Bayelsa Govt Orders Agip to Shut down Facility over Spill

Following an oil spillage in its facilities in Ayarabele and Kalaba communities in the Orkordia Clan of Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa, the state government has ordered the closure of an oil facility belonging to the Nigeria AGIP Oil Company, a subsidiary of the Italian oil giant, ENI Spa.

The state government in a statement by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Inuro Wills, stated that the decision to order the closure was based on the need to allow a special investigative team to tackle the spill from the facility.

Wills stressed that the closure and subsequent investigation was triggered by the intolerable frequency of oil and gas spillage in the state and “the grave consequences it portends for the people and communities has necessitated the setting up of the team.

“Following the recent gas spillages, which occurred on September 4 at a facility operated by the NAOC in the two communities, the ministry has asked the company to temporarily shut down operations in the facility.”

Meanwhile, the state government has announced that a meeting between the leadership of the impacted communities, the officials of the state government and the NAOC have been fixed to discuss the incidence of spillage, “to determine to use the recent Ayamabele and Kalaba gas spill to signal the start of the state government programme of rapid and sustained environmental protection and enforcement.”  

SOURCE; http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/bayelsa-govt-orders-agip-to-shut-down-facility-over-spill/189279/

Bayelsa urges NCCT to develop local content on ICT

Bayelsa State Government yesterday urged the National Council of Communication Technology (NCCT) to develop Information Communication Technology (ICT) local content to strengthening ICT infrastructure in the country.

Governor Seriake Dickson stated this in Yenagoa, while declaring open the 3rd regular meeting of the NCCT in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology and the state government with the theme, “Mainstreaming ICT in National Development: Moving from Talk to Action.”

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (retd), Governor Dickson attributed the under-development of local industries to the over-dependence on the importation of software and hardware, which he said had inhibited the growth of domestic economic opportunities as well as capacity building.

He urged members of the council to deliberate on broadband download performance, development of ICT in governance to promote accountability and efficiency as well as networking with major ICT companies.

While expressing optimism that the highlights in the agreement between the Bayelsa State and Federal Ministry of Communication Technology would be addressed in view of the economic benefits to both parties, the governor appealed to the council to discourage free access to what he referred to as, unholy websites by youths, saying it would affect their moral standards.

In her remarks, the Minister for Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, said each state should hold ICT workshops, with the objective of creating awareness about the opportunities for youths.

Johnson, who said with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation, the mnistry would commence an ICT programme in all the 36 states, noted that about 500 to 1,000 youths would be trained in each state, adding that on completion of the training, the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology would in collaboration with state governments establish a monitoring framework to assess revenue generated and jobs created from the programme.

Also speaking, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Science and Technology and Manpower Development, Deacon Ndutimi Komonibo, expressed the hope that Bayelsa would become a global ICT hub, when the MoU it signed with the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology and Broadband Council was concretized to make the state one of the smart states initiative.

SOURCE; http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=81944

Bayelsa PDP accuses politicians of undermining Dickson

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Sam Inokoba, has accused Abuja-based politicians from the state of working against the government of Governor Seriake Dickson.

Apparently referring to the National Assembly members from the state, he equally blamed them for the seeming frosty relationship between Dickson and President Goodluck Jonathan.

Inokoba, a retired army colonel, made the accusation in a statement at the weekend in Yenagoa while reacting to a national newspaper’s (not Daily Independent) report captioned: ‘First Lady’s ploy to hijack Bayelsa, Rivers thickens’.

He described the Abuja-based politicians from the state as “disgruntled and misguided elements” who want “to turn the state into a theatre of war”.

The PDP chairman said they could not be stocking political fire from outside in a bid to score cheap political points.

He said the party and the Bayelsa public know their antecedents, stressing that the people were now wiser.

Inokoba said the PDP would resist any attempt by the Abuja-based politicians to destabilise the government of Dickson and create crisis in the state.

“The PDP in Bayelsa State will resist any attempt by disgruntled and misguided elements to turn the state to a theatre of war. They cannot be throwing stones from outside, all in the name of playing politics.

“We know their antecedents and so do everybody in the state. People are now wiser. The era of political thuggery is over in the state for good.

“We, therefore, call on all party faithful in the state and indeed all Bayelsans to disregard and ignore the move by mischief makers especially at this season of heightened political activities to disrupt the existing peace and harmony in the state”, he said.

Source; http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/09/bayelsa-pdp-accuses-politicians-undermining-dickson/

My posting to Bayelsa not political – CP

New Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Mr. Valentine Uzo Ntomchukwu, has dispelled insinuation that he was posted to the state for political reason. Speculation was rife that Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of the President, influenced his appointment to allegedly execute 2015 election for the President. Ntomchukwu, who resumed duty on Monday as the new police helmsman in the state, however, insisted that he was not in the state for political reasons but to discharge his duties professionally.

 The new commissioner replaced Mr. Hilary Opara, who has since been appointed Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration. Ntomchukwu said, “I have not read it. I don’t think I have come for political reason. I have told you that I have not read the report you are referring to. “I heard somebody saying something like that. This is a figment of the imagination of the reporter.” 

The commissioner said Bayelsa is a strategic state in Nigeria, noting that it is a maritime state as well as the home state of Mr. President. He added, “I want to say that Bayelsa State is a strategic state. Specific in the sense that, everyone of you know the President hails from Bayelsa State and Bayelsa is also geographically located in such a way that three quarters of its landmass is occupied by water. “There is problem in terms of riverine policing. So we are going to concentrate on riverine policing particularly this time that we are going for elections”.

 He called on the members of the public and the press to support his administration for effective policing, adding that his lieutenants would police the state professionally without any form of favouritism. “We are going to concentrate on reducing crime and criminality. We are not going to give political thugs and rascals chance in the state. We are going to ensure that there is law and order to ensure the state is safe for the coming general elections”, Ntomchukwu stated.

Source - See more at: http://nigerianpilot.com/my-posting-to-bayelsa-not-political-cp/#sthash.8ePI2OUB.dpuf

YOUTHS INVADE CHEVRON OIL FACILITY OVER COMPENSATION

There was security breach in the sleepy  Koluama community of Southern Ijaw Local Government area of Bayelsa State following the invasion and shutting down of the Chevron Oil Platform by youths over the refusal of the company to pay adequate compensation for January 2012 KS Endeavour rig fire disaster in the area.

Niger Delta Herald  gathered that the armed soldiers guarding the Oil facility ,identified as the Chevron's North Apoi platform,were taken by surprise by the irate youths.
The youths,from the thirteen host communities, stormed the offshore facility on Sunday at about 11am and were yet to vacate the facility at the press time.

The elders and chiefs from the Chevron host communities had in a meeting held late last month had warned that failure by the company pay compensation and carry out mitigation measure to restore the devastated environment, would lead to shut shut down of the entire Funiwa oil field.

The host communities comprising Koluama I &II , Sangana, Fishtown, Ezetu I & II, Forupa, Ekeni, Bilabiri, Amatu, Bisangbene and old Ekeni are protesting among others the alleged refusal of Chevron to pay compensation for the January fire outbreak at the offshore rig which lasted about 46 days with its attendant environmental, health and economic damage.

The youths noted with regret the refusal of the company to pay adequate compensation for the alleged colossal environmental devastation that has kept their people in pain, sickness, poverty, hunger and death of some of the natives.

"The deliberate refusal of Chevron and relevant authorities to carry out environmental impact assessment and mitigation has brought misery to our people.

"The drill rig explosion is the cause of the ocean surge which had wiped away several of our communities, destroyed properties worth billions of naira and consistently hindered our lifestyle," a community source said.

The youths, who are demanding shoreline protection for the troubled communities, according to the Secretary of Koluama II Comrade Leghemo Ebrasin Stephen, resorted to taking over the facility due to failure of the company carry out mitigation measure to restore the devastated environment and pay adequate compensation to the impacted communities.

Source:http://www.nigerdeltaheraldonline.com/coverpage/157-youths-invade-chevron-oil-facility-over-compensation

Dickson ,Ex-Militant Leaders Clash Over Peace Day Celebration

Yenagoa — The refusal of Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, to mark the Peace Day festival of the state, is generating bad blood between him and ex-militant leaders, Daily Independent has gathered.

The Peace Day is usually celebrated on August 22 every year to commemorate the day ex-militants from the state gathered at the Peace Park, Yenagoa, to surrender their arms and ammunition.

The disarmament which led to the return of peace in the Niger Delta region was in compliance with the amnesty for the Niger Delta militants proclaimed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

Militant leaders from the state were said to have submitted the largest cache of arms and ammunition in the region on August 22, 2009.

While the former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva, was said to have celebrated the day religiously before leaving office, the administration of Dickson has reportedly shown indisposition towards the Peace Day.

Investigation showed that the previous Peace Day was spectacular as colourful Peace Walk, Miss Peace Beauty Pageant were among the activities even as notable ex-militant leaders from the region were recognized.

It was gathered that efforts by the ex-militant leaders to get the present government to honour the Peace Day had hit a brick wall.

Sources said the ex-creek warlords were not happy that Dickson had not organised the annual celebration since he became the governor of the state in 2012.

Some notable ex-militant leaders from the state are Ebikabowei Victor Ben (Boyloaf), Eris Paul (Oguboss), Pastor Reuben and General Africa.

It was learnt that the ex-militant leaders were particularly not finding it funny as they had vowed that the development could jeorpadise the governor's second term bid.

An impeccable source close to the ex-creek warlords said they were wondering why the governor had been hosting all kinds of international events while refusing to mark the Peace Day.

The source said, "The Peace Day is significant in the history of the state, Niger Delta and Nigeria. The historic disarmament exercise on August 22, 2009 at the Peace Park was not a mere charade of fanfare.

"We are not happy that the governor has ignored this important day since he came into office.

"We observe that the state has wasted a lot of MONEY on international events while at the same time ignoring our home-grown celebrations.

"Dickson should demonstrate that he is a grassroot politician by identifying with our local celebration, otherwise, we may be forced to reconsider our support for him".

http://allafrica.com/stories/201409150079.html

PDP Describes Media Reports On Political Situation As Mischief

The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Bayelsa state has described as the handiwork of mischief makers, the recent report captioned, ‘First Lady’s Ploy to Hijack Bayelsa, Rivers Thickens’ published by one of the leading national newspapers in the country.

Describing the PDP in Bayelsa State, as a formidable family, the party in a statement maintained that, the report is a calculated attempt at disrupting the existing peace and cordial relationship between the first family and the party in the State, including Governor Seriake Dickson, who has remained resolute in his commitment and pursuit in promoting an all-inclusive, peaceful and stable polity in the state.

“Governor Seriake Dickson remains the leader of the party and we are not aware of any plan of any person or group of persons to hijack the structure of the party from him.

According to the statement, “there is cordial relationship between the President and the Governor contrary to the report being orchestrated by some elements that, do not mean well for the state.”

It further noted that, to demonstrate its support for the President and the Governor, the leadership of the party at the state level recently passed a vote of confidence on the two of them.

The party therefore, wondered why “some people somewhere are working in the opposite direction, when everybody, including Governor Dickson is working towards returning the President come 2015.

The statement adds that, the idea of using the media to fly unnecessary kites is not good for the image of the state, the First family and even the Governor, stressing that, whoever has anything to offer the state, should come forward, when the time comes and not to overheat the polity.

“The PDP in Bayelsa State will resist any attempt by disgruntled and misguided elements to turn the state to a theatre of war. They cannot be throwing stones from outside, all in the name of playing politics.
“We know their antecedents and so do everybody in the state. People are now wiser. The era of political thuggery is over in the state for good.We therefore, call on all party faithfuls in the state and indeed all Bayelsans to disregard and ignore the move by mischief makers, especially at this season of heightened political activities to disrupt the existing peace and harmony in the state.

“What should be of paramount concern to everybody in the state, is how to deliver President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 election and not this kindergarten politics being played by some people.

Signed:
Col. Sam Inokoba, Rtd
Chairman, PDP, Bayelsa State. 

SOURCE:http://www.spyghana.com/pdp-describes-media-reports-political-situation-mischief/

Nigeria Bar Association, Councillors' Forum Bestow Awards on Governor Dickson

The transparent and accountable leadership style of the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon Seriake Dickson has continued to earn him awards from reputable organisations and individuals both within and outside the country.

The latest came from the National body of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), which members unanimously conferred on the governor an award of excellence in recognition of his developmental strides in Bayelsa and services to humanity in general.

Presenting the award to Governor Dickson at the 44th Session of the state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Kemasuode Wodu, who received it on behalf of the governor, said the conferment was made at the just-concluded NBA conference at Owerri in Imo State.

Barr Wodu, who handed over two awards to the governor, explained that the Association of lawyers of the old Eastern Region comprising nine states, including Bayelsa had earlier conferred a similar award on Hon. Dickson in one of their conferences about two months ago.

According to him, " At the just concluded conference in Owerri, Imo State, the NBA acknowledged and recognised the selfless service you have been rendering to the state, to humanity, your developmental strides and even your accountability to the people you govern. Your Excellency, the Association in that wise presented an Award of Excellence to you, which I had the opportunity of receiving on your behalf. I have the award here and with your permission, may I present that award to you, Sir.

"Similarly, the association of lawyers of the old Eastern Region including Bayelsa, which I had the privilege of serving as its chairman before handing over some three years ago. The NBA is now based on regions informally. So, that is one of the regions and in one of their conferences, two months ago an award was presented in recognition of your contributions to the development of Bayelsa State and humanity", he said.

In the same vein, the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria at its sixth national convention in Minna, the Niger State capital identified itself with the achievements of the Dickson-led administration, bestowing on him, the awarding of the Best Governor in Grassroots Development and Truthful Leadership.

Handing over the award to Governor Dickson in Government House, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Forum, Mr Tonkumo Igoniwari, described the governor as focused, prudent and purposeful in piloting the affairs of the state for the period he has been in the saddle of leadership.

Responding, Governor Dickson expressed gratitude to the organisations for honouring him, and dedicated the awards to the members of the Restoration team and the good people of the state.

Earlier, declaring open the expanded executive council meeting, which had permanent secretaries of the various ministries in attendance, Hon Dickson urged them to work in harmony with their respective commissioners in the formulation and implementation of government's policies and programmes.

His words: " This is an enlarged executive council meeting for a specific purpose. Most of you, who have not been part of Exco, do not know how we go about the business of managing public expenditures in this government. Last two months I made a statement that, I thought the time has come for us to have in audience our permanent secretaries, who are the heads of the bureaucracies.

" I wanted them to be with us and have a feel of what we go through month after month as we try to appropriate scarce resources, so that you do not misunderstand your commissioners and all of you also do not misunderstand the state leadership."

- See more at: http://bayelsa.gov.ng/portal/media-centre/news-events/950-nigeria-bar-association-councillors-forum-bestow-awards-on-governor-dickson#sthash.qtCvVfXs.dpuf- See more at: http://bayelsa.gov.ng/portal/media-centre/news-events/950-nigeria-bar-association-councillors-forum-bestow-awards-on-governor-dickson#sthash.qtCvVfXs.dpuf

NEW POLLING UNITS: Jega is biased, he should be sacked – Bayelsa Development Forum

Elders from Bayelsa State under the auspices of  Bayelsa Development Forum on Tuesday demanded the removal of  Prof. Attahiru Jega, chairman Independent National Electoral Commission over the controversial new polling units. They accused Jega of ethno-religious bias for allocating 21,615 to his northern region and 8, 412 to the entire South.

The angry elders in a statement signed by their Chairman, Chief Thompson Okorotie; Secretary, Mr. Talford Ongolo and deputy Chairman, Chief A. Aduba, said they were no longer comfortable with INEC, according to report from The Punch “It is the duty of the chairman and indeed INEC to provide a level-playing field for elections to be free, fair and credible.

“After critical examination of the facts involved, we have no alternative but to demand the removal of Prof. Attahiru Jega as INEC Chairman. “Allocating 21,615 polling units for the north and 8,412 polling units for the south is a clear indication of a northern agenda, the scripts of which Prof. Jega plans to implement.”

The elders said the development had further proved that the last permanent voters’ registration exercise, which they said was fraught with denials and deprivation of voters in the south, had northern agenda. They said in Bayelsa State, a large chunk of eligible voters were denied access to the permanent voters’ registration exercise.

They called on INEC to suspend any plan to create additional polling units in the interest of equity and justice. 

Read more at: http://www.today.ng/news/new-polling-units-jega-is-biased-he-should-be-sacked-bayelsa-development-forum/