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N’Deltans Back NDDC Probe … As NYCN Berates Commission Over Poor Performance
Barely 24 hours after the Presidency set up a panel to probe the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), stakeholders in the region have described the move as a step in the right direction.
Speaking in separate interviews with The Tide in Port Harcourt, a cross section of stakeholders said that the probe will help to sanitise the commission of corrupt practices, stressing that since the inception of the present management, the commission has been embroiled in crisis with nothing to show for it.
In his view, a Port Harcourt-based public relations practitioner, Mr Amabipi Martins described the probe as a welcome development.
Martins also said that the move has satisfied the yearnings and aspiration of indigenes of the region who want the commission to be probed.
‘It is a matter of public interest. This present management has been embroiled in crisis, nothing seems to be happening. The Presidency has a good reason for setting up the probe and it is the right thing to do”.
He questioned the criteria used in the selection of the present crop of management of the NDDC, pointing out that those who did the selection only thought of their interest.
In his view, Pastor Sokari Soberekon, a Port Harcourt based cleric said that the proposed probe is in order as the commission has performed below expectation.
In his words, “NDDC has to be probed. They have performed below expectation”.
The chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Opobo/Nkoro chapter, Dr Sofiri S. Peterside (Jnr) said that the chapter welcomes the probe of the NDDC by the Presidency.
According to him, the probe would unravel the massive corruption and looting of funds being carried out at the NDDC and called on the committee to do a thorough work by exposing all the rot at the commission
President Goodluck Jonathan last Wednesday approved the constitution of a Presidential Committee to probe the operations of the NDDC.
A statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, in Abuja, named Mr Steve Oronsaye as chairman of the committee, while Messrs Bamidele Aturu, and B. O. N. Oti, a representative of the Bureau for Public Procurement, and Sen. Bassey Ewa- Henshaw are members.
Other members are Mrs Koripamo-Agari and Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim, while Mr Raymond Brown of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, will serve as Secretary.
The statement said the committee is to assess and evaluate a sample inventory of some NDDC projects and evaluate the contractors’ pre-qualification process and the roles and relationship of the board, management and staff of the commission.
It is also to evaluate the procurement practices of the commission and its compliance with the letter and spirit of the Public Procurement Act.
Others are, to evaluate the institutionalisation of the orientation of personnel of the commission at all levels, in order to inform and manage expectations.
It is also to evaluate fund management and other variables, including checks and balances that can be improved upon so as to strengthen the commission.
The committee is also charged with evaluating compliance or otherwise, with the Public Service Rules and extant Civil Service Rules and Regulations.
The committee is expected to make recommendations to government in its bid to address institutional weaknesses and guide its constructive intervention on issues. The committee was given two weeks to conclude its assignment.
Meanwhile, the Committee set up by the Federal Government to look into the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) yesterday in Abuja assured President Goodluck Jonathan that it would carry out its assignment without fear or favour.
The Committee’s Chairman, Mr Stephen Oronsaye, gave this assurance in his acceptance remarks after being sworn in by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim.
“Members of the seven-member committee are no doubt aware of the challenging task ahead of us in this national assignment; but as people of integrity, I am confident that we shall carry out this national assignment in line with our terms of reference, without fear or favour,’’ Oronsaye said.
Oronsaye, who is the immediate past Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, noted that President Jonathan was eager to deliver on his promises to the Nigerian people.
In line with this, he said, “we shall neither leave any stone unturned nor any fact uncovered in our mission. The Jonathan administration wants quick, but well thought-out recommendations.
“We look forward to that challenge with great enthusiasm and, with God on our side, we shall deliver positive results.”
The committee chairman, who said he and the other members were humbled by the appointment, pointed out that both the presidential mandate and the committee’s goal were clear.
The committee’s mandate is “to carry out an objective assessment of the goings-on in the NDDC, using extant rules for measurement, and to come up with a report that is foolproof on the way forward.
“With the help of our Creator, we shall use the two weeks allotted to consult with stakeholders, assess our findings and brainstorm on the best approach to make the NDDC more effective and accountable,’’ he said.
While thanking President Jonathan for appointing the committee members “out of a mass of qualified Nigerians to look into the problems of the NNDC’’, Oronsaye pledged their resolve to honour the President’s trust and the confidence reposed in them.
In another development, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Opobo/Nkoro chapter in Rivers State has criticsed the Niger Delta Development Commission for abandoning the electricity projects initiated by the Commission at Opobo town.
The chairman of the Youth Council, Dr Sofiri Peters who said this in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt noted that all entreaties made by the youths body to get the contactor back to site proved abortive.
He said that apart from the abandoned electricity project, transformers dumped in Opobo Town by the commission were not functioning, describing the situation as a deliberate act by the commission to scheme the local government area out of its developmental programme.
While stressing that the youths would not hesitate to drag NDDC to court if the project is not completed, he regretted that Opobo./Nkoro should be subjected to such treatment in view of its contributions to the establishment of the commission.
According to him, the situation is a testimony to the fact that the commission is not impacting positively on the people of the Niger Delta.
Dr Peterside said that, it was against this background that Opobo/Nkoro youths welcome the move by the presidency to probe the commission.
Meanwhile, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Opobo/Nkoro chapter has urged the chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Council, Hon Maclean Uranta to put in place an enduring legacy for youths in the area.
The Chairman, Dr Sofiri Peterside who said this in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt also stressed the need for moral reorientation of youths in the area.
He used the occasion to disclose plans by the council to commission its office next month.
Representative of the Speaker and Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Chidi Lloyd chatting with the Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms Arunma Oteh, at a three-day investors’ programme held at the Assembly Auditorium, yesterday.
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.