TheNewsGuru

Tag: Delta State

  • Delta Govt. approves 33 per cent increase on pensions

    The Delta Government has approved 33 per cent increase on the pensions of retired workers in the state, bringing them at par with those received by retirees in the federal civil service.
    The state Commissioner for Information, Chief Patrick Ukah, disclosed this to newsmen in Asaba on Wednesday.
    Ukah said the increment was part of the resolutions reached at the State Executives Council meeting on Tuesday.
    He said those to benefit from the 33 per cent increment were those who retired before May 2000, adding that it was meant to ameliorate the sufferings of the pensioners.
    The commissioner said that the council approved the contract for the completion of the perimeter fencing of Asaba International Airport.
    “The council also approved the procurement of third party services for the development of gas-based industrial park in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area (LGA).
    “Another approval is the contract for the construction of 32 cluster houses of two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows at Oboghoro-Utolina communities in Warri North LGA,” he said.
    He said also that the council approved the award of contract for the construction of Uzougba link road to Issele Uku and Otulu road in Ubulu Okiti of Aniocha South.
    Ukah said others approved were contracts the construction of old Okpe road, Jeddo, Okpe Local Government Area and Ogwefe-Ugbenu-Koko road Phase II, Oghara, Ethiope West.
    The commissioner said the contract for the construction of an access road to the Nigerian Maritime University, Kurutie Campus, Okerenkoko in Warri South-West LGA was also approved
    He said the council approved the implementation of an automation of tax administration process by ICMA Professional Services which would commerce this month.
    Uka said further that the council approved the appointment of three traditional rulers in the state including Obi Lawrence Onicha Kogwu as the Obi of Ubulubu in Aniocha North.
    “It approved the appointment of Obi Onyemaechi Josiah Jonathan II Kanyinaga as the Obi of Obomkpa in Aniocha North, Ukah said.
     

  • Okowa presents N367bn 2019 budget proposal to Delta Assembly

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Wednesday presented a budget estimate of N367.09 billion for the 2019 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly for approval.
    Presenting the budget christened, “Budget of Sustainable Growth,” Okowa said it was made up of N157.09 billion and N209.99 billion Recurrent and Capital Expenditures respectively.
    The proposed budget is N58.20 billion higher than the 2018 budget of N308.88.
    According to the governor, the 2019 recurrent expenditure is higher than that of 2018 by N9.823 billion
    “The proposed capital estimate for 2019 is N209 billion is N48.3 billion or 29.9 per cent higher than that of 2018 capital budget of N161.6 billion,” he stated.
    He said that in order to achieve the proposed target, government would intensify enforcement of appropriate tax legislation to increase the tax base to N73.4 billion annually.
    Okowa said that the budget would be funded through an expected statutory allocation of N217.89 billion, a Value Added Tax, (VAT) of N13.05 billion and other capital receipts of N62.73 billion.
    The governor highlighted other sources of funding for the proposed budget to include Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N73.4 billion, representing 20.77 per cent of the total projected revenue.
    A breakdown of the budget showed that N79.6 billion was allocated for roads, N2.9 billion for agriculture, N3.9 billion for sports development and N1.1 billion for jobs creation.
    Water resources got N1.6 billion with health and education getting N8.6 billion and N26.8 billion respectively.
    “We have christened it a budget of sustainable growth, because the year 2018 witnessed a significant improvement in our revenue receipt; it is our hope that this trend is sustained in 2019.
    “Our expenditure profile from January to June, 2018, showed that N66.5 billion was spent on recurrent items as against a proportionate approved budget of N73.7 billion, representing a budget performance of 94.4 per cent.
    “Also, N161.6 billion was budgeted for capital expenditure in the same period, with N38.6 billion spent as against N80.8 billion, representing a performance of 47.8 per cent,” he said.
    The governor said though capital expenditure performance was not a true reflection of performance, better performance was being expected in the third and the fourth quarters of 2018.
    “The first three budgets of this administration were largely centered on charting five main pathways critical to actualising our reform agenda of job and wealth creation.
    “The proposed 2019 budget will consolidate, expand and deepen the process as we pursue our transformation goal of building a strong diversified and inclusive economy,” he said.
    Receiving the budget proposal, the Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori, lauded its timely presentation.
    Oborevwori assured the people of the state that the legislature would do justice to the proposal and give it accelerated passage.
     

  • Ibori loses faith in UK judicial system, as Court 7 rules appeal case

    As Court 7 of the Royal Courts of Justice rules on the Chief James Onanefe Ibori & V Mobile appeal case on Wednesday 17 October 2018, the former Delta state governor has said he no longer has faith in the United Kingdom (UK) judicial system.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Ibori, who stated this in a press statement on Sunday issued by his media assistant, Tony Eluemunor, said “Let me state unequivocally that just as I stated in the legal appeal against my conviction, I have been a victim of political persecution instead of judicial and legal prosecution as untold quantum of lies were heaped against me – even in the United Kingdom and by her officials too.
    “Owing to this, I have since lost faith in the British judicial system having been through it and observed first-hand the politics, desperations and wicked machinations inherent in the process that rigged the trial against me and against all judicial wholesome processes which differentiate the modern era from the dark ages”.


    Read full statement:
    “I have been informed that the British Court of Appeal will on Wednesday 17th, 2018 in London rule on the challenge I mounted against my conviction. Many Nigerian journalists who have been following Mr. Lambertus de Boer on Twitter have also for days now been contacting me concerning the ruling.
    “Let me state unequivocally that just as I stated in the legal appeal against my conviction, I have been a victim of political persecution instead of judicial and legal prosecution as untold quantum of lies were heaped against me – even in the United Kingdom and by her officials too.
    “Owing to this, I have since lost faith in the British judicial system having been through it and observed first-hand the politics, desperations and wicked machinations inherent in the process that rigged the trial against me and against all judicial wholesome processes which differentiate the modern era from the dark ages.
    “Therefore, to those who have been calling me ahead of the ruling, I say this: Whatever the outcome of Wednesday’s ruling, I will continue to protest the political nature of my predicament. This was very evident in the attempt by the Home Secretary to detain me in prison beyond the stipulated sentence even after I had served my legally prescribed term.
    “In all of this I will say that what I have been through since the persecution against me began has taught me incredible lessons; lessons I could not have learnt in any institution of higher learning. Such uncommon lessons have made me a better person as they have shown me the down side of life and that, unfortunately, perception often trumps reality.
    “I have accepted my ordeal as part of my destiny and have come to terms with it. I have served my punishment, and I have never allowed the ordeal to weigh me down. Luckily for me, with every passing day the charges heaped on me are daily proved to have been deliberate lies.
    “My immediate family and friends have suffered the devastating consequences of my travails. I have served my time and it is time for me to move on with my life. I have decided to dedicate the rest of my life to worthy causes in my beloved Delta state, Mother Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Very soon, some of such worthy causes may be made public, but for now, I will prefer them to remain unannounced.
    “I am not a piece of chinaware that would break to pieces if it fell on the kitchen floor. No! Instead, like a good mechanic, I will, God helping me, put together the pieces of my life which my political enemies and their collaborators, both local and foreign, think they have irrevocably shattered. No, God has not allowed me to break into pieces. With the new chance He has given me, I will place myself in the service of humanity”
     

  • Delta IGR hits N51bn, as Asaba airport sets for privatisation

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa disclosed that Delta state’s annual Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has hit N51 billion.
    The governor stated this at the 14th All Nigeria Editors Conference in Asaba on Friday.
    According to him, the IGR was as low as N30 billion in 2016 and following some re-engineering, his administration was able to increase it to N51 billion annually.
    He noted that government was able to increase its revenue by making sure that all target groups including the market women were captured in the tax system.
    “We were able to collect taxes from the market women not just as tax but also as premium for the state health insurance scheme, which they benefit from by paying their taxes,” he said.
    He also explained that to effectively manage the Asaba Airport, and improve on the state’s IGR, the government had put necessary machinery in place to commercialise or privatise the airport.
    He said that the airport, which was downgraded in 2014 had now been upgraded to category six, to enable it take bigger planes like Boeing 737.
    The governor explained that government’s plan was to develop the airport into a cargo airport, adding that since government could not effectively manage the facility, it resolved to engage the private sector.
    “We got technical advise to privatise or commercialise the airport and we have published for investors to bid for it,” he said.
    The governor, however, disclosed that the state government deploys about N1 billion to payment of pensions monthly and about N7 billion for salaries of the workers in the state.
    According to the governor, the state workforce stands at about 50,000.
     

  • One great lesson from our father – Edeh Dafinone

    Following death of their father, Edeh Dafinone, son of Chief (Senator) David Omueya Dafinone, the late patriarch and ex-lawmaker, who represented Bendel South during the Nigerian Second Republic, has said there is no rancour in their family and that one great lesson they learnt from their deceased father is unity.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Edeh stated this while addressing Urhobo leaders, under the aegis of Urhobo Social Club Lagos, who paid condolence visit to the children and family of the late Urhobo icon.
    “We are grateful to God for the life he lived on earth. We are more grateful for the name he lived behind as family of accountants in Guinness Book of Record. We have been working assiduously together in one accounting firm without rancour.
    “Rather, there is tight unity in the family. This is one of the lessons we learnt from our father. We are equally trying to push on to also see that there is one united Urhobo nation in the nearest future,” he said.
    Members of the social club who visited the Dafinone’s family to commiserate with them were Chief Goodie Ibru, Chief Johnson Barovbe and Prince Austine Enajemo-Isire.
    Others were Chief (Barr.) Jitobo Akanike, Chief Austen Tadafe and Mr Frank Ewerido, in the company of others.
    Addressing the children and family of Dafinone, Chief Barovbe described the death of the Senator as a great loss to Urhobo in particular, Delta state and Nigeria in general.
    He took consolation, however, on the fact that the Senator achieved and left a great legacy behind.
    “He was a front runner in ensuring that Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) came into existence.
    “What people are enjoying in NDDC today was the handiwork of Dafinone and some of us who were with hm. He was always working for peace, unity and betterment of his people,” he disclosed.
    Consoling the children, Prince Tadafe recalled when Dafinone mobilized to handle the first oil spillage in Urhobo land which occurred at Ekakprame.
    He said Dafinone is a very good man whose attributes need to be ameliorated by his upspring.
    “You have to work hard to occupy the big shoe he left behind,” Tedafe advised Dafinone’s children.
    On his part, Chief Ibru, who described Dafinone as an icon and an epitome of unity, thanked God for the good life in lived.
    “Dafinone promoted Urhobo development and culture in his life time. We thank God for his life and the Almghty God should bless those he left,” he prayed.
    President of the Urhobo Social Club Lagos, Prince Enajemo-Isire described Dafinone as a role model who he emulated to study Accounting profession.
    “Chief Dafinone is a pillar. We will miss him, but God loves him most. We members of Urhobo Social Club Lagos promise to stand by his principles. He was the patron of the Club.” he revealed.
    Meanwhile, in a special obituary announcement, the Dafinone family has announced details of the burial rites of the late patriarch and ex-lawmaker.
    The funeral procession will commence with a Service of Songs and Night of Tributes that will hold on Thursday 25th October by 5 pm prompt at Harbour Point, Wilmot road, Victoria Island, Lagos.
    TNG reports, on Thursday 1st November, a similar Service of Songs will hold by 5 pm prompt at his 7 Dafinone Way residence in Sapele, Delta state.
    A Funeral service would be conducted on Friday 2nd November by 11 am prompt at Bethel Baptist Church at 1 Oghene road, Sapele, with the reception of guests to be followed immediately at Sapele Athletics Club.
    Senator Dafinone died on Sunday 30th September 2018 morning in Lagos at the aged of ninety one years.
     

  • Lagos, Delta ports await 27 ships – NPA

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says 27 ships will bring into the country petroleum products, food and other goods from Oct. 8 to Oct. 27.
    According to the NPA, the ships are expected to berth at Apapa and TinCan Island ports in Lagos.
    Four of the 27 ships will sail in with petroleum products while others will bring in buckwheat, frozen fish, general cargo, bulk sugar, bulk gypsum and containers carrying different goods, it said.
    Thirteen other ships laden with bulk fertilizer, container and petroleum products have already reached the ports waiting to berth.
    Besides, NPA said five ships with oil, diesel, dredgers and butane will berth at Delta port while eight ships will bring in general cargo, petrol, among others at the same port.
     

  • Breaking: Delta APC expels Emerhor with immediate effect

    Breaking: Delta APC expels Emerhor with immediate effect

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta state has expelled Olorogun Otega Emerhor from its fold for alleged forgery.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC in a statement, after an emergency meeting held on Wednesday, said Emerhor’s expulsion was with immediate effect.
    According to the statement signed by the State Secretary of the party, Comrade Chidi Okonji, Emerhor was expelled having considered the only agenda of the meeting, in a unanimous decision of those in attendance.
    Emerhor was accused of forgery of party’s election materials (ballot papers), alteration of delegate lists, falsification of nomination results and tampering with the process of internal democracy of the party.
     

  • Flood: Okowa appeals for more relief materials

    Flood: Okowa appeals for more relief materials

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Tuesday appealed to the Federal Government, the organised private sector and individuals to deploy more relief materials to assuage the suffering of flood victims in the state.
    The governor made the appeal when he visited the Holding Camps in Patani Local Government Area of the state, to ascertain how the victims were fairing.
    He said that adequate manpower had been deployed to the camps adding that the demands of the victims had risen as many of them continued to seek refuge.
    “We have been to several camps and you can see that members of the flood committee are working round the clock.
    “In this camp, we have more than 1, 500 people and there are several camps set up in this area because out of the 16 communities, 11 are under water which is a sad situation.
    “Every other town that I have visited the Holding Camps are in one school or the other, but the schools in this area have been submerged.
    “The water may take time to recede; I just hope the Federal Government will urgently intervene to complement what we are doing as a state.
    “I must thank all the people of Delta, touched and have donated one relief material or the other to assist the victims of the flood.
    “I call on the organised private sector and individuals to please, if you have an extra, come to the aide of these victims,” Okowa said.
    The governor commended the people of Patani LGA for their cooperation and unity of purpose and for constructing temporary structures at the camps to make the victims comfortable.
    “I am impressed with the level of organisation in this camp; it is neat despite the sad development.
    “The people are facing the reality of the fact that they may not get to their communities for some time.
    “Certainly, we will continue to do our best for them to be comfortable, the medical team is okay and with the registration of individual families.
    “We shall work out how best to get them resettled when the flood water recedes.
    “This is a time we should be our brother’s keepers.“
    The Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Mr Ernest Ogwezzy, who conducted the governor round the camp said that the population of people in different camps were on the increase.
    He traced the development to the fact that the water level had continued to submerge communities.
     

  • Why Deltans must rally behind Great Ovedje Ogboru – Ayanruoh

    Why Deltans must rally behind Great Ovedje Ogboru – Ayanruoh

    Mr. Felix Ayanruoh, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Delta state, has congratulated Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru on his emergence as the party gubernatorial flagbearer in the State.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Chief Ogboru, in APC governorship primaries held in Asaba, capital of the State, was officially declared as winner to become the party guber flagbearer in the 2019 general elections.
    According to official results declared by Maj. Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd), Chairman, APC Governorship Primary Election Committee for Delta State, Ogboru polled a total of 3,292 votes, winning all 25 local governments in the State.
    While Rt. (Hon). Barr. Victor Ochei polled 160 votes, Prof. Pat Utomi and Hon. (Dr.) Cairo Ojugbo polled 26 and 12 votes respectively.
    According to Ayanruoh, Ogboru’s election as gubernatorial candidate for the APC came at a critical time “when our co-existence is fractured, divided and uncertain,” urging all Deltans to come together, and rebuild alliance toward the 2019 general elections.
    He also called on all APC members in particular, and Deltans in general including elders, stakeholders and youths stressing that the time of factionalism in the APC has ended and that now is the time to come together and make Delta greater.
    He called on Deltans to elect Ogboru governor to bring peace and development to Delta State.
    “I know that some people are disappointed with the outcome of the primary elections, but disappointment must be overcome by our love of State to accept the result peacefully and in the spirit of reconciliation. Now is the time to recognize that, that which unites us is greater than that which divides us.
    “All Deltans have a unique bond through our shared history and tradition. We must be relentless in our struggle for reconciliation and in resolving the conditions and causes on which the enemies of peace and development prey.
    “This is the time we put peace and development of our great State before party. We will stand together behind the People’s General,” Ayanruoh stated.
     

  • Dafinone: Okowa says Urhobo, nation, lost a gem

    Dafinone: Okowa says Urhobo, nation, lost a gem

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa has condoled with the leadership of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), and the Urhobo nation over the death of Chief David Dafinone.
    The governor said that the late second republic Senator, who died at 91, lived exemplary life and left worthy legacies.
    Okowa, whose condolence was conveyed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said Dafinone was an accomplished accountant, administrator, politician and elder statesman.
    He commiserated with the Urhobo nation, Okpe kingdom, the Dafinone family and friends over the sad incident.
    He said that Dafinone’s demise had deprived the nation of the wisdom and wise counsel he had always brought into service.
    Okowa said that as a former Senator Dafinone’s sacrifice and contributions to national development as well as his huge investments in agriculture in the state would be fondly remembered.
    “As Deltans and Nigerians mourn the illustrious Urhobo leader, I, Gov. Okowa convey my heart-felt condolences to his family, the people of the Delta Central Senatorial Zone whom he ably represented in the Senate.
    “As they mourn his death, I urge Chief Dafinone’s family, relatives and political associates to be comforted by the knowledge that he lived a worthy and exemplary life, leaving behind worthy legacies that will assure his place in posterity,” Okowa said.
    The governor said that his family’s world record, of having most chartered accountants, still remained unbroken untill his death.
    He prayed that God would receive his soul and comfort all his loved ones.