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Kidnapping: Delta Assembly, PSC Disagree On N3.5bn Security Contract
Delta State House of Assembly is currently at war with the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr. Parry Osayande over what the House described as his alleged role in the release and redeployment back to the State of the indicted head of the Delta Anti-Kidnapping Task Force, CSP Dickson Adeyemi Osamwonyi.
Mr. Osamwonyi and six members of the squad were last April disarmed, arrested and flown to Abuja on the orders of the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, for allegedly aiding and abetting kidnapping in the state.
It would be recalled that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan was the one who officially confirmed the arrest of CSP Osamwonyi and 98 persons during a press briefing at the end of a State Security Council meeting in Government House Annex, Warri on April 4, 2012. That meeting reviewed the security situation in the state.
Osayande’s role provoked the state legislature, especially the member representing Sapele Constituency and Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Monday Igbuya, into exposing some clandestine contract dealings of the PSC boss and his son in the state, amounting to N3.5billion.
Irked by the recent kidnap and release of the Nigeria and Udinese midfielder, Christian Obodo in Delta State, Mr. Johnson Erijo, Deputy Majority Leader and member representing Isoko South Constituency 1, moved a motion on the floor of the House yesterday urging the House to condemn in its entirety the actions of Mr. Osayande in the return of the indicted CSP Osamwonyi to Delta State.
Speaking in support of the motion, Mr. Igbuya queried the interest of Osayande in the matter, accusing the PSC chief of suspected clandestine dealings with Osamwonyi.
Visibly angry, the Majority Leader specifically accused Mr. Osayande of paying back the state in its own coins because Delta State denied his (Osayande’s) son of a N3.5 billion security gadget contract.
Other members of the House who spoke in support of the motion expressed worries and fears over the release of the indicted police officer, and called for his immediate re-arrest, stating that he was “inexplicably released” following the alleged intervention of Osayande.
The lawmakers also alleged that Osayande is an in-law to the accused former anti-kidnapping squad head, and that he might have used his position as the PSC chairman to influence Osamwonyi’s release and subsequent redeployment to the state.
The lawmakers described Osamwonyi’s continued presence in the state as a security threat that would scare away foreign investors.
The motion, which was unanimously adopted, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to direct the Inspector General Police to re-open the investigation into the alleged involvement of the police officers, particularly Osamwonyi, in the cases of kidnapping in the state, adding that his release had in the past few weeks resulted in increase of kidnappings in the state.
Also, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has expressed concern over the release from custody of some police officers allegedly linked to the incidence of kidnapping in the State
The Governor, who voiced his concern when the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Asaba, explained that it became necessary as it coincided with the resurgence of kidnapping in the state.
According to him, there was a drastic reduction in the incidence of kidnapping during the absence of the police officers when they were apprehended and taken to Abuja, but stressed that soon after their release, the crime had peaked.
He said that Deltans had been agitated by the development and were requesting that the matter be re-visited and thoroughly investigated to ensure that justice was done
“The people of Delta State want me to send a message to you on recent happenings in the State and even the State House of Assembly deliberated on it. Few days ago, some persons, your police officers, suspected to be involved in kidnapping which were earlier apprehended, were released.
“What bothered us was that their release coincided with the recent upsurge in kidnap cases in the State…So, we want you to have a second look at that issue”, he added.
Governor Uduaghan, who commissioned 60 patrol vehicles and communication gadgets for the Delta State Police Command after the courtesy visit, commended the IGP for his foresight in removing road blocks from Nigerian roads.
He said though there were initial doubts when the road blocks were removed, the strategy adopted by the IGP in removing the road blocks helped to reduce corruption and bribery in the force and had stopped the menace caused by police officers on the roads.
“When the IGP ordered the removal of road blocks from our roads, there were a lot of doubts. But the strategy he adopted has shown that we do not need them. Indeed, we have come to realise that the road blocks were a menace”, he stated.
The governor clarified that the state government was not contemplating the use of local security as it believed the police could deal with criminality if properly motivated and funded.
While assuring that security agencies would continue to enjoy logistic support from the state government, Governor Uduaghan told his host that efforts were being made towards intelligence gathering, adding that he had held meetings with traditional rulers and other stakeholders to sensitise them on the issue.
Earlier, the IGP, Mohammed Abubakar said the vision and mission of Police management under his leadership was “to build a people-friendly police force that will not harass Nigerians, a police force that will say bail is free and is free.”
Even as he said efficiency was the keyword for the police in discharging its constitutional responsibility, Abubakar hinted that corruption had been reduced by 80per cent in the police since the removal of road blocks.
He assured Nigerians of their safety in the wake of daunting security challenges, pointing out that in keeping with his vision of transforming the image of the police, hoodlums engaged in criminality, including attacks on police stations and banks, were being arrested nationwide.
“I am committed and determined to change the negative image of the Nigerian Police Force in order to serve Nigerians better and l solicit your co-operation to achieve this task”, he added.
Speaking after presenting the vehicles purchased by the state government, to the IGP, Governor Uduaghan said the vehicles would enhance the effective patrolling of the entire state.
He disclosed that the process of procuring some Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) for the police was on and admonished politicians not to politicise criminality and the battle against crime in the state.
Receiving the patrol vehicles, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, thanked the Delta State Government for the gesture and called on other governors to emulate the Delta example.
The police chief warned officers and men of the command to be mindful of the code of conduct of the police and the need to desist from harassing members of the public.
The IGP, was accompanied on the visit by Delta state-born, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State ,Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba and other senior police officers.
R- L. Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Uzoma Dozie, Executive Director, Risk Management,Caroline Anyanwu, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Bank Plc, Dr Alex Otti, wife of Rivers State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi and Executive Director, Regional Business, South, Victor Ezenwoko, during Mrs Amaechi’s visit to the bank, recently.
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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.