Connect with us

Niger Delta

Jonathan Unveils Nembe, Elebele Bridges, Lauds Diri’s Infrastructural Drive

Published

on

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday inaugurated the reconstructed Elebele bridge in the Ogbia council area of Bayelsa State as well as the reconstructed unity bridge linking Opu-Nembe (Bassambiri) and Ogbolomabari communities of the Nembe council area of the state, respectively.
The people of the benefitting communities, who trooped out in their numbers to witness the event praised the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri for reconstructing the Elebelebridge and completing the Nembe Unity bridge project.
Inaugurating the bridge in Nembe, the erstwhile president applauded Senator Diri for the project, noting that it would help to consolidate the peace and unity between both communities.
Jonathan said Governor Diri had performed exceptionally well in infrastructure development in just two years in office, describing the bridge as symbolic, and urged the people of Nembe to learn to resolve their differences amicably, especially during elections rather than play politics of brigandage and violence.
”You have done well to complete this bridge project. I had to come and identify with this unique ceremony. Today should mark the end of any inter-communal conflict. The importance of this bridge cannot be over-emphasised. From what I have seen, this bridge is expensive, well-built and solid. And I hope it will solidify the unity between the people of the two communities”, Jonathan said.
“Politics should be a platform to bring development to our people and not to kill and chase them away from their communities. With the commissioning of this bridge, we pray that that brand of politics would also come to an end”, he added.
Also speaking, Governor Diri said the Nembe bridge had been on the drawing board since the days of Eastern Nigeria but that a former governor, who is now the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, started some construction work but the project was left till his administration took it over and completed it.
He described the bridge as historic, saying the project was one that would heal wounds and engender peace and unity among the people of Nembe.
“My administration felt this is one historic and significant infrastructure that would help heal wounds. It is not only a physical bridge but a human bridge, especially between the brothers of Ogblomabiri and Bassambiri. Wherever there is war, development suffers and we lose not only infrastructure but human lives”, he said.
Earlier, the former president and the governor visited the Amanyanabo of Nembe, Mingi XII, King Edmund Daukoru, in Ogbolomabiri and Amanyanabo of Opu-Nembe, Ogbodo VIII, King Biobelemoye Josiah, in Bassambiri.
King Daukoru said the Nembebridge was symbolic, noting that what it represented far outweighed the physical length of the project as there had been age-old differences between the two communities.
He commended Diri for completing projects that he started as well as those inherited from his predecessors, describing the gesture as a mark of true leadership, just as he appealed for the construction of the Nembe-Brass road amongst, others.
In his speech the Bassambiri Monarch, King Josiah also commended the governor for the bridge project, noting that prior to its construction; there had been temporary bridges, just as he solicited government’s support for the provision of electricity and pipe-borne water.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the Commissioning of the Nembe unity bridge, former Deputy Governor of the state and indigene of Nembe, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha, John Jonah (rtd), gave thumbs up to the Diri’s administration for completing the bridge, saying it was the first time since 1971 that a proper bridge had been built to connect both communities.
He called on youths from both communities to sustain the existing bond of brotherhood, expressing optimism that the project would foster more peace, unity and development.
“There had always been the desire that a bridge connects both communities. The first attempt to have a bridge was in 1971 during the administration of Alfred Diette-Spiff (in Rivers State). Since then, two bridges have been constructed – one wooden and the other steel.
“This is the first time we are getting a bridge that we need. There had been issues between the two communities. That is why it is called Unity Bridge to unite both sides.
“For Governor Diri to take this as one of the priority projects on assuming office, it is commendable. We were there for a very long time but we could not summon the courage to do it. He did what we could not do for eight years”, he said.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, said the bridge was started by Chief Sylva in 2009 but was abandoned until Senator Diri awarded it in 2021 and completed it within one year.
Earlier, chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area, Ebiyon Turner, appreciated the governor for the project, expressing the support of the Ogbia people for his administration.
Giving the timelines of the project,the state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, said the bridge which collapsed in 2019, was built within 12 months.

By: AriweraIbibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Continue Reading

Niger Delta

DELSU Spends N720m On Electricity Annually -VC

Published

on

The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Prof. Samuel Asagba, says the institution spends about N720 million annually on electricity bill.
Asagba, the 8th substantive Vice Chancellor of DELSU, made this known during the university’s 17th Convocation Press Conference, held at the institution’s campus in Abraka on Wednesday.
He said the university spent about N50 million monthly on diesel, to run the institution’s generating plants.
The VC said his administration would address the huge cost by exploring other alternative sources of power supply, such as solar energy and hydropower, through private partnership investors.
“We spend N60 million monthly on electricity, we also spend about N50 million monthly on diesel, so cumulatively, we spend about N110 million monthly in electricity, this, we have to address.
“Beyond electricity, a comprehensive and integrated water supply system for Site Three will be developed. There will be construction and maintenance of internal road network.
“We will vigorously ensure compliance with the master plan of the university”, he said.
Asagba continued that the university was exploring other avenues to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), noting that the most demanding challenge in the overall scheme of the university was the issue of funding.
According to him, without proper funding, it will be difficult to realise the vision of the university.
He said DELSU would implement the financial policies of the University Council and ensure that the institution’s resources were used in ways that would most effectively advance the approved vision, mission and strategic plans of the university.
“To achieve the goals, DELSU Investment Ltd., in consultation with the Chairman of Board, will be overhauled. The university’s printing press will be upgraded to a publishing house.
“Scope for the Centre for Open and Distance Learning will be expanded to cover many departments of the university. Quotas for the admission of undergraduates will be raised for courses that are highly sought after.
“Investors will be engaged in a Public Private Partnership arrangement. National and multinationals will be wooed and partnered for the development of the university”, the VC said.
He stated further that the institution’s management would improve the prioritisation of the university’s ICT infrastructure, to enable it to compete globally.
Asagba also said sustained measures would be put in place to improve the quality of graduates and postgraduates students through closed monitoring, to guarantee their employability.
He continued that the university would be properly connected to the world through common wealth multifarious schemes, covering short-term and long-term sponsorship of staff and students.
Asagba further said the university would provide training and support to entrepreneurs and small businesses within Abraka community, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
He, however, stated that staff welfare remained top priority in his administration, adding that it would not be compromised.

Continue Reading

Niger Delta

Engage Intellectually On Ijaw Struggle, Dep Gov Urges IYC

Published

on

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has challenged the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) to be more intellectual in pursuing the shared dreams and aspirations of the Ijaw ethnic nationality in Nigeria.
He said this when he granted audience to the Chairman and members of the 2025 Boro Day Planning Committee, under the auspices of the IYC Central Zone, at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
He advised the youths of Ijawland against armed struggle, stressing that the era of militancy had long gone having served its purpose shortly after the famous Kaiama Declaration.
Emphasizing the importance of education, the Deputy Governor recommended the use of effective intellectual engagements in fighting against inequity, marginalisation and deprivation of the legitimate rights and interests of Ijaw people.
He wondered why the IYC has not added its voice to the ongoing calls and public discourse for the creation of more local governments in the country, especially as it affects Bayelsa State.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo lamented that Bayelsa, with only eight local governments, had been grossly short-changed over the years, despite its huge contribution to the economic survival of Nigeria.
He charged the 2025 Boro Day Planning Committee to conceive programmes and activities that would add value to the lives of the Ijaw people, noting that the Ijaw struggle, which Boro epitomized, had transited from the use of arms to the battleground of intellectual engagement.
The Deputy Governor advised the IYC to collaborate and synchronize its activities for the Boro Day celebration with that of the State Ministry of Ijaw National Affairs to avoid unnecessary duplications and achieve success.
“We should celebrate the Boro Day in a way that adds value to the lives of the Ijaw people. So, the IYC should collaborate with the Bayelsa State Ministry of Ijaw National Affairs to harmonize the programme for the Boro Day Celebration to avoid unnecessary duplication of events.
“The struggle is now intellectual, it is no longer an armed struggle of the past. The IYC should stand against cultism, and drug abuse among our youths”, he said.
He continued that the “The IYC should as a matter of fact recalibrate its desires and motivation. We need intellectual engagement of the state and federal governments in very responsible and respectable manner.
“We expect IYC to be alert and sensitive to what is happening around us and within this country. For quite sometime now, people have been talking about local government creation in this country. In what ways has the IYC lent its voice to that discourse?”, he querried.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the IYC 2025 Boro Day Planning Committee, Evangelist Parkins Ogede, explained that the visit was to intimate the state government of the activities of the IYC Central Zone for this year’s Boro Day and to seek government’s support in terms of funding.
Evangelist Parkins, who thanked the Deputy Governor for granting the Committee audience at a very short notice, informed that the events include inter-LGA cultural displays, boat regatta at Oxbow Lake, Boro Day Memorial Public Lecture, amongst others.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa

Continue Reading

Niger Delta

Save Journalist Battling Cancer, NUJ Urges Isoko Indigenes

Published

on

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, is asking kind-hearted sons and daughters of Isoko to help save the life of one of their members, Comrade Dave Okpogadie, who is very sick and needs money to continue his cancer treatment.
Since 2024, Comrade Okpogadie has been battling cancer. He started his treatment with surgery at Asaba Specialist Hospital.
After that, he was moved to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, for chemotherapy and radiotherapy, special treatments that help fight cancer cells.
The Delta State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, explained that Comrade Dave now needs to stay in the hospital for more than three months to complete his treatment.
“Sadly, the cost is too much for his family and the Union to handle alone. That’s why they are asking for help from generous people in the Isoko Community and beyond”, Oyowe pleaded.
He said the Union has already helped Dave twice before: “We have intervened at the initial stage. We gave out N1.8 million at first and then raised more money the second time. So far, we’ve raised about N4.5 million”, he said.
He also shared that one kind person, Comrade Shola Adebayo, gave a large donation of N2.5 million during the second round of fundraising.
The Delta State Ministry of Information and the Delta State Contributory Health Commission have also supported the cause. The Ministry has written to the State Governor, asking for a special intervention.
Oyowe said more help is needed, and fast: “We’ve spoken to the government, and they are working on it, but you know how government works, the machinery of government grinds slowly. We cannot wait because Dave needs treatment now.
“I know Isoko has many great sons and daughters. We are calling on them to help save Dave’s life. Cancer is treatable if caught early, but we must act now before it’s too late.”
The summation of fund for his treatment is currently fixed at N10,321,000, and include: Blood every week for 11 weeks; weekly organ test; post-treatment drugs; CT Scan; Radiotherapy session; 11 weeks hospital stay; Dental treatment every week; and Radiotherapy.
For Chemotherapy (Cancer Medicine Treatment), it includes: 11 sessions of chemotherapy; Blood test every week; Kidney test every week; Consultant’s fee; Extra/unplanned expenses; and Chemotherapy.
Meanwhile, the NUJ says it has a nine-member welfare committee in charge of managing all the donations and spending, with Comrade Ruth Omejie, from the Field Information Chapel, as Chairman, and Comrade Ameachi Okpara, from the Asaba Correspondents Chapel, as Secretary.

Continue Reading

Trending