Niger Delta
New HYPREP Project Coordinator Assumes Office …Tasks Workers On Commitment
The new Project Coordinator of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Dr Ferdinand Giadom, has commenced work at the Project Coordination office in Port Harcourt, with a charge to workers of the project to be more dedicated and committed to their duties.He said this would enable the project to achieve the overall goal of the project, as contained in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on the clean-up of Ogoniland.
Giadom, who gave the charge during his maiden meeting with staff of HYPREP at the Stadium Road office of the project in Port Harcourt yesterday, said as a team player, he would work with the entire workforce in such a way that everybody would do his or her job “on time, on course and on target.”
According to him, the major target is the full implementation of the UNEP. Report to the satisfaction of Ogoni people and other Nigerians.
Giadom noted that the ongoing clean-up project is an Ogoni project, adding that as an Ogoni man, all his life, he has been dedicated to the service of the people.
“ I am not here as a leader, King and Emperor but to serve the people wholeheartedly with all my heart. I am no god and I am not here trying to be one. I do not claim to know all things,” he said.
He further reminded the workers that “ We are here for one purpose, to earn our daily bread and put bread on our table. We must all be committed to our duties.”
The Project Coordinator also stressed the need for the workers to read the UNEP Report which he described as the Bible, because, according to him, “We cannot implement what we do not have adequate knowledge of.”
Giadom assured that his administration would give the welfare of workers top priority and also ensure that they are provided all the materials and equipment they need to deliver on time, on course and on target, contending that there was the need for the entire workforce to play by the rules.
He further noted that while the project would adequately reward excellence, it would not hesitate to punish erring staff.
He said for several years, the Ogonis have suffered deprivation and neglect arising from the devastation and degradation of their environment, assuring that everything would be done within his power to change the ugly narrative, and solicited for support, cooperation and understanding from all and sundry.
Also speaking, a member of HYPREP CRAC and a traditional ruler, Suanu Baridan thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of State for Environment, Chief Sharaon Ikeazor for appointing an Ogoni son as the substantive Project Coordinator of HYPREP, assuring that the Ogoni people would gladly work with the new Project Coordinator.
On his part, a renowned activist and paramount ruler, Gbenemene Kadilo Kabari expressed delight that HYPREP now has an indigenous Project Coordinator, saying, “It is an opportunity to get it right.”
“We thank God that the Minister obliged the people by giving us an Ogoni son for the Ogoni project,” he said, and commended the Project Coordinator for starting on a good note by putting the Ogonis at the centre of the project.
In his vote of thanks, the Head of Procurement, HYPREP, Mr Paul Ugbaha thanked the new Project Coordinator for starting on a resounding note by showing leadership.
Project Coordinator, saying, it is an opportunity to get it right. “We thank God that the Minister Obliged the people by giving us an Ogoni son for the Ogoni project”, he said, and commended the Project Coordinator for starting on a good note by putting the Ogonis in the centre of the project.
In his note of thanks, the Head of Procurement, Mr Paul Owoicho Ugbaha thanked the new Project Coordinator for showing leadership.
By: Donatus Ebi
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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