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Tag: Bayelsa State

  • Gov Diri reacts to N3bn loan diversion allegations

    Gov Diri reacts to N3bn loan diversion allegations

    Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa on Tuesday described the claim that the N3 billion Agricultural loan obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was diverted as false and cheap blackmail.

    Diri, who reacted to the allegations on Tuesday noted that the smear campaign was aimed at arm twisting his administration to get appointments into his administration.

    Dr John Idumange, a former General Manager of Bayelsa Broadcasting Corporation, had alleged diversion of N3 billion agricultural loan obtained by the immediate past administration led by Chief Seriake Dickson.

    Idumange, who was an aide on Research and Documentation to Dickson, who was governor from 2012 to 2020, claimed that the present administration was diminishing the efforts of Dickson’s government.

    Idumange also afterwards claimed that he had reported the alleged fraud to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    However, Diri, who said he was not averse to constructive criticisms dismissed the allegations as a mere ploy by Idumange to attract attention for personal aggrandisement.

    “Let me start by saying that our administration welcomes criticism provided that they are constructive but this one on diversion of N3 billion is clearly a falsehood.

    “Let me state it clearly in the full glare of the press thal I shall not succumb to this cheap blackmail targeted to ‘knock my head’ against that of former Gov. Seriake Dickson. The plot has failed.

    “I want to warn Chief dumange that I cannot be intimidated by this blackmail into giving out appointments, the CBN has said that no funds were diverted and clearly the N3 billion is not in the treasury of Bayelsa government.

    “The CBN manages the funds being warhoused in Access Bank. So, we do not have access to the funds, and if CBN has said the funds are not missing, then the allegations are simply false,” Diri said.

    Meanwhile, former governor, Sen. Dickson, had in a statement on Friday, washed his hands off the allegations, and urged his supporters to close ranks and work for the success of Diri’s administration.

  • PIB: Gov Diri advocates 10 % for host communities

    PIB: Gov Diri advocates 10 % for host communities

    Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa on Tuesday proposed that 10 per cent be provided in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) for the host communities.

    Diri, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said this on Tuesday at a town hall meeting on the bill with members of the National Assembly and stakeholders in Yenagoa.

    The governor said that the 2.5 per cent revenue proposed for the host communities in the PIB was grossly inadequate and unacceptable to the people of the Niger Delta.

    He argued that if the National Assembly members saw firsthand, the level of environmental degradation and its attendant effects on the people, they would not hesitate to increase it from 10 per cent.

    Diri stressed that the PIB was critical in addressing issues such as unemployment, lack of transparency in the oil and gas sector, militarisation of oil production, skills acquisition and marginalisation of oil producing states.

    “I restate our earlier submission that the 2.5 per cent proposed for the oil producing communities is grossly inadequate and unacceptable to us as a people.

    “In our proposal to you, we asked for 10 per cent for the host communities.

    “When you visit some of the sites where oil is being explored; that bring multi-million dollars to this country, you will even agree with me that we should increase it further from 10 per cent,” he said.

    According to him, this PIB will cure the unemployment that the oil producing communities cry about.

    “This bill will create jobs, accelerate skills acquisition and remove the opacity that we are seeing today in the oil and gas industry. The whole industry is shrouded somehow in secrecy,” Diri said.

    Diri decried the undue delay in the passage and implementation of the bill for about 14 years.

    He urged members of the national assembly to ensure its passage to engender peace and development in the region and the country as a whole.

    “If this bill had been passed, billions of naira used in safeguarding oil facilities would have been deployed for development purposes,” he said.

    Diri expressed regrets that oil communities that bear the brunt of oil production were given no consideration while multinational oil companies were given more attention in the bill.

    The governor stressed that such a situation was not in the interest of the people.

    Speaking, Mr Victor Nwokolo, the Deputy Chairman, House Ad Hoc Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill, said the PIB was from the executive arm, aimed at reforming the oil and gas industry.

    He promised that they would work hard to ensure the passage of the bill before the end of May.

    Giving a summary of the legal framework in the PIB, Nwokolo noted that it would foster sustainable prosperity in host communities.

    He said that it would also as ensure that oil companies operating in the region conducted a needs assessment of the communities to determine their development needs.

    In his presentation, the Chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council, represented by the Ibedaowei of Ekpetiama Clan, King Bubaraye Dakolo, recommended that the bill took into consideration, environmental pollution, particularly gas flaring, and ensure inclusion of rights of host communities.

    He also expressed displeasure with the provision of the bill making the people responsible for protecting oil facilities, saying that the provision had already criminalised them.

    Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Mr Ebilade Ekerefe said life expectancy of the Niger Delta people had significantly reduced as a result of the effects of gas flaring and yet the region contributed a great deal to the economic survival of the country.

    Director-General, Centre for Youth Development, Okubokakpo Ombu, Chief Ambrose Akierite representing Odioama community and Mrs Juliet Zifawei, Deputy Director-General, Centre for Women Development, solicited the inclusion of the empowerment of women and youths in the bill.

    Shortly after the meeting, members of the committee visited an oil spill site at Ikarama community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

  • Deadly cult clashes claim lives in Bayelsa

    Deadly cult clashes claim lives in Bayelsa

    The Bayelsa Government on Thursday said two residents died in two separate cult clashes in Yenagoa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state and promised to go after the gunmen.

    Mr Ayiba Duba, the state Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy said the government was working with security agencies to apprehend and prosecute the cultists.

    The two separate clashes occurred on Monday.

    He said that the state government would pick the medical bills of residents who sustained injuries during the shootings.

    The commissioner gave the assurance that the state government remained committed to protecting the people’s lives and property.

    “There were reported cases of shootings by gunmen suspected to be rival cult groups on Monday evening at Erepa Road and Agudama-Epie, in Yenagoa LGA

    “Unfortunately, two citizens died; one at Erepa and the other at Agudama-Epie.

    “Few others sustained varying degrees of injuries at Erepa. The injured persons are currently receiving medical attention in hospitals with most of them discharged,” he said.
    The commissioner further said that the incident had no links with a reported violent machete attack at Otuoke in Ogbia LGA.

    “Preliminary investigation by the security agencies suggests that the shootings are cult related and there is no nexus between the shootings at Agudama-Epie and Erepa, and the Otuoke incidence.

    “Government condoles with the families of those who are affected by the unfortunate development and has taken over the medical bills of the injured,” Duba said.

    He added that the state government was committed to doing everything within its powers to ensure that such incidents did not reoccur again.

  • Okowa congratulates Gov. Diri on 1st anniversary

    Okowa congratulates Gov. Diri on 1st anniversary

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Sunday congratulated his Bayelsa counterpart, Sen. Douye Diri, on the first anniversary of his administration.

    Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, thanked God for the success of the first year of the “prosperity” administration in Bayelsa.

    He said that Bayelsa had become more peaceful and united since Diri took over the mantle of governance a year ago.

    He urged the governor to remain on that lane of focused development and evolution of peace in the state.

    Okowa thanked the people of Bayelsa for supporting the Diri administration in giving a meaningful development in the state.

    “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate my brother Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, on the first anniversary of his administration.

    “As a state, we are pleased with your giant strides since you assumed office a year ago.

    “We thank the people of Bayelsa for supporting your administration by giving peace a chance which had led to the successes recorded thus far by your administration.

    “As you continue to soldier on the onerous task of providing prosperity and development for your people, it is my wish and that of the people of Delta that you will continue to flourish in the court of the Lord.

    “May God continue to grant you divine wisdom and provide you with the needed resources to develop the nooks and crannies of Bayelsa,” Okowa said.

  • Gov Diri mourns former Amb. Bolere Ketebu

    Gov Diri mourns former Amb. Bolere Ketebu

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has mourned the passing away of Dr Bolere Ketebu, the former Nigerian ambassador to Ireland.

    The Bayelsa State Governor, in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said the demise of the former ambassador came as a rude shock.

    “I am deeply saddened over the news of the sudden passing of Dr. Bolouere Elizabeth Ketebu. Your demise came as a rude shock, knowing your commitment to the betterment of our state and our country.

    “You were a thoroughbred medical professional, consummate politician, frontline activist and advocate for the rights of women; a cause to which you devoted your time, effort and resources as a former National President of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS).

    “Our State, Bayelsa, and indeed Nigeria will greatly miss your immeasurable service and commitment.

    “I extend my deepest condolences to the Ketebu family of Ubaka compound, Oborigbeigha quarters of Odi community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State as well as the Graham-Douglas family of Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    “Death is an unscionable and painful reaper. But be consoled that Dr Ketebu lived a fulfilled life of service to the people and her country. May the Lord grant her family grace and the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable and painful loss,” the statement reads.

    Born on Feb. 25, 1954, Dr. Bolere Elizabeth Ketebu devoted her life to the championing of women’s rights.

    She rose through the ranks from local government officer of the NCWS to become its national president.

    She studied Medicine at the University of Lagos and became a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians.

    Dr Ketebu was elected into the House of Representatives (representing Yenagoa Federal Constituency, between 1992 and 1993).

    She conceived the micro credit scheme for women’s groups and associations, toured Nigeria for 62 days and administered the loan, but was later wrongly accused of fraud and consequently remanded in police custody.

    She spent a night in Suleja prison, where she experienced first-hand the plight of imprisoned women, and was inspired to equip the prison with modern, female friendly facilities.

  • Fishermen report oil spill at Chevron’s facility in Bayelsa coastline

    Fishermen report oil spill at Chevron’s facility in Bayelsa coastline

    Fishermen, operating on the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean near Bayelsa, have reported an oil leakage from the Funiwa oilfield operated by Chevron Nigeria (CNL).

    Some fishermen from Koluama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa raised the alarm in a chat with newsmen on Sunday in Yenagoa.

    The fishermen, who operate on shallow waters near the ocean, said they noticed that crude was on the waters near the oil facility as helicopters were seen overflying the area.

    Tombra Ebitimi, a fisherman from the coastal settlement, told NAN that he observed the incident on Saturday night and subsequently reported the same to the community leadership.

    He said that apart from helicopters sighted around the area possibly for assessment, meaningful response efforts had yet to begin.

    “Some of us, who went on fishing, sailed into the oil-contaminated area near the Funiwa oilfield got our nets and fishing gear soaked with crude on Saturday.

    But we noticed some helicopters hovering around the facility by today,’’ he said.

    Ebitimi said it could be that community leaders have informed the company of the development, which made them deployed helicopters in the area.

    He appealed to the company not to apply toxic chemicals from the sky to dissolve the crude oil, saying, “those chemicals are unfriendly to fishes and marine life generally’’.

    He said that fishermen in the area had temporarily suspended fishing to avoid catching contaminated fishes that could jeopardise public health.

  • Bayelsa Govt. honours Barr. Ebizi Eradiri, double first class law graduate

    Bayelsa Govt. honours Barr. Ebizi Eradiri, double first class law graduate

    Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday, announced automatic scholarship to Barr. Ebizi Blessing Eradiri for her Master and Doctorate degrees in any university in Nigeria or abroad.

    Miss Eradiri is the first female First Class graduate from the Faculty of Law of the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), a feat she repeated at the Nigerian Law School.

    Senator Diri, while formally receiving her and her father, Mr. Boloupaye Eradiri, at the Government House, Yenagoa, also offered her automatic employment to lecture at the NDU Facility of Law.

    The governor in a press release issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, assured her of the state government’s support in advancing her educational career in any university of her choice anywhere in the world.

    His words: “I hereby announce automatic scholarship for Barr. Eradiri’s Master and Doctorate degrees, which will not be restricted to Nigerian universities but any university in any part of the world she gains admission.

    “As a Visitor to the NDU, I also direct that she be given automatic employment to lecture at the Facility of Law. You have the support of your family and your government to fly higher because what you have achieved is just the beginning.”

    Senator Diri, who also announced Eradiri as the New Face of the Bayelsa Girl Child, said the gesture was aimed at making her a role model for young girls in the state and the entire Ijaw nation to emulate.

    He equally dismissed speculations, particularly in the social media, about his government’s choice of honouring Miss Nengi Hampson of the last edition of Big Brother Naija fame while refusing to recognise Eradiri as blatant lies.

    “Today has brought to an end speculations, especially in the new media, about our refusal to honour Barr. Eradiri while we have honoured Nengi of the Big Brother Naija fame. This is a blatant lie.

    “It is unfortunate that everything has to be politicised. For us, education is our number one priority.”

    Diri, who expressed concern about politicisation of issues in the state, however assured that his administration’s investments in educational sector would remain a priority.

    Describing Eradiri as an exceedingly brilliant and rising star, the governor congratulated her for making history in bagging first class honours not only at the NDU but also at the Nigerian Law School.

    He also sought the Federal Government assistance towards the young lawyer’s development beyond what the state government was offering to enable her add value not only to her state but the entire country.

    In his remarks, the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Clan, King Bubaraye Dakolo, said they were proud of the breakthroughs achieved by their daughter from primary to the tertiary level and that she deserved to be encouraged.

    King Dakolo, who described Eradiri as exceptionally good, said she had won over 50 laurels spanning her primary and tertiary education.

    “Today we are presenting to you Barr. Eradiri. She collected every single prize that there was from her primary, secondary and university days. She had a huge number of prizes,” he said.

    The monarch, who stressed that Eradiri deserves support both from the state and federal governments, however announced the passage of her mother, Mrs Rose Eradiri, last week Tuesday.

    In her brief remarks, Miss Eradiri expressed gratitude to the governor for the honour done her, attributing her success to God and her exposure to good educational infrastructure.

    A minute silence was observed in honour of late Mrs Eradiri.

  • Fear heightens as heavily armed men wreak havoc in Bayelsa community

    Fear heightens as heavily armed men wreak havoc in Bayelsa community

    Some unknown gunmen invaded a riverside town of Peremabiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Sunday, destroying properties worth millions of naira.

    According to several sources, the heavily armed invaders stormed the community in five speedboats and embarked on a shooting spree causing residents to scamper for safety.

    The attack is the latest in the series of attacks unknown gunmen have carried out on selected targets in the predominantly fishing and farming settlement.

    The Spokesman of the State Police Command, Mr Butswat Ansimi has confirmed the incident.

    He said: “preliminary investigations revealed that on 3rd January 2021 at about 0700 hours unknown gunmen invaded Peremabiri, a riverine community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    “The motive for the attack is unknown at the moment, however the residence of one Marcus Richard was set ablaze.

    “The Command has despatched reinforcement of Police Marine and detectives from State Criminal Investigation Department to beef up security in the area. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.

    “Efforts are on by the State government to invite notable leaders from the community for a peace meeting.”

  • I didn’t know I’ll be governor – Diri

    I didn’t know I’ll be governor – Diri

    Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Sunday joined other worshipers to offer praises to God for witnessing the first Sunday of year 2021.

    Senator Diri, who worshipped at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Sampou, his hometown, told the congregation that he never knew the community would produce a governor while he was supporting the governorship aspiration of others.

    His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that when it was time for God’s destined purpose, it would manifest.

    His words: “Sometimes, I wonder that all the time I had been supporting the governorship aspiration of others, I did not know that God destined me even before I was born to be governor. So when your time comes, nobody can stop it.

    “If the same God can do this for me, He will do it for you. Just be faithful, have a free mind and He will do it again and again.”

    Governor Diri charged Christians to be faithful to God in order to unlock more earthly blessings just as he called on Bayelsans to always give thanks and pay less attention to their worries.

    “Let me commend the people of Bayelsa for taking out time across the state to thank God today. What can you offer to God other than to say thank you? He has the gold and the silver. He also has the power as power comes only from Him.

    “If not for God, I would not be standing here as governor. So we must continue to thank Him with everything we have daily. I therefore join the rest of Bayelsa as a state to say thank you Lord for keeping us to see this first Sunday of 2021.”

    He equally urged Bayelsans to realise that they are special in the sight of God, noting that He always manifested Himself in the affairs of the state whenever the agents of evil tried to plunge the state into darkness.

    “For us in Bayelsa, we are a special people and until we realise that we are special, we will continue to give room to darkness.

    The governor at the service that had in attendance traditional rulers, commissioners in the state executive council, other appointees and dignitaries, pronounced and read alongside the congregation the state memory verse for the year, which is the Bible passage of Isaiah 14:27.

  • Gov Diri sends message of hope to people of Bayelsa

    Gov Diri sends message of hope to people of Bayelsa

    Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has said his administration would this year diversify the state’s economy away from the total dependence on revenue from oil-related monthly allocation as well as create more jobs to engage its youths.

    The governor, in his New Year Day broadcast tagged: “Message of Hope and Prosperity,” also promised to raise the internally generated revenue profile of the state in 2021.

    The Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, in a press release, quoted Governor Diri as urging Bayelsans to partner with his government to create the conducive environment that would attract investors and tourists to the state.

    His words: “In this new year, as a consequence of the well-conceived policies and estimates contained in the already passed 2021 “Budget of Growth,” we expect to witness accelerated development and progress across all strata of our lives, all things being equal.

    “We will diversify our economy, create sustainable jobs to engage our youths and explore alternative sources of improving our internally generated revenue. If we look inwards, the buds of change that have opened since we took over government will begin to yield fruit.

    “With your partnership, we will create the conducive environment that will attract investors and tourists and allow our people to participate in the prosperity for all. We face many obstacles, but we are an indomitable people. It is our prayer that God will grant us wisdom, favour and insight to hidden treasures to make this possible timeously.

    “In 2021, we are going to consolidate on existing programmes and expand our activities to bring relief to a greater number of our citizens.”

    The governor listed some of his administration’s quick-win interventions to include the DiriBoost training and empowerment scheme for youths to become employers of labour as well as focusing on the agriculture sector to drive its economic diversification programe.

    He added that the government would commence construction of the 22km outer ring road project in Yenagoa in January and embark on the repair and maintenance of 50 internal roads in the Yenagoa metropolis alongside other projects.

    Urging the people to be courageous, he said the outgone year was dynamic, turbulent and challenging but that they must resolve to develop the state so that the dream of its founding fathers for a prosperous Bayelsa that is truly the Glory of all Lands would be realised.

    “As a government, we will continue to make the responsible choices and take the tough decisions that will enhance our quest for a prosperous state. We are conscious that the decisions we make today have far-reaching implications for generations yet unborn. It is a responsibility we take very conscientiously. Therefore, we cannot afford to abdicate our duty.”

    He expressed appreciation to citizens of the state for their solidarity with and support for his Prosperity Administration and promised to work hard to justify their trust and confidence.

    “Despite all the odds against us, we have made headway and taken many important steps that have made a world of difference. For instance, the proactive actions we initiated have accounted for the peace and security that we have enjoyed over the course of 2020. It has not only ensured the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes, as in the case of Nembe community, but also made it conducive for holding free, fair and credible bye-elections in the Central and West Senatorial zones.

    “We are also proud of the interventions we made in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic that ensured that our state recorded one of the least casualties and fatalities in the country. Thank you for your cooperation in this regard. Needless to say, the fight against this unseen enemy is far from over. I implore you to remain vigilant until we conquer this foe.”