Boats conveying officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and election materials in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State have reportedly capsized.
However there is no report of casualty yet as rescue mission is ongoing.
Details shortly….
“We have met the enemy and they are ours.” Oliver H Perry, 1785-1819.
VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 48.
As the Age of Oil fades gradually into the distance, the efforts of Obong Victor Attah would appear to have been in vain. Attah was indisputably the arrow head. His book ATTAH ON RESOURCE CONTROL, first published in 2004 and for which I was honoured to be asked to write the Foreword, is still available for those who must salvage the fortunes of the oil producing areas before the Age of Oil disappears into sunset. Already, knowledge and human resources have for long surpassed any crude commodity, oil included, as a source of a country’s competitive advantage. From all indications, the gap between knowledge-based economies (Japan, Singapore, Israel etc) and raw materials dependent economies (Nigeria) will continue to grow well into the future. In fact, it is inconceivable that a time will come, in the future, when nations relying only on export of raw materials will ever again become dominant. A time might come when researchers will have to Google OPEC to know that once upon a time when the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries sneezed, the entire world caught pneumonia. Today, most people in the world are dimly aware of its existence.
The Age of Oil presented us with an opportunity to redraw the economic map of Nigeria. If each of the leaders – President, Governors, Ministers, Group Managing Directors, GMDs of NNPC, Senators, Members Federal House of Representatives, NNDC Board Members and Executive Directors, as well as Members of the State Houses of Assembly – of the Niger Delta had discharged his duties, as he should to the people, very few Niger Deltans should remain in Lagos State or Abuja looking for work.
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” Chinese proverb.
At the back of the revised edition of ATTAH ON RESOURCE CONTROL, the change in the economic prospects of the Niger Delta expected from the success of Attah’s struggle for 13 per cent derivation paid to the oil producing states – without offshore/onshore dichotomy was rendered in pie charts. That was my way of indicating to Niger Deltans the extremely bright prospects which awaited them – if only they managed the bonanza very well. Huge revenue allocation from Abuja can never by itself result in revolutionary economic transformation. All it would provide are opportunities to make rapid progress possible. I was under no illusion that the zone would experience unusual renaissance just because unprecedented billions dropped into the laps of the leaders. Without responsible, imaginative, courageous and self-less leaders, most of the funds would flow inexorably into various dirty cesspools – called private pockets.
I rejoiced with the people of the Niger Delta when a political solution (see the book please) finally made it possible for oil producing states to collect 13 per cent derivation without any dichotomy. Today, I feel very sad. After almost fifteen years of collecting vastly higher revenue, the people in general remain as poor as when the windfall started. In some respects they are worse off. The obvious question is: why? Before attempting to provide an answer, permit me the indulgence of quickly summarising the situation in the region now.
“2021 dateline for completion of East-West road sacrosanct – Akpabio.”
VANGUARD Monday, 28 September 2020, p 12.
A news report, which ordinarily would make one extremely happy, has only revealed why the trillions of naira which went into the Niger Delta might be regarded almost a complete waste. I felt sorry for Minister Akpabio who made that promise in Ogoniland to a gathering of people which one can only assume does not include anybody over the age of 15. He was even honest enough to remind the deluded people that the dualisation of the road was promised to Niger Deltans by President Obasanjo in 2002 who departed office in 2007 – without fulfilling his promise. Since then, the same promise has been made at least four times by Nigerian Presidents. In fact, it is one of the most often repeated lies told by leaders who no longer deserve our respect.
Yar’Adua succeeded OBJ in 2007 and repeated the same set of promises – still there was no dualised road. Jonathan followed Yar’Adua and served five years. The man even asked Nigerians to “call me bastard if the road is not completed” during his tenure 2011 to 2015. When GOJ left office after five years, the worst part was in Bayelsa state — from Patani to Ahoada. What are we to call him?
OBJ, YAR and GOJ have one thing in common with Akpabio. They were all members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Furthermore, Akpabio was Governor and Senator of Akwa Ibom State when Jonathan was President. There is no record anywhere of Akpabio using his exalted offices to speak out on behalf of the people on the states which were the intended beneficiaries of the road. Instead, they suffered innumerable losses of life, properties and prospects for rapid development. Streams of their blood flowing on account of uncountable preventable accidents, like those of Biblical Abel must be crying to God for justice — the sooner; the better.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Rev (Dr) Martin Luther King, Jr,
Akpabio was close to all the three former Presidents – especially Jonathan. Between the two of them, they could have made the entire length of the East-West road a mission so long accomplished years ago. But, to their everlasting shame they failed to provide the basic infrastructure which would have served all the people.
Furthermore, he is making the promise on behalf of the fourth Federal Government. That renders it another suspicious politicians’ promise because, this particular FG has so far failed to fulfil any of its promises on infrastructural development and service delivery. Those of us unfortunate to operate on the Lagos-Ibadan axis have now learnt that the last thing we accept as sacrosanct is a promise to finish road or rail line by an announced date. So shamelessly have we been treated to unredeemed pledges by this administration, we now regard them as empty noises signifying nothing.
Nigerians also need to be reminded that all the former Presidents have made the pledge to complete the road each and every time there in tension in the polity. The same announcement is rolled out, in a manner similar to women pacifying small kids by promising toys, ice cream etc, which they have no intention of providing. Invariably, the East-West road is forgotten as soon as the political tension abates. Only an incurable optimist will believe that a government which is broke will undertake a project which Yar’Adua failed to deliver when crude oil was selling for $120 per barrel. Left to me, I stand on the belief that “you can’t fool all the people all the time.” Akpabio might not even be around on December 2021 to explain why the road is still not completed.
The problem is compounded this time by the reputation of the announcer. Akpabio, since becoming Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, had made some bold declarations only to recant later. One simply does not often know when to accept what he utters at face-value. My own approach is to triple my order of salt from the market before reading his submissions. A pinch will most likely not be sufficient to digest the stuff. His carpet-crossing has not altered the profile which emerged since 2007. Readers will have to be patient for more on that next week.
NDDC AND THE OPPORTUNIES LOST TO CORRUPTION.
“Oil producing states got N44tn in 18 years.” PUNCH, June 13, 2020, p 28.
Before you start shedding tears for the people of the region, let us at UniJankara help you to understand better the monumental calamity which had befallen the poor (they are still mostly poor) people of the oil producing states. You might want to shed blood instead of water. They have stolen the future of Niger Delta.
One of our new recruits took one look at the figures – N44tn in 18 years – just quoted and he undertook the following analysis. First, the leaders of the states collectively received on behalf of their people more revenue than the entire debt piled up by the Federal Government in the same period. Remember we are talking of only nine states. Second, the cumulative figure means that on the average N2.4 trillion per annum was collected. Again, that translates to one quarter (25%) of the FG budget this year, 2020, and 105 per cent of the 2000 budget. We are not finished. Approximately, N200bn per day lands in various laps for the benefit of the people. That also means N7bn per day arrives – hot and heavy. The figure is larger than all the Federal Budgets from independence.
The challenge now is this: can anybody point to any part of the oil producing states which now reflects this mammoth financial windfall? Since returning to Nigeria in 1974, I have worked and lived in all the four corners of Nigeria, as well as places in between. From 1994 until 2008, when I voluntarily resigned from the staff of VANGUARD MEDIA, it was my duty to travel to all the states of Nigeria at least three times a year. Although the trips were reduced thereafter, I still averaged travels to 24 states a year – until 2019. So, without any attempt at false modesty, I can claim to know this country as well as anybody – East, West, North and South. I am an eye witness to all the atrocities committed by leaders in the region – with a very few exceptions.
RECENT REVELATIONS AND THE AKWA IBOM CONNECTION
Akwa Ibom State will serve as example for the entire region next week when we embark on the second part of this series. But, permit me to remind readers of some of what has been revealed about the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. Then, it is easy to understand why N44tn went down into the swamps of the nine states. These reminders are not arranged in any particular order. Yet, collectively they illustrate a pattern of deliberate massive embezzlement of funds which the most brazen colonialist could not have contemplated sixty years ago.
1. CSO Uncovers Fresh N35bn fraud at NDDC – Daily Independent, June 15, 2020.
2. Akpabio: NASS members got most NDDC contracts – VANGUARD, July 21, 2020.
3. Akpabio, Nunieh in verbal war over NDDC VANGUARD, July 13, 2020.
4. Pondei, others spent N5bn as medical allowances – PUNCH, August 4, 2020.
5. Controversy as Senate probes NDDC N40bn spending – PUNCH 10, 2020.
6. The greatest amount of money that can be classified as missing is the derivation funds that run into several trillions of naira — VANGUARD, July 19, 2020.
7. Nigeria’ll break if we release NDDC looters list — OJOUGBOH – VANGUARD, August 31, 2020.
Most Nigerians want to have the list of looters of NDDC funds – even if Nigeria breaks.
NEXT WEEK: AKSG WAS THE FIRST STATE GOVERNMENT IN NIGERIA TO COLLECT N1TN IN FOUR YEARS – 2007 TO 2011.
Two people have died and four others rescued as a fishing boat capsized around Offin Ibeshe, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, Nigeria.
Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA, confirmed the development.
He said according to report, a fishing boat from Makoko Community with seven passengers onboard, which included five adults and two toddlers capsized into the Lagos lagoon while heading to Offin area in Ikorodu.
“Further inquires revealed that the cause of the incidence was the rough water current usually recorded around the Area.
“The First responders to the incident was a passenger ferry that witness the incident before the arrival of LASWA rescue team.
“Inquiries reveal that the fishing boat which was clearly operating outside its fishing capability and therefore not equipped with necessary safety gadgets for passengers ferry operation carried the occupants who are all related and headed to Offin for a relative’s funeral,” he said.
Emmanuel said upon further investigations, it was revealed that all seven passengers on board were not wearing a life jacket, adding that “four passengers were rescued alive, two fatalities recorded and one passenger missing.
“The men of the LASEMA and Marine Police have been contacted to support the ongoing search operation for the remaining victim while further investigation is ongoing.”
Owner of the boat which crashed in Lagos in July was on Monday arraigned at an Ikeja High Court.
Happiness Elebiju is facing a 10-count charge bordering on unintentional manslaughter brought against him by the state before Justice Josephine Oyefeso.
Twelve persons died in the mishap.
Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, told the court that the defendant allegedly overloaded his boat, leading to the drowning of the 12 passengers.
Adeyemi described congestion as an illegal activity of boat operators and urged the court to convict the defendant as charged.
No fewer than 10 passengers escaped death on Tuesday’s evening, when their boat capsized on Lagos Waterways, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said.
Alhaji Ibrahim Farinloye, NEMA Acting Coordinator in Lagos State, who made this known in a statement, said, “10 passengers were rescued live when their boat capsized.
According to him, the boat took off from Lagos Island going to Ikorodu before it capsized.
Farinloye said that with the special support by operators and volunteers, they pulled resources together, and rescued the passengers.
Also confirming the incident, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), said that the authority was still compiling information about the accident and the cause.
Emmanuel said the boat left Lagos Island, which experienced a lot of water activities.
The general manager, however, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he would make further pronouncement on the accident later.
NAN reports that LASWA had on June 18, celebrated zero record of boat mishap in the last six months in the state waterways.
On June 23, a local boat with four adult males on a boating expedition capsized due to water turbulence; three of the passengers were rescued while one was missing.
Also, on July 3, a-20 capacity passenger boat with the name “Lalek Marine” said to have left Ebute Ero Jetty around 8.00p.m. after the approved sailing time of 6.00p.m, did not arrive at its Ikorodu Terminal.
Twenty-one people were on board of the ill-fated boat, in which 14 were rescued, while seven died.
Thirty-eight persons reportedly died in a boat mishap in Kirfi local government of Bauchi State.
The passengers were said to be on their way to their farms when the accident happened on Monday.
President Muhammadu Buhari who has been briefed about the accident has sent condolences to families of the 38 victims.
He described the incident “as a devastating tragedy not only for families of victims but also for the country.’’
“I am profoundly touched by the death of these fellow Nigerians who had no idea they were embarking on their last journey.
“As the families of the unfortunate victims mourn, I extend my sympathies to them at this very difficult and trying moment, and pray that Allah comfort and give them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
The President also commiserated with the government and people of Bauchi State, urging steadfastness in prayer for the souls of the departed, and their families.
A boat accident in Borgu local government area of Niger State has claimed 15 lives.
The bodies of other passengers on the boat have not been recovered.
The boat was said to have been returning from Warrah market, a border community in Ngaski local government area of Kebbi state to Sabo Yumu in Borgu.
The accident, which occurred at River Malale on Sunday night, was as a result of the bad weather which caused low visibility.
The boat was said to have run into a tree stump on river Malale midway into the journey.
According to a source, only two people were rescued from the mishap while 15 corpses were recovered.
The source said that no-one has been able to ascertain the number of people in the boat.
According to the source: “The boat was big and have capacity for over 50. Also because it is market day, there is the tendency that it might be overloaded.”
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Ibrahim Ahmed Inga confirmed the accident saying 15 corpses have been recovered.
He added that divers are still searching for the remaining of the occupants adding that the high rate of death is caused by unavailability of life jackets.
Inga however said the state government is working towards putting in place regulatory framework to check the activities of boat operators and providing life jackets in order to reduce high casualties experienced in boat accidents.
Three people have died and five others missing as boat conveying 20 passengers capzised mid-sea in Lagos on Wednesday night.
General Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Damilola Emmanuel who confirmed the incident, said the agency, at about 7:30pm received a distress call that a 20-capacity passenger boat with 18 passengers and two crew members had capzised mid-sea enroute Ojo from Coconut jetty, a suburb in Lagos
He said an on the spot investigation carried out by LASWA revealed that the incident was caused by a collision between the passenger boat operated by “God Bless” and a wooden water supply service boat.
“Unfortunately three persons were confirmed dead and their bodies have been deposited in the morgue, while 12 persons were rescued alive and five persons are missing,” Emmanuel said.
He said rescue efforts were carried out by the combined efforts of the LASWA, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS), SEHMU which led to the timely rescue of 12 passengers, adding that recovery efforts will continue until those missing have been found.
The LASWA boss, however, expressed concern that boat operators were in the habit of flouting the order by the agency to desist from operating at night due to the dangers inherent.
He also urged passengers to always ensure that they wear life jackets before embarking on any trip on the waterways and ensure they are worn properly to prevent loss of lives.
He said the State Government in conjunction with the Marine Police conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, adding that the operator of the boat would also be held accountable.
Rev. Jacob Aernyi, the Special Adviser to Benue Governor on Religious Affairs and Civil Society, has sympathised with the families of victims of a boat mishap, in which no fewer than 20 persons were missing.
Aernyi told newsmen that he got details of the incident on Thursday in his office in Makurdi through the Secretary, Buruku River Workers’ Union, Mr Samuel Nakombo.
He described the incident at River Buruku, where many lives and property were lost as very unfortunate and called for more proactive measures by the Federal Government.
The special adviser said a ship conveying more than 20 passengers and carrying some Bajaj motorcycles was on sail on Wednesday evening when the ugly incident occurred.
He said that more than 20 passengers were still missing while about 17 Bajaj motorcycles were yet to be recovered.
The special adviser noted with dismay the continued loss of lives and property at River Buruku, saying it was high time adequate measures be taken to curb the mishaps.
He recalled that in December 2013, a similar incident had claimed many lives.
Aernyi called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, construct a solid bridge at River Buruku to prevent future occurrences.
He enjoined the affected families to take solace in the fact that all mortals on earth are living on a temporary basis and prayed God to console the families.
Witnesses said 22 children drowned when a boat ferrying them to their school sank on the Nile River in Sudan Wednesday.
The boat had been carrying about 40 children, the SUNA news agency reported, when it capsised due to rough conditions, with the river swollen from heavy rains.
An adult woman on board was also killed.
Authorities are still searching for bodies in River Nile state, where the accident occurred, SUNA reported.
dpa/NAN