Radio Bayelsa staff flogged by GM heads to court to seek redress

Radio Bayelsa staff flogged by GM heads to court to seek redress

Mr. Tonye Yemoleigha  one of the four  flogged by the General Manager of Glory FM in Bayelsa Mr John Idumange says he is heading for the court to seek redress.

The lingering labour dispute at the FM station operated by Bayelsa government  had reached a climax on February 22 when the General Manager reportedly flogged four union leaders on their duty posts.

The union leaders were flogged for organizing workers for a strike action.

APC group commends Buhari's intervention to resolve Niger Delta crisis

 A political support group, the Coalition of All Progressives Congress Support Groups, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for  intervention to end the lingering crisis in the Niger Delta.

The group gave the commendation in a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Sokari Afiesimama.

Edo Govt. to reintroduce teaching of History in public schools

The Edo Government says it will reintroduce the teaching of History as a subject in public schools to allow the young generation learn about the labours of past heroes.

Gov. Godwin Obaseki announced this while inaugurating the Castle of Legends Initiative (COLI), a Non-Governmental Organisation, in honour of late Chief Anthony Enahoro, a foremost nationalist, in Benin on Saturday.

CLO concludes fact-finding into flogging of 4 staff by Radio Bayelsa GM

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has concluded investigations into the industrial dispute at Radio Bayelsa which resulted to the flogging of four inion leaders by General Manager of the station.

The labour dispute had reached a climax on February 22 when the General Manager reportedly flogged four union leaders on their duty posts.

The union leaders were reportedly flogged for organizing workers for a strike action., while the General Manager said he flogged in self defense.

PDP leadership crisis: PDP will bounce back ahead 2019 –Jonathan

Former President, Dr Goodlouck Jonathan on Saturday expressed optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will resolve the crisis in the party and come out stronger.

Jonathan who spoke at his country home in Otuoke, Bayelsa while receiving the peace plan by the Governor Seriake Dickson led PDP reconciliation Committee noted that resorting to courts for political disagreements was abnormal.

He applauded the Dickson led committee for getting the two factions of the party to the negotiating table adding that a truce was in sight given the commitments so far given by the stakeholders of the PDP.

NGO urges Bayelsa Govt to deploy secondtranche of Paris Club refunds to defray salary arrears

A Non-Governmental Organisation, (NGO),the Patriotic Citizens of Nigeria (PACON), on Thursday urged the Bayelsa Government to use its share of  the  expected second tranche of the Paris Club refunds to settle backlogs of salaries of civil servants.

PACON also called on the government in the same to promptly release the local government share of the fund  to enable them pay backlogs of salaries which ranged from six months to 12 months.

The NGO offered the advice in a statement released to newsmen in Yenagoa and signed by Mr Aluzu Augustine and Mr Powedei, Arch-Convener and Co.Convener of the NGO.

It noted that the government had been constantly hiding under economic recession to deny workers their wages and pay them half salaries.

“It is worrisome that only Bayelsa State government is backward in terms of salary payment compared to her counterparts in the south-south region, despite her huge resources and allocations.

“It is on record that the N14.5 billion that came into the state some months ago as a result of the first disbursement of the Paris Club refunds could not be effectively and convincingly accounted for by the Bayelsa State government.

“We urge the government to put on a human face and pay all salary arrears in other to alleviate the untold hardship presently militating against workers and indeed inhabitants of the state”, the group stated.

The Bayelsa government and its workforce held divergent views on the current salary arrears, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Chief Press Secretary to Gov Dickson had put the arrears at three months.

But Mr Tari, Dounana, Chairman of Bayelsa chapter of Trade Union Congress (TUC) and his Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) counterpart Mr John Ndiomu unanimously told NAN that workers were owed six months salary.

The facts are there and we cannot be lying on issues like this, I can be quoted on this, workers are having salary arrears of six months and we met with government on this issue only last week.

It is likely that those claiming that we are not being owed do not have the details, we met with the government finance team and they set up a committee to work out the payment plan, Dounana said. 

Corruption cases against judges: Bayelsa Govt, NBA decry continues closure of Federal High Court and Industrial Court

The Bayelsa Government and Lawyers in the state have decried the continued closure of Federal High Court and National Industrial Courts in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital for six months.

Two judges presiding over the courts are currently answering to allegations of corruption involving some judges.

The judges are Justice Terse Agbadu-Fishin of the National Industrial Court.Yenagoa Division, and Justice Aliya Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court Yenagoa Division.

Parents, students appeal to Delta Govt. to end teachers’ strike

Parents, students appeal to Delta Govt. to end teachers’ strike

Stakeholders, including parents and students, have appealed to the Delta Government to evolve measures to end the ongoing teachers’ strike over unpaid salaries and retirement benefits.

The striking teachers are also demanding payment of their promotion arrears and elevation of those due for promotion.

In separate interviews in Asaba on Tuesday, respondents urged the government to dialogue with the Nigeria Union Teachers (NUT) for the sake of the students.

A parent, Mrs Obiageli Onaih, said the strike should be looked into critically by the government to avert the collapse of the education sector in the state.

JTF arrests Rivers community leader for allegedly shutting down 11 oil wells

 JTF arrests Rivers community leader  for allegedly shutting down 11 oil wells

 Mr Chikeobi Alali, a community leader in Ogba Ndoni Egbema Local Government Area of Rivers has been arrested for allegedly disrupting production at an oilfield operated by Agip.

Mrs Ngozi Alali, Chikeobi’s wife said on Tuesday that her husband was arrested by the Joint Task Force (JTF), “Operation Delta Safe” on Saturday.

“My husband was arrested by soldiers and taken away and when we traced them to the heaquarters in Yenagoa, the soldiers feigned ignorance of his arrest.

Niger Delta Ex-Agitators endorse ongoing reforms at NDDC

The Niger Delta Ex-Agitator Forum (NDEF) on Tuesday expressed support for ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by the present management.

The NDEF in a statement issued on Monday in Yenagoa by Prince Amaibi Hornby, its President applauded the Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba led new board of NDDC for initiating the 21-point focus of direction at  NDDC.

Contending with frequent accidents at oilfields in Bayelsa

 Less than an hour after arrival at the Agip facility, Mr Godspower Okorosei, a welder was blown to pieces, and his remains, unrecognizable. mixed with the shattered pieces of the crude oil pipeline he came to repair.

 More than one year after the July 2015 tragic incident, his family and that of the other 13 who died in the blast cannot believe how they lost their bread winners.

Physiologist task FG, Bayelsa govt. on procurement of vaccines to reduce cases of cervical cancer

Physiologist task FG, Bayelsa govt. on procurement of vaccines to reduce cases of cervical cancer

A Physiologist, Miss Love Innocent   at the Federal Medical Centre, has appealed to the Federal and Bayelsa governments to procure vaccines to reduce cases of cervical cancer deaths and complications in Bayelsa.

Innocent said during aninterview in Yenagoa on Monday that vaccinating females before they become sexually active and uninfected older women can prevent the risk of cervical cancer.

Cult clash: Two teenagers killed in Yenagoa

Cult clash: Two teenagers killed in Yenagoa

The fight for supremacy between two rival cult groups have claimed the lives of two teenagers in Yenagoa, Bayelsa  capital on Saturday night.

The incident, occurred at the Amarata area of Yenagoa metropolis. Causing pani amongst residents who watched the horror and fierce battle between the rival armed cult gangs.

The cult groups were said to have freely used guns, cutlasses,  axes and other dangerous weapons during the clash.

ASUU decries funding shortfalls in university system, warns of looming strike

ASUU decries funding shortfalls in university system, warns of looming strike

Port Harcourt zone  Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Sunday decried the funding shortfall affecting the payment of university staff salaries, likely to result to strike.

ASUU said the federal and state governments are underfunding the universities.

Prof. Beke Sese, Coordinator of  ASUU Port Harcourt Zone,made the claim in a press conference after the union's zonal meeting at the Faculty of Law Campus of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Yenagoa, Bayelsa,

Niger Delta Groups commence enumeration of local refineries ahead FG’s liberalization of modular refineries

Niger Delta Groups commence enumeration of local refineries ahead FG’s liberalization of modular refineries

Some groups in Niger Delta on Sunday commenced enumeration of artisanal refineries and crude distillation camps ahead Federal Government’s proposed liberalization of modular refineries.

The Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo had on February 14 during the ongoing tour of oil communities in the Niger Delta region announce the policy of deploying modular refineries to drive economic development of the region.

Delta Govt partners Union Bank to ease procurement of medical equipment

Delta Government says it has entered into partnership with the management of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc to ease challenges hindering procurement of medical equipment directly from the manufacturers.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Azinge, made this known on Friday in Asaba when a team of senior management staff of the bank paid him a visit.

Azinge lauded the bank for the partnership initiative.

Niger Delta University wins inter-university political debate in South-South

Niger Delta University wins inter-university political debate in South-South

 Niger Delta University (NDU), has won the first inter-university political debate for undergraduate students of political science students of Nigerian universities in the South-South zone.

The theme was, "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) And African Development Agenda".

The competition was hosted by the Federal University, Otuoke (FUO), which also participated alongside the University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) and the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Port Harcourt.

Ijaw Youths Council seeks release of Niger Delta youths arrested without trial

 The President of the Ijaw Youth council , Mr Eric Omare, has called for the release of Niger Delta youths detained without tiral by the military to consolidate on the peace process in the region.

Omare made the demand on Thursday during a visit to the headquarters of the joint military force in the region I Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

Omare expressed gratitude to the Joint Task Force on its operation to ensuring security in the Ijaw nation and it’s area of jurisdiction.

Bayelsa Commissioner advises LG Chairmen to deploy 50 per cent of Paris Club loan refund to pay full salary

Bayelsa Commissioner advises LG Chairmen to deploy 50 per cent of Paris Club loan refund to pay full salary

The Bayelsa Commissioner for Local Government Administration, Pastor Agatha Goma has urged local government Chairmen to deploy the Paris Club loan refunds to pay full salaries.

It will be recalled that Bayelsa government in December got a refund of N14 billion refund from the Paris club disbursed to states.

Goma said on Thursday that Gov Dickson of Bayelsa has approved the release of the local government component of the refund.

Ijaw Professionals Association seeks implementation of FG’s relocation directive to IOCs

Ijaw Professionals Association (IPA) on Tuesday called for the implementation of Federal Government’s directive to International Oil Companies (IOCs) to relocate to the Niger Delta.

IPA made the call in a statement signed by Maj-Gen Paul Toun, (Rtd) Chairman Board of Trustees, Mr Iniruo Wills, Homeland Chapter President and Mr Elaye Otrofanowei, President Lagos chapter.

According to the statement made available in Yenagoa, IPA described the directive to IOCs to expeditiously relocate their head offices to their operational areas as historic.

“This directive conveyed by Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, March 2 2017 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom during his equally encouraging stakeholder consultation tours to all states in the long-neglected and distressed Niger Delta region is very commendable.,

 “It is the strongest signal in many years that the Federal Government may sincerely begin to address the age-old challenges of the region from the roots rather than the usual cosmetic approach of trying to dust off the symptoms on the surface.

Activist urges FG to consolidate gains of Osinbajo’s peace tour to Niger Delta

 A Niger Delta Activist and Youth Leader, Mr Richard Akinaka has urged the federal government to build on the successes of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s recent peace building visit to the region.  

He observed that the existing peace achieved through consultations proves that dialogue was more effective in achieving peace.

Akinaka said in an interview on Tuesday that the some mischievous militant groups were making frantic efforts to derail the peace process so far achieved in the region.

Circumcision mishap: My 9 month old baby at risk over cut genitals, needs help -mother

Mrs Eudora Michael, 35 says her nine month old Oyintari Michael whose penis was cut off during an ill-fated circumcision was at risk and in excruciating pains and desperately needs medical help.

The mother said on Monday at Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa that she and her husband were indigent and cannot afford the specialized care the baby needs to stay alive.

“Since this sad incident occurred in February this year, we have been running around to raise money , we have borrowed up and down and are in big debt, my husband has gone to village to gather money but people are not forthcoming.

Police arrest 59 man who allegedly cut off baby’s genitals during circumcision in Bayelsa

The Bayelsa Police Command on Monday confirmed the arrest of a 59 year old traditional health practitioner who allegedly cut off the genitals of a nine-month-old baby during circumcision.

It will be recalled that the incident occurred at Odenwari, a coastal settlement in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa on February 5, 2017.

DSP Asinim Butswat, Police Spokesman for the Command said on Monday that Mr Ziworitin Keke was in custody while investigation is underway.

Father of baby whose penis was cut off during circumcision accuses circumcision ‘expert’ seeks help

The father of eight month old baby whose genitals was cut off in Bayelsa Mr Joseph Michael has accused the traditional circumcision expert of deliberately cutting off his son’s manhood.

Michael who spoke  on Friday said his son is sever pains and in dire need of financial help to save his life. .

Michael, 39 unemployed father of six children, three boys and three girls said that the incident had thrown him into financial distress as he cannot afford the cost of medical services at the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa.

PDP woos Ibori as Dickson visits Oghara

Amidst speculations that Ex-Gov James Ibori may join the ruling All Progressives Congress, Gov Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa who heads the Peoples Democratic Party’s reconciliation committee on Thursday visited Oghara, the country home of Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former Governor of Delta who recently returned from London after serving  jail term for money laundering..

During the visit, the Bayelsa Governor reportedly held a closed door meeting with Chief Ibori in his residence.

Genitals of eight month old baby boy cut off during circumcision in Bayelsa

Genitals of eight month old baby boy cut off during circumcision in Bayelsa

Residents of a coastal settlement  have expressed surprise as 59-year-old step-grandfather, Mr. Ziworitin Keke,  'erroneously' cut off half of the genitals of an eight-month-old during circumcision,

It was gathered on Thursday the victim, a step-grandson to Keke is receiving medical care at the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

Ibeno port in Akwa Ibom seeks partnership with International Development Agencies

 The management of Port Notel, an indigenous port development firm says it is seeking to attract foreign investors to its deep sea port project in Ibeno, Southern Akwa Ibom.

Mr Victor Akpanika, Managing Director of the firm told our correspondent in Yenagoa on Tuesday that the firm held successful talks with Islamic Development Bank delegation to Nigeria in February.

Nigeria’s oil output dips by 225,000 bpd as Bonga offshore oilfield is shut for maintenance Nigeria’s oil output was at the weekend cut by about 225,000 barrels per day following a major overhaul at the Bonga oilfields. Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) has begun the turnaround maintenance at Bonga, executing statutory activities that will ensure continuous optimum operations at the deep-water field which began producing in November 2005. Mr Precious Okolobo, the company’s media relations manager, said in a statement on Monday that the production from the field was shut down on March 4, and expected to resume at the conclusion of the exercise in April. Mr Bayo Ojulari, Managing Director, SNEPco, was quoted in the statement as saying that this was the fourth maintenance since Bonga began production. According to him, the exercise will help ensure sustained production and reduce unscheduled production deferments. “ For the Bonga team, this is another opportunity to excel, having won the ‘Asset of the Year’ Award 2016 in the Shell Group, followed by runners-up in Norway and Malaysia. “We are pleased that the award recognised the continuing collaboration towards optimum production with a focus on safety, cost and Nigerian content development which will be invaluable in the maintenance work,’’ he said. He said that the turnaround maintenance involved inspections, recertification, testing and repair of equipment as well as engineering upgrades with Nigerian companies and subsea professionals playing key roles. The SNEPco boss said that a major focus was the Bonga floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, at the heart of Bonga operations. The Bonga FPSO has the capacity to produce 225,000 barrels of oil and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. “It is Nigeria’s first deep-water development in depths of more than 1,000 metres, and is located 120 kilometres offshore Nigeria. “ SNEPCo expanded the project with further drilling of wells in Bonga Phases 2 and 3 and through a subsea tie-back that unlocked the nearby Bonga North West field in August 2014. Bonga Phase 3 achieved first oil in October 2015. “SNEPCo operates Bonga in partnership with Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deep Water) Limited; Total E&P Nigeria Limited; and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited under a Production Sharing Contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),’’ he said.

 Nigeria’s oil output dips by 225,000 bpd as Bonga offshore oilfield is shut for maintenance

Nigeria’s oil output was at the weekend cut by about 225,000 barrels per day following a major overhaul at the Bonga oilfields.

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) has begun the turnaround maintenance at Bonga, executing statutory activities that will ensure continuous optimum operations at the deep-water field which began producing in November 2005.

Ex-Militant leader says Osinbajo’s directive to oil firms key to Niger Delta devt

Ex-Militant leader says Osinbajo’s directive to oil firms key to Niger Delta devt

Niger Delta Ex-Militants on Monday applauded Acting President Yemi Osinbanjo for directing oil firms to relocate their headquarters to the oil bearing states within the Niger-Delta region.

 The ex-agitators who are beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme under phase 2 in Bayelsa said that the directive has brought respite to youths in host communities.

IYC Secretary applauds FG’s directive to oil firms to relocate to Niger Delta

The Secretary of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Parkins Ogede on Sunday applauded the Federal Government's directive to oil firms operating in the Niger Delta region to relocate their headquarters to the region.

The newly elected National Secretary of the IYC made the commendation in an interview with the newsmen in Yenagoa.

Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo had directed the International Oil Companies operating to relocate at a Town Hall meeting in Uyo, during continuation visit to the region to dialogue with stakeholders.

Niger Delta Youths commend Kachikwu for returning peace to region

Niger Delta youth groups on Sunday commended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu for his multi-faceted peace-seeking and reconciliatory initiatives in the region.

The youths under the auspices of The Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NGYCPP) praised Kachikwu’s efforts at uniting the people of the Niger Delta and re-orientating their mindset towards the collective development of the area.

Bayelsa Govt wants herdsmen to relocate to grazing site or risk arrest

The Bayelsa government says, it will henceforth arrest herdsmen, who graze with their cattle elsewhere, other than the designated grazing site at the Bayelsa Palm area.

It will be recalled that Bayelsa Govt had in February donated 1,200 hectares of grazing land to herdsmen for ranching purposes.

This is coming on the heels of the successful apprehension and relocation of a group of herdsmen from the Ijaw National Academy in Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state to the designated grazing site.

The warning was contained in a statement issued in Yenagoa on Friday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Chief Boma Spero-Jack,

Spero-Jack stated that the warning has become imperative, because despite directives to this effect, a number of herdsmen have refused to relocate to the grazing area.

He restated the Government’s position, stressing that, the decision to create a grazing site was purely for security reasons to avoid a possible breakdown of law and order.

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He reassured the people of the state that, the government would stop at nothing to protect the lives and properties of the citizens, as well as protect the overall interest of the Ijaw Nation.

Spero-Jack, however, called for the cooperation of people as the government was doing its utmost best to avert any likely breakdown of law and order.

He urged all to be vigilant and not be deceived to believing that, the leadership of the state was ceding valuable land of the state to herdsmen.

He described such unfounded stories as the handiwork of mischief makers, who are more interested in themselves and the political gains. 

Bayelsa Govt. backs FG’s proposed liberalisation of modular refineries

Bayelsa Govt. backs FG’s proposed liberalisation of modular refineries

The Bayelsa Government on Thursday expressed its support to the Federal Government’s proposed liberalisation of modular refineries to drive economic development of the Niger Delta region.

Acting President Yemi Osinbbajo had during his ongoing tour of oil communities announced plans to establish modular refineries within oil bearing communities in the region.

Bayelsa restructures N50 bn bond declares N6.7b balance from January 2017

The Bayelsa State Government says it will complete the repayment of the N50 billion bond loan  in 2019, following the successful restructuring of the facility.

The Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd), stated this at the monthly transparency briefing for the month of January, 2017 on Thursday in Yenagoa.

Jonah said, based on the restructuring, the amount paid monthly had been reduced from N1.24 billion to N422 million, in view of the economic downturn.

Radio Bayelsa, FRCN’s Creek FM go off-air as workers are locked out

Radio Bayelsa, aka `Glory FM’ operated by Bayelsa government went off-air on Tuesday as staff who resumed duties found the station under locks.

Staff on morning duty noticed that the transmission station was shut down and reported the incident to both management and union leaders.

Mr Tonye Yemoleigha, the chairman, Radio Bayelsa Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said that the union got reports of the closure of the station and made efforts to reach the management to no avail.

Ijaw Youths Council: Outgoing president happy with reinstatement of Maritime University

Ahead 2017 Convention of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), scheduled for Thursday in Burutu, Delta its President Mr Udengs Eradiri on Wednesday vacated office at the National Secretariat in Yenagoa.

Addressing journalists, Eradiri noted that one of his greatest achievements in his tree year tenure was the reinstatement of the Maritime University in Delta which was earlier cancelled.