South East
Ebonyi Worries Over Slow Pace Of Ecological Project
The House of Representatives Committee on Environment and Ecological Fund at the weekend expressed disappointment over the slow pace of contractors and federal government implementation agencies handling ecological projects in Ebonyi state, regretting that some of the project sites could not be collated by the committee even when funds were provided for such projects in this year’s budget. The leader of the visiting committee members, Hon. Rufus Omeire representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency while briefing news men after their visit to the project sites, stated that huge sums of money were set aside by the Federal Government to tackle the ecological disaster in the South East geo-political zone of the country, but not that members who are performing their oversight functions were not satisfied with what they saw on the ground. He said for two days the committee members assigned to the South-East toured project sites in Four Local Government areas of Ebonyi State namely, where the Federal Ministry of Environment has on going and completed ecological project. Omeire who noted that the South East the worst hit ecological disaster zone in the country commended the governor in the zone for putting machineries in place to tackle the issue of flood and environmental disaster via a committee set up by the government of President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua. He stated that part of their oversight function was to carry out extensive investigations on the reality of both Flood and erosion projects in the state as well as to ascertain whether more money should be committed adding that their intention was not to witch-hunt contractors handling these projects. At Izzi local government area, the committee while inspecting Izzi Flood/Erosion control project being executed by Abia-Imo Rivers Basin Development Authority discovered that, although the date of completion for the project was April 2008, no sign of work was being carried out in the location which is merely a massive rice farm and that the amount awarded for the project is over N26bn. The chairman of Izzi Local Government Area, Hon. Dustan Nwaogbaga had expressed delight over the visit, standing that there are so many places in his council that needed Federal Government attention but however expressed surprise at the non-existence of Izzi flood/Erosion Control Project. “Look at the place, is there any of such project going on? I brought them were so that they could see things for themselves,” he stated. Sources close to the committee gathered that the contractor handling the project is Bar Hindo Nigeria Ltd and that the contract was awarded since 14th April 2009. The case was also the same of Ikwo Council Area denied the existence of project linked with flood control measures in their area. The only place a project was on going was at Ugwulaugwu-Mgbon in Ohazara local government area, awarded at the sum of N9.6 The chairman of Ohazara local governemtn area, Hon. Hyacinth Nwodo noted with surprise that such a project was on going and he wasn’t aware of it, adding that the three area adversely affected by the flood or erosion in the area are Umunaza-Egwugwu, Ugwulangwu and Uzu-Mgbom area in Nkposi and solicited Federal Government attention in making Ohazara erosion free.
The police in Ebonyi State say they have discovered the body of a yet to be identified middle-aged woman in a hotel room in Abakaliki, the state capital. The spokesperson of the police in the state, Loveth Odah, stated this yesterday.
She said the body has deep cuts on the chest and neck and has been deposited in a mortuary. According to the spokesman, it was discovered at Crown Garden Hotel located along the ever-busy Afikpo road in the capital city.
Mrs Odah, who said that the victim was found in the pool of her own blood, said the suspect had been identified as one Uchenna Awoke.
She said the hotel manager, Emmanuel Eze, the supervisor, and other workers had been taken to the police station for questioning and accused the hotel management of negligence.
“The manager of the hotel, the supervisor and other staff of the hotel were taken to the station for questioning and I must confess to you that the whole thing is negligence on the part of the hotel management. How can a guest be murdered in a hotel room and days after, the management is not aware of the incident.”
“We will investigate the matter properly and I assure you, the perpetrator of the act must be arrested and prosecuted. All we are asking is for the members of the public to avail the police of useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspect.”
The Senate yesterday passed the South East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2018.
The proposed commission aims at enhancing the infrastructural development of the South East zone, which is grappling with huge ecological challenges.
It also seeks to act as a catalyst for the development of the commercial potential of the zone.
The proposed legislation requires the concurrence of the House of Representatives to become a bill of the National Assembly, and the President’s assent to become a law.
Senators Stella Oduah (PDP-Anambra) and Samuel Anyanwu (PDP-Imo) jointly sponsored the bill read in the Senate on June 22, 2016.
Its passage in the Red Chamber followed the presentation of the report of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service by its former Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Paulker (PDP-Bayelsa), on the floor of the Senate.
The bill, after Paulker’s presentation, was considered clause by clause by the committee of the whole, and amendments made by the lawmakers were read for the third time and eventually passed.
In his remarks, presiding Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, commended his colleagues for a job well done.
In his words, “Every morning we pray that God should give us the grace to do only those things that will promote the peace and unity of this country.
“I believe that we have shown today that we are committed to the unity of this country, and it is this unity that will give us faith in this country.
“This faith will in turn help us to pursue peace and progress,” he said.
Briefing newsmen after plenary, members the South East caucus of the Senate, led by Sen. Enhinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia), thanked their colleagues and members of the committee for their efforts.
Abaribe, who spoke on behalf of the caucus, urged the President to sign the bill into law “as soon as we tidy it up and bring to him, in the interest of the unity and progress of Nigeria”.
“This will put to rest the long-drawn agitation in the South East, and the difficulties in the rehabilitation and reconciliation efforts that started at the end of the civil war.
“All things we see always will end up at the negotiating table, which is what we have done,” he said.
The lawmaker said he hoped the House of Representatives would give concurrence to the bill as it went in the Senate.
When established, the South East Development Commission would be the third zonal interventionist body in the country.
Bishop David Oyedepo, the Founder and Presideng Bishop, Living Faith Church Worldwide, on Saturday predicted that nothing would disturb the peace of Nigeria and its story would change for the better in the year 2019.
Oyedepo made the declaration at the just concluded annual prophetic gathering of the Winners’ family, christened the “Dominion”, in a satellite telecast of the church.
In the telecast monitored in Abuja, the cleric also declared that 2019 would be a year of “I have Dominion”.
“Nothing will tamper with the peace of Nigeria; the story will change for the better in the name of Jesus.
“Nigeria shall not see bloodshed, the Prince of Peace will continue to dominate in Nigeria, in Africa and Nigeria is declared blessed.
“Anywhere you step, accident is forbidden; death will not come near you and our nation.
“Anything that is of grace in my life, I freely release upon you today.
“God has opened the year 2019 to us, celebrate Him because its our year of “I have Dominion,” he said.
The Bishop added that the year 2019 would be a year of humbling testimonies for Nigeria and pace-setting testimonies.
He further declared that 2019 would be a colourful year for the nation.
According to the cleric, as long as Jesus has the final say on the issues of Nigeria, it will experience greatness.
Oyedepo said that there would be no more cause of alarm in any area of the nation and its citizens.
He advised Christians in Nigeria to delight themselves in the spirit of servant-hood, adding that the spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood.
“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of servant-hood. As you keep rising on the ladder of leadership, you must retain our spirit of servant-hood, constantly working to add value to others and be kingdom minded,” he said.
According to him, dedication is at the root of dominion, saying: “Sow yourself as a seed by being totally dedicated to God and His Kingdom’’.
He told his congregation that sacrificial giving guarantees the meeting of all their needs.
“When you engage in taking care of the well-being of others, God is also committed to your well-being,” he explained. The cleric admonished Christians would engage in meeting the needs of the needy, every barrier on their path of destiny would be crushed.
“Nobody tampers with your life, your career, your family and goes away with it because you are promoted to God’s kingdom.
“God will stand for your defence in the day of trouble. Every sacrificial giver has a defence around him in the day of trouble always have that in mind,” he said.
He reminded his congregation that the Church is not a building; the Church is a people and the Redeemed of the Lord.