Niger Delta

Diri Decries FG’s Neglect Of Flood Victims In Bayelsa

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2022

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again urged the Federal Government to support the state to cushion the effect of the devastating floods.
He said considering Bayelsa’s contribution to the nation’s economy, the response of the Federal Government to the flood situation in the state was not commensurate and fair.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said the Governor made the remark while declaring open a three-day solemn assembly of fasting and prayers ahead of the state’s annual Thanksgiving Day today.
While bemoaning the level of destruction caused by the natural disaster across communities in the state, the Governor noted that it would cost the government hundreds of billions of naira to rehabilitate damaged road infrastructure in the state.
He also stated that people of the state have been rendered homeless and traumatised with their livelihoods gone.
”We are still calling on the Federal Government to come to our aid. What it will cost us to repair broken down roads amount to hundreds of billions of naira.
“This is a solemn period. As a government and people, we are suffocating. This is the state where the golden egg is laid. The Federal Government quickly intervenes in disasters that are not up to half of what we are experiencing now”, he said.
Diri emphasised that the state was yet to receive relief materials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and cautioned against playing politics with the lives of people that are in great distress.
“Let us not play politics with the lives of people that are already traumatised and dying. Houses are giving way. Our infrastructure is gone. As I speak, what the State Emergency Management Agency has received from NEMA are mosquito nets and some guinea brocade materials. Food items that are being distributed in the state were procured by the Bayelsa government”, he added.
In the same vein, the State Governor expressed appreciation to those that have supported the state as it grapples with the raging floods.
Governor Diri, who spoke during the State Executive Council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, said the support received so far has helped the state in its recovery process.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, assured that funds and items received will be published in line with the transparent posture of the administration.
The Governor said he was grateful to the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, for visiting the State and pledging to support victims of the flood.
He also expressed gratitude to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for his philanthropy and empathy shown to people of the state.
Abubakar, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, was also in Bayelsa to visit victims of the flood and donated the sum of N55 million.
Similarly, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who visited one of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp at Igbogene with members of his cabinet on Wednesday, also donated N100 million on behalf of his state government.
Others are Dr. Azibapu Eruani, an illustrious son of the state, who pledged during his visit to support victims of the flood with food items worth N350 million, and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who wrote a letter commiserating with the state and donating the sum of N50 million to tackle the floods.
The Governor also appreciated the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Oladayo Amao, for the support of the Nigerian Air Force.
“We procured some items and because the road into our state has been cut off, we approached the Air Force and they obliged to airlift what we bought from Abuja to PH and to Yenagoa”, Governor Diri said.
On the Thanksgiving Day, Diri said there was no better time to offer thanksgiving to God as the flood disaster in the state could have been worse.
Diri, who urged the people to participate in the thanksgiving service today, commended the immediate past Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, for setting aside a special day backed by law for Bayelsans to gather to thank God.
In his sermon titled: “The Good Shepherd,” Catholic Bishop of the Bomadi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Hyacinth Egbebo, described God as a care-giver that expresses utmost concern for His people.
According to him, God is the sustainer of the universe and people should draw closer for Him to supply all their needs.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Ibom Air Reiterates Commitment To Healthcare Delivery

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.