Niger Delta
Edo Earmarks N99.25bn For 2010
Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole Friday in Benin City presented the 2010 budget estimates of N99.25 billion to Edo State House of Assembly. The Appropriation Bill christened: “Budget of consolidation,” exceeds the 2009 Budget by N18.66 billion representing 23 percent. The 2010 fiscal policy comprises capital projection of N60.54 billion and a recurrent estimate of N38. 71 billion. A sum of N61.358 billion is proposed as recurrent revenue which is made up of internally generated revenue (IGR) of N18 billion representing 29 percent, statutory allocation of N29. 75 billion or 48 percent and excess crude and other oil revenue put at N13.60 billion representing 22 percent. In the financial estimates, the balance of N37.89 billion will be funded with N6.6 billion from the ValuEAdded Tax (VAT), N9.23 billion from grants as well as the contribution from loans and the opening balance from the current 2009 Budget. On capital projects priorities for 2010, the Governor said the combined-proposed allocation to roads with flood and erosion control and environmental beautification is N32.6 billion which constitutes 54 percent of the total, budget proposals, adding that the primary attention on Benin City would be sustained while road construction and rehabilitation would be extended to the 18 local government areas of the state. According to Comrade Oshiomhole, there would be commencement of a new primary drainage system within Benin City that would properly channel floods into natural tributaries based on the new Benin City Storm Water Master Plan, just as the Benin Moat will experience up-grading through stone-pitching to enhance its durability for the purpose of flood control and its presentation as a tourist heritage. He said government would embark on a massive aforestation programme in 2010 starting with the raising of one million tree seedlings. Another priority area is the construction and rehabilitation of infrastructures in the education sector for which the sum of N7.5 billion is proposed. To boost agricultural productivity, N120 million is allocated for the purchase of additional tractors and implements to support farmers and farming communities in addition to other key initiatives in the agricultural sector. New fleet of mass transit buses would be acquired to strengthen the Edo Transport Service to ease the pains of commuters in a partnership arrangement with the private sector for which the initial Edo State Counterpart Funding of N372 million is provided in the 2010 budget. Also in the transport sector the State Government proposed to set up traffic management and Accident Rescue Corp while 250 million has been proposed for the purchase of emergency relief materials and N120 million for the rehabilitation and development of markets. The governor emphasized that as promised last year, the capacity of the Edo State Broadcasting Service (EBS) and The Nigerian Observer would be enhanced, hence the allocation of N100 million for the purchase of Outside Broadcasting Service (OBS) vans and other facilities to improve performance while N70 million had been proposed to acquire state-of-the art printing equipment for The Nigerian Observer. Ben-Ose Ogbemudia, Benin
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.