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Niger Delta

House Decries Poor Finishing Of Contracts

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Members of the Cross River State House of Assembly, have described the finishing of most jobs in Yala Local Government Council as unsatisfactory and unacceptable.

Inspecting projects in the Council Area, the Members observed that most of the contracts were not executed in accordance with the State standard.

They noted also that, the Chairman’s official residence which was one of the projects visited had very bad windows and doors while the 2600 pupil desks meant for schools in the area were poorly constructed.

The lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction that the contract for these jobs must have been awarded to incompetent contractors and certainly may not have been supervised at all.

At the Legislative site currently under construction, members condemned part of the ceiling and roofing work and called on the contractor to take steps to correct the defect.

An Architect, Mr. Robert Ule who conducted the Members round the project said the delay in the completion of work has been caused by increase in cost of the building materials and the removal of fuel subsidy.

Also speaking, the Director of Works, Engineer I. Ukam said the Chairman’s quarters was commissioned by His Excellency Navy Captain Christopher Osundu since May 19th 1999 when Ntufam Victor Ogar Ndifon was Chairman and has not been inhabited since then.

Other Projects inspected included the generator house, Staff Quarters, the ongoing 611 meter long fence, office of the Paramount Ruler, Chief of General Staff office all in the Council premises.

The State Border Communities Development Commission Project comprising an Office Block and Staff Quarters in Alifokpa were also condemned for poor window and door frames. Members queried the rationale behind the citing of the completed but abandoned Federal Government hospital under the MDGs project at the interior part of the Council Area.

The Members also visited the uncompleted hospital project in Alifokpa, the Lugard wall at Yache Gabu which is threatened by encroachment and deforestation activities of the Tivs in Benue State and also the 6 classroom blocks in South Ukele handled by Pace Surge Nigeria Limited.

Responding, the Supervisor of Works, Hon. Cyprian Uneji, said the speedy completion of the project which commenced in December 2011 was being hampered by lack of access road to convey materials as well as lack of labour.

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Larry Odey said it was very important that immediate steps be taken to give the people access roads, health facilities, and water to improve on their welfare.

In another development, the State Head of Service, Mrs. Mary-Theresa Ikwen, has called for collaboration between her Office and the Civil Service Commission as a way of fast tracking the reformation of the service.

Mrs. Ikwen bared her mind when the Chairman and members of the civil service commission paid her a courtesy call in her office in Calabar.

She observed the need for a synergy between the two offices in relation to their functions on personnel matters and productivity in the service.

The Head of Service recalled that while on the recent retreat at the Ranch, the issue of collaboration between the two offices addressed and commended the commission for re-emphasising its importance towards the growth of the service.

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Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

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A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.
The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.
Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.
In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.
The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.
Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.
By: Enoch Epelle
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MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

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The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management  of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State
The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.
MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator,  Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.
LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama,  Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.
He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is  at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”
By: Chinedu Wosu
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Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

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The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians  to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.

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