Niger Delta

Delta Denies Seeking Fresh N100bn Loan

Published

1 year ago

February 1, 2023

Delta State Government has cleared the air on myriad of claims that it was seeking new loans from banks ahead of the 2023 general elections.
It alleged that the misinformation is being peddled by the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC), in the state, saying the state was not seeking fresh N100 billion loan as being alleged.
Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije, stated this at a joint press conference with his Information counterpart, Charles Aniagwu and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olisa Ifeajika in Asaba.
He recalled that the State Government had earlier received an approval from the House of Assembly to obtain N150 billion bridging finance from the N240 billion accrued refunds to the state on the 13 per cent Derivation Policy.
He said the needed facility was later reduced to N100 billion by the state government after deliberation with finance houses involved in the arrangement.
According to him, after the discussion a new lead-finance-house emerged as against the one that was the leader at the time the House of Assembly gave the approval for the government to obtain the bridging finance facility.
He, therefore, explained that with the emergence of a new leading finance agent on the facility, and because of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s strict adherence to due process and law, “we went to the House of Assembly for a fresh resolution on their existing approval in line with prudential guidelines”.
He said: “I am drawn into this because we are beginning to see some misconceptions, particularly with regards to the N100 billion discounting facility that the state haas taken.
“I recall very vividly too that we have had news conferences where we said that the totality of the amount that we are trying to discount is still the same.
“We intended to take N150 billion as discounting facility from the market. But, when we reviewed the cash inflows, we reduced it to N100 billion.
“It is that same N100 billion that we have to go again to the House of Assembly last week because we found out that the lead agent of the said facility was not moving as fast as we want.
“So, all we did last week was to go back to the House of Assembly to seek their consent to enable us change the lead bank for that discounting facility.
“It is not a new loan, discounting facility nor a new bridging finance. It is still the same N100 billion we have been talking about.
“I know that in certain other states, the need to go to the House of Assembly may not even arise. This is because the responsibility of determining who is a lead agent in such a facility, lies squarely on the Executive.
“But, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, in his usual manner, felt that whatever alteration we are going to be making, we must still go back to the House of Assembly for consent.
“You will also recall too that while we were here before to brief you on this matter, we itemised all the projects we will be doing with the facility, and we are on course with these projects.
“For those who do not have the details of the projects tied to this discounting facility, they can go to the House of Assembly. It is a public document.”
On the other N20 billion facility, Tilije said it was a loan for an investment by the State Government in a floating gas company to be situated in Warri.
He said the State Government gave the company the condition of siting the company in Warri before it could invest in the project.
The Finance Commissioner further said that when completed, the project would provide jobs for citizens and increase the state’s internally-generated revenue.
On his part, Aniagwu said a number of the projects listed in the request for the bridging facility were being delivered, adding that some were inaugurated last week by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
He said the state government would continue to be transparent and accountable to the people of the state as promised by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the PDP.

By: Albert Ograka,
Asaba

Niger Delta

Ibom Air Reiterates Commitment To Healthcare Delivery

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

The Tide

The Chief Operating Officer, Ibom Air, Mr George Uriesi, has reiterated the company’s commitment to promote healthcare delivery in the state.

Uriesi made the expression at a ceremony to mark the 2024 World Malaria Day in Uyo on Thursday.

The Chief Operating Ifficer said Ibom Air would continue to partner the Akwa Ibom State Government to fight Malaria among pregnant women and children.

”We are targeting pregnant women and children from zero to five years. They form a strong focus of our anti malaria campaign”, he said.

Uriesi urged residents of the state to imbibe good sanitary habits in order to ensure a healthy environment.

He announced a donation of 1,000 insecticide-treated nets and 3,000 doses of Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine (SP Oral) as part of the firm’s input to the fight against malaria in the state.

Receiving the items, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh, thanked Ibom Air for the gesture, and described it as a good omen to the fight against malaria.

Umoh appealed to other companies in the state to join hands with the state government to drive the ARISE Agenda and Kick Malaria Out Programme.

”It is with appreciation and joy in our heart that we receive these items, we firmly promise that they will be effectively utilised”.

Niger Delta

Group Dismisses Call For NDDC MD’s Sack … Passes Confidence Vote.

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

The Tide

A Pan Ogoni Youth Organization under the aegis of Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) has dismissed allegations of corruption and nepotism by the Ethnic Coalition in Rivers State, levelled against the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and the call for his sack as baseless and ill intended.

The body also passed a vote of confidence on the present management of the NDDC led by Dr. Ogbuku, stating that it has operated within the ambit of its statutory mandate as an interventionist agency to develop the Niger Delta.

The position of the OYF was contained in a press Statement signed by the Acting President of the body, Comrade Emmanuel Goteh Bie, and made available to the press.

The statement, which read in part stated that, “It has come to our notice that the Ethnic youth coalition in a recent press briefing accused the MD of NDDC of nepotism, embezzlement of funds and called for his sack.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Legborsi Sunday Yamaabana, who claim to be the President of the Ethnic Youth Coalition, do not have the locus or legal standing to act in any of such capacity since he has been suspended/expelled from Ogoni Youth Federation for gross misconduct and embezzlement.

“The decision to releave Mr. Yamaabana of his position as President of OYF was reached at the ‘National Congress’ following thorough investigations and in accordance with the procedures outlined in the OYF constitution.

“The accusations of nepotism and corruption levelled against the NDDC MD is therefore a figment of imagination of Mr Yamaabana and his Co travelers.

“So far we are aware of the programmes and developmental strides of the M.D of NDDC and has also put up request for what we think will better the lot of our people, and we can proudly say that his response is friendly and acceptable and in accordance with the ethics of his office. It is in our knowledge that the MD is doing fine and deserves our support and solidarity”.

The statement restated the commitment of Ogoni Youth Federation, to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and working with relevant stakeholders towards the advancement and promotion of peace and development in Ogoni and the entire Niger Delta region.

Niger Delta

Obaseki Approves N70,000 Minimum Wage For Workers

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

The Tide

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Monday, announced an increase in the Minimum Wage for the State Civil Servants from N40,000 to N70,000 effective from May 1.

Obaseki disclosed this while inaugurating the newly-built ultra-modern Labour House secretariat complex that would house the various labour unions in Benin.

The Tide’s source reports that Obaseki named the new Labour House edifice after his predecessor and former NLC President, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole.

Obaseki also promised to further increase the minimum wage to over N70,000, depending on what the Federal Government would approve as the new minimum wage for workers in Nigeria.

He said, “Edo is currently paying the highest minimum wage of N40,000 in Nigeria. But we know that even the N40,000 can no longer take workers home because of the poor economic situation being experienced in the country.

“So, as a government, we will continue to support the agitation for increment in workers’ salaries.

“In solidarity with workers, effective from May, 1, we have increased Edo workers’ minimum wage from N40,000 to N70,000 and we will move it up further depending on what the Federal government would approve”, he said.

According to Obaseki, “the commissioning of this labour House and the increment in wage are just a token to say thank you to Edo workers for the harmonious industrial relationship my administration has enjoyed in the last seven and half years.

“The achievements we have recorded in the last seven and half years would not have been possible if not for the cordial relationship with the various labour unions in the state.

“The reforms and projects we have carried out in our various institutions were targeted at improving the productivity of our workers in the state”, he added.

He urged the state labour unions to use the revenue that would be generated from the building for its maintenance.

The keynote speaker, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), commended Governor Obaseki for the increment in minimum wage in the state.

Ajaero said, “NLC and the Federal Government have not agreed on what should be the new minimum wage for workers, but Edo has taken the lead. It shows that the Governor is labour friendly and has empathy for workers”.

In his lecture titled, “Leveraging the legacies of Pa. Michael Imoudu as a way of fostering harmonious and productive industrial relations, Ajaero said Edo has about the best workforce environment in any public service in the country.

The NLC President, while speaking on the legacies of the late Pa Michael Imoudu, noted that the first labour unionist in the country engaged the colonialists for the betterment of the Nigeria workers.

He explained that he was attacked, harassed, suffered humiliations and was imprisoned by the colonial masters for workers in the country to have a better welfare.

Also speaking, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo, appreciated Governor Obaseki for all the labour friendly policies and reforms being embarked upon by his administration.

“I can tell you that there are some states in Nigeria whose governors still pay N18,000 minimum wage. They even pay in percentages and determine who to pay and who not to pay. So, Edo has gone ahead with this increment”, he said.

Osifo, who stated that he was proud to be from Edo, thanked the governor for rising above political sentiments and naming the new labour House after Oshiomhole.

Also, the State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, disclosed that the idea of building a labour House to accommodate organised labour in Edo was conceived by former Oshiomhole in 2014.

Okungbowa said, “in view of this vision, Obaseki worked assiduously to make the dream a reality by committing scarce resources, time and efforts into the construction of the ultra modern and state of the art labour House complex.

“The edifice is a masterpiece designed to enable organised labour operate in a conducive atmosphere and engage government constructively in the interest of the workforce”, Okungbowa said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the State Chairman of Edo NLC, Comrade Odion Olaye, thanked the governor for the kind gesture and magnanimity, adding that workers had long waited for inauguration of the project.