Niger Delta
Bayelsa Threatens Agents Of Insecurity, Wants Killers Arrested

Bayelsa State Government has restated its determination to deal decisively with any individual or groups found culpable of fomenting trouble in communities in their quest for leadership.
The government which decried the recurring power tussle in some communities condemned the killing of one Mr. Frank Seide of Bilabiri 2 Community in Ekeremor Local Government Area by criminal elements some few days ago.
Speaking at separate meetings with representatives of Bilabiri community in Ekeremor and Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area on Sunday, the State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, expressed displeasure over the acrimonious manner people justle for community leadership.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, noted that reports of rising insecurity in Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw mainly due to community elections did not speak well of the two areas.
The Deputy Governor, therefore, urged stakeholders of the councils to work closely with the state government to bring what he described as an embarrassing and worrisome situation under control.
Commenting further on the killing of Mr Seide, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, vowed that government would do all within its powers to bring those who perpetrated the dastardly act to justice, to serve as deterrent to other criminals.
To this end, he called on security agencies to expedite action on the arrest, proper investigation and prosecution of all those responsible for the heinous crime.
The Deputy Governor, who asserted that illegality cannot be used to right any wrong, noted that the breach of law by anyone is not a justifiable reason to take his or her life without any sentence from a court of competent jurisdiction.
On the Ogboinbiri Community Development Committee (CDC) chairmanship issue, Senator Ewhrudjakpo advised the two parties to reconcile their differences in the interest and greater good of the community.
He said although the matter was now in court, government would do everything within its reach to ensure its amicable settlement for law and order to prevail.
The Deputy Governor, however, charged Bayelsa youths not to limit themselves to the confines of their respective communties, but rather develop themselves intellectually and in entrepreneurial skills to compete favourably with their peers elsewhere.
He also urged them to be law abiding and assured that the present administration would stop at nothing in its bid to create an enabling environment for sustainable prosperity and development in the state
Speaking earlier, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mike Ogbere and Paramount Ruler of Bilabiri 2 Community, Chief Minna Amotete, both appreciated the state government for showing concern and called for the deployment of security operatives in the community.
On his part, the member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 in the State House of Assembly, Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe, advocated for a legislation to regulate the CDC system, which he noted would go a long way in addressing conflicts in most of the communities.
In their separate submissions, the Chairman of Southern Ijaw Council, Chief Nigeria Kia and his Ekeremor counterpart, Hon. Bertola Perekeme, recounted their efforts at maintaining peace and stability in their areas and called for assistance from other quarters.
By: AriweraIbibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

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.