Niger Delta
A’Ibom Gets Four Agric Processing Mills, Soon
As part of efforts to consolidate its economic diversification drive, the Akwa Ibom State Government would soon get four agric processing mills, courtesy of its synergy with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The agricultural processing mills are expected to be sited in each of the four Federal Constituencies making up Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District as a pilot scheme.
A press release by NDDC’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Ibitoye Abosede, and made available to The Tide, quoted the Managing Director of the commission, Mr Nsima Ekere, as having disclosed this, last Saturday in Uyo while playing host to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Women Forum (IESDWF).
The Tide learnt that of the four, three palm oil processing mills are to be located in Ukanafun/Oruk Anam, Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara/Essien Udim and Ikono/Ini Federal Constituencies while a garri processing mill is to be sited in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency.
Ekere explained that the pilot scheme would be replicated in other parts of the state in due course.
He stressed that the mills would help process agricultural produce harvested from the area to ensure value addition to the products and maximum benefit to farmers in the impacted local government areas.
The NDDC boss further emphasised that the initiative would enhance the state’s drive towards the diversification of its economy with a view to boost revenue generation while assuring food security and sufficiency in the state.
Ekere used the opportunity to call on members of the forum yet to register as voters to take advantage of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that “in 2019, there will be voting and votes will count”.
He urged the women to continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari, pointing out that the President has shown much love for the people of the Niger Delta as reflected in the number of appointments given to indigenes of the region and the location of key projects, including the coastal rail line from Calabar to Lagos.
Speaking, a prominent politician in the senatorial district, Chief Ini Okori, described the forum as a formidable and politically-faithful group, adding that the women, elders and youth of the senatorial district were determined to vote for the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) in 2019 to continue implementing economic diversification policy to pull Nigeria out of poverty and hunger.
In her speech, the President of the forum, Mrs. Ekaette Ime, lauded Ekere for his contributions to the growth of APC in the state, and assured of the determination of women in the senatorial district to take full advantage of the mills to improve the contributions of the agricultural sector to the growth of the state’s economy.
She, however, called on Ekere to consider the women of the senatorial district in the NDDC empowerment programmes and employment opportunities.
A former President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Akwa Ibom State, Obonganwan Mmenyene Nkwo, said the women were steadfast in praying for Ekere’s success.
A former state Woman Leader of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Lady Victoria Mel-Udoh, stated that the forum was embarking on a ward-to-ward drive to strengthen the APC in the senatorial district.
With Ekere to receive the women, who numbered over a hundred, were a former member of the House of Representatives, Barrister Bassey Dan-Abia Jr, a former member of the state House of Assembly, Engr. Akanimo Edet, and President of Progressives’ Women Forum, Obonganwan Dora Ebong.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Niger Delta
Bayelsa Reassures Community Of Justice Over Murder Case
The Bayelsa State Government has assured the people of Yenezue-Epie community of the Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state of its commitment to ensuring that justice is served over unfortunate incident that led to the death of their son, Moses Akanda.
Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the assurance during the week at a meeting with the leadership of the community, the deceased family, the State Commissioner of Police and other stakeholders in Government House, Yenagoa.
A statement issued by the Media aide to the state’s number two citizen, Mr Doubara Atasi, Tuesday, quotes him as urging security agencies to always be thorough and professional in carrying out their duties.
Ewhrudjakpo stressed that every life, including that of a suspect remains sacred untill proven guilty by a competent court of jurisdiction.
It would be recalled that one Moses Akanda was killed recently at the Yenezue-Epie community during a raid allegedly carried out by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which sparked some protests in the state capital, Yenagoa.
Expressing his condolence and that of the state government to the bereaved family, the Deputy Governor assured that no stone would be left unturned in unravelling the circumstances that led to the death of Mr Akanda.
Consequently, the Bayelsa number two Man has directed the state’s Commissioner of Police to ensure that investigations into the incident be concluded soon for the matter to be charged to court.
“Government is aware that our son, (Moses) was unjustifiably killed. But let us give the police one week to identify the person that shot our son.
“The law is that, if you’re going to arrest a person and the person tries to escape, you shoot below the waist and not above the waist.
“While we’re waiting for the law to take its full course, I really want to appeal to all of us, particularly the bereaved family not to do anything that will make us to be unequally yoked like the killers of our son”, the Deputy Governor said.
He promised that government would support in the burial of the deceased as soon as investigations were concluded as well as take care of the immediate family, particularly the pregnant wife of the slain Moses Akanda.
He, however, cautioned youths and people of Epie Kingdom against frequent resort to street protests as a means of expressing their grievances and demands.
“The doors of the Governor Douye Diri-led Administration are open to receive and handle genuine complaints of communities with a view to addressing them to sustain the prrvailing peace in the state”, he added.
In her remarks, the Member representing Yenagoa Constituency One in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ayibanegiyefa Egba, described the incident as sad and provocative, noting that such shooting resulting in fatalities had become one too many in Epie kingdom.
The lawmaker, however appealed for calm on the part of the bereaved family and the Yenezue-Epie Community, saying that government was doing everything possible to resolve the matter in the shortest time possible.
In their separate remarks, the Odapiri-Osusu of Epie Kingdom, HRH (Dr.) Ernest Samuel, and the President of the Oguan Youth Council, Mr. Inatimi Timothy, said they were quite pleased with the timely and mature manner the state government was handling the matter through the office of the Deputy Governor.
While appealing to government to look into the plight of the aged mother, Madam Darlin Akanda, and the pregnant widow of the deceased, Mrs Favour Akanda, they pressed for speedy investigation, arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killing of Moses Akanda.
The Tide reports that among those in the meeting were, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Francis Idu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Mr Collins Ifidi.
Others were, the Paramount Ruler of the Yenizue-Epie community, His Royal Highness Young Akanda, the CDC Chairman, Mr Asuefien Osain, among other stakeholders of the community.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Niger Delta
Cross River Judiciary Unveils Small Claim Courts For Debt Recovery
Twenty Magistrates have been trained by the Cross River State Judiciary in collaboration with the Secretariat of Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) to fast-track dispensation of justice to litigants seeking to recover debts in business transactions.
Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice Akon Ikpeme, disclosed this last Tuesday in Calabar while answering questions from journalists shortly after the flag-off of the two-day training.
CJ Ikpeme, who spoke after a rigorous seven-hour of training, stated that residents of the state being owed debts in business transactions by thier business associates have no reason to visit higher courts nor hire the services of a lawyer to make recoveries of their money any longer but visit Small Claim Courts to file their complaints.
When asked to explain the reasons behind the Small Claim Courts, the CJ said: “Nigeria is evolving and you know we are really in a business interactive era.
“The aim of the small claims court is that, it’s like the regular courts you are slowed down by technicalities.
“The small claims court is about money liquidation. Somebody is owing you #5mIlion.
“In such a case, you don’t even need a lawyer provided you have genuine papers. Judgement will be dispensed within 60 days.”
She said that hearing and judgement will be fast-tracked in a manner that the bottlenecks of undue delay would be removed in the administration of justice.
“Cases that lasted 10, 15 years before, are to be dispensed within 60 days, particularly cases involving money liquidation.
“Justice has been brought closer to the doorsteps of the people as they do not need to go to the regular courts for small claims,” the CJ explained.
Chairman, Small Claims Court Committee, Justice Elias Abua, who spoke in company of two other Judges – Justice Victor Offiong and Justice Angela Obi – advised members of the public wishing to make recovery of their money to visit Magistrate Court Complex, Moore Road, Calabar to file their complaints.
Niger Delta
Eno Launches Free Food Scheme, Floats N1.5bn Loan Facility In A’Ibom
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has flagged off free food programme and access voucher for the vulnerable people to mitigate the prevailing hunger and poverty exacerbated by the current socio-economic travails in the country.
As a measure to complement the scheme, the Governor, who performed the ceremony at the popular Itam International market, in Itu Local Government Area, also announced the interest – free loan wallet of N1.5 billion for traders and business owners.
The loan facility across the three Senatorial Districts comprising Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket is to be managed by the FADAMA Micro Finance Bank.
The Tide’s source learnt that the free food voucher is a key component of the Bulk Purchases Agency (BPA) Bill that was signed into law last week, and the Board inaugurated by the Governor for quick-to-crash food prices in the state.
“The key responsibility of the Agency, is to provide free staple food items: garri, rice and beans to the most vulnerable through the Social Register (SR),” the Governor explained.
He added that the intervention became necessary to alleviate the sufferings of the people in this trying times.
“We had reviewed all of the options, and this for us, remains the best. We are partnering with the market leaders and I want to thank them for the cooperation we have so far received from them.
“Let me repeat here, that this is purely an interventionist act; the solution to our food security remains the need for us to go back to the farm.
“I have heard of how some of you go to some places to get loans with very high interest rates and that has made the cost of food to go up, and before you finish paying the loans, you cannot meet up with your market or trading obligations anymore.
“I have come to tell you not to take such loans anymore. Consequently, we are releasing Five Hundred Million Naira (N500 million) interest -free loans to each of the three senatorial districts (1.5 billion Naira in total), to help your business,” Eno said.
The Governor also promised to construct a car park, provide solar panel light, modern toilet facilities, all of which were the requests of the leadership of the Itam Market.
He, therefore, directed the Transition Chairmen of the remaining 29 councils, excluding Itu and Uyo Local Government Areas to ensure they launch the free voucher food program next week.
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