By: Celestine Ukah 

There is a huge traffic gridlock right now at Jeddo road in Okpe LGA, Delta State, areanewsng.com can authoritatively report.

As at  at 8:30 am this morning Friday March 10, 2023 the road linking Jeddo from Ekpan Axis to Ubeji and Warri Refinery shaguolor area both within links to Warri South , Uvwie and Okpe LGAs is currently experiencing  traffic block.

Some of the trapped vehicles at the traffic gridlock by Jeddo junction

Businesses and other economic activities  are on standstill  due to the traffic jam  in that route which is high with industrial and other oil and gas commercial activities in Delta state .

The link to the private oil and  depots at Ifie-Kporo in Warri South LGA as well as communities in that area even students movement to school and workers are being slowed down because of the gridlock presently witnessed.

As at some minutes after 8 this morning and  the time of filling this report a very  huge swamp buggy was seen occupying more than half of the road crossing to Jeddo same road that leads to Ughoton, Ugbokodo, Omadino and Obodo as well as other adjoining communities in Okpe and Warri South LGAs, Delta state.

National Coalition Of Niger Delta Ex- Agitators have staged a peaceful protest alleging the hijack of pipeline surveillance contract belonging to the Urhobo ethnic Nation.

The ex-Agitators formed a human barricade that slowed the movement of vehicles for several hours at the East west road by Uvwiamuge junction in Ughelli North local Government Area of Delta State

The Ex-Agitators claimed that the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District and Governorship Candidate of All Progressives Congress APC, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege hijacked the surveillance contract meant for ex-militants leader And mayor of Urhobo land General Isreal Akpodoro.

Some of the ex-Agitators including Urhobo security network coordinator, Chief lucky Odoh, Mr Owarien Kesiena, Mr Jerry Opote and  Mr Darlington Awhelu alleged that Senator Omo-Agege gave the pipeline surveillance security contract to his younger brother, Jimmy Omo-Agege, who they also alleged is the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Zane Energy.

They further expressed dissatisfaction with the contract, noting that the Nigerian government awarded security contracts for pipelines in Ijaw and Itsekiri land to rightful persons, including ex-militants, but awarded that of Urhobo land to Senator Omo-Agege .

They noted that General Akpodoro stood firmly against a militant group known as Avengers that were terrorizing oil pipelines in Urhobo communities and so deserved the pipeline surveillance contract .

The Ex -agitator called on the Federal Government and NNPCL to withdraw the contract from Senator Omo-Agege and give to the ex-militants leader General Isreal Akpodoro for the sustainance of peace in the Bigger Delta Area .

The Ex-Agitators said they would not vote for the APC Governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege because of the surveillance job he allegedly hijacked .

They said they will vote for the People’s Democratic Party , PDP candidate Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori in the forthcoming Governorship election .

Syndicated Report

Delta State Government on Wednesday debunked allegations that it had sold the Liaison Office in Lagos, saying it only engaged property developers to build luxury flats that would add more value to the state.

Speaking at a news conference in Asaba, the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu said the state government decided to rebuild the property with a view to adding more value to the government.

He said that the state government entered into a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with property developers and managers to develop the site to a 10-storey 60 luxury flats that will earn the government further income.

According to him, the state government intended to build a 21-storey building on the site but the plan wasn’t approved by the Lagos State Government because of series of building collapse.
Critics are painting pictures that are at variance with reality and they are now accusing us of selling off the Liaison Office in Lagos.

“That is far from the truth. Before 2018, we had assessed the state of our Liaison Office in Lagos and it was not in the best of shape so we decided that given the prime position in Ikoyi what is possible that will favour the state at the same time give us value.

“We carried out a feasibility study to bring in experts in construction and management to build a 21-storey building but unfortunately we could not get the approval of the Lagos State Government because of series of building collapse in both the Island and the mainland.

“Eventually we got approval to construct 10-storey building that will house as much as 60 luxury flats. We also reasoned that it will be proper to allow the developer develop it with a reasonable stake of 21 flats.

“In the meantime while the construction is on, the civil servants at the Liaison Office have been moved to a rented apartment and they will return to occupy two or more flats upon completion.

“Apart from gaining more value for the property, we would also gain the expertise of the property developers and managers to manage the property,” he stated.

He slammed the APC Governorship candidate and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege for sponsoring lies and propaganda against the state government and commended journalists in the state for not joining in spreading the propaganda.

He urged Deltans not to fall for the antics of the Orogun-born Senator adding that a vote for him would spell doom for electoral democracy in the state.

“Omo-Agege and his APC followers alleged we have borrowed N850 billion, but the question is borrowed from where? At what time was that kind of money processed? At what point did EXCO and the State Assembly approved such loans?

“The APC keeps painting negative pictures that are at variance with reality with a view to hoodwinking the people into voting for their failed party.

“Our Governorship Candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori is clear about what he wants to do for the state through his M.O.R.E. Agenda and I am convinced that Deltans would heed our advice by voting for the people-centric candidate of the PDP,” Aniagwu stated.

By: Celestine Ukah

As the Delta governorship race gets closer March 11, 2023, Primary School teachers and Local Government workers in Delta State are yet to receive their February 2023 salaries despite the fact that FAAC was held and funds disbursed to States from Abuja since early this month.

Findings by Areanewsng.com reveals that workers in the Delta State Civil Service have all received their February 2023 salaries before February 25 Presidential and National Assembly poll where the seating Governor and PDP Vice Presidential Candidate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa lose woefully to the Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi.

Areanewsng.com can authoritatively reports that as at the time of this report staffers of Local Government Councils and primacy school teachers are receiving 10k as bonus without their main salaries being paid for February the situation and action of the state government is something worrisome to the teachers and workers of the third tier of government which is largely controlled by governors in Nigeria.

*Promises Affordable Housing scheme For workers Through Public/Private Partnership arrangement

*Says He Will Ensure Health Insurance Scheme Becomes More Accessible

*Assures Them Of Prompt Payment Of Promotion Arrears, Bridge The Gap In Payment Of Outstanding Pension Arrears.

Delta State PDP Governorship Candidate for the 2023 general elections and National Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has assured Civil Servants and retirees of a fair deal, if elected Governor in the March 11th, 2023, Governorship Election.

Specifically, he said he would strive to promptly pay promotion arrears of Civil Servants and work hard to bridge the payment gap of outstanding pension Arreas to retirees in the state.

At an Interactive session between him and Civil Servants, on Monday, March 6th, 2023 at the Professor Chike Edozie Secretariat Complex, Asaba, Rt Hon Oborevwori, also said if elected Governor, he would ensure the promotion of staff as at when due.

According to him; “Will strongly consider upward review of car and housing loans. We are going to work hard to bridge the payment gap of outstanding pension Arreas to retirees, adding that he will make pension payment more efficient by making funds available on time.

Rt Hon Oborevwori who is also the longest Speaker in the history of Delta State also said that; “If elected Governor, I will ensure the health insurance scheme becomes more accessible to subscribers. My government will ensure that collective bargaining mechanism will be my mantra. There will be affordable Housing scheme for workers through Public/Private Partnership arrangement. Lastly, training and retraining for capacity building will take a prime position”.

Also speaking at the occasion, the State Head of Service, Mr. R. O. E. Bayako, thanked the workers for their responsive attitude during the interactive session and solicited their votes for him, assuring that Oborevwori is a leader conversant with the needs and desires of the workers and will implement every promised he has made.

He noted that in his interaction with the Speaker, he assured that 13 month salary has been paramount among the needs of workers in the State, adding that he was sure that the Governorship Candidate would look into the matter when voted into power as the next Governor of the state.

By: Celestine Ukah

*As Bossman urges Deltans, Three Warri LGAs to vote PDP

The Warri People’s Assembly, WPA says The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the Governorship seat race in Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori will be elected as the next governor of Delta state in the forthcoming March 11, 2023 poll.

A Cross Section of Warri People’s Assembly members at the annual convention shortly after endorsing Rt. Sheriff

This declaration was made by the Group’s leader Comrade Bossman Amoda Azazi recently in Warri, Delta State during the annual convention of the Warri People’s Assembly, he stated that the group has also embarked on massive mobilisation and support for Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori that will lead to his victory at the election.

Areanewsng.com can authoritatively reports that tWPA, while soliciting for more support for the Delta PDP governorship candidate , Comrade Bossman Azazi,, urged all Deltans and the three Warri LGAs to vote PDP candidates from Governorship to House of Assembly across the state, adding that Warri People’s Assembly has also embarked on door-to-door campaign to mobilise more for Rt. Hon. Sheriff in for him to emerge as Delta is a PDP State.

The Warri People’s Assembly convention gathered hundreds of supporters for Sheriff Oborevwori, stressing that with Rt. Hon. Sheriff there’s a renewed hope for Deltans in His M.O.R.E agenda as they believe in his Infrastructure plan for Deltans and the riverine community.

Other plan by Rt. Hon. Oborevwori for Delta governance when he emerges include: Human Capital Capital Development, Youth Empowerment, Healthcare, Education, Transportation, Employment, tested and trusted as well as the longest serving Delta Assembly Speaker.

YOUTHS of Ndokwa has issued a 48 hours ultimatum to the Governor of Delta State and vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Ifeanyi Okowa, to as a matter of urgency, continue the Ossisa community road project in Delta state.

Vanguard reports that the 2023 Presidential election which held on February 25, came to a wrap with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declared president-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the second runner up, while others trailed.

The youth said following the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, Okowa, allegedly ordered the contractor handling the Ossisa community road to halt the project and leave site.

The youths under the aegis of Ndukwa National Youth Movement, NNYM, in a statement collectively signed by NNYM Secretary General, Idi Presley Ifeanyichukwu, and NNYM President, Onwubolu Benjamin, on Friday, also cautioned Governor Okowa to desist from playing politics with the well being of the Ndokwa people.

The statement reads in part: “For starters, when we saw the contractor moving in heavy duty equipments to site during this period that’s very close to elections, we suspected foul play but we decided to give Okowa a chance to prove that the hatred he has for Ndokwa Nation has abated. Alas a leopard will never change it’s spot!

“For clarification purpose, we wish to state emphatically that this ultimatum calling on Okowa not to cancel the one of the very few approved projects for Ndokwa Nation has no political undertone, rather it’s done in good faith owing to our desire to see a more developed Ndokwa Nation.

“We are asking Governor Ifeanyi Okowa not to play politics with the well being of our people. It’s not the fault of Ossisa community that he failed in his ill fated quest of becoming vice president. Even his own kinsmen rejected him.

“To all sons and daughters of Ndokwa Nation who mean well and desire to see our communities developed, we are appealing for you to lend your voice irrespective of party affiliations. This is our land and the interest of our people should be paramount to us.

“Finally, we wish to sound it very clearly to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa that should he fail to order the contractor back to site and continue the job within the next forty-eight hours, he should be ready to face the wrath of Ndokwa youths.”

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered that old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes remain in circulation till December 31, 2023.

The apex court also nullified the Federal Government’s naira redesign policy, declaring it as an affront to the 1999 Constitution.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, who read the lead judgement, held that the preliminary objections by the defendants (the Attorney General of the Federation, Bayelsa and Edo states) are dismissed as the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

Citing Section 23(2)1 of the constitution, the court held that the dispute between the Federal Government and states must involve law or facts.

The apex court further held that President Muhammadu Buhari in his broadcast admitted that the policy is flawed with a lot of challenges.

The court said the policy has led to some people engaging in trade by barter in this modern age in a bid to survive. The court added that the President’s disobedience of the February 8 order, is a sign of dictatorship.

Sixteen states of the Federation instituted the suit to challenge the legality or otherwise of the introduction of the policy.

The suit initially instituted by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states has been slated as the first case on the cause list for a final verdict.

Justice John Inyang Okoro who led a seven-man panel of Justices of the Court had on February 22 fixed today for the court to make its decision known on the suit.

The 16 states led by Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara are praying the apex court to void and set aside the policy on the ground that it is inflicting hardships on innocent Nigerians

They accused the President of usurping the function of the CBN in the introduction and implementation of the policy and asked that the directive issued by Buhari be voided.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and his Kogi State counterpart, Yahaya Bello were in court to witness the judgement on Friday. The two governors were also in court at the last hearing. Also, Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle was in court on Friday.

By: Celestine Ukah

The Member reelect for Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chief Dr. Thomas Ereyitomi JP has appreciated the massive support expressed to him leading to his reelection into the 10th NASS Assembly.

Chief Ereyitomi who got the mandate of the People of Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West to return to the National Assembly assured them of effective and quality representation of the constituency at the House of Representatives as well legislate on laws that will transform the lives of the People.

While thanking Warri federal constituents for their massive turnout to exercise their franchise, Chief Ereyitomi described the voters action to reelect him as a determination and resilience for sure possibilities. continuity and consolidating on already achieved agenda as well set for actualising other targets.

He reassure the people of attracting more projects and passage of bills for the good of Warri Federal Constituency. The Warri Federal lawmaker elect Chief Ereyitomi commended his team all PDP faithful, his campaign council all Wards and committee chairman and members as well as the media team for their energy leading to victory .

He expressed gratitude to God for his triumphing at the poll, Dr. Ereyitomi equally extend his hand of fellowship to the contenders appealing to them to collaborate with him as a team in order to move Warri federal constituency higher.