Tag Archives: South South

Obaseki: “Edo to be the most prosperous economy in the South-South within 3 years”

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Governor Godwin Obaseki has expressed his administration’s desire to make Edo State the most prosperous economy in the South-South within the next three years. Besides, Governor Obaseki expressed confidence that in another seven to ten years, his desire was to position the State as the number one economy in the country, a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Mayaki contained.

 

The statement quoted Governor Obaseki while declaring open a 3-day strategic policy dialogue workshop with the theme: Setting Agenda for the new Administration with Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service as participants as well as political leaders and critical stakeholders in the state.

 

Governor Obaseki said, “15 to 20 years, we want to be the number one investment destination in the continent,’’ adding that to achieve this vision for the state, “first class institutions capable of nurturing transformation policies must be built”. He noted his administration’s quest to deliver on infrastructure that would be better than what was available in the Federal Capital Territory.

 

“We must deliver on infrastructure that is better than what is available in the Federal Capital Territory. We must aim at generating revenues much more than Lagos without putting unbearable tax burden on our people. “We must therefore aim at developing our institutions because in the cause of this workshop, we shall be working on six thematic areas, which are the key pillars of our goal for the state.’’

 

He said the workshop would address issues such as how the state would achieve economic revolution that would translate to having a developed world class infrastructure. According to his words, “How do we ensure institutions are reformed so they can deliver? How do we ensure that we can create a state that is socially conscious and create emphasis on the welfare of our people? “How do we ensure that our culture which is world class acclaimed is displayed and made available for the world to enjoy our tourism as well as sustain our environment”.

 

The governor noted that in the case of the economy revolution, the thematic group should focus on how the State would establish investment bureaucracy that could begin to attract world class investment. He added that focus should be on strategic plan that could create minimum of 200,000 jobs as well as many small scale and medium enterprise that was sustainable. Obaseki further urged other thematic groups on their expectations from the government at the end of their three-day brain storming session, adding that their resolution would be the working document for developing the state.

 

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, retired Justice Samson Uwaifo, stated that effective leadership required good decision making, describing the workshop as revolutionary approach to governance. The former Supreme Court Judge therefore urged the people not to misunderstand or abuse the dialogue platform as it was a sign that the governor was ready to serve with the best of intentions. His words, “I think the move to set the Agenda for the new administration in Edo state is well conceived. No doubt it is the first of its kind and the essence of it is revealed in the vision and mission set out.

 

The vision for the thematic pillars so systematically analyzed is quite attractive and demonstrates a revolutionary approach to change in the art of governance. “This is a practical exhibition of this administration to ensure inclusive government. Let me sound an admonition that this new era of governance should neither be misunderstood nor abused by any one in whatever sense. Let it be taken with gratitude that it is a sign that the Governor has offered to serve the people with the best of intention”, he said.

We’ll Work Together To Strengthen PDP In South South — Dickson

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Bayelsa State governor, Mr Seriake Dickson, has said that he will work closely with other governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, towards ensuring victory in the re-scheduled State and National Assembly elections in their states.

 

Gov Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa Dickson, in statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, gave the assurance, Sunday, at a reception which followed a thanksgiving service held in honour of the Rivers State governor, Chief Nyesome Wike, in Port Harcourt, over his recent victory at the Supreme Court.

 

 

He said that as the oldest PDP governor in the South-South geo-political zone, it was incumbent on him to play a pivotal role in efforts geared towards strengthening the party’s existing structures at both regional and national levels.

 

Congratulating Wike and his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, for their victory, Dickson said that whatever affects Rivers State has a ripple effect on Bayelsa State because both states share common history and cultural affinity.

 

He, therefore, urged the people not to allow any issue to divide them, but remain united and work for the peace, progress and stability of the region. Dickson, who extended a hand of fellowship to the Rivers people, advised them to rally round their governor to enable him focus on delivering the dividends of democracy, particularly as the country was grappling with dire economic challenges.

 

 

Credit : Vanguard

Army Pledges Readiness To Suppress Insurrection In South East, South South

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The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army has pledged its readiness to suppress insurrection in the South East and South South geopolitical zones whenever it was called upon to do so.

Addressing newsmen in Enugu on Monday, the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations in the division, Col. Hamza Gambo, said the statement had become imperative because of “the marked increase in the activities of pro-Biafran groups’’ in the areas.

Gambo listed the activities to include protest marches, demonstrations and some cases of outright lawlessness and threat to lives and properties.

“The truism of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is not contestable particularly as it is guaranteed by the constitution.

“Instructively, this constitutional guarantee does not allow for abuse of other person’s freedom and safety.

“It is pertinent to note that the same constitution mandates the armed forces of Nigeria to suppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authority to restore order when called upon to do so.

“To this end, if and when the Nigerian Army is called upon to oplay its legally mandated role, it shall do so with utmost sense of duty and responsibility to the nation,’’ he said.

The spokesman said the army would act within its rules of engagement and called on law-abiding citizens to go about their normal activities.

He said that the disturbances were orchestrated by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Soverign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Gambo said that the agitations had led to an increased sense of insecurity in the regions.

 

(NAN)

Oil Blocks Sale: PENGASSAN, NUPENG Shut Down Oil Facilities Nationwide

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The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have directed employees of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to shut down indefinitely their locations and all oil production facilities nationwide in a bid to force the minister of petroleum resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and the federal government to reverse the transfer of operatorship of OMLs 42, 40 and 30.

THE WILLS also reports that the assets were previously operated by Shell.

The directive to shut down the facilities was issued yesterday by the executive councils of the PENGASSAN and NUPENG.

A petroleum industry source with knowledge of the development told the online medium that all branch chairmen of the powerful unions have been directed to fully implement the directive starting from tomorrow, May 20, 2015.

The unions are aggrieved that the sale of the assets did not follow due process and would affect the fortunes of the NPDC and its workers.

Mr. Emeka Offor’s Elcrest Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, a joint venture company of Eland Oil & Gas Plc, was awarded the operatorship of OML 40, while Mr. Ernest Ezedialu Obiejesi’s NECONDE is the operator of OML 42.

Sources in the sector say three flow stations have already been shut down in the creeks of the Niger Delta ahead of tomorrow’s total shutdown.

Nigeria is the largest producer of crude oil in Africa with an estimated daily production capacity of 2.2 million barrels per day.

House of Reps Amend PIB To Include The Entire Country As ‘Host Community’ Of Petroleum?

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There were tense moments at the House of Representatives on Thursday as members approved a clause in the Petroleum Industry Bill to include the entire country as ‘host community’ of petroleum resources.

By approving the clause, the House said all “upstream and downstream ” communities in the country would now benefit from the? “Petroleum Host Community Fund”, proposed in the PIB.
In the original version of the bill from the Executive, the PHCF was proposed to assist cushion the effects of oil exploration activities on oil producing communities.

Oil companies, according to the bill, are to contribute 10 per cent of their net profit to the Fund.

However, the House AdHoc Committee on the PIB amended the beneficiaries of the PHCF to include all parts of the country rather than restricting it to oil communities alone.

Chairman of the committee, Mr. Ishaka Bawa, while throwing light on the recommendation, told members that communities with refineries or have oil pipelines traversing them, were automatically “host communities.”

He added, “It means that even states, where there are refineries or there are pipelines are host communities.

“It is beyond oil producing communities. “
Bawa stated further that the only exceptions were states like Sokoto and Kebbi.

Although, the House passed the recommendation, it was not without some protests.

Some Niger Delta lawmakers, led by Mr. Leo Ogor, sought to retain the original proposal.

Ogor argued that the recommendation of the committee might face challenges of implementation because of what he called “many technicalities that will hinder progress.”

He insisted that the House should restore the original provision, but his position was defeated ?by the majority of members, who backed the community’s recommendation.

The House also reduced the 10 per cent contribution to the PHCF to 7.5 per cent.
But, oil companies are still required to carry out corporate social responsibilities in host communities to make up for the reduced financial contribution.

Lawmakers began considering the report on the controversial bill on Wednesday.

The 368-page report has 312 sections and 348 clauses.

By Thursday, members had passed 116 clauses at the Committee ?of the Whole, which was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha.
The House later adjourned further consideration of the bill till Tuesday next week.

I have Not Done Much For My People Because I am Transparent -Jonathan

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Speaking at the PDP rally in Rivers state, at the Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta-Ali, Greater Port Harcourt City, President Jonathan, in a rebuttal to a statement he attributed to an APC chief in their campaign that held recently in Yenegoa, on why he had not fulfilled his promise to the Souh-south region.

The President said he did not concentrate development on his region because of his quest for equitable distribution of the country’s resources.

The president went further to justify his position and took the crowd through a story his formation years in Port harcourt. He said “Don’t worry, it is a good news because people are saying that I concentrated development in the South South. Bayelsa State was part of Rivers State. I am part of this state. Since I finished by secondary school, I have been in Port Harcourt. I started my first job as a young officer in the Customs. Of course, I attended the University of Port Harcourt and started lecturing in the Rivers State College of Education. So, I have been part and parcel of this state.

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