Niger Delta
Complaints Trail Voters’ Registration In Delta
The people of Delta State have joined in the nationwide laments over the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s inadequate Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines, incompetent ad-hoc staff and time-consuming finger print scanners for the ongoing voter registration exercise.
In Asaba, Delta State capital, series of complains have trailed the exercise as INEC ad-hoc National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members clamour for better equipment while potential voters are requesting for more registration centres and workforce.
At Uzoigwe Primary School in Asaba, the INEC ad-hoc officials had problems with the scanners and printers, which takes more than 10 to 15 minutes to register an individual .Consequently, people complain against the concentration of over six DDC machines in one venue despite the opening of several schools for the exercise.”
The major problem we encounter here is that of thumb printing.
The scanner does not pick fingerprints on time and it has caused much delay, depending on the person’s finger. Some take up to 40 minutes to pick”, complained Juliet Orji, an ad-hoc worker.
According to Tony Young Ebifade, “Some of the shortcomings of the exercise are shortage of DDC machines, poor performance of the scanners, power packs and inadequate registration centres”.
At Okpanam, in Oshimili North Local Government Area, a politician, Mr. Friday Jebosa alleged that “despite the very impressive turn-out of prospective voters, only four persons were registered at Unit 4 between 07am and 12 noon when the DDC machine finally packed up. We waited till 05pm when they closed.
“INEC should urently release more DDC machines and personnel to Okpanam as a result of this exercise. As large as this community, INEC provided only two DDC machine which are quite inadequate”, he said.
The delay, according to dependable Government House source, has made it difficult for the state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to register and regain his franchise ahead of the forthcoming general election as Governorship flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It had been the same thing in the three Warri Local Government Areas of Delta State (Warri Federal constituency), as eligible voters could not register following the delay in the commencement of the exercise in the areas.
At Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area, INEC officials and equipment did not show up, thereby causing worry among the people.
A resident in Koko complained that, “Warri North had 38,708 during the re-run election, Warri South (58,984) and Warri South West (56,458). Over 154,150 of our people are going to be disenfranchised if care is not taken”.
The Warri Federal Constituency’s representatives at the House of Representatives, Mr Daniel Reyenieju, said the delay in the commencement of the exercise in his constituency despite the large turn out by the people, has created fear among eligible voters over disenfranchisement ahead of the April, 2011 general elections.
”I am aghast as to why INEC has refused to effect commencement of voter’s registration in Warri Federal constituency. Could this be a ploy for an orchestrated end of ominous dimension against the prospective electorates of this constituency?” Reyenieju” questioned.
Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, who led protesters numbering over 100 to the Warri INEC office, called on INEC to add additional three days extension to the three Warri councils to make up for the three days already lost.
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.