Niger Delta
Projects: Oborevwori Tasks Politicians On Continuity In Governance
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has advised the political class, especially governors, to sustain developmental projects inherited from their predecessors for the development of their states.
Oborevewori made the call while inaugurating multi-billion naira projects at the Dennis Osadebe University, Anwai-Asaba to mark his 100 days in office.
The projects were completed by Oborevewori but initiated by the immediate past Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.
He also inaugurated a 16km road with a network covering 29 streets and 31.45 km line drains around Madonna College road spanning across Asaba and Okpanam in Oshimili South and North Local Government Area in the state capital territory.
Oborevwori said government is a continuum, adding that it was the duty of successive administrations to continue and complete projects initiated by their predecessors for the collective good of the people.
He commended his predecessors in the state for continuing with projects they met while also initiating and executing new projects.
He particularly lauded former Governor, Okowa, for initiating the projects.
“My joy knows no bounds as we commission this 500-seater Auditorium, two 250-seater Auditorium, building and furnishing of the Faculty of Agriculture, administrative building, main gate building, and internal roads in this citadel of learning.
“There are two reasons for my happiness today, first is that I promised the people in my inaugural speech that I will ensure that all ongoing projects embarked upon by the previous administration would be completed alongside new initiatives.
“Government is a continuum and it is the duty of successive administrations to put the resources of the state to good use by ensuring that projects are completed in a timely and prudent manner”, he said.
According to him, one of the reasons for abandoned projects in our country is because of the failure or refusal of political leaders to continue with projects started by their predecessors.
“This is usually informed by the fear that their predecessors will get the credit. However, this should not be the case if the focus of the leader is on the collective good of all.
“I am proud to say that in Delta, we have had a history of successive governors building on the legacies of their predecessors.
”It is my honour and privilege to continue with that noble tradition as I give credit to the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for his vision and foresight in initiating these projects”, he said.
On the importance of education, Oborevwori assured that his administration would continue to give moral and institutional support for the development of the three new universities.
“The second reason for my joy is that the completion of these projects underscores our commitment to the educational advancement of our people.
“Education and knowledge are two cornerstones of progress in any modern society.
”The emplacement of skilled and professional competencies for all the citizens and residents of the state is one of the priorities of this administration.
“It is also gratifying to note that enrollment into the university has continued to grow. This is undeniable proof that the decision to establish this university and two others in Ozoro and Agbor is justified.
“Our people are eager for quality education and we are glad that we have provided more opportunities for them to actualize their dreams”, he said.
He tasked the university authority to prioritise curriculum development and innovation to make graduates meet up with challenging technology.
“I implore the Governing Council and the Board of the university to prioritise curriculum development and innovation.
“In a time of rapid economic and technological change, the challenge is to develop courses and programmes that will enable the graduates to forge the strongest career paths, learn new skills, solve real world business problems”, the Governor stated.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, commended the Governor for transforming a bush into a citadel of learning with seven faculties and 40 programmes to cater for the growing population of the state.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Oghojafor, in his address, said the establishment of the three new Universities was born out of the need to grant more access to higher education for the people of Delta State.
He said the university was already filling the gap by providing excellent skills in various areas of learning, adding that they were in talks with the NUC to increase the school’s admission quota.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze, said the completion of the 16km roads project was a great relief to people of the area who had been plagued by massive flooding and erosion challenges.
Also, the Council Chairmen in Oshimili South, Dr Kelvin Ezenyili and his Oshimili North counterpart, Mr Innocent Eseweze lauded Gov. Oborevwori for consolidating on the achievements of the past administration in completing ongoing projects across the two LGAs.
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Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the people of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State have called for government’s urgent intervention to end the suspected underwater gas eruption in the community.
The groups, under the aegis of the Environmental Rights Action and Social Action, made the call during their advocacy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), in Port Harcourt.
The Programme Manager of Environmental Rights Action, Mr. Kentebe Ebiaridor, said the visit was to seek clarity on the response efforts of the regulators to the development in the community.
Ebiaridor expressed concern over what he described as “inadequate response from regulatory agencies and the government concerning the incident”.
He said discussions with some officials revealed that there was still no clear timeline for action to address the situation.
According to him, in the absence of clear ownership of the facility linked to the incident, companies operating within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 should be held accountable.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had in a statement issued on March 20 by its Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the commission had commenced an investigation into a gas bubbling incident in Bille Community.
Eyesan said the commission expressed concern over the development and assured residents of its ongoing efforts to address the situation.
Also, the Resource Justice Manager of Social Action, Dr. Prince Edegbuo, warned that the situation could escalate into a public health emergency, if urgent steps were not taken.
Edegbuo called on relevant authorities to release the results of the tests reportedly conducted in the area, stressing that residents had the right to know the condition of their environment.
He also said CSOs were prepared to intensify advocacy on the matter, urging the development of emergency response measures, including possible evacuation plans.
A legal practitioner and community stakeholder, Mr. Commission Deinbo, had, on March 20, said residents had continued to witness unusual signs on the waterways in the area.
Deinbo said the signs included boiling and bubbling from the ground and river, sometimes within residential areas, as well as fire outbreaks, which the residents had always managed to contain.
He appealed to relevant authorities to come to their aid and find a lasting solution to the problem.
In a response, the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of NOSDRA, Mr. Bello Augustin, assured the community that he would relate its concerns to the appropriate quarters.
Augustin also commended the CSOs for their advocacy and concerns to community development in the state.
By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick
The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has detained seven suspects and recovered firearms after raiding a criminal hideout in Ndiya Mfia, Ikono Local Government Area.of the State.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, made the disclosure in a statement in Uyo on Wednesday.
John said that the breakthrough which occurred at about 6.00a.m on Wednesday, followed credible intelligence from members of the public.
“We reliably gathered that criminal suspects were hibernating in a compound disguised as worshippers.
“In a decisive operation, our personnel conducted a thorough search of the premises which led to the detention and recovery of arms,” she said.
According to her, the operation was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to decisively combat crime in the country.
The police spokesman further said that two locally made double-barrel guns, five expended cartridges, four motorcycles and three generators were recovered during the operation.
She also listed 10 mobile phones, one police crest, four jungle boots, one peak cap, saw blade, spanner, number plates, machetes, a special force vest as other items recovered.
“We also found bottles of suspected spiritual oil and one enlarged photograph linked to an ongoing investigation,” she said.
John said that preliminary investigation suggested that the location was being used as cover for criminal operations.
She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, has directed a comprehensive investigation on the matter in order to apprehend the principal suspect.
John expressed the commitment of the Command to rid the state of crime, and urged members of the public to always support the police with timely and credible information.
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has launched a grassroots security intelligence network, named, ”Homeland Safety and Security Agency,” to strengthen community-based surveillance and enhance safety across the state.
Otu, who inaugurated the agency’s office in the Southern Senatorial District of the state on Monday, in Calabar, said similar offices were being inaugurated in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.
The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, said the officials of the agency would serve as first point of call before matters would be escalated to main security architecture in the state.
He described Homeland Security as an intelligence-driven structure focused on neighbourhood monitoring and early threat detection through coordinated local efforts.
He said the initiative constituted the directors and field operatives, tasked with gathering and forwarding intelligence to relevant security agencies for prompt action.
Otu noted that the network would serve as a first point of contact before intervention by conventional security agencies.
“It is important that we enhance monitoring of movements across our communities, border areas, and riverine zones to identify suspicious activities and enhance security response.
“The state government will provide necessary gadgets and communication tools to improve efficiency and real-time intelligence sharing,” he said.
Otu called for public cooperation, stressing that ‘’security is a collective responsibility requiring timely information from residents.’’
He said, ‘’to ensure that the security outfit works like a model unit, proper screening would be conducted on the volunteers to weed out undesirable elements from the system.’’
The Tide’s source reports that the Governor handed over 14 motor bikes to the agency’s southern Senatorial district office to enhance their efficiency.
On his part, the Director-General, South of the agency, Mr. Michael Nsan, said the volunteers had played key roles in reducing crime through coordinated patrols and intelligence sharing.
Nsan said over 1,300 volunteers currently supported the operations with additional informants providing critical information across communities.
“Crime rates dropped significantly during the last festive period due to our collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the state,” he said.
The Director-General said volunteers would undergo training and screening, with plans underway for formal recruitment through a government employment portal.
According to him, communication tools, including walkie-talkies, and patrol motorcycles had improved rapid response to security incidents.
He commended the governor’s commitment, noting that the initiative would further strengthen security architecture and community safety across the state.
The source reports that some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion were traditional rulers and government officials.