News

N’Delta Elders Trade Blames Over Abandoned Projects

Published

6 years ago

November 25, 2019

Four Niger Delta elders have accused themselves over the underdevelopment of the South – South region owing to abandoned projects and Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), unexecuted jobs, particularly connected to companies, which they have interests.
They are former Federal Commissioner for Information and convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark; former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe; Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Acting Executive Director (Projects), of NDDC; and Senator representing Delta South, James Manager.
Orubebe, who later denied some statements, had alleged that Clark collected money for a contract and later abandoned the project, an allegation the latter described as frivolous and has no iota of truth and urged the public to disregard it
The buildup to the 2015 gubernatorial election may have marked a sharp division between Orubebe and Clark as the former met brick wall in his unsuccessful quest to woo the latter to boost his political advantage in pursuit of his ambition.
In a statement signed by the National Secretary of PANDEF, Dr. Alfred Mulade, Clark said the allegation was aimed at denting the hard-earned reputation of the former senator and elder statesman.
“A couple of days ago, a news report credited to Elder Godsday Orubebe, erstwhile Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, contains a spurious and mischievous allegation of collection of money and abandonment of certain contracts against the person and integrity of Clark.
“As Niger Delta Minister, I gave Edwin Clark contract, he took the money but didn’t do the job. Yet he said he has the interest of N/Delta at heart. This is an allegation that is completely frivolous, baseless and orchestrated to dent and malign the hard-earned reputation of our revered leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
“For purpose of emphasis and records, the contract for Land Reclamation/Shoreline Protection at Amadi-Ama, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was awarded to Panama Construction Ltd., a firm in which Chief Clark has interest, in 2011. The company immediately mobilised to resume active work on site, and achieved appreciable milestones.
“By the time Elder Orubebe exited the Ministry as a Minister, in search of his gubernatorial ambition, two earned valuation payment requests, which have been due since 2013, were left unpaid, by Orubebe, while he held sway as Minister and has remained unpaid, till date.
“Mr. Orubebe allegedly reported the issue to the EFCC, and upon investigation, nothing was found against Chief Clark and Panama Construction Ltd. The general public is hereby advised to discountenance this fake news, tended to smearing the personality and influence of our leader, for reasons best known to its author.”
While the dust raised by that is yet to die, NDDC Interim Committee, said it has already forwarded the name of a Senator, who allegedly got 300 NDDC jobs to the anti-corruption agencies.
Cairo Ojougboh, acting Executive Director (Projects), of NDDC disclosed to SUNDAY INDEPENDENT that the particular senator would soon be known.
Ojougboh had dropped a bombshell, when he alleged during an interview recently, that a Senator, who is also a member of the Senate Committee on NDDC, got 300 jobs for which payment had already been made without any sign that such jobs were ever done.
This also followed a report credited to Senator Manager challenging Ojoughoh to be bold and name the Senator.
“I am currently out of the country on an official trip. I have been inundated with several communications about what Ojougboh said about NDDC and a Delta Senator on award of contracts. I have always known Cairo to be a bold, fearless, courageous and tall man.
“On this matter, he appears to be a disastrous disappointment on his failure to name the particular Senator from Delta that is involved. Dr Cairo, it will do you well to do the needful. Just mention the name in public and submit same to law enforcement agencies.”
But in a swift reaction, Ojougboh fired back saying the particular senator would soon be invited by the anti-corruption agencies for questioning.
“The Commission has forwarded the matter to the anti-corruption agencies and the particular senator will soon be invited and the public will know the person soon,” he stated.
He noted that the Interim Management Committee will continue to carry out inspections and verification of abandoned and ongoing NDDC projects in the region and also ensure an enabling environment for the forensic audit to take place.

News

Group Doles out N13m To Market Women In Isiama

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The peaceful Town of Isiama in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was at the weekend agog with activities following the donation of over N13million to market women by Engr. Justus Ngerebara in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiatives, a non-governmental organization, as part of its first phase empowerment programme.

According to Justus Ngerebara, who is also the Executive Director of the organization, the women, numbering 108, will receive various sums based on their business proposal.

He stated that the organization will carry out an annual review of the performances of the beneficiaries, with a view to rewarding those who put the money into good use.

According to him, the initiative was a collaborative effort between himself and his wife, Dr. Unyime Ngerebara, in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiative (FDI), an organization committed to youth capacity building and community development.

He said the family believe deeply in the transformative power of women’s empowerment as a catalyst for economic growth, especially in rural communities.

“As the saying goes, when you empower a woman, you empower a community. This truth resonate strongly with us, knowing that empowered women uplift households and inspire generational change”, he stated.

Ngerebara described the programme as the beginning of more things to come and urged the beneficiaries to view the gesture “as a reflection of our deep love for the community and our commitment to easing the burdens of economic hardship.

“We encourage you to invest wisely, channel these resources into your business not frivolities.

“We will continue to follow up with each participant to monitor progress and Offer guidance.

“It is our goal to see thriving business, creative solutions to households hunger and a ripple effect of prosperity through Isiama.

“We also call on the men to stand beside their spouses, offering support and encouragement to ensure these resources are maximized for growth”, he said.

In an interview, Ngerebara said the second phase of the empowerment programme will start very soon, stressing that since inception the organization has done so much for the community.

He listed some of the programmes carried out by the group in the community to include the installation of solar powered lights, and solar powered water.

While declaring the event open, a former coymmissioner for Works in Rivers State, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, described the event as the first of its kind in the community.

Engr. Ngerebara said the programme will go a long way to improve the conditions of not only the beneficiaries, but also the entire Isiama Community.

He also charged them against wasting the resources on frivolities, adding that their success will attract more of such empowerment programme to Isiama community

Giving a brief talk on women empowerment, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr. Awajimogobo Felix MacLean, warned the beneficiaries to justify the effort of the donor by avoiding wastages.

Dr. MacLean also urged them to be consistent in their line of business as well as avoid unnecessary competition.

She also stressed the need for them to network among themselves, while working out ways of helping the community to develop.

Guest of Honour at the occasion, Professor Uriah Oboada Alafonye, said Engr Justus Ngerebara, the initiator of the programme, has set a standard for present and future generations of leaders both in the community and the rest of Andoni to follow.

Prof Alafonye who is of the department of Arts Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, also appealed to the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity provided by the programme to reduce poverty in the community.

Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Hebron Mercy Fyneface, a crayfish seller and an interior designer, said it was the first time she was receiving such gesture from any organization or government.

She thanked Engr Justus Ngerebara for remembering the women of Isiama and urged others to emulate him.

By: John Bibor

News

Fubara’s Return Excites NCSU … As Hope Rises For Civil Servants

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The umbrella body of civil servants in Rivers State, the Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the lifting of emergency rule in the State and the return to office of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly, saying, the development portends good omen for workers, the people and the State.

The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the return of the Governor to office portends good omen and better days for civil servants in particular, stressing that the union heartily welcomes the Governor back to office, to resume his good works in the State, after six months of the emergency rule, as well as his deputy and members of the House of Assembly.

He noted that civil servants in the State are not only elated over the development but are also full of hope that the Governor would start from where he stopped in attending to their welfare needs.

He contended that the political crisis that recently engulfed the State and the six-month emergency rule had for over one year pulled the State backwards, but expressed delight that a permanent solution has been found to stem further political upheavals in the State, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making this possible; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leader of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor Fubara; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule; members of the House; and other stakeholders for agreeing to amicably resolve all contending issues.

The labour leader said this is the right time for all political gladiators in the State to bury the hatchet, work together and embrace peace and genuine reconciliation in the overall interest of the State.

He described as too hasty the resolution of the House, mandating the Governor to present a supplementary budget to it, and pleaded with members of the House to be calm, to tread with caution, and harmoniously work with the Governor.

He said the return of democratic governance in the State would fast-track progress and development in the State, and enjoined the people of the State, particularly civil servants to continue to give their support and cooperation to the Fubara administration.

Osumah expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would give prompt attention to challenges facing civil servants in the State, being a former civil servant himself, stressing that the workers truly have hope, now that the Governor has returned to office, and knowing the kind of Governor he is.

According to him, he is going to look into the controversial and contentious contributory pension scheme; rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex; recruitment into the state civil service; extension of service and retirement years for civil servants; provision of vehicles to industrial unions; as well as provision of befitting staff quarters for civil servants; among others.

News

NDDC Organizes ADR Capacity Building for Staff

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organized a one-day sensitization program for its personnel on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches to promote workplace compliance on transparency and due process.

The workshop, themed “Promoting Transparency and Due Process in the Workplace using ADR Approaches in Building a Culture of Accountability and Integrity,” aimed to equip staff with the skills to resolve disputes effectively.

Declaring the event open on thursday in port Harcourt,The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the importance of using ADR mechanisms to resolve conflicts in the workplace.

Dr. Ogbuku represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo,noted that ADR approaches can encourage a culture of honesty, fairness, transparency, trust, and reduce conflicts among staff, ultimately promoting efficiency and productivity.

He averred that those disputes and quarrels if not proper resolved can derail the vision and objectives of the commission to the people, noting that the commission must as a team and unity as service provider in order to render a profitable service delivery to the people.

“ADR approach will encourage culture of honesty,fairness, transparency ,trust and reduce back bitting and the workforce, noting that such tendency would in turns promote efficiency and increase results in workplace.

when integrity and honesty becomes the operandi of an organisation and employees begins to trust that their matters will be handled with fairness it will breed team work and increase in productivity.”he stated

He commended the department of DCR for organising the workshop and urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity and imbibe the culture of tolerance, integrity and teamwork in workplace.

Also speaking,the NDDC acting director of DCR ,Mr Godwin Ayewumi Ogedegbe noted that the theme of the captures the core of what the commission seeks to achieve a workplace where every action is expected to be guided by openness, fairness, and a steadfastness commitment to due process, where conflicts are not merely resolved, but prevented through structured,principled processes , and where accountability and integrity are not aspirational ideals but every day practice.

In his keynote presentation on the theme “workplace Ethics and alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation,

Prof. Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, delivered a keynote presentation on “Workplace Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation.” He stressed the importance of due process, transparency, integrity, and accountability in the workplace, noting that these values are essential for productivity and organizational goals.

The workshop aimed to promote a culture of accountability and integrity in the NDDC workplace. By equipping staff with ADR skills and promoting transparency and due process, the commission can build a more efficient and productive work environment.

By: Akujobi Amadi