Niger Delta
2023: Obi Faults FG’s Floods Mitigation In Bayelsa
Erstwhile Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has expressed surprise that the Federal Government had yet to respond three weeks after a massive flooding hit Bayelsa State.
He said flying into the state in a chopper gave him a better aerial view of the situation and that the state needs urgent help.
Obi spoke at the weekend in Yenagoa, the state capital, when he paid a courtesy visit to the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, at the Government House before they visited Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Oxbow Lake Pavilion camp in Yenagoa.
The Labour Party’s Presidential hopeful lamented the hardship experienced by people of the state as a result of the floods and expressed wonder why the Federal Government had not sent a high-powered delegation to the state with a view to providing assistance for the people.
While calling on the Federal Government to declare an emergency over the flooding in parts of Nigeria with Bayelsa as a case in point, he said as a state that is strategic to the economy of Nigeria, it deserved more from the centre.
He also called on the international community, donor agencies and public-spirited individuals and organisations to assist the government navigate through what he called “this difficult moment”.
Obi lauded Governor Diri’s handling of the situation so far, urging him not to give up, promising to stand with the people in their trying moments.
He noted that he decided to suspend his campaign to sympathize with the people of Bayelsa and other states affected and promised not to resume campaigns until this phase of flooding was over.
Obi further noted that though while in office he experienced the 2012 floods, the current one was more devastating.
”There is no way anyone will be happy with the situation in Bayelsa. My appeal is for the Federal Government to send a strong team to come see what is happening here.
“I was a Governor in 2012, but I did not see what I have seen today. The Federal Government needs to declare an emergency in Bayelsa considering the strategic importance of the State to Nigeria.
“I appeal also to the international community and donor agencies too to help. Bayelsa needs urgent support. What I have seen here is unimaginable. The Federal Government needs to intervene immediately”, he said.
Responding, Governor Douye Diri expressed appreciation to Obi for his show of love to the people of the state, saying he feels comforted by his visit, which was the first by any high profile individual.
Diri lamented the impact of the flood, which he said has claimed lives, property and destroying the economy of the state.
The Bayelsa Governor acknowledged the concern showed by President Muhammadu Buhari by directing federal rescue and disaster management agencies to assist the state, noting however that the directive was yet to be adhered to.
The state’s helmsman assured people of the state that his administration will continue to stand with them and spare no effort in providing relief to victims of the flood, saying that his government was already thinking about the post-flood challenges, especially with the destruction to critical infrastructure in the state.
“I feel comforted this morning, like one who has a friend and brother. At your level, you are the first to visit Bayelsa State.This flood has been with us for three weeks and we are losing lives and property on daily basis.
“Our economy is as good as gone. We have been trapped with the East-West road broken into two on both sides.
“Yes, we have received some hope from Mr. President but we are yet to see one senior government official like you that came to empathize with us. We still call on the Federal Government to do the needful. I have also written to all relevant bodies to come to our aid.
“As you rightly observed, this is beyond what a state can handle. On behalf of a grateful state, we thank you for coming. If half of the resources taken away from Bayelsa are put in this state we will not be crying for help”, he said.
At the Oxbow Lake IDP camp, Obi pledged an undisclosed amount, while Governor Diri led other top government officials to other camps at the Universal Primary Education (UPE) School, Ovom, and the Saint Peters Church, Yenagoa, where he assured of government’s continuous support and donated the sum of one million naira each to the victims.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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.