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COVID-19: Rivers Traditional Rulers Fault FG’s Task Force On Movement Of Essential Items

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The Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers have expressed concerns over the setting up of  the Joint Technical Task Force on Agricultural Products, Livestock, Machinery, Goods and Services, by the Inspector General Police (IGP), at the instance of the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Defence, Environment, and security agencies.
This development, which, in the face of the current border lockdown imposed by the Federal Government, gives the Task Force power to ensure free and unhindered movement of food, livestock, agricultural input, etc., without the involvement of the State Government, they stated, portends danger for the people of Rivers State.
Making the fears of the Traditional Rulers known in a Press conference, the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty, King Jaja of Opobo, King (Dr) Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Jeki V, Treaty King, Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Opobo, said the development portends an influx of people whose COVID-19 status and purpose are not known into the State.
This, he stated, is against the dictates of the Constitution of the country, which explicitly makes the Governor of the State the Chief Security Officer “with full responsibility to protect lives and properties of the people and residents therein”.
Recalling that it was based on fears expressed recently on the vulnerability of the inter-state borders by the National Assembly that various State Governors acted promptly by taking measures to protect their States from possible importation and exportation of COVID-19, the Traditional Rulers questioned the rationale behind the decision to commence the work of the Task Force in the State.
“Why should the Joint Technical Task Force begin with Rivers State and to the exclusion of the Government of Rivers State, while the Presidential ban in order to check COVID-19 pandemic is in force?
“How much agricultural activities requiring large scale input including livestock are located in Rivers State? Why is Rivers State being singled out for pollution and annahilation by the possibility of the excallation of COVID-19 pandemic?
“Why would the Inspector General of Police set up such a task force without the knowledge, collaboration, participation, and consultation of the Rivers State Government?
“Is the Technical Task Force backed by any law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria outside the Constitution? What is the motive of this isolation policy directive, which we believe lacks any legal or constructional back”, he said.
Consequently, King Jaja said, “we fear that the action of the IGP is a threat to the healthy existence of our people in this period of COVID-19 pandemic as there is no guarantee that these trucks will not also carry passengers whose identities, nationalities, missions, health status, and pedigrees will be inimical and dangerous to our people.
“We fear that even if the intention was to ensure movement of food, livestock and agricultural equipment, the process could also encourage massive influx of possible bandits, terrorists, and COVID-19 infected persons to endanger the lives of our people”, he stated.

He therefore urged President Buhari to intervene by reversing the order of the IGP.

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FG Mulls Introduction Of Private Firefighters

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The Federal Government says it is proposing to broaden the scope of the National Fire Academy to accommodate private firefighters to address fire incidents across the country.
The plan, if carried out, would lead to the emergence of private firefighters in the country.
Speaking after his first official inspection tour of the academy, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the fire service could have certified private firefighters like the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps’ private guards.
He added that private firefighters were needed to enhance the fire service’s operations as well as improve their response time.
This was contained in a statement by the Minister’s Media Adviser, Alao Babatunde, yesterday.
The statement partly read, “Today, we have over 3 million private guards certified by the NSCDC. We can have something similar for the fire service. We need private fire service men to enhance our service and response time. The President’s #RenewedHope agenda has charged us to be innovative if we must change the narrative.
“As a matter of fact, this is another innovative way to generate revenue because we expect that anyone looking to become a safety or security guard should get trained and certified by this academy.”
Tunji-Ojo urged all institutions and recreation centres to engage certified fire and safety personnel trained by the academy when the plan materialises.
He said: “A lot has been done, but there is still a lot more to be done. With what I have seen here, I can guarantee you that we will work very hard to see that this facility will not only be useful in training officers of the fire service but also for the private sector.
“We must make fire safety a personal affair. Every institution, commercial and social recreation centre should have certified fire and safety personnel, trained by this facility.
“All public and commercial buildings and infrastructure such as banks, hotels, malls, restaurants, or even government buildings should have first responders that can administer basic fire fighting remedy while waiting for the arrival of a full operation squad of the country’s Fire Service”.

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Decentralise Pipeline Surveillance Contracts, Ondo Ex-Militants Urge Tinubu

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A group of ex-militants in Ondo State, on Wednesday, called on President Bola Tinubu to revisit the pipeline surveillance project and decentralise the awarding of the contract.
The group, under the auspices of the Ondo State Niger Delta Coastal Vanguard, said decentralisation of the contract would enhance the security of pipelines on waterways.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the group, Chief Lucky Ajiroba.
The statement is titled, ‘Call on His Excellency President Bola Tinubu to re-visit the pipeline surveillance contract.’
The group faulted the last administration for awarding the contract to only one company, saying the purpose for which the contract was awarded was not achieved as the security situation of the pipelines was getting worse.
The statement read, “We are the members of Ondo State Niger Delta Coastal Vanguard. The group led by Akogun Job Omotuwa comprises ex-militants in the state who voluntarily submitted their arms and ammunition in response to the good gesture of the Federal Government of Nigeria under the amnesty programme in the year 2017, and we have shown our unwavering allegiance to the terms of the amnesty initiative of the government.
“The overall effects of all these are: it has increased considerably the quantum of oil production, it has substantially increased the revenue accruable to the Federation account, and ultimately it allows peaceful coexistence among the people of the oil-producing communities of the country.
“We are aware of the sterling enterprise of this administration to improve on the security architecture of the Nigeria state and all its apparatus, with a particular reference to the pipeline surveillance and secured waterways.
“The last administration made a giant stride by awarding the pipeline surveillance to a sole company in the Niger Delta Area. It is not out of place to state that the purpose upon which the contract was awarded for was not achieved as the situation of the security of the pipeline was worse than ever before since their collaborative effort was not enough to support the constituted military authorities.
“The failure of this was ascribed to the centralization of the contract. In view of this perennial failure, there has been avalanche of agitation from every quarter that the pipeline security contract should be decentralized for the purpose of achieving the desired goal of the Federal Government which is in the best interest of the entire citizens.”
The group, which commended the President for its efforts in repositioning the country’s economy, opined that each ex-militant leader in the Niger Delta Region be identified, and the pipeline security contract be split among them.

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Assembly Tasks Delta Govt On Rising Prostitution, Drug Abuse

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The Delta House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging the State Government to take drastic measures against rising cases of drug abuse and prostitution in the state.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Mrs Bridget Anyafulu (PDP-Oshimili South) at plenary in Asaba.
Presenting the motion, Anyafulu decried rising cases of open sex trade and use of illicit drugs among youths in the state, especially in Asaba and environs.
“Open sex trade and use of illicit drug is not a good example for our children.
“The situation is worrisome considering the fact that both issues are illegal,” she said.
Anyafulu, also the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Community and Social Development said that urgent measures must be taken to address the situation.
“The twin evil of drug abuse and sex trade represents great danger to the lives of our young people and the society at large.
“They both underline the physical, mental and social well-being of our young people and this will also jeopardize the development, peace and security of our dear state.
“So, I want to state that no nation survives without the youth, the youth and the young general are the life wire of our nation.
“Any nation that ignores the youth is heading for doom, so the importance of the young people cannot be over emphasized, it is therefore very important that we address this ugly trend,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Oboro Preyor (PDP-Bomadi) decried the negative impact of rising drug abuse and prostitution, saying it must be addressed.
‘‘If this ugly trend is not addressed, it would attract more young people into their folks,’’ he said.
He also urged the government to rehabilitate youths who were addicted to drug and to create other avenues of engaging them in productive activities.
The motion was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers when put to voice vote by Speaker Dennis Guwor.
The lawmakers also called for support from law enforcement agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of illicit drug dealers and commercial sex workers in accordance with the law in order to curb the rising trend.

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