The Bayelsa government on Thursday described the impression that it was owing workers between 10 and 16 months salary backlog as inacurate and insisted that outstanding obligation to its workfore was four and half months.
The state government clarified the status of indebtedness to labour in statement issued by Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Bayelsa Commissioner for Information.
According to the statement, the arrears of four and half months accumulated in 2016 due to a sharp drop in the revenue profile of the state adding that following improvements in reciepts from the federation account the state has no outstanding salary in 2017 fiscal year.
Thursday 30 November 2017
Wednesday 29 November 2017
Fiscal Responsibility Commission seeks speedy completion of Federal Secretariate in Yenagoa
Fiscal Responsibility Commission seeks speedy completion of Federal Secretariate in Yenagoa
The Fiscal Responsibility Commision (FRC) on Wednesday expressed concerns over delays in completion of Federal Secretariate Complex in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.
Mr Ibrahim Dauda, Director, Internal Audit at FRC said in Yenagoa that a speedy completion of the project will boost government's policy on ease of doing business.
Dauda who is leading a FRC projecr minitoring team in the South South zone said that it was regrettable that the project which was expected to be completed in 2014 is still under construction.
It would be recalled that the contract for the project was awarded in 2012 at a sum of N2.1 bn with expected completion in 2014.
"We are seriously concerned at the delays especially for a young state like Bayelsa where federal government agencies are facing serious accomodation challenges and occupying rented accomodations.
"If this facility is completed, it will be a one stop shop for all federal government agencies and it will boost the government's policy of enhancing the ease of doing business by keeping relevant offices under one roof.
"It will further be a huge savings on the part of government on the collosal sums paid by various agencies of the federal government on rent.
"We urge the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to make the project a priority and ensure that it is completed without further delays, " Dauda said.
Dauda however commended the contractor for the pace of work so far achieved despite the funding challenges.
According to him, the project status was above 70 percent of the work done while the funding commitments stood at about 52 per cent.
Briefing the FRC team, Mr Nwachukwu Achebe, Federal Controller of Works in Bayelsa attributed the delays to the difficult marshy terrain at the project site which required massive sand filling and extensive pilling to solidify the base before proper construction work could begin.
He noted that the additional challenge posed by the low lying landscape necesitated an upward review of the contract sum from N2.1 bn to N3.1 bn.
Achebe, who put the job completion rate at 72 percent said that the contractor handling the project has been performing optimally and noted that the project has recieved improved funding in 2017 haven recieved two tranches of payments within the year.
The Fiscal Responsibility Commision (FRC) on Wednesday expressed concerns over delays in completion of Federal Secretariate Complex in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.
Mr Ibrahim Dauda, Director, Internal Audit at FRC said in Yenagoa that a speedy completion of the project will boost government's policy on ease of doing business.
Dauda who is leading a FRC projecr minitoring team in the South South zone said that it was regrettable that the project which was expected to be completed in 2014 is still under construction.
It would be recalled that the contract for the project was awarded in 2012 at a sum of N2.1 bn with expected completion in 2014.
"We are seriously concerned at the delays especially for a young state like Bayelsa where federal government agencies are facing serious accomodation challenges and occupying rented accomodations.
"If this facility is completed, it will be a one stop shop for all federal government agencies and it will boost the government's policy of enhancing the ease of doing business by keeping relevant offices under one roof.
"It will further be a huge savings on the part of government on the collosal sums paid by various agencies of the federal government on rent.
"We urge the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to make the project a priority and ensure that it is completed without further delays, " Dauda said.
Dauda however commended the contractor for the pace of work so far achieved despite the funding challenges.
According to him, the project status was above 70 percent of the work done while the funding commitments stood at about 52 per cent.
Briefing the FRC team, Mr Nwachukwu Achebe, Federal Controller of Works in Bayelsa attributed the delays to the difficult marshy terrain at the project site which required massive sand filling and extensive pilling to solidify the base before proper construction work could begin.
He noted that the additional challenge posed by the low lying landscape necesitated an upward review of the contract sum from N2.1 bn to N3.1 bn.
Achebe, who put the job completion rate at 72 percent said that the contractor handling the project has been performing optimally and noted that the project has recieved improved funding in 2017 haven recieved two tranches of payments within the year.
Bayelsa oil community shuts down 2 oil wells in Shell's field over power supply
The residents at Tanbiri II , Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Wednesday disrupted oil production at Adibawa Oil field operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), shutting two oil wells.
It was gathered that two oil wells , Adibawa well 4 and Adibawa well 10 feeding the Adibawa flow station were shut down by the protesters who demanded for power supply from the nearby oil facility.
A visit to community showed that hundreds of residents comprising youths, women and elders had blocked the access road to the shut oil wells singing solidarity songs amidst rythms from local musical instruments.
It was gathered that two oil wells , Adibawa well 4 and Adibawa well 10 feeding the Adibawa flow station were shut down by the protesters who demanded for power supply from the nearby oil facility.
A visit to community showed that hundreds of residents comprising youths, women and elders had blocked the access road to the shut oil wells singing solidarity songs amidst rythms from local musical instruments.
Tuesday 28 November 2017
Stakeholders applaud moves to host inuagural Oloibiri oil and gas festival in Bayelsa
Some stakeholders in Bayelsa have applauded the move for the maiden edition of the Nigeria first oil well festival from Dec. 28 to Jan. 14, 2018.
According to the stakeholders, the festival would be a significant event to reawaken the people to the abandoned potential in the land.
It will be recalled Shell struck oil in commercial quantities at first oil and gas field in Nigeria in 1956 and subsequently commenced production and export in 1958 at Oloibiri oil well 1in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
The development launched Nigeria into the league of oil exporting nations and paved its way for membership of Organisatiin of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Some of the stakeholders, who spoke in Yenagoa on Tuesday after a meeting to harness issues ahead of the festival, said the initiative for the festivity was a welcome development.
According to the stakeholders, the festival would be a significant event to reawaken the people to the abandoned potential in the land.
It will be recalled Shell struck oil in commercial quantities at first oil and gas field in Nigeria in 1956 and subsequently commenced production and export in 1958 at Oloibiri oil well 1in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
The development launched Nigeria into the league of oil exporting nations and paved its way for membership of Organisatiin of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Some of the stakeholders, who spoke in Yenagoa on Tuesday after a meeting to harness issues ahead of the festival, said the initiative for the festivity was a welcome development.
Monday 27 November 2017
NANS leader IN Bayelsa, 7 others in police net for cultism, murder, armed robbery
NANS leader IN Bayelsa, 7 others in police net for cultism, murder, armed robbery
The Bayelsa Police Command has arrested the Bayelsa chapter chairman of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and seven other university students in connection with the alleged killing of a student, cultism and armed robbery.
The NANS leader in Bayelsa, Mr Perewari Benjamin, a 400-level student of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, was on Monday paraded at the state command's headquarters in Yenagoa with seven other undergraduates.
The police authorities gave the names of the other seven suspects as MrAsari Enagob, 400-level student; Mr Suoguai Bina, 500 level student, Mr Ibe Ogbonna, 300 level, Mr Igbanibo Tari, 400 level, Mr Ekperi Kenneth, 400 level Mr Kemefie Ebimene, 200 level.
The Bayelsa Police Command has arrested the Bayelsa chapter chairman of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and seven other university students in connection with the alleged killing of a student, cultism and armed robbery.
The NANS leader in Bayelsa, Mr Perewari Benjamin, a 400-level student of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, was on Monday paraded at the state command's headquarters in Yenagoa with seven other undergraduates.
The police authorities gave the names of the other seven suspects as MrAsari Enagob, 400-level student; Mr Suoguai Bina, 500 level student, Mr Ibe Ogbonna, 300 level, Mr Igbanibo Tari, 400 level, Mr Ekperi Kenneth, 400 level Mr Kemefie Ebimene, 200 level.
Wednesday 22 November 2017
Welfare of Civil Servants, a right not a privilege -FG
The Federal Government on Wednesday said that the current administration sees the provision of a conducive work environment to its workforce and prompt payment of salaries as a right and not a privilege.
Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary at the Service Welfare Office at Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation said the federal government has reviewed its industrial relations policy to engender harmony and enhanced productivity by civil servants.
Walson-Jack told newsmen on the sidelines of the ongoing Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council in Yenagoa that the federal government has adopted a new approach to improve welfare of civil servants.
She said that under the new approach, the government sees the welfare of its workforce as a priority by ensuring regular consultation with labour leaders to reduce friction at the work place, and making strikes unecesary.
"It is the belief of the federal government that Nigerian workers have a right to a safe and conducive working environment as well as enhanced welfare package, inluding regular payment of salaries, it is a right and not a privilege.
"However, labour leaders must show understanding in view of the economic challenges before us, our new approach is to see government and labour as part of the team working for the delivery of service to Nigerians, it is no longer we against them.
"We are all part of the team playing together in the same team and we shall win together and we should encourage civil servants to change their attitude to work and justify their salaries," Walson-Jack said.
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba had in his remarks to delegates to the three day event observed that workers were fundamental partners in the wealth creation process and deserved to be renumerated adequate as partners in progress.
He however expressed regrets that the negotiations for a new national minimum wage was yet to commence even as the economic funamentals were changing.
Wabba said at the ongoing Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council in Yenagoa that the prevailing economic scenario including the devaluation of the naira.
"It is a matter of concern that up till now, the negotiations for a new minimum wage is yet to start, as at the time the last time the last one was signed, the exchange rate of naira to the dollar was about N110 but todady it is around N360.
"It is our desire that negotiations should commence in earnest as the economic scenario has been very harsh for the Nigerian workers, we urge the government to fast track the process," Wabba said.
Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary at the Service Welfare Office at Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation said the federal government has reviewed its industrial relations policy to engender harmony and enhanced productivity by civil servants.
Walson-Jack told newsmen on the sidelines of the ongoing Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council in Yenagoa that the federal government has adopted a new approach to improve welfare of civil servants.
She said that under the new approach, the government sees the welfare of its workforce as a priority by ensuring regular consultation with labour leaders to reduce friction at the work place, and making strikes unecesary.
"It is the belief of the federal government that Nigerian workers have a right to a safe and conducive working environment as well as enhanced welfare package, inluding regular payment of salaries, it is a right and not a privilege.
"However, labour leaders must show understanding in view of the economic challenges before us, our new approach is to see government and labour as part of the team working for the delivery of service to Nigerians, it is no longer we against them.
"We are all part of the team playing together in the same team and we shall win together and we should encourage civil servants to change their attitude to work and justify their salaries," Walson-Jack said.
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba had in his remarks to delegates to the three day event observed that workers were fundamental partners in the wealth creation process and deserved to be renumerated adequate as partners in progress.
He however expressed regrets that the negotiations for a new national minimum wage was yet to commence even as the economic funamentals were changing.
Wabba said at the ongoing Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council in Yenagoa that the prevailing economic scenario including the devaluation of the naira.
"It is a matter of concern that up till now, the negotiations for a new minimum wage is yet to start, as at the time the last time the last one was signed, the exchange rate of naira to the dollar was about N110 but todady it is around N360.
"It is our desire that negotiations should commence in earnest as the economic scenario has been very harsh for the Nigerian workers, we urge the government to fast track the process," Wabba said.
Monday 20 November 2017
Olobia community in Bayelsa protests exclusion as Chevron's host community
Hundreds of youths, women and elders who carried placards and sang soliderity songs baricaded the entrance of KRDFsecretariate in Opolo area of Yenagoa.
KRDF is funded by Chevron Nigeria Ltd to impliment existing Memorandum of Understanding and development projects in the oil firm's host communities in Bayelsa.
Some inscriptions on the placads read : "Olobia community must not only benefit from negative effects of Chevron's operations", "The peace-loving people say no to exclusion, enough is enough" , "Olobia community is an autonomous community," amongst others.
Chief Kingsley Gongo, Deputy Paramount Ruler of Olobia who led the protest said that the community embarked on the peaceful protest to draw the attention of the foundation, government and management of Chevron to the exclusion of the community from development.
Gongo said that it was regreettable that efforts to table the matter have been rebuffed asmseveral letters written to relevant authourities have yielded no results.
He said that the community had attained an autonomous community status and rcognised as such by Bayelsa government for over five years.
The monarch regretted that Chevron and the foundation was yet to recognise the community as one of its hosts, excluding them from development projects.
Addressing the protesters, Mr Faowei Biboete, Head of Administration at KRDF Secretariate pledged to convey the grieviances to the Chairman of the foundation's board of trustees.
Biboete said that it was the responsibility of the board to set criteria for including communities to benefit from Chevron's corporate social responsibility projects.
He applauded the people for their peaceful conduct and expressed optimism that the issue would be amicable resolved through dialogue between the foundation and the community leadership.
Mr Alagoa Morris, a community rights activist appealed to Chevron and KRDF to resolve the conflict through dialogue given the peaceful approach of the people.
He noted that the community provides access to the oilfields located near the Atlantic coastline in Koluama, Southern Ijaw LGA.
2017 National Joint Public Service Negotiating Council holds in Yenagoa
Mrs Didi Walson-Jack is chairing the ongoing 2017 National Joint Public Service Negotiating Council meeting according to a statement issued by Service Welfare unit ,Ofice of Head of Service of the Federation.
Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary in the Service Welfare Office at Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) was recently appointed to oversee the Service Welfare Office.
According to the statement issued by Mrs Juliet Archibong, Technical Assistant to Walson-Jack the meeting is underway in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital from November 21 to 23.
The Council will afford the government and labour a platform to dialogue on the welfare of public servants to promote harmonious insustrial relations and eliminate conflict in the workplace.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council would be attended by trade union leaders from the three negotiating councils representing eight industrial unions in the Federal Civil Service in Nigeria.
According to Archibong, participants on the government side of the negotiating table will include representative of stakeholder Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the Federal Pubulic Service.
Others are Permanent Secretaries responsible for Establishment and or Industrial Relations in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.
Archibong said that the theme of the meeting is "Emerging Employer-Employee Relations Management Strategies for Adressing Potential Conflicts in the Public Sector"
Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary in the Service Welfare Office at Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) was recently appointed to oversee the Service Welfare Office.
According to the statement issued by Mrs Juliet Archibong, Technical Assistant to Walson-Jack the meeting is underway in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital from November 21 to 23.
The Council will afford the government and labour a platform to dialogue on the welfare of public servants to promote harmonious insustrial relations and eliminate conflict in the workplace.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council would be attended by trade union leaders from the three negotiating councils representing eight industrial unions in the Federal Civil Service in Nigeria.
According to Archibong, participants on the government side of the negotiating table will include representative of stakeholder Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the Federal Pubulic Service.
Others are Permanent Secretaries responsible for Establishment and or Industrial Relations in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.
Archibong said that the theme of the meeting is "Emerging Employer-Employee Relations Management Strategies for Adressing Potential Conflicts in the Public Sector"
Saturday 18 November 2017
Piracy: Police deploys 16 gunboats, 6, 000 men to Bayelsa waterways
The Bayelsa Police Command says it has deployed 16 patrol gunboats and some 6, 000 policemen to tackle sea piracy and criminality in Bayelsa waterways and ensure that the water channels were safe.
The Commissioner of Police, in Bayelsa, Mr. Asuquo Amba, revealed this in Yenagoa on Saturday during a visit by members of the State chapter of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO).
The CLO team was led by its Chairman, Chief Nengi James.
Amba said the 6,000 personnel had been deployed and were undergoing marine training.
The Commissioner of Police, in Bayelsa, Mr. Asuquo Amba, revealed this in Yenagoa on Saturday during a visit by members of the State chapter of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO).
The CLO team was led by its Chairman, Chief Nengi James.
Amba said the 6,000 personnel had been deployed and were undergoing marine training.
Thursday 16 November 2017
I recruited Dickson into PDP, and there is no rift between us, I am not competing with him -Jonathan
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday said that there was no rift between him and Bayelsa governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson contrary to perceptions held by some.
Jonathan spoke on his relationship with Dickson at his Otuoke country home when Gov Dickson led a Bayelsa government team on a condolence visit over the demise of Paramount Ruler of Otuoke Chief Lot Ogiasa.
Jonathan who went down memory lane and recalled the he persuaded Dickson to join Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and wondered why some people are using politics to create crisis where none existed.
Jonathan spoke on his relationship with Dickson at his Otuoke country home when Gov Dickson led a Bayelsa government team on a condolence visit over the demise of Paramount Ruler of Otuoke Chief Lot Ogiasa.
Jonathan who went down memory lane and recalled the he persuaded Dickson to join Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and wondered why some people are using politics to create crisis where none existed.
Tuesday 14 November 2017
Bayelsa Insecurity: Former Bayelsa Governor berates incubent Dickson for alleged smear campaign
Chief Timipre Sylva on Tuesday decried alleged camapign of calumny by the incumbent Gov Seriake Dickson attributing insecurity in Brass Local Government Area (LGA) of the state to Sylva.
Sylva, who denied any links with violence described the allegations and justifications of the smear campaign by the state government as indefensible in a statement issued by his media office.
The statement, signed by Media Adviser to Sylva, Mr Doifie Buokoribo, was in reaction to Dickson’s reply to a public alert about a coordinated defamation campaign against Sylva allegedly being plotted by the governor.
The duo have been trading blames since Sunday over recent violent clash between their supporters in Brass area of Bayelsa.
Sylva, who denied any links with violence described the allegations and justifications of the smear campaign by the state government as indefensible in a statement issued by his media office.
The statement, signed by Media Adviser to Sylva, Mr Doifie Buokoribo, was in reaction to Dickson’s reply to a public alert about a coordinated defamation campaign against Sylva allegedly being plotted by the governor.
The duo have been trading blames since Sunday over recent violent clash between their supporters in Brass area of Bayelsa.
Niger Delta Avengers was promoted by external forces -Ex IYC leader
Mr Udengs Eradiri, immediate President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) on Tuesday disclosed that some external forces are behind the activities of the militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers.
Saturday 11 November 2017
World Assembly of Youths bemoans abduction, killing of British Aid worker in Niger Delta
The World Assembly of Youth (WAY) at the weekend condemned the spate of kidnapping and hostage taking in Niger Delta resulting to recent death of a British aid worker in Delta.
Mr Preye Ketebu-Brown, Vice President of WAY told newsmen in Yenagoa that the death of Mr Ian Squire, British Optician, humanitarian and lover of Africa came as a shock to the youth body.
The youth leader noted that the trend of violence against non-combatant, unarmed civil populations in Africa calls for deep soul searching and socio-political re-appraisal of the state of our Society.
Mr Preye Ketebu-Brown, Vice President of WAY told newsmen in Yenagoa that the death of Mr Ian Squire, British Optician, humanitarian and lover of Africa came as a shock to the youth body.
The youth leader noted that the trend of violence against non-combatant, unarmed civil populations in Africa calls for deep soul searching and socio-political re-appraisal of the state of our Society.
Tuesday 7 November 2017
At least 40 detained criminals break and escape from Police detention facility in Yenagoa
At least 40 suspected armed robbers and cultists detained in the custody of the Special Anti Robbery Squad cell (SARS) on Tuesday broke free from the detention and escaped into the society.
A Policeman attached to the SARS who was drafted to cordon off the facility said that they were still taking stock of the number of inmates that escaped.
"The cell holds more than 50 suspects but it is empty so it is difficult to give an accurate number untill they check the records, but we hear that 42 criminals were being detained," the Policeman said.
A Policeman attached to the SARS who was drafted to cordon off the facility said that they were still taking stock of the number of inmates that escaped.
"The cell holds more than 50 suspects but it is empty so it is difficult to give an accurate number untill they check the records, but we hear that 42 criminals were being detained," the Policeman said.
Wednesday 1 November 2017
Census: 4th phase of Enumeration Area Demarcation kicks off in KOLGA, Bayelsa
Ahead the 2018 Census, the National Population Commision (NPC) on Wednesday kicked off the fourth phase of Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area in Bayelsa.
Mrs Gloria Izonfuo, Federal Commissioner of the NPC in Bayelsa who announced the development during an advocacy visit to Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, called on the Chairman and stakeholders to support the Commission's activities in the state.
Izonfuo explained that the 4th phase of the EAD is being conducted nationwide by the Commission.
Mrs Gloria Izonfuo, Federal Commissioner of the NPC in Bayelsa who announced the development during an advocacy visit to Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, called on the Chairman and stakeholders to support the Commission's activities in the state.
Izonfuo explained that the 4th phase of the EAD is being conducted nationwide by the Commission.
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