Okowa’ll Deliver On Promises—Otuaro

*says God is key to prosperity

From Bulou Kosin

Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. (Deacon) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, reiterated his conviction that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will continue to deliver on his promises despite challenging economic times and qualify for a second term in office.

Otuaro gave the assurance after Pastor Samuel John of Living Faith Church Worldwide (aka Winners Chapel), Ibusa Road, Asaba, charged politicians to make a mark in office or be disqualified for further term. They both spoke, yesterday (Tuesday), at Aboh during the 2nd edition of the annual Festival of Praise programme put together by the Ndokwa East Local Government Council and the area’s Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The ceremony doubled as a thanksgiving service by the council chairman, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah who recently survived several volleys from assassins’ guns.

Pastor John had earlier commended the Ndokwa East Council for the initiative to praise God in keeping with God’s commandment. He listed the benefits of praising God to include divine blessings/ideas, presence and security that enrich, banish fear and prevents evil from befalling children of God.

Saying he was glad to have attended the “Festival of Praise” programme, Otuaro stressed that the Ndokwa East Local Council initiative was in tandem with the Okowa administration’s standard. He said: “Okowa instituted the praise to God night initiative from the beginning of this administration. We worship Almighty God every morning at the Government House chapel in Asaba and dwell on the things of the Spirit on which the success of man and society depends. We are therefore confident that by God’s grace, we’ll deliver on our electoral promises and qualify for more terms”.

“My friend, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah, had been having series of challenges that culminated recently in surviving 22 bullets from assassins. When I got the news of her survival, I exclaimed it could only have been God!”, Otuaro said, adding: “God made her a bullet proof”.

Otuaro who prayed for the council boss to fulfil her mission and exceed her own expectations, said life was about acknowledging God who is the key to prosperity. He thanked the massive crowd that attended the event, especially the royal fathers from various kingdoms in the area, “for gracing the event with their majestic outfits”. The Deputy Governor described the culture of praise to reverence God as “awesome, commendable and worthy of

Okowa’ll Spread Dev’t to All Deltans—Otuaro

From Bulou Kosin

Acting Governor of Delta State, Barr. (Deacon) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro says Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will not deprive any part of Delta State from the spread of development projects, stressing that the present economic recession will not derail the “prosperity for all” agenda.

Otuaro spoke, weekend, in Oleh, Isoko South council area, during a stakeholders meeting of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of Delta South Senatorial District where a vote of confidence was passed on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, in running affairs of the state. Chairman of Delta South senatorial district of the PDP, Prince Emmanuel Amgbaduba said the meeting was convened to unite aggrieved members over the last congresses to enable the party move on in strength and deliver on its promises.

Otuaro’s assurance of development to all parts is coming against grumblings in few quarters that their areas were left out in Governor Okowa’s remarkable performance in the past one year in office. The acting governor, who sued for patience, told newsmen that having regard for Okowa’s commitment of the administration to the guidance of God, he had confidence that prosperity will spread to all corners of the state.

In the confidence vote by Hon. Solomon Funkekeme, former Deputy Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, seconded by Mr. Solomon Areyinka, and unanimously adopted, the PDP stalwarts lauded Okowa and his deputy, Otuaro, for managing scarce resources in a recession to a harvest of projects in just one year.

Party stalwarts who attended the meeting include Comrade Macaulay Ovuozuorie, Hon. Denghan Macauley, Rtd Wing Commander Peter Biakpara, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor, Hon. Ithiako Ikpokpo, among several others.

Avengers Claims Bombing Another Agip Pipeline In Bayelsa

Rampaging militant group, Niger Delta Avengers on Friday said it blown up the Obi Obi Brass Trunk line, a major crude oil pipeline belonging to Italian oil giants, Agip in Bayelsa state.

Industry source said an explosion rocked the pipeline around 3:am Friday morning, leaving the crude lines shattered.

The militant group which claimed responsibility for the attack on its Twitter handle said; "3:am of Friday @NDAvengers blow up the Obi Obi Brass Trunk line belonging to Agip ENI. It is Agip's Major Crude oil Line in Bayelsa State".

NDA in a footnote that followed the tweet however expressed delight that foreign refineries had allegedly stopped buying Nigerian crude oil ostensibly because Nigeria state has been robbing the Niger Delta of her oil and gas resources, the group added.

Meanwhile, source said an oil facility believed to be operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, around Ogidigben, Warri South West Local in Delta State was blew up Thursday evening.  

The blast occurred along the Chanomi Creek around Ogidigben area about 8.00 pm, sources said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the said attack.

Niger Delta Avengers Says ‘Enough Is Enough’, Call On World Powers to Come To N’Delta Aid Before Nigeria Goes Sudan Way

Resurgent militia group, the Niger Delta Avengers have declared “enough is enough” to what it called history of terror, oppression, injustice, poverty in the oil-rich Niger Delta region by successive government in Nigeria.

The group declared on Thursday that before Nigeria will go the Sudan way, the international community should come to the aid of the region to achieve its quest for peaceful self-determination and control of oil resources derivable from the region.

Specifically, NDA called on Britain, France, and United State of America, Russia, China and European Union to speak up against the “terror” meted out on the Niger Delta region by the successive government in Nigeria.

In a statement by its spokesman, ‘Brig-Gen’ Mudoch Aginibo, NDA vowed to resist with any means necessary the years-long “injustice and underdevelopment in the Niger Delta, declaring that they have nothing to lose in the “battles ahead”.

It recalled that since the day crude oil was discovered in commercial quantity and quality in Oloibiri in the present day Bayelsa state; “what we have being asking from successive governments in Nigeria is portable drinking water in the midst of plenty of water mass, electricity, roads, employment, quality education/educational facilities, resource control, participation in the oil business and inclusive governance that will engender substantial freedom”.

The Avengers which have wreck some much havoc to oil installations in the country in recent times, held that what the region has gotten all the years has been; “terror of poverty, inhumanity and desolate living conditions”.

According to them, successive government in Nigeria had used resources from the region since the days of Oloibiri to develop mountains, rock, valleys, deserts and lagoon outside the region but have continue to “alienate the Niger Delta region from all types of development and all essence of quality human life”.

The group mentioned oil facilities in the region of which the Nigeria state have allegedly ripped off the region to includes; “Oloibiri, Brass LNLG and Export Terminals in Bayelsa; Bonny LNLG and Export Terminals in River state; ExxonMobil in Akwa Ibom; Escravos EGTL/ Tank Farm and Export Terminals; Forcados Tank Farm and Export Terminals in Delta state operated respectively by Anglo-Dutch Shell, Chevron/Texaco Overseas, Agip ENI, ExxonMobil”.

They said that those who operate these facilities in the region live like “Kings and Presidents” whereas the region which produce Nigeria main economy stay is stripped of any tangible infrastructure.

The group therefore vowed to correct what it called “history of terror” by successive governments in Nigeria which it declared “worships the crude oil taken from the region”.

They maintained that instead of doing the needful the government had decided to “mobilise her military might to intimidate, torture, maim, victimise and bombard a section of the nation state and her citizenry to allow the free flow of our oil.

“For over five decades, we have given the multinational oil corporations and their collaborators, the Nigerian State, peace, cooperation and love for the crude oil to flow unhindered from our land.

“The continuous tranquility is only manifesting in the development of mountains, rock, valleys, deserts and lagoon but the Niger Delta territory continually alienated from all types of development and all essence of quality human life.

“Meanwhile all successive governments worships the crude oil taken from the region. Our communities and the people are only good at securing the pipelines, oil and gas facilities. What a tragedy?

“We are calling on the international community especially Britain, France, the United State of America, Russia, China and European Union to speak up against this ongoing terror and come to the aid of the Niger Delta, as witnesses to this grave inhumanity and history of terror perpetuated against the people of the Niger Delta daily.

‘This history of terror, we the Niger Delta Avengers will resist and correct with every means necessary.

“We have nothing to lose in the battles ahead; justice they say is only found within the structure of a nation state, rather than provide this justice the Nigerian government has decided to mobilise her military might to intimidate, torture, maim, victimise and bombard a section of the nation state and her citizenry to allow the free flow of our oil.

“They says the progress and success of a nation state is the reflection of her constitution that is not manufactured to favour some section and excludes the yearning and aspirations of others; but the indwelling spiritual and historical development of its people.

“Since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 to date, our resources have been used to sustain the political administrative live wire of Nigeria to the exclusion of the Niger delta.

“Finally, we are calling on the international community, to come and support the restoration of our right to peaceful self-determination from this tragedy of 1914 that has expired since 2014.

“We want our resources back to restore the essence of human life in our region for generations to come because Nigeria has failed to do that. The world should not wait until we go the Sudan ways. Enough is enough”.

Attacks On Oil Installations Is A Threat To Success Of 2016 National Budget - Delta Govt Committee

Advocacy Committee Against Oil Facilities Vandalism set up by Delta state Government has said that the increased spate of oil facility bombing is a threat to the success of 2016 national budget of N6.6trillion naira which is predicated on three indexes of borrowing, taxation and 2.2million barrel per day production target.

The Committee position came after a one-week campaign tour against pipeline vandalism in the riverine communities of Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Bombing of oil pipelines in the delta by militia group had reduced Nigeria oil economy and country’s  oil output, taking it down from 2.2m barrels a day to 1.4m with militia group, Niger Delta Avengers mainly laying claims to the attacks in the renewed insurgency.

Since the attacks, there have been claims and counter claims, allegations and counter allegation about the mastermind of the attacks, some pointing accusing finger at wanted ex-MEND warlord, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo).

The development had prompted the Delta state Government to set up an Advocacy Committee to traverse the creeks which had been a hotbed of renewed militancy in the delta to campaign against the menace as well as gather intelligence on those involved and remote cause of the attacks.

The Committee headed by the state Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro which was set up on 16 May, 2016 by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said that it consulted widely with stakeholders, communities leaders, youths, oil companies in its bid to ensure the cessation of the spate of bombings of critical oil and gas infrastructure in the state.

Addressing newsmen in Government House Annex in Warri on Tuesday, the state Deputy Governor Otuaro said that the Committee whose members relocated to the riverside communities at the week of the attacks, conferred with several traditional rulers, among them was the Olu of Warri Kingdom, the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom in its bid to deepen intelligence on the activities of those involved directly or indirectly and to identify the remote and immediate cause(s) of the unwholesome acts.

He said that in a bid to achieving its set goals, the Committee had accessed the Otunana Crude pipeline blast site after visiting the Ugborodo-Escravos multi-billion dollar Escravos Gas Plant operated by Chevron. It also discussed with management of NGC and SPDC Forcados Terminal after flying over SPDC  46-inches trunk-line that was blasted by the vandals.

Otuaro said that the Committee recommended that the Federal Government needed to be properly brief of the grievances of those who may be involved in the attacks so that the Committee can create platforms for dialogue and avert crises that may not necessarily discriminate the innocent and the non-guilty within the society.

He disclosed that the communities visited by the Committee, whether involved or not in the unwholesome acts, needed to cooperate, in partnership and to collaborate with government in providing intelligence.

According to him, the communities were told that the cooperation and strategic partnership would help ward off the vandals that can attract an avoidable military invasion that will not differentiate the innocent.

“We have crisscrossed rivers and rivulets and have spoken to the people. We have heard from the communities and the message was clear. We sounded it clearly that the bombings are a shot in the foot of our people as environmental degradation further endangers the ecosystem and hence our source of livelihood.

“The continued bombing of critical oil facilities is inimical to the national/state economy and hence growth. We cannot continue same that worsens an already bad economy occasioned by dipping oil price in the world market, he said.

While reiterating that attack on oil installations is a threat to the success of the 2016 national budget of N6.6trillion which is predicated on the three indices of massive borrowing, taxation and 2.2million barrel/day production target, Otuaro said that with the increased spate of oil facility bombings leading to drop in production quantum, it is doubtful if the expectations of the budget can be fulfilled, pointing out that the message of the Advocacy Committee to the communities was vividly clear.

Otuaro said that the Committee however observed that there is an apparent consensus that the Government/Oil companies have continued to neglect the communities resulting in underdevelopment or development not commensurate with production output.

Reeling out other observations, he said that there is total willingness by the communities to help the federal government end oil facility vandalism provided there is a recognized platform to do so without being misconstrued.

He said that the Committee further agreed that military option/invasion, would not help resolve the issue adding that the Advocacy Committee cannot, in that circumstance, find a pathway that may lead to permanent solution as commissioned.

“That seemingly, there should be no end to dialogue until such a time where both communities and government take full responsibility for and willfully commit to one another on best possible ways to ensure safety of our national assets and enhance development of our communities, he added.

Otuaro while expressing optimism that the advocacy campaign would yield purposeful result, he also disclosed that a lot of organizations and oil companies have identified with the work of the Committee and have indicated interest to collaborate with the team.

He however expressed delight that while the Committee was going about its work in the creeks, the defunct militia group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) including ex-agitators had also condemned the act of vandalism and dissociated itself from the Niger Delta Avengers laying claim to the recent acts of vandalism in the state.

According to him, these are positive developments in the horizon adding that “the Committee, in seeking for peaceful resolution of the current spate of vandalism has also appealed to the identified elements to stop the bombings and channel their grievances through a more acceptable module”.

While expressing thanks to Governor Okowa for setting up the Committee, the state Deputy Governor said that the Committee in the day ahead would visit more communities adding that the Committee is committed to maintaining sustainable network of structures that will help deepen intelligence in finding the root cause

How Inmates Allegedly Smuggle Cell Phones Into Prisons In Delta

 ***Delta Govt Summon Comptroller of Prison

Cell phones which ought to be contraband in Nigeria prisons are now prevalent in prisons in Delta state, Bigpenreports has learnt.

Dependable sources told Bigpenreports that though cell phones are banned, they are often smuggled into the prisons by inmates who allegedly connived with some dubious prison officials.

The prisoners allegedly use the phones to control the flow of drugs both in and out of the prisons premises, control activities outside the prisons as well as relate with members of their families, a source who didn’t want his name on print disclosed.

The source disclosed that some of the hardened prisoners were allegedly using the cell phones to give directives to their gang members, thus jeopardizing the security of the state.

Bigpenreports learnt that the development however came to the fore on Monday when Delta state Governor, Dr Ifeanyi  Okowa was fielding questions from journalist who sought to know what the state government was doing about the menace.

Confirming the development, Governor Okowa disclosed that the Comptroller of Prison in the state has been summoned to attend the state Security Council Meeting to explain the alleged security breach which could pose grieve danger to the state peace and security agenda.

Governor Okowa who was speaking during a media briefing to herald this year’s Democracy Day and his first year in office celebration, said that he was already aware of such issue which has since come to the knowledge of members of the state security council .

He disclosed that based on the development, an invitation has been sent to the Comptroller of Prisons in the state to attend the next State Security Council meeting.

“I got to know about the situation about a week ago, I had to find out from the Commissioner of Police and he has confirmed that some kidnappings which has occurred was controlled by some individuals in the Prison and we intend to invite the comptroller of Prisons in our next security meeting because we need to know why that is happening and why it is being allowed because it is a very dangerous trend and it is not the best for our security.”

According to him, his administration does not handle the issue of security with kid’s gloves, disclosing that on assumption of office, a 41-member Delta State Peace Building and Advisory Council comprising men and women of proven integrity and exemplary character were inaugurated to tackle the teething problem of peace and security in the state.

 “They (Delta State Peace Building and Advisory Council) have been very active in working to implement policies and programmes to increase public safety in Delta State.

“Our strategy is to strengthen, sustain and create the institutions and structures that enable peaceful co-existence among diverse ethnic groups and communities; we are committed to seeing that our cities, towns and communities become places where people feel safe to work, live and do business, he added.
Speaking on the menace of Fulani herdsmen, Governor Okowa disclosed that his administration has taken proactive measures to curb the menace.

“We have been talking about it at the national level; also at the state level a committee has been set up which is made up of the SSG, Police, SSS, Civil Defence, our communities and some Fulani leaders because, we want to ensure that there is an identification of the herdsmen groups that we have in our localities and to create an interface between them and our communities so that together the communities and the herdsmen can work to identify the criminal elements and ensure that those criminals are made to face the law.

“We have gone to the extent of appointing a Special Adviser on the Fulani herdsmen who has been helping us to reach out to the various groups in the state, even to the leadership of the Fulanis that bring in these cattle to the state.”

The governor also spoke about the spate of pipeline vandalism in the state saying that currently, an Advocacy Peace Committee headed by the Deputy Governor Barr. Kingsley Otuaro has been traversing the length and breadth of the riverine communities to hold talks with traditional rulers, community and youth leaders on the need for peace in the region adding; “we are confident of positive outcomes from these interactions”.

He said that on assumption of office, his administration had in collaboration with the local government councils had organised a well-attended One-Day Stakeholders Summit on “Vandalisation of Oil and Gas Facilities” on Wednesday, January 31, 2016, at the Petroleum Training Institute Conference Centre in Effurun, Warri .