Niger Delta

Amaechi Must Explain Actions In Govt – Okah

Published

9 years ago

June 26, 2015

Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (middle), cutting a tape to inaugurate the permanent site of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta, recently. With him are: JTF Commander, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Atewe (left) and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Retired Rear Adm. John Jonah (right).

The Rivers State Commis
sioner for Housing, Barr Emma Okah, has said that there is nothing wrong or immoral for an administration that received and managed about N3 trillion on behalf of the people of Rivers State to explain some of her actions suspected to be fraudulent. The people have the right to know,” he said.
Oka said it was mischievous to accuse the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike of witch-hunting the former Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, through probes.
“The Nyesom Wike administration is merely protecting the people’s interest by inquiring into how public resources were wasted, stolen or misappropriated by the past administration, and every lover of democracy and rule of law should not complain, blackmail the state government or divert attention from that”, the statement added.
Explaining further, Okah said that the simple thing Amaechi needs to do, if invited by any commission of enquiry, is to state his own side of the story, and tender documents to buttress his case. There is nothing to fear, if his hands are clean, he said
The commissioner also said that certain things must be clarified by the Amaechi government, noting that the state cannot close her eyes to some grave allegations of corruption against the Amaechi government.
“Is it proper for Amaechi to sell off 70 per cent of the Rivers State Government interests in the state’s four power stations (Eleme, Omoku, Afam and Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt) at the cost of $302.4million, and the entire money was withdrawn between December 2014 and April 2015 without any document of transaction or payment into any government account. Who owns the Bureau de Change Company that received the money, and who authorised the receipt and where is the money?
“Is it witch-hunt for Amaechi to pay out $39million to his cronies for the purpose of building the Karibi-Whyte Mega Hospital, and till today, not a single block is standing?
“Is it witch-hunt for the former governor to withdraw the sum of N812million in May 2015 for the purpose of furnishing his private house in Asokoro, Abuja, even when workers’ salaries and pensions were in arrears?
“Is it witch-hunt for the sum of N200million to be withdrawn in cash from the various accounts of Ministry of Works on May 28, 2015 for no official purpose?
“Is it witch-hunt for the Amaechi government to sell two aircraft belonging to the state, and till today, there is no word on the sale proceeds or the processes?
“Is it witch-hunting for the sum of N2billion Agricultural loan which Amaechi’s government took from the CBN to be paid out to fake cooperative groups created by his aides as grants? Should Rivers people not know who and who took these monies as the state will repay the money to CBN?
“Is it witch-hunting to seek explanation on the bogus monorail project which has been adjudged to be the biggest fraud conduit in Rivers State under the former government?”, Okah queried.
He challenged Amaechi to explain how he budgeted N2billion for scholarship to Rivers scholars abroad and before his eyes, the consultants who paid the money took out N900million as their fees, leaving only N1.1billion for the stranded students.
Okah stated that Wike is not witch-hunting Amaechi, emphasising that Rivers people expect Amaechi to face these questions with the same bravery that he is known for, adding shouting about witch-hunt was not the solution.

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.