Niger Delta
Police Chief Warns Against Unauthorised Assembly
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Comand, Mr Sanni J. Magayi, has warned politicians to always seek police approval before holding political meetings.
Magayi who assumed duties recently gave the warning, Wednesday at a two-day workshop in Uyo organised by community policing partners towards 2011 successful and credible elections.
Represented at the workshop whose audience comprised all the stakeholders including security agencies, religious groups, civil societies, politicians and human rights activists, the police chief reminded the participants that the public order act was still in force.
HE disagreed with the workshop organiser who described the order as draconian, saying it is enforced in interest of the public to forestall chaos and anarchy.
Describing the workshop as both timely and a welcome development, the new police boss noted that no meaningful development can take place in the atmosphere of chaos.
He however, advised the politicians to stop over-heating the polity by playing the game by the rules. He also reminded them that policing was the responsibility of everybody but, however discouraged an attempt to arrest an armed fellow with bare arms.
According to him, whenever the public is faced with such a situation, the best option is to seek police assistance through proper information.
But he maintained that the success of 2011 election was a responsibility of all with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) playing the pivotal role.
The new Police Commissioner (CP) assured that the police would do its best to re-enact the 1993 conduct adjudged best so far;
Presenting a paper on “securing the respect for voters, human rights during elections; INEC Perspective”, the resident electoral commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Maria Owi maintained that effective monitoring of the voting process was crucial if voters’human rights were to be secured.
Represented, Mr Owi however said that securing the respect for voters’ human rights during election was a collective effort of all the stakeholders.
The representative of Nigerian Immigration Service highlighted steps being taken to fish out immigrant hoodlums who found their ways into the country through illegal routes, such as establishing of offices at every local government headquarters for their personnel.
He advocated increased funding and provision of working tools to enable police personnel optimise their service. On his part, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) director who was represented, attributed failure of some of the government policies to lack of sensitisation.
According to him, if any election in Nigeria must succeed, INEC must stop aiding and abetting rigging.
The chairman of the occasion, Chief Anselem Eyo advised all the stakeholders to carry out their work honestly and not succumb to temptation of taking bribe.
Eyo who regretted that voters’ human right was not justifiable in law, advocated that chapter 2 of the constitution should be moved to chapter 4 to make voters’ human rights enforceable.
Earlier in his welcome address, the MD/CEO of community policing partners, Saviour Akpan described the organisation as a catalyst seeking to bridge the gap of antagonism between communities and civil societies.
He thanked National Endowment for Democracy, Washington DC for partnering with them over the years to actualise this. He hoped through robust and unhindered discussions at the end the workshop would have achieved the purpose it was meant.
Eyo Akaiso – Uyo
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.