Niger Delta
IFAD Projects Suffer Setback In Delta
The International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-assisted Community National Resource Management Programme (BNRMP) in Delta may suffer set back due to non-release of funds.
Mr Chris Abua, Delta IFAD Programme Officer, said made this known in an interview with the newsmen in Asaba.
He said that the state government and its local councils were defaulting in counterpart funds contribution to the programme.
Abua said that out of the nine local government areas currently benefiting from the assistance, only three made initial contributions in 2007 while the state government paid up to 2008.
The programme, which he said, started in the state in 2006 but with effective funding and operation in 2007, was designed to improve the living standard of families in “poorest of poor communities”.
Abua expressed regret that the failure of the state and the local councils to make their contributions was affecting remittance of funds from IFAD and NDDC, which provide the substantial funds.
He said that the programme took off in the state with 300,000 dollars (about N45 million) provided by IFAD through the World Bank as financiers.
Abua explained that the state government complemented it with its contribution of N14.2 million in 2006, N16.25 million each in 2007 and 2008.
He, however, said that the state had since 2009 when its contribution was reviewed to N36.25 million, failed to contribute, adding that IFAD and NDDC had also defaulted in their contributions in 2010.
Abua explained that the budget of the scheme was increased in 2009 when it became necessary to expand the projects from three local government areas to nine and 27 communities in the state.
He flayed the local councils for not making efforts to pay their counterpart funds in spite of the presence of the programme in their communities.
Abua said that families, groups and communities in the areas covered by the programme enjoyed credit facilities, trainings and skills acquisition as well as the provision of infrastructure.
He expressed regret that the programme’s activities in the state were declining due to paucity of funds and appealed to all the parties, especially the state government and local councils to meet their commitments.
“The issue is not the budget but the release of the funds. The government and local councils through agreements signed showed great enthusiasm and willingness to operate the scheme, but they are failing now,” Abua said.
He stressed that counterpart funds were the assurances of continuity of the programme and added that IFAD might sanction the state for defaulting in its contributions to the programme.
Abua advised that to avoid bottlenecks associated with the scheme’s funds; contributions should be made direct to the community development account, which is regularly checked by the supervisor in every state.
When contacted, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Tony Nwaka, admitted that the state and some local councils were in arrears of counterpart contributions to the programme.
But he assured IFAD and NDDC that the counterpart funds would soon be defrayed.
Nwaka said: “Yes, this administration is in arrears in the payment of counterpart funds, we are planning with high hopes, to meet this obligation as soon as possible.
“All efforts are being made to ensure that all outstanding state and local government counterpart funds are paid.”
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.
Niger Delta
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