COVID-19 lockdown, Gov Diri relaxes restrictions to allow food, drugs laden vehicles into Bayelsa

Gov. Douye Diri on Tuesday relaxed the interstate border closure ordered the check the spread of the corona virus to allow food, drugs and vehicles conveying personnel on essential duty into Bayelsa

Diri granted unfettered passage to their destinations for vehicles conveying foodstuff, medical supplies and personnel on essential services as the country grapples with containing the COVID-91 pandemic.

Diri stated this during an enlarged meeting with members of the state's COVID-19 taskforce, including service commanders, labour leaders and representatives of international health organisations in Government House,  Yenagoa. 

COVID 19: Water producers in Bayelsa lament, As Govt mulls market shutdown.

Business operators engaged in producing essential goods like water in Bayelsa on Tuesday said that they were grappling with additional costs imposed by restrictions over the corona virus pandemic.

Some operators who spoke with journalists in Yenagoa said that the restrictions placed by the government as part of its efforts on curbing the spread of the virus had imposed additional costs on their operations.

.

The reaction is coming on the heels of public outcry on the increase in prices of essential goods like water, food items and other essentials.

Rainstorm wrecks havoc in Yenagoa, destroys broadcast masts of many stations

A late night rainstorm on Monday night destroyed property and buildings worth millions of naira in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

Worst hit by the storm includes broadcast masts of many radio and television stations including the state owned broadcasting corporation, Radio Bayelsa christened Glory FM.

No life was lost in the incident.

The rainstorm brought down the mast of the station which also hosts the transmitters of Radio Nigeria’s Creek FM and the Nigeria Television Authority and subsequently brought the stations off-air.

New Petrol Pump-price: Ijaw Youths Council shuts 7 petrol stations in Bayelsa as DPR kicks

The Central Zone of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has locked down seven petrol filling stations in Yenagoa for allegedly not adjusting to the N125 pump-price.

The youth visited many filling stations in Yenagoa and locked down the affected stations.

The Federal Government had reduced the pump price from N145 to N125 per litre to reflect the fall in crude oil prices.

The youth applauded four fuel dealers who had reviewed their prices downwards to reflect the new petrol price.

Mr Kenedy Olorogun, Chairman of IYC, Central Zone, explained that their action was informed by the attitude of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

COVID-19 Lockdown: Food shortage hits Bayelsa as prices soar

Restrictions of movements over the coronavirus pandemic has led to shortage of staple foods and rising prices in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.

The affected items include, sachet water which the residents depend on due to absence of potable water, grains and food condiments amongst others.

A market survey at rural and urban markets in Bayelsa at the weekend showed over 100 per cent increase in the prices of Garri, Yam, Tomatoes and other food items following measures put in place to check the spread of COVID-19.

Checks at Okordia-Zarama, a rural market and Swali market in the urban area of the state capital showed that a four-litre plastic container measure of garri which sold for N600 few days before the restrictions, now sells for N1,500.

For sachet water packaged in bags of 20 pieces which sold for N100, same now goes for N150 as dealers said the lockdown had held down supplies from neighbouring states.

The Central Zonce of  Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has commenced the enforcement of the new N125 pump price of petrol in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

The youths visited many filling stations in Yenagoa closing down seven of them for dispensing petrol above the federal government approved pump price of N125 per litre.

COVID-19: Bayelsa NSCDC sets up 250-man response team

The Bayelsa Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), says it has set up a 250-member response team to enforce guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Bayelsa Commandant of the NSCDC, Mrs Christiana Abiakam-Omanu, announced this in Yenagoa on Thursday, while giving an update on the command’s activities in the fight against coronavirus.

Abiakam-Omanu said that the command set up the team in line with the Crisis and Disaster Management mandate of the NSCDC.

COVID 19: Gov Diri denies contacts with Abah Kyari, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Borno, keeps mum on own status

Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has dispelled rumors that he had contact with the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, and Bauchi Governor who both tested positive to the coronavirus.

The governor cleared the air during an inspection tour of the isolation wards at the state-owned Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) in Okolobiri on Wednesday.

The explanation is coming on the heels of speculations that Diri come in contact with both men during recent visits to the Presidential Villa.

World Assembly of Youth commends FG, Bayelsa, Imo, Kano Govts for COVID 19 response

World Assembly of Youth (WAY) on Tuesday applauded the proactive measures taken by the Federal and some state governments to contain spread of the  CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) in Nigeria.

In a statement from the Africa regional office of WAY signed by Mr Preye Ketebu-Brown, Coordinator, WAY-Africa Response Against COVID-19, it noted that Kano, Imo and Bayelsa are amongst none index states leading impressively.

WAY noted that Kano State Set-up a broad based multi stakeholder task-force including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, Bayero University Kano amongst others.

Residents panic as policeman attached to Bayelsa Chief of Staff to release gunshots, assault family

Residents at Amarata area of Yenagoa on Wednesday morning were terrified following gunshots by Policeman attachment to the Bayelsa Chief of Staff, Government House,Chief Benson Agadaga.

The police detail who fired three shots that got residents anxious had slappped a driver who took his newborn  baby to a clinic in the neighbourhood.

It was gathered that the policeman assaulted the man in the presence of his wife and his newborn baby, and two of his kids.

Vacant Bayelsa East Senate Seat: Group drums support for Ex-Dep Gov, Ebebi

A coalition of support groups on Thursday threw its weight behind Peremowei Ebebi for the Bayelsa West Senate seat vacated by Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

Two Senate seats, Bayelsa Central, previously occupied by Gov Douye Diri and Bayelsa West formerly occupied by Ewhrudjakpo are vacant following their emergence as Governor and Deputy Governor.

It will be recalled that the Supreme Court had on Feb. 13, held that the APC Deputy Governor-elect, Degi Ereminyo, submitted forged documents which made him and Governor-elect, David Lyon, ineligible to contest the election.

Bayelsa coastline residents report dead fishes as Environmentalist seeks investigation

Residents along Foropa, Sangana axis of the Atlantic coastline in Bayelsa have reported sighting dead fishes littering the shoreline amidst safety concerns in the maritime ecosystem

Some of the residents who spoke in reaction say the development was strange and could be an indication of increasing toxicity of the Atlantic ocean which could impact residents.

Although there was speculation that there was a leak from one of the offshore platforms, checks with the operators indicate that none of the companies has admitted to having an oil leak.

Gov Diri’s allegations on violent protests following S/Court verdict is laughable-Ex-Gov Sylva

Timipre Sylva, Minister of state for Petroleum Resources and former Governor of Bayelsa says there is no truth in the allegations that he was behind the violence that followed the Feb 13 judgment.

It would be recalled that the Supreme Court had on Feb. 13, held that the APC Deputy Governor-elect, Degi Ereminyo, submitted forged documents which made him and Governor-elect, David Lyon, ineligible to contest the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in compliance with the judgment, on Feb. 14 issued a Certificate of Return to the PDP candidate, Duoye Diri, who had since been sworn in.

We consolidated tickets charges to curb multiple taxation on Bayelsa roads says Union

Mr Doubara Kumokou Chairman of the Bayelsa State Unified Ticket Committee on Friday said that it has harmonized and consolidated road taxes to curb multiple taxes to commercial transporters.

The explanation is coming on the heels of the recent protest by commercial vehicle drivers operating in Yenagoa over exhorbitant and multiple charges by the state government.

Kumokou said in Yenagoa that the committee was set up to tackle multiple taxation  and exenorated Bayelsa government from allegations.

 .

Foundation recruits 104 teachers, health workers for 8 rural communities in Bayelsa

KEFFES Rural Development Foundation (KRDF) has employed 104 teachers, health workers to address shortage in eight coastal communities in Southern Ijaw and Brass Local Government Areas of Bayelsa.

The Bayelsa Ministry of Education, Health are collaborating with KRDF in the intervention aimed at addressing acute shortage of teachers and health workers for Bayelsa rural  communities.

.Mr Mathew Sele-Epri, Chairman, KRDF who spoke during the ceremony to inaugurate the scheme on Monday noted that the effort would also reduce unemployment in the rural coastal settlements.

We are repositioning Bayelsa PDP for future elections says Gov Diri

Gov Douye Diri on Sunday said the Bayelsa chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is being repositioned to regain its dominance in upcoming elections.

He noted that the new spirit of unity and consensus building in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has put the party in good stead to win future elections in the state.

The two Senate seats became vacant by Diri and his Deputy’s inauguration as the duo were in the Senate prior to the governorship poll will be open for a bye-election soon.

He said the PDP wields presence and structures in the 105 wards of the state, would continue to dominate Bayelsa politics for a long time.

Landlords Protest planned demolition of Houses by Navy in Yenagoa

THE PROTESTERS IN THE FRONT OF THE CENTRAL NAVAL COMMAND, NIGERIAN NAVY, YENAGOA

House owners in Okoria community in Agudama-Epie, a suborb in Yenagoa, Thursday took to the streets to protest alleged forceful demolition of their property by the Central Naval Command.

The aggrieved protesters marched through the Melford Okilo Road terminating at the Government House in Yenagoa to appeal to the Governor to intervene and prevail on the Naval Authorities to stop the planned demolition of their houses.

The  protesting residents comprised property ownrs around the Okoria community in Agudama-Epie close to the Central Naval Command base in Yenagoa

They carried placards with different inscriptions reading: ‘We no go gree , our sweat no go go in vain’,’they want to destroy our property, Mr. President and Governor please save us’, and ‘we say no to oppression, Nigeria Navy you can’t destroy our houses without compensation’ amongst others.

N/Delta youths warn NSA over Amnesty, demand appointment of Dokubo's replacement from region

Niger Delta youth leaders on Wednesday warned the National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj-Gen Babagana Mungunu (Retd) on the implications of hijacking the management of the Presidential Amnesty Office on the stability and peace in the region.

The youths noted that mismanagement of the Amnesty Programme could lead to return of armed restiveness to the oil-producing Niger Delta region.

Some youth leaders who reacted to the suspension of Prof. Charles Dokubo, Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme urged the NSA to liaise with leaders of the Niger Delta region to nominate at least five representatives to the Interim Committee for the Amnesty Office.