AljaziralPress

Ex-Militant leaders in Niger Delta yesterday passed a vote of confidence of the Interim Management Committee (IMC of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), saying that they are credible to change the lives of the rural communities.

The Ex-Militant leaders made this statement during a courtesy visit to the the IMC at NDDC headquarters.

The duo who spoke on behalf of the Ex-Militant leaders, General Victor Ebikabowei (aka Boylof) and General Jakrich Sobomabo aka (Egberipapa) said; “We the Ex-militants Leaders and people of Niger Delta region are fully in support of the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC were we have capable hands like Joi Nunieh, Managing Director, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Executive Director Projects (EDP) and Chief Ibanga Bassey Etan Director Finance (EDF).”

“We are solidly behind them because these are the kind of persons that are credible to change the lives of the rural communities in the Niger Delta region and we are going to support u to any leanrt in order for you to succeed. We therefore at this point on behalf of the people of Niger Delta pass a vote of confidence on the Interim Management Committee of NDDC. This is because of the 100percent confidence we have have in the Committe”. They noted.

Earlier in his remarks, the MD NDDC, Dr. Joi Nunieh on behalf of the interim management committee, thanked the top Ex-militants leaders and people of Niger Delta for the confidence reposed in them, saying that they will not disappoint Niger Deltans, the Minister of Niger Delta led Godswill Akpabio, President Muhammadu Buhari and above all God Almighty.

He added that; “We thank you your emancipation of Niger Delta region. I therefore, want you to take the massage to our people that the interim management Committe will not fail them. We are Niger Deltans and we have the same DNA flowing. Therefore we are determined to take Development to the rural areas”.

“We are not focusing on the Niger Delta cities that are already developed but to focus on the rural areas because Mr. President has said that we must take Development to the people that deserves it and we shall work with state governors to ensure success”. She noted.

Meanwhile, the Interim Management Committee of NDDC yesterday inspected some ongoing and abandoned projects in Ogoni Land and Port Harcourt yesterday in order to put efforts to complete the projects.

Part of the sites visited include the NDDC permanent site in Port Harcourt which has near completion, the Mother/Child Hospital project which has been abandoned by previous Boards and the Kha/Adoni Bridge project from Kha in Ogoni to Ataba in Adoni local government area.

In chat with journalists at the inspection, the trio, Dr. Joi Nunieh, MD, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, EDP and Chief Ibanga Bassey Etang EDF pledged to ensure that the best quality of jobs will be done in the projects, adding the the NDDC Headquarters permanent site and the Kha/Adoni Bridge Project which is one of the largest projects of the Commission will be ready for commissioning by President Muhammadu Buhari in early 2020.

As a way of toeing the path of investigate journalism, I called Hon. Dr. Cairo Ojuigbo the voice behind the now trending statement of ” a certain Senator took 300 contracts from the NDDC on his popular MTN line that ends with 006. From the conversation that wore a semi question and answer pattern, the former member of the House of Representatives wasn’t ready to shed light on the controversial statement that has sent tongues wagging on the social media and numerous blog sites. Pressed further Hon. Cairo refused to mention the name of the Senator he was referring to but only echoed ” the Senator hasn’t stayed long in the Senate, has 87 payment vouchers on the table of the MD of NDDC before they came, I asked was this issue post 2015 or prior to 2015? And he said Post 2015.

From the above conversation, it is glaring for numerous reasons that Sen. James Manager is not the one in the eye of the storm. First, Sen. Manager’s name wasn’t mentioned by Hon. Cairo Ojuigbo while making the statement as regards the corrupt practices in the NDDC. Secondly, Sen. James Manager has spent approximately 12 years in the Red chambers, a period long enough not to be described as “hasn’t stayed long in the Senate” by Cairo Ojuigbo. Also, for Hon. Cairo Ojuigbo to have said that the Senator collected these contracts post 2015 further makes Sen. Manager an angel bearing in mind that, as at 2015, the Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District was nolonger the Senate Committee Chairman on NDDC neither was he a member of the Committee in the upper legislative chamber. Furthermore, those spreading the former Commissioner of works in Delta State name as the brain behind the sharp practises in the NDDC will do well to satisfy their curiosity and the man’s innocence if they can reach out to the former NDDC Managing Director and ask him, which Senator has 87 payment vouchers on your desk before the expiration of your tenure?

I took the pains to embark on this voyage because the now trending national issue came from a Niger-Deltan, affects the Niger-Delta region and touches on the amiable personality of a well respected national figure of the Niger-Delta extraction. Furthermore, it might also interest those spreading this falsehood and baseless accusations that Sen. James Manager, has no company name in the archives of the NDDC with which he has bidded for or executed any contract

Without sounding immodest I want to ask all those mentioning Sen. James Manager’s name and spreading his photos on the social media and numerous blog sites; were they read or saw when he was invited to answer questions by any agency of the Federal Government. We don’t need any God mandated prophet or satanic inclined soothsayer to prompt us before we deduce that the All Progressive Congress (APC) are good at propaganda and also promoting fake news to destroy a person, was the APC anticipating that the tribunal would nullify Sen. J. E. Manager’s election so they could use propaganda and fake news to caterpault ex-Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan to the Senate?

Anyways, we are watching the drama, let it keep unfolding. At the long run the end will justify the means. Whatever may be the case, the people of the region deserves a far fairer deal than the fairy tales that currently dominate the social media space.

Comr. Prince A. Okporua,
Niger-Delta Activist and PDP Youth Leader.

ASABA – The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has said that the 2020 Budget will impact the State economy and the general wellbeing of Deltans positively.

In his remarks on Wednesday, shortly after the presentation of the 2020 budget by the State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the Speaker said that the budget, christened ” Budget of Sustained Development was another milestone in the rapid transformation and development that Deltans have witnessed in the State since the beginning of the Governor Okowa’s led administration.

He said; “On behalf of my colleagues and management of the Assembly, I welcome you all to the presentation of the year 2020 Budget by His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, our dear Governor. Let me specially welcome His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to his own House. I say this because, Section 108 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) grants the Governor passage to our Chambers whenever he desires to address the House”.

According to the Speaker; ” This 2020 Budget of Sustained Development is another milestone in the rapid transformation and development that we have witnessed in the State since the beginning of this administration. On behalf of my colleagues, I thank His Excellency for the revenue projection and the capital development proposals outlined in the Budget just presented to the House”.

“I believe strongly that after the Assembly’s legislative processing of the Budget, diligent implementation by the Executive and scrupulous over-sighting by the Legislature, the Budget will impact the State economy and the general wellbeing of our people positively”, he said.

The Speaker stated that as a House; “We will continue to cooperate with the Executive to deliver good governance to the State. As at today, with the remarkable support of the Legislature, we are all witnessing the massive infrastructural development across the State and the training and establishment of a good number of our youths in various enterprises and vocations by this administration”.

According to him, the House will not relent in scrutinizing the Budget in line with their oaths to make law for peace, order and good government of the State, adding that; “As usual, we are duty bound to painstakingly look at the details of the Budget for the purpose of transforming same for the benefit and aspiration of our people”.

Rt.Hon Oborevwori assured the Governor of the readiness of the House to partner with his administration in achieving all the goals and targets of building a Stronger Delta with the three pillars of Prosperity, Peace and Progress for all.

By Gabriel Choba, Ughelli

Heavy equipments worth almost a Billion Naira that where supposed to be distributed to the various Communities of the Niger Delta Region yesterday discovered abandoned by previous Boards for over 13years of purchase.

This was disclosed during an inspection carried out at the NDDC warehouse by the Interim Management Committe led the Managing Director, Dr Gbene Joi Nunieh.

The Managing Director while briefing newsmen on behalf of the committee during the inspection frowned at the manner at which these equipments which includes over Trucks, Ambulance Boats, mini-tractors, fire fighting, medical equipments and other items stored in the warehouse, lamenting that the communities are in dire need of them but they have remained stored in warehouse since 2006 till date and left to rout.

She said the equipments Will services and accordingly distributed to the designated riverine communities of the Niger Delta region.

She said; “It’s so disheartened to discover that these new equipments bought for communities in the Niger Delta are here wasting away. We have many communities that needed these things but now so many of them have expired. But we must ensure that other equipments will be duly serviced and shared to designated communities.”

The wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Her Excellency Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano has called on thunder to fire the Ex- beauty queen , former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain and the wife of the late Ikemba, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Mrs Obiano was reacting to the statement by Bianca during Ojukwu’s posthumous birthday celebration at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University yesterday , calling Governor Willie Obiano an ingrate for not attending the event in person.

In Her Excellency’s words: “my husband sent the highest representative he could send, his Deputy and yet Bianca is reacting without asking the whereabouts of Gov. Obiano. I had an emergency and was billed for surgery in the USA. Would it be wise for my husband who out of love and concern travelled with me to abandon me in the name of attending a dead man’s birthday? It is pertinent that I said this so that Nigerians will judge who is an ingrate.”

Reacting to the claim that Obiano rode on Ojukwu’s ladder to become Governor as claimed by Bianca, Ebele Obiano asked: “ is Bianca suffering from forgetfulness? Is she not aware that Ojukwu was dead before my husband became governor and could not have contributed anything from the grave.

Wondering what is wrong with Bianca, Obiano asked if she was the first woman to become an Ambassador or the most beautiful woman on earth to be looking down on others. “ At least to today, she should realize my husband is the Governor and I the First Lady. We deserve some respect from her,” Obiano said.

Obiano also confessed that she did understand that it was her failure to secure APGA senatorial ticket and the stoppage of monthly 20 million Naira the Governor was paying her that has infuriated her, but asked if it was by constant abuse that the payment would be reinstated. “What has My husband not done for that ingrate? He was paying her 20 million every month, built a house for her at Nnewi, changed cars for her, gave her money for his political activities. She thinks I do not know all this. Is it because of failure to secure a ticket that will make her forget all this? There are other things I cannot even say publicly, but I am a woman like her, and I must fight for the sanctity of my family“ Obiano said .

Taken from the wall of Dean Ikechukwu Onwubuya

THE Niger Delta Development Commission , NDDC, Acting Executive Director of Projects, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, has said a Delta serving Senator and a member of House of Representatives took 300 projects and 120 of the projects has been duly paid for but yet none of the have been executed.

It was gathered that , NDDC owes contractors about N3trillion. He, however, frowned at the level of contracts executed, that out of the 300contracts secured by the Delta law maker none was executed .

Accotding to the acting EDP the contracts were under investigation.

The acting director said the ongoing forensic audit would help uncover how the debt was accrued.

He said those opposed to the audit have something to hide, as they must have played a role in NDDC’s mismanagement.

Ojougboh accused the unnamed Senator of sponsoring a smear campaign against the interim management, which he said would function for less than six months and hand over to the substantive board.

Ojougboh said he had no interest in NDDC, adding that he and other interim management team members would not be compromised.

Other members are Acting Managing Director Dr Gbene Nunieh and Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr Ibanga Utang.

Ojougboh said: “I have never entered the NDDC building before. I have no contract there. The MD has no interest whatsoever in the NDDC. The Executive Director, Finance, also does not have any interest.

“Therefore, when given the opportunity that we have just been given, our job is to make sure that we avail the auditors all the necessary documents and information, all the necessary help they need because we are not protecting any interest but to help the auditors do their job as it is required.”

Ojougboh said the senator ought to have recused himself from screening the NDDC board nominees.

“It is obvious that the reason he is behaving the way he is behaving is that he wants the system, the looting in the NDDC to continue, and this is what the Interim Management Committee will not support. It is as simple as that.

“I appeal to Nigerians to support the position of Mr President, to support the IMC, to support the people of the Niger Delta and the forensic audit.

“The NDDC Interim Payment Certificates that are pending are worth over N3 trillion. That is what the NDDC owes these phantom contractors. It is these phantom contractors that are preaching and making noise to stop the probe. All they want is for the stealing to continue.

“All they want is to bring puppets to manage the forensic audit because they know that the members of the IMC will not compromise. If you look at the records at the NDDC, you will cry.

“Some genuine people that have done jobs for the board have not been paid for over 15 years and their families are suffering. Many of those who were paid are these phantom contractors,” Ojougboh said.

On why the interim management team was set up, Ojougboh said it was to make the incoming management’s work easier.

His words: “It was thought that allowing the board to supervise the forensic audit will get them encumbered because they will also be interested in the matters that they are involved in.

“So, the system came up with the idea that an independent body must be put together to oversee the forensic audit for a period of three to six months. Thereafter, at the end of the forensic audit, the body that has just been screened will take over.

Meanwhile, the Oil and Gas Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSTCOM) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to return the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the Presidency.

It expressed fears that the Niger Delta ministry may not effectively supervise the NDDC, which the President said was mismanaged despite huge allocations.

HOSCON said: “We demand that the NDDC be urgently returned to the Presidency as its control by the Ministry of the Niger Delta will not only be counter-productive but will give some selfish political gladiators undue advantage and cause unnecessary tension.”

This is as former militants in the Niger Delta have pledged support for the interim management committee set up to run NDDC.

By Akpovoke Otiti

THE Council Chairman, Dr. Richard Kofi Of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, said on Monday that they have trained 650 indegent youths and Residents on different Skills, that entreprenuership hold the key to poverty reduction in Nigeria, Charges parents to support their wards after training programmes.

The Council Chairman who made these known to Aljaziralreporters online Newspaper, that the target of his Administration is to take thousands of Ughelli South youths out of poverty within the next few years.

Dr. Kofi who underlined his government’s resolve to actualise his promise to reduce poverty in Ughelli South.

The council Chairman joined Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa towards building a stronger Delta, that skill acquisition will transform our youths and the State into the next great economic success story?’’

On poverty reduction in Delta, Dr. Richard Kofi pointed to the vigorous training of repented youths from Ughelli south, that are on sensitization of Community to Community, “we’ve trained in Otu-jeremi, Okwagba, Ovwor and Otor – Ewu, we have also met with some some companies to take some measures that have encouraged our Skill acquisition trainer’s revolution in Ughelli South.

‘‘Those who are following Okowa’s administration efforts on accountability at all levels will notice that we have made many progress.

Kofi called on all Indegent youths and Residents of Ughelli South to come out and pick their skill Acquisition form, so that they can contribute their quota to the socio- economic development of Ughelli South. That the forms are open to everyone, he said;

ABUJA – President Mohammadu Buhari tightens security on Nigeria Borders as neighbouring countries cries for opening of Nigeria Borders.

Nigerians halis Buhari political will, Says He woke Nigeria up, albeit very late, and at a time we revel in slumbering.

But we still boom with hope. And reflect a ray of optimism. Never doubt a children of potentials!

We woke up late to check our borders. But yet command respect. The neighbouring countries that damn Nigeria were now sleeping on roof of regression.

Let Ghana creates another Alcoholic Republic for its Alomo Bitter. Togo and Benin should find another dumping ground for their illicit intakes.

Our pride is on the rise. We’re picking up our image again. On ease of doing business, we get a fair rating. People of our own, we’re getting them enrich.

We’re taking toll on the smugglers. And the social vices. While we let our doubters quiver in fear.

Nigeria’s destiny is in Nigerian hands. The quicker we realize. The better for us. This is one of the best time to be a Nigerian. The future is green.

A group of professionals in various field of endeavours under the aegis of Protector of the Under-Privileged (PUP) has stated that the kidnap of Honourable Justice Iheme Chioma Nwosu is a slap on the Nigerian Judiciary.

The group while linking the case of the kidnapped judge to possible desperation of politicians who want to win their electoral cases at all cost, called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and judges across the country to be wary of such desperate politicians who would do anything at all cost just to win.

It would be recalled that Justice Iheme Chioma Nwosu was kidnapped by gunmen and her orderly, Inspector A. I Momoh killed in Benin on Wednesday 30th October, 2019.

In a statement signed by chairman of Protector of the Under-Privileged, Comrade Marvin Osaro and Mr. Trustman Oga said a desperate politician can do anything to get judgment in his favour or frustrate a judgment which he knows may be against him.

The group which also comprise of aggrieved APC members in Edo and Delta states wondered how someone could be so desperate to kidnap a Justice of the Court of Appeal who is serving her country diligently.

“The judiciary and the general public should work with police, find out the known and perceived desperate politicians across party lines in Edo and Delta stare and punish any politician linked to the kidnap of Honorable Justice Iheme Chioma Nwosu of the Appeal Court, Benin Division to serve as deterrent to others.

“We want to call on judges across the country and members of the Nigerian police working for the release of the kidnap judge to extend their investigations to politicians having electoral cases at the Appeal Court, Benin to unravel the truth”, the statement added.