4,100 non militant youths benefit from World Bank-EU skills acquisition scheme in Bayelsa

Bayelsa  government Sunday said that 4,100 non violent youths in the state benefitted from the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) Project skills training programme between 2015 and 2016.

Deputy Governor Chief John Jonah disclosed this while speaking at the opening ceremony of SEEFOR youth training programme on money management and entrepreneurship skills in Yenagoa, the state capital.

A new batch of 3,000 beneficiaries have been engaged and are being trained to execute the current phase of the labour-intensive public works component of the SEEFOR Project.

The training is intended to enable beneficiaries use their compulsory savings of N5,000 monthly out of N20,000 monthly stipend to start their business after their one year training.

 Jonah attributed the success recorded to the existing partnership between the World  Bank, European Union, Federal Government of Nigeria and the Bayelsa State Government who are the funders of the project.

 Jonah was represented by the Permanent Secretary at the state Ministry of Science and Technology, Bomonyo Amachree, who is also the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the training programme.

He advised the beneficiaries not to misunderstand the project as the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) of the Federal Government  for former militants in the Niger Delta region.

 The deputy governor explained that the PAP was designed for people who have not behaved well by working against the laws of the country.

 He also clarified that the SEEFOR programme is designed for those who are God-fearing, civil and ready to acquire skills.

 While challenging beneficiaries of the training programme to exploit the opportunity to better their future, Jonah insisted that the beneficiaries are not like ex-militants who are being treated in an atmosphere of tension.

Mr Tarinyo Akono,  SEEFOR Communications Officer, explained that trainings are being conducted at  Ogbia town for beneficiaries in Ogbia, Brass and Nembe LGAs, and at Amassoma town for Southern Ijaw LGA beneficiaries.

Also at Ekeremor and Sagbama town  for beneficiaries in Ekeremor, Sagbama and Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA.

 He noted that it is not easy to work and save resources considering the harsh economic realities, emphasizing that the impact of the training would be realized if the beneficiaries put what they have learnt to practice.

In his remarks, SEEFOR Project Acting Co-Ordinator, Mr Charles Enuma, said that the SEEFOR has Craft Development Centres in Sagbama, Polaku in Yenagoa LGA, and Nembe to ensure that youths acquire skills.

Enuma expressed satisfaction that the state government has so far not failed in youth empowerment in the state and enjoined beneficiaries of the training programme to take the acquisition of skills seriously. 

Bayelsa Govt state-of-the-art diagnostics centre to tackle wrong diagnosis in Nigeria- Dickson

Bayelsa Govt state-of-the-art diagnostics centre to tackle wrong diagnosis in Nigeria- Dickson

The Bayelsa government on Sunday said that it embarked on the state-of-the-art medical diagnostic centre to reduce frequent foreign trips by Nigerians.  

Gov. Seriake Dickson bemoaned the incessant cases of wrong diagnoses of ailments in the country, saying it remained a major challenge to Nigerians.

According to him, he was motivated by the problem to make a huge investment in the health sector of the state to serve as a heath tourism centre for Nigerians and the rest of Africa.

Dickson who spoke when he inspected the state’s ultra-modern Diagnostics Centre in Yenagoa.

 He explained that having been fully completed, the centre had already commenced a dry run of the equipment and called on residents to put the facility to good use.

“What we are addressing now is diagnosis. Because what is killing our people is wrong and inaccurate diagnosis. So we are addressing that. We are building hospitals and this place will feed most of them”, the governor said.

The governor said the vision of his administration was to make the state a haven for people who need to satisfy their health needs.

He also inspected the state’s golf course, heliport, ongoing government house and the oxbow lake project.

The centre operated by Trigen-Craton in the heart of Yenagoa offers radiography services with the latest facilities in the industry including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Tesla, CT Scan 160 slice, digital x-ray, 40-sonography, mammography among others.

The centr also provides expertise in pathology which includes services like haematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, endocrinology and immunology.

Other services rendered by the centre are: DNA testing, Endoscopy, cardiology and general wellness.

During the inspection, the governor noted that the project was built to last, explaining that all Nigerians could access the services of the centre as it was open for service to members of the public. .

“From the report, this project has been completed a long time.  What they are just doing is to test-run the facilities.. All the machines are world class. All the projects have been painstakingly done.

“This is a project that will stand the test of time and it is of the highest possible quality.  We are building a Bayelsa that is for the future and this project is one of its kind in the country and in Africa”, he said.

He added that the people of the state would be grateful to the administration when they are able to access the level of investment that was made on the project.

“Even if people don’t appreciate it, it doesn’t matter, we are doing it for posterity. The facilities here, no Bayelsa person needs to go outside this place for diagnosis.

“ Just anybody in this country can be attended to here. We are taking an integrated approach to development. People can fly in from the airport that we are building.

“Our philosophy is to bring the world to Bayelsa. This will promote medical tourism and we will build our economy this way”. Dickson said.

The governor explained that when the nearby 350-bed capacity hospital commences operation, it would complement the diagnostics centre and make the state prominent for medical tourism.

Clean-Up of Niger Delta crucial to economic diversification-Environmentalist

Mr Iniruo Wills, an Environmentalist says the clean-up of oil pollution in the Niger Delta environment is fundamental to the economic diversification policy of the federal government.

Wills, a former Commissioner for Environment said in Yenagoa on Sunday that the environment in oil communities had been neglected for several decades by oil firms and governments.

He said that diversification into agriculture and other revenue sources being canvassed as a way out of the current economic downturn would remain a mirage unless the environment was cleaned and restored.

He said that it was unfortunate that despite the central role played by the environment as a support for life and economic activities the country collectively neglected its environment resources which ought to be preserved.

He explained that the environment was a common heritage which provides support to mankind as well as the food chain amongst other bio resources in the ecosystem to support life.

He observed that the rapid rate at which aluminum and iron roofing sheets and even house paints wear out in the region was an indicator that the atmosphere had high concentration of toxic substances.

“The collective neglect of the environment in the oil communities in Bayelsa and across the Niger Delta since oil was struck in Oloibiri is what has led to the current state of the environment.

“The Pollution level has gone so high that the environment can no longer support fishing and farming and has eroded the livelihoods of our people who depend on the environment for sustenance.

“And all of a sudden we are talking of diversification, it must be a joke because the soil is polluted and so toxic, so diversification at lease in the Niger Delta cannot happen with the environment polluted.

“I think the stakeholders have to declare a state of emergency on the Niger Delta environment and take deliberate steps to restore the environment to its natural state even if it means putting a moratorium on environment.

“The toxicity level of the environment is frightening, for instance a pilot study carried out across the Niger Delta states showed clearly a pollution of surface and underground waters beyond safe limits.

“The same study revealed that the benzene gas found in the air we breathe is 1,000 times above internationally acceptable safe limits.

“Despite the alarming results no state government across the region has deemed it fit to extend the scope of the study to cover wider areas, the neglect by federal government is obvious but what about our governors who are even nearer to us?

“Since 1999 we have been governed by our own people and we have to hold them accountable,” Will said.

He therefore advised that government should take steps to clean up oil pollution in the Niger Delta and take steps to conserve the environment as a foundational step before diversification into agriculture in the Niger Delta region.

Niger Delta Monarch reiterates constitutional role for traditional institution

Niger Delta Monarch reiterates constitutional role for traditional institution

 A monarch in Bayelsa, King Okpoitari Diongoli, on Friday reiterated the call on the federal government to strengthen the traditional institution by assigning a constitutional role.

Diongoli repeated the call in a paper titled, "The Role of Traditional Rulers in Maintaining Peace/ Security in their Communities", which he delivered at a capacity building workshop in Yenagoa..

 The organised by the Paramount Rulers Integral (PRI) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

 Okpoitari, traditional ruler of Opokuma Kingdom in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area argued that giving constitutional role to monarchs would empower them as symbols of authority and spiritual heads of their domains.

Okpoitari, stated that as number one citizens of their kingdom, the monarchs have a responsibility to maintain peace and security in their areas.

 He decried the lack of necessary tools for traditional rulers to carry out their functions properly.

 According to him, traditional rulers are expected to educate and enlighten their people on policies and programmes of government, and to interface between their kingdoms and the authorities.

 Okpoitari further identified  poverty, lack of respect for the traditional rulers by the authorities  and the subjects, poor institutional framework, ruling from exile or by proxy, among others, as factors affecting the performance of traditional rulers.

 He advised them to operate a transparent and accountable system as well as revive the customs and traditions of their communities.

 "Those not helpful to the current realities can be done away with"., he advised.

 He therefore advocated for an enhanced welfare and provision of security to enable them work better.

In his remarks, the chairman of PRI and traditional ruler of Aduku, Kabowei Kingdom in Sagbama Local Government Area, Chief Emmanuel Emberru, commended Governor Seriake Dickson for approving their classification.

"I will appeal to us, due to the biting economic situation in the country, and in Bayelsa in particular, we should allow government to carry out the  process in phases.

“Giving staff of office, certificates, Justice of Peace (JP) and being gazette to be carried out in phases", he said.

Militants blow up crude export line at NPDC's Flow Station in Delta

Shortly after the meeting between Niger Delta people and federal government to end hostilities on oil facilities, suspected militants have again blown up a crude export ine, effectively crippling oil production.

 The Joint military force deployed to the Niger Delta to protect oil infrastructure on Wednesday confirmed an explosion at an oil field operated by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in Delta.

Lt.-Col. Olaolu Daudu, Spokesman of the joint force codenamed Operation Delta Safe who confirmed the development in Yenagoa on Wednesday said investigations had commenced.

He said that troops deployed to the area on Wednesday heard an explosion at the Bantan flow station run by NPDC, a subsidiary of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

"Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE located at Sector 1, in Delta State while on routine patrol heard an explosive sound caused by suspected Economic Saboteurs at Batan Flow Station around Ekweregbene, Bantan general area.

"The incidence is however being investigated and details will be made available as events unfold.

"Also troops of Forward Operation Base deployed at Bonny in Rivers State while on anti - crude oil theft/ illegal bunkering patrol, discovered two illegal refinery sites along Ogbunku Creek and recovered three 40 Horse Power outboard engines and three pumping machines," Daudu said.

Community sources in the area said that no militant group has claimed responsibility for the explosion coming barely 24 hours after the Niger Delta stakeholders meeting with the stakeholders presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari pledged to end attacks on oil facilities.

It was gathered that the attack breached a crude export line that was commissioned on Monday.

Oil leak from Agip's field pollutes Otuokpoti community in Bayelsa

Residents on Wednesday reported a massive oil leak in Ekole Creek around Agbura and Otuokpoti communities in Ogbia and Yenagoa local government Areas of Bayelsa.

They said the spill resulting from the leak from an oilfield operated by Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) destroyed farmlands and aquatic lives in the communities.

Community residents said that crude oil deposits from the spillage which measured about five centimeter thick on the surface of the water.

The incident attracted residents who trooped out to scoop the flowing crude oil.

A resident of Otuokpoti community , Mrs Cecilia Osain said the spillage has negatively affected fishing activities in the river.

According to her, those who went fishing came back with no catch as the crude oil has compelled the fishes , crayfish and shrimps away into the high seas beyond the reach of artisanal fishermen.

Osain ,who also scooped the crude said, bathing in the river is no longer safe for residents as those who did complained of itching all over their bodies.

She said that the community relied on the creek for water for drinking and domestic use.

Meanwhile, the people of Otuokpoti community have appealed to the government of Bayelsa s to provide relief materials to ameliorate the plight of the people.

In a letter signed by the Paramount ruler,Chief Cousin Wongo and Chairman, Community Development Committee, Hon. Simpson Isikpi, the community noted that the spillage which polluted the entire river.

According to the letter, the incident has negatively affected the economic life of the people as the river serves as a major source of income to members of the community.

“We cannot drink water , we cannot bathe in the river, our aquatic life such as fish and animals are dying. We appeal to the relevant authorities to come to our aid” the letter read in part.

They also appealed for the immediate cleanup of the river to enable the people resume their fishing activities.

Speaking in the same vein, spokesperson of the youth wing of the Ogbia Brotherhood, Comrade Lamawal Wilfred called on operators affected pipeline to send experts to ascertain the cause of the leak.

 He urged NAOC to prevent further pollution of the river which serves as their major source of water.

When our Correspondent visited the community, residents were seen scooping crude into containers, while the whole air was polluted from the gas from crude oil.

Officials of NAOC declined comments when contacted for comments.

Mr Filippo Cotalinni, Media Relations Manager, at Eni, parent company of NAOC has yet to respond to a request for comments on the incident.

Bakassi Strike Force militant group ready to lay down arms, says its agitation not targeted at oil facilities

Bakassi Strike Force militant group ready to lay down arms, says its agitation not targeted at oil facilities

The Bakassi Strike Force (BSF) a militant group in the Niger Delta region on Tuesday expressed a desire to lay down arms to the federal government if the concerns of Bakassi returnees were addressed under a scheme midwife by international mediators.

A leader of BSF, Mr Simply Benjamin, aka ‘Humble Lion G1’ in a telephone interview on Tuesday claimed that the grievances of the group had nothing to do with vandalism of national assets.

He said that it was regrettable that military authorities had killed several innocent people in the guise of trailing members of the military group and in the process abusing the human rights of the people resident in the area.

He urged the federal government to withdraw the military from his community as they were in the struggle for self determination and posed no threat to national security.

Benjamin who spoke from his camp in the creeks of Southern Cross River said that unlike other militant groups, they have no record of destroying oil installations and were not involved in molesting innocent citizens.

He said that despite offering to work with the government to address the concerns of the Bakassi returnees, the military had been on his trail and disrupting residents near his camp.

He said that BSF has been agitating against the poor implementation of the Greentree Agreement after ceding Bakassi to Cameroon leaving Nigerians resident in the Peninsular without proper resettlement.

He said that the group was ready to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue under a process to be brokered by the international community to ensure that the Nigerian returnees were properly resettled and rehabilitated.

“Our grievance against the federal government has to do with the way Nigeria ceded our ancestral land to Cameroon without recourse to the feelings and rights of the people to self determination.

“Under the Greentree agreement there were steps to be taken to ensure that the fundamental rights of the returnees were protected but the government has not fulfilled its obligations under the agreement.

“We have not resorted to destroying national assets like other Niger Delta militants because it does not make sense, if we destroy assets that yield revenue, how will the federal government get money to fund the projects we yearn for?,” Benjamin said.

Meanwhile the Joint Military Force Deployed to the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe said that it has degraded the capacity of the group and has its intensified operations to flush out members of the group.

The military had raided several camps and shrines used by the militants and discovered over 25 decomposing human skulls and killed no fewer than 15 suspected members of the armed group in cross fire.

Lt.-Col. Olaolu Daudu, Spokesman of the Joint Force had in a statement said that troops raided the BSF camp on October 29.

“Troops of Sector 4 deployed at Efut Esighi in Southern Cross River State during anti militancy operation raided Efut Esighi forest and killed a notorious militant popularly known as Okon Iyo while he was trying to escape.

“Similarly, troops discovered the dead body of one of the Bakassi Strike Force militant who was earlier engaged in Efut Esighi but escaped with gun injuries.

“His body was seen in a bush close to the main road in Effionsa, Bakassi Local Government Area.  Meanwhile, troops also raided the compound of a suspected member of Bakassi Strike Force; Mr Otobong Sunday Essien,  at Road 27 Resettlement Center Bakassi. 

“A Motor Bike was recovered from his compound. In addition, troops intercepted a Passat wagon car owned by a suspected Bakassi Strike Force militant known as “G1”. He is the sentry Commander of the group,” Daudu said.

Daudu said that troops deployed at Ikang border while on patrol at Ikot Offing Ambai in Akpabuyo LGA in Cross River discovered militants’ shrine and also apprehended the Chief Priest of the group.

The Spokesman assured law abiding members of the communities of their safety in the ongoing military crackdown on the militants.