Niger Delta
COVID-19: NDDC Shops For Ventilators For N’Delta States
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is ready to help in the case of COVID-19 but the acting Managing Director, Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, says the nation has only 500 ventilators.
He also said in Port Harcourt that Nigeria of about 200 million people has only 500 ventilators; worse, most of the few oxygen plants in the country have broken down.
These are the findings of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which has pledged to intervene in the Niger Delta on COVID-19.
Pondei told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the commission just carried out a study to determine how to intervene.
He said; “This morning we found that there are about 500 ventilators in the entire country. We are exploring avenues to see if we could intervene in providing ventilators. Similarly, oxygen is difficult to procure in the country.
“The Federal Government through the ministry of health has a policy on oxygen which has not been disseminated very well. There are very few oxygen production plants in the country and some of the existing ones have actually broken down. But the provision of oxygen is key to the treatment.”
The NDDC boss said the commission was looking at contributing in the area of treatment because most of the activities so far had been on prevention; social distancing and hand washing as well as using sanitizers.
He remarked: “We are also looking at the drugs that have been used so far in other climes for treatment; there are some anti-viral drugs that we are trying to make available in a proactive manner. The NDDC is going a step above what others are doing.
He assured that the commission would intervene to protect the people of the Niger Delta region from the dreaded Coronavirus disease, COVID-19.
Pondei said as an intervention agency, the commission would collaborate with other stakeholders in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said: “We have started looking at different isolation points in the nine states of the Niger Delta region. We are interacting with the states to find out what is on ground and we are taking stock of the ventilators and oxygen in health facilities across the region.”
The NDDC CEO observed that the treatment of the disease was not limited to drugs but included the ability to make sure that the patients were able to breathe properly and this should be done using ventilators.
“As for testing, we are leaving that with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) which is coordinating the testing, but we will also like to let people know that most of the kits that are being used are not efficient and cannot detect COVID-19. This is because everybody has one way or another been exposed to Coronavirus and those kits just test for antibodies that already exist in most of us.”
Pondei affirmed that the NDDC would identify the isolation centres in the Niger Delta states so as to assist in strengthening them and building their capacity for service delivery.
He added: “It is not enough to build a place and say it is an isolation centre. It has to be properly equipped and properly stocked. They should have personal protective gears for health workers and must have dedicated conveniences for each of the patients. Anything you use for one patient cannot be used for another patient.”
Pondei stressed the need for people to imbibe simple health tips like social distancing, not smoking in a crowd, good coughing etiquette and regular hand washing with soap and water.
He advised that hand washing techniques be taught on radio and television.
Speaking on the free medical programme of the NDDC, the acting MD said that the commission’s 2019 budget made provisions for its resuscitation, stating: “Right now, the directorate of Health, Education and Social Services (EHSS) is already working on a template for it.
“We are also looking at people that will partner with us. What we are planning is to roll out a monthly programme that will run across the nine states of the region. Our plan is to have three in every state under the NDDC mandate in a month at the same time. We believe that it will reduce the disease burden, especially in the hard to reach areas of the region.”
Pondei said that his inaugural lecture last year at the Niger Delta University was prophetic because it was entitled: “Viruses: Ignored, Neglected, Poorly Understood with Resulting Devastating Consequences.”
He decried a situation where people fail to learn from experience, noting: “When Ebola Virus was our problem in 2014, we did exactly what we are doing now. Hand washing became serious with sanitizers and temperature testing but after Ebola, everything went back to normal.
“Few isolation wards were allowed to be used for other things. In developed nations, you build more isolation centres and equip them properly but in Nigeria here when this Coronavirus disappears, we will then forget all we have learnt and we will not plan for something subsequently.”
Niger Delta
Edo Moves To Improve Efficiency In Governance
Edo State Government has embarked on a training programme for local government workers across the three senatorial districts on e-governance (e-gov) and information and communication technology (ict) in a bid to enhance efficiency and transparency in governance.
According to our correspondent the exercise, which kicked off with the training of officers in Edo South Senatorial Fistrict, took place at the Icta hall in the John Odigie Oyegun public service academy (joopsa) was aimed at equipping local government workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to leverage technology in their day-to-day operations.
The e-training encompasses a wide range of modules, including computer appreciation, information communication technology collaborative tools, microsoft office tools, introduction to e-governance, e-governance platforms, among others.
Delivering his welcome address, Edo state’s head of service and Chairman of e-governance, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa stressed on the foresight of Governor Godwin Obaseki to change the face of governance in Edo State, harping on the importance of the local government tier in adopting digital governance which is designed to strengthen the civil and public service effectiveness and increase transparency.
Edo State is the most digitalized in the country, thanks to his excellency, the governor. today we can boldly say that edo is the only state in this country that has transited completely from paper to a paperless government. that is because one man, took it upon himself, which is the governor of this state and has ensured we move at the pace we have moved from where we were to where we are now. as head of service, i do not need to be physically present to treat my files. i can treat my files anywhere in this world. this is what e-governance has done for us,” he said.
Okungbowa pointed that e-governance has ensured job effectiveness, transparency and timeliness, adding that digital governance is the new way to go especially as it offers numerous benefits to the civil and public service in their day-to-day operations.
on his part, the commissioner for local government, community & chieftaincy affairs, hon. monday osaigbovo stated, “the training is part of the state government’s commitment to driving innovation and improving service delivery at the grassroots level.”
He emphasized the need for local government workers to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape and utilize technology to better serve the citizens of edo state, encouraging the chairmen of local government councils and heads of local government administration to emulate the passion of the governor in the adoption of the e-gov at the local governments, which he pointed is key to success.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Chief Tom Uloko described the exercise as pivotal to ensuring that local governments adopt and implement e-governance at their own level of administration, describing the training as a tip of the iceberg, as any knowledge acquired would be useful in the implementation of e-governance in their local government areas which had already been equipped with fibre optic cables to ensure a smooth transition to e-governance.
chief tom uloko further explained that the exercise would cover all senatorial districts in the state in the coming days of the training exercise.
In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Community & Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Felicia Edokpolor appreciated the state and local governments.
Niger Delta
Gov Otu Tasks Nigerians On Religious Tolerance
Cross River Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has called for a peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance, and prayers for a more united Nigeria as Muslim Ummah begins the annual Ramadan fasting.
The Governor made the call in a press release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill, dated March 12, 2024 with reference number GO/PRESS/012/VOL.IV/44. a copy made available to The Tide source in Calabar
He congratulated the muslims on the commencement of Ramadan fasting and intimated them on joining and breaking the fasting with them.
Otu said only a peaceful country where everyone lives without fear and suspicion will engender desired growth and development.
The Governor urged the Muslim Ummah to use the period of Ramadan to pray fervently against insecurity and economic hardship facing the country, assuring that his government is doing everything possible to provide good governance with multiple opportunities to the citizenry.
He further stated that his “Peoples First Agenda” was beginning to change the face of Cross River State inline with his manifestos, asking that all hands must be on deck to collectively develop the State irrespective of religion, tribes and ethnic differences.
“On Behalf of the Government and People of Cross River State, I congratulate them on the commencement of Ramadan fast which is one of the five pillars of Islam. In my tradition, even before becoming your governor, I will be looking forward to breaking the fast with you and joining in this annual spiritual exercise.
“I want you to continue to be prayerful and law abiding citizens as we look forward to fulfilling sequentially all the promises made to the Muslim Community as an integral part of Cross River Citizens” he said.
The Governor continued: “Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is one of the most sacred times where adherents observe a strict fast from dawn till sunset as an act of worship that brings about nearness to Allah, as well as a form of spiritual discipline. Ramadan Kareem!”
Niger Delta
Enerrhen Flyover: Delta Earmarks N2bn For Property Owners
The Delta State Government will spend the sum of N2 billion as compensation to property owners on the right of way around the Enerhen flyover.
The Tide’s source reports that the Commissioner for Works, , Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this in Asaba as part of decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting held on last Wednesday.
It would be recalled that the Delta State Government had awarded the sum of N77.9 billion to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC for four star projects in the State.
The awarded N77.9 billion is for the design and construction of flyover bridge from Enerhen Junction, Effurun to Marine Gate, Warri in Uvwie and Warri South Local Government Areas.
It also for the design and construction of road expansion and improvement works on the Section of DSC/NPA expressway from Effurun Roundabout to DSC Roundabout on the Effurun/Patani (East/West) highway.
The projects also include the construction of a three-quarter Cloverleaf Interchange at the existing Effurun Flyover Bridge as well as two pedestrian bridges in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, and the design and construction of flyover bridge at PTI Junction, on the Effurun/Patani (East/West) Highway, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area.
While approving the N2 billion compensation to be paid property owners on the right of way around the Enerhen flyover on Wednesday, the State Executive Council, meanwhile, approved a redesigned contract work at the Enerhen flyover to meet the required specification and to create a serene environment around the project.
Aniagwu noted that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori approved the settlement of affected individuals to promote peace and to make it easy for the contractors to deliver the work according to specification.
Following the State Executive Council meeting, Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza disclosed the approval of the payment of N20,000 bursary each to about 30,000 students of the State origin in tertiary institutions across the country for the 2022/2023 academic session.
Osuoza said the government, considering the current hardship in the country, approved the Students’ Special Assistance Scheme, also known as Bursary, to alleviate challenges students are faced with.
Osuosa also disclosed the government similarly approved the contract to equip 20 state hospitals to ensure adequate provision of healthcare services in the State.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojame, said that most of the equipment approved for the hospitals had been procured, supplied, and being used to improve healthcare services at the hospitals.
He noted that the governor also approved the immediate replacement of personnel on account of the brain drain occasioned by health workers’ flights abroad.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerovwo Tonukari, said the process of students’ enrolment into the bursary scheme for the 2023/2024 academic session had started.
According to him, the over 30,000 students, who were enlisted to benefit in the 2022/2023 academic session, will receive N20,000 each.
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