Ogbe-Ijoh: Otuaro Canvasses Support For Monarch, Urges Indigenes To Join Forces In Development Of Kingdom

The people of Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South-West  Local Government Area have been called upon to partner with the Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Couple Oromoni in attracting the needed development to the area.

The State Deputy Governor Barr. Kingsley Otuaro made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler in his palace in Ogbe-Ijoh town.

Barr. Otuaro who described the process that brought the king to the throne as credible appealed to those angry with his emergence to sheath their swords and work with him in moving the kingdom forward.

He said government was committed to ensuring that peace and security was maintained and urged all to toe the line of peace for the required transformation to thrive.

The Deputy Governor told the king that he decided to visit him while on his way to a new year party put together by the PDP chairman for Warri South-West LGA, Chief Boro Opudu for members of the party in the area.

He enjoined the king to carry all his subjects along stressing that the support of stakeholders from his domain was needed for him to succeed on the throne.

The Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh, HRM Couple Oromoni who spoke in Ijaw language thanked the Deputy Governor on the visit and prayed God to grant the present administration the wisdom and the grace to meet the expectations of Deltans.

He pledged to work with all in the task of championing the cause of the kingdom.

At the PDP new year get-together at the residence of the local government party chairman at Ogbe-Ijoh town, the deputy governor lauded Chief Opudu for being a good ambassador of the people and the party.

While wishing the people a prosperous new year, Barr. Otuaro called on jobless youths to enroll for the second batch of trainees in the entrepreneurial programmes of government that will kick off in the first quarter of this year.

He affirmed that all parts of the state will be given equal treatment in terms of empowerment, and development and solicited the support of all in building a new Delta State.

Ogbe-Ijoh Kingship Selection: Count Delta Deputy Governor, Otuaro Out- Media Aide

Senior Special Assistant to the Delta state Deputy Governor on Communication and Press, Mr. Bulou Kosin has reacted to allegations that the state Deputy Governor Barr. Kingsley Otuaro was meddling in the traditional affairs of the Ogbe-Ijoh people in Warri South West Council area of the state in respect to the alleged selection/appointment of their traditional ruler.

Kosin, in a statement on Saturday said that it was not true that the Deputy Governor was party to the alleged selection/appointment of Chief Couple Oromoni, or anybody for that matter, as Pere (King) of Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri Kingdom, against a subsisting court order as claimed in recent media reports.

"As leaders believed to be respectable, Chief Alfred Yola and Sele Banni and their sponsors, ought to have done the responsible thing by initiating contempt proceedings in court against whoever may have defied such court order, instead of resorting to unsubstantiated allegations, sentiments and blackmail, the statement said.

According to the statement, the leaders of Perebiri Quarters in Ogbe-Ijoh said the Deputy Governor  allegedly “sent over 200 of his (Otuaro’s) policemen and aides to Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom...against the court directive to Ogbe-Ijoh for selection/appointment of Chief Couple Oromoni as monarch.

But reacting, Kosin said; "One wonders where the leaders of Perebiri quarters in Ogbe-Ijoh got their ridiculously staggering number of over 200 security details and aides to the Deputy Governor which they claimed he sent to the alleged Ogbe-Ijoh event.

"To begin with, the Deputy Governor does not have such weird number of details and aides and the entire story is indeed the figment of imagination of mischief makers bent on tarnishing the good reputation of the Deputy Governor.

"Informed leaders everywhere know that people who want to celebrate one occasion or the other do not need a Deputy Governor before seeking and getting police protection.

He however said that despite the diatribe, the Deputy Governor, wishes to appeal to the generally good people of Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri Kingdom to embrace peace necessary for the enjoyment of democratic dividends under Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s SMART agenda of prosperity for all Deltans.

"The Deputy Governor, Barr. Otuaro, hereby encourages journalists to remain partners in progress by seeking/exercising decorum and especially balance in their reportage. Reporters of The Nation and Vanguard newspapers who anchored the story could have done better by reaching the office of the Deputy Governor which is always open to inquiries", the statement added.

Otuaro Broker Peace In Gbaregolor/Setraco Rift

The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro have brokered peace between Setraco Nigeria Limited and Gbaregolor community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state over the controversial sack of some indigenes of the community by the construction firm.

Gbaregolor community was said to forced the construction firm to disengaged four of its staff on the ground that their employment which was based on community slot was over due as such they should be disengaged for other to take their turn.

Although the company had insisted that the request was against its rule of engagement, the company's management were force to sack the four indigenes, local source said adding that the issues had created bad blood in the community as a section of the community had disagreed with the arrangement, thus triggering crisis in the area.

Otuaro who had on Wednesday summoned the community representatives and the company to his office, said that the action of the community could jeopardize the peace in the area and hinder development of the area.

He said that it was counterproductive for the community to stampede the firm to sack its workers.

Setraco Nigeria Limited, represented by Chief Godspower Oporomor, said it had no basis to lay off the said staff since they had not violated any company’s rule.

The Deputy Governor who was represented by Hon. Steve Iruotor, Deputy Chief of Staff, said since Gbaregolor community had no Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Setraco on which to base its request, the concerned staff should retain their employments with Setraco.

He also advised the company to enter into an MoU with the community and present same to the government for recognition. 

"Seven, eight, ten years ago Delta State was booming with various companies,  because of this same attitude of company and community clashes, a lot of companies has relocated to others state of the federation.

“The Governor Okowa administration would want to encourage foreign companies, investors, multi-nationals to relocate back to Delta so that the state will begin to boom once more", Barr Otuaro added. 

Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Hon. Paul Etaga commended the state government for its timely intervention into the crisis, emphasizing that the issue would have led to loss of lives and other valuables. 

Etaga disclosed that similar ugly incident that happened some years back claimed several lives and pledged to ensure that the MoU will be reached by both parties in order to ensure peace, order and development in the area.

Explaining reason for the position of the community, the President General of Gbaregolor community, Mr. Benson Omorovwo, said the call for the retrenchment of the four staff of SETRACO who are indigenes of the community to replace them with others was based on the collective wish of the people and stakeholders, noting that it is was intended towards spreading empowerment to others.

Delta: Fresh Crisis Rocks UPU As Executive Committee Accuse Omene Of Fraud

***The allegations are false, UPU Youth Wing

Another round of crisis have started brewing within a faction of the Urhobo Progress Union,(UPU) as executive committee of the apex organization have allegedly accused its President General, Chief Joe Omene of  financial misappropriation.

Omene have been under intense pressure to resign his position or being expelled following series of allegations of corruption trailing his leadership.

The latest came from executives committee of UPU demanding explanation over allegations of cornering items including cars and souvenirs meant for the union.

UPU executive committee in a letter signed by Chief Austin Uloho, Deputy President General; Chief Albert Akpomudje, Secretary; Chief Mike Ederewhevbe, Treasurer; Chief R.E. Emecho, Financial Secretary; Chief Dafe Akpedeye SAN, Legal Adviser and four others, allegedly accused Omene of abuse of office as well as using the youth wing of the union to organize protests without the knowledge of the executives.

The letter which was made available to newsmen on Tuesday had also demanded that Chief Omene presents two of his bank accounts in the last one year to the executive.

According to the letter; “having been inundated with several newspaper publications alleging that the union executives were given huge sums of money for the election of President Goodluck Jonathan. Wild as the allegations are, it is robbing on the good names of executive members who were not privy to the alleged money given to the executive by the presidency.

“Executive members are however on the know that all monetary transaction with the Presidency were exclusively handled by the President General who reported to the executive that he was given the sum of N25million to enable the union organize a rally for the president which he also single handedly disbursed.

“Prior to the above, the PG also brought the sum of $100,000.00 which he said was sent to executive members and other organs of the union to mobilize them and assist in Mr. President’s (President Goodluck Jonathan) bid.

“Apart from the above sums, executive members are not privy to the sum of N1.2billion allegedly given to UPU executive by the Presidency.”

But reacting to the allegations President of the UPU youth wing, Mr. Igho Ovie who was also fingered in the alleged fraudulent activities of the PG said: “The allegations by the executives are all false as they are the ones selling Urhobo. Omene had made his wealth years before he emerged as UPU PG and there is no way he would indulge in such financial recklessness.”

Allegation Of Squandering Constituency Project Fund Trails Ogor, As Constituents Call For EFCC Probe

The people of Isoko ethnic nationality in Delta state have called on the anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe allegations of misappropriation of constituency project funds trailing the former deputy majority leader and member representing Isoko Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Leo Okuweh Ogor.

Ogor is being accused of squandering the constituency project fund approved by the Federal Government prior to the 2015 general elections to empower his constituents.

Dependable sources disclosed that the constituency empowerment project items delivered to Ogor from the coffers of the federal government includes 200 motorcycles, sewing machines, generators, deep freezers, hair dryers and 4 buses among others but the items which were said to have been delivered to the lawmaker before the 2015 general elections for full distribution to the optimal benefit of the people of Isoko nation were since then kept in Ogor's country home in Ozoro, Isoko North local government area of Delta state.

Ogor, it was learnt after several months of taking delivery of the items claimed to have bought the items from his private pocket and was said to have distribute only 96 motorcycles, one bus and few other items to commemorate the 56th birthday celebration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state which was celebrated on July, 8th, 2015.

Chairman of the board of trustees of Fiscal Transparency and Accountability Initiative, Abuja, Chief Charles Edo, a lawyer alleged that Ogor diverted the funds and claims that the money was from his private pocket.

According to Edo, the funds were approved by the past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan through the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons for House members to empower their constituents but Ogor allegedly cornered the money and only get some few items which he disbursed to friends and cronies.

He accused Ogor of allegedly diverting about 200 motorcycles and 4 buses meant as constituency items to the people of Isoko federal constituency.

Edo in a statement made available to newsmen reiterated that the constituency items were provided for "In the 2014 budget of the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons and expect the full implementation of the project to the optimal benefit of the people of Isoko nation.

"This is coming against the backdrop of the distribution of only 100 motorcycles and 1 bus by the Rep member at his country home in Ozoro, Isoko North local government are  of Delta to celebrate the 56th birthday celebration of the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

Edo however called on President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a probe panel to investigate the utilization and implementation of the constituency projects by members of the National Assembly which has been subject to abuse and most times ended in their private pockets.

A constituent who simply identified himself as James Okiemute, also told our correspondent that from their own investigations, the federal lawmaker duped the constituents and therefore called on EFCC and others anti-graft agencies to probe into the issue.

"We all know right from time that Leo Ogor is a con man and has in his several years in the house of representatives defrauded us, not a thing of today. Our investigations also revealed that one of his private companies fronting for Leo Ogor which goes by the name, Racen Integrated Services Limited was used to supplied the four buses which he gave out only one. The National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons awarded the contract to the company.

"These items were from the coffers of the federal government as part of constituency projects and we are beginning to wonder why Leo Ogor was going about saying they were bought with his own money to empower his constituents. In his years at the national Assembly, Leo Ogor has been defrauding us his constituents. All contracts in the constituency were handled by his private companies and has continued to use his brothers, relations, cronies and political stooges to front", he alleged.

Another constituent who simply gave his name as Oruaroghene accused Ogor of cornering both light, road and other contracts brought to the constituency to himself alleging that he (Ogor) has always shortchanged the people when it comes to empowerment of constituents.

"We have been made to understand that apart from defrauding us the constituents, Leo Ogor did not supply to  specification some of the items especially the motorcycles. The specification for the motorcycles was not ladies machines which he distributed and claimed were bought by his personal money.

"We are therefore calling on EFCC and ICPC to commence a probe on this man without any delay. We just hope this time around the anti-graft agencies must do something unlike before when he was untouchable."

They also called on the Federal Government to commence probe of the federal lawmakers whom they described as a perpetual corrupt member of the green chambers.

Ogor had said while distributing the items said that the gesture was his resolve to  “Instead of wasting money on newspapers adverts to celebrate the 56th birthday of the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, I have decided to use the funds to empower my constituents. The governor in his wisdom had earlier advised us his political associates, family and supporters to use such funds to develop our various constituents”.

Delta: Otuaro Seeks Stakeholders’ Perception On Warri-Effurun BRT Project

Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro on Wednesday said the State Government would consider the perception of benefitting communities and other stakeholders in arriving at a collective decision on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Scheme in Effurun-Warri.

Otuaro spoke at the Governor’s Office Annex in Warri at a meeting convened for Stakeholders to get firsthand information even as he sought support for the present administration in its determination to be fair and just in distribution and execution of basic amenities in the state.

Despite the slide show presentation by representative of the contracting firm, Mr. Biodun Otunola, on the viability and delivery of a standard BRT project, which he said was currently hampered by funding and compensation matters, several stakeholders were not persuaded.

The Ovie (King) of Uvwie Kingdom, Abe I, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Chief Victor Otomevwo, amongst several others spoke against the project, saying it had brought untold hardship. The people largely advocated for dualization of the road to address frequent traffic jams currently experienced.

The Deputy Governor said as soon as issues bordering on the BRT project are sorted out, the State Government would make its decision known to Deltans, Senior Special Assistant to the deputy governor on (Communication and Press), Bulou Kosin said in a statement on Thursday.