Niger Delta
Bayelsa Poll: HostCom Inaugurates New Exco …Set To Endorse ‘Choice’ Guber Candidate
The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Host Communities Producing Oil and Gas in Nigeria (HostCom) on Wednesday in Yenagoa, the state capital, inaugurated its new executives to pilot its affairs in the state.
The Tide, which monitored the event, reports that a clergy, Pst. Samson Dabbey Graham was sworn-in as the newly re-elected chairman, while Elder Christopher Cole was inaugurated as Secretary General.
Other executive members inaugurated include, Mepirima Amos, Vice Chairman, Elder Ebi George,Fin.Sec, Mrs Patricia Nicholas, Treasurer, Chief Violet Ogun, Woman leader and Emiemokumor Michael, legal Adviser.
In his inaugural address, the newly sworn-in Chairman thanked members of the organization for re-electing him to lead them for another tenure, promising to work even more assiduously towards attaining greater heights for the state chapter of HOSTCOM in Nigeria.
“I want to sincerely thank you for this honour bestowed on me the second time and to be part of this historic occasion. I accept this position as the NH newly re-elected chairman of HostCom, Bayelsa State chapter on behalf of the Host communities and millions of our people who have struggled for fair deal and peaceful coexistence with the multinationals oil companies operating in our communities.
“I accept it with great deal of thanks to our cream of Elders who in spite of their tight schedules still found it worthy to be part of us at all times to help direct our activities with strength and vigour.
“However, it’s disheartening and pitiable that in spite of our peaceful and responsible approach to issues related to host Communities, we’d never been taken seriously.
“Indeed, it’s in record that Government and its agencies had consistently and deliberately ignored our place as provided in section 162(2) of the 1999(as amended).
“This section of the Nigerian constitution states it clearly that ‘derivation’ is a compensation to the producers of any natural resources for the expropriation and sequestration of their rights.
“Through this provision in the Nigerian constitution, states like Edo, Delta, Imo and Ondo have made provisions for for host Communities producing Oil and Gas in their states, but in Bayelsa State successive governments have outrightly denied us any form of recognition.
“We’ve, therefore, consulted widely and have unanimously decided to vote for only candidate that would negotiate with us for the establishment of the Bayelsa State Oil and Gas producing Communities Development Commission (BASOPADEC).
“We’ll also not hesitate to take legal action to claim our rights in the 13%(percent) derivation fund as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution”, Pst. Graham stated.
Earlier in an overview of the activities of the organization titled, “HOSTCOM: The Journey So Far”, Guest Speaker, Professor Dau Zibokere, noted that Hostcom was a national organization duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with complete and appropriate constitution, well-designed set of logo, mission and vision statements, as well as an Article of Faith (AoF) with a four-tier organogram.
He stated that the body was strictly a peace-oriented advocacy pressure group, overseeing all the oil and gas producing states, Local Government Areas and communities in the nation, noting also that Hostcom was now fully instituted in about 11 states.
Professor Zibokere continued that as oil and gas is discovered in more states, the organization would also incorporate them as member states.
The acedemic, who also stated that the organization has been in the state for more than 20 years in its quest to bring relief to the plights of the deprived oil and gas producing communities, said a major high-point on the Article of Faith (AoF) of HostCom was to cement a peaceful working relationship between the Oil and Gas producing communities and the oil companies operating in them, as well as the states and Federal Governments, including other relevant stakeholders and institutions, respectively.
“In Bayelsa State, for instance, HostCom had registered over 1,200 oil and gas bearing (impacted, inclusive) communities across the eight LGAs with an existing ten member Exco in each of the LGAs, communities and other highly spirited individuals who registered on their own as members of HostCom in the state.
“Today HostCom is standing tall in advocating for equity, fairness and Justice for the development of the host communities, and this has led to HostCom putting forward the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), now Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which we’re hopeful host Communities would benefit from in due course”, he said.
Also speaking, the Amayanabo of Nembe and Grand Patron of HostCom, HRM King Edmund Daukoru, Mingi X11, represented by Alabo Christopher Erewari-Igoniowei, commended the organization for its resilience and steadfastness in bringing soccour to the deprived host Communities producing Oil and gas in the state.
The monarch restated his resolve to a continued partnership with the organization and all relevant stakeholders in ensuring that the organization remains the pride of the oil and gas producing communities in the discharge of its mandate, and used the opportunity to advocate for peaceful coexistence amongst host communities in the state.
He also called on Governments at all levels to put the plights of host Communities into consideration, while handling the finances accruing to their coffers through oil and gas exploration activities.
In the same vein, Mrs Alayingi Sylva, wife of the immediate past Minister of state, Petroleum Resources, and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November, 2023 Bayelsa State gubernatorial polls, Chief Timipre Sylva and the state APC Chairman, Barr Dennis Otiotio, have promised to partner the HostCom in its quest at ameliorating the plights of host Communities across the State if the party wins the forthcoming polls.
The Tide reports that Mrs Sylva was represented by wife of the party’s Deputy Governorship candidate, Mrs Joshua MacIver.
The party’s Chieftain, Otiotio, therefore, urged the organization to key-into the provisions of the newly enacted Petroleum Industry Act, saying the PIA has created room for the establishment of host Communities trustees and other aspects having to do directly with the host Communities by the oil and gas companies operating in their areas.
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