The coming of Chief Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi to power in Rivers State may have begun translating into an albatross for Sir Celestine Omehia's henchmen as many politicians loyal to the former Governor seem to be embroiled in unsavory probes accross the state.
The latest in list of casualties is the Dr. David Ogbonnaya former head of the now defunct Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) who may be appearing before the Rivers State House of Assembly soonest.
This indication is premised on the motion brought before the House on Monday, November 19, 2007, by Honourable Robinson Ewoh, representing Ahoada East Constituency 1 seeking the investigation of how N1.6Bn allocated to the state Independent Electoral Commission was disbursed.
According to our correspondent who was at the sitting of the Assembly, Honourable Ewoh prayed the House to order the appearance before the House of Dr. David Ogbonnaya and his commissioners to account for the sum of N1.6bn, which expenditure, according to the distinguished legislator, remains a matter of conjecture. The motion according to Honourable Ewoh is based on petitions he received which were signed by various staff of the state Independent Electoral Commission.
Responding to the petition, Honourable Chidi Lloyd, representing Emohua Constituency objected to the motion, praying his distinguuished colleagues to ignore the issues raised in the motion and consider the imperatives of conducting the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
Also responding to the motion, the Leader of the House, Honourable Golden Ngozi Chioma, informed the House that his committee inaugurated to look into the RSIEC funds was working hard to avail the honourable House the report of the issues surrounding the N1.6bn allocated to the Commission. The Leader of the House who is also the Committee Chairman also informed the House that the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. David Ogbonnaya has so far refused to appear before his committee.
The honourable Speaker of the House intervened in the matter by enlarging the Committee with the inclusion of Hon. Chidi Lloyd, Hon. Ibinabo Michael-West, and Hon. Dumnamene Deekor. From the foregoing, it does appear that it is not yet time for respite for Omehia's henchmen who served in various capacities in the previous administration.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
SEA PIRACY: RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT INTERVENES IN BONNY COMMUNITY
There seems to be some respite coming for the inhabitants of Bonny Island in Rivers State who have had to live through the trauma of incessant attacks of sea pirates on the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route. This was made clear to the people of Bonny local government area on Friday, December 7, 2007 by the executive Governor of the state, Chief Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi when he met with stakeholders at the Ibanise Hall, Bonny.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Amaechi said he identified with the sufferings of the commmunity especially in the horrifying incidents of sea piracy being witnessed by travelers transiting the sea route between Bonny and Port Harcourt. According to the Governor, "sea piracy and other nefarious activities of criminal minded individuals constitute a threat to development and social harmony and needs to be checked." He therefore ordered the navy to increase the patrol of the sea route and deal decisively with any miscreants found terrorising travelers along the sea route.
The Governor who was on his first official visit to the Bonny community since assuming office as the Executive Governor of the Rivers State was accompanied by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Felix Ogbaudu, the Brigade Commander of the 2nd Amphibious Brigade, the Flag Officer Commanding NNS Okemini, the state Director of SSS and other government functionaries.
In attendance at the stakeholders' meeting was the Amanyanabo of Bonny, King Edward Asimini Willaim Dappa-Pepple, Perekule XI, JP and his Council of Chiefs. expressing his appreciation to the state Chief Executive for the visit, the Chairman of the Bonny Council of Chiefs, Chief Reginald Abbey-Hart, in his Vote of Thanks, said it "was a welcome development for the people of the community that the plight of the people was being considered a priority by the new administration in the state."
In a related development, the Leader of the Bonny Youth Federation, Mr. Ibifubara Willie-Pepple has stated that he was very pleased with the visit of the state Governor to the Bonny Community and the placing of the needs of youths in the state as priority issues of the government. Speaking to this reporter after the Stakeholders' Meeting, he explained that "the issue of unemployment was the main problem confronting the youths of the Niger Delta and it was a good thing that Governor Amaechi was making it priority at the onset of his administration," he said.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Amaechi said he identified with the sufferings of the commmunity especially in the horrifying incidents of sea piracy being witnessed by travelers transiting the sea route between Bonny and Port Harcourt. According to the Governor, "sea piracy and other nefarious activities of criminal minded individuals constitute a threat to development and social harmony and needs to be checked." He therefore ordered the navy to increase the patrol of the sea route and deal decisively with any miscreants found terrorising travelers along the sea route.
The Governor who was on his first official visit to the Bonny community since assuming office as the Executive Governor of the Rivers State was accompanied by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Felix Ogbaudu, the Brigade Commander of the 2nd Amphibious Brigade, the Flag Officer Commanding NNS Okemini, the state Director of SSS and other government functionaries.
In attendance at the stakeholders' meeting was the Amanyanabo of Bonny, King Edward Asimini Willaim Dappa-Pepple, Perekule XI, JP and his Council of Chiefs. expressing his appreciation to the state Chief Executive for the visit, the Chairman of the Bonny Council of Chiefs, Chief Reginald Abbey-Hart, in his Vote of Thanks, said it "was a welcome development for the people of the community that the plight of the people was being considered a priority by the new administration in the state."
In a related development, the Leader of the Bonny Youth Federation, Mr. Ibifubara Willie-Pepple has stated that he was very pleased with the visit of the state Governor to the Bonny Community and the placing of the needs of youths in the state as priority issues of the government. Speaking to this reporter after the Stakeholders' Meeting, he explained that "the issue of unemployment was the main problem confronting the youths of the Niger Delta and it was a good thing that Governor Amaechi was making it priority at the onset of his administration," he said.
Prof. Nimi Briggs Kidnap: PDP Agents Fingered
Political pundits in rivers state have fingered some agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as being responsible for the kidnap of the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Professor Nimisere Dimkpa Briggs last week.
Some impeccable sources who spoke with the Verite on the phone alleged that some aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may not be very comfortable with the Amaechi-led government which intends to conduct a free and fair local government elections in the state come January 2008.
According to the Verite sources, the PDP wanted the Local Council Polls to be a purely PDP affair and not to give opportunities to other political parties such as the Action Congress (AC) to the detriment of other PDP interest groups.
Professor Nimi Briggs, who was kidnapped barely a day after meeting with all the political parties in the state towards the Local Government Elections, had promised a level playing ground for all the political parties.
It would be recalled that gunmen numbering about 20 had on the night of Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 8.00PM kidnapped Prof. Nimi Briggs at his residence at the Staff Quarters of the University of Port Harcourt, Choba. Prof. Nimi Briggs was the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt.
Expressing shock at the unfortunate incident, Barr. (Mrs.) Florence Adokiye Amiesimaka, Secretary of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) wondered why anyone would want to kidnap a man like Prof. Nimi Briggs.
As at press time, the kidnappers were allegedly demanding the sum of N100Million as ransom to secure his release.
Tribunal Rejects Amaechi As Omehia’s Substitute
The rejection by the Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal of Governor Omehia’s name to be substituted in place of the deposed Governor, Celestine Omehia, who withdraw from the tribunal recently in said to be paving the way for nullification of the April 14 polls.
The Verite reliably gathered that the Election Petition Tribunal last week struck out a motion by the Governorship Candidate of the African Political System (APS) in the state, Arthur Kalagbor, praying it to substitute Omehia’s name with that of Gov. Amaechi, as 1st respondent.
Earlier, when Omehia applied to the tribunal for his withdrawal as 1st respondent, Chief Awuse had argued that the Supreme Courts judgment against Omehia was a sufficient proof of his petition and therefore should serve as a basic for the nullification of the Guber polls in Rivers State, thereby fulfilling the requirements of section 147 (1) of the Electoral Act 2007.
Counsel to Chief Awuse averred that by virtue of section 145 (1) (a) of the Electoral Act 2006, the tribunal had jurisdiction to entertain grounds of a petition to the effect that a person whose election is questioned was at the time of the election not qualified to contest the election and that the jurisdiction of the High Court under common law does not curtail or limit the jurisdiction of the Election Tribunal.
The opposition still maintains that by section 178 of the Nigerian constitution, a person can only become the Governor of a state after an election in which he was duly elected and that Amaechi never contested the Guber polls on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to them, by the provisions of sections 177-179 of the constitution, it is a person referred to as a candidate and not a political party is no more than sponsor the candidate, as there is no room for independent candidates under the constitution.
Meanwhile, there are indications that some PDP stalwarts who have constituted themselves into a formidable opposition to oust Amaechi are allegedly rallying round the Labour Party Guber candidate in the state, Ashley Emenike against Awuse should there be a by election between the duo.
That based on their overwhelming evidences against the PDP, the (the opposition) believe that the Tribunal will nullify the elections and order for a fresh poll where they would stand by the Labour Party (LP).
Sylva, Ebebi Faces Panel Over N400m Teachers Pay
Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva and his deputy, Peremobowei Ebebi are expected to appear this week before an Administrative Panel of Inquiry investigating the alleged disappearance of N400 Million Teachers’ Salary in the state.
Confirming the invitation of the Panel to the state Governor and his Deputy to appear before it, the Chairman of the Panel, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff said the call on the governor and others became necessary to make the recommendations of the Panel broad and put a stop to the delay in the payment of Civil Servants and Teachers’ Salary in the state.
Also to testify on her role in the whole drama that led to the delay in the payment of Teachers’ Salary and the award of a N25 Million Verification of Civil Servants Contract in the state is the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Bolere Ketebu-Nwokeafor.
The state Commissioner of Finance and that of Local Government Affairs had earlier appeared before the Panel set up by Governor Sylva in the wake of the crisis surrounding the five months delay in the payment of salaries and the alleged missing funds.
Others whose testimonies were also received include the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the former Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Benson Agadaga.
Confirming the invitation of the Panel to the state Governor and his Deputy to appear before it, the Chairman of the Panel, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff said the call on the governor and others became necessary to make the recommendations of the Panel broad and put a stop to the delay in the payment of Civil Servants and Teachers’ Salary in the state.
Also to testify on her role in the whole drama that led to the delay in the payment of Teachers’ Salary and the award of a N25 Million Verification of Civil Servants Contract in the state is the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Bolere Ketebu-Nwokeafor.
The state Commissioner of Finance and that of Local Government Affairs had earlier appeared before the Panel set up by Governor Sylva in the wake of the crisis surrounding the five months delay in the payment of salaries and the alleged missing funds.
Others whose testimonies were also received include the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the former Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Benson Agadaga.
Rivers AC Exchanges Blows In Govt House
In what appeared to be a free for all fight, some members of the Rivers State Chapter of the Action Congress (AC) exchanged blows while some were chased out of the Government House in their bid to have an audience with the State Governor, Chief Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.
The Verite reliably gathered that the Forum of National Assembly Candidates 2007 Election, Rivers State under the platform of the AC had earlier in a meeting with the Gubernatorial Candidate of the party in the state, Prince Tonye Princewill, indicated their intention to meet with the state Governor, a desire that apparently did not go down well with those concerned.
In a letter to Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, signed by Mr. Donald Hart, Dr. Sonny Philips, Dr. M.D. Selema and Mr. Onwuli Amadi, on behalf of the Forum said “inspite of overt negative actions which characterized the arrangement, it was clear that the courtesy call was circumstantial.”
“To our chagrin, members of the party loyal to Prince Tonye Princewill embarked on scrutiny, harassment, blackmail and threat to lives of members of this Forum in attendance for the visit, on false accusations that we associated with the embattled Chairman of the party, Mr. Muue Kpagani, a move to mar the Forum.”
Meanwhile, the leader of AC in the state, Prince Tonye Princewill has admonished the party leadership and party faithful to continue to support the Governor Amaechi-led government particularly now that AC as a party is part and parcel of the administration.
Prince Tonye Princewill who gave the advice when the AC leadership and party faithful paid him a solidarity visit last weekend at the old Presidential Wing of the Government House, emphasized that the days of politicians compromising local politics for national are over.
Earlier the party leadership through Chief Williams Igweh, the Party’s Deputy Guber Candidate in the last election declared that AC in Rivers State is focused on the forthcoming LG Polls and thanked Princewill for his purposeful leadership of the party and pledged their unflinching loyalty to him.
The Verite reliably gathered that the Forum of National Assembly Candidates 2007 Election, Rivers State under the platform of the AC had earlier in a meeting with the Gubernatorial Candidate of the party in the state, Prince Tonye Princewill, indicated their intention to meet with the state Governor, a desire that apparently did not go down well with those concerned.
In a letter to Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, signed by Mr. Donald Hart, Dr. Sonny Philips, Dr. M.D. Selema and Mr. Onwuli Amadi, on behalf of the Forum said “inspite of overt negative actions which characterized the arrangement, it was clear that the courtesy call was circumstantial.”
“To our chagrin, members of the party loyal to Prince Tonye Princewill embarked on scrutiny, harassment, blackmail and threat to lives of members of this Forum in attendance for the visit, on false accusations that we associated with the embattled Chairman of the party, Mr. Muue Kpagani, a move to mar the Forum.”
Meanwhile, the leader of AC in the state, Prince Tonye Princewill has admonished the party leadership and party faithful to continue to support the Governor Amaechi-led government particularly now that AC as a party is part and parcel of the administration.
Prince Tonye Princewill who gave the advice when the AC leadership and party faithful paid him a solidarity visit last weekend at the old Presidential Wing of the Government House, emphasized that the days of politicians compromising local politics for national are over.
Earlier the party leadership through Chief Williams Igweh, the Party’s Deputy Guber Candidate in the last election declared that AC in Rivers State is focused on the forthcoming LG Polls and thanked Princewill for his purposeful leadership of the party and pledged their unflinching loyalty to him.
Environmentalist tasks NAFCON, Hamilton, Titan
Companies operating in the Niger Delta have been warned of the dangers associated with damaging the region’s fragile ecosystem, as it was a sure way of invoking the anger of the communities affected. This warning was issued by an environmental stakeholder, Mr. Minainyo Dagogo Tamunotonye who claimed to be speaking on behalf of the riverine communities in Rivers State.
Speaking with the Verite correspondent in a telephone interview on Thursday, December 13, 2007, Mr. Minainyo stated that the advice was particularly directed at companies such as the National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON), Onne; Titan Tubulars Nigeria Limited and Hamilton Technologies Limited whose business activities in the state have become a source of grave concern to watchers of the environment in the state.
He, therefore advised them and other corporate businesses in the state to conduct their businesses in an environment-friendly manner According to the environmental activist the “quickest way of resolving the conflicts in the region was for the multinational oil and gas companies to provide gainful employment for the youths of the communities in the Niger Delta whose skills and strengths were lying waste.”
Admonishing the youths of the Niger Delta, Minainyo stated that they were also warning the youths to desist from acts of violence and work with the government of Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi to move the state forward and create an enabling environment for the needed development to take place in the state.
While drawing the attention of the government to constantly regulate and monitor the activities of oil and gas companies in the state, Minainyo also appealed to the government to reform the youths in the state so that they would not be predisposed to violence both on the land and in the creeks.
Speaking with the Verite correspondent in a telephone interview on Thursday, December 13, 2007, Mr. Minainyo stated that the advice was particularly directed at companies such as the National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON), Onne; Titan Tubulars Nigeria Limited and Hamilton Technologies Limited whose business activities in the state have become a source of grave concern to watchers of the environment in the state.
He, therefore advised them and other corporate businesses in the state to conduct their businesses in an environment-friendly manner According to the environmental activist the “quickest way of resolving the conflicts in the region was for the multinational oil and gas companies to provide gainful employment for the youths of the communities in the Niger Delta whose skills and strengths were lying waste.”
Admonishing the youths of the Niger Delta, Minainyo stated that they were also warning the youths to desist from acts of violence and work with the government of Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi to move the state forward and create an enabling environment for the needed development to take place in the state.
While drawing the attention of the government to constantly regulate and monitor the activities of oil and gas companies in the state, Minainyo also appealed to the government to reform the youths in the state so that they would not be predisposed to violence both on the land and in the creeks.
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