GOVERNOR UMO ENO TASKS NIGER DELTA REGION ON HARMONIOUS DEVELOPMENT

GOVERNOR UMO ENO TASKS NIGER DELTA REGION ON HARMONIOUS DEVELOPMENT*

--urges NDDC to collaborate with state governments

The Southern Post

3 minutes reads

Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno has urged stakeholders of the Niger Delta Region to evolve a unified strategy for the development of the region. 

He gave the charge while delivering a goodwill message, Friday, at the Niger Delta Stakeholders' Summit organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator (Dr) Akon Eyakenyi, the Governor emphasized the need for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to work collaboratively with the state governments for the advancement of the region.

"As a region, the Niger Delta must evolve a unified strategy that will drive development efforts going forward.

"While I recognize the efforts of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the NDDC, IOCs, multilateral agencies and other organizations in developing the region over the years, I like to quickly observe that the need for a harmonized strategy remains an overriding imperative for the sustainable growth and development of the Niger Delta Region," he noted. 

The Governor disclosed that the ARISE Agenda of his administration was big on agriculture, rural development, infrastructural maintenance, security management and educational advancement, noting that the NDDC was expected to collaborate with the state governments for the implementation of these developmental programmes. 

"The ARISE Agenda, our economic and governance blueprint is big on agriculture, rural development, infrastructural maintenance, security management and educational advancement. These are some of the areas the NDDC was, and still is expected to work collaboratively with the state governments for the region to advance."

He also advocated for the creation of jobs for the youths as a panacea for the restiveness which has characterized the region over the years.

"We must redouble our efforts to create jobs for our youths, we must train them in marketable skills, encourage them to absorb and develop an entrepreneurial mindset, so the restiveness may continue to dissipate."

Speaking earlier, Chairman of the event and former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan commended the Commission for bringing stakeholders together to fashion out the way forward for the region. 

In his remarks, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acknowledged the efforts of the current management of the NDDC at completing projects abandoned by successive management of the Commission, urging them to faithfully execute the mandate of the Commission. 

Represented by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President promised to complete the East-West Road and commence the Niger Delta portion of the Lagos - Calabar Coastal Highway. 

The event was attended by members of the National Assembly, governors, ministers and other stakeholders of the Niger Delta Region.

US Presidential Elections 2024: Trump survives assassination attempt

Former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear Saturday evening during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in what the FBI says was an assassination attempt.

The gunman and at least one audience member are dead, the Secret Service said, and two other attendees are critically injured. Agents said the former president is safe after they rushed him off the stage with blood on his face.

The FBI has identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Authorities say he fired multiple shots from a building rooftop just outside the rally venue, before he was killed by Secret Service agents.

Eyewitnesses described a “bloody” and chaotic scene. “It’s pure insanity,” said one rally attendee.

President Joe Biden spoke with Trump after the shooting and denounced the violence in remarks Saturday night. Biden returned to the White House from Delaware earlier than planned so he can continue receiving briefings from law enforcement.

Secret Service agents rushed former President Donald Trump off the stage after he fell to the ground amid loud bangs at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

After the bangs, Trump fell to the ground and was covered by Secret Service agents. He was stood back up by security personnel and had blood on his face. He was yelling back to the crowd and raising his fist before being was whisked away by security personnel.

Trump was then taken to a vehicle and evacuated from the scene. The incident took place moments after he took the stage at the rally.

“We heard a bunch of … loud cracking noises. At first I thought: Is that fireworks? All of a sudden everyone started screaming,” said CNN’s Alayna Treene, who was reporting from the rally.

In another development,House speaker notes heated political discourse but says "we shouldn't be targeting people"

House Speaker Mike Johnson urged Americans to treat one another with dignity and respect despite the country’s “heated” political environment in an interview with NBC’s “Today” show Sunday, following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump.

“We’re all Americans, and we have to treat one another with dignity and respect. We can have heated political discourse and debates, but it shouldn’t be personal, and we shouldn’t be targeting people,” Johnson said.

CNN

At the NDDC stakeholders' summit in Rivers, Tinubu pledged to ensure the completion of the East West Road

President Bola Tinubu has said plans are underway to complete the rehabilitation of the East West Road connecting Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

President Tinubu said this on Friday at the end of a three-day stakeholders’ summit, organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Represented by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Mr Tinubu said that his administration was supporting NDDC to deliver his Renewed Hope Agenda for the Niger Delta people.

He said, “The NDDC board will work to deliver my Renewed Hope Agenda, ranging from food security, poverty alleviation, inclusivity, job creation, anti-corruption and rule of law, among others. I am aware of the many complaints about NDDC but I assure you that this time round we will change the narrative for the benefit of the Niger Delta people.”

The President emphasised the need for the commission to change its approach to transform the region.

“Therefore, we must be committed to how the zone can be transformed in line with my agenda for sustainable development of the region. I am committed to ensuring the development of the region and ensuring that the East West Road would be tackled,” Mr Tinubu said.

Mr Akpabio, speaking as the Senate President, said that Mr Tinubu had authorised NDDC to secure a N1 trillion loan to complete abandoned projects in the region.

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Tinubu pledges completion of East West Road at NDDC stakeholders’ summit in Rivers

Mr Tinubu stressed the need for the commission to change its approach to transform the region.

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA • JULY 13, 2024

Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

President Bola Tinubu has said plans are underway to complete the rehabilitation of the East West Road connecting Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

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Mr Tinubu said this on Friday at the end of a three-day stakeholders’ summit, organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Represented by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Mr Tinubu said that his administration was supporting NDDC to deliver his Renewed Hope Agenda for the Niger Delta people.

He said, “The NDDC board will work to deliver my Renewed Hope Agenda, ranging from food security, poverty alleviation, inclusivity, job creation, anti-corruption and rule of law, among others. I am aware of the many complaints about NDDC but I assure you that this time round we will change the narrative for the benefit of the Niger Delta people.”

The President emphasised the need for the commission to change its approach to transform the region.

“Therefore, we must be committed to how the zone can be transformed in line with my agenda for sustainable development of the region. I am committed to ensuring the development of the region and ensuring that the East West Road would be tackled,” Mr Tinubu said.

Mr Akpabio, speaking as the Senate President, said that Mr Tinubu had authorised NDDC to secure a N1 trillion loan to complete abandoned projects in the region.

He said that the President had also given assurance that the Lagos to Calabar coastal highway project would commence simultaneously from both states.

“The National Assembly is satisfied with what NDDC management and board is doing, and so, we will do everything possible to ensure that the East West Road is completed within our tenure. It is no longer going to be the lack of funds but a question of committing to spending NDDC funds only in the Niger Delta,” he said.

The Chairman of the summit 

Tinubu pledges completion of East West Road at NDDC stakeholders’ summit in Rivers

Mr Tinubu stressed the need for the commission to change its approach to transform the region.

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA • JULY 13, 2024

Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

President Bola Tinubu has said plans are underway to complete the rehabilitation of the East West Road connecting Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

PauseUnmute

Fullscreen

Mr Tinubu said this on Friday at the end of a three-day stakeholders’ summit, organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Represented by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Mr Tinubu said that his administration was supporting NDDC to deliver his Renewed Hope Agenda for the Niger Delta people.

He said, “The NDDC board will work to deliver my Renewed Hope Agenda, ranging from food security, poverty alleviation, inclusivity, job creation, anti-corruption and rule of law, among others. I am aware of the many complaints about NDDC but I assure you that this time round we will change the narrative for the benefit of the Niger Delta people.”

The President emphasised the need for the commission to change its approach to transform the region.

“Therefore, we must be committed to how the zone can be transformed in line with my agenda for sustainable development of the region. I am committed to ensuring the development of the region and ensuring that the East West Road would be tackled,” Mr Tinubu said.

Mr Akpabio, speaking as the Senate President, said that Mr Tinubu had authorised NDDC to secure a N1 trillion loan to complete abandoned projects in the region.

He said that the President had also given assurance that the Lagos to Calabar coastal highway project would commence simultaneously from both states.

“The National Assembly is satisfied with what NDDC management and board is doing, and so, we will do everything possible to ensure that the East West Road is completed within our tenure. It is no longer going to be the lack of funds but a question of committing to spending NDDC funds only in the Niger Delta,” he said.

The Chairman of the summit and ex-president, Goodluck Jonathan, said that the NDDC was set up to provide infrastructure, improve the environment and enhance livelihoods.

He said that the NDDC deviated from its purpose of developing the Niger Delta after the tenures of its former Chairman of Board, Onyema Ugochukwu, and Managing Director, Timi Alaibe.

He stated, “Politicians took over the NDDC and its progress slowed down. People no longer felt the impact of the commission. But since the inception of this leadership, people of the Niger Niger Delta have seen some light. I encourage the political class not to overstretch the NDDC management and board, so that they can perform the mandate given to them.” 

The former president urged the commission to focus on completing the abandoned projects scattered across the nine NDDC states.

Earlier, Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, appealed to the Federal Government to act quickly to end the sufferings of commuters at the Okogbe axis of the East West Road in Rivers State.

He said the trip to Port Harcourt for the stakeholders’ summit, which was expected to take one hour by road, ended up taking about four hours.

“It is chaotic, pathetic and unbelievable that this is happening to an oil-producing area that lays the golden egg for our country. The National Assembly should make the issue of the uncompleted East West Road a matter of national priority on the floor of the national legislature,” he said.

The Minister of Niger Delta, Abubakar Momoh, said that the Niger Delta region must diversify to reduce the reliance on fossil fuel.

Commenting on the condition of the East West Road, he said that NDDC had engaged a construction firm to carry out some remedial work to reduce the hardship faced by road users.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on NDDC, Asuquo Ekpenyong, assured that the committee would continue to work closely with the commission to meet the yearnings of the people.

He said, “Things are now looking different because for the first time in several years, NDDC will be working with a budget approved by the National Assembly.’’

The former governor of Cross River, Donald Duke, urged collaboration between NDDC and state governors to address several issues plaguing the region.

Mr Duke said that close collaboration between the commission and governors of the Niger Delta region would help to end the existing conflicts over project ownership and duplication.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, assured participants at the summit that their recommendations would be adopted to change the fortunes of the region.

Notable dignitaries at the well-attended summit included governors Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Dr Alex Otti of Abia State represented by their deputies.

Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno, was also represented by his deputy while the host governor and Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was represented by the state Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, spoke on the need for sustainable peace and security in the Niger Delta region.

According to him, the army has been working tirelessly to restore permanent peace and security in the area.

(NAN)

Delta: Police escort LG election materials from CBN to LGAs

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, and his men have inspected council election materials at the office of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in Asaba, Delta State.

Abaniwonda subsequently issued a firm directive to DCP Operations, the squadron commander of 31 PMF and DPOs, to personally lead all sensitive and non-sensitive materials to the various council areas.

He urged them to ensure the materials get to their various destinations and assured all residents and the electorate that the command will ensure that the election is conducted peacefully and hitch-free.

Before now, the command has deployed Marine Police to the waterways and others to the 25 local government areas to ensure hitch-free elections.

It equally banned all non-state actors, such as vigilantes, anti-cult volunteers, hunters and others, from playing any role whatsoever during the elections.

CP Abaniwonda said the command is in synergy with other sister agencies to protect all polling units, RACs, collation centres, and DSIEC offices to ensure a hitch and also protect the electorate and DSIEC officials.

He threatened to decisively deal with non-state actors found meddling in the election process.

According to him, there would be a restriction on vehicular movement from 8 am to 3 pm on the day, saying only officials on emergency and essential duties, including accredited election monitors and observers, NABTEB examination students.

“The electorate in Delta State will exercise their right and ensure that the areas are peaceful during the election. NABTEB examination students are also exempt from this restriction on movement order.

The ban on VIP escorts during the election will also be enforced, they are therefore advised not to move with their security details on Election Day, as any officer found wanting will be arrested and sanctioned accordingly,” he stated.