NSCDC warns officers against colluding with oil thieves, pipeline vandals

  

Mr Abdullahi Mohammed, Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has warned officers of the corps against colluding with oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

He gave the warning on Thursday in Yenagoa at a meeting he held with officers of the Bayelsa command of the NSCDC.

He threatened to arrest and prosecute officers and men of the outfit indicted for compromising the corps’ rules of engagements.

He warned operatives of the NSCDC attached to the Task force on Oil and Gas in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area against engaging in acts capable of tarnishing the image of the corps.

Mohammed said that the security outfit would not spare anybody going against its rules of engagement.

The Commandant-General, who spoke through Mr Desmond Agu, Commandant, Bayelsa command, urged the operatives to conduct their activities in the task force with high sense of professionalism.

He cautioned them against reckless use of firearms, warning that the rules on the use of weapons must be adhered to strictly.

Mohammed also warned that the NSCDC would not tolerate the abuse of human rights, stressing that the code of conduct and ethics relating to the civil populace must guide the activities of the security operatives.

He said: “this meeting is to remind you of the need to conduct your activities with high sense of professionalism and responsibility.

“The corps is very serious about our integrity and we cannot tolerate any action capable of tarnishing the image of NSCDC.

“If you compromise our principles, just know that we won’t spare you.

“We do not tolerate misuse of firearms. So, you must at all times remember our rules of engagement and strictly adhere to them.

“We have our Code of Conduct and Ethics especially as it relates to the civil populace.

“We won’t take any violation of human rights in your operations kindly.

“Anybody who goes against our code of conduct and rules of engagement and uses his firearms indiscriminately will be disgraced, dismissed and prosecuted. We are not joking.”

The Commandant-General commended the operatives attached to the taskforce for their sacrifice and patriotism in their efforts to stop sabotage and vandalism of critical national infrastructure in the state.

He thanked Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and the state government for their support.

The meeting was attended by all the unit commandants of the corps including the second-in-command, Deputy Corps Commander Aniekan Udoeyop.

Also present were the Head of Administration, Idima Austin; Head of Operations, Ogbolo Fredrick and Commandant Anti-Vandal, Okeke Ejione.

In his remarks, Okeke thanked the Commandant-General for appreciating the efforts of the state command in safeguarding oil and gas installations in the creeks and swaps.

He said a civil defender must live above board, saying that the motto of the corps “collect bribe and die”, remained the guiding principle of the NSCDC.

Military arrests 44 suspected members of IPOB in Bayelsa, discover 23 human skulls in Bakassi Strike Force militants’ shrine in C/River

Military arrests 44 suspected members of IPOB in Bayelsa, discover 23 human skulls in Bakassi Strike Force militants’ shrine in C/River

The Joint Military Force in the Niger Delta , Operation Delta Safe on Friday said it arrested 44 members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)  and discovered 23 decomposing Human skulls in ongoing operations.

This was contained in a statement signed by Lt-Col Olaolu Daudu, Spokesman of the joint military operation and made available to newsmen on Friday in Yenagoa.

“On 22 October 2016, troops of Sector 2, Operation DELTA SAFE in Bayelsa State acting on intelligence, trailed a group of people which led to the arrest of 44 members suspected of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“They were apprehended at Lakeview Club along Mabinton Estate, Okaka road, Bayelsa State. This group was planning to establish Bayelsa State Chapter of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra and disrupt public peace within the Joint Operations Area of the Operation DELTA SAFE.

“Furthermore, the unity of Nigeria is non – negotiable and sacrosanct.  Hence any unlawful gathering that will cause mayhem, threaten the unity and sovereignty of the country will not be condoned,” the statement read in part.

 According to Daudu on 26 October 2016 troops in Southern Cross River State acting on a tip off carried out a raid in Ikot Ene Idem, Abakpa and Ikang Inam in Bakassi and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas (LGA) of Cross River.

 He explained that during the cordon and search operations, troops discovered four militant shrines with 23 human skulls in various stages of decomposition, a complete human skeleton and several other human body parts.

The shrines were destroyed as troops continue the search for the perpetrators of these heinous acts against humanity. 

The Joint Force stated that with the clearance of the shrines the Bakassi Strike Force has been smoked out from the areas they used to hold sway adding that ritual killing is sacrilegious and will not be tolerated within the Joint Operation Area.

Meanwhile, troops arrested two suspects while on patrol at Idebe Ifak Anam, Ikot Okon Edem and Abakpa of Bakassi LGA in Cross River.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the arrested suspects are agents of Bakassi Strike Force Militants who act as spies for them.

The statement further showed that troops in response to a distress call on October 23 2016, at Finima in Bonny LGA of Rivers foiled an attack by some cult members using AK 47 riffles to terrorize members of the community.

“Troops immediately raided their hideout. The suspected kingpin popularly referred to as Eagle Face dived into the river on sighting troops.

“Two of the suspected cult members were arrested; one locally made pistol, one machete and two handsets were recovered.

“On 25 October 2016 the body of the suspected kingpin was seen floating in the creeks by locals who recovered and buried the corpse at Bonny river bank.

“Effort is ongoing to apprehend other members of the group,” the military stated.

The statement quoted the Acting Commander Brig.-Gen. Kevin Aligbe as appreciating members of the public for their continuous cooperation, timely provision of information to troops.

Aligbe also reassured residents and oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region particularly the people of Southern Cross River of their safety to go about their legitimate businesses.

He noted that Operation DELTA SAFE has the full backing of the Federal Government to bring sanity to the Joint Operation Area within its Rules of Engagement.

                                     

Physicians’ Week : NMA Bayelsa pledges affordable, accessible healthcare

Physicians’ Week : NMA Bayelsa pledges affordable, accessible healthcare






The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Bayelsa Chapter on Wednesday pledged to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to the people despite the current economic challenges.


The doctors assured the public that they were bound by their Hippocratic oath to providing accessible and affordable life saving services to the society at large.


The State’s Chairman of NMA, Dr Keme Pondei, who made the pledge at the 2016 Physicians’ week of the NMA Bayelsa chapter said the week is a period when medical practitioners gather to reassess the state of healthcare.


 He said the doctors evaluate the effect on the population and proffer appropriate solutions to improve healthcare delivery.


“We also during this week, provide free healthcare to rural dwellers
in the form of medical outreach.


“Despite the prevailing economic situation in the country, we carried
out a medical outreach at Agbobiri and Okordia communities, Yenagoa
Local Government Area.


“The healthcare indices for the country are really not what they
should be,” he said.


He said the NMA is non-partisan and devoted to the welfare of every Nigerian.


“We are partners in progress with government and welcome the hand of
friendship the current Government of Bayelsa has offered us.


“We appreciate the employment of twenty doctors at the Niger Delta
University Teaching Hospital Okolobiri, facilitation of accreditation
for the Obstetrics and gynaecology department.


“The approval of the corrected CONMESS, approval of land for NMA
Secretariat Complex among others.


“We pray that as partners in progress Government and the NMA will
partner to review the healthcare delivery system in the state.


“There is a need to urgently pass the State Primary Health Care
Development Agency (SPHCDA) bill that is believed to be before the
Bayelsa State House of Assembly,” he said.



Pondei, urged the Bayelsa government to revive the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme while steps should be taken to join the National Health Insurance Scheme to achieve universal health insurance cover in the state.
.

He said the health system functions more effectively with a Commissioner of Health to facilitate the coordination of the Ministry and urged the government to urgently appoint a Commisioner of Health.



The Bayelsa Head of Service, Dr Peter Singabele, said celebration of
the Physicians’ Week was very important for efficient healthcare services.



He stressed the need for doctors to embrace peace and shun rivalry
amongst themselves, as they are one of the key professions that deal
with human life.



“Health is wealth and a healthy population is a wealthy one.


“The current economic situation has increased the morbidity and mortality
of the population, made worse by partial and irregular salaries of workers,’’ he said.

ERA/FoEN advocates non destructive means to resolving pollution conflicts in Niger Delta

ERA/FoEN advocates non destructive means to resolving pollution conflicts in Niger Delta




Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth (ERA./FoEN) on Tuesday urged Bayelsa oil communities to shun vandalism of pipelines in their bid to seeking redress for oil spills.

ERA/FoEN, an environment focused Non Governmental Organization (NGO) advocated the position at an Environmental Parliament with selected representatives of oil bearing communities in Bayelsa.

Mr Chima Williams, Head of Legal Resources Department at ERA/FoEN observed that resorting to destruction of oil facilities in the agitation for redress for oil pollution was counterproductive and devastates the sites further.

He noted that pipeline vandalism was criminal and illegal and attracts no compensation to the communities whose environment and livelihood are adversely affected.

Williams said that the NGO would offer legal assistance to communities that suffered from oil pollution incidents that were not traceable to sabotage.

He explained that ERA/FoEN was currently assisting Ikebiri community in Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa to get redress for the 2010 oil leak from oilfields operated by Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC).tusing able

He said that the NGO had brought officials of the oil firm to the negotiating table using conflict resolution skills developed by the rights group in its over 20 years of work in oil communities in the Niger Delta.

He noted that there were many non-destructive means of drawing attention to pollution incidents like peaceful protests; sit ins advocacy, name and shame amongst others that have proved effective in getting response from oil firms.

Addressing the Environmental Parliament, Mr Iniruo Wills, a former Commissioner for Environment in Bayelsa regretted that the oil industry is being run for profit to the detriment of the host communities.

He said that federal and state governments were the major beneficiaries of oil revenue while a residual part trickles down to the communities whose livelihoods are often threatened by pollution from the oil industry.

Wills noted that there was an urgent need to clean up the Niger Delta environment before diversifying the economy into agriculture currently being canvassed as a way out of the current economic recession.

“In the Niger Delta, region there is a need to declare a state of emergency on the environment and make efforts to clean up the environment before the concept of diversification can happen.

“The Director-General of the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) said that more than 1,000 oil spills occur annually in Bayelsa making the state the most polluted in the Niger Delta region.

“The lack of interest by state governments in the Niger Delta governments in the environment and is inexcusable, since 1999, we have been governed by our own people so we must hold them accountable,” Wills said.

Also Mr Roland Kiente, who hails from Peremabiri in Southern Ijaw LGA noted that the oil communities were excluded from the oil industry adding that the proposed host community equity could be a panacea to vandalism.

Kiente noted that the communities remained at the receiving end of the adverse effects of oil exploration which had threatened their farmlands and waters by pollution adding that clean up of the Niger Delta required urgent attention.

Police kills another innocent person in Bayelsa

Police kills another innocent person in Bayelsa

Barely two months after the Bayelsa Police Command killed Master Innocent Kokorifa, 17 in cold blood, police operatives on Saturday killed another innocent person in Yenagoa.

The 17-year-old Innocent, first out of five children of Mr. Daniel Kokorifa, an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps, was shot dead in a mysterious circumstance by the police Anti-Vice/Anti-Kidnapping team along Airforce Road in Yenagoa, on August 18, 2016 was also buried on Saturday in Yenagoa.

The Bayelsa Police Command on Sunday said that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an innocent person shot in error by police while responding to a distress call.

Mr Asinim Butswat, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and Police Spokesman in a statement issued in Yenagoa that one of the three people shot in error on Saturday died in hospital.

Asinim who said that investigation into the incident had commenced said that the policemen who fired the shot was immediately identified and taken into custody.

“On the 22 October 2016, at about 1730hours, Policemen from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, responded to a distress call of cult attack at Ekeki village, Yenagoa.

“The Policemen were ambushed by the cultist.

“Consequently, a police sergeant fired, the bullet ricocheted, and injured three persons who were unfortunately not among the cultists.

“The victims were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, for treatment and one of them later died.

“The sergeant who fired has been detained. Investigation is ongoing,” Buswat said.

Oil Revenue drops as FG, States, LGs share N420bn in September 2016

 The three tiers of government shared N420 billion as revenue for September as against N510.3 billion shared in August.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, said this in Abuja on Thursday at the monthly revenue allocation to Federal, States and Local Governments.

She was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Mahmoud Isa-Dutse.

According to her, the revenue accruable to Federal, States and Local Government for September declined by N90.2 billion.

Adeosun attributed the decline to the loss of 45.5 million dollars in oil export sales, despite the increase in average price of crude oil from 46.06 dollars per barrel in May to 48.4 dollars in June.

“Force Majeure was declared at Bonny Terminal and there was a subsisting Force Majeure at Forcados Terminal.

“Shut-in and Shut-down of pipelines for repairs and maintenance also contributed to the drop in revenue.

“Also, there were decreases in volume of dutiable imports receipts from Joint Venture Cash Call, Foreign Companies Income Tax and Value Added Tax,” she said.

Giving a breakdown of how the N420 billion revenue for September was generated, Adeosun said that N250.9 billion was from the distributable Statutory Revenue of the month.

She added that N6.33 billion was refunded by the NNPC to the Federation, N63.4 billion from the Excess Petroleum Profit Tax account, exchange gain of N41.4 billion and VAT, N64.2 billion.

The minister said after deductions as cost of collection by FIRS, Customs and DPR, the Federal Government received N120.4billion, representing 52.68 per cent; states and N61 billion, representing 26.72 per cent.

The local governments, she said, received N47 billion, amounting to 20.60 per cent of the amount distributed.

She announced that N13.7 billion, representing 13 per cent derivation revenue, was also shared among the oil producing states.

Adeosun said that the country generated N135.4billion as mineral revenue and N144.3 billion as non-mineral revenue.

She said this showed a decrease of N23.3 billion and N12 billion from what the country generated as mineral and non-mineral revenue in the months of August and September.

She said that the balance in the Excess Crude Account remains 2.45 billion dollars.

Meanwhile the Chairman, Commissioners of Finance Forum, Mr John Inegbedion, said the lower revenue generated for the month would put a strain on the finances of states and local government.

“Something needs to be done to end the activities of the Niger-Delta militants because it is really impacting on the economy.

“We want to seek all support from all persons to help in bringing down the activities of these unscrupulous persons,” he said.

Ex-Militant applauds appointment of T.Y. Danjuma’s son as Coordinator for Niger Delta Riverine Protection Programe

Ex-Militant applauds appointment of  T.Y. Danjuma’s son as Coordinator for Niger Delta Riverine Protection Programe


Mr Ramsey Mukoro, an Ex-Niger Delta militant on Monday applauded the appointment of a Warri based businessman as Coordinator for the Niger Delta Riverine Protection Programme.

The establishment of the coastal areas protection programme is part of Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to stem renewed youths restiveness in the Niger Delta region.

A statement by Marshall Gundu Director Press, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs announced the appointment of Mr Tikari TY Danjuma as the Coordinator of Niger Delta Riverine Protection Programme on Friday.

Mukoro, a beneficiary of the Presidential Amnesty Programme said that appointment was timely and would speedily restore peace to the region as he was eminently qualified and had the requisite contacts.

He noted that Danjuma had the capacity to ensure that the renewed hostilities in the region were stemmed.

“Tikari Danjuma’s mother is an Ijaw woman and he is an experienced businessman in Warri, he knows the terrain very well and is eminently qualified to provide leadership to this laudable federal government initiative.

“I urge our Niger Delta people to support him to ensure that our communities are protected and returned to peace,” Mukoro said.

Mukoro noted that the return of peace to the region would provide an enabling environment for improve oil output crucial to meeting the budgetary expectations of the country.

Bayelsa public schools to resume2016/2017 session on Monday as NUT suspends strike

Bayelsa public schools to resume2016/2017 session on Monday as NUT suspends strike

Government owned primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa will resume the 2016/2017 academic session on Monday following a directive from Nigerian Union of Teachers to striking teachers.

Public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa have yet to resume for the new session four weeks behind schedule following the failure of the state government to settle eight months salary backlog owed teachers.

The union resorted to strike as the dtate government had reneged on an earlier agreement reached in May to pay half salaries to its workers pending improvements in the finances of the state.

Mr Kalaama Toinpre, Chairman of Bayelsa chapter of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) said on Sunday that the teachers resolved to suspend the strike at the weekend.

The union leader said that the decision has been communicated to members who were directed to resume work immediately.

“The state working committee of the NUT at the weekend resolved that we should suspend the ongoing strike and return to the classroom following series of negotiations with the state government.

“We have secured some agreements from the state government in writing that a the end of this month October, two months half salary of the outstanding be  cleared in addition to the two months half salary already paid.

“Haven secured the commitment of the state government to commence clearing the backlog, we shifted grounds and decided to suspend the strike and return to work.

“We at the state executive of the union are grateful for the solidarity of teachers who resisted ploys to sabotage the struggle for the welfare of teachers and  to factionalize teachers in Bayelsa, we shall remain united,” . Toinpre

Mr Markson Fefegha, the State Commissioner of Education,had in a statement said that the government would from Tuesday Oct 18 commence monitoring of the compliance by teaching and non-teaching staff at public schools.

According to Fefegha, a team of inspectors from the Ministry of Education would be sent to monitor the resumption of schools across the states.

He reiterated that the NUT directive makes it mandatory for all teaching and non teaching staff to resume work from Monday, October, 17 2016.

He warned that, all staff who willfully absent themselves from duty would be declared ‘ghost workers’ and replaced immediately.

The Commissioner advised all Headmasters and Principals to ensure strict compliance and cooperate with the team of inspectors.

                       

Soldiers disperse Ex-Niger Delta militants protesting nonpayment of stipends arrears

Soldiers disperse Ex-Niger Delta militants protesting nonpayment of stipends arrears

A detachment of troops of the joint military force deployed to the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe on Tuesday morning dispersed hundreds of ex-militants who had blocked the East-West road.

The ex-militants under the tree phases of the amnesty scheme blocked the Mbiama axis of the East-West road to motorists at about 6.30 am.

Respite however came to the trapped motorists when armed troops of the joint task force arrived in two patrol vans to remove the blockade and open the road to the public at around 7.30 am.

The soldiers fired several warning shots into the air which compelled the protesters to scamper to several directions to safety.

Mr Elliot Seimiebo, an ex-militant who is on the phase 1 of the amnesty scheme said on Tuesday morning that the soldiers had used the firearms to disperse the peaceful protest aimed at drawing the attention to the neglect of their welfare.

“We had renounced violence and remain peaceful in all our approaches, our intention was to draw attention to the nonpayment of our stipends for four months.

“We were not armed but the soldiers turned their weapons on us and there was confusion as people ran for their lives, one of the protesters was hit by stray bullet and got injured on his leg,” Seimiebo said.

When Contacted, Lt.-Cdr. Thomas Otuji, Spokesman of Operation Delta Safe said that the claims that protesters were shot was untrue.

“Our troops were sent to the scene to ensure free flow of traffic and they went there to clear the blockade on the East-West road and there is no such report at my disposal as we speak,the ex-militants were professionally dispersed ” Otuji said by phone.

Also Mr Piriye Kirayamo, Liason Officerat the Amnesty Office in Yenagoa sais that the office was aware of the liability to the militants but assured that efforts were underway to clear the backlog of stipends.

“We have been in discussions with the ex-agitators and have been appealing to them to remain calm, the office is doing everything to ensure that their stipends are paid,” Kiyaramo said 

FG dialogue with Niger Delta militants on course — Kachikwu

The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has said that it is not true that the Federal Government is working against the people of the Niger Delta region.

He also said that the dialogue between the Federal Government and the people of the region to find lasting solutions to the lingering violence and pipeline vandalism in the region was on-going.

The minister made the clarification on Saturday in an interview at the end of the 2016 Convocation  Ceremony of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta.

He said the president was very supportive of the project of ensuring that government reached an agreement with the people through dialogue by ensuring that the old model which failed was restructured.

“The dialogue with the militants has not collapsed, I have laid that process and the president is very supporting of that process.

“But what the president does not want to do is to put in place same model that failed after four months and militants are back to the creeks.

“We are looking at a long term model and I have presented to Mr President a road-map and it encompasses short, long term solutions, engagement and inclusiveness of the communities.

“We absolutely believe that the Niger Delta is key to the country, they have contributed so much in very many ways but the society has failed them

“And I use the word, society, not necessarily government because if you look at what has been provided over the years, it’s a lot and some of them have not got it right for certain reasons like corruption at different levels.

“We need to begin to look on how these benefits will get to them;  so, let everybody be calm, destruction doesn’t lead you anywhere.

“I am from here and every money that the state loses because of militancy is lack of development in the state.

“I went to the creeks and I talked with some of the militants and we dialogued and some of the results you are seeing today are the results of those dialogues.

“But I do agree that we must have a robust, permanent, aggressive, inclusive dialogue on the table,” he said.

Kachikwu said  PTI and its management team were the right answer to bridging the gap in producing the local manpower in the oil and gas industry.

He said that government would do all it could to expand the role of PTI in providing needed facilities in the sector as a means of cutting cost in the sector.

He said that Nigeria imported fuel from any country, including Ghana, to meet its daily needs, adding that it was cheaper to import from closer countries.

“But the reality is that the quantity we import from Ghana is small, the closer they are around us the cheaper, so we mop everything around us before we look outside.

“But we are the one powering Ghana, all the gas we produce is used in Ghana but we are reengineering our facilities and soon we shall take over the production of petroleum products.

He said that government was presently looking on how to cut cost, find other financing models and improve infrastructure in the oil and refining sector to produce for domestic consumption.

He said the hard times in the country were temporary and appealed for the understanding of Nigerians.

He, however, said that solutions to the present challenges could take some time.

World Teachers’ Day: Bayelsa teachers lament non-resumption of schools

 World Teachers’ Day: Bayelsa teachers lament non-resumption of schools

 Teachers in Bayelsa on Wednesday decried continued closure of public schools due to eight months salary backlog owed teachers in public schools.

 The teachers who made their position known at World Teachers Day in Yenagoa also lamented marginalisation of the educational sector in the state.

The teachers commemorated the day at the auditorium of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

Mr. Kalama John-Tonpre, State Chairman, NUJ said Bayelsa was faced with crises in the education sector.

John-Tonpre highlighted the problems confronting teachers in the state to include non-payment of salaries for about eight months; non-implementation of teachers promotion over the years and non-payment of annual increments.

Other problems, according to the state chairman, are shifting of the responsibility of managing primary schools and funding of teachers' salaries to councils alone and dismissal of teachers employed in 2008 and 2009.

He said that also shortage of teachers without recruitment in the school system and non-provision of instructional materials, among others.

"Some protracted but unattended issues in the sector are over populated classrooms, poor standard of education resulting from poor funding, inconsistency and non-implementation of education policies.

"Also, there is frequent disruption of the school system, moral decadence of the youth and eventually the underdevelopment of the state." John-Tonpre said,

He posited that the problems inherent in the nationhood were direct consequences of many years of marginalization of the Nigerian teachers.

He said the current problems of the society, disease, poverty, unemployment, kidnapping, militancy,  injustice, lawlessness, greed for political powers and lack of conscience for humanity were all traced to the agonies of teachers.

John-Tonpre,  therefore, urged the state government to urgently address the genuine demands of the teachers to enable them to perform their task of advancing education for the benefit of the underprivileged in the state.

"Currently, so many teachers have retired and about a good number of teachers were dismissed from the school system with no recruitment of new ones to replace them.

"Consequently,  some primary schools in Bayelsa have no single teachers to teach the children. 

“The issue deserves urgent attention as it portends danger at the foundation level of the education system." He said.

He called on the state government to urgently reinstate the dismissed teachers and recruit more teachers to fill the vacancies created.
John-Tonpre further called on Governor Seriake Dickson to  sustain the role of augmenting the funding of primary school teachers' salaries, saying the councils alone could not carry such responsibility. 

 

 

Medical experts from FMC Yenagoa benefit from training by Italian medical team

 Medical experts from FMC Yenagoa benefit from training by Italian medical team

Some 30 medical professionals from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenagoa on Tuesday commenced a three day training on Advanced Life Saving Scheme..

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital Dr Dennis Alagoa noted that the capacity building exercise was to update the skills of its workforce.

He said that the training is being provided by an Italian medical humanitarian organisatin ONG POBIC-ONLUS.

The  CMD who was represented by the Director of Clinical Services Dr Pre-Preye Numbere noted that the collaboration between the hospital and medical charity dated back to 2014 when they signed a Memorandumof Undersanding.

He urged the beneficiaries drawn from various units of the hospital to utilie the training opportunities to update their knowledge to improve service delivery to their patients.

Also speaking, Mr Paolo Novelin, President of POBIC-ONLUS who spoke through an interpreter noted that the exercise was a follow up to an earlier one on Basic Life Saving Scheme conducted at the hospital in 2015.

According to Novelin the organization has facilitated 17 free open heart surgeries to indigent children below 15 year in Italy adding that plans are underway to open a unit with FMC to carry out the surgeries in Nigeria.

He said that continous training was critical to quality healthcare delivery and urged the participants to avail themselves of the training scheme and upgrade their skills.

Niger Delta Avengers: Bayelsa Derivation revenue crashes from N 3billion to N1 billion

The derivation revenue accruable to Bayelsa government witnessed a sharp drop from N3 billion in July 2016 to N1 billion in August 2016 according to figures released by the state government.

Several attacks  by militants in the months of May and June reduced oil production from oilfields in Bayelsa as Shell and Agip had shut down crude production and export.

Niger Delta Avengers had on May 28, and 29 2016, blown up the Nember Creek Trunk line and the Brass Terminal crude line, the two pipelines that convey crude produced by Shell and Agip.

Investigations revealed that the attacks which had grounded oil export from the state was responsible for the revenue drop as the derivation principle is proportionate  to the volume of oil produced from the states with oil deposit.

The derivation revenue which is 13 per cent of crude sales from the state for the month of August was N1 billion less while proceeds from July stood at N3 billion.

It was further gathered that the August oil revenue disbursed at the last Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) was for crude oil sales proceeds for May 2016 oil production.

Retired Rear Admiral John Jonah, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa had on Friday presented the financial status of the state to newsmen at the Government House Yenagoa.

He declared a deficit balance of N1.9 billion, said N1.4 billion was spent on bank loans, civil servants’ salaries N2.1 billion, capital payment of N3.2 billion, recurrent payment N1.4 billion.

While that of political appointees came up to N472million, thereby bringing the total outflows to N8.9 billion.

Jonah, had announced a gross inflow of N8.7 billion.