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Okowa Challenges Contractors on Projects’ Deadlines

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Okowa Challenges Contractors on Projects’ Deadlines

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]overnor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has urged contractors handling housing projects in the state to redouble their efforts and meet completion deadlines.
Okowa made the call on Friday while speaking with newsmen after inspecting some ongoing housing projects in Asaba.
The projects inspected were the 2,000-sitting-capacity Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ecumenical Centre, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat and new residential and office complex for top government officials under the Governor’s Office.
The governor, however, lauded the contractors handling the projects for not allowing the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 to disrupt their pace of work, and said that he would sustain regular inspection of projects across the state.

He particularly expressed delighted with the level of work at the traditional rulers secretariat, but urged the contractor to increase the pace to enable the project to be inaugurated on time.
On the Ecumenical Centre, Okowa disclosed that the project had 18-month time-frame for completion, and that the contractor had done much on site within six months.
He affirmed that his administration was irrevocably committed to completing all projects initiated in the housing sector and called for the support of the supervising ministry of the projects.
“In spite of the effects of COVID-19 which had slowed down the pace of work by many construction companies, I am glad to note that the contractors handling housing projects in the state are doing well. I am quite impressed with the level of work done so far.
“You can see right from the outside of the Traditional Rulers Council Secretariat that the quality of work is obviously very high.
“The contractor handling the project had promised to deliver the project in September this year, and I am quite happy with that. We look forward to delivering this project so that our traditional rulers can have where to meet.
“I must appreciate the quality of the contractors chosen by the Ministry of Housing and I also believe that regular supervision had enabled them to have the quality of work that we have at the moment,” Okowa added.
The Commissioner for Housing, Chief Festus Ochonogor, who conducted the governor round the project sites, assured that no effort would be spared in routine supervision of projects under his ministry to ensure that contractors executed projects in line with contractual agreement.

NEW ‘ABRAKA’ MARKET IN ASABA TAKING SHAPE – Alhaji Muktar

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NEW ‘ABRAKA’ MARKET IN ASABA TAKING SHAPE – Alhaji Muktar

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he popular Hausa market, also known as Abraka market Asaba, which was recently sacked by the Delta State Government because of its alleged connection with criminal activities and the closeness to the Onitsha – Benin highway, is gradually taking shape in its new location at Oko junction, also known on the Onitsha – Benin highway.

Our reporter who visited the market on Monday said new shops were being erected by the traders to enable them commence normal trading activities.

A Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Non Indigenes Affairs, Alhaji Usman Muktar, who had been following up on the market, said the relocation of the market was inevitable and could not be contested by the traders.

Alhaji Muktar said the traders, who on their own had resolved to call it ” Okowa Market”, were happy with the progress being made in the development of the new market.

He said government had provided toilet facilities, an abattoir and security in the market, while the perimeter fencing was ongoing, and commended the Okowa administration for its interest in resettling the traders comprising of not only members of the Erewa Community, but also other non indigenes resident in the state.

The Chairman of the Traders Association, Alhaji Abawa Musa, could not be immediately reached, but told our reporter on phone that his leadership was happy with the level of development in the new market.

Edo 2020: Ize-Iyamu Floors Other Aspirants To Win APC Ticket

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Edo 2020: Ize-Iyamu Floors Other Aspirants To Win APC Ticket

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]astor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has emerged as the torchbearer of the All Progressives Congress in the coming Edo governorship election as he won by a landslide at the party’s direct primary conducted on Monday.

Ize-Iyamu pulled 27,838 votes, while his closest rival, Dr. Pius Odubu scored 3,776 while Mr Osaro Obaze pulled 2,751 votes.

Chairman of the Edo State APC Primary Election Committee, Governor Hope Uzodinma, declared Ize-Iyamu winner of the election after collating the results turned in by the returning officers in the 18 local government areas of the state.

“Iyamu having scored highest in the primary election is hereby returned candidate of the APC in the coming governorship election.

“This election is one of the most clinically exercised in the history of elections in Nigeria. This state which originally belongs to the APC will return to the APC after the governorship election,” Uzodinma said.

September 19 has been fixed for the governorship election in Edo.

Breakdown of EDO APC primary results:

A) Edo South Senatorial District:
1. lkpoba-Okha LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,581. Osaro Obazee = 67. Dr. Pius Odubu = 99.

2. Oredo LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,902. Osaro Obazee = 308. Dr. Pius Odubu = 67.

3. Orhionmwon LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,750. Osaro Obazee = 171. Dr. Pius Odubu = 418.

4. Ovia Northeast LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,650. Osaro Obazee = 70. Dr. Pius Odubu = 124.

5. Ovia Southwest LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,668. Osaro Obazee = 79. Dr. Pius Odubu = 108.

6. Uhunmwode LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,394. Osaro Obazee = 183. Dr. Pius Odubu = 274.

7. Egor LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1794. Osaro Obazee = 53. Dr. Pius Odubu = 81.

B) Edo Central Senatorial District:
1. Esan Central LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,333. Osaro Obazee = 114. Dr. Pius Odubu = 170.

2. Esan Northeast LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1 467. Osaro Obazee = 139. Dr. Pius Odubu = 176.

3. Esan Southeast LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,400. Osaro Obazee = 144. Dr. Pius Odubu = 205.

4. Esan West LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,455. Osaro Obazee = 162. Dr. Pius Odubu = 220.

5. lgueben LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1 300. Osaro Obazee = 178. Dr. Pius Odubu = 251.

C) Edo North Senatorial District:
1. Etsako Central LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1 333. Osaro Obazee = 238. Dr. Pius Odubu = 326.

2. Etsako East LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,529. Osaro Obazee = 105. Dr. Pius Odubu = 196.

3. Etsako West LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,754. Osaro Obazee = 150. Dr. Pius Odubu = 262.

4. Akoko-Edo LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,335. Osaro Obazee = 185. Dr. Pius Odubu =262.

5. Owan East LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,606. Osaro Obazee = 162. Dr. Pius Odubu = 230.

6. Owan West LGA – Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu = 1,537 Osaro Obazee = 216. Dr. Pius Odubu = 307.

Court restrains Obaseki from participating in PDP primary

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Court restrains Obaseki from participating in PDP primary

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] federal high court sitting in Port Harcourt has restrained Edo state governor Godwin Obaseki from participating in the PDP gubernatorial primary.

The suit was instituted by an aspirant Omoregir Ogbeide-Ihiama asking the court to stop the governor who just decamped to the party from participating in the shadow election.

See the document below

The Irony Of Life: A prolonged and bitter quarrel Between Obaseki And Oshiomhole

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The Irony Of Life: A prolonged and bitter quarrel Between Obaseki And Oshiomhole

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]onders shall never end. The dramatic nature of Nigeria politics is getting more interesting on a daily basis. A season film that is more luring and captivating than Spartacus; political warriors are showing what they are made of in all ramifications. A politics of godfatherism and lordship in display. We heard of Ambode and Tinubu of Lagos state, Akpabio and Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and now, it is Oshiomhole and Obaseki of Edo state. Of course, the number of episodes that have been staged by these set of politicians is a long one. No one dares to watch till the end.

Politics is not only a dirty game but funny game. The mantra of no permanent friend and no permanent enemy in politics is very apt and thoughtful. Everyone in political circle is eager to achieving permanent interest. No godfather will ever fight for good governance, their fights always revolve around personal interest. As the clash of interest occur, Oshiomhole who introduced Obaseki to Edo state politics was the one that shot him in the leg. What a drama inside life!

Oshiomhole said in one of their campaigns in 2016 that Obaseki graduated from University of Ibadan with flying color and proceeded to abroad for his Master programs. Oshiomole said Obaseki came back to Nigeria and helped people to set up businesses in Edo state, he said Obaseki was among those who set up many of the second generation banks in the state. Oshiomole said everything concerning academic credentials of Obaseki was accurate, correct without any falsification. My God! I was laughing while watching the video skit. So, Oshiomhole had once said those good things with flowery language about Obaseki before ? Another picture of the duo on Edo street eating maize was a jumbo lesson that nothing last for ever in life. As a matter of fact, political godfathers care less about good roads, hospitals, education and quality health care. What matters to them is their interest. Simply put, Oshiomhole destroyed what he built not because of Obaseki’s poor governance but for the clash of interest. Wonderful!
I don’t want to take side here, but sincerely speaking, Obaseki got himself into the mess. Apart from biting a finger that fed him, the place of loyalty in relationship can not be measured. Relationship is like an onion, the layers will peel to the last layer and that is when deterioration will set in. But the loyalty will uphold the things shared in common firmly without getting exposed. Obaseki exposed many things done behind the scene with his master. Obaseki said he didn’t know his commissioners , Oshiomhole gave him names. Obaseki stepped on toes as an authority without minding his second attempt. He said nobody can remove him from that seat. His impact in the plot to remove Oshiomhole as the National Chairman was pellucid. Had Oshiomhole been removed, Obaseki would have been a warrior by now for relagating his benefactor but Oshiomhole being a political ‘jugunu’ played his politics politely and stick to Jagaban of Lagos. His in-depth loyalty to Tinubu inundated him and foiled his removal. Now, Oshiomhole is the warrior and Obaseki is looking for where to hide is head under PDP’s umbrella. The cordial relationship now taste sour. What an irony of life!

Worse still, the same certificate Obaseki used to serve his first tenure was used against him in his second attempt. This is not about certificate, it was a conspiracy and willful decision of the party to deal with Obaseki. Maybe in his next attempt, he will learn how to respect elders with loyalty. Before then, I pray for his political career to rest in perfect peace.

Appeal Court Affirms Oshiomhole’s Suspension As APC National Chairman

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Appeal Court Affirms Oshiomhole’s Suspension As APC National Chairman
Comrade Adams Oshoimhole

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

An FCT High Court had on March 4 granted an application by six members of the APC in Edo State suspending Oshiomhole from office.

A three member panel of justices led by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem held that Oshiomhole’s appeal challenging his suspension was unmeritorious.

Justice Danlami Senchi of the High Court had issued an injunctive order suspending Oshiomhole as the APC National Chairman pending the determination of a substantive suit.

The Senchi, gave the order following an application of interlocutory injunction asking the court to suspend Mr Oshiomhole, having been suspended as a member of the APC by the party in Edo State.

The application filed by applicant, Oluwale Afolabi had Mr Oshiomhole as the first respondent, and APC as the second respondent.

Mr Afolabi in his application dated and filed on January 16 had contended that Mr Oshiomhole is currently suspended by the party and has not challenged the suspension.

According to Mr Afolabi, Mr Oshiomhole’s rights as an APC member is currently abated and he cannot continue to act as chairman of the party.

He argued that Mr Oshiomhole cannot continue to enjoy benefits from the APC, despite his suspension as a member of the party.

This is coming on the same day Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State resigned his membership of the APC, after meeting with Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Villa.

Camp-74 Abattoir is most Hygienic and best in Asaba

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Camp-74 Abattoir is most Hygienic and best in Asaba
Comrade Sunday Odenigbo
Chairman, Camp-74 Abbattoir II

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he abattoir is a slaughter house for different types of animals like cows, goats and rams. You can hardly find any village, town or city without a functional abattoir which takes care of slaughtering animals meant for consumption.

The state of our abattoirs/slaughter houses and meat markets is not only an eyesore but unhygienic and harmful to health. This situation has been worsened by government’s seemingly indifference. By the way, which agency is responsible for ensuring standardization and adoption of best practices in abattoirs and meat markets in this country?

It starts from the abattoir. There is no one to inspect and ascertain if it is safe and healthy for consumption. The animal is stunned/killed and butchered on a slaughter floor that has not been washed for ages, darkened with blood and dung. Flies and vultures had of course feasted on the previous undisposed effluent and solid wastes, blood and bones. The hide or skin (as the case may be) is singed with fire ignited and kept alight with all sorts of fuel (wood and coal, rubber and plastic, kerosene and petrol, shells etc) including those that emit poisonous fumes and gases that are readily absorbed into the carcass.

The truth remains that the state of abattoirs and meat markets in Nigeria is well below average. All the unhygienic practices adopted from the slaughter of unhealthy animals to consumption of contaminated meat are all to consumer’s detriment. The authority responsible for inspecting abattoirs and meat markets should wake to their duty. The local authorities should make the attainment of certain standards mandatory for the licensing of any slaughterhouse or meat market. This should include proper sanitation logistics and acquirement of processing and storage facilities.There should be certified veterinarians to inspect animals before and after slaughter. This is to ensure that animals with diseases such as swine flu and the B S E (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) are not consumed. A situation where scavengers and carnivores scamper for space during and especially after trading hours is unimaginably insanitary. There should be health inspectors to ensure that meat plants and selling depots adopt very high sanitation standard (this should be the work of officials of Sanitation Units in Medical and Health Departments of the Local Government authorities).
In the Asaba,the capital of Delta State, there are four major abattoirs namely, Marine, okwe, Abraka Market and Camp-74.
Slaughtering and processing of cows for meat products should be done in a clean and hygienic environment.This was only visible at the Camp-74 Abattoir as monitored by Grassroots Publishers online.

Naturally, as a food processing institution, it would be assumed that the abattoir should maintain standard hygiene and safety as much as possible just as most of us take extra care of what we consume. Also, a visit to some abattoirs would be an experience that may perpetually discourage you from eating meat due to the gross unhygienic conditions and procedures.

I remember my first experiences in the abattoirs in Asaba two years ago – My thoughts assumed some exaggeration on their part, thinking “It can’t be that bad”. But upon resumption, what I saw with my own eyes was indeed that bad! The abattoir environment and main slaughterhouse was the filthiest I have seen till date.

The slaughterhouse floor and run-off gutters were filled with a gory mixture of blood, excreta, intestinal ingesta, water, and other putrefied biological waste. And the smell (oh, the smell!), would make your stomach turn irritatingly in protest. And as if this wasn’t enough, the slaughterhouse and abattoir environment was only cleaned (only twice a week),But our visit to Camp-74 abattoir environment headed by Comrade Sunday Odenigbo yesterday,we saw an organised butchers union ,an improved meat hygiene and a cleaned environment with running tap (Bore-Hole)on like other abattoirs that uses unhygienic water from the rivers to wash their meats.

we are calling on other abattoirs in Asaba and Delta State in general to emulate the Infant Jesus Abattoirs by establishing Hygienic abattoirs in the state.
A situation where meat is displayed in the open for files and micro-organism to comfortably brood is grossly unhygienic. These flies could cause diseases like typhoid, cholera and dysentery. They have also been associated with salmonella, anthrax and tuberculosis as well as transfer of eggs of parasitic worms to meat.

For a while now, there have been various media reports and outcries concerning the dilapidating and grossly unhygienic states of our abattoirs. One of the first documented media report was on the state of abattoirs and meat markets where the Grassroots Publishers Online also described a similar typical abattoir scenario, urging state government and veterinary professionals to take responsibility, improve meat hygiene and the state of abattoirs.

Comrade Sunny Odenigbo, the Chairman of Camp-74 Abattoir has called on the state and local government to train and educate our butchers on standard hygiene and occupational safety in processing meat for human consumption. We need to answer this call to renovate our abattoirs to international, occupational and hygienic standards, and also set sustainable structures for future maintenance of our abattoirs.

We also need to answer the urgent call to protect the Nigerian human population from various infectious and zoonotic diseases that are gotten from unhealthy consumption of and unsafe association with food animals.

Furthermore, this urgent call is important for us to attain international standards of meat processing and food safety, and in fact make Nigeria a major exporter of meat and meat products to other countries, thereby generating another major source of revenue for our country. This urgent call is also another opportunity for to establish innovative economic solutions to managing and utilising the huge amount of biological waste and by-products that our abattoirs produce on a regular basis. Everyone’s health would be affected if we don’t pay attention to our abattoirs.

Everyone has to pay urgent attention to our abattoirs.

COVID – 19 UPDATE: Delta Cases Jump To 225 As 681 New Infections Are Confirmed In Nigeria

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COVID – 19 UPDATE: Delta Cases Jump To 225 As 681 New Infections Are Confirmed In Nigeria

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria now has a total of 14,554 confirmed cases of COVID – 19,.after 681 new cases were recorded on Thursday from 17 states in the country.

5 deaths were also recorded, bringing the death toll till date to 387, while 4,494 have been discharged.

Delta had 28 of the new cases, leaving the state with a total of 225 cases, 151 of which are active, 63 discharged and 11 dead

The new cases reported from 16 other states are: Lagos (345), Rivers (51), Ogun (48), Gombe (47), Oyo (36), Imo (31),  Kano (23), Bauchi (18), Edo (12), Katsina (12), Kaduna (9), Anambra ( 7), Jigawa(5), Kebbi(4), Ondo(4), Nasarawa(1)

House of Reps Confer Outstanding Service Award To DCP Abba Kyari

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House of Reps Confer Outstanding Service Award To DCP Abba Kyari

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that for Officers like Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abba Kyari, the whole force cannot be described as corrupt.

Gbajabiamila who was speaking while the House was conferring on Kyari with Outstanding Service Award for his fight against criminality across the country, said for Kyari, “we cannot use one brush to sweep the whole force”

The House which took the resolution based on a motion of urgent public importance brought by Rep. Ahmad Usman Jaha, from Borno, said the resolve to recognise the young police officer was based on his extraordinary courage and patriotism in tackling high profile crimes.

Gbajabiamila, who presented the award to the Officer in charge of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Kyari ,said ,” having DCP Kyari in today’s plenary is in line with the 9th Assembly’s legislative agenda of encouraging outstanding Nigerians who excel in their chosen fields of endeavor.

He said: “When I read the profile of that young man and the exploits he has made as a young police officer, I was impressed, and I think it is only natural that we, in line with our legislative agenda and the practice of this Assembly invite DCP Abba Kyari to be at the session this Thursday to formally receive legislative commendation from the House of Nigerians.

” DCP Kyari, an officer that has proven himself. The man who has put over 20 years serving the country. Many of you may have heard of him. He has put his life down for us. We do this when we see an extraordinary performance from citizens. When we see an extraordinary performance by our citizens, we encourage them.

” When we honor Kyari, by extension, we are honoring his team, because a tree cannot make a forest. Despite the not too good image of the Force, there are other good ones and we cannot sweep the whole force with one brush. By honoring Kyari, we are encouraging him to do more and encouraging others to emulate people like Kyari”.

Kyari in his response dedicated the award to the officers and men of IRT and thanked the House for their magnanimity in recognising his outstanding service to the nation.

Elofu-Dike Congratulates Nigerians On Democracy Day

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Elofu-Dike Congratulates Nigerians On Democracy Day
Chief Ambrose Elofu-Dike

Chief Ambrose Elofu-Dike has congratulated the Delta State government and good  people of Oshimili North Local Government Area on the country’s 21st Democracy Day celebration.

June 12 will be marked as Democracy Day for the first time this year following the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to move the celebration to the anniversary of the annulled June 12 election in 1993 which had the late Moshood Abiola as winner of the presidential election.

June 12 is a watershed. It stands for a series of events which gave us new heroes of democracy in the 90s. We must remember that some of our fellow compatriots laid down their lives, paying the ultimate sacrifice before the country’s democracy stabilised,” the release read.

“In order for the labour of Nigeria’s heroes of democracy not to be in vain, we must ensure that the federating units of this great nation unite and work assiduously towards maintaining the peace and mutual co-existence that we have enjoyed since we returned to civil rule in 1999.”

It added: “The only everlasting honour that we can give to the fallen heroes of democracy is to keep that unity intact and ensure that we harness our human and material resources towards building a truly nation.”

Elofu-Dike restated its belief in the ability of Nigerians to rise above present challenges, and advised them to support the government and its agencies to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

“As we strive to lift the nation to greatness, let us unite to chase out Covid-19 from Nigeria by following the guidelines given by the World Health Organisation as well as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC),” the company stated.

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