₦airaland Forum

October 13, 2019

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Four Communities in Governor Willie Obiano’s Anambra East local government area have been submerged by flood with residents losing millions.

The communities are Mkpunando, Eziagulu Otu, Umundeze and Enugu otu

As a result, the Governor has met with members of the State Emergency Management Agency SEMA, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Navy among others to look for ways of getting it right in those flooded areas.

Some of the residents had raised the alarm that if nothing was done by the state government urgently, communities would be as good as forgotten.

One of the displaced persons, Mr Izuchukwu Nnoli, pleaded with Government to come to their aid as the flood had taken over their homes and farmlands.

According to him:“This 2019 flood is a terrible experience. I call on the state government to do something about the flooding because farming is our only source of livelihood,’’

However, the State Government, had pledged immediate attention to persons displaced as a result of 2019 flooding in the coastal areas across the state.

In his meeting with the agencies at his home town, Aguleri at the weekend, Obiano said his government would do everything within its capacity to ensure that health and food needed of the displaced persons were made available

He gave the directive to all relevant agencies to ensure that transportation facilities were in place for immediate evacuation of those trapped in flooded areas.

Obiano said: “All medical personnel will also be on ground to assist in avoiding diarrhea outbreak. Food and clean water will be available for all too”

Executive Director, SEMA, Mr Cyril Agupugo briefed the governor on the happenings in Enugu Otu, Eziagulu Otu, Mkpunando and Umundeze communities in Anambra East LGA.

He said the current situation in the communities were scary as most of the houses were completely submerged.

“These areas are underwater with victims’ farmlands and household items worth millions of naira and they are calling for government’s immediate intervention,” he said.

The Transition Committee Chairman, Anambra East Council Area , Mr Obi Nweke urged the displaced persons not to panic and lose hope but to trust in God as help was underway.

“I believe things will be better in no distant time. Life is most important now as you can still re-acquire your lost property.

“When the flood becomes too much, we have no other option than to evacuate to safer places until water recedes then you can move back to your houses,” Nweke said.

While thanking the state government and SEMA, Nweke re-assured the displaced persons of immediate intervention by Government and in any little way he could also help.

ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

…As legislators intensify pressure

THE Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has said that the key reasons why vessels avoid using ports at the Eastern flank of the nation’s seaports was due to the level of insecurity on the waterways, the shallow draft of the channels which hinders the movement of big vessels, as well as problems of poor access roads and rail linkages to the ports in these areas.

On the issues of draft limitations, the Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, who disclosed these, explained that following the approval of the contract by the Federal Executive Council last year, dredging works have been completed on deepening the Warri channel draught to 7.5 meters while consultants have been engaged to advise on level of investments needed to improve the infrastructure capacity of the Port Harcourt port.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Ports and Harbours, she noted that the Onne Ports currently function at full capacity just as she informed the legislators that the management of the NPA was working with all relevant stakeholders towards tackling the challenges that hamper patronage of the Eastern Ports.

Bala-Usman also disclosed that NPA has granted all requisite approvals for the construction of the Lekki Deep Sea Port for which development has started.

She said further that the Authority was awaiting a response from the promoters of the Badagry Deep Sea Port to enable conclusion on the final outline business case for the project.

Bala-Usman also pointed out that the maritime industry is becoming more increasingly disposed to patronising Deep Sea Ports which allows for big vessels and aid economies of scales. She clarified that Nigeria would only assure its future market share in the industry with the development of Deep Sea Ports.

On security, Bala-Usman explained that the NPA is purchasing patrol boats and working with the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, and the Port Police Command to combat crimes on the nation’s waterways and assured that progress is being made on this front.

On the issue of port access roads, she explained that the NPA has drawn a basket of such roads across the country and written to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing about the need to prioritise the rehabilitation of these roads.

She noted that the ministry has commenced implementation of this process with the recent award of the construction of Ikom Bridge, which is a key road connecting Cross River State to the North-Eastern part of the country and expressed optimism that these steps will provide better linkages to the hinterland and attract more business to the Eastern Ports.

Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Buba Yakub explained that the Committee was on a fact-finding mission on reasons why the Eastern Ports are not working as optimally as the Western Ports and how much that affects national development.

Yakub noted that this assignment will take his Committee round all the ports and at the end of the day, generate a blueprint that would improve patronage at the Eastern Ports and prevent agitations from host communities.

Sunnycliff:
So they should turn to government that provides jobs for its citizens right?

ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2019

Middle Belt PDP Progressive Youth Forum, a socio-political pressure group made of PDP youths in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria, has lambasted Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State over his recent statement, accusing the panel set up by the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) of Corruption.

Wike The Panel which has prominent leaders of the Party from the Middle Belt region of Nigeria was set up to resolve the Minority Leadership crisis in the House of Representatives.

The group in a strongly worded statement titled, “INSULT ON AYU, MARK, MANTU: WIKE HAS CROSS THE RED LINE, signed by the Chairman, Gabriel Mudgat, Secretary, Alh. Ibrahim Nadama and Women Coordinator, Hon. Liatu Daniel condemned the statement in its entirety and said that it was an unwarranted abuse on the highly regarded leaders of their region and Political party.

The youths in the statement made available to journalists on Friday 13th September 2019 in Abuja, described Governor Wike as not a uniting factor in party politics, saying he who cannot thrive without “crisis’’.

“But let it be known to him that the Middle Belt is not part of his political fiefdom. He has certainly crossed the red line by insulting the cream of Middle Belt political leaders and statesmen,” the group stated, warning and demanding, that Governor Wike “must immediately withdraw the defamatory statement against Senators Ayu, Mark, Mantu and others with an unreserved public apology”.

The Statement Reads in full:

[i]INSULT ON AYU, MARK, MANTU: WIKE HAS CROSSED THE READ LINE

As a group with a clear mandate to protect and promote the principles of democracy, justice, equity, and the political and socio-economic emancipation of the people of Middle Belt Region of Nigeria as enunciated by the founding fathers of the Region led by the Great Joseph Sarwuan Tarka of blessed memory, we express our utmost displeasure over recent reports wherein the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike, abused our foremost leaders.

In the reports, Governor Wike allegedly described Distinguished Senator (Prof) Iyorchia Ayu, a former President of the Senate; Distinguished Senator David Mark, a former President of the Senate; and Distinguished Senator Ibrahim Mantu, a former Deputy President of the Senate as well as other respected National leaders from other regions, including the Distinguished Senator Adolphus Wabara, another former Senate President, etc. appointed into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) to investigate the Minority leadership crisis in the House of Representatives as allegedly most corrupt.

As if that was not enough, he not only congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the APC, on his victory over the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, even when the party had just indicated that it would appeal to the Supreme Court, but also thoroughly insulted brother PDP Governors.

Wike boasted and threatened to deal with the PDP, which built him from the scratch, politically. Much as we find these statements very distasteful, disrespectful, embarrassing, arrogant, and bombastic, they only go further to affirm our claims on Governor Wike.

To characterise Middle Belt leaders, including elder statesmen, whose political exposure dwarf his, shows that he needs some housekeeping in his political manners. Now, we are further convinced that Wike is a man, who cannot thrive without crisis.

Governor Wike’s alleged threat to deal with the PDP and PDP Governors further confirm that the evils of impunity of one man dictating the tune and everyone else dancing sheepishly to it, which dethroned the PDP from power, has inadvertently mutated to Rivers State Government House.

Wike’s alleged threats are part of his annoying and erroneous assumption that one state is equal or above the other 35 states and Abuja. Such impressions are sufficient notice that power should not be concentrated in one hand, for power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Indeed Wike’s reckless statements, excesses, and brigandage are clear pointers to what awaits the nation and the PDP if he finds himself in higher corridors of power and influence, for no nation or party can survive his combined effects of Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, and Buhari constituted in one man. By threatening to allegedly fight the PDP to a standstill, Wike is putting everyone on notice of intention to disrupt the party again and move on.

If he has the self-proclaimed political Midas touch as he claims, how come it did not come to play in the 2019 general election? Wike was the last governorship candidate to be declared winner despite having no challenger in the real sense of it.

But his fellow PDP governors he insults today won their elections or reelection at a go, with some unseating APC incumbents or their anointed ones even without the economic leverage that Wike enjoys.

Lastly, Wike’s uncanny congratulatory message to Buhari when the PDP is still going to court is quite remarkable and speaks volumes when viewed alongside his threat to deal with the PDP in 2018 over efforts to shift the venue of the National Convention and Presidential Primary from Port Harcourt.

If his congratulation of Buhari is not anti-party, what else is, especially when he has sabotaged the intention of the party to go to the Supreme Court because his congratulatory message is persuasive authority for the Supreme Court to rule against the PDP? Wike, the cricket is roasting in the fire but claims he is emitting oil.

But let it be known to him that the Middle Belt is not part of his political fiefdom. He has certainly crossed the red line by insulting the cream of Middle Belt political leaders and statesmen.

He must immediately withdraw the defamatory statement against Senators Ayu, Mark, Mantu and others with an unreserved public apology. Those, whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits, should learn to show humility.

Vanguard

ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 8:19 AM

A three-storey building under construction on Wednesday evening, collapsed from it’s foundation at Monarch Avenue in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State.

A former official of Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, committee on collapsed buildings, Engr Armstrong Agbo, said the cause of such collapses usually occurr as a result poor quality materials.

He, however, said that their work stops at recommending to government on what actions to take on such incidence.

The Enugu state Emergency Management Agency has visited the site where no live was reportedly lost. Residents of the area, attributed the incident to substandard materials and use of quack engineer’s in the execution of the project.

A resident who gave his name as Clifford Eze said that block work for the building had already been completed and waiting for roofing when the building suddenly collapsed on Wednesday at about 8:30pm.

The residents commended the state governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for government’s quick intervention, and charged the state government to initiate policies that would discourage use of substandard building materials in construction of houses, roads and Bridges.

The residents advised government to commence demolition of servered structures, particularly those on waterways.

Chairman of Enugu South local government council, Mr. Sunday Ugwu said that government should not be blamed in every building collaspse in the state, adding that people should avoid human induced disasters.

Vanguard