Monday, January 02, 2023
New Year Message
It is my honour and privilege to welcome you, our esteemed readers to this brand new 2023.
May your life experience more bliss, and tangible increases this 2023.
We'll try and make this platform more exciting for your reading pleasure and patronage.
Thank you and best regards.
Akanimo Sampson
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Eket, Akwa Ibom’s Oil City Gets 5000 Shops Capacity Market
Eket, the thriving hub of oil and gas business in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria, will be boasting of a 5000-shop capacity international market this coming December.
An official of the Akwa Ibom State Government in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, told this reporter on Tuesday that the contractors handling the Nka International Market project in Eket Local Government Area of the state, Yiwu International Trade City of Nigeria, have said that the urban market will be ready for commissioning in December.
Managing Director of the construction company, Mr Miao Jingbao had said in Uyo, the state capital, that about 124 containers of construction materials needed for the project were on ground for the completion of the $50 million project.
According to him, the three-storey twin building will accommodate 5000 shops with international features including elevators, escalators, and other facilities which are best in Africa.
He said that the project will provide employment opportunities for over 10,000 youths and women in the area, as well as improve the living standard of the people of the host community.
Paramount Ruler of Eket, Attah Ekid 1, Obong E.C.D Abia, said that the project, which is one of its kind in West Africa, will attract a lot of businesses to boost the economy of the community.
‘’The project will bring enormous benefits to not just the host community but to Nigeria as a whole and the state in particular because it is open to the entire country. The host community realises the importance of this project and are committed to protecting them’’, he said.
Reelection seeking Governor Udom Emmanuel, has been commending the contractors for the speedy job on site, and full of praises for the host community for cooperating with the workers.
According to Governor Udom, ‘’it is a clear sign of collaboration both locally and internationally. We are working with the Chinese investors. What we are putting up in Eket is not the usual market stores but purely a business and logistic centre.”
He is also calling on multinationals and all the distributive chains to find Eket their next home because of the numerous access roads, which according to him, are exceptionally beautiful, and pledged to do everything humanly possible to connect other parts of the country.
Adding, the governor said, ‘’it is an international market. It is not limited to those who are buying and selling. Any kind of business can operate there. Even if you are a lawyer and wants to operate within that area, you have a good office to operate with. That is why it is a business and logistic centre with emphasis on commerce. This is also a sign that we came here to work and not to be distracted.’’
During his electioneering campaign in 2015, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor promised to build an international market and attract foreign investment to the state, and create enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
The ground breaking ceremony for the market was done in June this year. At that time, the governor promised to commission the first phase within six months.
In the mean time, an oil refinery is currently under construction in the outskirts of Eket along the Oron road. The city has a stadium complex, an airstrip as well as other infrastructures of importance.
Due to its industrial nature, Eket is a relatively expensive city. The government has plans of upgrading the city by the provision of further major roads in the city and the construction of housing estates.
Friday, January 15, 2016
Giant Cigarettes in the Sky – Nigeria’s Toxic Gas Flares
By Nnimmo Bassey
Gas flaring is the obnoxious practice of burning natural gas associated with crude oil extraction. To use the words of Joseph Croft of Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) in the excellent environmental documentary film No Where to Run, the gas flares are like giant cigarettes attached to communities. Some flares are located horizontally, at ground level, posing even greater dangers to the communities. There are several examples, including at Oben, Edo State and Kolo Creek in Bayelsa State.
Communities with gas flare stacks are sentenced to live with these furnaces and cannot avoid the heat, the noise, the poisons and the offensive vista. It is estimated that flared gas could potentially generate over 25,000 GWh of electricity which would meet a high proportion of Nigeria’s most ambitious power projections.
The Associated Gas Reinjection Act of 1979 outlawed gas flaring in Nigeria with effect from January 1984 and was aimed at compelling oil companies producing oil and gas in Nigeria to submit preliminary programs for gas re-injection as well as detailed plans for implementation. Oil companies can only flare, as an interim measure, if they have site-specific certificates permitting them to flare. Permitted or not, companies are required to pay fines for lighting those giant cigarettes in our communities. Unfortunately, routine gas flaring continues.
The penalty for gas flaring remains low and does not offer real incentives to defaulting oil companies to stop the practice. The current penalty for gas flaring in Nigeria was set by a Ministerial directive issued on 15 August 2011 at $3.50 per 1000 standard cubic feet. Attempts by the National Assembly, including through the moribund Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), to raise the penalty to equal the commercial price of natural gas has not seen the light of day.
About $1.1bn gas flare penalties are reportedly not collected annually. This is more than the amount required to commence the full implementation of the UNEP report on the clean up of Ogoni environment. It simply goes up in smoke annually by way of uncollected fines from gas flaring. This sum could also assist in plugging the deficit in the 2016 National Budget if the reneged oil companies are compelled to pay up.
The Nigerian Gas Flare Tracker website informs that, according to a report issued in 2012 by the Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force, oil companies often do not pay the fines “and when they do are still paying the old penalty of N10 per 1000 standard cubic feet flared.”
The Task Force reported that the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, was “unable to independently track and measure gas volumes produced and flared. It depends largely on the information provided by the operators. There were no available records or information in respect of gas flare volumes for the years 2005 and 2011.” There are no readily available records for fines paid for gas flared in the period 2012-2015.
The loss of revenue to Nigeria from non-compliance to the 2011 penalty regime is enormous. According to the report of the task force, “Using the DPR gas flare information (irrespective of the inherent errors…) to compute the potential revenues for the relevant years at the rate of $3.50 per scf is $4.1billion versus the $177million computed by the DPR using the N10 per scf.”
The Nigerian Gas Flare Tracker hosted by the Federal Ministry of Environment is a tool that every Nigerian should look up to be informed about the atrocious gas flaring going on at about 220 locations across the Niger Delta. It is a great tool for public information. It is a tool that should spur policy makers into action to rescue our environment.
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
CORRUPTION GULPS N440Bn IN RIVERS
CORRUPTION gulpped over N440 billion in the Rivers State Internal Revenue Board between June, 1999 and July, 2008, AkanimoReports investigation has revealed.
But the gushing swindling well dried up in August, 2008 when Governor Chibuike Amaechi's Special Adviser on Revenue Generation, Chief Nwankwo Nwankwo, was deployed to the board to shore up the state's internal revenue base.
The state is currently realising on the average, N5.00 billion per month as against the sum of N1.8 billion that was posted by the board.
Sources said the activities of some staff of the revenue board, were not in consonance with the administrative policy of the state government on revenue matters.
It was further gathered that the swindling ring was put out of business when all internally generated revenues were captured into the state coffers, thus leading to the development of ''process flows''.
''This process brought to the barest minimum fraudulent practices at the revenue board. It affected some staff and their sponsoring cartel'', Chief Nwankwo said.
Before the new order, the 28 motor licencing offices in the state were said to be at the top of circulating fake motor registration/renewal receipts. Part of the process flows, going by AkanimoReports findings, was the introduction of automated motor registration which is satellite based and operated through banks.
As at April this year, it was gathered that government got an average of N20 million monthly on vehicle registration/renewal as against less than N1.00 million prior to August, 2008.
Confirming this, Chief Nwankwo said, ''when i came on board, i discovered that more than 80 percent of the revenue generated from the state internal revenue board was transacted through cash payments to staff of the board. Most of them were working for themselves by operating parallel structures, issuing fake receipts and operating as tax agents to companies, and fake tax agents were also working in collaboration with the staff.
''Fraudulent practices were the order of the day. I immediately advised and got approval for genuine payment of revenue to recognised/approved 22 revenue collecting banks in the state through pay-direct system. This automatically resulted to rapid increase in the state internally generated revenue''.
In the mean time, there is jubilation in some circles in the revenue board following the dissolution of the Executive Council of the state, which affected Governor Amaechi's Special Advisers.
With the exit of Chief Nwankwo, who brought some reforms in the board, the cartel is alleged to be scheming to deactivate the process flows with a view to bringing back to action some of the loopholes in the board.
Analysts however, say the new measures helped the Amaechi administration to generate over N160 billion between August, 2008 and last April.
In spite of the reform efforts of government, sources say there are still sharp practices at the state internal revenue board. ENDS
CORRUPTION gulpped over N440 billion in the Rivers State Internal Revenue Board between June, 1999 and July, 2008, AkanimoReports investigation has revealed.
But the gushing swindling well dried up in August, 2008 when Governor Chibuike Amaechi's Special Adviser on Revenue Generation, Chief Nwankwo Nwankwo, was deployed to the board to shore up the state's internal revenue base.
The state is currently realising on the average, N5.00 billion per month as against the sum of N1.8 billion that was posted by the board.
Sources said the activities of some staff of the revenue board, were not in consonance with the administrative policy of the state government on revenue matters.
It was further gathered that the swindling ring was put out of business when all internally generated revenues were captured into the state coffers, thus leading to the development of ''process flows''.
''This process brought to the barest minimum fraudulent practices at the revenue board. It affected some staff and their sponsoring cartel'', Chief Nwankwo said.
Before the new order, the 28 motor licencing offices in the state were said to be at the top of circulating fake motor registration/renewal receipts. Part of the process flows, going by AkanimoReports findings, was the introduction of automated motor registration which is satellite based and operated through banks.
As at April this year, it was gathered that government got an average of N20 million monthly on vehicle registration/renewal as against less than N1.00 million prior to August, 2008.
Confirming this, Chief Nwankwo said, ''when i came on board, i discovered that more than 80 percent of the revenue generated from the state internal revenue board was transacted through cash payments to staff of the board. Most of them were working for themselves by operating parallel structures, issuing fake receipts and operating as tax agents to companies, and fake tax agents were also working in collaboration with the staff.
''Fraudulent practices were the order of the day. I immediately advised and got approval for genuine payment of revenue to recognised/approved 22 revenue collecting banks in the state through pay-direct system. This automatically resulted to rapid increase in the state internally generated revenue''.
In the mean time, there is jubilation in some circles in the revenue board following the dissolution of the Executive Council of the state, which affected Governor Amaechi's Special Advisers.
With the exit of Chief Nwankwo, who brought some reforms in the board, the cartel is alleged to be scheming to deactivate the process flows with a view to bringing back to action some of the loopholes in the board.
Analysts however, say the new measures helped the Amaechi administration to generate over N160 billion between August, 2008 and last April.
In spite of the reform efforts of government, sources say there are still sharp practices at the state internal revenue board. ENDS
Monday, May 10, 2010
AKANIMO SAMPSON
SACK BAYELSA GOVERNOR, ACTIVISTS TELL JONATHAN, LEGISLATORS
* Its Childish, Says Timipre Sylva's Administration
CIVIL society and insurgent organisations operating in Bayelsa State, one of the rich oil and gas states of the Niger Delta, appear to have loss confidence in the Timipre Sylva administration to deliver tangible dividend of democracy to citizens in the state.
While the Niger Delta Patriotic Front (NDPF), a radical group, is calling for an imposition of a state of emergency, the state wing of Save Nigeria Group (SNG) is pressing the state House of Assembly to impeach the governor for alleged gross violation of public trust and corrupt practices.
Mr. Dan Anderson, spokesperson for the NDPF told AkanimoReports in a telephone interview on Monday that their call for emergency rule in the state, has the support of some frontline insurgent networks like the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).
Although he did not give much details, Anderson said, ''if President Goodluck Jonathan fails to impose emergency rule on his home state, he will wake up one day to discover that his state has become the centre of state-sponsored terrorism''.
Continuing, the NDPF spokesperson added, ''the next phase of violence conflict in Bayelsa state is likely to be worse than the uprising of militants before the inception of the amnesty''.
But, the authorities in Yenagoa, the state capital, are not shaken. Mr. Nathan Egba, spokesperson of the state government, told AkanimoReports in a text message that the clamour for emergency rule and the impeachment of Governor Sylva, was childish.
Mr. Doifie Ola, chief press secretary to Governor Sylva describes Mr. Egba as ''the overseer of the Bayelsa state Ministry of Information''.
According to Mr. Egba in his comment, ''one cannot be reacting to every childish statement reeking with ignorance that turns up''.
In the mean time, the SHG in an eight-point resolution signed by their Coordinator and Secretary, Messrs Tony Nathan and Tony Akenge respectively are condemning the alleged embezzlement of billions of naira belonging to Bayelsa citizens by the Sylva administration without any concrete projects in the state.
They are also claimig that the economic policies of the administration have impoverished the people and set the state many years backward.
Equally, one of the reasons they are pushing for the governor to be impeached is alleged fraudulent collection of a loan of N60 billion for the construction of three senatorial District Roads, electrification of some parts of the state and the reticulation of water scheme.
''Governor Sylva through a criminally crafted public Private Partnership (PPP) under took to complete an almost completed 500 bed hospital built by Governor DSP Alamieyeigha and Goodluck Jonathan administrations'', the SNG alleged, adding, ''we are very much alarmed by this massive looting of Bayelsa State funds’’ the body said , and vowed to embark on street protests within 14 days if the Governor was not impeached''.
Continuing, they said, ''this is the time for the Bayelsa state House of Assembly to rise to the occasion and Save Bayelsa state from this quagmire and its negative attendances''
According to them, ''where are the hundreds of millions stolen from the Bayelsa State treasury in the name of quick- win jobs that were neither awarded nor executed, where is the N3.4 billion of Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha’s loot that was returned by EFCC to Bayelsa state Government’’ wondering why the money had not been applied yet to infrastructural development of the state, instead of a Transparency House the government is claiming to build?''
They are not yet done. ''In a state surrounded by water'', they went on, ''residents spend over N200 daily in buying jerry cans of water from mairua { Hausa water sellers }, which is now a lucrative business in Yenagoa city and its environs''.
SNG said at the expiration of their 14-day ultimatum for the state legislators to play ball, they will embark on a peaceful mass protest, saying it is a right for us to know how our state is being governed. That’s what we are doing.
The group counseled the governor to stop accusing President Jonathan for his current travails and should render account of his stewardship in a bid to clear his name and save the state the embarrassment and poverty his administration has caused the good and humble people of Bayelsa state.
ENDS
SACK BAYELSA GOVERNOR, ACTIVISTS TELL JONATHAN, LEGISLATORS
* Its Childish, Says Timipre Sylva's Administration
CIVIL society and insurgent organisations operating in Bayelsa State, one of the rich oil and gas states of the Niger Delta, appear to have loss confidence in the Timipre Sylva administration to deliver tangible dividend of democracy to citizens in the state.
While the Niger Delta Patriotic Front (NDPF), a radical group, is calling for an imposition of a state of emergency, the state wing of Save Nigeria Group (SNG) is pressing the state House of Assembly to impeach the governor for alleged gross violation of public trust and corrupt practices.
Mr. Dan Anderson, spokesperson for the NDPF told AkanimoReports in a telephone interview on Monday that their call for emergency rule in the state, has the support of some frontline insurgent networks like the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).
Although he did not give much details, Anderson said, ''if President Goodluck Jonathan fails to impose emergency rule on his home state, he will wake up one day to discover that his state has become the centre of state-sponsored terrorism''.
Continuing, the NDPF spokesperson added, ''the next phase of violence conflict in Bayelsa state is likely to be worse than the uprising of militants before the inception of the amnesty''.
But, the authorities in Yenagoa, the state capital, are not shaken. Mr. Nathan Egba, spokesperson of the state government, told AkanimoReports in a text message that the clamour for emergency rule and the impeachment of Governor Sylva, was childish.
Mr. Doifie Ola, chief press secretary to Governor Sylva describes Mr. Egba as ''the overseer of the Bayelsa state Ministry of Information''.
According to Mr. Egba in his comment, ''one cannot be reacting to every childish statement reeking with ignorance that turns up''.
In the mean time, the SHG in an eight-point resolution signed by their Coordinator and Secretary, Messrs Tony Nathan and Tony Akenge respectively are condemning the alleged embezzlement of billions of naira belonging to Bayelsa citizens by the Sylva administration without any concrete projects in the state.
They are also claimig that the economic policies of the administration have impoverished the people and set the state many years backward.
Equally, one of the reasons they are pushing for the governor to be impeached is alleged fraudulent collection of a loan of N60 billion for the construction of three senatorial District Roads, electrification of some parts of the state and the reticulation of water scheme.
''Governor Sylva through a criminally crafted public Private Partnership (PPP) under took to complete an almost completed 500 bed hospital built by Governor DSP Alamieyeigha and Goodluck Jonathan administrations'', the SNG alleged, adding, ''we are very much alarmed by this massive looting of Bayelsa State funds’’ the body said , and vowed to embark on street protests within 14 days if the Governor was not impeached''.
Continuing, they said, ''this is the time for the Bayelsa state House of Assembly to rise to the occasion and Save Bayelsa state from this quagmire and its negative attendances''
According to them, ''where are the hundreds of millions stolen from the Bayelsa State treasury in the name of quick- win jobs that were neither awarded nor executed, where is the N3.4 billion of Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha’s loot that was returned by EFCC to Bayelsa state Government’’ wondering why the money had not been applied yet to infrastructural development of the state, instead of a Transparency House the government is claiming to build?''
They are not yet done. ''In a state surrounded by water'', they went on, ''residents spend over N200 daily in buying jerry cans of water from mairua { Hausa water sellers }, which is now a lucrative business in Yenagoa city and its environs''.
SNG said at the expiration of their 14-day ultimatum for the state legislators to play ball, they will embark on a peaceful mass protest, saying it is a right for us to know how our state is being governed. That’s what we are doing.
The group counseled the governor to stop accusing President Jonathan for his current travails and should render account of his stewardship in a bid to clear his name and save the state the embarrassment and poverty his administration has caused the good and humble people of Bayelsa state.
ENDS
AKANIMO SAMPSON
JONATHAN's VISIT: RIVERS WARNS TROUBLE MAKERS, BEEF UP SECURITY
THE authorities in Rivers State have raised a red flag to all groups planning to use President Goodluck Jonathan's visit on Thursday, to stage a public protest, warning that security operatives will deal appropriately with law breakers.
Already, there is a heightened security activities in Port Harcourt, the state capital. More operatives of the armed security forces, Federal Road Safety Commission and the secret police are all over the capital city.
Mrs. Rita Inoma-Abbey, a Superintendent of Police (SP) who is the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police, Rivers state Command, said the security agencies are on top of the situation, and accordingly counseled trouble-makers against taking the law into their hands.
Some insurgent and civil society groups were planning to use the visit of Mr. Jonathan, to call attention to the alleged N50 billion contract scam at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), an interventionist agency, and to press for tangible amnesty programme and development of the oil and gas region.
Jonathan is, however, visiting Rivers against the backdrop of claims that financial institutions in the country, are currently avoiding project contracts of the NDDC, as the rift among the top executives of the development commission worsens.
Concerned civil society organisation, South-South Elements Progressive Union (SSEPU), had on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, claimed that NDDC was down.
Mr. Joseph Ambakederimo, chair of the group told AkanimoReports that all leading financial institutions in the country such as UBA, Union Bank, First Bank, Oceanic Bank, Skye Bank, and First Inland Bank which were previously funding NDDC contractors are no longer doing so.
According to Ambakederimo, ''banks have loss confidence in NDDC. As a demonstration of this, they are no lnger giving Advance Payment Guarantees (APG) to contractors handling NDDC projects''.
This latest revelation is coming on the heels of on-going clamour for Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, to sack the board of the development commission for alleged incompetence and corruption.
Thse pushing for the sack of the NDDC board are claiming that close to N50 billion has gone the drains in the past nine months due to graft. There are also worrisome allegations of contract duplicatins, lop-sidedness in the award of contracts, and ineptitude on the part of state representatives in the commission.
The commission is equally being accused of not being able to key into the post amnesty programme of the Federal Government.
Ahead of President Jonathan's visit to Rivers State, the board of the commission was locked in a prolonged meeting last Wednesday in a seeming desperate bid to be on top of the agitation in the oil region for them to go.
The board meeting was originally scheduled for the previous Tuesday, but the absent of the managing direstor stalled it.
Media handlers of the commission say the allegations being raised by those against the board are of a political nature and as such, beyond their brief for comments.
As Jonathan arrives Port Harcourt for an official visit, there were strong indications some aggrieved youths would state public protest in a bid to draw the acting president's attention to the alleged decay in the NDDC.
A civil society group, Grassroots Initiative for Peace and Democracy (GIPD), has pointed out that Niger Delta youths want government to sack the board of the NDDC. ''They are prepared to use any means necessary to press home their demand'', the group said.
To this end, a number of groups in the oil region, including the GIPD are mobilising for a mass protest as the Acting President arrives Port Harcourt.
Executive Director of the GIPD, Mr. Akinaka Richard, told AkanimoReports on telephone on Wednesday: ''We want the board of NDDC dissolved because of the outright display of incompetency, gross financial mismanagement, fraudulent award of contracts against due process, and unwarranted internall rift''.
Continuing, the group claimed that the board of the development agency as presently constituted is incapable of freeing the oil region from acts of insurgency. ''To avert some unpleasant developments, we are strongly of the view that the best option for Jonathan is to sack the board as a bait to buy peace'', the group added. ENDS
JONATHAN's VISIT: RIVERS WARNS TROUBLE MAKERS, BEEF UP SECURITY
THE authorities in Rivers State have raised a red flag to all groups planning to use President Goodluck Jonathan's visit on Thursday, to stage a public protest, warning that security operatives will deal appropriately with law breakers.
Already, there is a heightened security activities in Port Harcourt, the state capital. More operatives of the armed security forces, Federal Road Safety Commission and the secret police are all over the capital city.
Mrs. Rita Inoma-Abbey, a Superintendent of Police (SP) who is the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police, Rivers state Command, said the security agencies are on top of the situation, and accordingly counseled trouble-makers against taking the law into their hands.
Some insurgent and civil society groups were planning to use the visit of Mr. Jonathan, to call attention to the alleged N50 billion contract scam at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), an interventionist agency, and to press for tangible amnesty programme and development of the oil and gas region.
Jonathan is, however, visiting Rivers against the backdrop of claims that financial institutions in the country, are currently avoiding project contracts of the NDDC, as the rift among the top executives of the development commission worsens.
Concerned civil society organisation, South-South Elements Progressive Union (SSEPU), had on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, claimed that NDDC was down.
Mr. Joseph Ambakederimo, chair of the group told AkanimoReports that all leading financial institutions in the country such as UBA, Union Bank, First Bank, Oceanic Bank, Skye Bank, and First Inland Bank which were previously funding NDDC contractors are no longer doing so.
According to Ambakederimo, ''banks have loss confidence in NDDC. As a demonstration of this, they are no lnger giving Advance Payment Guarantees (APG) to contractors handling NDDC projects''.
This latest revelation is coming on the heels of on-going clamour for Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, to sack the board of the development commission for alleged incompetence and corruption.
Thse pushing for the sack of the NDDC board are claiming that close to N50 billion has gone the drains in the past nine months due to graft. There are also worrisome allegations of contract duplicatins, lop-sidedness in the award of contracts, and ineptitude on the part of state representatives in the commission.
The commission is equally being accused of not being able to key into the post amnesty programme of the Federal Government.
Ahead of President Jonathan's visit to Rivers State, the board of the commission was locked in a prolonged meeting last Wednesday in a seeming desperate bid to be on top of the agitation in the oil region for them to go.
The board meeting was originally scheduled for the previous Tuesday, but the absent of the managing direstor stalled it.
Media handlers of the commission say the allegations being raised by those against the board are of a political nature and as such, beyond their brief for comments.
As Jonathan arrives Port Harcourt for an official visit, there were strong indications some aggrieved youths would state public protest in a bid to draw the acting president's attention to the alleged decay in the NDDC.
A civil society group, Grassroots Initiative for Peace and Democracy (GIPD), has pointed out that Niger Delta youths want government to sack the board of the NDDC. ''They are prepared to use any means necessary to press home their demand'', the group said.
To this end, a number of groups in the oil region, including the GIPD are mobilising for a mass protest as the Acting President arrives Port Harcourt.
Executive Director of the GIPD, Mr. Akinaka Richard, told AkanimoReports on telephone on Wednesday: ''We want the board of NDDC dissolved because of the outright display of incompetency, gross financial mismanagement, fraudulent award of contracts against due process, and unwarranted internall rift''.
Continuing, the group claimed that the board of the development agency as presently constituted is incapable of freeing the oil region from acts of insurgency. ''To avert some unpleasant developments, we are strongly of the view that the best option for Jonathan is to sack the board as a bait to buy peace'', the group added. ENDS
AKANIMO SAMPSON
JONATHAN STORMS RIVERS THURSDAY, FOCUSES ON POWER SUPPLY
THE three-day official working visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Rivers State, the oil and gas capital of Nigeria, which was postponed last Thursday following the demise of former President, Umaru Yar’Adua, has been rescheduled for this coming Thursday.
Mr.Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, chief of staff of Government House, Port Harcourt, who announced this in the state capital, said the new date is Thursday, May 13th – 15th, 2010.
Wike said on Monday that the postponement of the visit was an indication of the cordial relationship existing between the presidency and the state government, noting that the visit would be the first official working visit of the President to any state.
He noted that the programme for the visit remains as earlier announced except that the reception to be accorded the visiting President would now be more elaborate as against the initial plan.
Wike, however, noted that the visit would afford President Jonathan the opportunity to inspect state and federal government projects undertaken by the Rivers State Government and also commission some completed ones.
Some of the projects, he said, are the new 100 megawatts of power at the Trans Amadi Gas Turbine, the Groundbreaking ceremony for the Monorail project and inspection of the Owerri-Airport dualisation project.
He therefore called on the people of the state to come out in their numbers to accord the August visitor the deserved welcome.
It would be recalled that Dr Goodluck Jonathan was billed to visit Rivers State from May 6th – 8th, but was cancelled due to the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who has since been buried according to Islamic rites.
AkanimoReports correspondent in Port Harcourt however, reports that the visit will provide Mr. Jonathan another opportunity to harp on his administration's plan for sustainable electricity supply in the country.
The President on the second day of his visit to the state, will be commissioning a new 100 Megawatts Gas Turbine Plants at Trans-Amadi, the industrial hup of Port Harcourt. He will also commission the reconstructed Eastern-bye-Pass/Amadi-Ama/Oginigba Road project.
A programme of activities for the 3-day visit which was made available to NEXT on Wednesday indicates that Jonathan will swing into action immediately he arrives the Port Harcourt International Airport on Thursday.
Wike, who released the programme, said on arrival at the airport, Omagwa, the Acting President would inspect the dualisation work on the Port Harcourt-Owerri Road project, the new Tam David West Road (Airport Road), the Rumuokwuta-Ozuoba-Choba Road and lay the foundation stone for the new 60,000 capacity Adokiye Amiesimeka Stadium and Games Village, at the Greater Port Harcourt.
The Chief of Staff said that also on day one, the president would commission the new Model Primary School at Airforce Base in Port Harcourt, the Rumuepirikon Health Centre, as well as the newly dualized Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Road, performs the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the Port Harcourt Monorail project.
He claimed that Jonathan will be accorded a Civic Reception at the Sharks Football Club Stadium, in Port Harcourt, while a State Banquet would round-up the visit for day one.
After commissioning the power project on day two, he will also be commissioning the dualised Oginigba/Rumuobiakani Road, and the Rumuokrushe/Eleme Junction Flyover project, while the Acting President would inspect the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road project under construction, and also visit the new Model Secondary School project at Ebubu in Eleme Local Government Area, as well as the new Rainbow Town Housing Estate under construction in Port Harcourt.
On day three, the president would be expected to attend the 26th Convocation ceremony of the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, before departing for Abuja.
Wike described the visit of the president as a home coming, which would afford him the opportunity to access the developments that have taken place in the state since Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi assumed the mantle of leadership, and particularly appreciate how he stabilized the security of the state.
He therefore called on the good people of Rivers State to turn out en masse to give their son and in-law, who is visiting the state for the first time since assuming office as Nigeria’s president, a thrilling welcome. ENDS
JONATHAN STORMS RIVERS THURSDAY, FOCUSES ON POWER SUPPLY
THE three-day official working visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Rivers State, the oil and gas capital of Nigeria, which was postponed last Thursday following the demise of former President, Umaru Yar’Adua, has been rescheduled for this coming Thursday.
Mr.Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, chief of staff of Government House, Port Harcourt, who announced this in the state capital, said the new date is Thursday, May 13th – 15th, 2010.
Wike said on Monday that the postponement of the visit was an indication of the cordial relationship existing between the presidency and the state government, noting that the visit would be the first official working visit of the President to any state.
He noted that the programme for the visit remains as earlier announced except that the reception to be accorded the visiting President would now be more elaborate as against the initial plan.
Wike, however, noted that the visit would afford President Jonathan the opportunity to inspect state and federal government projects undertaken by the Rivers State Government and also commission some completed ones.
Some of the projects, he said, are the new 100 megawatts of power at the Trans Amadi Gas Turbine, the Groundbreaking ceremony for the Monorail project and inspection of the Owerri-Airport dualisation project.
He therefore called on the people of the state to come out in their numbers to accord the August visitor the deserved welcome.
It would be recalled that Dr Goodluck Jonathan was billed to visit Rivers State from May 6th – 8th, but was cancelled due to the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who has since been buried according to Islamic rites.
AkanimoReports correspondent in Port Harcourt however, reports that the visit will provide Mr. Jonathan another opportunity to harp on his administration's plan for sustainable electricity supply in the country.
The President on the second day of his visit to the state, will be commissioning a new 100 Megawatts Gas Turbine Plants at Trans-Amadi, the industrial hup of Port Harcourt. He will also commission the reconstructed Eastern-bye-Pass/Amadi-Ama/Oginigba Road project.
A programme of activities for the 3-day visit which was made available to NEXT on Wednesday indicates that Jonathan will swing into action immediately he arrives the Port Harcourt International Airport on Thursday.
Wike, who released the programme, said on arrival at the airport, Omagwa, the Acting President would inspect the dualisation work on the Port Harcourt-Owerri Road project, the new Tam David West Road (Airport Road), the Rumuokwuta-Ozuoba-Choba Road and lay the foundation stone for the new 60,000 capacity Adokiye Amiesimeka Stadium and Games Village, at the Greater Port Harcourt.
The Chief of Staff said that also on day one, the president would commission the new Model Primary School at Airforce Base in Port Harcourt, the Rumuepirikon Health Centre, as well as the newly dualized Rumuokwuta/Rumuola Road, performs the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the Port Harcourt Monorail project.
He claimed that Jonathan will be accorded a Civic Reception at the Sharks Football Club Stadium, in Port Harcourt, while a State Banquet would round-up the visit for day one.
After commissioning the power project on day two, he will also be commissioning the dualised Oginigba/Rumuobiakani Road, and the Rumuokrushe/Eleme Junction Flyover project, while the Acting President would inspect the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road project under construction, and also visit the new Model Secondary School project at Ebubu in Eleme Local Government Area, as well as the new Rainbow Town Housing Estate under construction in Port Harcourt.
On day three, the president would be expected to attend the 26th Convocation ceremony of the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, before departing for Abuja.
Wike described the visit of the president as a home coming, which would afford him the opportunity to access the developments that have taken place in the state since Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi assumed the mantle of leadership, and particularly appreciate how he stabilized the security of the state.
He therefore called on the good people of Rivers State to turn out en masse to give their son and in-law, who is visiting the state for the first time since assuming office as Nigeria’s president, a thrilling welcome. ENDS
Thursday, May 06, 2010
AMAECHI ON YAR'ADUA's DEATH
On behalf of the government and people of Rivers state, I commiserate with Mr President, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the widow and family of our late resident, and all Nigerian people on the unfortunate demise of our much loved President, Umaru Musa Yar Adua, GCFR.
Late President Yar Adua was a friend of the Niger Delta and especially Rivers State. He made deliberate choices to change the situation in the region against all odds. His commitment to the amnesty programme and support for the return of peace and security in Rivers State, as well as his insistence on greater participation of oil bearing communities in the oil industry are historic and unforgettable. Nigerians and particularly those of us in Rivers State, remain indebted to him.
While we mourn this great loss, we totally submit to the sovereign will of the Almighty God and pray him to grant his widow, family and the nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi,
Governor, Rivers State
On behalf of the government and people of Rivers state, I commiserate with Mr President, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the widow and family of our late resident, and all Nigerian people on the unfortunate demise of our much loved President, Umaru Musa Yar Adua, GCFR.
Late President Yar Adua was a friend of the Niger Delta and especially Rivers State. He made deliberate choices to change the situation in the region against all odds. His commitment to the amnesty programme and support for the return of peace and security in Rivers State, as well as his insistence on greater participation of oil bearing communities in the oil industry are historic and unforgettable. Nigerians and particularly those of us in Rivers State, remain indebted to him.
While we mourn this great loss, we totally submit to the sovereign will of the Almighty God and pray him to grant his widow, family and the nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi,
Governor, Rivers State
AKANIMO SAMPSON
YAR'ADUA's DEATH SHOCKS AMAECHI, MILITANTS RENEW DEMANDS
THE death of the ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua on Wednesday night, came as a shock to Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, who had planned to receive the now President Goodluck Jonathan to the oil and gas rich state on a three-day official visit.
And for the insurgents of the Niger Delta, while commiserating with the Yar'Adua family over the incident, they claimed that divine providence has provided Mr. Jonathan with a golden opportunity to right the wrongs to the peoples of the Niger Delta.
Mr. Nengi James, co-ordinator of the Network of Freedom Fighters in the Niger Delta (NFF), an insurgent group, told AkanimoReports on telephone on Thursday that the peoples of the oil region are looking up to Jonathan to initiate moves for the abolition of all ''obnoxious laws'' that have denied the region their property rights.
James said they are expecting action on the Land Use Act, a raise in the derivation principle to at least, 50 per cent, and a working post-amnesty programme as well as a shake-up of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
On their part, the Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), another armed group, expressed what they described as ''our sincere condolence'' to the new President of the Nigerian State over the death of Yar'Adua.
Mr. Bakabio Walter, spokesperson for the group in an on-line statement to AkanimoReports on Thursday said, ''this puts to an end months of speculations of who is actually in charge of the Nigerian State''.
According to them, ''we call on Jonathan to muster the political courage of mind and character to convene a Sovereign National Conference of all the ethnic nationalities that presently find themselves under the neo-colonial authority of the Nigerian State. This is the only peaceful way to the resolution of the crises in Nigeria and that which is brewing as a result of the death of Yar'Adua''.
Continuing, they said, ''the suggestions of Muammar Al-Gathaffi on the peaceful breaking up of Nigeria has become more relevant. We can no longer continue to waste the blood of innocent people on the alter of the insatirable greed of a few disgruntled individuals''.
The JRC however, pointed out that ''Operation Boro'' shall continue in the coming days with the greatest vehemence until we are able to liberate our territory.
However, Governor Amaechi who was shocked by the tragic development, observed that the late Yar'Adua was a friend of Rivers state and the Niger Delta , noting that he was one of the moving spirits for the return of peace in the region.
''On behalf of the government and people of Rivers state, I commiserate with Mr President, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the widow and family of our late resident, and all Nigerian people on the unfortunate demise of our much loved President, Umaru Musa Yar Adua, GCFR'', Amaechi said.
Continuing, he said, ''Yar Adua was a friend of the Niger Delta and especially Rivers State. He made deliberate choices to change the situation in the region against all odds''.
He recalled Yar'Adua's commitment on the amnesty programme and support for the return of peace and security in Rivers State, as well as his insistence on greater participation of oil bearing communities in the oil industry,noting that these roles were historic and unforgettable ''as Nigerians and particularly those of us in Rivers State, remain indebted to him''.
Adding, he said, ''while we mourn this great loss, we totally submit to the sovereign will of the Almighty God and pray him to grant his widow, family and the nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.''
On their part, the Grassroots Initiative for Peace and Democracy(GIPD), a civil society group, regretted the death of the president, saying, Yar' Adua died when Nigeria and her democracy needed him most.
Mr. Akinaka Richard, its executive director, said in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, that the late president was a stabilizing factor in Nigeria since 2007, who strived to carry out reforms that were aimed at strenthening democratic institutions in the country.
''The Niger Delta will mourn him as he displayed uncommon courage and statemanship in declaring amnesty to the Niger Delta agitators and spiritedly moved to implement the amnesty protocol befor his health deteriorated'', Richard said.
Richard berated Mrs.Turai Yar'Adua, noting that she played ignoble role in her husband's health saga and unleased unnecessary controvery on the gentleman presient.
''Her children and other Nigerian women should learn a lesson from the sordi practice of power hungry woman who could not understand that power belongs to God'', he said.
Richard who expressed belief that Jonathan would implement the administration's Niger Delta plan, why condoling the bereaved family, called for immediate swearing in of acting president Jonathan.
A Port Harcourt lawyer and member of the Association of Nigerian Authors(ANA), Mr. Angus Chukwuka , in his tribute, described the death of the president as ''unfortunate and painful''.
Chukwuka said that the late Yar'Adua would be remembered most importantly for his promotion of the rule of law and the granting of amnesty to the Niger Delta Militants.
''He led a simple life as a president and is and example in this regard , may God receive his soul'', he said.
In the mean time, there were personalities and groups who believe that the official announcement of the demise of the president was a good omen to the polity as according to them , it has resolved a lingering political logjam that would have posed grave danger to political stability in the months ahead.
Some of these analysts belief that the visit of Good Luck Jonathan to Rivers would have given the acting president a new courage and resoluteness at the end . ''the announcement could therefore be a preemptive action to forestall the expected gain of the visit if it had taken place'', they argue.
Elsewhere , some peoples who have been discussing the announcement of the death in groups in public places such as vendor stands, beer parlors, and in the streets, express happiness that the presidency that some people were footdragging in allowing Jonathan to assume had been resolved by fate and nature.
Most of these people believe that the president had long been dead but that a cabal was hiding the fact away from everybody to practise their design.
Peoples Daily findings show that the hub of discussions accross the Niger Delta has shifted from concern and suspecion over Jonathan's leadership to relief, celebration , anxiety and what Jonathan will do with power. ENDS
YAR'ADUA's DEATH SHOCKS AMAECHI, MILITANTS RENEW DEMANDS
THE death of the ailing President Umaru Yar'Adua on Wednesday night, came as a shock to Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, who had planned to receive the now President Goodluck Jonathan to the oil and gas rich state on a three-day official visit.
And for the insurgents of the Niger Delta, while commiserating with the Yar'Adua family over the incident, they claimed that divine providence has provided Mr. Jonathan with a golden opportunity to right the wrongs to the peoples of the Niger Delta.
Mr. Nengi James, co-ordinator of the Network of Freedom Fighters in the Niger Delta (NFF), an insurgent group, told AkanimoReports on telephone on Thursday that the peoples of the oil region are looking up to Jonathan to initiate moves for the abolition of all ''obnoxious laws'' that have denied the region their property rights.
James said they are expecting action on the Land Use Act, a raise in the derivation principle to at least, 50 per cent, and a working post-amnesty programme as well as a shake-up of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
On their part, the Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC), another armed group, expressed what they described as ''our sincere condolence'' to the new President of the Nigerian State over the death of Yar'Adua.
Mr. Bakabio Walter, spokesperson for the group in an on-line statement to AkanimoReports on Thursday said, ''this puts to an end months of speculations of who is actually in charge of the Nigerian State''.
According to them, ''we call on Jonathan to muster the political courage of mind and character to convene a Sovereign National Conference of all the ethnic nationalities that presently find themselves under the neo-colonial authority of the Nigerian State. This is the only peaceful way to the resolution of the crises in Nigeria and that which is brewing as a result of the death of Yar'Adua''.
Continuing, they said, ''the suggestions of Muammar Al-Gathaffi on the peaceful breaking up of Nigeria has become more relevant. We can no longer continue to waste the blood of innocent people on the alter of the insatirable greed of a few disgruntled individuals''.
The JRC however, pointed out that ''Operation Boro'' shall continue in the coming days with the greatest vehemence until we are able to liberate our territory.
However, Governor Amaechi who was shocked by the tragic development, observed that the late Yar'Adua was a friend of Rivers state and the Niger Delta , noting that he was one of the moving spirits for the return of peace in the region.
''On behalf of the government and people of Rivers state, I commiserate with Mr President, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the widow and family of our late resident, and all Nigerian people on the unfortunate demise of our much loved President, Umaru Musa Yar Adua, GCFR'', Amaechi said.
Continuing, he said, ''Yar Adua was a friend of the Niger Delta and especially Rivers State. He made deliberate choices to change the situation in the region against all odds''.
He recalled Yar'Adua's commitment on the amnesty programme and support for the return of peace and security in Rivers State, as well as his insistence on greater participation of oil bearing communities in the oil industry,noting that these roles were historic and unforgettable ''as Nigerians and particularly those of us in Rivers State, remain indebted to him''.
Adding, he said, ''while we mourn this great loss, we totally submit to the sovereign will of the Almighty God and pray him to grant his widow, family and the nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.''
On their part, the Grassroots Initiative for Peace and Democracy(GIPD), a civil society group, regretted the death of the president, saying, Yar' Adua died when Nigeria and her democracy needed him most.
Mr. Akinaka Richard, its executive director, said in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, that the late president was a stabilizing factor in Nigeria since 2007, who strived to carry out reforms that were aimed at strenthening democratic institutions in the country.
''The Niger Delta will mourn him as he displayed uncommon courage and statemanship in declaring amnesty to the Niger Delta agitators and spiritedly moved to implement the amnesty protocol befor his health deteriorated'', Richard said.
Richard berated Mrs.Turai Yar'Adua, noting that she played ignoble role in her husband's health saga and unleased unnecessary controvery on the gentleman presient.
''Her children and other Nigerian women should learn a lesson from the sordi practice of power hungry woman who could not understand that power belongs to God'', he said.
Richard who expressed belief that Jonathan would implement the administration's Niger Delta plan, why condoling the bereaved family, called for immediate swearing in of acting president Jonathan.
A Port Harcourt lawyer and member of the Association of Nigerian Authors(ANA), Mr. Angus Chukwuka , in his tribute, described the death of the president as ''unfortunate and painful''.
Chukwuka said that the late Yar'Adua would be remembered most importantly for his promotion of the rule of law and the granting of amnesty to the Niger Delta Militants.
''He led a simple life as a president and is and example in this regard , may God receive his soul'', he said.
In the mean time, there were personalities and groups who believe that the official announcement of the demise of the president was a good omen to the polity as according to them , it has resolved a lingering political logjam that would have posed grave danger to political stability in the months ahead.
Some of these analysts belief that the visit of Good Luck Jonathan to Rivers would have given the acting president a new courage and resoluteness at the end . ''the announcement could therefore be a preemptive action to forestall the expected gain of the visit if it had taken place'', they argue.
Elsewhere , some peoples who have been discussing the announcement of the death in groups in public places such as vendor stands, beer parlors, and in the streets, express happiness that the presidency that some people were footdragging in allowing Jonathan to assume had been resolved by fate and nature.
Most of these people believe that the president had long been dead but that a cabal was hiding the fact away from everybody to practise their design.
Peoples Daily findings show that the hub of discussions accross the Niger Delta has shifted from concern and suspecion over Jonathan's leadership to relief, celebration , anxiety and what Jonathan will do with power. ENDS
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
AKANIMO SAMPSON
AMAECHI UNVEILS ICT CENTRE IN PORT HARCOURT
GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, one of the leading oil and gas states of Nigeria, has unveiled a new high-tech information and communication centre in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Speaking on Wednesday at the unveiling ceremony, he said the establishment of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt will help to increase business activities in the state.
The centre was donated by Zenith Bank Plc to the state government. According to Amaechi, the idea behind the establishment of the centre was completely that of the former Managing Director of the Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia.
The governor expressed the hope that ICT, beyond its negative uses in Nigeria where some persons used it to perpetrate fraud, was an avenue to interact globally, and could serve as a place for people to go and study computer or ICT in the state.
Amaechi who expressed confidence in the relationship between the state government and Zenith Bank, said the state government would discuss with the bank to see if they can partner in the management of the centre.
He noted that the people of Rivers state were grateful to the Bank for her contributions towards the growth of the economy of the state, adding that their friendship with the state government would continue.
Earlier, the Deputy Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Godwin Emefiele, who represented the Group Managing Director, Mr Jim Ovia, said the fully equipped Information Communications and Technology (ICT) centre was donated by the Bank to the Rivers State Government as part of its social responsibility programme, as well as its cardinal policy to show gratitude to the Rivers Community for providing an enabling environment for business to strive in the state.
Mr Emefiele said the establishment of the centre was anchored on Governor Amaechi’s vision for the development of the state based on active corporate involvement under Public Private Partnership (PPP) Scheme.
He also said that the centre is aimed at enhancing government’s developmental aspirations since ICT is critical to such development, and assured the Governor of their commitment to continue the partnership with the Rivers State Government. ENDS
AMAECHI UNVEILS ICT CENTRE IN PORT HARCOURT
GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, one of the leading oil and gas states of Nigeria, has unveiled a new high-tech information and communication centre in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Speaking on Wednesday at the unveiling ceremony, he said the establishment of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt will help to increase business activities in the state.
The centre was donated by Zenith Bank Plc to the state government. According to Amaechi, the idea behind the establishment of the centre was completely that of the former Managing Director of the Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia.
The governor expressed the hope that ICT, beyond its negative uses in Nigeria where some persons used it to perpetrate fraud, was an avenue to interact globally, and could serve as a place for people to go and study computer or ICT in the state.
Amaechi who expressed confidence in the relationship between the state government and Zenith Bank, said the state government would discuss with the bank to see if they can partner in the management of the centre.
He noted that the people of Rivers state were grateful to the Bank for her contributions towards the growth of the economy of the state, adding that their friendship with the state government would continue.
Earlier, the Deputy Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Godwin Emefiele, who represented the Group Managing Director, Mr Jim Ovia, said the fully equipped Information Communications and Technology (ICT) centre was donated by the Bank to the Rivers State Government as part of its social responsibility programme, as well as its cardinal policy to show gratitude to the Rivers Community for providing an enabling environment for business to strive in the state.
Mr Emefiele said the establishment of the centre was anchored on Governor Amaechi’s vision for the development of the state based on active corporate involvement under Public Private Partnership (PPP) Scheme.
He also said that the centre is aimed at enhancing government’s developmental aspirations since ICT is critical to such development, and assured the Governor of their commitment to continue the partnership with the Rivers State Government. ENDS
NDDC CRISIS DEEPENS AS BANKS SHUN CONTRACT FINANCING
THE interal top-level crisis rocking the official interventionist agency in Nigeria's main oil and gas region, appears to be taking a turn for the worse.
AkanimoReports gathered that financial institutions in the country, are currently avoiding project contracts of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as the internal bleeding within the commission worsens.
A concerned civil society organisation, South-South Elements Progressive Union (SSEPU), on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, claimed that NDDC was down.
Mr. Joseph Ambakederimo, chair of the group told AkanimoReports that all leading financial institutions in the country such as UBA, Union Bank, First Bank, Oceanic Bank, Skye Bank, and First Inland Bank which were previously funding NDDC contractors are no longer doing so.
According to Ambakederimo, ''banks have loss confidence in NDDC. As a demonstration of this, they are no lnger giving Advance Payment Guarantees (APG) to contractors handling NDDC projects''.
This latest revelation is coming on the heels of on-going clamour for Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, to sack the board of the development commission for alleged incompetence and corruption.
Thse pushing for the sack of the NDDC board are claiming that close to N50 billion has gone the drains in the past nine months due to graft. There are also worrisome allegations of contract duplicatins, lop-sidedness in the award of contracts, and ineptitude on the part of state representatives in the commission.
The commission is equally being accused of not being able to key into the post amnesty programme of the Federal Government.
Ahead of Acting President Jonathan's visit to Rivers State, the board of the commission was locked in a prolonged meeting on Wednesday in a seeming desperate bid to be on top of the agitation in the oil region for them to go.
The board meeting was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but the absent of the managing direstor stalled it.
Media handlers of the commission say the allegations being raised by those against the board are of a political nature and as such, beyond their brief for comments.
As Jonathan arrives Port Harcourt for an official visit, there were strong indications some aggrieved youths would state public protest in a bid to draw the acting president's attention to the alleged decay in the NDDC.
Already, a civil society group, Grassroots Initiative for Peace and Democracy (GIPD), has pointed out that Niger Delta youths want government to sack the board of the NDDC. ''They are prepared to use any means necessary to press home their demand'', the group said.
To this end, a number of groups in the oil region, including the GIPD are mobilising for a mass protest as the Acting President arrives Port Harcourt.
Executive Director of the GIPD, Mr. Akinaka Richard, told AkanimoReports on telephone on Wednesday: ''We want the board of NDDC dissolved because of the outright display of incompetency, gross financial mismanagement, fraudulent award of contracts against due process, and unwarranted internall rift''.
Continuing, the group claimed that the board of the development agency as presently constituted is incapable of freeing the oil region from acts of insurgency. ''To avert some unpleasant developments, we are strongly of the view that the best option for Jonathan is to sack the board as a bait to buy peace'', the group added.
In the mean time, there is a heightened security activities in Port Harcourt. More operatives of the armed security forces, Federal Road Safety Commission and the secret police are all over the capital city.
Mrs. Rita Inoma-Abbey, a Superintendent of Police (SP) who is the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police, Rivers state Command, said the security agencies are on top of the situation, and accordingly counseled trouble-makers against taking the law into their hands. ENDS
THE interal top-level crisis rocking the official interventionist agency in Nigeria's main oil and gas region, appears to be taking a turn for the worse.
AkanimoReports gathered that financial institutions in the country, are currently avoiding project contracts of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as the internal bleeding within the commission worsens.
A concerned civil society organisation, South-South Elements Progressive Union (SSEPU), on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, claimed that NDDC was down.
Mr. Joseph Ambakederimo, chair of the group told AkanimoReports that all leading financial institutions in the country such as UBA, Union Bank, First Bank, Oceanic Bank, Skye Bank, and First Inland Bank which were previously funding NDDC contractors are no longer doing so.
According to Ambakederimo, ''banks have loss confidence in NDDC. As a demonstration of this, they are no lnger giving Advance Payment Guarantees (APG) to contractors handling NDDC projects''.
This latest revelation is coming on the heels of on-going clamour for Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, to sack the board of the development commission for alleged incompetence and corruption.
Thse pushing for the sack of the NDDC board are claiming that close to N50 billion has gone the drains in the past nine months due to graft. There are also worrisome allegations of contract duplicatins, lop-sidedness in the award of contracts, and ineptitude on the part of state representatives in the commission.
The commission is equally being accused of not being able to key into the post amnesty programme of the Federal Government.
Ahead of Acting President Jonathan's visit to Rivers State, the board of the commission was locked in a prolonged meeting on Wednesday in a seeming desperate bid to be on top of the agitation in the oil region for them to go.
The board meeting was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but the absent of the managing direstor stalled it.
Media handlers of the commission say the allegations being raised by those against the board are of a political nature and as such, beyond their brief for comments.
As Jonathan arrives Port Harcourt for an official visit, there were strong indications some aggrieved youths would state public protest in a bid to draw the acting president's attention to the alleged decay in the NDDC.
Already, a civil society group, Grassroots Initiative for Peace and Democracy (GIPD), has pointed out that Niger Delta youths want government to sack the board of the NDDC. ''They are prepared to use any means necessary to press home their demand'', the group said.
To this end, a number of groups in the oil region, including the GIPD are mobilising for a mass protest as the Acting President arrives Port Harcourt.
Executive Director of the GIPD, Mr. Akinaka Richard, told AkanimoReports on telephone on Wednesday: ''We want the board of NDDC dissolved because of the outright display of incompetency, gross financial mismanagement, fraudulent award of contracts against due process, and unwarranted internall rift''.
Continuing, the group claimed that the board of the development agency as presently constituted is incapable of freeing the oil region from acts of insurgency. ''To avert some unpleasant developments, we are strongly of the view that the best option for Jonathan is to sack the board as a bait to buy peace'', the group added.
In the mean time, there is a heightened security activities in Port Harcourt. More operatives of the armed security forces, Federal Road Safety Commission and the secret police are all over the capital city.
Mrs. Rita Inoma-Abbey, a Superintendent of Police (SP) who is the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police, Rivers state Command, said the security agencies are on top of the situation, and accordingly counseled trouble-makers against taking the law into their hands. ENDS
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