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Cameroon dam flood exposes flaws in Nigeria’s food value chain

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Area News Nigeria
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A repeat of the 2022 devastating flooding that led to the death of over 600 people and the destruction of farmlands and properties stares down Nigeria in the face as neighbour Cameroon opens the floodgate of its Lagdo dam that threatens to expose the flaws in the food value chain of Africa’s biggest economy.

Located in northern Cameroon, the dam shares proximity with about 13 Nigerian states.

Cameroon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision to open the Lagdo Dam was “due to the heavy rainfall around the Dam catchment area in Northern Cameroon.”

Cameroon authorities said they were putting precautionary measures to forestall a repeat of last year’s disastrous flooding.

“Lagdo Dam will be releasing only modulated variable small amount of water at a time in order to mitigate and avoid damages that the released water may cause along the River Benue basin in both Cameroon and in Nigeria,” said Umar Salisu, a director of African affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 2016, Cameroon and Nigeria signed a memorandum of understanding to share information on actions to be taken about the reservoir to prevent damages that could happen as a result of opening the Lagodo dam.

The Nigerian government said it was not informed when the reservoir was opened in 2019 which led to uncontrolled flooding in Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Kogi, and the Niger Delta regions in October and November.

Farmers and locals in many Nigerian communities face a dire situation amid government assurances of putting measures in place to reduce the level of damage.

Francis Arimoro, a professor of environmental biology at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, said flooding might be inevitable in areas that experienced it when the reservoir was opened in previous times but can be controlled if drainages and canals are cleared for passage of water to the sea.

Arimoro noted that the reservoir had been stretched due to climate change conditions, causing a change in temperature and more rain.

Farmers may have to harvest their crops prematurely to control the rate of loss against a total washing off their farmlands, Arimoro said.

Usman Musa, a farmer in Kogi State, North Central, told AFP that he spent $1,300 on his 10-hectare rice farm that was submerged by flood in 2022.

Other farmers like Musa recorded similar or more losses from a decade-long disaster that threatens food security for Nigeria amid spiking inflation rate at 22.79% with food prices on a high.

President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria Kabir Ibrahim reiterates that “flooding is still ongoing” and estimates that “safely between 60 to 75 percent of the yield we expected is going to be lost”.

“The floods point to a larger flaw in our food system, which essentially is a lack of storage to hedge against disasters,” Kamaldeen Raji, the managing director at AFEX Fair Trade, told The Guardian.

“Currently for every 100% production, Nigeria only has 2% storage capacity, which is quite low when we compare, say, to South Africa where for 100% in production, they have a 110% storage capacity.”

Hunger, malnutrition may worsen

Already, the World Bank in its latest Food Security Update published in July 2023 listed Nigeria alongside Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen as hotspots of global food security concerns, citing the absence of a food storage system, insecurity from farmer-herder clashes and flooding.

The World Bank identified Borno and Yobe states as potential areas where food insecurity could deteriorate to a crisis condition in the year.

It estimates the states could join western and southern Katsina, northern and southern Sokoto, northern and central Zamfara and some parts of Kaduna to be placed on the food crisis watch list. These states experienced a degree of flooding in 2022.

“Crop production states like Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kogi will be affected by these floods and if not managed properly, we could potentially see reduced output, which inevitably reduces food availability and increases the cost of food,” Raji said.

In May 2023, the United Nations warned that about 700,000 children are at risk of severe acute malnutrition in Nigeria, with two million children under the age of five facing the most immediate and life-threatening form of malnutrition.

The UN appealed for $400 million in funding to prevent widespread hunger and malnutrition in northeast Nigeria, with a focus on expanding food and nutrition assistance and providing clean water and sanitation, healthcare, protection, and logistics.

Citing UN’s projection for 2030, Raji noted that “food supply will be severely threatened by climate change” and projects that it “will be a major contributor to global food insecurity”.

“Nigeria must also invest in proper flood prevention and management systems, to shore up defences against floods and other climate disasters,” he said.

TheGuardian

 

Warri Roads: Tidi commends Governor Oborevwrori for approving reconstruction

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Area News Nigeria
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Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, has commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwrori led Delta State Executive Council, for approving the reconstruction of some roads in Warri, saying the roads are strategic to the socio – economic revival of the Oil City.

The Delta State Executive Council, presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwrori, at his inaugural meeting held in Asaba Wednesday August 30, approved the reconstruction of Upper – Lower Erejuwa Road, rehabilitation of Esisi Road from Warri – Sapele Road to Estate Roundabout with spur, to Nana College, linking Ajamimogha, all in Warri City centre.

Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, who was apparently delighted with the announcement, stated Wednesday night, that Governor Oborevwrori, has begun his promise to bring back the lost glory of Warri, with the planned reconstruction of the aforementioned roads.

The Warri South Council Chief Executive, recalled several remedial works done by his administration with limited resources, through direct labour, to make the Esisi Road and Estate Roundabout motorable.

According to Dr. Tidi, the Upper – Lower Erejuwa Road constructed several decades ago by the late Samuel Ogbemudia administration of the defunct Bendel State, Esisi Road and Ajamimogha, connect major markets and other vital commercial investments in Warri, which is the economic nerve center of Delta state.

He called on residents of Warri, particularly people of the area where the roads will be reconstructed, to support the actualization, expressing optimism that Warri will witness the M.O.R.E agenda of Governor Oborevwrori.

Fear of Gabon coup: Rwanda, Cameroon carry out major changes in military

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Area News Nigeria
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Rwanda and Cameroon have carried out some major changes in reaction to the military coup that sacked President Ali Bongo from power in Gabon.

The coup which took place on Tuesday night shocked the world and forced many nations, including the United Nations and the African Union, to condemn the actions of the military.

The coup in Gabon was the latest in a series of military coups that have seen democratically elected leaders removed from the seat of power in Niger Republic, Mali, Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau.

According to the News Times (Rwanda), President Kagame has approved the retirement of several RDF generals, including senior presidential advisor on security matters, Gen. James Kabarebe.

The senior military officers also include Gen Fred Ibingira, Lt Gen Charles Kayonga, Lt Gen Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, Maj Gen Martin Nzaramba, Maj Gen Eric Murokore, Maj Gen Augustin Turagara, Maj Gen Charles Karamba, Maj Gen Albert Murasira, Brig Gen Chris Murari, Brig Gen Didace Ndahiro, and Brig Gen Emmanuel Ndahiro.

No reason was given for their unplanned retirement, only that it is suspected to help arrest the whirlwind of military coups currently spreading within the African continent.

In Cameroon, President Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1975 to help prevent his country from being on the coup list, decided to reshuffle the military with new appointments.

An official document coming from the president himself made its way to Twitter.

The document is in French, the official language of communication and instruction in Cameroon

Gabon update: President under house arrest as coup leaders meet for next step

By
Area News Nigeria
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A dozen mutinous soldiers appeared on Gabonese national television, announcing the cancellation of recent election results and the dissolution of “all the institutions of the republic”.

Wednesday’s announcement came after President Ali Bongo Ondimba, 64 was re-elected for a third term, in an election the opposition described as a ‘fraud orchestrated’ by the ruling party.
The Bongo family, one of Africa’s most powerful dynasties, has been in power since 1967.

The president has confirmed he is under house arrest and called for help, urging citizens to ‘make noise’

There have been scenes of celebration in the Gabonese capital, Libreville since the military takeover.

The United States is deeply concerned by events in Gabon, where military officers said they had seized power, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told a briefing.

“We’re following this very, very closely,” he said. “It’s deeply concerning to us…we will remain a supporter of people in the region and supporter of the people in Gabon.”

THE TALK AND DO GOVERNOR

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Area News Nigeria
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By: Bayagbon Daniel

If the crux of a responsive government is to anchor its policies, strategies, programmes, activities and resources on the needs and aspirations of its people, then Governor Sheriff Oborewori has already broken the jinx of effective governance that has eluded most Deltans, especially the youth population.

One of the imperatives of any good government is to understand its people and their aspirations and be ready to make necessary adjustments to meet those aspirations.

It was on this premise and in his quest to delivering the MORE agenda mantra and as part of his efforts to fulfill his promise to the youths, that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori made the bold shift from just appointing youths as SAs and SSAs to making them key players in the decision making process of his administration.

Constituting a State Executive Council (SEC) with over 40 percent youths is a history making milestone for any government in Nigeria since it’s return to Democracy in 1999.

Governor Oborewori’s decision is very intentional of making all Deltans especially the teeming youths feel the impact of governance and to ensuring that they have a sense of belonging in his administration.

Recalled that during the 2023 electioneering campaign for the Governorship position of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborewori endeared himself into the hearts of Deltans after unveiling his MORE agenda for Deltans and his plans for its youths.

Governor Sheriff Oborewori was able to garner the support of Delta Youths, who bought into his agenda and worked tirelessly to see his aspiration to govern the state actualized. Delta youths merged themselves into various pressure groups and aligned with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to ensure his resounding victory at the governorship poll.

The youths played pivotal role in mobilizing support for His Excellency the Governor of Delta State; They were not only seen, they were loudly heard throughout the election circle both online, the mainstream media and on ground.

Therefore, when Governor Sheriff Oborewori decided to incorporate the youths into the State Cabinet it was not out of sympathy but was just ‘walking the Talk’.

The inclusion of the youths on the day to day affairs of the state cannot be overemphasized, because it becomes easier for young Deltans to welcome and key into the MORE agenda, as they are now fully connected to the government through their peers in the State Executive Council.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has set a goal to be achieve which is embedded in the M.O.R.E agenda promises to the people of the Delta State. Few months into his administration, the vast majority of Deltans are already beginning to see through Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his action of doing MORE for them.

There is absolutely no better way to start governance at the beginning, giving young Deltans the opportunity to serve, to access and bring in their vigour and intelligence to bare, to making sure that the M.O.R.E agenda promised Deltans is actualized and visible.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, did not campaign in poetry, he will not be governing in prose either, he does what he says he will do, he will surely walk his talk.

Gov Sheriff Oborevwori; The talk and do governor.

SUBSIDY REMOVAL: HOW OBOREVWORI LIFTED THE SPIRITS OF DELTA WORKERS

By
Area News Nigeria
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BY: DENNIS OTU

They were expectant. They longed for a relief. They had gone on borrowing here and there to make ends meet. Going to work every day had become a major problem to many of them, no thanks to the untold hardship brought upon them by the removal of fuel subsidy by the APC led Federal Government and suddenly they got more than what they ever bargained for. And they are elated that he came to their rescue at the right time. They cannot stop singing the praises of the Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to high heavens for lifting their spirits to another planet.

“I am pleased to report that this administration has taken decisive steps to improve the welfare of our workers, which is an integral part of the MORE agenda. To cushion the hardship our people are facing as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy and the downward spiral of the naira against the dollar, I have approved the payment of Ten Thousand (N10, 000.00) naira to the fifty thousand, one hundred and ninety-six workers (50,196) in the state public service for the next three months starting from August. The staff figure includes employees of the ten higher institutions in the state”, those were the words of the State Governor, His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori at the Swearing-in ceremony of Commissioners.

The words of the Governor touched the hearts of the workers, coming at a very bleak time in their lives when feeding in most homes has become unbearable. To the workers, they have seen poverty walking with four legs in their lives since President Bola Tinubu without a second thought decided to flush fuel subsidy down the drain. But Governor Oborevwori who expressed concern about the spiral effect of the fuel subsidy removal on the people has taken bold steps to wipe away the endless cries of the workers and now they are happy for it. Their tears were wiped away when the Governor said that they are now to run shifts. This is apart from the #10, 000 that they are to be receiving from August, 2023. Indeed, celebration time is here for the workers.

“Furthermore, I have approved that workers from salary grade Levels 1-14 should run shifts as follows: First Batch: (Monday – Wednesday) Second Batch: (Thursday – Friday). This schedule will be implemented on a rotational basis. Those who work from Monday-Wednesday in one week will work Thursday to Friday the following week to ensure fairness and equity. The schedule for officers from salary grade Levels 15 and above is to be worked out by the various MDAs as it is suitable for them. However, staff on essential services must be on duty while working remotely is also encouraged. The other arms of government – the judiciary and legislature – are to work out their modalities as they deem fit”, the Governor said.

Governor Oborevwori also used the opportunity to say that; “As you are aware, local government workers are not under the administration of the state. However, we have held consultations with the leadership of ALGON and it is our earnest expectation that ALGON will implement the same palliative measures for its workers”.

“In line with my electoral promise, I recently approved the payment of outstanding promotion arrears to twenty-three thousand, eight hundred and eighty-seven (23,887) workers in the state public service. The total amount payable is five billion, five hundred and twenty-two million, six hundred and thirty-seven thousand, eight hundred and forty-eight naira, and five kobo (N5, 522,637, 848.05). The payment commences from this month of August and will be made in four tranches as follows: Ministries:Judiciary, Parastatals, (August), Hospital Management (September), Higer Institutions ( October), Post Primary Education Board ( November)”, he said.

” To the glory of God, the thorny issue of unpaid local government pensions is nearing final resolution. My administration helped to secure legislative approval for the local government councils to obtain a N40b bank loan to enable them liquidate their backlog of pension liabilities. The loan, which is guaranteed by the state government, is payable over a five-year period, and will be deducted from the accounts of the local government councils. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the payment of the pensions should commence soon.

“I have also given the nod for the local government councils to recruit teaching and non-teaching staff to fill up existing vacancies. At least 2,000 persons will be gainfully employed through this process. In due course, we shall carry out comprehensive audit of physical infrastructure in our primary and secondary schools to enable us know where there are gaps and respond accordingly. My administration will spare no expense in providing the conducive climate essential for high quality learning experiences in our schools”, Governor Oborevwori said.

These are really difficult times for the workers and with succour given to them by the Governor who knows their pains, they cannot but continue to pray for him and his administration and truly they cannot forget in a jiffy that beautiful Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023 when Governor Oborevwori gave them breath of fresh air that lifted their already battered spirits. Now they have bounced back to life, thanks to Governor Oborevwori who feels their pains.

DENNIS OTU IS THE SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT (MEDIA) TO THE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE.

TINUBU APPOINTS NEW BOARD,  MANAGEMENT OF THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, NDDC

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Area News Nigeria
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*As Ebiie, Chairs Board, Ogbuku MD/CEO, Igbuya represents Delta, others make list

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new Board and Management team of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), inclusive of the following Board and Management team members:

Mr. Chiedu Ebie – Chairman – Delta

Dr. Samuel Ogbuku – Managing Director / CEO – Bayelsa

Mr. Boma Iyaye – Executive Director (Finance and Admin) – Rivers

Mr. Victor Antai – Executive Director (Projects) – Akwa-Ibom

Ifedayo Abegunde – Executive Director (Corporate Services) – Ondo

Sen. Dimaro Denyanbofa – State Representative – Bayelsa

Mr. Abasi Ndikan Nkono – State Representative – Akwa Ibom

Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya – State Representative – Delta

Chief Tony Okocha – State Representative – Rivers

Hon Patrick Aisowieren – State Representative – Edo

Mr. Kyrian Uchegbu – State Representative – Imo

Victor Kolade Akinjo – State Representative – Ondo

Chief Dimgba Eruba – State Representative – Abia

Mr. Asu Oku Okang – State Representative – Cross River

Hon. Nick Wende – Zonal Representative – North Central

Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak – Zonal Representative – North East

Sen. Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir – Zonal Representative – North West

The President expects that the new Board and Management team will ensure a new era of successful administration in the NDDC, in line with his Renewed Hope agenda.

All of the above listed appointments take immediate effect.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)

Group Knocks Rivers Governor, Fubara Over Pipelines Surveillance Contract to “One Man”

By
Area News Nigeria
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*Calls for probe of the Ship loaded with crude oil impounded in Delta, freed by the Navy recently 

 

An oil and gas monitoring group, the Niger Delta Indigenous Movement For Radical Change (NDIMRC) has rained heavy knocks on the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara for saying it was wrong to award such the pipelines Surveillance contract to ‘one man’.

The Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had on Saturday, August 26th, 2023, fumed over the crude oil pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services led by former militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemepulo (aka Tompolo) by the Federal Government.

The governor said in Port Harcourt that it was wrong to award such a contract to ‘one man’.

He said the decision would not achieve the objective it was meant to serve because,in his view, an individual should not have control over the assets in another’s territory.

Though the Governor failed to mention a name, he told a high powered Federal Government delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, that “Security of pipeline should not be given to one man or one person.”

The team also comprises Defence Minister Muhammed Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri; Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources, Ekperipe Ekpo; Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja.

He said: “How can someone from Kalabari be controlling the pipeline in Ogoni? There is no way it will work. We must look at bringing all the key people in the various communities.

But the oil and gas monitoring group, (NDIMRC), said that the Governor was not being fair to the people of the Niger Delta Region and other stakeholders and implored President Bola Tinubu to be wary of the Governor and also call him to order now for interest of peace.

In an open letter to President Tinubu, the group expressed shock over the utterances of the Rivers State Governor, saying that his words were capable of disrupting the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta Region, saying that since the pipelines Surveillance Contract was awarded by the administration of former President Mohammadu Buhari to Tompolo, the region has known peace and crude oil thieves milking the nation dry put under control.

Nelly Emma, John Sailor, and Stanley Mukoro, President, Secretary, and Public Relations Officers respectively of NDIMRC, said in the open letter to the President that while illegal oil dealers are enemies of the country, mischief-makers and crude oil thieves are actively working to prevent renewal of the contract because it has crumbled their illicit empires, saying that; “We hate to believe that the Governor of Rivers is encouraging these enemies of the nation who are stealing our crude oil for selfish reasons”.

They wrote; “Mr President, we must say that we were shocked by the utterances of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Saturday, August 26th, 2023 when he played host to high powered Federal Government delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. His words are capable of generating bad blood among the peace loving people of the Niger Delta Region. We have been wondering since he said such things if the Rivers State Governor is a beneficiary of crude oil thieves in the Region because it is only those romancing with crude oil thieves and enemies of the country could have made such a very sensitive statement at a time when Tompolo through his company, Tantita has been able to chase away crude oil thieves from our Creeks. It should be made clear that Tantita is just a coordinator of the good job that Tompolo is doing as every community handle their own job and Mr President, this has brought peace to everyone and we are not going to allow the Rivers State Governor to cause bad blood among the people”.

They also wrote that; ” The Rivers State Governor MUST not be allowed to destroy the good work of the Federal Government. The Governor of Rivers State know very well that before Tantita, people were unable to dry their clothes openly in Rivers state as a result of the activities of crude oil thieves, but all that has been checked and changed by Tompolo and Tantita. Let it be known that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is one of the beneficiaries of Tantita, the records are there for all to see. Before the contract was awarded to Tompolo, the current governor of Rivers State and other stakeholders were aware of it and commended it. Why is the Governor singing a different song now? Has the Governor compromised his conscience to oil crude thieves in the Region? The Governor should be grateful to Tantita and he should also be happy that he was visited on Saturday, August 26th, 2023 by the Federal Government team even though he was RUDE to members of the team.

Please, Mr President, encourage the National Security Adviser (NSA), Ribadu and the Department of State Services (DSS) to name and shame those behind the illicit oil deals in the region”.

They said that; “We are by this open letter to Mr President tasking the NNPCL and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to reveal the names of those behind illegal oil bunkering, because it is the only drastic and decisive measures by the government would deter operators of the illegal industry. When the current NSA was the Chairman of the EFCC, he did very well in the fight against corruption and so we are expecting him to support NNPCL fully in fighting corruption in the oil sector for our production to go up and the common man will benefit greatly,” it stated.

“We want to let the President and the whole world know that Tompolo means well for our nation and those kicking against the renewal of his pipeline surveillance contract are out to frustrate the efforts of a selfless man who is opposed to the selfish interests of a few as against the general interests of the nation and the people,” they said.

They further wrote that; “Some disgruntled ex-militants who are opposed to the contract awarded by former President Buhari are working hand-in-hand with those stealing our oil and they have vowed to ensure that the pipeline contract to Tompolo is not renewed. Mr. President, these people do not mean well for your administration and the Nigerian people, and we are pleading with you not to listen to them”.

“Mr President, the former militant groups who are urging you against renewing the contract for Tompolo do not mean well for your administration. Oil production data has shown that renewing the contract for Tompolo is in the interest of the country’s economy. We want to commend how Tompolo-led Tantita has helped to beat oil bunkerers to their own game, because oil production has gone up and more money has been generated by the Federal Government, thanks to the relentless efforts of Tompolo. The pipeline surveillance contract is also germane to growing peace that has engendered unhindered oil exploration and exploitation activities across the areas. We are satisfied with his protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure, eradication of oil bunkering, and increased generation of internal revenue and therefore the Federal Government should go ahead and renew his pipelines surveillance contract and the likes of the Rivers state Governor who are entitled to their rights and opinions should not be listened to”, they wrote in the open letter.

“We want to let the President and the whole world know that Tompolo means well for our nation and those kicking against the renewal of his pipeline surveillance contract are out to frustrate the efforts of a selfless man who is opposed to the selfish interests of a few as against the general interests of the nation and the people. Some disgruntled ex-militants who are opposed to the contract awarded by former President Buhari are working hand-in-hand with those stealing our oil and they have vowed to ensure that the pipeline contract to Tompolo is not renewed. Mr. President, these people do not mean well for your administration and the Nigerian people, and we are pleading with you not to listen to them and in the same vein, be wary of the Rivers State Governor and do not fail to call him to order and the time to do that is NOW! He was not friendly at all to the Federal Government delegation to Rivers State on Saturday”, they also wrote.

In their words also; “Mr President, the former militant groups who are urging you against renewing the contract for Tompolo do not mean well for your administration. Oil production data has shown that renewing the contract for Tompolo is in the interest of the country’s economy. We want to commend how Tompolo-led Tantita has helped to beat oil bunkerers to their own game, because oil production has gone up and more money has been generated by the Federal Government, thanks to the relentless efforts of Tompolo. The pipeline surveillance contract is also germane to growing peace that has engendered unhindered oil exploration and exploitation activities across the areas. We are satisfied with his protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure, eradication of oil bunkering, and increased generation of internal revenue and therefore the Federal Government should go ahead and renew his pipelines surveillance contract and the likes of the Rivers state Governor who are entitled to their rights and opinions should not be listened to”.

“Finally, Mr President, all the Tank Farms visited by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Ribadu and his team on Saturday in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State should be investigated properly. We have our reasons for saying that the searchlight should be beamed on them. Also, the Ship loaded with crude oil and recently freed by the Navy should be probed. We do not want these matters that we have raised to be swept under the carpet, otherwise, we will be forced to publish what we have at our disposal in foreign media and the whole world will know that this administration is not serious in the fight against corruption. Mr President, thanks for your attention and hoping you will do the needful for the interest of the nation and the people”, they told President Tinubu.

Group Calls On President Tinubu To Renew Tompolo’s Pipelines Surveillance Contract

By
Area News Nigeria
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*Says Those Protesting Against Renewal Of Contract To Ex-militant Leader Are Major Beneficiaries Of Unpatriotic Nigerians Stealing Crude Oil

**Tasks NNPC, NSA To Reveal Names Of Those Behind Oil Theft

 

The Niger Delta Indigenous Movement For Radical Change (NDIMRC) has called on the President, Senator Bola Tinubu to renew the pipelines Surveillance Contract of ex-war lord in the Niger Delta Region, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) for the benefit of the nation, saying no effort should be spared by the Federal Government in collaborating with the former militant leader in the protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure and securing permanent peace in the oil rich Niger Delta Region.

While saying that the oil from the Niger Delta Region remains the main stay of the nation’s economy, the group in a press statement, implored the President not to listen to mischief makers who are not happy with the way Tompolo has handled the issue of oil bunkering in the region since he was awarded the pipelines Surveillance contract by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The group in the statement signed by its President, Nelly Emma, Secretary, John Sailor and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Stanley Mukoro, advised President Tinubu to go ahead and renew the pipelines Surveillance contract to the repentant ex-war lord, saying he has helped the nation greatly since he was awarded the pipeline Surveillance contract.

The Group described Tompolo as a man of peace who wants the best always for the nation and the people, but being fought by unpatriotic elements in the country who are bent on crippling the nation’s economy through the stealing of crude oil.

According to the statement; ” We want to commend President Tinubu for the good things he is doing for the nation, but we want to appeal to him not to listen to mischief makers and enemies of our country who are waging unnecessary war against a patriotic Nigerian, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) who has been able to put those stealing our oil under check. They are out fighting a good man for nothing, but for their selfish interests. These people are bent on crippling the economy at a time your government is looking for money to meet the needs of Nigerians and fix the country”.

“These mischief makers and enemies of the nation have done everything possible to ensure that the pipeline Surveillance contract to Tompolo is never renewed. We want to let the President and the whole world to know that Tompolo means well for our nation and those kicking against the renewal of his pipeline Surveillance contract are out to frustrate the efforts of a selfless man who is opposed to the selfish interests of a few as against the general interests of the nation and the people”, they said.

They also said that; ” Our investigation revealed that some disgruntled ex-militants who are opposed to the contract awarded to Tompolo by former President Buhari are working hand in hand with those stealing our oil and they have vowed to ensure that the pipeline contract to Tompolo is not renewed. Mr President, these people do not mean well for your administration and the Nigerian people and we are pleading with you not to listen to them, but go ahead and renew the contract for Tompolo. Those protesting against the renewal of the pipeline surveillance contract are beneficiaries of those stealing our crude oil. They should be investigated properly”.

“As independent oil monitoring group in the Niger Delta Region, we are very pleased with the way and manner Tompolo has helped to beat oil bunkerers to their own game. Oil production has gone up and more money has been generated by the Federal Government, thanks to the relentless efforts of Tompolo, a peace advocate in the Niger Delta Region and this is why we are very concerned about the renewal of his contract by the Federal Government in the interest of our dear nation. High Chief Government Ekpemupolo is a very peaceful person and his contributions to the advancement of the Niger Delta Region cannot be over emphasized”, the group stated.

The Group further said that; ” The people of the Niger Delta Region in particular and Nigerians in general will continue to remain grateful to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, a wonderful son of the Niger Delta Region for ensuring that those milking the nation dry through the stealing of our crude oil are checked properly and put on their toes. We are satisfied with his protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure, eradication of oil bunkering and increased generation of internal revenue and therefore the Federal Government should go ahead and renew his pipelines Surveillance contract”.

While imploring the Federal Government to collaborate with High Chief Government Ekpemupolo in the area of securing permanent peace in the Niger Delta Region and increasing oil production, the group stated that; “Let it be known, Mr President that some of these agitators and faceless stakeholders are being sponsored by the oil bunkerers and hiding under the cover of the APC. Our President should not give these so called agitators and their co-traveIlers that room to do whatever they want to do because they and their sponsors do not mean well for the nation. We want to implore the President that the NNPC and the National Security Adviser (NSA) should be encouraged to reveal the names of those behind illegal oil bunkering. When the current NSA was the Chairman of the EFCC, he did very well in the fight against corruption and so we are expecting him to support NNPC fully in fighting corruption in the oil sector for our production to go up and the common man will benefit greatly”.

“Some of these agitators being sponsored by those stealing our crude oil are working directly with the NNPC to guide our pipelines and we are using this medium to call on NNPC that these agitators being used by oil bunkerers and have been paid heavily by their sponsors should be shown the way out because they and their sponsors are saboteurs who are doing everything possible to frustrate the process already put in place by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo ( Tompolo)”, they stated in the press statement.

 

The Group revealed that; “Before the award of the pipeline Surveillance contract to Tompolo last year, we were only producing Seven Hundred Thousand barrels of oil per day, but it has risen to over One Million, Six Hundred Thousand barrels per day. The ex-militant who is waging this serious protest against the renewal of the contract for Tompolo do not even have a drop of oil in Ondo State, the oil in the area belongs to the IIajes and his area do not have a single oil and he is also the one working in the AKK Gas project of the NNPC and NNPC should know that he is the one being used by those stealing our crude oil to wage protest against the big wigs in NNPC and Tompolo. The searchlight should be beamed on him”.

Gov. Otti urges Abians to pay approved tax levies, others

By
Area News Nigeria
-

Following the launch of the new digital tax system and subsequent deployment of the new payment system, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, hereby enjoins all residents, particularly the business community, to fulfill their civic obligations by paying their taxes and all forms of approved levies to the State.

The State Government, through the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, has been moving around to educate the public and communicate the steps and process of the new tax regime across the state.

The general public is by this notice advised to pay their taxes and levies promptly as the new Revenue Enforcement Taskforce already set up by the Government is expected to commence operation immediately.

For further enquiries and clarification, please call, send SMS or WhatsApp message through the IGR payment support hotlines, on: 0913 222 2180 and 09022888488.

SIGNED
Kazie Uko
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Abia State

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