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.

*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)

*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”.

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

PIA: Host Communities, takeover 20,000 barrels per day SPDC facility in Otumara, Warri South-West LGA

indigenes of Ugborodo, Ugboegungun and Deghele in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, have taken over Shell Petroleum Development Company SPDC, Otumara Flow Station, over perceived refusal of the International Oil and Gas Major, to meet their demand on the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, accusing the company of toeing the path of illegality as far as relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, is concerned.

According to Fresh Angle International Friday evening August 25, the protesters had vowed Thursday August 24 to escalate their protest if SPDC fails to establish mechanism for the recognition of Otumara Host Community Development Trust by, Friday August 25.

Recall that Indigenes of the aggrieved communities, Thursday stormed the Security House Boat of SPDC Otumara Flow station, with banners bearing various inscriptions, giving Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, 48hours ultimatum, effective Wednesday August 23, to accede to their demand, following the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier handed down to the company.

The angry protesters, watched by security details attached to SPDC as well as the Eghare-Aja of Ugborodo Federated Communities, Eghare-Daniel Uwawah and Mr. Isaac Botosan, among others, brandished banners with inscriptions such as: “On Otumara Host Community Development Trust, OHCDT, we stand” and “We want Petroleum Industrial Act to be given to us as Otumara Host Community Development Trust OHCDT.”

A leader in Ugborodo Community, Mr. Alex Eyengho, who addressed newsmen, Thursday August 24, during the protest at the SPDC facility, stated: “We don’t want to be under any host community, be it Iwere or Warri Kingdom. Shell (SPDC) is toeing the path of illegality.

“Shell has refused to implement the Petroleum Industry Act PIA in their host communities.

“We gave a 30-day ultimatum to Shell, which expired on 21st of August, Shell had refused to comply and take advantage of the 30 days window to implement the PIA.

“If I must tell you, the facility that Shell is operating in Otumara, is the largest in Delta State. If we decide to shut down this facility today, Shell and Nigeria, will be losing 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day, but we have not taken that route and we have been very patient with Shell.

“As it concerns Otumara facility, we are demanding that Shell creates our own Host Community Trust to be named ‘Otumara Host Community Development Trust’, that will be operated by Ugborodo, Ugboegungun and Deghele communities.

“We are the host communities. If there is any form of oil spillage or environmental degradation, it is not going to affect those in Warri South Local Government Area or the others, who are on the upland. It is going to affect primarily Ugborodo and the other communities.”

Other leaders from Ugborodo, Ugboegungun and Deghele communities, Messrs Churchill Omadeli, Oludemi Edema and Anthony Mene Bojoh, in separate interviews, agreed with the position of Mr. Alex Eyengho.

Mr. Churchill Omadeli, who is a member of Ugborodo Council of Elders, called on SPDC to respect its host communities, by coming to dialogue with them, saying failure to do so, will mean continued occupation of the company’s facility.

Whilst the Youth Vice Chairman of Deghele Community, Mr. Anthony Mene Bojoh, said they had a meeting with representatives from Shell on the implementation of PIA, but Shell is trying to cut corners, the National Vice Chairman of Ugboegungun Community, Mr. Olufemi Edema, said: “We are not in support of any other Host Community Development Trust, therefore Shell has only three hours to do the right thing or we will shut down the station.”

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Sapele Correspondents’ Chapel, is saddened by the death of a committed member of the union, who died recently.

The news came to the Union as a rude shock.

While we cannot question God who knows everything about mankind, as a union, we wish to express our profound condolence to his immediate family especially the loved ones he left behind.

Our prayers for his family and all that were close to him is that God comforts their hearts and give them the strength to bear the loss and forge ahead.

The leadership of the union prays that such evil happening will be far from her members.

All we can say at this point is that it is well.

God bless Sapele NUJ!

Signed:
Comrade Nelson Agbajor
Chairman

Comrade Daniel Umukoro
Secretary

The Delta State Government has pledged to open up new areas for massive development in the state for the benefit of the people.

The State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Chief Goodnews Emamusi Obiodeh, gave the pledge on Wednesday on assumption of duty at his office in Asaba.

Speaking at a brief handover by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Gladys Puegeren, the Commissioner said the idea of opening more areas for development was for the overall benefit of Deltans to develop and for investors to be able to carry out their operations effectively in the state.

The Commissioner said members of the public should be ready to receive the dividends of democracy from the M.O.R.E Agenda of the state Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, saying that the Governor was determined to give the people of the state a better deal.

He however advised members of the public not to encroach on lands belonging to the State Government, adding that; “Whoever that is developing or has developed any state land without valid title documents should come to the Ministry to do the needful immediately because the office is not going to tolerate lawlessness”.

He stated further that lands being developed illegally without due approvals will be recovered.

High point of the ceremony was prayers offered by the Presiding Bishop of Heroes of Faith Ministries who doubles as the Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (Delta State Chapter), Bishop Kingsley Enakirerhi. He prayed for the state Governor and Delta State for a successful tenure in office.