Niger Delta
2015: Police Warn Security Agents Against Interference
The Police in Delta State
have warned security agencies charged with providing security during the forthcoming general elections not to interfere in the election process.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Alkali Usman, gave the warning in Asaba, while addressing a meeting of Delta Inter-Agency Consultative Forum on Election Security.
He said the primary role of the security agents was to provide adequate security at polling units, collation centres and to ensure that election processes were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere.
“Let me sound it clear that security agents are not allowed to interfere in the process of accreditation, voting, counting of ballot papers, collation and declaration of results.
“However, they should be witnesses to the declarations and a copy of the result signed by the returning officers should be given to the security agents,” Usman said.
The commissioner reminded the security agents that they were mandated to take necessary measures to prevent violence or any activity that may threaten or disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections.
According to him, the security agents should also provide intelligence security networking; ensure the security and safety of all election materials as well as officials.
Usman disclosed that the meeting was necessitated by the need for the various security agencies to dialogue and join forces together to ensure a peaceful conduct of the election.
“The essence of this meeting is for us to plan and put in place a formidable synergy in ensuring the provision of adequate security during the forthcoming elections.
“Many people believe that this election is going to be tough and challenging.
“This is why we must all provide election security which is crucial for creating the proper environment for peace and harmony,” the commissioner said.
Also speaking, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Delta, Elder Aniedi-Abasi Ikoiwok, said the commission was committed to ensuring peaceful, credible, free and fair elections.
He disclosed that the commission had set up inter-agency committee on voter education.
According to him, we are going to embark on aggressive voter education to ensure that every eligible voter has his or her permanent voter’s card.
“This is important because no voter will be allowed to vote without the PVC, so our major task is to ensure that we get the cards across to every registered voter,” he said. Ikoiwok said that the introduction of the Card Reader would bring into play a new innovation in the commission’s effort to address the major challenge of voters’ accreditation.
He explained that the Card Reader would ensure effective accreditation as well as guard against irregularities associated with accreditation of voters in previous elections.
“If electoral officers did what INEC told them to do in 2011, by recording and announcing the number of accredited voters before voting, there would have been no need to introduce card reader,” he said.
In his contribution,he State Coordinator of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Isaac Ezechi, tadvised stakeholders in the electoral process to be dedicated in efforts to achieve success in the election.
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.