Niger Delta
Don Tasks Civil Servants On Using Votes Right
A Professor of Political Science at the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Professor Ambily Etekpe, has charged civil servants in the State to use their position in government to correct the excesses of government.
Etekpe, who gave the charge, weekend, while speaking as Guest Lecturer at the Second Annual Lecture and Award Ceremonies in Yenagoa, organised by the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said the civil servants form the gamut of all successive administrations.
In his lecture, titled, ‘’The Role of Civil Servants Towards the Advancement of the Democratic Process in Nigeria: the 2023 Bayelsa Guber Election in Perspective”, Etekpe charged civil servants to “checkmate the excesses of irresponsible governance through the exercise of their periodic franchise”.
He re-emphasised the need for accountability and trust on the part of the occupant of public offices, calling on Civil Servants to muster the courage to demand for good governance while exercising their suffrage in the forthcoming, November 11th, 2023 governorship polls in the state.
“The bane of our development and holding government accountable in Nigeria, as it were, are some of the provisions contained in the 1999 constitution (as amended) of this country.
“The Federal Government has given to itself alone well over 60 powers in what’s called the “exclusive legislative list” and has again empowered itself alongside the state to legislate on about 30 other areas called the “concurrent list”.
“So, if you put the two lists together, the Federal Government alone has given itself powers in about 100 sections of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“So, that’s why some of us were advocating for political and economic restructuring of this country to reduce the powers of the national government and devolve more to the states and citizens so that at least we can begin the processes of our development”, he said.
The guest lecturer, who also frowned at the cost of electioneering campaigns, in which serving public office holders, especially Governors or Presidents were bidding for a new tenure upon the completion of an exiting one, called for the amendment of the extant laws to outlaw second term.
He alleged that there was high spate of distraction and abysmal performance in some parts of the nation upon the election of incumbent public office holders for a fresh, new term.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Hon. Stanley Braboke, stated that the theme of the 2023 annual lecture explores the roles all civil servants in the State are to play in ensuring the social, economic and political growth of the State and nation at large.
He restated that the theme clearly explains how civil servants can be actively involved in deciding the fate of the State during the 2023 Governorship polls, come November.
The Commissioner charged Civil Servants to exercise their franchise during the governorship polls, which, according to him, is in line with the Public Service rules of the federation, noting that their active participation in voting at the polls would determine to a certain level the candidate that can fast-track the development of the socio-economic and political fortunes of the state.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the State Chapter of the TUC, Comrade Julius Laye, highlighted the importance of the civil servants to the development of the state in particular and nation as a whole.
Laye said Civil syervants were the engine room of successive governments, hence the reason for the theme of the lecture, which, he said, was chosen to continually inform, enlighten and educate members of the TUC, and the entire public service sector of the onerous task of enthroning responsible and accountable leadership through the ballot in the forthcoming governorship polls.
Meanwhile, in his keynote address for the event, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Eng. Simbi Wabote, represented by the Deputy Manager, Capacity Building Division of the board, Eng. Mofe Megbele, commended the TUC for the invite extended to board.
He stated that with the fast approaching 2023 Bayelsa State governorship polls, the role of civil servants in ensuring accountability and responsible governance is of paramount importance, noting also that their contributions go beyond administrative functions.
Wabote restated that the roles of the civil servants encompasses the essence of the democratic principles, begining from electoral preparations through safeguarding the integrity of the public service.
“It is through their impartiality, diligence, and dedication that we can ensure a free and fair electoral process that is transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of the people of this State.
“I’d like to enjoin all Civil Servants in the state, and indeed everyone to work together for a peaceful and successful governorship election come November, 2023″, he said.
Highpoints of the event were the presentation of a “Distinguished Leadership award” to the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, and presentation of various categories of similar awards to other deserving individuals and institutions.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Obot, has called for regular release of funds to the judiciary to ensure effective dispensation of justice.
Obot made the call recently while speaking at the opening of the 2024/2025 legal year in Uyo.
The Chief Judge said the judiciary in Akwa Ibom State had been grappling with debts arising from non-release of funds in 2023.
She said the judiciary required adequate funding to perform optimally, saying, “we need funds to maintain our facilities across the hierarchy of courts in the state”.
Obot further stated that the state judiciary was hugely under-staffed, and required more manpower.
“The last recruitment into the state judiciary was done in 2012. There is need to address the issue of shortage of staff in the system.
“Shortage of staff has made us to assign only one staff to cover duty schedules that are meant for two or three persons.
“Within the last two years, no fewer than 316 staff have retired from the state judiciary without replacement.
“When retirement goes on for many years without regular replacement, many skills and competences will be lost”, she said.
The Chief Judge decried the absence of basic educational facilities in correctional centres in state.
She suggested the establishment of adult education facilities within the correctional centres to support the education needs of inmates.
“Inmates require basic primary, secondary education and skills acquisition facilities to earn the needed reform”, she said.
In his remarks, the State Governoe, Umo Eno, assured the judiciary of the state government’s support and cooperation to enhance effective dispensation of justice.
Eno commended the Chief Judge and the judiciary in the state for their steadfastness and commitment to justice delivery.
The Tide’s source reports that a special court session was held during the event to signal the commencement of new legal year.
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, has said the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, was determined to deliver quality road projects to all Deltans across the State.
The Commissioner, who spoke recently during an inspection of projects in Warri South and Uvwie Local Government Areas of the state, said Governor Oborevwori was desirous to ensure that Deltans get value for every money spent on projects in the state.
The projects inspected include Central Hospital Road, Warri; Edo Guest House Road, Ekpan; Ogbetuo Avenue, Effurun; Rehabilitation and construction of Bright Hope Street with spurs to Okiemute Street, and Senator James Manager Street, Off Airport Road, Effurun, and Uti Road, Effurun.
Izeze, who paid unscheduled visits to the various project sites, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done thus far by the various contractors, assuring that Governor Oborevwori’s promise to revamp Warri and environs was becoming a reality.
“I am very satisfied with the work being done at the places we have visited so far. As you can see, the visits were not scheduled, the contractors were not expecting us because I did not call any of them.
“We decided to take them unawares in the hope that probably some of them may have decided to go on vacation. Right from the Central Hospital where the drains are being extended to discharge water into the natural waterways for the road to be reasphalted.
“We are satisfied that the contractor was on site and working according to specifications as provided for in the Bills of Engineering Measurement (BEME).
“So also the contractor handling Ogbetuo Avenue, Effurun, when we got there even though they were not physically on site, we noticed that they have done the binder course waiting for the finishing course to be applied and I can certify that the quality of work done are good enough”, he said.
At Bright Hope Street with spurs to Okiemute Street and James Manager Street, the Commissioner said he visited to see the level and quality of work that has been done, especially considering the fact that the contractor was raising his final certificate.
“For me as a matter of principle and following the Governor’s directive, any job that requires certification, will need my physical presence to inspect and ensure that government is getting value for money spent.
“As Governor Oborevwori has promised Deltans, he intends to extract value for every money spent on every job that is done and he insists on quality supervision.
“As you all know, supervision and management is key to most of our projects because contractors are capitalists, if you leave them they will want to make the highest profit as possible. So we go back and certify that the job is satisfactory”, he noted.
At Uti Road, Effurun, the Commissioner, who met the contractor excavating the ground and sand filling with white sharp sand as provided in the BEME, took measurements of the depth and expressed satisfaction with the contractor for following specifications.
“As you can see, the contractor is on site and doing the job according to specification and we do hope that they speed up their pace so that as soon as the rains abate, they can get the road ready for inauguration.
“We are optimistic of its completion soonest so that all the residents and adjoining streets that this strategic road feeds will heave a sigh of relief.
“They will also appreciate the fact that Governor Oborevwori’s promise to give Warri and environs a facelift is now coming to reality right before their very eyes”.
On Edo Guest House Road, Ekpan, Izeze said, “the job has been completed and you can see the quality of work that has been done, the job has been completed.
“I am very elated that the residents are happy with the completion. All through the period we visited on inspection, the residents had always asked us to convey their appreciation to Governor Oborevwori because they had thought the road would never be completed.
“You can see how elated they were and that is the essence of governance. When you are able to put smile on the face of someone who does not need to have access to you to have development brought to their door step.
“I felt very fulfilled because the essence of governance is public service and when you service the public and they appreciate it, its quite exciting”.
By: Albert Ograka, Asaba
Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on security operatives to investigate the state’s Commissioner for Power, Engr. Komuku Kharim over alleged terror attacks at the party’s secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Briefing newsmen shortly after a closed door meeting of the party’s State Executive Council, Chairman of the party, Barr. Dennis Otiotio, alleged that as a fallout of the recent suspension of some erring members of the party by their Wards and Local Government Areas, thugs believed to be loyal to the Commissioner launched mayhem and unwarranted attacks at the party’s State Secretariat.
Otiotio faulted the Commissioner, describing it as “political rascality taken too far”.
The Tide learnt that the Bayelsa State chapter of the APC recently suspended 10 of its members, including the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, over alleged anti-party activities.
Leadership of the party, which also bared its mind on the membership status of the suspended Minister and others, noted that the State Working Committee (SWC) was planning a possible review or ratification of the suspension within timelines, saying as party faithful, it was expedient that all members work together for the progress and unity of the party in accordance with the renewed hope mantra of President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We call on the Nigerian Police and other security formations to institute an investigation on the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Power, Engr. Komuku Kharim, and call him and his thugs to order.
“This morning, Monday 14th October, 2024, thugs and other hoodlums believed to be loyal to him stormed the APC State Secretariat in their numbers with the intent to maim party faithful and cause unwarranted destruction.
“The recent suspension of some erring members of the party, including the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (oil), and others wasn’t carried out by the party’s State Executive Council, but by the wards and LGAs chapters of the suspended members.
“As a party, we’ve conducted ourselves within the ambits of the law. The APC is a party that believes in the rule of law and order. It’s on record that the said Commissioner until his recent appointment by the Governor Douye Diri’s administration has been allegedly enmeshed in several anti-party activities.’’
“Rather than direct his grievances to the appropriate party authorities and other available dispute resolution mechanisms within the party, Engr. Komuku instead chose to unleash mayhem on the party’s secretariat and members”, the APC said.
In the same vein, the lawmaker representing Southern-Ijaw constituency 4 in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor-Ben Selekaye, has charge the party’s faithfuls and the general public to discountenance rumours that the present State Working Committee of the party has been sacked by the court.
He said it became necessary to correct the erroneous believe as, according to him, that matter has been resolved by organs of the party at all levels, noting that the party was looking forward to an expanded state working committee meeting were all stakeholders will be in attendance to resolve all perceived grievances and other pending issues.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa