Niger Delta
Bayelsa Wants Quota Filled In Federal Fire Service
Bayelsa State Government has called for the recruitment of more indigenes of the State into the Federal Fire Service to meet its quota of employment.
The call from the State Governor, Douye Diri, came at the inauguration of a Rapid Response Fire-fighting truck deployed to the State Command of the Federal Fire Service, at the Government House in Yenagoa.
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, alleged that the state was being marginalised in several federal agencies where the quota system is used as a criterion for employment.
While expressing gratitude to the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service for deploying the ultramodern fire-fighting equipment to the state, Diri urged the Service to make deliberate efforts to employ Bayelsa indigenes to fill the quota meant for the state for the sake of fairness and equity.
The Governor also called on the state command of the Federal Fire Service to kickstart a fire safety awareness programme on radio to enlighten the people on how to prevent fire incidents and measures to take in the event of any outbreak.
Diri, who observed that the slim-built Anti-fire Truck would enhance firefighting in the state, equally urged the Fire Service to take quick steps to deploy water craft fire-fighting equipment in the riverine communities to mitigate fire outbreaks, which he lamented, claimed a few lives this year.
He said: “We are grateful to the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service for making this unique donation to the Bayelsa State Command. Fire is like death which doesn’t make an announcement before it occurs.
“While we are not praying for fire outbreaks, we must be prepared to get rid of it whenever it occurs. So the deployment of this fire truck is a shot in the arm, in terms of our desire to make sure that in case of any fire incident, it is timely put out.
“We also want to see how fire ambulance crafts can be deployed to our rural areas because fire incidents are not restricted to urban areas alone.
“Bayelsa is about 70 per cent littoral, so we will be very appreciative if the Fire Service moves with a little bit of speed in terms of deploying water craft firefighting equipment to our riverine communities in Brass, Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw local government areas.
“We also want to talk about employment of Bayelsans. I believe that Bayelsa is not having enough of its quota of those in the Federal Fire Service. We will be really looking forward to seeing how you could increase recruitment of our people”.
Earlier in his presentation, the State Controller of the Federal Fire Service, Mr Amos Diton, disclosed that Bayelsa was the only state in the entire South-South and South-East that has been allocated with this rapid response fire fighting truck.
Diton, who thanked the State Government for always lending support to the Federal Fire Service in the state, appealed to the governor to provide the state command with a piece of land to build a functional operational office.
He also appealed that the leadership of the state command of the Federal Fire Service be part of the security council meetings, and the provision of a utility vehicle to enhance the operational mobility of the Command.
In another development, the Bayelsa government has indicated its interest to partner Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to intensify its advocacy on the twin issues of human and environmental rights in the Niger Delta.
Deputy Governor Ewhrudjakpo gave the hint when the leadership of the Human and Environment Development Agenda (HEDA) paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Government House, Yenagoa, at the weekend.
Ewhrudjakpo, who noted that the issue of environmental and human rights is occupying the front burner in the agenda of the Bayelsa government, alleged that the Federal Government had not been fair enough to the state on the issue of protecting the Bayelsa environment.
Describing the environmental challenges occasioned by oil spills and gas flaring in the Niger Delta as worse than insecurity in the northern part of the country, the deputy governor said Bayelsa was ready to work closely with the civil society to create greater awareness on the issues.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of HEDA, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, said their visit was part of civil society engagement of states in the Niger Delta on the issues pertaining to human and environmental rights.
Suraju pointed out that the HEDA was ready to partner the state government to promote advocacy on its report on environmental injustice and terrorism in Bayelsa and the entire Niger Delta region.
He maintained that if other states in the Niger Delta region had done what Bayelsa had done, more global attention would have been given to the problem of environmental injustice facing the region.
The visiting HEDA team also had the Director of Corner House, United Kingdom, Mr Nicholas Hildyard, and the Legal Advisor, Ms Cecilia Ogwuche.
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.