Niger Delta
Diri’s Aide Faults Minister’s Comments On Flood Impact In Bayelsa
Senior Special Assistant to the Bayelsa State Governor on Media, Comrade Tamarakuro Oweifie, has faulted comments credited to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Farouq, that Bayelsa State is not amongst the top-10 states hit by the devastating effects of the 2022 flood.
While expressing shock on the criteria the Minister used in making the assessment, the SSA stated the need “to put the record straight that Bayelsa stands as the worst impacted state from the floods due to several indices that are verifiable and uncontestable.”
Oweifie noted that of the 33 states Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) forecast to be flooded this year, it is only Bayelsa State that was cut off from the rest of the world as a result of the flood.
“The two land access routes into Bayelsa through the East-West Road were totally impassable, the over 10 kilometers Umeh-axis of the Patani-Ugheli end in Delta State, and the over 19 kilometers stretch of the Okobe-Ahoada axis in Rivers State, were totally cut-off, thereby leaving residents in Bayelsa State at their own mercy”, he said.
He continued that “Petroleum Products, cash crops and other basic necessities were totally not accessible, food shortages and fuel supplies were at an all time low, leaving residents at the mercy of cut throat marketers who sell as high as a thousand naira for a litre of fuel.
“It was not so in other flood impacted states across the nation”, which according to him, “were still selling a little above the stipulated price of N180 per liter”.
The media aide disclosed that beyond the non-availability of staple foods for residents and internally displaced persons, Bayelsa stands as the only state nationwide with all Local Government Areas affected by the flood.
Noting that since late September when the flood started in the State, neither the Federal Government nor National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had rendered any assistance, Oweifie questioned from where the Minister’s statistics of deaths from the flood came.
“There have been over a hundred flood-induced deaths occuring in the state without due records due to the challanging terrain, as most health care centers and hospitals were closed down during this period.
“The Bayelsa State Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, and other rural health centers have been shut down due to flooding.
“Over 300 communities affected, and mortuaries in the state capital are currently filled up to capacity due to hundreds of flood impacted deaths and with rotten corpses and cadavas.
He stated further that, “Bayelsa stands as the only state in the federation where public and private schools have been closed down for six weeks due to the flood, while other states, including those the Minister say are on the top-ten worse hit states, have been managing some public and private schools, and getting education amidst the flood.
“Bayelsa State has faced a total shut down of its economy as a result of the flood as over 90% of its population have been directly or indirectly impacted by the ravaging floods.
“Houses have been totally submerged in Biseni, Elemebiri, Ekperiwari, Sampou, Kalama, Tombia, and in all communities in Ekeremor, Sagbama, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Ogbia and Southern Ijaw.
“The data relied upon by the Federal Government to place other northern states as worst-hit than Bayelsa is erroneous and must be duly corrected.
“The Minister should show us a state whose whole sources of economic livelihood were totally cut off as a result of the floods?
“She should show us a state that had all her LGAs under the flood. She should show us a state whose education system, public and private, were totally stalled during this flood period?
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.