Niger Delta
Dep Gov Restates Bayelsa’s Stance On LG Autonomy, Grassroot Dev …As NULGE Hails Bayelsa’s Support
In view of the recent judgment of the Supreme Court granting financial autonomy to the 774 Local Government Areas in the country, the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has clarified that the state government only supervised the councils to drive grassroots development.
He stated this recently when the State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Yenagoa.
The state’s number two man said the joint account with the councils had afforded government the opportunity to supervise its eight councils for prudent utilization of funds to execute rural projects in the various local government areas.
According to him, the “Prosperity Government” has never and will not tamper with council funds, but rather support the councils to meet their obligations at the grassroots level.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo restated that the Bayelsa Government augments the payment of primary school teachers’ monthly salaries in addition to giving funding support for primary healthcare services, and education authorities across the state.
He insisted that the state had made remarkable progress in rural development through prudent management of resources by the local government councils due to effective supervision from the State Government.
The Deputy Governor thanked NULGE for their support to government and condolences over the passing of his brother, promising to convey their requests, including calling for a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss how to relate with the councils.
He, however, noted that the convocation of the summit would depend on the outcome of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum meeting scheduled for this week to review the Supreme Court Judgement on local government autonomy.
“What we have done for the local government system is quite significant and speaks volume. We met local government councils in February 2020, which could not pay staff salaries without borrowing every month.
“But all that is now history. Today, the councils are awarding and executing contracts under the supervision of the State Government.
“We did not tamper with councils’ funds and will never do so. We only supervise to ensure a prudent utilization of funds to foster grassroots development. So, financially, the State Government will not lose anything as a result of the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy”, he stated.
Speaking earlier, the State NULGE President, Comrade Thank-God Singer, expressed fears that the laudable local government reforms initiated by the present administration might not be sustained if local governments are left without supervision from the state government.
He, therefore, called on the government to convene a stakeholders’ summit to discuss and work out modalities on how to safeguard the local government reforms in the state vis-a-vis the recent Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy.
Comrade Singer, who on behalf of the Union condoled the Deputy Governor over the demise of his brother, appealed to the State Government to provide a bus for the Union and consider qualified council staff for appointment as Permanent Secretaries.
“When some of our colleagues called me after the Supreme Court Judgement, I told them the judgement will not do any new thing to us because we have been enjoying financial autonomy here in Bayelsa.
“Before this government came, most of our councils were insolvent. But today almost all of them are solvent and can pay salaries and even execute projects because of your able supervision, your reforms and labour friendly disposition”, the NULGE boss said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
Niger Delta
Upgrade Water Infrastructure In Calabar, NSE Urges C’River Govt
The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has urged the Cross River State Government to take steps towards improving the quality of water supply to residents of Calabar metropolis.
The call was made by participants who spoke at a one-day public lecture to mark NSE 2024 Engineering Week in Uyo on Wednesday.
The Guest Lecturer, Dr. Nkpa Ogarekpe, described the quality of water being supplied from private boreholes in the city as poor an unsafe.
Speaking at the lecture with the theme: “Safety Issues with Domestic Borehole Water Source”, Ogarekpe urged the government not to treat the issue of unsafe water with levity.
Ogarekpe, a lecturer at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cross River, said some private boreholes in the city were sunk close to dump sites and gully erosions.
“Some privately-owned boreholes are sunk close to the Lemna Dump site and gully erosions within the Calabar metropolis, often supply contaminated water.
“This is not an assumption, it is the result of a study conducted on some boreholes within Calabar metropolis”, he said.
The lecturer quoted the World Health Organisation as saying that water could only be confirmed safe if it posed no significant health risk after consumption.
“A research conducted on some local boreholes within Calabar shows that the issue of pollution is caused within the metropolis.
“Borehole 48, located at Ikot Efanga, is in a place with significant level of pollution, of course you are all aware of the open dump site in that place.
“Borehole 23 is close to the gully erosion at Ndidem Osang Iso, and that gully is being used as a dump site”, he said.
In her speech, NSE National President, Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, expressed the need for engineers to play active roles in ensuring quality standards for domestic water sources.
Represented by Dr. Ndifon Agbiji, the National Executive Member in charge of Professional Development Board, Oguntala, urged the state government to upgrade the water infrastructure in the state.
“The NSE branch in calabar should remind the State Government and the public of the role of engineers in this regard.
“Sometime ago, Cross River was ranked as one of the best states in the supply of potable water, but we are seeing a gradual decline from this status”, she said.
The NSE president stated investment in water infrastructure remained critical to the health and wellbeing of the residents.
Niger Delta
MOSIEND Hails Tinubu Over Ajayi’s Appointment As DSS DG
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has hailed President Bola Tinubu over the appointment of Mr. Tosin Ajayi as Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
MOSIEND said Ajayi’s appointment is an acknowledgement of his competence and dedication to protecting the nation’s internal security.
National President of MOSIEND, Amb. Kennedy Tonjo West, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
West noted that Ajayi, as the most senior director in the service, Ajayi has a track record of excellent performance and integrity, always putting his heart and soul into everything he does.
He noted further that the new DSS boss proved his mettle during his years of service in Rivers and Bayelsa States, where he left an imprint of excellence and professionalism, adding that he has all it takes to reposition the secret police for optimum service delivery.
Before his appointment as DSS DG, Ajayi, an indigene of Ogun State, was in charge of Kogi State Command.
West said the entire members of MOSIEND are very optimistic over Ajayi’s appointment because, “He is a brave, diligent and detribalized officer, an astute administrator and core operations officer”.
According to MOSIEND, “These are the qualities that are most needed to reposition and improve service delivery in the force, and we are very confident that Tosin Ajayi will change the narratives and leave a positive mark.
“His presence in Rivers and Bayelsa States created a lot of peace and stability in the Niger Delta region.
“He is somebody we know, someone we have worked with and we know his capacity when you talk about security and intelligence gathering.
“He was responsible for the setting up of the Special Incident Response Unit (SIRU) which was meant to tackle kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism in Rivers State, and everyone can attest to it that it was a great success.
“He was very active, and created relationships with communities, that was how we came to know him, and we are very sure that Nigerians will enjoy his services.
“We pray God to give him more wisdom, understanding and strength to accomplish his goals because we know him as an accomplished officer dedicated to the welfare of officers”, West stated.
Chinedu Wosu
Niger Delta
Police Neutralise Kidnap Kingpin In A’Ibom
The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State says it has neutralised a suspected kidnap kingpin and sea pirate.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, who announced this to newsmen in Uyo yesterday, said the suspect was neutralised on Wednesday during a gun battle with operatives of the command in his hideouts of Uyanga Community in Cross River State.
She said one G3 rifle with four live ammunitions were recovered from the suspect.
She also disclosed that the suspect’s remains had been deposited at the morgue, while investigations with the intent to arrest other members of the gang were ongoing.
“The suspect, a gang leader of bling bling marine strike force terrorising Uruan/Oron waterways, was responsible for kidnapping of a High Court Judge and the killing of her Police Orderly.
“The kingpin was also responsible for the gruesome murder of another prominent person in the state and the kidnapping of his sales representative, among other persons”, she said.
She continued that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara, had reassured Akwa Ibom’s residents of the determination of the command to make the state safe and secure for business to thrive.
Ayilara, therefore, called on Akwa Ibom people to report all suspicious movements to the police.
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