Niger Delta
Imoke Hails Party Faithful Over Rallies
Two-time governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke has commended members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, Cross River State chapter for their dedication and commitment during the statewide rallies held in 196 wards spread across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State.
The ex-federal lawmaker who became the undisputed PDP leader in the state following the defection of Governor Ben Ayade to the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in June tasked supporters of the party to stay true to their political beliefs, adding that the task of rescuing Nigerians from the shackles of mis-governance remains a task that must be achieved.
In a release issued in Abuja and made available to newsmen, Imoke expressed optimism in the unity of all PDP leaders, stakeholders and members in Cross River given the recent twist in political dynamics as a result of Ayade’s defection.
He maintained that over the last twenty years, Cross River State and her people have remain faithful to the PDP, helping to foster a united and prosperous state between 1999 and 2021, saying, “As the PDP once again, comes under one umbrella to foster unity and propagate the PDP manifesto; which is people-driven, I urge you all to stay peaceful and embrace the ethics of rancor-free campaigns and rally, as you take the PDP to the grassroots.”
He continued: “Over the last twenty years, Cross River, hand-in-hand with the PDP built a state that thrives on nearly all sectors of the economy and human endeavours. From tourism, governance, rural development and conducive business environment, Cross River became a global player and a frontline state.
“Our partnership with the PDP was fruitful, yielding positive outcomes and was lucrative within those years. It is regrettable that things have not gone as planned, particularly, with the defection of our brother and Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade to the APC. While we look forward to our brothers and sisters who have strayed to return back to their original stead and umbrella of the PDP – that is capable of providing a covering and shelter for all, it is pertinent that, we rally round ourselves to reposition the PDP in Cross River State,” Imoke stated.
He noted that across the nooks and cranny of the state, people were ready to harness their energies in the interest of the state on the platform of the PDP.
“From Calabar South, Odukpani, Biase, Akampka, Yakurr, Adadama in Abi, Wula and Kakwagom in Boki, Ikom, Obubra, Uganga, Urban Ward, in Ogoja, Obanliku, Obudu, Yala and Bekwara, PDP supporters are actually keeping faith with their party – the PDP in order to return Cross River State to where she belongs.
“I sincerely commend these efforts, steadfastness and foresight to reposition the party and strengthen our support base. I charge every PDP member in Cross River state and beyond to key into this new drive of consolidating PDP’s firm grip of the politics of the state for future electioneering contest.
“Taking cognizance of the ongoing voters’ registration spearheaded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the PDP e-registration headed by the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, I task all PDP members to fully register in those two processes so as to afford you the opportunity to participate in politics and elections during out of season and elections proper,” he stressed.
Imoke also congratulated the Senator-Elect, Hon. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe who recently won a landmark judgement at the Court of Appeal, Calabar which declared him the authentic winner of the December 5th, 2020 Cross River North Senatorial election.
The former Governor charged Jarigbe to “continue to provide effective representation at the Senate, while balancing robust parliamentary activism and human capital development of the people of Cross River North Senatorial District.”
He further said: “As a true representative of the masses, it is my firm conviction that, you will continue to provide outstanding leadership both to the party, PDP and Cross River North. Your victory at the Court of Appeal remains a historical success that defines the politics of the state and your contributions to the advancement of the electorates who have shown unalloyed support to your ambition within the years.
“I also thank my predecessor, former Governor, Donald Duke, our distinguished Senators, Honourable House of Representatives members, former commissioners, State Assembly members, and specifically the PDP Caretaker Committee led by our amiable former Deputy Governor, Efiok Cobham and his team for injecting flesh blood and reinvigorating the spirit of unity and victory in Cross River PDP. Your efforts and firm resolve to reset PDP and gain victory is entirely worthy of note and commendation. My doors are constantly open for support and assistance in whatever form required to strengthen the PDP,” he stressed.
Dufugha, however, expressed resentment over what he described as stringent measures against assessing the State’s Students Loan Scheme, especially for the common citizens.
He made the observations while briefing journalists at the Earliest Ikoli Press Centre, Ekeki, in Yenagoa, the State capital.
“I commend the Governor for the relative peace in the state owing to his approach to the security of lives and properties in the State.
“For now, the police in Bayelsa State is using drones to monitor red flag areas that can cause security breaches and that has really encouraged the peace in the State.
“The security situation has improved and we commend the government for that. We cannot deny the fact that there is relative peace in the State”, he said.
On the State’s students loan, the publisher accused the scheme of having elitist posture due to its accessibility process.
He argued that it would be difficult for the ordinary Bayelsan to provide a Level-17 civil servant as guarantor to be able to benefit from the scheme, describing it as a systemic denial of the less privileged.
He noted that the loan was supposed to be a succour to indigent Bayelsa parents and students who could not assess education easily, noting that such persons should not be made to face cumbersome situations before assessing the financial instrument.
On road infrastructure, the Niger Delta Herald Publisher and Editor-in-chief praised the Diri’s administration on the work done on the three senatorial district roads and tasked the government to do more.
Dufugha, who described Bayelsa State as a wealthy State, asserted that the oil rich state needed to see more developmental strides comparative to its current financial status.
“Bayelsa is not a poor state in terms of public revenue. We’re an oil producing state. We receive federal allocations. We receive derivation revenue. We have access to enormous public resources.
“We receive interventions. Yet, after all these years, the ordinary citizen is still asking, what exactly are we getting for our money? Where are the industries? Where are the jobs? Where are the functional health institutions? Where is the agricultural transformation? Where is the human capital development? Where is the economic diversification?,” he argued.
He enjoined the government to redouble effort in the education and health subsectors, adding that it would pay the state a lot if there were centres for the treatment of critical health cases such as cancer and others in order to save lives and avoid capital flight.
The Publisher urged the Senator Diri-led government and the public not to misunderstand his message as hatred or personal issues with the Governor, but see it as a constitutional and professional duty to hold government accountable.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Peter Akpe, stated this rexently when he received the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in ernment House, Yenagoa.
charge of Bayelsa and Rivers States, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa.
Akpe said the general perception of those in politics has always been that of corruption, but noted that the position of the Douye Diri-led Prosperity Administration is non-tolerance for corruption.
Akpe, who frowned at the habit of writing unfounded petitions against individuals and groups, said the heap of petition files from Bayelsa State at the ICPC was several times higher than that from any other state in the country.
He reminded residents that writing unjustifiable petitions to anti-graft agencies is not only a bad culture, but also attracts jail penalty, and assured the ICPC of the state government’s support to improve public enlightenment.
“Our government is a government that believes in zero tolerance for corruption; that is why we are always open to interact with you and other anti-graft agencies.
“Usually, there is this issue of negative perception of politics and politicians. But it is not true that every politician is corrupt. We have a good number of people in politics that are not corrupt, and we believe that a good percentage of them are in this government.
“The issue of petitions at the ICPC: What we observed was that the heap of files from Bayelsa were 10 times higher than the ones from even Lagos, and 15 more times than the ones from Sokoto and other states.
“That is quite disturbing. More so, most of those petitions were ion, our people should also know that such frivolous petitions can land them in jail”, he saidfrivolous.
From a personal experience, I can tell you that most of the petitions are extremely frivolous. While we will never tolerate corruption, our people should also know that such frivolous petitions can land them in jail”, he said.
Earlier in her remarks, the ICPC Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner in charge of Rivers and Bayelsa States, Dr. Ekere Usiere, highlighted the statutory mandate of the ICPC, stressing that its mission was to carry out sensitisation on the ills of corruption in the Nigerian society.
Usiere, who expressed concern at the volume of petitions currently before the ICPC emanating from communities in Bayelsa over the management of the PIA funds, expressed the commission’s desire to partner the Bayelsa State Ministry of Information to carry out sensitisation programmes.
The ICPC Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner was accompanied on the visit by Assistant Chief Superintendent, Mr. Evans Peters; Principal Superintendent, Mr. Emmanuel Akpor; Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Tamaraudoubra Ebebi; and the Administrative Officer, Mr. Frank Yileaziba.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Director of Administration and Human Resources, Sir Kelechi Nwelue, gave the advice during a commission-wide staff interactive session with Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and insurance companies at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In a statement signed and issued by Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs, Nwelue said the programme, approved by the Managing Director of the commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, was organised to sensitise staff on pension schemes and provide them with the knowledge required to make informed decisions about their retirement savings.
He particularly urged newly recruited employees to acquaint themselves with the operations and responsibilities of various PFAs before choosing an administrator to manage their pension contributions.
According to him, pension contributions deducted from employees’ salaries, alongside employers’ contributions, constitute long-term savings designed to provide financial support after retirement.
He urged staff to carefully assess the information provided by the participating pension administrators and choose the option best suited to their long-term financial interests.
Nwelue stressed that employees were at liberty to select their preferred pension administrator, noting that the interactive session provided an opportunity for the various companies to explain their products, services and benefits.
Also speaking, a Director in the Directorate of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. James Fole, said the programme was aimed at deepening employees’ understanding of pension, insurance and other financial instruments that could improve their financial wellbeing during and after active service.
Fole warned that inadequate preparation for retirement could expose employees to financial hardship in their post-service years.
He said: “That is not what the Managing Director, Executive Management and the entire management want for our staff. We want to see a situation where retirees enjoy a reasonable level of comfort, knowing that the Commission has contributed to their future.”
He added that equipping employees with appropriate financial knowledge while they were still in active service remained critical to achieving a financially secure retirement.
Several pension and insurance companies participated in the interactive session.
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