Niger Delta
Bayelsa, UK Seek Investment Partnership
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has promised that his administration would provide and guarantee the enabling environment for United Kingdom investments in the state.
Governor Diri gave the pledge last Monday when he met with the United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs. Catriona Laing, in Abuja.
He requested the envoy to pave the way for British investments in the state in the areas of agriculture, transportation, education, maritime, aquaculture, ICT amongst others.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said the relationship between the UK and Bayelsa predated the creation of Nigeria, which was further consolidated by the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities at Otuabagi, a community in the state, by Shell in February 1956.
He however noted that despite Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) being one of the leading oil companies in the state and the long history of economic relations with the UK, Bayelsa had nothing to show as there was no other investment from UK companies in the state.
Diri sought the UK government’s support and collaboration to establish a skills acquisition centre in the state that would train and empower women and youths in carpentry, refrigeration, solar power assembly, fashion designing and masonry.
Other areas are farming techniques for high-yield crops production, aquaculture, ICT as well as mechanical/electrical training.
“With Bayelsa occupying a major portion of Nigeria’s 853-kilometre coastline, the government intends to concentrate on fishery development, particularly deep-sea fishing.Bayelsa State has the best potential in Nigeria for the production of rice, cassava, yam, plantain, banana and palm produce. Our government is therefore embarking on a massive programme to train our youths in modern form of agriculture in order engage them in productive activities and divert them away from militancy, restiveness and criminal activities”, he said
“Bayelsa remains one of the main crude oil and gas production states both onshore and offshore. The state provides the best setting for oil and gas investment. About 60 per cent of Nigeria’s gas reserve is in Bayelsa and the government has resolved to create the best incentives and operating environment for all British investors through Public Private Partnership (PPP)”, he added.
Governor Diri also solicited support for undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship to Bayelsa students as well as inter-city collaboration with either the city of London, Liverpool or Manchester in order to enhance the state’s transportation infrastructure, urban planning and waste management.
“I equally seek grants from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to support the state government’s urban renewal efforts in the provision of potable water, rural electrification, construction of schools/learning materials. We are aware that the FCDO’s Overseas Development Assistance through the Conflict Overseas Stability and Security Fund programme worked through the Social Democtatic Network, an NGO, in some communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state to carry out rice farming, which was successful. But this stopped since March 2020 and we wish to request that it resumes, this time, with collaboration with the state government for better results and continuity”, the governor noted.
He commended the envoy for the warm reception and presented a copy of the interim report of the Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission (BSOEC) and an overview of its work, which he said highlighted the challenges Bayelsa people faced from decades of degradation of their environment.
In her brief response, the UK High Commissioner, Catriona Laing, thanked Governor Diri for the visit, saying the mission encouraged collaboration with states and organisations that border on mutual interests.
Laing said the UK was interested in the economic development of Bayelsa, particularly in the area of sustainable agriculture and other areas that the governor highlighted.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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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