2019: APC does not stand a chance in the Niger Delta region, says Dickson’s aide

Mr Kenedy Tonjo-West says the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) does not stand a chance in the forth coming 2019 general elections in the Niger Delta region.

Tonjo-West, Senior Special Assistant on Niger Delta Youth Matters to Gov Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa said the suspension of several contracts that previously engaged the youths had thrown over 15,000 youths to the labour market.

He said that a review of activities in the past three years shows that the federal government was pursuing a deliberate policy of economic stagnation targeted stifling growth at the region.

He noted that the revocation of pipeline surveillance jobs which hitherto engaged some 9,000 Niger Delta youths without clearing outstanding obligations had aggravated cases of oil theft.

JTF, Shell deny coercing Bayelsa community to endorse spill report

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta and oil major, Shell on Monday denied allegations of coercing the leadership of Aghoro 1 community in Bayelsa to sign a disputed report on oil spillage.

A disagreement in the areas impacted by an oil leak on the Trans Ramos Pipeline within Shell’s oilfield at Aghoro communities in Bayelsa has stalled the release of a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) report of the oil spill.

Community leaders, who participated in the JIV to determine the cause of the spill reportedly refused to sign the report.

Shell, Host Community bickering on impact of Aghoro spill stalls JIV report

A disagreement in the areas impacted by an oil leak on  Trans Ramos Pipeline within Shell’s oilfield at Aghoro communities in Bayelsa has stalled a joint investigation of the spill incident.

The leak , which occurred on May 17, 2018 discharged a yet to be ascertained volume of crude oil into the environment and polluted the river, farmlands and surroundings.

The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) said a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to ascertain the cause of the oil leak has been concluded but the report was yet to be signed by all the parties.

US Government honours Nigerian Entrepreneur, Eruani for Industrialisation strides in N/Delta

The United States government has honoured President of Azikel Group, Dr Azibapu Eruani for his investments  in industrial ventures that create jobs.

According to a statement issued on Friday in Yenagoa by Mr Austin Ebipade, Spokesman of Azikel Group, Eruani was recognised for changing the narratives by supporting the industrialization and economic growth of Nigeria.

According to the statement noted the US Consul-General F. John Brady, accompanied by the US Head of Commercial, Brent Omadhl presented the US Government Award at the US Embassy in Lagos on August 20.

Brady said that the recognition conferred on Dr Eruani and the Azikel Group in advancing societal growth and development by putting in wheels on industries in motion not for pecuniary gain is commendable.

MR. John Brady US Consul-General, (RIGHT)  presentING AN award on Economic Growth/Industrialization of NIGER DELTA to Dr Azibapu Eruani, President of Azikel Group standing next to him,  left is US Head of Commercial, MR Brent Omdahl at UNITED STATES EMBASSY IN LAGOS RECENTLY

I believe in Nigerian Judiciary says Jones Abiri as he rejoins family

FROM RIGHT TO LEFT,MR JOHN ANGESE, CHAIRMAN, BAYELSA COUNCIL OF NIGERIAN UNION  OF JOURNALISTS , JONES ABIRI AND MR EASTERDAY AYIBATARI, CHAIRMAN, BAYELSA FEDERATION OF NEWSPAPER  PUBLISHERS  AT A RECEPTION FOR INCARCERATED JOURNALIST,  JONES ABIRI.  

Jones Abiri, Journalist and Yenagoa based Publisher standing trial for alleged involvement in militancy on Wednesday said he was optimistic of getting justice.

Abiri arrived the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press centre to the warm embrace of his wife, children, fellow journalists and family members.

Abiri who was arrested by Department of State Services (DSS) in July 2016 and detained for over two years without trial was arraigned before a Magistrates’ court in August 2018 and subsequently granted bail.

Speaking at a reception organised to welcome him to Yenagoa two years after his ordeal, Abiri said that contrary to the views held by the DSS, he was ready to face his trial and prove his innocence.

HOSTCOM raises alarm as 3,000 loose N70,000 each in bogus ‘juicy’ jobs, contracts offers

Chief Style Benjamin,  National Chairman of Host Communities  of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) on Sunday dissociated the group from ongoing fraudulent jobs and contract scams in Bayelsa.

 Benjamin said in Yenagoa  that fraudulent people were using the name HOSTCOM to defraud unsuspecting people in Bayelsa and across the Niger Delta region.

The HOSTCOM leader said that its findings indicate that at least 3,000 victims have lost N70,000 each to the scam in the creeks.

He said that the efforts of the leadership of HOSTcOM to arrest the trend were yielding fruits as three persons were already being prosecuted for allegedly obtaining money from Bayelsa people under false pretence. .

He said that the fraudsters h posed as representatives of HOSTCOM  promised thei victims of facilitating training and giving them pipeline security surveillance jobs.

Armed robbers dispossess businessmen of N3.5 million cash in Yenagoa

A four-member armed gang on Friday attacked and robbed two businessmen of the sum of N3.5 million at the Amarata area of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa  capital.

It was learnt that the businessmen, Mohammed Garuba and his brother, Abubakar, were attacked by the armed robbers at about 11am  near one of the commercial banks in the area where they had gone to withdraw the money.

They were driving away in their Lexus Toyota SUV when, a few meters away from the bank located along the Mbiama-Yenagoa, the bandits blocked them with a Toyota Corolla car  and collected the N3.5 million and fired  several shots at their victims.

Residents express concerns over indiscriminate seismic activities in Yenagoa -

Residents in Amarata area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital on Monday expressed concerns over increased oil exploration activities in the past one month.

Some residents who spoke on the development, frowned at indiscriminate seismic activities by oil firms in residential area in Yenagoa and the adverse impact of materials used in the exercise..

The seismic activities involved the use of explosives detonated at remote sites to cause vibration in the earth’s crust to explore oil and gas reserves.

This has been ongoing in various parts of Yenagoa including Tombia, Edepie, Opolo amongst others since February 2018.

Imiringi community in Bayelsa bemoans distortion of creeks near Shell’s oilfields

Some residents at Imiringi, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, have lamented blockade of natural water channels by oil and gas exploration activities at nearby oilfields.

The residents said on Monday in Yenagoa     that the indiscriminate activities have also created artificial channels resulting to flooding of farmlands and plantain plantations in the area.

Chief Rotami Ademe member of the Olugbo family in Imiringi, whose and was affected said that exploration activities at the oil field have created ecological problems that took a negative toll on their farmlands.

National Assembly Crisis: Ohanaeze Youth Leader urges politicians to focus on National Interest

Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, Coordinator of Ohanaeze Youth Wing is South South on Wednesday urged politicians to focus on public interest in the current crisis in the National Assembly.

Arthur-Ugwa said in Yenagoa that the timey intervention of Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on the crisis averted embarrassment to the nation.

He said that the sack of the Director-General of the Department of State Security (DSS) Maman Daura over unauthorized barricade o the National Assembly was timely and restored the confidence of the international community.

According to him, the entire world was watching the development which ran contrary to the concept of separation of powers.

Bayelsa NSCDC to leverage on inter-agency collaboration to curtail oil theft

  

Bayelsa Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense corps (NSCDC) Mrs Christiana Abiakam-Omanu says the command would leverage on inter-service collaboration to curb oil theft and vandalism

Abiakam-Omanu who spoke on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Gov Seriake Dickson in Yenagoa assured that NSCDC in the state would work closely with other security agencies to carry out their core mandate.

 

Gov. Seriake Dickson (Left), Presents a Souvenir to the NEWLY DEPLOYED STATE Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Bayelsa State Command, Commandant Christiana Abiakam - Omanu, during a Courtesy VISIT AT the Government House, Yenagoa.

NDLEA arrests 38 suspected drug traffickers with 29.7 kg of hard drugs in Bayelsa in September

NDLEA arrests 38 suspected drug traffickers with 29.7 kg of hard drugs in Bayelsa in September

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency  (NDLEA), Bayelsa Command on Wednesday said it has arrested a total of 38  drug suspects in the state in the month of September, 2017.

The command said among the 38 arrested suspects includes 26 male adults and 12 female offenders

In a statement signed by the Principal Staff Officer and Superintendent of Narcotics,Mr Osakwe Ikenna , the Command said a total of 29.751 kilograms of illicit drugs were seized from the suspects which comprises of cannabis, sativa, psychotropic substances, heroin and cocaine.

Former Security Adviser to Ex-Gov Sylva tried for alleged rape denied bail

CHIEF RICHARD KPODO IN COURT ON FRIDAY ON A HOSPITAL STRETCHER WITH PRISON OFFICIAL

Chief  Perekeme Richard Kpodo, a former Security Adviser to Ex-Gov. Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa being tried for alleged rape at State High Court  7 in Yenagoa was on Friday denied bail.

Kpodo was earlier on July 27 arraigned before a Magistrate court in Yenagoa for the same offence and was remanded in prison custody till August 10 for ruling on his bail application.

Kpodo  who was re-arraigned on Tuesday before the Justice E Eradiri was charged on a two counts of unlawful detention and rape of one Teke Blessing on June 20, 2018  was brought into court lying on a stretcher.