it goes to the Southwest, Southeast or any other part, it is the same thing. So, the laws are not for the South-south or the oil producing communities; it is not for the Warri Federal Constituency because they have oil, it is a law that is meant to govern in the acceptable best practices all over the world. I don't want people to see it as a law that is made for particular section of the country because that is where we sometimes have challenges with our brothers and members from other parts of the country.

In terms of how the bill would have helped the oil producing communities: I have looked at the bill, apart from the aspect of the environmental issues and host communities fund, there is nothing fantastically to the benefit of the oil producing communities and states. Unfortunately for us too, the host communities fund aspect of it, which was to be a 10percent aftertax profit of the oil producing companies - it is not coming from the government. That again lost its value in so many ways. One thing people don't seem to understand to is that the 10percent is coming from the profit after tax of the multinationals and oil producing companies. That again lost its value because what was passed was that all parts of this country are host communities to oil. I find it very laughable to say that the entire country is host to oil. Yes, in terms of our federal law, it says all resources etc belongs to the country. But then do not forget that there is a derivation principle and definition. If you drill deeply, like they do when drilling for oil, into the meaning of derivation, you will find out that the entire country cannot be host communities because there is a point from where that oil is derived. It is that point and adjoining environment that is mostly affected by the oil activities. As such, what i suffer as somebody sitting right now in Warri talking to you in terms of the adverse effects of oil exploration and exploitation activities, is not what a northern who is thousands of miles away from Warri would suffer from the impact of oil exploration. In terms of environmental damages too, what I suffer here may not be what other somebody in other parts of the country like South-west or South-east or North would suffer. I suffer more. What we are going through in Warri as we speak is something we need to evaluate and take measure to actually put to rest, if not, this is going to be very dangerous to the generations yet unborn.

But that is how it was passed and that is how it is with parliament; we have a loud minority, but the majority would have their way. The law has been passed that way and even if it is not right, we said, 'let's not throwaway the baby and the bathwater.' That is for some of us who are against the principle of having the entire country as host community. We cannot say just because of that alone, let us throw away a bill of more than a thousand clauses. We would come by way of amendments to some aspects of this bill sometimes in future. That is if it is eventually passed and if it will ever be passed.

The PIB, as it seem, is like the controversy generated by the DESOPADEC Law amendment in your state, especially with regards to the nomenclature and its definition; whether host communities or host ethnic nationalities. What do you think about the state's law?

I am a stakeholder from an ethnic nationality that produces oil and I will always be ready to speak on any law that has to do with oil in the state or any other because at the end of my tenure as a federal lawmaker, I am coming back to Warri and in that sense I am a stakeholder.

Having said that, I would say that the fund that is propelling the DESOPADEC is called the 13percent derivation fund. So, I tell you again, drill into derivation and you will understand what I am saying. The 13percent derivation fund is a constitutional issue. It is in the constitution that 13percent of X amount of money must be made available to the host communities. Why I say I like people to look into the meaning of derivation is that the place from where oil is source, the point from where it is sourced, must be taken care of and it has to be taken care of by whichever way. I am not saying that the bill is saying No, we cannot take of it, the bill has been passed, I have not seen the final copy, so I am not going to be able to make comment. But all I will continue to say is that the area from which that oil is derived must not be forgotten. They must be given adequate attention because the area is being bastardized, the ecosystem is being completed polluted on daily basis. What I suffer as somebody from Warri is not what somebody from the upland in some areas suffer. That was why the FG was magnanimous to say 'You can have 13percent', although we are saying it is not enough, but if it comes to the state we should be able to be magnanimous enough to reconsider those areas that produce the oil. The emission that I suffer, environment damages to health and property as someone living in Warri, is not what somebody in say Okpella suffers; it is quite different. So, we should look at those areas; it is not just the money. What people are looking at is the money, but they are not looking at the existence and adverse effects suffered by those people closer to these exploration and exploitation activities and it is so sad.

The bill, to quote the governor, is to make DESOPADEC become a more robust and effective in terms of operation than as it used to be. Let us see how that works out. The NDDC, which it is being modeled after, is another issue. I would say that at every given point, that we think about the policies of oil production, we must think about the definition of derivation and how oil production affects the people closest to its source.

How do you think these various intervention agencies (DESOPADEC, NDDC and others) can have more impact in the lives of the people for which they are set up?

The people have to demand for adequate attention by way of agitation. This does not mean that they have to be violent or a call to take up arms. Agitations are in various forms: There is the peaceful violence, intellectual approach to agitation and finally, the violence, which I will not subscribe to, because I don't want lives lost, I prefer the other two.

What you should know is that a northerner is not on the management board of NDDC; they are all people from the Niger Delta, who know what the issues are with these areas. They must have lived here and people that lived here before their appointments as members of the management team. So, they know. The people should demand their rights from these people.

I want to take you to an NDDC project, which you facilitated in your state - the Koko-Ogheye road project. - what is the state of the project?

The road construction is ongoing. It might be slow, but work is going on there. As we speak, we have accomplished about 6km and we are getting close to the first critical aspect of the job, which is the bridge over the Ologbo River. There is progress towards sand filling to the river. By the time we get to the other side, I think we would have completed close to 15km to the Ologbo Bridge. The bridge is a very massive one, which is the next most critical stage of the bridge. There is something I would say and I have suggested it to people; the road should be divided into sections as it is with the East-West highway for quicker accomplishment. It should be for two or three construction companies: one at the beginning, another at the middle and finally one working from the Ogheye end of the project. That would have gone a long way to expedite action on the road. But because we have one contractor and issues of funding is also a major problem; funds are not readily available to all the mega projects around the Niger Delta. Irrespective of these challenges, the project is ongoing, although as I said before, maybe not so satisfied with the pace.

That road is one of my dreams and I often asked myself if I have to leave office without the completion of more than 50percent of that project. I ask myself: Would somebody who is taking over from me have the same passion for it as I have? That road is very important and I will tell you why. I have looked at developmental strategies in terms of infrastructure, housing. roads, lights and others and I chose road as one of the most important and primary fundamental process to development. Why do I say this? It may be difficult for an ordinary man to put a motorable road into the thick of the forest, but once that road is built, people would start moving in there and they would build their own houses. That is what you are seeing in the Koko-Ogheye road, for the first 6km that we have accomplished, go to the entire area it is been bought up; people are building, tank farms are springing up and they are growing on a daily basis. That is just within two years and the place is opened up completely.

I want to use this is a forum to advise our governors that what you need to do for the people is to give them infrastructure in some of these areas. What are these infrastructure? A few of them - road with good drainages, light etc - and you will see the people moving in with their funds to build. There are some instances where I don't think the FG should be engaged in some of these other ventures like building of houses and others. The people want to build their houses to their tastes but give them the necessary facilities for the people to move in. You can take the Ifie road (in Warri) for example, before the construction of Trans-Warri road, it was a one-street village, but today the whole area has become an urban city because of that single road that crosses to the river, it has opened up the entire Ifie. That is the same thing that the Koko-Ogheye road will do to both the Ijaws and Itsekiris on that road because in-between, there are Ijaw and Itsekiri communities - you have Ijaw villages from where you cross into Itsekiri villages and so on until it ends in an Itsekiri village. So, although it starts from an Itsekiri town (Koko) and ends in an Itsekiri village (Ogheye) you have more Ijaw communities in-between with the likes of Ogbudugbudu, Tsekelewu, Opuama and other major Ijaw communities in Egbema Kingdom in the Warri North and that is the beauty and importance of that road. It is a road that will open up the entire area. If you take a drive through the road, you will find out that from the left down to the 6km even beyond that has being bought. Even ahead, developers are buying in anticipation of the road's completion.

The economy of the area is now shifting focus to Koko because of that road because there are a lots of potentials in the river ways and people don't seem to know. For instance, it is easier to get to Escravos from Koko, so people are moving now and getting ready for the boom. If you go there and look for a piece of 100x50 land along the first 6km, you won't get it. That is why I am worried about that road project; would the person who takes over from me have the same spirit and zeal for it?

You sound like you don't expect the road to be completed before the expiration of your tenure in 2019?

I doubt it would be completed, but that won't stop me from pushing and hoping. Whatever it is, I hope whoever takes over has the same passion and drive to push it through because of how much it means to the people in this area.

END

THE INTRIGUES, POLITICS BEHIND DESOPADEC LAW AMENDMENT

2015-07-31T00:10:00.000-07:00

Indications that the planned restructuring of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission may not be easy appeared after Governor Arthur Okowa presented an executive bill to the House of Assembly for amendment of its law. Okowa’s predecessor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, also failed with a similar attempt.

DESOPADEC is very dear to the people of oil-bearing communities in the state, despite its shortcomings and turbulent eight-year existence, they see it as a half bread that is better than none.

•Protesting Ijaw host communities

It was against this background that Ijaw youths threatened to shut down oil facilities in Warri, Ogulagha, Egbema, Odidi, Batan, Ogbe-Ijoh and other parts of the state over disagreements with part of the new law that they view as being against their interests.

DESOPADEC came into existence in 2006, pursuant to Section 162(2) of the Nigerian Constitution, which deals with revenue paid into the Federation Account, which provided for the development of oil producing communities. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had directed states receiving the 13 per cent derivation fund to establish agencies, similar to NDDC, to cater for the communities.

Yet, the commission was not constituted until the last weeks of ex- Governor Ibori administration in 2007. Uduaghan, who succeed him, incessantly complained of financial shortfall resulting from giving half of oil revenue to the commission.

Chief Wellington Okirika, a founding member of the Host Communities Oil and Gas of Nigeria (HOSTCOM), which fought for the creation of the commission, was made the chairman, while Andi Osawota, lawyer, was appointed secretary.

In 2009, Uduaghan appointed a commissioner to oversee the activities of the commission due to infighting between board members, allegations of administrative ineptitude, financial recklessness and corruption. Yet, reports of mind-boggling expenditures on hotel and medical bills continued. Uduaghan once cried out over a bill of over N10million presented to the commission for the treatment of malaria which was beautifully wrapped in the medical term Plasmodiasis.

It was not only such scandal that dogged the commission under the Okirika-led board.

Due to the huge fund accruing to it, top official of the state government and House of Assembly members inundated chairman and other members with financial requests.

A member of the Assembly abandoned his legislative duties and ‘decamped’ to the commission headquarters in Warri as soon as he became chairman of the House Committee on DESOPADEC.

Allegation of underpayment

It was against this backdrop that at the expiration of the three-year tenure of Chief Okirika board in July 2010, a caretaker committee headed by Mr Reginald Bayoko, was set up to clear its mess.

After cleaning the Augean stable, a new board-led by Oritsua Kpogho, was inaugurated, with Henry Offa, Joseph Ogeh, Michael Diden, Johnson Boro, Rev.Chukwudi Eke, Benedicta Osakunih Izuegbu, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro (now Deputy Governor) and Dr. Peter Egedegbe representing the various nationalities.

Through all these processes, the leaders of oil-bearing communities had constantly checkmated the government and commission; they raised alarm when they felt the government was taking step detrimental to the commission and their interests.

In spite of their close watch, rumours of underpayment to the coffers of the commission were rife; there were also allegations of government ‘releasing funds with the right hand and taking it back with the left hand’. Various sources say the past administrations underfunded it by N300billion.

It was against the backdrop that Uduaghan’s amendment bill faced stiff opposition from the oil-producing communities. While some accused Uduaghan of attempting to cover up alleged misappropriation of its fund, contractors who had executed jobs for the commission feared sinister plot to avoid payment for jobs they did.

However, the resistance against the Uduaghan amendment bill has been a child’s play when compared to the vituperations and reactions toward Okowa’s. The incumbent governor hails from the non-oil

producing Ika area of the state and it was against this backdrop that some parts of his bill were viewed with intense scrutiny and suspicion, particularly in the face of rumours that he planned to scrap the commission to free up fund for the development of his area and the state capital.

His bill proposes the scrapping of the office of the executive secretary, while appointing a managing director, with executive powers to carry out day to day running of the commission. The hazy details of how the MD would be appointment led opponents of the bill fearing an ominous plot and agenda. They prefer the old system where communities have a voice in appointees

The amendment recommends: “The MD shall be the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer…responsible for the day to day running of the commission… Executive Director shall be in charge of the three directorates.”

“What this means”, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, spokesperson of the Ijaw Wellhead and Flowstation host communities youths, told Niger Delta Report, “is that management of the oil fund is again shifting back into the hands of the governor and politicians who have being mismanaging the oil revenue over the past decades.”

Also, the replacement of ‘Oil Producing Communities’ with ‘Oil Producing Ethnic Nationalities’ is a contentious issue in the proposed law. Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko host communities view it as a move to rob them in favour of the governor’s area.

Documents sourced from the commission indicate that Itsekiri produces about 29 percent of the state’s oil; closely followed by Ijaw and Urhobo with 27 and 23 percent respectively with (12) Isoko and Ndokwa (nine) percent.

In view of the above, the southern part of the state accounts for 68 per cent of the state’s oil revenue, while the central and north have 23 and nine percent. This too explains why the south is against part of the bill which provides for the appointment of directors from across the three senatorial districts on equal basis.

A leader of the Delta Ijaw Oil Producing Communities, Chief Favour O Izoukumor, who spoke with Niger Delta Report when he led a protest to the House of Assembly, explained: “What this means is that although the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko produce the bulk of the oil revenue, we will be at disadvantage in the sharing of position, as it is already being done.

“The bill does not address the present injustice were Urhobos have three commissioners, Ndokwa has two and Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko together have one each on DESOPADEC board. What this means is that the people that produce about 70percent of the oil revenue enjoy less than 40percent appointments, employment and contracts while those with will barely 30 enjoy over 60percent.”

The Urhobo ethnic group, on their part, viewed the amendment as a move to rob them of their right to produce the executive chairman of the commission. By the provisions of the existing law, the position is rotated among the oil producing nationalities. With the Ijaw (Okirika) and Itsekiri (Kpogho) having produced chairmen, the next in line is Urhobo.

Public hearing turned public combat

But no arena has produced as much anger towards the amendment as the public hearing, which was dogged by protest, scuffle and violence. Blood literarily flowed at the House of Assembly with various interest groups clashing among themselves and with security operatives.

The Chairman, HOSTCOM Delta Chapter, Benjamin Eweta sustained injuries from attacks by members of a faction of HOSTCOM. Police had hectic times containing stakeholders who insisted on being part of the public hearing. On more than one occasion, the police had to wield the stick and throw punches.

Proceedings suffered incessant disruptions as various interest groups held entrenched positions refusing to budge. Inside the chamber, the Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Hon Dennis Omovie, threatened to send those who breached the peace to jail.

In a presentation, on behalf of Host Communities Oil and Gas, Ndokwa Chapter, former Speaker, Dr Olise Imegwu, noted that the problem with interventionist body was not its structure, but inadequate funding.

A leader of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko Elders and Leaders Forum (I3S), Mr Amorighoye Mene, argued that the interventionist body has been unfair to the three ethnic groups, adding that projects and social works to benefitting communities should be based on volume of oil produced by such communities.

Izuokumor, agreed with that position and also reaffirmed his group’s opposition to the bill’s lack of equity in representation on the board of DESOPADEC. He also rejected the overbearing influence of the State government in the affairs of the interventionist agency.

Who produces what, how much?

An underlying grievance brought to light in the latest attempt to amend the DESOPADEC is about the production of each ethnic nationality. Some of those who spoke at the public hearing and others who confided in Niger Delta Report expressed concern that their groups were not credited with their true production value.

For instance, a representative of Ndokwa Elders and Leaders Council, Mr Oyibosochukwu Nwabueze, noted that the current nine percent allocated to the Ndokwa nation is incorrect. He said available data suggested that Ndokwa nation contributes 18 per cent. He urged the legislators to investigate the reduction.

The Ijaw and Itsekiri also expressed suspicions about the 23 per cent allotted to the Urhobo ethnic nationality. An anonymous source hinted that the figure was inflated by former Governor James Ibori to favour his kinsmen, to which he also allotted three (highest) commissioners slots.

An Ijaw further said, “Before Uduaghan became governor (2007), the Ijaw had the highest production; how did the Itsekiri jump from number two to one? Did they discover new oil wells in Itsekiri land?”

An Itsekiri leader insisted that Ijaw are not a close second as records indicate, insisting that oil wells in Jones Creek, Odidi and other parts of Warri South West Local Government Area are owned by the Itsekiri of Omadino.

Okowa’s peace shuttle, suspension of ultimatum

Worried by the avalanche of opposition to the bill, Okowa tried to calm fray nerves by meeting with the various interest groups.

“We are not repealing the old law. It is not a new bill. The amendment we are proposing is to structure DESOPADEC in line with the NDDC (Niger Delta Development Commission) model.

“This is democracy and I am not expecting that the amendment bill will come out exactly as we proposed it. There will be public hearing and people will make their contributions. I don’t believe in forcing the hands of the legislators,” he explained.

Last Friday, two days before the expiration of the Ijaw’s ultimatum, he met with traditional rulers and leaders of the Ijaw Oil Producing Communities.

A reliable source at the Friday meeting disclosed that Okwa expressed shock at opposition from the Ijaws, who passionately supported him during his race to become governor.

“One of the revelations from our meeting with the governor was that some prominent members of the House of Assembly are trying to take advantage of the bill for their selfish interests.”

It was gathered that the Ijaws reaffirmed their opposition to the change of nomenclature of the law to oil producing nationalities, instead of communities and they also insisted on fair representation, overbearing influence of government official and misapplication of fund accruing to each group.

“A situation whereby a member of the board, because of his powers, corners funds for a particularly group to his group would not be tolerated. We have made that absolutely clear.”

Based on the meeting with the traditional rulers, the Ijaw youths agreed to suspend their ultimatum. Confirming the development, Izoukumor told Niger Delta Report, “Due to the intervention of the

traditional rulers and some Ijaw leaders, which culminated in a meeting with the governor, the traditional rulers pleaded with the Ijaw Oil Producing Communities and those that gave the ultimatum to shelve the ultimatum and give room for further dialogue.”

Mulade also confirmed the development, adding that the group had relaxed its warning to foreign missions and urged oil firms to go about their normal duties.

At the time of going to press, peace had returned to the state, yet many are skeptical that the controversies will continue unabated regardless of the final outcome.

Tags:DESOPADEC LAW politics and fight

POLITICS: OKOWA SNUBS ISOKO, ITSEKIRI IN KEY APPOINTMENTS

2015-05-29T14:57:00.000-07:00

Okowa Snubs Itsekiri, Isoko in Key Appointments

The new administration led by Senator Ifeanyi Okowa In Delta State may have started on a wrong note as it ignores the Itsekiri and Isoko ethnic nationalities in key appointments.

SOB gathered that the two ethnic groups were overlooked in key positions as the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff Government House.

It was authoritatively gathered that an Urhobo and former Commissioner for Finance in the preceding administration, Mr George Orogun is set to be named SSG.

Similarly, it was learnt that Tam Brisbe, an Ijaw and former member of the National Assembly representing Burutu Federal Constituency, an Ijaw, would be named chief of staff.

It was further learnt that the Speakership has been zoned to the Urhobo ethnic nationality in Delta Central Senatorial District of the state.

The Governor, Dr Okowa is an Ika from Delta North while his Deputy, Kingsley Otuaro is an Ijaw from Warri South West.

At the time of this report, political leaders of the PDP from the Isoko and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities were said to be lamenting their fates.

2015-01-28T08:06:00.002-08:00

OYEDEPO SERMON: APOSTLE OGU WARNS COLLEAGUES AGAINST "UNWHOLESOME ALLIANCE WITH POLITICIANS"

Fiery Port Harcourt, Rivers State based clergy and former Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in the state, Apostle Eugene Ogu, has warned religious leaders against unguarded and inciting utterances in the run-up to next month's general election.

Apostle Ogu, founder of the Abundant Life Evangelical Mission, lamented perceived infiltration of churches by politicians, warning that the trend portends bad omen for the offices of men of God, which he said, should naturally be the last hope of the ordinary citizen.

Speeaking with SOB against the backdrop of recent statement credited to the Bishop David OYEDEPO in Port harcourt on Tuesday, he said, "I want to warn Christian religious leaders on the unwholesome alliance with politicians. The manner in which some Christian leaders have given themselves wholesale to politicians is inspiring and compelling them to speak without caution, fact and consideration for the will of God, without consideration of the laws of the land. It is becoming a great concern and can create an integrity question to the entire body of Christ in Nigeria.

"The office of a man of God is more of the last hope of the common man than the court because even the woman caught in the act in the bible and the condemned armed robber at the cross all met Christ and found life, freedom, peace and were accommodated. He did not order that stone should be thrown at the woman."

Apostle Ogu further warned adherent of the Christian faith in the various congregations to be careful not to regard the words and utterances of their pastors and church leaders above those of the God, adding that Christians must be focussed on the words of God and not on the teachings of men.

The man of God described the run-up to the general election as very challenging moment in the annals of the country, likening it to a "war between light and darkness, between the rich and the poor, the oppressed and oppressor and a battle of the corrupt and masses."

He warned against sentiments fanned under the embers of religion, tribe, sectional interests, stressing that wisdom and sincerity must dictate what is right and wrong about the nation as well as help voters to discern between black and white.

"No Nigeria needs a prophet to tell him what is white or what is black. Under no unction or prophesy can a sincere, enlightened citizen of this country believe that God has said what is black is white and what is white is black.

"This kind of political atmosphere will be charged with high level desperation, which will lead to fabrications, inventions, manufacturing of all manners of lies both scientifically, spiritually and demonically all in a very subtle way to mislead the already oppressed and impoverished citizens of this great country.

"It is not in doubt that Nigeria's problems is leadership or that over N200 naira now exchanges for one dollar and there is no doubt that there are no jobs. The only business that works today is government. The rich are becoming richer and the poor are getting poorer and there is no doubt that 60 -70 percent of university students are involved in what is called 'school runs' to survive.

"No doubt that Nigerian has blown billions of dollars in the power sector, yet we still do not have light. A peaceful Nigeria has seen more bloodshed than other African countries in full blown war and we don't know what to believe when our leaders and government speak to us.

"It is not in doubt that our hospitals and schools are nothing to write about when compared to even other African countries. The money being spent by Nigerians in schools in Ghana is now funding that country's education sector.

"I use this medium to appeal to those of us in the altar to concentrate and pray for God's intervention; educate and enlighten our sons and daughters in this critical moment in time to vote rightly in order to express whether we are being properly led or not and not to use it to cajole, intimidate and frighten congregation in order to make us remain in this long time captivity that yearns for change.

"What Nigeria needs today is those that will tell the truth the way it is; those with passion and courage to contribute their quarter to the freedom of this country. Just as I believe that our days of freedom is near, I pray that the day comes fast. God who knows the hearts and feelings of the oppressed will not allow falsehood to keep us longer in this terrible state we find ourselves.

"Let's watch and be careful of what we hear see or read on TV, paper and altar because even an 'angel' may be hirelings or have deceitful intention to deceive the masses. So, let us rise gallantly, vote rightly, vote away darkness so that God may save us."

Bayelsa, Delta communities threaten to halt crude export

2014-04-30T02:02:00.000-07:00

Bayelsa, Delta communities threaten to halt crude export

The people of Agge and other neighbouring communities on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Ramos River and its estuaries in Bayelsa and Delta states have threatened to halt crude oil export from the area over devastation of crude oil spillages the facilities of a local oil firm in the area.

It was learnt that the aggrieved Ijaw people are unhappy at the slow pace of the company’s handling of the issue of compensation resulting from two incidents of crude oil spills from the facilities of Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company.

They threatened to shut down SEEPCO’s facility unless the compensation is properly and urgently handled by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), the lead agency in crude oil spill matters.

The Chairman of Agge and its Federated Communities, Mr Stephen Fiyepade who led the community leaders and representative of the traditional council to NOSDRA’s Warri Zonal office on Monday, lamented that his people lost their sources of livelihood to the incidents.

He said, “It is regrettable that after damaging our fishing materials and sources of livelihood through consistent pollution and spills from SEEPCO operations, the company has refused to pay compensation to our people.”

Fiyepade called on NOSDRA to facilitate the payment of compensation so that people of Agge and its environs can recover from huge losses and get their lives back on track.

In his reaction, Chief David Omaghomi, the Government and Community Affairs Manager - Marine Operations for Sterling Oil blamed the delay on bureaucracy and urged NOSDRA to expedite the process.

He said, "We have further gone through the mandatory reporting, clean-up and remediation of the Impacted sites, provision of relief materials and free medical screening exercise stages under the guidance of all concerned government bodies.”

“While (we) commend NOSDRA for their professional handling of the incidences, we urge the agency to expedite action for an early close-out of this matter. We likewise wish to appeal to the communities to exercise patience and allow due process to be followed, as NOSDRA remains the only arm of Government with the exclusive powers and jurisdiction to handle all oil spill related issues in Nigeria.

The Zonal Director of NOSDRA, Warri - Mr. Bunmi Akindele who presided over the meeting, also appealed to the people of Agge and their neighbouring communities to exercise patience, promising that the agency is seriously addressing the issue.

Interview: Paul Odili, Governor Uduaghan's aide, speaks on Delta Green Economy initiative

2014-04-25T06:15:00.004-07:00

Why Delta State is blazing the trail on Green Economy – Odili

Odili

What is the Green Economy initiative of the state about?

The point about sustainable development and climate change has been a major part of this administration’s agenda. When the governor talks about ‘Delta Beyond Oil’, there are a couple of critical pillars that support that initiative. Beyond just diversifying the economy of Delta State from reliance on crude oil as a major source of revenue, it was important that we also think in terms of sustainable development initiatives. It simply means the ability to consume resources in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner, such that we do not waste resources and it does not compromise the ability of the future generation to also have access to those resources.

The governor has being doing a lot. There are different ministries and MDAs that have been pursuing green initiatives – Ministry of Energy has done a lot of work in solar street lighting, Ministry of Environment has done a lot with waste recycling plants, Ministry of Transport is also doing quite a bit of it.

There have been pockets of these kinds of initiatives but it was important that it is consolidated further. It has been an ongoing process and I need to also add that since 2009 when he (governor) began to speak out on climate change, he was the first governor to have spoken out very forcefully, calling the attention of the nation to the issue of climate change and our apparent indifference to it. He was also one of the governors that formed the R20 Region of Climate Action, which is an international NGO that is led by the former Governor of California (Mr Arnold Schwarzenegger). The governor is the Vice Chairman of Africa and Middle East of this body.

We have had all kinds of different initiatives. We have had various reports and studies that have been done, for instance, the IEA report that looked at the Delta State Renewable Energy opportunities, a very interesting report and everybody acclaims it as a very solid work. We have had partnership with UNDP to produce the TACC Report – Territorial Approach to Climate Change. It is a vulnerable report that looks at the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable segments of the society. It also takes cross-sector approach to the effects of climate change and has issued the Integrated Territorial Climate Report (ITCP). We have also had a partnership with Phillips; they did an energy audit of some government facilities on and renewable energy and efficiency system in the state. Today, we have some ideas of the investment this require, the emission reduction and the payback if we adopt this measure. A couple of things have been going on just that it makes sense to now consolidate that and coordinate it. The only way to do that is to have a structure, which is why the governor decided that it is more effective if you have everything put together in a structured form such that even beyond him, if it is back by law, it can continue to have a lot of effect on the state.

Is there an enabling law right now for all these?

There is no enabling law right now, but what has happened is that the step the governor has taken is to initiate a process of consultation and brainstorming. We had a series of workshops that culminated in producing the Delta State Green Economy Policy document. This is a policy document that articulates the requirements of the state, the current position, what it needs to do, the strategies it needs to adopt and the structures it needs to drive forward the sustainability initiative of the government to be able to promote green development in the state. It is not just about green development; it is about also creating an economic structure that is sustainable. The way to do that is you have structure that is able to do a lot of research, attract investment, coordinate green economy policies and implement green economy projects and programmes in the state, working with existing ministries, which also in many respects have mandates that are related to green initiatives.

We know already that there is a lot of business models and technologies out there that is accessible and that is interested to partner with us. The point then becomes if you need to do all that, you have to have a formal structure and policy in place and it has to be backed by instrument of law. What the governor now did after the workshop in February, was to very quickly send it to the House (of Assembly). That bill is in the House and we are hoping that very soon it will be passed into law. When it is now backed by law you are now in a position to engage any stakeholder or business interest.

The GGEI (Global Green Economy Index) assesses, not just on leadership and structure, but also on cleantech, what have you done in this regard?

We have commissioned a lot of studies to be done, we are expecting a technical mission in May to do waste characterisation study amongst other studies. For instance, it will look at the trend and scope of waste in Delta State and recommend a strategy for developing waste into economic resource. You know for the average business interests involved in sustainable development as a business, they understand the value chain of waste and as such they do not see waste as it is, they see waste as an economic resource. There are conversion technologies that can turn your wastes into commodities and becomes resources to other business interests that will convert it into a final product at a profit. From the front end, if you have the right technology, you can convert your waste and at the backend, it becomes an economic resource that somebody uses. The technical mission will work with our project team in the ministries. For water for instance, the issue is not just about water, but you will look at how do you access water in an efficient and sustainable manner. Those are the things that the study will cover.

Does the state have plan to explore cleaner alternative power source?

The IEA report on renewable energy in the state identified three very promising energy sources - solar, wind and it looked at waste as also an energy source. Waste can be converted to energy use. For now what we are looking at from the studies we conducted are solar PV, which will convert sun light to electricity; solar thermal, which is water heating and drrying for residential and commercial use. The point is ultimately, there is the need for renewable energy in order to be able to bridge the energy gap in the state, which is why it is very critical that we move in that direction, especially for off-grid and rural areas we could have off-grid energy solution whether it is wind or solar. The model that we will use may be in partnership or government will have to go into it solely as a social responsibility to support economic activities in those areas. These are things we would come to at some point and we are looking in that direction; we already have a report and we are taking it to the next level to do a detail analysis.

What are some of the provisions of the bill setting up this commission?

The law intends to set up the commission and the mandate is simple. It will initiate, coordinate and implement green economy policies and programmes in Delta State. It will collaborate with existing ministries and MDAs.

Deltans, like most Nigerians are sceptical about commissions, they see it as avenues to siphon public fund….

No, no, no. This is a very unique strcuture in that its mandate is to attract investments, initiate programmes and implement projects…

..It will also spend money

It will spend money but we have adopted a self-funding model, which is to say that government will fund the commission for 10 years and after that it will become self-funding. It will become a source of revenue for the state.

Will government fund it wholly during the 10-year gestation period?

No, we expect that it will be deescalating. In order words, by the 5^th year government will only fund half of the cost and as the years go towards 10^th year it will be self-funding. As the funding from government decreases, the agency is actually earning money to be able to offset some of its costs and operations. That is an indication that it is growing towards that self-funding target. We see tremendous promise and potential.

How does it benefit the state and ordinary Deltan?

It is very beneficial. You see when we talk about Delta Beyond Oil, it simply aims to end overdependence on oil, diversify the economy, expand the industrial base of the state, create employment and reduce poverty. When you are going green, you are also promoting an economic development that recognises and reduces environment risk of development. Traditional ways of economic growth and development have always been done at the risk of environmental sustainability. This is saying it can be done taking into account the fragility of the environment. That is how this initiative compliments the overall objective of government.

The social component is it will empower the people; it will create employment and economic growth. It would also improve the public welfare. A fully embedded green economy is one that recognises the welfare and wellbeing of the people first. It does that across a whole range of sectors – agriculture, transportation, water, energy, public health. Ultimately, it is about the welfare and wellbeing of the people. In urban planning, if you are eco-friendly, you recognise that one of the major challenges of developing society is rapid urbanisation that leads to congestion and pollution. But if you are eco-friendly in your planning and practice, you factor in such that you prevent urbanisation that will pollute the environment and create public health issues for the people.

Why did the governor wait till the tail end of its administration before initiating this? Also, there are some activities of this government have been everything but eco-friendly…

That is not true.

Instead of investing huge sum of money on the IPP, you could have put it into wind or any of those clean and green sources

We are using gas, an energy source that is very eco-friendly. Gas has a very low emission so it is not correct. But the point is, we have not gone into full green economy, the process is on that is why you need to have some awareness and structure that will coordinate and guide policy making. But in the future, the standard would change whether in construction, production, consumption and whatever we do in the state some of these things would change. It would be much more environmental friendly. It will be much more efficient in terms of resource use and resource effects on the society. We are making the right steps. In a short while people would see the effect.

ADAPTED FROM THE NATION'S NIGER DELTA REPORT ON 25/04/14

N2.64tr Escravos Gas City project on course, says Gov Uduaghan

2014-04-17T03:52:00.001-07:00

N2.64tr Gas City project on course, says Gov Uduaghan

Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan on Wednesday assured that the N2.64tr ($16bn) Gas City Project in Escravos, Warri South West Local Government Area of the state is on course.

Governor Uduaghan, who gave the assurance when he led top functionaries of the state government and other stakeholders to the project site in Ogidigben (Ugborodo), allayed fears that the project would be relocated from the state.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan would soon visit the area to perform the official ground breaking ceremony.

Hear him: "The ground breaking will take place in the next few weeks. Mr. President will come here to do the ground breaking. I know it is going to be very soon. They will soon give us a date. We are quite ready. You can see that the site is ready for the ground breaking," he said.

Dr. Uduaghan said the project, which is being executed on the Public Private Partnership model is the first in the country, adding that it would host three major projects - a gas processing plant, a fertiliser plant and a petrochemical plant.

“There are other projects that will spring up thereafter. It is called a gas city because apart from those three projects there is going to be a big housing estate. There is going to be a deep sea port that NPA is going to construct."

"The gas processing plant will act as a feedstock to the petrochemical and the fertiliser plant. The three projects will cost over $16 billion.

"It is a private public partnership between the Federal Government through the ministry of Petroleum Resources, working with private investors and off course the Delta State Government also being part of the project as the host state of the project."

The first part of the project, the governor added involved development of infrastructure, "To develop the infrastructure you will first of all prepare the land. Preparation of the land means the bush clearing which has started, again there will be excavation and sand filling."

Dr. Uduaghan emphasised that the project when completed will turn Delta State into the industrial base of Nigeria, adding that it has multiplier economic benefits ranging from employment generation to providing gas for the nation's power plants, thereby improving power supply in the country.

He dismissed media reports insinuating a possible relocation of the project, stressing, "Let me assure everybody that this project is not leaving this site. It has come to stay. Mr. President will come and do the ground breaking and the other processes will continue."

Uduaghan informed that the intra-leadership tussle at Ugborodo, the host community, has been resolved and that he would soon inaugurate the committee that would liaise between the Federal Government and the community on the project.

Governor Uduaghan appealed to the host community to continue to maintain the peace in the area, noting, "My message always to the community is that what is coming here is unimaginable. What they are even fighting for is just like fighting for crumbs of a bigger pie that is coming. They should look more into the future. What is coming here once it succeeds generations unborn will benefit so much from it."

Mr. Tom Grousser, Project Director of Julius Berger, the contractor handling the project, had informed the governor that the company mobilised to site in January and has completed 60 per cent of bush clearing which will be completed in August.

In another development, Governor Uduaghan while on a site visit to the proposed Marine University, Okenrenkoko has expressed joy about the quality of work being done at an International Diving School, Kurutie.

Uduaghan, who was conducted round the project by Piniki Azaiye, told reporters that the Marine University proposed would take off from the diving school.

Community protests non-inclusion in Chevron training prog

2014-04-07T05:03:00.003-07:00

Community protests exclusion from Chevron training

From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt.

The people of Ugboegungun community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta have kicked against their exclusion from the Oil and Gas Vocational Training programme of Chevron Nigeria Limited.

Leaders of the community, in a protest letter addressed to Mr Deji Haastrup, General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron, slammed the company’s attitude as “unacceptable and unethical.”

A copy of the letter signed by the John Ibokiti and Davies Omatsone, Chairman and Secretary respectively, lamented that the community, which is a host to the multibillion dollar Escravos Gas to Liquid plant of Chevron, was not deign a slot in the exercise.

“In the light of the above, we pray that you use your good office(s) to facilitate the seven (7) man list of our sons and daughters who are not only qualified but ready and able to be trained already sent to your Warri office for Oil and Gas/Vocational Training Programme six (VTP 6).

The aggrieved community leaders remarked that Chevron’s attitude could truncate the peace and good relationship it enjoys in the area.

They therefore appealed to the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron, Mr Deji Haastrup to wade and correct the perceived injustice.

“We hope you will correct this act of deprivation and omission of Ugboegungun Community indigenes on or before Thursday, 10th April, 2014 as the community is ready to employ all available means be it legal or otherwise to stop your operation, if this injustice is not corrected,” the cautioned.

Attempt to reach the CNL top shot during the weekend was abortive, but a source in the PGPA office told our reporter that the selection process was handled by the Itsekiri Regional Development Council, which interfaces with Chevron on behalf of Itsekiri host communities

KIDNAP: CLARK'S SON REGAINS FREEDOM

2014-04-06T00:54:00.002-07:00

Ebikeme Clark, second son of Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark was released from kidnappers' den on Saturday night.

Sources close to the family told The Nation that he was abandoned in Ogriagbene, an Ijaw community in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.

From his freedom post Ebikeme was transported to Bomadi town, where he was received by family members and some Ijaw leaders.

The Spokesperson of the Ijaw Youth Council, Mr Eric Omare confirmed the report in a telephone chat with our reporter on Sunday morning.

He said, "Yes, Ebikeme Clark has been released. I spoke with him and I can confirm that no ransom was paid to secure his freedom."

Ebikeme was snatched by gun - wielding youths in Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of the state on Thursday evening.

His abductors approached the family with a N60m ransom demand to release him.

The development prompted the IYC and former militant leaders in the area to launch manhunt for the kidnappers.

However, the details of how the victim was still sketchy at the time of this report this morning.

NIGER DELTA AMNESTY TRAINEE DIES IN PANAMA, BODY RETURNS MINUS HEART, BRAIN

2014-04-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

Amnesty trainee’s body returned to Nigeria without brain, heart

*FAMILY KICKS, CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION

Cadet Ezebri in a happy mood

Nearly 10 months after the death of Deck Cadet Godwin Ezebri, an amnesty trainee, in Panama, South America, his remains are still lying at the morgue of the Military Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos.

The young, promising seafarer’s burial is delayed by the suspicion that he may have been murdered. There is also the delay in returning some of the vital organs removed from his body during an autopsy carried out in the South American country last year.

The young man, popularly called Akaba or Bribinya, was described as very bright and promising. He carried the hopes and aspirations of not only his family, but of his community and kinsmen as well as of his country.

The bubbly 27-year-old left Nigeria in 2011 to study at Gdynia Maritime University in Poland as part of the Federal Government’s amnesty programme. He was one of the first set of beneficiaries of the divisive programme.

Ezebri was aboard the maritime vessel MV Green Guatemala as part of his training in maritime technology when he died abruptly. Medical records obtained by our reporter indicated that he “slumped and died”, ostensibly from heart failure, on June 6 (or 7) 2013.

Party Time

Some of his relatives, who spoke with Niger Delta Report shortly after his death, said they were not convinced by the story of his death, adding that they suspected foul play.

“We are curious because just hours before his death, as claimed by the crew, he had chatted with his brother on Facebook. He wanted his younger brother’s bank details so that he could send some money to Nigeria. Only for us to be told that he had died from heart attack. It is suspicious,” a family source told our reporter.

More intriguing for the grieving family was that the incident occurred when Godwin was the only Nigerian aboard the vessel. Two other Nigerian cadets who were also attached to MV Green Guatemala had left the boat just days earlier.

His remains were ferried back to Nigeria in July – barely a month later. They came without the heart, brain and other organs, much to the chagrin of his family members.

Attempts to repatriate the missing organs, it was gathered, have dragged on for several months. Expectedly, the delay led in gaining the parts and inability of the family to bury the young man led to tension between them and the agents to the shipper.

The accompanying autopsy and, later, a coroner’s report signed by Dr. Omar A. Zapata Coroner Coordinator of the Legal Medicine and Forensic Science Institute, Province of Colon, have failed to assuage the angst and suspicion of the Ezebris.ore worrying for the family and the amnesty office was conflicting report about the time of death and reports that Godwin had indicated his will to disembark at the nearest seaport.

The crew master of the vessel, Capt L. Sapelevics, in his report, said he said he wished to “sign off/disembark at the next port”.

What happened between the time he expressed that indication and his death are contentious, at least for the family.

He reported exclusively obtained by NDR stated: “Two hours before his death the master of the crew ordered a check of his blood pressure, pulse and temperature which were all normal.”

Two hours later, though, he “slumped and died”.

A family source told this reporter that as soon as the body arrived Lagos, agents working for Green Reefer, owners of the vessel, made an offer of “N500,000 financial assistance” to assist his family with his burial.

The family said they rejected the offer because they felt “there was more to the death than the company was revealing”.

The family’s protestation delayed his burial – first by days, then by several weeks and now by nearly a year.

The family, led by Pax Ezebri, demanded a fresh autopsy to ascertain the actual cause of death. He also protested perceived shoddy handling of the death of the promising 27-year-old by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta

The aggrieved family expressed their displeasure in a petition to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), over the matter. The petitioned raised posers about the conflicting time of death contained in the reports of Sapelevics and the coroner’s.

They also slammed the amnesty office, saying it never at any time officially informed them officially about the death of their brother but were “only requested by phone call to come to Lagos to receive the remains of their brother and the sum of N500,000.00 for burial assistance.”

NIMASA waded into the issue, leading to the performance of a fresh autopsy by a team of experts from a reputable hospital (names withheld) in Lagos.

“When they opened his skull, they found that his brain was removed and replaced with a towel, which we think was a ploy to fool us. His entire heart was also missing, while other organs were sliced and shredded,” a relative of the deceased told our reporter.

Series of meeting were held at NIMASA office in Lagos, where OSAPND, the vessel owners represented by a renowned legal firm, and Global Oil Service, which handled the placement of the deceased on the vessel.

At one of such meetings at NIMASA office on Burma Street, Apapa Lagos on Friday, November 8, all the parties attended the meeting with a team of medical experts.

Rather than make headway, it was reliably gathered that the meeting was rowdy and almost degenerated into a physical conflict between some of the parties.

A source at the meeting said one of the brothers, identified as Ebiakpo Ezebri, who is a former councillor in Burutu Local Government Area, wondered why the committee was still bothering about report of the autopsy when it was clear that his brother was killed.

Speaking further, Ebiakpo reportedly stated: “What happened was clearly a murder in Panama. What we want to know is why was our brother murdered?”

Our source, who attended the meeting, said the family, also demanded the return of all the missing body parts. “The lawyer told the chairman of the committee that other organs returned along with the body were slashed and cut to pieces.”

Also expressing displeasure with the situation, Pax Ezebri, the deceased’s older brother reportedly slammed the Amnesty Office for its initially handling of the messy situation, noting: “If we had taken the corpse and gone to bury as the Amnesty Office wanted, we wouldn’t have known about missing brain and other body parts.”

It was further learnt that the family warned that they have options on how to avenge the death, adding that they were only waiting and hoping the government got to the bottom of the matter.

“At the end of the stormy deliberation, it was resolved that other amnesty trainees aboard the vessels be brought to the next session slated for November 22, to tell the committee what really transpired,” our source stated.

However, four months after that meeting, Niger Delta Report authoritatively learnt that the missing parts have been neither returned nor any headway made in the investigation to unravel the incident that led to Ezebri’s death.

Our findings showed that the Green Reefer told the family that they could not secure agents or airlines willing to repatriate the organs to Nigeria.

In one of the communications between the company and NIMASA, the shippers said: “Regarding repatriation of the organs, most airlines simply refuse to carry same considering it as human waste, even though same would be sent dry packed which means they would be basically dehydrated.

“The travel agent is still working with courier companies however this is proving very difficult,” the email, which was obtained by our reporter, added.

Contacted, Pax Ezebri confirmed the development in a telephone interview with our reporter on Saturday morning but added that he had received assurances through an email from the legal representative of the shipping firm that the organs would reach Nigeria by Wednesday (two days ago).

“They sent me an email yesterday (last Friday) that they have secured an airline willing to bring the organs. So we are expecting them. Our doctors and the professors who will conduct the autopsy are prepared. We want to know what happened so that we can get it over with once and for all,” Pax Ezebri added.

CONFAB: IYC KICKS AGAINST EXCLUSION

2014-03-08T01:32:00.002-08:00

PRESS STATEMENT

IYC REJECTS EXCLUSION OF ITS DELEGATE TO THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

The Ijaw Youth Council (Worldwide) frowned and reject the non-inclusion of its delegate to the National Conference. The IYC views the exclusion as a deliberate attempt to deny Ijaw Youths and by extension Niger Delta Youths from presenting their aged long struggle for Resource Control and Self Determination at the National Conference. It is on record, that the IYC has been one of the most consistent advocates of a National Conference to discuss the future existence of Nigeria. Indeed, a National Conference is one of the foremost demands of the IYC as enshrined in the historic Kaiama Declaration. Therefore, for the IYC, the umbrella body of all Ijaw Youths, worldwide, the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria to be excluded from a list that has a total of twelve (12) nominees from Youth organizations is totally unacceptable.

The IYC agreed to participate in the National Conference because we believed that it offers us an opportunity to correct the age long marginalization of the oil rich Niger Delta region and to advance the cause for resource control and self-determination which the IYC has been advocating all these years. We therefore call on the relevant authorities to correct the exclusion of the IYC from participation in the National Conference without delay.

IYC TO HOLD ALL IJAW YOUTH CONFERENCE TO TAKE POSIITON ON NATIONAL CONFERENCE

The Ijaw Youth Council (Worldwide) would in the coming days hold an all Ijaw Youths Conference to take a common position to be presented at the National Conference which would kick off in the nation’s capital, Abuja from the 17th of March, 2014. The all Ijaw Youths Conference which would take place at Agudiama Ekpetiama in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State would have in attendance Ijaw Youths from home and abroad. The conference would be similar to the conference of Ijaw Youths which gave birth to the historic Kaiama Declaration. All Ijaw Youths from all the Clans of Ijaw Nation from Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States of Nigeria are expected to be in attendance.

Signed for Ijaw Youth Council (Worldwide):

Eric Omare,

(Spokesman).

Untold story of Ugborodo killing

2014-01-14T21:10:00.000-08:00

Untold story of Ugborodo killing

*Victims were killed, disembowelled, thrown into the sea – Witness

Waiting for death

Oil-rich Ode-Ugborodo community was the scene of intense bloodletting and gunfight last weekend. Although separated from the facility of a multinational oil company and a military base, the gunfight went on for several hours, during which several persons, 22 according to one source, were killed and property worth millions of naira destroy. SHOLA O’NEIL, x-rays the issue involved in the incident amidst questions over the professionalism of the Nigerian Navy and other military forces in the area.

Ugborodo Community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State had over the years become a major hub for oil and gas business, not only in the state, but in the Niger Delta region. Apart from hosting the massive Chevron Tank Farm and one of the largest gas projects in the world – the recently built Escravos Gas to Liquid - it has been chosen as site for the $16 billion Export Processing Zone in the area.

Afejuku

Yet, except for few personal properties, there is very little on ground to match the huge sums of money accruing to this oil-rich island in the past decades. Allegations of mind-boggling frauds are rife.

Nonetheless, it has been the leadership crisis rocking the oil-rich community and the controversy over New Ugborodo Town project that has put the Itsekiri community in the news in recent times. Two factions led by Hon David Tonwe and Chief Thomas Ereyitomi are currently embroiled in the battle for control of Ugborodo Community Trust, the paramount organ of the town.

The crisis assumed a new twist last weekend with the killing and maiming of several persons during a two-day bloody clash that started late on Saturday, December 4 and ran into the early hours of Monday. It was one incident in a long list of similar occurrences in Ugborodo.

A dark omen of the danger lurking in the oil-rich area first surfaced on Friday afternoon, when some leaders of the community raised the alarm over plan by some aggrieved persons to attack the community. They said the invaders planned to unleash mayhem while using the military as cover.

The statement titled ‘Planned Invasion of Ugborodo by Combine Military Squad’ said the “unholy plot has reached advanced stage with the Navy team from the NNS Delta team led by one lieutenant (names withheld) being briefed and primed for the operation (on Friday afternoon).

The Base Information Officer, NNS Delta, Lieutenant Ibrahim Yohanna, who was contacted by our reporter, debunked the statement, saying the operation its men were being briefed for was for the provision of security for a firm that was going there to execute a project.

Six gunboats left the NNS Delta Base for Ugborodo, late on Saturday morning. The squad went to the Forward Operation Base, which Commanding Officer, Navy Captain Ezete, was no stranger to the people or the Ugborodo crisis.

Ogbemi Frank Akpieyi, the community’s Public Relations Officer, told our reporter that leaders of Ode-Ugborodo were briefing the people about the plot to invade the town when the troops arrived.

“When they came, it was as if they came to launch attack with about eight naval gunboats and speedboats. Everywhere was filled; all arms of the military were there, except the army. They surrounded the community. As some of their boats were going, our people were following them on the seashore. When they got to the extreme (of the community) they came down.

“The Naval officer from Chevron had been coming so we knew him. He met the entire community at the public field. He said government held a peace meeting in Warri and they were in the town as part of the meeting. We said we were not aware and nobody from Ugborodo attended.

“We told him they could not be talking about peace without justice; when the mouthpiece of the community (Benson Dube, Olaja Orori (spiritual head) of Ugborodo), is languishing in prison.”

Our findings showed that relationship between the Ugborodo and the state government had deteriorated over the choice of nominees for the community’s committee to negotiate with the Federal Government on the $16bn project. The government’s choice of Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, one of the factional leaders, to chair it did not augur well with the community.

Prominent Itsekiri leaders, including Chief JOS Ayomike and the spiritual head of Ugborodo, Mr Benson Omadeli Dube among others reportedly opposed the government’s decision, hinging their resistance on the fact that “government cannot choose a committee to negotiate with government in a purely community affair”.

The governor, who also became enmeshed in the controversy, dismissed insinuations of a vested interest. He said, "I have no personal interest in this matter, all the factions are known and close to me and they have worked with me even before I became governor."

Our investigation revealed that prior to the military visit some members of the Ereyitomi-led faction were banned from Ode-Ugborodo over their perceived role in Dube’s controversial arrest and detention.

On November 5, 2013, a sibling of influential businessman and chair of the Itsekiri Regional Development Council, Chief Ayiri Emami, was accused of shooting a young man to death. The victim, Sunny Temola, was said to be loyal to Tonwe faction and Emami is a staunch supporter and member of the Ereyitomi-led group,

Emami faulted allegation against his sibling, stating that it was targeted at him. He demanded evidence and the corpse of the ‘victim’. He told our reporter that the blood on the boat wehre Temola was shot was just “chicken blood” poured to fool the public and smear his name.

The day after the ‘killing’ Dube led people of the town to protest, which later led to the banishment of some notably members of the Ereyitomi faction. Those sanctioned were fingered for alleged mismanagement of the community’s fund and the jinxed N5.6bn Ugborodo New Town project funded by the state government and Chevron Nigeria Limited.

They said Chevron’s funding of $6m was deposited in private account where some persons were using it as collateral and reaping the interests. They also alleged that the government’s nearly N4bn disbursement for the project, which was for the construction of a new town, was mismanaged and there was nothing to justify it.

A few days after that protest, Emami accused Dube of unlawfully arresting and torturing two of his supporters. He told security agents and newsmen that droplets of burning wax were used to torture the victims.

Dube was arrested on the directive of the state government when he attended a peace meeting convened at the Governor’s Office, Warri Annexe to resolve the Ugborodo crisis. He was investigated for alleged illegal bunkering but was later released by the police.

But his ordeal was far from over.

On November 22, he was invited for questioning by Captain Ezete, who later arrested and detained him along with one Joseph Uwawa, Churchill Omadeli and Michael Lodge, the youth leader. They were whisked to Warri, allegedly on the order of the Commanding Officer, NNS Delta, Commodore Mohammed Garba.

There were reports that the police refused to accept the suspects from the navy because the Area Commander in charge of Warri Area refused to get embroiled in the controversy having earlier investigated and exonerated Dube for the alleged crime.

The Ereyitomi faction, which is allegedly backed by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, was fingered for the arrest and accused of using its closeness to the government to torment their opponents in the community.

Also, shortly after the arrest, rumour began making the round in the Oil City and even military circle that some naval official were “bought” with huge sums of money to effect the quartet’s arrest.

A very high officer of the Nigerian Army (names withheld) confided in our reporter and his colleague who works for a TV station, that he was first approached and offered money to lead the arrest. He showed a text message revealing those who were paid and how much.

Faced with the dilemma of what to do with the suspects 48 hours after the arrest, the Navy took them to Asaba on Sunday, November 24, with the intention of arraigning them on Monday. Rather than charge them, the suspects were returned back to Warri navy base without any charge.

A renowned Delta human rights lawyer and National Coordinator, Forum Justice and Human Rights Defence, Mr Oghenejabor Ikimi, denounced the action of the Navy. He urged them to release Dube and others or arraign them in court.

The family went to a Delta State High Court to file a suit for the enforcement of the fundamental human rights of the victims. But on Tuesday, the police took over the matter and dramatically arraigned them for attempted murder, illegal bunkering and other crimes.

A statement was later credited to Emami in a national news daily, where he defended the arrest and listed some crimes which Dube and his cohorts allegedly committed.

While the fight to secure their bail was on, some of his opponents in the Ugborodo crisis reportedly vowed that Dube would not spend the yuletide season with his family. “They said they would teach him that they are in control of the state,” a source stated.

On December 23, the prediction came to pass when a Federal High Court in Warri denied application filed by Femi Falana (SAN) and consigned the ‘Ugborodo 4’ to Christmas and New Year in the Okere Prison.

SATURDAY FACE-OFF

It was against this background that Akpieyi and other Ugborodo leaders insisted that the Olaja Orori and others be released as a condition for peace to reign in Ugborodo.

The Navy top shot cranked up the tension when he reportedly told the villagers on Saturday that he was also in the town to negotiate the return of those banished. He was quoted as saying the exiled were awaiting the outcome of the meeting before treurning to the community on that fateful Saturday.

“That statement gave us the clearest indication that the operation was not what the state government said it was. They wanted to force their decision on the community again,” another source stated.

Confirming this, the youth leader said, “We told the Navy CO that (exiles return) is impossible. We told him that we would not allow that happen, even if that would take the lives of everybody in the community.”

Irked by the temerity, Akpieye said the ‘CO’ declared an immediate curfew on the waterways. “He ordered no boat should leave or enter Arunto until further notice - meaning until we bowed to his decree.”

Having made the declaration, the naval official and his team returned to their gunboats and took over the shores of the community and the creeks to enforce the ‘curfew’. Boats going to Warri and other upland places were prevented from leaving the island. Those coming to the town were denied access.

A source in the community said tempers rose to boiling point when they observed that boats going to 911 Resort (Ajudaibo) owned by Emami, were allowed unhindered use of the waterways.

There were also allegations that the military allowed unhindered movement of mercenaries, arms and ammunition even while the curfew was on that Saturday afternoon.

What led to the clash and reported three deaths was still unclear at the time of this report. But Mr. Femi Uwawa, who spoke in a telephone chat with our reporter from Ugborodo at about 7pm on that the fateful day, accused the navy of shooting indiscriminately at women and children.

He said three persons in a boat were shot by the military because they ignored the curfew. “They were shot by the navy, who are taking their corpses away right now.”

But Mr Isaac Botosan, the Vice Chairman of the Ereyitomi led faction, debunked Uwawa’s claim. Botosan, who is one of those declared persona non grata by the community, said the security agents were not even allowed to disembark from their boat. He blamed the stiff resistance on illegal bunkerers.

Botosan said, “The security agents arrived Ugborodo yesterday (Saturday). They have not been allowed to come down from their boats. They (illegal bunkerers) were able to stop the security men from coming into the community by mobilizing the old women and men in the community. They used them as human shield to prevent the security men from doing their jobs.”

As the face-off persisted, sleep eluded the community. The tension seeped into Warri and wherever Ugborodo indigenes lived. People whose relatives and loved ones were there kept in touch by telephone and prayed for peace all through the night.

But morning did not bring relief. The military continued the siege to the town from a distance and moved around midmorning. As they did, their places were taken over by several speedboats ferrying youths and suspected thugs from Warri.

How Ugborodo was stormed, while the military was washing - Witness

Akpieyi, who witnessed and took photographs as it was ongoing told our reporter that he had videos and still photos showing the military and the armed gang who attacked the town planning the invasion minutes before it was launched.

“The entire community was on guard till Sunday; nobody could go to church. We all came together. We were there praising God. Before 11am we saw one of those involved in the crisis (names withheld) he was in his red boat and four other speedboats filled with boys.

“Immediately, we got a call from (one of the communities) that they are loading guns and ammunition. We called the Navy CO and I also called one SSS (official) and we told them what was happening. We told them ‘We are under attack, they are coming.

“They did not use (come through) CHEVRON side, because of the security cameras that sweep through the rivers. They went to where Chevron camera can’t see. When they got close to the seashore, they started opening fire

“At about 11 o’clock, right in the face of the navy, about 10 boats loaded with arms were shooting. “It was like a suicide mission. We had taken our stance and said even if means we all die, we won’t move. Some of our boys carried cutlasses and Ojigbe (a form of cutlass).

“First when they were shooting, nobody was running. But when people started falling that was when people started running. They came down. I was videoing other people were taking pictures.

“Those that they killed, they would take into boats and drive to the middle of the sea. It was like they were tearing their bellies and dumping them into the sea because that way the corpses would never resurface. They took over the community from 11am till 6pm. While these were going on navy gunboats were all here.

“They (invaders) went to Navy gunboats and they converse. They discussed after that the whole gunboats moved to one side. And they started coming,” Akpieyi added.

For over four hours, steady staccatos of gunfire rang through Ugborodo as armed youths overran the town, killed and maimed innocent citizens and plundered houses. Among those whose remains were found was Afejuku Oritseneye, whose disembowel remains were sneaked into Warri on the night of Sunday, January 5 at about 9pm.

His family members received his remains at the Pessu Waterside after it was sneaked through unconventional route to escape the military and his killers who were doing everything possible to obliterate traces of crime committed on that day. The remains was brought to the “A” Division Police Station that at 9:17pm before being taken to the morgue.

Dozens others who sustained gunshot wounds were treated at neighbouring communities. One of the victims, identified simply as Blacky said he was shot by his half brother, who was in another faction in the crisis. Blacky was among those treated at the Okerenkoko Cottage Hospital recently renovated and equipped by the Tompolo Foundation.

The houses of the Olaja Orori and other members of the community were destroyed. Household items, furniture and electronics were brought out and smashed.

Addressing newsmen on Thursday in Lagos, Dr Alex Ideh, a prominent Itsekiri leader and Mr Temisan Omatseye, former DG of NIMASA, said over 22 persons were killed in the attack. Ideh placed the valued of property destroyed at over N250m.

He said dozen others remained unaccounted, adding, “All these took place with one (naval) boat watching. The Ugborodo people were helpless. As we made calls, we could hear the shots at the background,” he added.

Meanwhile, our independent investigation revealed that the community youths who fled into the bush later regrouped and launched a quick counterattack to regain control and take out the wounded. The battle for control raged till late night when the invaders were forced to flee.

Navy not involved in the shootout, says FOC, CNC

Twenty-four hours after the carnage, the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sidi-Ali Hassan Usman, addressed the press at the NNS Delta Naval Base. He said, “No naval gunboats were involved in any operation that led to shoot out or the alleged loss of lives as reported.”

He added that “it is important to state that the fracas was between Arotun and Madagho communities, which the task force remained neutral in the crisis.”

The FOC, who did not entertain questions from reporters, also did not volunteer answers on why the naval gunboat or the nearby FOB failed to respond to cries from help from the people of the community or even respond to sporadic shootings and deaths.

The top military brass left so many questions unanswered, not only for the newsmen at the news conference, but also for Nigerians in general and the people of Ode-Ugborodo, who lost loved ones on those bloody days.

Meanwhile, at the time of finishing this report on Saturday, Dube and the three others had made a triumphant return to the oil-rich land having been granted bail by a Delta State High Court.

They return to a community torn – physically and emotionally. Those who lost their loved ones are counting their losses and those who sustained injuries were being treated.

Unfortunately, the last Saturday’s killings were not the first and may not be the last as key players, who are individually richer than the oil-rich community jostle for its control, and extension, control of royalties accruing to it.

Uneasy calm now pervades the troubled community, nobody knows how long before the next round of gunfire rings out. But the beleaguered people and their neighbours are hoping that the government would muster the political will to end the crisis and bring perpetrators to book.

CULLED FROM THE NATION NEWSPAPER OF SUNDAY, JANUARY 12

Delta Community Leaders raise alarm over 'invasion'

2014-01-03T19:06:00.001-08:00

Ugborodo, Warri South West, Delta State

There is palpable tension in oil-rich Ugborodo community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State over reports that a combined team of military squad planned to invade the community in the early hours of today

Although it was believed that the operation was targeted at perceived illegal bunkerers, our reporter learnt that it may not be unconnected with the crisis rocking the leadership of Ugborodo Community Trust, the apex body handling the community’s affairs.

The spiritual head (Olaja-Orori), an open critic of the faction has been in detention since November when he was arrested for alleged illegal bunkering and other sundry crimes.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the latest invasion was expected to take place at about 3:00am today, with troops from NNS Delta, Warri Naval Base and men from the Joint Task Force.

A text message circulated by leaders of the community yesterday claimed: “This time, they plan to invade Aruton (Ugborodo) community with a combined military force comprising the Navy and Army on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 3:00am.

“This unholy plot has reached advanced stage with the Navy team from the NNS Delta team led by one lieutenant (names withheld) being briefed and primed for the operation.

“The reason adduced for this unwarranted invasion, the second within two months, is the trumped up allegation of illegal bunkering activities and crude oil theft against the poor, peace-loving people of the community.

“The crime of these innocent, defenseless Nigerians is that they dared to speak out against injustice and maladministration of their funds”.

They lamented that allegation of illegal bunkering was a ploy to further attack known and perceived opponents of the Ereyitomi-led faction.

“Suffice to say that the imaginary excuse of illegal bunkering adduced for this planned invasion of these peace-loving communities is tantamount to giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. There are no illegal bunkerers in these communities. Those planning the invasion are in a better position to know this,” the statement added.

The Base Information Officer, NNS Delta Lt Ibrahim Yohanna, who was contacted for reaction to the allegation, denied it. He said the operation was to provide security for a firm going to the area to sink borehole for the people.

ANAMBRA DEBACLE A SHAME - APOSTLE OGU

2013-11-21T09:16:00.000-08:00

BEING TEXT OF A PAPER PRESENTED BY APOSTLE EUGENE OGU,

FOUNDER, ABUNDANT LIFE EVANGELIC MISSION

FORMER CHAIRMAN, PFN, RIVERS BRANCH

ANAMBRA ELECTION A BAD OMEN FOR 2015

I have watched with keen interest the brouhaha that characterized the Anambra State Election. And I am still in shock and wondering about the future that awaits us in this country.

For over a year now, our televisions and newspapers have featured all manner of dangerous trend of events happening in almost every sector that makes the component of government and governance.

Beginning from the corruption of the oil subsidy, inflation of road contracts, stealing of pension funds, secrecy of oil production, corruption and extravagant spending in their various sector, oil theft, alarming increment of external and internal debt of over N8 trillion, kidnappings and assassinations, publications of falsehood, media character assassination, corruption and politicizing of the judiciary, infiltration of the media houses and prints, disappearance of funds budgeted for various ministries and unimaginable leakages, unbelievable decay of our educational sector and insecurity. There is now exclusions of voters name and the shameless and irresponsible display of thuggery, daylight robbery and impunity in the handling of our electoral process.

These have become a deadly gathering storm that we must confront if we ever desire a future. The admittance, of mix-up and failures of Professor Jega and the electoral commissioners in the Anambra election on itself is a shot INEC's foot. The level of unlawful and reckless used of our security agency to perpetuate oppressions with impunity on our citizenry has become alarming. The dangerous trend and failure of the Anambra State Election needs no prophet to tell that a war silently declared against Nigerians.

Most disheartening is the nonchalant and care free attitude of the leadership of this country over this monstrous and deadly day-to-day occurrence of these ills. Beginning from the South to North and West to the East, as I ponder on this our journey through this dark tunnel I am force to cry the song of Jim Reeves which says “where do we go from here?”

I must call on the chairman of INEC Professor Jega to as a matter of urgency cancel with immediate effect this label of reproach called “election” in Anambra State and withdraw all the electoral commissioners who were sent to conduct the charade of election, if possible deploy the electoral commissioner of Cross Rivers State, set up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the show of shame, fish out the bad eggs in INEC in order to save our faces from the international community.

How could we explain to the entire world that INEC, after the huge sum of money pumped into the preparation of Anambra State Election and the drafting of over 28,000 policemen from different parts of this country with our tax payers’ money and other funds provided for logistics to conduct election for just a a state that we are ready for an election in 2015 or is Anambra State Election a test run to see what Nigerians would do when such illegality and impunity is perpetuated in 2015?

If anyone is in doubt of the insensitivity of our leaders on the plight of common man in this country, Anambra State Election says it loud and clear. I could not hold back tears when I saw hundreds of women who trooped out on the highway and lay on the main road in protest of how they were disfranchised and their rights violently taken away from them. Nigerians should be ready to take their destinies in their hands by insisting that we can no longer fold our hands and watch the leadership of this country plunge us into a chaotic and unimaginable crisis. We must rise and stop this before it gets too late. Events have proved that the only language the Nigerian leadership understands is massive protest or strike.

ASUU can tell you that it was the only language the Government understood to get its dues as NMA, NASSU, NUT and NLC . Must we continue to watch the trend to continue in this country? It took channel television to expose the plight and rot in the police college, Lagos to receive the attention it has today, while other police quarters in other states remain a mirage, not to talk of the alleged police pension of USD2 billion frauds.

Socrates aptly puts it thus: “the only thing the upright could do for evil to strive or take over the land is to do nothing”

To sit, fold our hands and watch all these ills being perpetuated across the land, is to our own undoing.

“A word clearly spoken is enough for a wise”

Apostle Eugene Ogu,

Founder, Abundant Life Evangelic Ministry

Port Harcourt

Delta Bye-election: Dafinone Heads to Tribunal

2013-10-17T13:45:00.001-07:00

Dafinone heads to Election Petition Tribunal

The last appears not to have been heard of the National Assembly poll in Delta Central as the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) has vowed to contest the outcome of the poll at the Election Petition Tribunal.

The DPP senatorial candidate for Delta Central, Chief Ede Dafinone is contesting the victory of Mr. Emmanuel Aguariavwodo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Delta Central senatorial district.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Sapele, the DPP senatorial candidate described the April 12 bye- election as political denial perpetrated against Urhobo, the 5^th largest ethnic group in Nigeria.

“There is little recognition of Urhobo at the federal and state levels in terms of appointments and positions. Similarly, the interference in the last election where the candidate foisted on the PDP in Delta State is again foisted and this time forcefully on the people of Delta Central”.

The DPP candidate who is not pleased with the result of the election where PDP was declared winner flayed the exercise which he alleged was not free and fair and was enmeshed in violence and intimidation of voters.

He condemned the reckless desperation, the sheer treachery and lawlessness of leaders of the PDP in the state. He also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of overturning the rule of fairness and allocating victory to the PDP.

“We reject this outright robbery of the people’s will. We condemn this grievous injustice, this unconscionable mockery of all that is decent, of all that is fair and just. The army and INEC, both Federal Government institutions worked with the PDP’s candidate to ensure his victory. The PDP used the army to unleash terror on the people of Delta Central. For hours, gun shots rent the air and the people were clobbered. Also, the announced result shows PDP in first place. As if that is not bad enough, the result shows All Progressives Congress (APC) in second place with DPP the Populist Party in the third place. All that combines to make the whole result laughable” the statement said.

The statement said the party’s legal team had been told to head to the poll tribunal.

“As law abiding citizens, we intend to explore all legal means to ensure this sham of an election is cancelled. We shall be proceeding to the election petition tribunal to present our case” the statement added.

Dafinone Campaign Organization

Publicity Committee

SHOLA O'NEIL'S BLOG: Delta Bye-election Was Selection says APC's Emerhor,

2013-10-13T13:10:00.001-07:00

SHOLA O'NEIL'S BLOG: Delta Bye-election Was Selection says APC's Emerhor,

Delta Bye-election Was Selection says APC's Emerhor,

2013-10-13T12:21:00.002-07:00

PRESS STATEMENT

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, I thank you all for coming. I want to use this medium to express my profound gratitude and appreciation to the entire Urhobo Nation for the massive support and love demonstrated towards me and my party APC in this collective responsibility of emancipating our people.

I hereby place it on record that NO bye-election took place in Delta Central on October 12th 2013. What took place was a sham calculated to select a senator, the first by any democracy in the world by the government and all its agencies including the INEC, the military and other security agencies working together to achieve this nefarious and predetermined outcome.

We therefore reject in its totality the purported outcome and results as announced by INEC. We hereby demand for a fresh election that will allow the people of Delta central to freely elect a candidate of their choice to fill the vacant senatorial seat.

Our rejection and demand for a fresh election is predicated on the following:

1.The whole environment was Militarized with road blocks where voters were intimidated to stay at home and clear of polling units. The Nigerian Army Supervised Snatching of ballot papers by the PDP Stalwarts and thugs with the Army giving them covering fire. In places that were not strongholds of the PDP, the INEC found every reason in the book to burgle the exercise, including but not limited to the lame excuse by the NYSC that their allowances for the training they received few days back and money for the voting exercise which they have not even conducted must be paid. The payment for training and election conduct is clearly within the purview of the government of the day and INEC for which they have been heavily funded by tax payers.

2 In PDP strongholds the military supervise the thumb printing of ballot papers in private homes PDP stalwart. For example thumb printing took place in the Deputy Governors residence, the PDP candidate Emmanuel Agwariavwado's house and one Chief John Oguma's house. This pattern repeated itself across the entire senatorial district.

3. In the very few areas where a semblance of election took place the exercise started at well over 3pm clearly outside the constitutional and electoral act provisions. The aim was to delay the exercise to give room for the PDP to manipulate the system in the dark of night which was what actually happened across board.

4. INEC failed to provide transportation for men and materials and left this critical responsibility to the Delta state government which provided them the opportunity to hijack and divert the materials.

5. INEC has regulations for movements at elections. The restriction of movement was not obeyed by the PDP stalwarts. Serving members of the National and State Assemblies, Local Government Chairmen, Commissioners, Deputy Governor and other persons moved about with police escorts giving the voters the impression of being above the law and thereby intimidating them.

6. Later at night, the military were used to take over the collation centre depriving other party agents access to the collation centre except the PDP thereby allowing the PDP in connivance with INEC to allot figures to the various candidates as election results.

7. We have catalogued the gross electoral abuses; polling unit by polling unit, ward by ward and Local government by Local government and these shall be made available to the public very shortly.

Long Live the Urhobo Nation

Long Live Delta State

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Delta Bye-election Should Be Cancelled, Says Dafinone

2013-10-13T12:18:00.001-07:00

BEING THE TEXT OF A PRESS STATEMENT BY CHIEF EDE DAFINONE CALLING FOR CANCELLATION OF THE OCTOBER 12 ,2013 BYE- ELECTION RESULT FOR DELTA CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

Gentlemen of the Press,

Thank you for coming. As you are aware, I am the candidate of my party, the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) for the senatorial bye-election scheduled for yesterday, October 12, 2013. We are here today to tell the world that the people of Delta Central were yesterday violently denied the right to choose a senator of their own. The proposed election to elect a senator was a complete sham.

There was no election, as defined by our laws. The scale of impunity, assault, molestations and violence by the PDP, thugs/cultists and the supposed security agents was just unimaginable. The lopsided and partisan involvement of state security apparatuses in supporting the PDP and the brazen use of thugs to unleash violence and mayhem on our party members and the electorate is unprecedented. Thus there is now very serious concerns for the progress of our nascent democracy and diminishing hope for peace, unity and good governance of Nigeria now and in the immediate future.

The significant confidence brought into our elections in 2011 due to visible improvements on the 2003 and 2007 elections was completely wiped off yesterday. The PDP and the Government have yesterday sent, in no uncertain terms, a strong message that the security apparatus of this nation will foist the PDP on the nation at every cost. As was demonstrated yesterday in Urhobo land, security forces and the government will turn a blind eye to open violence and crimes against citizens and a section of the electorate perceived to be supporting other parties outside the PDP.

Because our agents were openly shot at and maimed yesterday, as it was in 2003 and 2007, we are able to say that the days where elections are gun wars are back. Because INEC officials and NYSC ad hoc personnel bluntly refused to go out to conduct the election in several places, we are also able to categorically say that government, through these agencies, decided the outcome of the election in a clearly premeditated manner. Because security personnel openly flogged and beat up our agents and supporters everywhere without justification, we are able to say that violent bias was used as a tool to coerce our supporters to abandon polling stations. Because in various communities security personnel watched, allowed, participated in and supervised the hijacking of ballot boxes and other election materials by PDP thugs and government officials, we are also able to say that the so-called election was rigged with clear government approval. Because INEC did not release or issue out election result sheets and other sensitive election materials in most places but 'results' somehow managed to emerged in favour of the PDP, we are able to say that the so-called results were made to suit the PDP even before any election. Because few electoral materials appeared as late as 3.30PM in the few places where a few INEC officials managed to reach, we are able to say that our people were deliberately excluded from the election since accreditation was meant to end by 12.00Noon. There was just no election as defined by our laws and common sense!

The point must be made that we do not expect perfect elections anywhere in the world. But we do expect that there will be improvements on past performances. This is just not the case here. What we had was resort to brute force to suppress the will of the people of Delta Central. Yes, it is often said that politicians tend to find faults to justify unsuccessful outcomes of the electoral bids. Ours is just clearly different. We did not lose an election. There has to be an election before we talk about winners and losers.

This is a clear case of naked criminality; not an election. It is a clear case of the government imposing Chief Emmanuel Agwariavwodo on Delta Central in the same manner and style he was imposed on his party. This is impossible with a truly independent INEC. Herein lies a clear and imminent danger for our democracy. Therefore, we reject whatever result announced by INEC as it is not a true reflection of the democratic will of our people. We call for an outright cancellation of the said election and any fake result arising from same.

Indeed, we are at a loss on why and how violence and external interference have to be brought into Delta central in the name of election. Delta Central electoral is largely the Urhobo people who have never been so marginalized at the national and state levels as we are today. The dearth of Urhobos at both Federal and State levels belies our position as the fifth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria. That as a people we are not allowed freely elect our leaders is a further confirmation of the oppression of the Urhobo nation.

We in the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) do not give in or succumb to undemocratic actions which attack the political will or threaten the unity of our good people. We shall continue to explore all legitimate options to free our people from oppression, suppression and bad leadership. Our commitment to democracy and justice remains firm.

We support the call by our Party for calm and call on all our supporters maintain the peace even in the face of this extreme provocation. May I, on behalf of our effective grassroots campaign team, leaders, elders, women and youths sincerely thank all our people of Delta Central for their support and prayers. God bless you.

Thank you.

Chief Ede Dafinone
DPP Senatorial Candidate.
13-10-2013