Home Blog Page 134

FG Urged To Rehabilitate Onitsha–Owerri Road

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
FG Urged To Rehabilitate Onitsha–Owerri Road

[dropcap]R[/dropcap]esidents of the commercial city of Onitsha and environs in Anambra State have called on the federal government to commence the rehabilitation of Onitsha-Owerri road, to alleviate the sufferings of motorists.

Describing the road as a death trap to motorists and commuters, the respondents said, there was the need for the federal government to urgently intervene on the road.

They told our reporter at Onitsha area, that the trunk A road, linking the rest of the country to most parts of South-East region, is critical to the socio-economic life of the people. At around Nwazike Street, Awada, the road has cut off leading to traffic gridlock as motorists try to manoeuvre their way.

The ugly situation has also affected traffic situation at Ezeiweka-Oraifite street bye-pass, Awada which has a lot of dangerous pot holes.

Chairman, Old Motor Parts Dealers Association, Obosi, Chief Samuel Ezeobodo decried the adverse effects of the road on socio-econoic activities, recounting several losses and damages as a result of incessant falling of heavy duty and articulated vehicles along the road.

Also, some motorists, including Messrs Elendu Chukwu and Hyginus Nsofor expressed dismay that the deplorable nature of the road has lingered for over two years.

A stakeholder in the area, Mr. Celestine Ezewuru while saying that the state was known for trade and commerce, maintained that transportation and good road network are essential in boosting businesses as well as revenue profile of the government and the citizenry.

They echoed the need for the federal government to urgently rehabilitate the road.

Senator Nwaoboshi dares Akpabio and Ojougboh over several lies against him

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
Senator Nwaoboshi dares Akpabio and Ojougboh over several lies against him

[dropcap] S[/dropcap]enator Peter Nwaoboshi,Senator representing Delta North senatorial district, has challenged the Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the acting Executive Director, Projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Cairo Ojougboh to show evidence that he is one of the lawmakers in the national assembly that received contracts from the commission.

Dr Ojougboh last Friday at the palace of the Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Chike Edozien during a courtesy call on the monarch prior to the launch of an N450million police equipment fund sponsored by the NDDC, had fingered the lawmaker among others as contract beneficiaries of the commission.

Senator Nwaoboshi in a statement on Monday,He stated that Dr Cairo Ojougboh has constantly churned out several lies in an attempt to ridicule and undermine the probe by the National Assembly into the financial activities of the Interim Management Committee, IMC.

“The 53 contracts allegedly listed to have been executed by me were awarded to different companies and we believe these companies must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), a federal parastatal charged with the responsibility of overseeing the existence of corporate entities in Nigeria.”

“Since my election into the Nigerian Senate as the Senator representing the good people of  Delta North.

, I have never executed any contract on for or on behalf of the NDDC.”

“NDDC never awarded any contract to any company owned by me. Those who are alleging to defame me must be aware of the consequences.

“In the interest of the gullible innocent public, the authors led by the said Dr Cairo Ojougboh or any other person should provide among other things detailed description of the said jobs, names of companies, payments already made and to whom as well as the directors of the company as they appear in the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC.”

Meanwhile the Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network of Nigeria, have applauded and commended the senate over its position on the Interim Management Committee, IMC of the NDDC.

The Grassroots Publishers in a statement by their image Maker, Comrade Ike Abiagom said: “The Grassroots Publishers are in full support of the call for the dissolution of the IMC by the Senate and sack of the Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

“It is so unfortunate, painful and disheartening that our leaders who know the challenges faced by the Niger Delta people are the same persons enmeshed in moves geared towards siphoning the commission dry.

“While we are in full support of the forensic audit, as a matter of urgency, President Muhammadu Buhari should immediately inaugurate the already screened NDDC board while the forensic audit is going on.

“We also call on Mr President to remove the NDDC board from the supervision of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and be taken to back to the presidency.”

NDDC: Nwaoboshi Challenges Akpabio on Allegations of Executing 53 Contracts

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
NDDC: Nwaoboshi Challenges Akpabio on Allegations of Executing 53 Contracts

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]enator Peter Nwaoboshi ,the Senator representing Delta North in the National Assembly, had denied executing any job with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and had asked the commission, and the Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio to prove it.

The Senator who was reacting to the recent allegation in a letter submitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajiamila, that he executed a total of 53 projects between the 2017 to 2019.

Senator Nwaoboshi, represented by one of his Legislative Aide, Awele Onokwai SNR, said that it’s pertinent that the records be set straight for posterity sake, and for the greater sake of the unsuspecting public.

He stated that the minister of Niger Delta Affairs has constantly churned out several lies in an attempt to ridicule and undermine the probe by the National Assembly into the financial activities of the Interim Management Committee, IMC.

“It is pertinent that we set the records straight for the sake of posterity and for the greater sake of the unsuspecting general public, who may be Hoodwinked into believing the several lies constantly churned up by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs in an attempt to ridicule and undermine the probe by the National Assembly into the financial activities of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC.”

He stated that at no time whatsoever has he executed any contract on, for or on behalf of the NDDC. Pointing out the said 53 contracts allegedly listed to have been executed, were awarded to different companies believed to have been registered with the corporate commission, CAC.

We make bold to state categorically, the following:

“Since his election into the Nigerian Senate as the Senator representing the good people of Niger Delta, Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi has, at no time whatsoever, executed any contract on for or on behalf of the NDDC.”

“The 53 contracts allegedly listed to have been executed by Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi were awarded to different companies and we believe these companies must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), a federal parastatal charged with the responsibility of overseeing the existence of corporate entities in Nigeria.”

He therefore challenged the minister to prove by liaising with the CAC to publish for public consumption, the names of Shareholders as well Board of Directors of the companies, as he had severally called on the publications of the companies involved.

“He who alleges must prove and it is on this sacred maxim that we are challenging the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to liaise with the Corporate Affairs Commission to publish, for public consumption, the names of Shareholders as well as Board Of Directors of the companies that executed the repairs of the purportedly 53 contracts awarded to Distinguished Senator

Peter Nwaoboshi.”

“On several instances, Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi has publicly challenged his detractors to publish their facts for the general public and up until this very moment, none have been able to provide water-tight prove or evidence in their failed attempts to implicate the Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi.”

“As far as Senator Peter Nwaoboshi is concerned, his hands are clean. He is neither a staff of the NDDC nor is he saddled with the responsibility of paying contractors and  it becomes extremely mischievous of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to try and drag the reputation of the esteemed Lawmaker in negative lights.”

He called on the general public to be wary of the antics of the Minister, which he is using to distract on enquiry of N81bn he had so far misappropriated.

“It is highly instructive for the general public to be wary of  the incoherent nature of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and his acolytes planted in the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC.”

“Initially, these inglorious liars told Nigerians and the world that a seating Senator was awarded 1,000 contracts in the NDDC and when pressed to shed some light on such weighty accusation, they recanted to 350 contracts and when further quizzed, it suddenly became 53 contracts. The level of inconsistency of the Minister and his stooges at the IMC is quite alarming and legendary and Nigerians can see the desperate but failed attempt by them to cover their tracks but then, lies have short legs, they don’t travel far.”

“We challenge Senator Godswill Akpabio to Account for the over N81bn he has so far misappropriated at the NDDC and stop diverting the attention of the general public. If Senator Godswill Akpabio feels there are incriminating issues which need to be addressed, we urge him to go to the relevant security agencies.”

“Senator Peter Nwaoboshi as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta is absolutely committed to discharging his legislative and oversight functions as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) much to the admiration of his constituents and Nigerians at large and no amount of paid media campaign of calumny against his person or Office will take his feet off the gas as he is determined to serve Nigerians distinctly.”

 

HALF YEAR REPORT: FOU ‘A’ RECOVERS N17BN WORTH OF GOODS, REVENUE FROM SMUGGLERS

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
HALF YEAR REPORT: FOU ‘A’ RECOVERS N17BN WORTH OF GOODS, REVENUE FROM SMUGGLERS

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has so far raised Debit Notes on imported items which beats the various ports Valuation Units to the tune of N17billion between January to June 2020. The Debit Notes were raised on imported goods which were under declared to pay lesser Customs duties.

Within the same period, contrabands intercepted by the Unit from smugglers terrorising the South Western states of the country includes Used vehicles, Pharmaceuticals, Textiles, Foreign parboiled rice, Tomato paste, Second hand clothing among others.

Addressing the Media in Lagos over the weekend, the Customs Controller of the Unit, Acting Controller Usman Yahaya said a total of N15.6billion was generated from contrabands seized from smugglers while N 1.4billion were raised from wrong classifications ,transfer of value and false declaration of cargoes.

He said , “the total duty paid value of N15.6bn were premised on seized contrabands, while N1.3billion were revenue from the Unit’s interventions arising from wrong classifications, transfer of value and false declarations by importers. So, a total of N17billion was recovered for the Federal Government in the period under review.”

According to the DC Yahaya, the Unit also intercepted a truck load of banned textile materials worth N565million Naira imported from Benin Republic.

He further disclosed that 18,760 bags of foreign parboiled rice smuggled into the country from Benin Republic and 64 units of exotic vehicles were intercepted and detained for duty evasion and under payments within the the same period.

A quick glance of the spectacular seizures report from 7th January, 2020, shows 64 exotic vehicles including two bullet proofs, 18,760 bags of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice valued at N469million, 1,338kg of Indian Hemp worth N201million and 147 sacks (9,504kg) of Pangolin scales worth N10.4billion.

Others are 3,059 cartons of Tomato paste, 10,653 cartons of Frozen poultry products, 5,423 kegs of 25 litres each of Vegetable oil, 56,472 bundles of Printed Textiles valued at N565million, 66 packs of Tramadol, 872 bales of Second hand clothing worth N61million, 11,077 cartons of frozen products worth N177million.”

Also intercepted are 5,423 kegs of Vegetable oil valued at N87million, 7,549 jerry cans of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at N27million, five containers load of Pharmaceuticals valued at N2.9 billion, 64 units of motorcycles used for smuggling valued at N565million among others.

Yahaya who was angry with the activities of the economic saboteurs, however warned smugglers to embrace legitimate businesses as the Unit is ready to send them out of their illegitimate business. He also disclosed that the seizures so far made was borne out of intelligence and hardwork of eagle eye Officers and Men of the Unit.

“My message to smugglers is that they should stop smuggling and embrace legitimate business because the FOU is ready to run them out of business,” he warned.

“We are always a step ahead of them through intelligence gathering and steadfastness. We won’t get tired until the Service suppressed smuggling finally from the South West,” he assured.

COVID-19: Okowa recounts experience, appreciates God …reinforces call for protocols compliance

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
COVID-19: Okowa recounts experience, appreciates God …reinforces call for protocols compliance

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]overnor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Friday recounted his experience with COVID-19 attack and said more than three members of his family contracted the virus. The governor, at a family thanksgiving at the Government House Chapel, Asaba, said God’s mercy saw the First Family through the challenge.

Reiterating that COVID-19 was real, he said that it was ridiculous and unimaginable for anyone to think that his family was given money to declare that they tested positive for the virus, stressing that the best way to avoid the devastating disease was for everybody to accept its reality and abide with the prescribed protocols to keep it at bay.

The governor, who was with his wife, Edith and all the children, disclosed that before the pandemic infected the family, he had planned for a family thanksgiving to show gratitude to God for His goodness to him.

According to him, we planned to appreciate God for the electoral victory in 2015, five eventful years as governor, divine mercy when a heavy object fell on my head while in the office, escaping from a fire incident that engulfed our household some time ago.

“As a family, we want today, to thank God for His faithfulness unto us, for the peace that we enjoy, for the unity in our home and for His love in our lives.

“God has done so much for us and we will continue to thank Him every day of our lives.

“Sometimes, I wonder how and why we deserve His mercy; it is for His grace not because we are so righteous.

God has continued to be there for me and my family, and I will continue to thank Him.

“In my approach to the 2015 election, not many people gave me a chance but God perfected His will,” Okowa said.

He thanked Deltans and Nigerians for their prayers while the travails lasted and pledged to redouble his service to God and in governing Delta.

He disclosed that a lot had been achieved by his administration, adding however that much still needed to be done and sued for the support of all in building a Stronger Delta.

To those who are in the habit of criticising his policies and programmes, the governor urged them to base their criticisms on facts rather than fiction. He reaffirmed his zeal to pursue programmes that would move the state forward, stressing that all protocols aimed at curtailing the spread of coronavirus in the state would be enforced.

In her remarks, the wife of the governor, Dame Edith Okowa, said that thanksgiving would remain a routine by the Family considering God’s faithfulness in their lives.

In a brief exhortation, the Chaplain of the Chapel, Asaba, Venerable Charles Osemenam, said that if not for God, the first family would have been thrown into “darkness’’ by the devil.

Osemenam whose message was titled “The Lord Triumphed Gloriously” noted that anyone who believed in God would always be victorious.

In an interview at the venue, Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori ànd the member representing Oshimili North Constituency in the Assembly, Mrs Pat Ajudua, said that the thanksgiving was apt, and called on Deltans to avoid acts capable of spreading COVID-19.

The thanksgiving service was attended by top government functionaries.

DEFAMATION: Ned Nwoko Files N2bn Suit Against Online Publisher

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
DEFAMATION: Ned Nwoko Files N2bn Suit Against Online Publisher
Prince Ned Nwoko

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ormer House of Representatives member and philanthropist, Prince Ned Nwoko, has dragged an online publisher, Azuka Jebose Molokwu, to court claiming two billion naira damages for defamation of character.

This is contained in a writ of summons obtained from Effurun High Court, Delta state on behalf of Ned Nwoko by his counsel, Ikhide Ehighelua Esq. and co dated 13th July 2020.

Joined in the suit No.EHC 99 as second defendant is Prince Chukwunonso Nwoko identified as the employer and sponsor of the first defendant,Jebose, a native of Onicha Ugbo in Aniocha north local government area of Delta state , resident in the United States of America.

According to the suit, both defendants made highly defamatory publications in several online blogs and other social media platforms”calculated to reduce the estimation of the claimant”and denigrate his reputation before right thinking members of the public. It stated that the malicious publications had continued unabated against the plaintiff in spite of warnings by his solicitors to the defendants.

Counsel to Ned Nwoko also stated that the first defendant defiantly came out openly on the social media that the cautions would not be a deterrent to his defamatory publications, prompting the legal action.

The claimant had also sought in his favour,before the court a “public apology to be published by the defendants in at least two national daily newspapers circulating in Nigeria and social media platforms” as well as an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from making any further defamatory publications against him.

Celebrating the Birthday of A Princess

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
Celebrating the Birthday of A Princess
Princess Nkechi Ogoh

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]rincess Glory Nkechi Ogoh indeed is a true definition of a VIRTUOUS WOMAN. Today being her birthday, the whole world celebrate a woman who is a perfect example of beauty and  God fearing person.

She’s the pillar who makes the family so strong, love so true, joy so real, faith so firm and fear so ordinary.She is the embodiment of cerebral articulation,the epitome of intellection and breathtaking simplicity, the personification of undiluted humanness, the perfect example of leadership symbolism, the paragon of idealism, the soul humanity, the mirror of beauty , the amazon. Indeed, some Princess are born, some achieve leadership, some have leadership thrust upon them, while only very few have all three embedded in them.
Princess Glory Nkechi Ogoh is one of those very few good girl; a true woman,a woman of valour,the bringer of rain. In the gallery of great leaders and great women, she is without doubt, a rare masterpiece.

Princess Glory Nkechi Ogoh will celebrate her birthday today and to put the epochal celebration in proper perspective, she attained the midpoint of life at the exciting peak and the proper prime of her mercurial powers where, poised like the bronzed champion, glowing flamboyantly in the golden flame of her decade, prepares herself to capture and conquer arguably, the one ultimate laurel for which her superlative gifts and brilliance clamour to be manifestly celebrated with maximum educational aplomb woven into the matrix of an intrepid homogeneous ubiquity.

A true friend,sister,elegant,beautiful and unblemished in the magisterial lithe and athleticism of folkloric Queen and heroine, soft-spoken, with clear, unfettered, excellent diction and oratory, her brilliant smile like sparkling sun radiating from crystal clear eyes. Princess Glory Nkechi Ogoh is down to earth and corporate-smart, from the various experiences of home-bred grooming, ivy league sojourns in first class royal family and the inspirational influence and unparalleled, unquantifiable tutelage from a respected royal father.

A woman of immense mettle and a completely detribalized human being with a profound depth of character, whose humility, devoid of discrimination, embraces all and sundry, she soars like an eagle and exudes reverence and integrity. A pragmatic woman full of benevolence, she gives hope to the hopeless,and welfare and succor to the poor and needy. To everyone who crosses her path, she is a light.she is a friend to all, a role model to the young, a helper to many and a visionary woman bubbling with the ideals of entrenching a united, peaceful, harmonious vision for her community and the world. Honest, Transparent, Dependable, uncomplicated and full of wisdom, Princess Glory Nkechi Ogoh can change you effortlessly, with her soft spoken words.
Princess (NK),though even the sun will one day run out of fuel, our love for you shall last forever. we thank God each and every day for giving us a Friend like you. On your birthday, we want to thank you for being the best sister, friend anyone could ever hope for.You are such a great role model for every woman in the world because you are so loving, caring, protective, and supportive. Happy Birthday!

By: Ike Abiagom

Grassroots Publishers

Nigeria’s First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot, Dies at 23

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
Nigeria’s First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot, Dies at 23
Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]lying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in Nigeria, is dead. She was barely 23 years of age.

Arotile died as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base Kaduna.

Her death came barely a year after she was winged as a combat helicopter pilot in the Air Force following the completion of her course in South Africa.

Confirming the accident, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said until her death, ‪Flying Officer Arotile, who was commissioned into the NAF in September 2017 as a member of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 64, was the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the service.‬

He said: “During her short but impactful stay in the service, late Arotile, who hails from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, contributed significantly to the efforts to rid the North Central States of armed bandits and other criminal elements by flying several combat missions under Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, Niger State.

“The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the NAF, commiserates with the family of late ‪Flying Officer Arotile‬ over this irreparable loss. We pray that the Almighty God grant her soul eternal rest.”

PRINCE NED, PRINCESS REGINA – A MARRIAGE OF TWO STARS By FRED AKPEWE

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
PRINCE NED, PRINCESS REGINA – A MARRIAGE OF TWO STARS By FRED AKPEWE

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he arrival of a son for Prince Ned Nwoko and Princess Regina Nwoko a while ago signaled the high point of the marriage of two stars. This most celebrated marriage in Africa has taken the media by storm and redefined the African love in a way that is both positive and esoteric.

Ned Nwoko is an accomplished businessman, Antarctica explorer, international lawyer, Politician, environmentalist and philanthropist. Princess Regina is also an accomplished star actress and film producer. She is beautiful in every sense whose face has adorned about a hundred or more home movies. She was therefore on a high social ladder and successful in her own rights before her marriage to Prince Ned Nwoko, even though this marriage has given her an upscale success on the social ladder.

Only very few celebrity marriages globally have received such media comments and glitz in recent times as the Prince Ned/Princess Regina marriage. On the social scale, other marriages on the same platform in terms of media gaze are those of Kim Kardashin and Kanye West which has paled into insignificance the globally acknowledged but botched marriage between late Princess Diana and Prince Charles of Wales.

Others are the marriage between Beyonce and Jay-Z and back home here the marriages between Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Captain Matthew Ekeinde. We can also consider the celebrity marriage between Mercy Johnson and Prince Odianosen Okojie.

Like Princess Regina, Prince Ned Nwoko is an editor’s delight. Everything about Prince Ned is news. The global popularity and relevance of Prince Ned Nwoko has adequately advertised the Stars University, Idumuje-Ugboko even before its official take-off.

The world is focusing on Prince Ned Nwoko’s malaria Africa project because of his midas touch. Anything Prince Ned puts his hands on is instant success. As a man reputed to have ended recession in Nigeria through his role in the Paris club refund to Nigeria, he has put in so much into the betterment of humanity. With Prince Ned’s marriage to Princess Regina, the former is beginning to reinvent self on the latter.

Princess Regina has started several projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life for humanity. She is the owner of Regina Entertainment Television, RET. As a thespian, she has impacted positively on her primary constituency, the Nigerian Movie Industry. At her behest, Prince Ned Nwoko has hosted dignitaries of the movie industry and also opened doors for the use of his private jets in Nigerian movies, thereby improving their quality and global receptiveness.

Recently in a post, Princess Regina revealed that when she first met Prince Ned, she thought he was a farmer. What is the farmer in Prince Ned? Prince Ned is a lover of nature and as an environmentalist and horticulturist; he has adorned his country home of Idumuje-Ugboko with exotic trees and crops. He also rears rare birds and animals in his country home which also has a large fish pond.

Prince Ned Nwoko exudes charm just as he loves to see people around him wining and eating. Princess Regina makes us to know one rare trait in her husband. She describes him as the most honest person she has ever met. This honesty has helped Prince Ned in his business and politics, even though some people have taken advantage of his honesty and straightforwardness to stab him in the back.

As a politician, he has made his mark. He represented the Oshimili North /Oshimili South/Aniocha North/Aniocha South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 1999 – 2003. He has also made giant forays to go to the Senate to represent the Delta North Senatorial District. In all attempts, he has proven beyond doubt that he is a factor in Delta North Politics.

Prince Ned Nwoko is a recipient of several awards. In his kitty are the following:

Africa value award for effective leadership and youth empowerment (2018).

Peace achievers award (2019)

Delta Role models award for humanitarian service.

Prime excellence award – man of the year 2019

Abuja AR Reporters award – man of the year 2019.

Icon of Philanthropy award by University of Nsukka 2020

Doctor of letters Commonwealth University, Belize.

In 2019, Prince Ned Nwoko capped his awards when he was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree by the University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE).

 

FRED AKPEWE is a Media Analyst and Commentator.

 

Delta Collected Over N30 Billion IGR In Six Months, As Information Commissioner Kicks Over Report

Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network
-
0
Delta Collected Over N30 Billion IGR In Six Months, As Information Commissioner Kicks Over Report

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]eltans have raised alarm over the allege secrecy in the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration over the state’s IGR since he assumed office in 2015.

According to the mouthpiece of the state, on the Internally Generated Revenue profile, the State government generated N7.8 billion in January, N5.3 billion in February, N6.04 billion in March, N3.9 billion in April, N3.5 billion in May and N4 billion in June, 2020.

He however allayed fears of clandestine moves in the IGR, saying that every transaction of the administration of Governor Okowa was done transparently and not in secrecy.

Meanwhile, members of the fourth estate of the ream, have been urged to always verify their facts before going on air just as they are tasked to avoid Falsehood and malicious articles.

Reacting to reports of falsehood trending in the social media deliberately intended to malign senior government officials in the state, Aniagwu, particularly made reference to one of such reports, told journalists that the linking memos to the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Government House and Protocol, was outright misrepresentation by the online reporter, and said that memos were public documents.

He stated that the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was anchored on transparency, accountability and due process, emphasising that no government operated verbally but with memos and other vital documents.

“We need to bring certain development to your notice. We have observed that there appears to be some hirelings, particularly in social media.

“You will recall that sometime last year, I hinted to you that there are individuals who have become tools and are always willing to write and communicate issues that are, by every sense of imagination, at variance with the realities of the moment.

“At that time, if you would recall and even up till this moment, I did say that no malicious publication would deter the government from the goals that the governor had set for the administration, which at this point, is aimed at building a Stronger Delta. They wouldn’t deter us from this line nor are we going to be distracted by such report.

“We have observed in the last three weeks or a month that these same elements have gone ahead to take advantage of the privilege that they have in the social media to begin to write about memos that were used for the purpose of governance in the last five years.

“Let me make it abundantly clear that the business of government and the business of private sector operator are usually run via memos because you must communicate (write) for the purpose of evidencing what you are asking the government to do, because the money has to be accounted for. We don’t run the government verbally,” Aniagwu, stressed.

He commended journalists in the state for their support to the Okowa administration, and solicited the sustenance of the “robust’’ relationship between the media and the state government.

On the issue of property tax, Aniagwu explained that it was not a new policy, but that the state government was only strengthening it with a plan to embark on enumeration in urban areas of the state with a view to bringing more property into the tax net.

He advised residents of the state living on river banks or flood-prone areas to be at alert and relocate to upland as soon as the water level increased to avert disaster.

According to him, the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had predicted that 18 local government areas of the state would witness flood as a result of the increase of water from the River Niger.

On COVID-19, Aniagwu noted that the state government was doing well in the treatment of confirmed positive cases, adding that persons with mild symptoms of the virus were currently on isolation in their homes and receiving treatment.

He advocated for the need for residents of the state to continue to obey all protocols put in place by the government and NCDC so as to effectively checkmate the disease.

Aniagwu, said that the recent upward review of the 2020 budget of the state after an earlier reduction due to COVID-19, was in line with economic development in the country.

1...133134135...344Page 134 of 344