We Created 17,173 Jobs In One Year, Says Okowa

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Editorial

May 24, 2016

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…Set To Commission Series Of Completed Projects

BY FIDELIS EGUGBO
THE Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa has said that within one year of being in office, his administration has created 17,173 (seventeen thousand, one hundred and seventy three) jobs.
Governor Okowa accompanied by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Tam Brisibe; Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chief Kingsley Esiso; Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Festus Ovie-Agas; Chairman of the Delta State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Norbert Chiazor and the South South zonal chairman of the union, Comrade Edward Ogude dropped the hint in a crowded press conference held at the Press Centre, Government House, Asaba yesterday to signal the commencement of the celebration of his one year in office.
While disclosing that a lot of projects have been lined up for commissioning as a result of the Democracy Day celebration, the governor stated that within the past one year, “it is my pleasure to announce that as at April 30, 2016, a total of 17,173 (seventeen thousand, one hundred and seventy three) private sector jobs were created by this administration; this figure consists of 6,800 (six thousand, eight hundred) direct jobs and 10,373 (ten thousand, three hundred and seventy three) indirect jobs of both skilled and unskilled workers.”
“As a Special Purpose Vehicle, the Office of the Chief Job Creation Officer accounted for 7,522 (seven thousand, five hundred and twenty two) of these jobs while the remaining 9,651 (nine thousand, six hundred and fifty one) were created through projects, programmes and initiatives implemented through the various MDAs,” the governor said, adding, “at the very core of our SMART agenda is job and wealth creation, because we realize that the only way to achieve sustainable economic growth is to create new jobs, diversify the economy through the development of non-oil sectors, and provide the enabling environment for enterprises and industries to thrive.”
Senator Okowa who took oath of office on May 29, 2015 as the Governor of Delta State, reiterated, “in August 2015, we launched the Job and Wealth Creation Scheme with the following programmes viz; Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP), Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), and Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP) which were focused on equipping participants with life skills, developing their leadership qualities, increasing their personal effectiveness, harnessing their productive potentials, and enabling them to become entrepreneurs, managers and leaders.”
He disclosed that within one year, his administration awarded contracts for the construction cum rehabilitation of fifty four roads through the State Tenders Board and the Ministerial Tenders Board, noting that some of the projects earmarked for commissioning as part of the Democracy Day celebration includes, Ejinyere/Orodje Street in Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area; Jeddo Ughoton Road and Access Road to Eagles Height University (Phase 1 Jeddo/Omadino Bridge), Okpe local Government Area; Oteri Township Road in Ughelli North Local Government Area; Okere-Urhobo Community Roads in Warri South Local Government Area (Olomu link Road, 1st and 2nd Olomu Streets, Otor-Okere and Agba Roads); Kefas Road with a spur to Uzere junction, Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area; Uduophori road (Phase 1), Patani Local Government Area; Orikeze Street with a spur to Orikeze close, Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area; Usonia Road, off Nnebisi Road, Asaba; Faculty of Law Complex, Delta State University, Oleh Campus, Isoko South Local Government Area; Pedriatic Wards/Water Scheme in Patani General Hospital; and Azu-Owa Abavo Cottage Hospital, Abavo, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.
“Meanwhile, work on Cable Point Road dualization, Asaba, Okpanam Road Dualization, Asaba; Warri-Sapele Road Dualization in Sapele from Amukpe Roundabout; the construction of Amekpa-Afiesere-Ufuoma Road in Ughelli North Local Government Area; Lagos-Asaba Road dualization in Agbor; construction of Oza-nogogo-Alisimie Road in Ika South Local Government Area, and Okerenkoko Beach Road in Warri South West Local Government Area, are progressing steadily and should be ready for commissioning a few months from now,” the Governor said, emphasising, “it goes without saying that there is need for continual investment in infrastructure renewal and new constructions that will engender economic growth, lead to social improvements, and give all communities equal opportunity to benefit from the economy.”
While calling for collaboration between government and the private sector, Governor Okowa stated, “it is gratifying to note that local and international investors are taking keen interest in our state and the figure given for the constructed and rehabilitated roads does not include projects executed by the Direct Labour Agency (DLA).”

GOV OKOWA ADVOCACY COMMITTEE IN EGBEMA KINGDOM OF WARRI NORTH LGA

GOV OKOWA ADVOCACY COMMITTEE  IN EGBEMA KINGDOM OF WARRI NORTH LGA 

 

The people of Egbame Kingdom have been advised not to engage in the destruction of Oil facilities that will further cripple the economy. 

 

The Delta State Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro who is the Chairman of the Government Advocacy Committee against Pipeline Vandalism of the state, gave the advice while addressing people of the kingdom when he led members of the Advocacy team as part of the sensitization against Pipeline Vandalism. 

 

The deputy governor who spoke to the people in their local language, said pipeline vandalism will have negative effect not only on the nation, and state but also the communities in the kingdom as well.

 

He said government condemn in strong terms the rate of this dastardly act going on in the riverine area, adding that  no government will attain meaningful development with this spate of destruction of oil facilities. 

 

According to him;  "The on going bombing of our critical oil facilities is unacceptable, government condemn it in very strong terms,  they should stop it, they should deepen intelligence as to the  remote and immediate cause and happenings and to create a platform of engagement and dialogue.  We believe very strongly that we have to engage the people in dialogue. Because only dialogue can bring about sustainable peace and security in the area, that is what we are doing and that is what we are  set to achieve". Barr. Otuaro stated. 

 

Barr. Otuaro advised the people not to be part of those perpetrating the act, but rather help government and security agencies in fishing out these criminals in their areas.

 

In his response, His Royal Majesty, Gold Oro Tiemo the Agadagba  of Egbema kingdom who was represented by High Chief Matthew Tiemo, said the issue of insecurity and attack on oil/gas installations in some parts of the state and local government is worrisome.

 

"As traditional institution we preach peace, we live peace and therefore cannot fiegn ignorance of this negative development,  we shall never be lured to indulge in such activities that are inimical to the economic wellbeing of the country, particularly Delta State". He said. 

 

He further suggest that the state government should meaningful reorganise the community base surveillance outfit for oil and gas facilities in the state by the involvement of prominent community leaders that have vast knowledge of their respective territories to act as overseers in each of the Kingdoms.

 

According to him,  this will not only generate  employment for the youths but will also create and promote a sense of owership of these facilities. 

 

He said despite their marginalization as an oil producing Kingdom, they have advised their youths never to part of such mischievous act.

 

He urge the government to unravel the brains behind the recent attack. 

 

The high powered advocacy Committee is expected to visit Gbaramatu Kingdom in continuation of  the sensitization tour against Pipeline Vandalism.

AHEAD OF PDP NATIONAL CONVENTION: SHERIFF TO RUN AS SOLE CANDIDATE FOR PDP CHAIRMAN(edwin efejuku

Reprieve on Monday came the way of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff.

The various party organs and stakeholders who were hitherto calling for his ouster gave him the nod to run as sole chairmanship candidate at the national convention billed to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday.

At a broad based meeting at the party’s secretariat in Abuja, the stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees (BoT) unanimously endorsed Sheriff for the job, with the various dissenting groups in agreement.

Confirming the development, Sheriff, in a chat with journalists at the party’s secretariat, said his candidacy was first endorsed by the party’s Northeast zone and his home state of Borno in a unanimous voice vote.

He said, “Yes, I am contesting for the position of chairman at the convention. I have been unanimously endorsed by the Northeast zone and Borno State as sole candidate.

“The Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, moved the motion for my adoption and his Gombe State counterpart, (Ibrahim Dankwabo) seconded the motion.”

Sheriff had, after an earlier meeting with the party’s BoT, said the party had dropped its plan to amend the PDP constitution which had been one of the sources of disagreement among party stakeholders.

He, however, clarified that the decision to amend the party’s constitution was not his idea, saying that he only inherited the recommendation as contained in a report by the Ike Ekweremadu committee.

Sheriff confirmed the party’s decision to zone the PDP’s presidential ticket to the North for the 2019 general election.

The chairman also assured the BoT and other stakeholders that disagreements arising from the conduct of ward and zonal congresses across the states would be looked into, with a view to addressing areas of conflict.

The party also confirmed Senator Walid Jibrin as newly elected chairman of the BoT, with Chief Ojo Maduekwe as secretary

NEW NIGER DELTA MILITANT GROUP “AVENGERS” DARES BUHARI, VOWS TO CRIPPLE NIGERIA’S ECONOMY

The Niger Delta Avengers, a new militant group in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, has threatened to make the country’s economy worse by acts of sabotage, particularly in the oil sector.

 

The threat, made via a statement issued by the group, is a response to comments made by President Muhammadu Buhari during his visit to China.

 

While in China, Buhari had said that oil saboteurs will be treated harshly like Boko Haram terrorists, a comment the group considers a denigration of the Niger Delta struggle and an indication that the Federal Government considers oil more important than the lives of people of the Niger Delta region.

 

“The recent proclamation of the Federal Government to bombard the people of the Niger Delta, as stated in Beijing, China, is a clear indicator that President Buhari and his Northern brothers-led government scales the oil in the Niger Delta far more important than the lives of the Niger Deltans,” the group said.

 

As proof of the Niger Delta Avengers potency, the group cited the visit of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State to the Forcados Terminal, where they inspected the SPDC 48 inches export pipeline, which it claimed to have blown up.

 

“They never cared to see for themselves what the natives (Ogulagha people), the host community, are going through in the hands of SPDC as a result of the oil and gas exploration for decades. Ogulagha community is just one such case across the Niger Delta,” the statement added.

 

The militant organisation explained that the decision of the government to send the Minister of the Environment and the Vice President on a visit to the Forcados Terminal after it was blown up shows the importance of the facility to the economic well-being of the country.

 

“Bonny Export Terminal, Bonny Island in Rivers State, Chevron and Ugborodo community in Delta State are the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy, but they are all facing same hardship as the Ogulagha community, which hosts the Forcados Terminal.

 

“It is a slight on our struggle and quite embarrassing for Mr. President to liken us to his kinsmen (Boko Haram), who are hell-bent on swimming in innocent blood until they Islamize the nation,” added the Niger Delta Avengers.

 

The organisation also accused the President of deliberately ignoring the menacing activities of Fulani herdsmen, but paying attention to pipeline vandalism, which he wants to use as a pretext to punish the Niger Delta Region.

 

This, it argued, provides further proof that the Federal Government values oil more than the well-being of the people of the Niger Delta.

 

While claiming it takes no pleasure in violence, the group, however, said it will continue blowing up pipelines to protest the marginalisation of the Niger Delta.

 

It dared the Presidency to do its worst, saying: “The Presidency can go ahead and setup a permanent security force, as stated by the Vice President when he visited the SPDC, Forcados Terminal.

 

We are not deterred by such threats as we are highly spirited and shall continue blowing up pipelines until the Niger Delta people are no longer marginalized by the Nigerian actors. Yes, the military have sworn to lay down their lives to protect Nigeria.

 

We have on our part sworn to do whatever is necessary to safeguard the interest of the Niger Delta people.”

 

The group also invited the attention of the Federal Government and the international community to the plight of the Niger Delta people and alleged that other forms of pipeline vandalism are encouraged and by officials of the Nigerian armed forces.

 

“We want the general public to note that the Nigerian Armed Forces collects three Naira per litre of the sum accruing from the total number of barrels loaded by any vessel in all illegal bunkering activities referred to as ‘black oil business,’ it claimed.

 

It followed this up with a piece of advice to the Chinese government and the international community that any country that lends Nigeria money is doing so at its own risk.

 

“There will be no litre of crude oil to service the loan deal they planning to do. This also goes to the international oil companies in the country to adhere to our warnings and advise the Federal Government to heed our demands, especially the development of the Niger Delta Region,” the group concluded.

 

Source: SaharaReporters

DELTA STATE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION CHAIRMAN BURNS FILES, EVIDENCE OF EMPLOYMENT OF CIVIL SERVANTS

On the assumption of office as governor,  Okowa ordered the sack of more than 2000 civil servants employed by the Uduaghan administration.

The sack, claimed the government,  was informed by the discovery of alleged infidelity in the employment exercise.  However, Okowa promised to recall those genuinely employed after a verification exercise must have been carried out.
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That promise is unlikely to be fulfilled.  SaharaReporters reliably learned that in order not to recall any of those affected, Mrs.  Okwuofu, on the instruction of Okowa, ordered that all files belonging to the sacked civil servants as well as Uduaghan’s approval of the exercise be burnt.

Last Tuesday,  Mrs. Okwuofu said  the state government was not going to revisit the issue of those whose appointment into the state civil service by the immediate past administration was put on hold by the present administration.

“The recruitment exercise fell short of what the standard should be. I was shocked to note that even as we speak, there is no existing file in the commission on that particular recruitment.  Even the director in charge of hiring and promotions could not produce any file that has to do with the said recruitment.

“From asking questions upon my assumption of office, I found out that everything about the recruitment exercise was irregular. Again, I cannot sight the governor’s approval for the recruitment; there was no record anywhere showing that those recruited were interviewed or examined before they were given appointment letters. How can people whose credentials were not seen by the Commission be placed on a particular grade level or designation. We found out that the whole exercise was fouled.” Okwuofu stated.

A  senior civil servant in the office of the Head of Service told SaharaReporters that Mrs. Okwuofu lied on the recruitment exercise.  The staff member alleged that files and Uduaghan’s approvals of the exercise were ordered burnt by Mrs. Okwuofu.

“There were approvals. They all passed through the Head of Service. I mean all the files. Mrs. Okwuofu’s action has rubbished the Okowa government, the Civil service Commission as well as the Head of Service, Mr. Patrick Origho, whose office all the files and approvals went through.

“The Head of Service must come out to respond to Mrs. Okwuofu and prove that there were documents for the last recruitment.                                                                                                          “She alleged that procedure required in the civil service commission recruitment exercise were not duly followed.

“This is far from the truth because the commission was advertised, Deltans applied online, candidates were shortlisted, and the interview was conducted over three days, during which qualifications were verified at the Association of Senior Civil Servants Secretariat.” the staff stated.

Also reacting to Mrs. Nkem Okwuofu’s claims, a former board member of the CSC,  who pleaded for anonymity, disclosed that members of the former board were told that files and other evidence related to his exercise were have been burnt on the orders of Mrs. Okuwofu.

The former board member also disagreed with Mrs. Okuwofu’s assessment of the exercise, saying that it substantially followed due process. He added that files and other documents on the exercise were left in the office of Mrs. Okuwofu’s predecessor in office.

The former board member said  Mrs. Okwuofu is out to discredit the previous administration because she was sacked by  Uduaghan from the boards of Delta Rainbow Television (DRTV)  and the Local Government Service Commission, which she chaired at different times.

“Interviews were conducted batch by batch for three days. Subsequently, appointment letters were issued to successful candidates. Mrs. Okwuofu is a novice as far as the civil service is concerned. The list of employees recruited, as at the time we were leaving office, was in the possession of the permanent secretary who is a professional.” the former board member stated.

Speaking on behalf of the sacked civil servants, Mr. Obus Regha, also, a victim, disagreed with  Mrs. Okwuofu. He expressed surprise that Mrs. Okwuofu could claim that there are no documents related to the exercise. 
He added that the  suspended civil servants, Delta State Activists Front, unemployed youths, unemployed graduates and well-meaning Deltans had demanded the immediate resignation of Mrs. Okwuofu.

Attempts to speak with  Mrs. Okwuofu were futile as she did not answer calls to her phone neither did she reply to text messages

DELTA STATE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER THREATENS RESIGNATION OVER OKOWA’S SPLIT OF INFORMATION MINISTRY

Mr. Okowa had two days ago split the Ministry of Information and created the Directorate of Orientation. His Senior Special Assistant, Eugene Uzum, was appointed as the head of the new ministry, which generated bad blood between Mr. Ukah and Mr. Uzum.

Speaking in confidence to SaharaReporters, an assistant to the Delta State governor disclosed, “The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, is not in any way living up to the expectation of the State and the governor,” adding that as a result, the governor had no option than to split the Information Ministry.

“Governor Okowa has empowered the newly created Directorate to cover almost all the important roles of the Information Commissioner in the State. As at this moment we learned Commissioner Patrick Ukah has allegedly threatened to resign because of the development. Well if he does that, we will wish him well,” the SSA said.

It was gathered that following the alleged incompetency of the State Commissioner for Information, the governor decided to split the ministry and remove certain powers from Mr. Ukah.

According to an anonymous source from the Ministry of Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah has allegedly told some of the staff in confidence that with the current state of the ministry, he would have no option but to resign as Commissioner for Information, as he feels that he has been embarrassed and dehumanized by the governor.

“The governor has lost confidence in Mr. Patrick Ukah. He is not competent to handle the Information Ministry. First, when the governor came into office, he ceded to the Government House the ICT unit of the Information Ministry. After some time, the governor again ceded to the Government House the operations of the State website.

“When the ICT unit and website were created during the tenure of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, it was said that the ICT and website had been taken to the Government House, but the then-Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Ifeanyi Okowa, prevailed that the Ministry of Information should handle the ICT and website because its falls under the purview of the ministry.

“But today, the same SSG then who is now governor of the State ceded the ICT unit and website operations to the Government House. As we talk, nothing is happening at the Information Ministry again as it used to be; everything is redundant there. No funding, nothing is happening, and it all boils down to the incompetency of Mr. Patrick Ukah,” the source stated.

An anonymous staff member from the office of the Information Commissioner said, “The Commissioner is only floating in the system, as some of his duties as the spokesman of the State government have been hijacked and taken over by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor.”

The embattled Commissioner for Information is said to be a political son to Senator Peter Nwaoboshi who nominated Mr. Ukah for the position.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday morning, his first day as Directorate of Orientation, Mr. Uzum warned workers under his ministry to desist from any form of laziness and tardiness. He said the workers should set examples for other Deltans, especially civil servants.

When contacted on the development, Mr. Ukah ignored calls and messages sent to his mobile phone.

DELTA STATE COMMISSIONER ARRESTED FOR FORGERY AS DESOPADEC OFFICIALS COVER UP FRAUD

We reliably learned that Mr. Forteta was arrested and taken to the Delta State Police Headquarters in Asaba where he was questioned for his alleged forgery of a tax clearance certificate to secure a contract in 2008 from the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

Confiding in SaharaReporters, a Delta State police officer disclosed that the Special Anti-Fraud Unit had attempted to arrest Mr. Forteta several weeks ago but failed, as Mr. Forteta was allegedly sick and admitted to a hospital.

It was gathered that after several weeks of unfruitful attempts to arrest the Youth and Sport Commissioner, the police team contacted the Secretary to the State Government, Ovie Agas, who then promised to present Mr. Forteta to the police by Tuesday. Mr. Forteta was then handed over to the Special Anti-Fraud Unit last Tuesday at around 10am.

SaharaReporters gathered that the Youth and Sport Commissioner was arrested following a petition of fraud filed by one Chief Emmanuel Ogobene. In his petition, Mr. Ogobene alleged that Mr. Forteta falsified tax clearance certificate no. 099536, with a file no. EFT.7767, using a nonexistent business name, “Deate Ventures,” in order to secure a contract worth N140 million from DESOPADEC for the construction of roads and drainage pipes in Orogun Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.

Our police source disclosed that the Commissioner was later granted bail after a bail bond was signed by Pius Ovidje, the Commissioner representing Ughelli North and Ethiope East LGA on the board of DESOPADEC. Mr. Forteta was asked to return to the Police Headquarters on April 18, 2016 for further interrogation.

The police team has also invited the Director of Finance of DESOPADEC, Sunday Ajamuofa, along with David Ejukonemu, Moses Akwunike and Peter Ominije to report to the Special Anti-Fraud Unit office in Lagos next week to explain their role over the alleged fraud surrounding the contract and why the job was abandoned.

It was further gathered that the Chief Tax Officer of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue was also invited to come forward and clarify the issues of two tax clearance certificates issued in 2009-2011 after the contract had been awarded in 2008.

Meanwhile, in a bid to save and exonerate the arrested embattled Commissioner, the Managing Director of DESOPADEC, Williams Makinde, the Commission’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Askia Ogieh, and other officials of the Commission allegedly connived to cover up the fraud committed by Mr. Forteta.

An anonymous source from DESOPADEC told SaharaReporters, “The management of DESOPADEC discovered that the tax clearance presented by Mr. Forteta through Deate Ventures was not genuine. In order to save face, management removed the fraudulent tax certificate and replaced it with one from 2009-2011.

“My brother, the Managing Director, and his team are not smart enough. How can a tax clearance certificate for a job that was awarded in 2008 show the years 2009, 2010 and 2011?” the source stated.

Mr. Ogobene, the petitioner, told our correspondent that he has instructed his lawyers to file both civil and criminal cases against Mr. Forteta over his misrepresentation and breach of contract.

“I will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion,” he stated.

When contacted, Mr. Forteta confirmed his arrest, adding that he would not have known that the company used on the tax certificate was not registered or that the tax clearance certificate was a forged one.

Robbers Burnt To Death In Warri, Delta State – Graphic Photos

The fate of 2 robbers out of 7 were sealed today in a rather gruesome fashion as their robbery operation failed.

The 7 robbers had commenced a robbery operation around 6pm today at Okumagba Avenue, Delta state were they had snatched 5 Tricycles popularly known as “Keke napep”.

They had started making away with the tricycles before they got held up in traffic.

Other commercial tricycle riders were also in pursuit of the robbers before catching up with them in the traffic congestion.

The 7 robbers abandoned the tricycles and ran for their lives.

However, fate caught up with two of them as one was caught at Emebirien junction, off Deco road, Warri while the other was caught at Estate, Okumagba Avenue, Warri.

Eye witnesses confirmed that the 2 out of 7 robbers who were caught were beaten blue black by an angry mob and petrol was made available to burn the alleged robbers who got caught.

Rumor also has it that a good number of armed robbers who get caught and arrested end up being released by the police.

DELTA STATE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT INTERVIEW SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES

Delta State Ministry of Transport today (6-04-2016) interview shortlisted candidates for the STATE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (DESTMA).

It will be recalled that the administration of the immediate past administration of Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan signed the DESTMA law on 24th day of October 2013 having passed through the third reading of the Delta State House of Assembly.

The functions of DESTMA include the following ;

1. Control Traffic and enforce State and federal laws, regulate the safe use of vehicles on roads in the state in cooperation with vehicle inspection unit of the directorate of transport, the Nigeria police and any agency charged with similar responsibility.

(2) Deter and apprehend road traffic offenders.

(3)Take practical and effective steps to reduce casualties on roads.

(4) Research and implement innovative traffic management strategies.

(5) Employ mobile and random breath testing methods to detect drunk drivers, amongst other functions.