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Tag: Delta

  • BREAKING: APC ward chairmanship aspirant stabbed to death in Delta

    A chairmanship aspirant for the All Progressives Congress in Jeremi Ward 10 (III), Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. Jeremiah Oghoveta, has been reportedly stabbed to death.

    Oghoveta, in his late 30s, was stabbed on the neck on Saturday, ahead of the nationwide ward congress of the APC near God’s Grace Ministry at Okwagbe Town.

    It was gathered that the deceased was stabbed by a younger brother of one the leaders of the party in the area before the arrival of materials for the exercise.

    Sources in the community said it was not clear why the suspect had to stab the deceased after members of the party had reached agreement on how the exercise should be organised.

    Meanwhile, the ward congress across the state started late, owing to the late arrival of materials to different local government areas across the state.

    The state APC leader, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, who voted at his Evwreni country home, described the exercise as “generally peaceful.”

    Details later…

  • 2019: APC cannot take over Delta – Sen. Amori

    Sen. Ighoyota Amori, Political Adviser to National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described All Progressives Congress’ (APC) target to take over power in Delta in 2019 as “unrealisable dream”.

    Amori told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that APC had no structure in Delta to win any election, adding, however, that it was entitled to such ambition, “but it will remain a dream”.

    He said that there was no reason why people of Delta would vote out Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC, pointing out that PDP had continually delivered democracy dividends to people of the state.

    “This is a tactical time where people can say all sort of things and have a lot of false expectations. So, APC is entitled to its own dream, but how to actualise that dream is another matter.

    “I know that APC’s dream targeted at Delta is just impossible. PDP is well rooted in the state and it has been so since 1999.

    “The good work started by the former governor of the state, James Ibori, is being continued by the incumbent, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

    “So, I don’t see any reason why voters in Delta will abandon PDP that is so close them to a party yet to find its feet in the state, and even at the federal level.

    “The structure of APC in Delta is so weak and we are not even thinking about them as people who have the capacity to wrest power from PDP in the state.

    “So, it is a non-issue; it is a dream. You know you don’t have control over your dream, you just sleep and dream.

    “Taking over Delta is impossible. APC can never take over Delta from PDP,’’ he said.

    Amori described Gov. Okowa as a prudent manager, who was working well with limited resources available, to develop the state.

    “The governor is doing well and Deltans know that. We do not expect him to perform magic beyond the resources available to him, but one good thing about him is that he is a very prudent governor.

    “He has been able to manage the resources available to the state for the benefit of the people. There is nothing today in the state that is not working,’’ he said.

    Amori said that development projects in all sectors in the state were hallmark of Okowa’s administration, adding that the governor had completed many projects, including those he inherited from previous administration.

    The inherited projects which the governor has completed or are ongoing, according to him, include the massive drainage in Asaba, Stephen Keshi Stadium, Central Hospital, Asaba; Asaba Airport and dualisation of major roads across the state.

    “Hospitals are functioning in the state. You cannot hear of doctors or nurses in the state being on strike. The hospitals that were facing challenges before now are being revived.

    “The man recently went round the local government area for town hall meeting where he asked everybody if there is anything agitating their minds and the outcome has remained positive.’’

    Amori added the governor did not concentrate on projects in one senatorial district or section of the state, explaining that they were spread across the state, down to the communities.

  • Police recovers 263 Kidnapped, missing children from ritualists in Delta

    The Delta Police Command says it has in the last one year recovered no fewer than 263 kidnapped and missing children in the state bush paths.

    The state had in the last few years been enveloped in the hue and cry of missing children, and increasing kidnapping spree but DSP Andrew Aniamaka, Police Image Maker in the state who spoke to in Asaba, confirmed that the recovered children were found in Warri, Ughelli, Ozoro, Asaba, Ibusa, Okpanam and its environs, disclosing that the efforts of the police were complimented by collaborative effort of other security agencies in the state.

    According to him; “Recently, officers attached to GRA Police Station, Asaba found and brought a missing 13-year old girl identified as Dorcas James and upon interrogation, the girl said she hails from Gboko Community in Benue State, and that she was in primary 5”.

    DSP Aniamaka explained that some of the lucky missing children were discovered inside the forest in Ibusa, Asaba, Okpanam and its environs, adding that the 263 children were allegedly kidnapped by money ritualists, who were at the verge of carrying out their evil act, when the police detectives and Anti-kidnapping Squad acting on a tip-off, swooped on them in their various hideout.

    DSP Aniamaka, “The 263 missing children recovered in one year, were collective efforts of the Police Detectives and Anti-kidnapping Squad, Civil defense Corps, Vigilante Corps in Warri, Okwe, Ibusa, Okpanam, others” disclosing that the children had since been reunited with their parents.

    It was gathered that most of the missing children were either stolen or kidnapped, under the nose and watching eyes of their parents after they were allegedly charmed by the unsuspecting kidnappers and money ritualists.

    Speaking further, DSP Aniamaka said; “We recovered 63 in two weeks at Ibusa, a bush path and inside a small house, and the suspects were arrested, and had since been charged to court, some of the children were found with charms on their necks, and upon interrogation with the suspects, they confessed to be money ritualists”.

  • Police Kill 11 armed robbery suspects during gun battle in Delta

    Police detectives and Anti-Robbery Squad at the Delta Police Command, Asaba, had in the early hours of Wednesday shot dead eleven armed robbery suspects during a gun battle with the suspects.” The battle reportedly lasted for several hours on Ogwashi-Uku-Ubulu-Uku Highway.

    The Police Image Maker in the state, DSP Andrew Aniamaka who narrated the incident to journalists in Asaba, said: “Our officers and men of the Anti-Robbery Squad ran into the armed robbery suspects around 5:30am operating along Ogwashi-Uku-Ubulu-Uku highway, they engaged the robbery suspects in a gun battle that lasted several hours, and the police gained the superior hand, killing eleven out of sixteen armed men, while the remaining five escaped with serious bullets injuries,” adding that the police were on the trail of the suspects with injuries who escaped into the bush.

    It was gathered that Ubulu-Uku-Ogwashi-Uku-Obior highway had been flash point of frequent robbery menace, and in most cases, unsuspecting motorists including pedestrian have been victims to these gun totting robbers.

    Investigation revealed that armed hoodlums had over times ambushed road users, particularly traders who travel between Ubulu-Uku and Umunede community in Ika North-East Local Government Area of the state for their businesses, most often, they are dispossessed of their valuables including money. But DSP Aniamaka, Police Image Maker in the state in a swift reaction said: “We have deplored our policemen to be patrolling the road, and ensure the hoodlums are brought to book,” disclosing that the corpses of the robbery suspects had been dumped at the Ogwashi-Uku Central Hospital’s Mortuary.

    A resident of Ubulu-Uku, Festus Osakwe who confirmed the incident as an eye witness, told DAILY POST that the police detectives acted swiftly to the distress call, by engaging the armed robbers in a gun duel.

  • Delta: Gov Okowa performs groundbreaking for 400MW power plant in Ughelli

    Delta: Gov Okowa performs groundbreaking for 400MW power plant in Ughelli

    Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on Thursday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a 400 megawatts combined cycle power plant at Ekrokpe/Ekrejegbe, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor while performing the function said that the state would soon become a hub for investors in the gas sector.

    “We are glad as a state that we will be a hub for power generation because of the peaceful nature of our state and huge deposit of gas.

    “The Nigerian government has continued in her struggle to provide energy for development and for home services in our country.

    “But we know we are faced with challenges and with the private sector becoming more interested in generating energy, there is great hope that the energy need of this country would be catered for in the nearest future,” he said.

    Okowa said that with the increase in the number of energy generating companies, it was important for the distribution companies to see that Nigerians were satisfied.

    He charged the host communities to maintain their peaceful dispositions and urged them not to demand so much from the company.

    The governor, however, appealed to the company, Onose TBEA Energy Limited, to meet its social corporate responsibility to its host communities.

    He said that adhering to such responsibilities would ensure that youths from the area were engaged in the construction work of the plant and were also employed when the company commences its operations.

    Earlier, the Chairman, Onose Tbea Energy, retired Gen. Alexander Ogomudia, in an address said that power was essential in the development of any nation, adding “without power, we will be wasting our time in terms of development”.

    He said that though the company was commencing operations by generating 400 MW of electricity, the target was to contribute 2,000 MW of electricity to the national grid in full operation.

    The Company’s Managing Director, Mr Jim Elueni, lauded the state governor for giving approval to the project without delay.

    “The Governor, Sen. Okowa in appreciating the importance of this project to his state, wasted no time in granting us all approvals that arrived at his desk in the pursuit of this laudable project,” Elueni said.

  • We’ll soon install modular refineries in Delta, Rivers – FG

    The Federal Government on Saturday assured the Niger Delta region that the modular refineries for Delta and Rivers States will soon be delivered.

    It also said the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, would commence academic activities for the 2017/2018 academic year with 196 students.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, disclosed these in a statement made available to journalists.

    Akande said the information formed part of the highlights of a meeting of the Niger Delta Inter-Ministerial Committee presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

    “The meeting was also briefed on the progress of the modular refineries. One set of modular refinery package shipment has since arrived in Nigeria, and after undergoing clearance at customs, would be installed in Delta State; while another set, which is expected to arrive the country in April this year, would be installed in Rivers State,” Akande said.

    He further disclosed that the operation of the modular refineries would include the involvement of communities where they were located.

    He said Osinbajo explained that the decision would ensure that the communities benefited directly from the refineries which would help create jobs and engage youths in the region.

    Akande added that the committee, in December last year, received a report that 38 licensed privately-financed greenfield and mini-modular refineries investors had so far indicated interest in the establishment of refineries in the region, with at least 10 of the licensed refineries investors at an advanced stage of development.

    He also said the Maritime University would start lectures next month.

    He said 196 students had so far been admitted into the university to commence their academic programmes, while 76 applications were still pending.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had approved an increase in the take-off grant allocated to the university from the N2bn earlier announced to N5bn.

    The sum was included in the 2018 budget presented to the National Assembly in November 2017.

    Similarly, an additional N1bn was approved by the President to support essential infrastructure works and staff recruitment in the university in November 2017.

    Akande added that the Niger Delta Development Commission also disclosed at the meeting that it completed 372 projects covering roads, bridges, electricity, water, among others, in 2017.

    He also said work was in progress on the Ogoni clean-up, and the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project under the Ministry of Environment, as it is set to commence the procurement process for contracting experts for the remediation and clean-up of impacted sites.

  • AIB releases preliminary reports involving DANA, Delta, Nestor Oil aircraft

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released preliminary reports for the on-going investigation into the serious incidents involving Delta Air Airbus A330-223 aircraft with registration N858NW, which occurred after take-off from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on February 13, 2018.

    The bureau also released the preliminary reports on the accident involving the DANA Air MD – 83 marked 5N-SRI that overran the runway at the Port Harcourt International Airport on March 5,2018 and the accident involving Gulfstream G200 aircraft belonging to Nestor Oil with registration number 5N-BTF, which occurred at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on January 25, 2018.

    According to AIB, the reports contain factual information on the three occurrences and not their probable causes as investigations are still ongoing.

    They include information gathered from witnesses’ statements and preliminary inspection of the aircraft and the accident sites.

    AIB Commissioner Akin Olateru, while commenting on the release of the reports, reiterated the agency’s commitment to release reports promptly to enhance safety.

    “We are seriously committed to releasing investigation reports on time. This is one way to ensure that such occurrences are prevented from repeating themselves and conform with the purpose of accident investigation.”

    According to the report, the Delta A330-223 aircraft was on a schedule flight with 221 passengers and 13 crew on board, when it made an air return few minutes after take-off following a fire warning on one of the engines.

    The aircraft landed at about 2259hrs and stopped on runway 18R.

    The Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) reported observing fire on one of the engines and extinguished it. Passengers were evacuated using the emergency slides on the right side of the aircraft. One passenger sustained serious injury. Eleven suffered minor injuries.

    It reads: “Initial Findings by AIB indicated that the flight crew were certified and qualified to conduct the flight in accordance with applicable FAA regulations. Number One engine fire warning came on about a minute after take-off, while the crew at 2252.25hrs contacted ATC and declared emergency.

    “The report stated that the aircraft landed at about 2259hrs and stopped on runway 18R, where the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service first reported observing smoke, and fire on the Number One engine.

    “AIB also reported that there was evidence of fire within the engine cowling, even as the two fire extinguishers on the engine were discharged.

    “A commotion was reported onboard the aircraft before the evacuation.

    “Investigation is still ongoing and further investigative actions may include engine examination, material testing for the fuel manifolds, engine oil and hydraulic lines, inspection of fuel manifolds for crack and inspection of fuel nozzle braze joints for leaks.”

    On Dana Air MD-83, the report indicated that it took off from Abuja and had an uneventful flight to Port Harcourt and was cleared to land by the Air Traffic Control.

    It reads: “The crew reported that the runway had experienced recent rain before arrival and after touch down, looked and felt contaminated with flood of water that did not drain well.

    “Other findings include the fact that after the aircraft came to a complete stop, emergency evacuation was carried out using only the left forward main door and the escape slide on this door did not deploy just as the Public Address System did not work.

    “The Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service arrived during the evacuation and all persons onboard were evacuated unhurt.”

    According to AIB, it was notified about the accident involving Nestor Oil Gulf Stream 200 aircraft by Abuja Air Traffic Control (ATC) on Thursday, January 25, 2018.

    The aircraft was operating a chartered flight service to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja with four passengers and three crew onboard.

     

  • FIRS seals 2 companies over N8bn tax debt in Delta, Edo state

    Officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Wednesday sealed two companies in Delta and Edo over N8 billion tax debt.

    The Leader of the enforcement team, Mrs Anita Erinne, said the companies were sealed over failure to remit over N8 billion taxes payable to the Federal Government.

    She said that one of the affected companies (name withheld), located in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta, was indebted to the tune of N121 million.

    She also revealed that the other defaulting company in Edo owed the government N8.1 billion.

    The team leader tendered separate “Warrant of Distraints’’ signed by the FIRS Chairman, Mr Tunde Fowler, to the companies to justify the exercise.

    According to her, Section 3 of FIRS (Establishment) Act, No.13 of 2007 and Section 44(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 empowers the FIRS to close any defaulting company.

    “No member of staff or anybody should remove the FIRS seals until the companies paid their debts.

    “Any attempt to do that, the company will be liable to a tune of N200,000 as a fine to the government,’’ she warned.

    Erinne, however, advised companies to comply with the tax laws and remit their taxes promptly to avoid being sealed.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the FIRS in 2017 netted N3.2 trillion in 10 months, an amount that represented 79.35 per cent of its target for the year.

    The Chairman of the Service, Mr Babatunde Fowler, then expressed readiness of his personnel to help Federal Government in blocking revenue leakages and increase collection of taxes payable to the government.

  • Police warns against jungle justice in Delta

    The Police in Delta has warned residents against employing jungle justice on suspected criminals in the state.

    The Command’s Spokesman, Mr Andrew Aniamaka, gave the warning on Sunday while confirming the alleged burnt to death of a woman suspected to be a ritualist in Ekete-Inland to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Warri.

    The deceased, whose name could not be identified, was said to had been found with human parts in Ekete-Inland, Udu Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday and was consequently burnt to death by angry mob.

    Aniamaka said that the command had always called on the public not to engage in jungle justice but to report all cases to the appropriate authorities.

    “There was in fact a case of burning of a suspected ritualist to death.

    “The incident occurred at the Delta Steel Company (DSC) Expressway near Ekete-Inland junction in Ovwian.

    “The Command has always called on the public not to engage in jungle justice but to report all cases to the appropriate authorities,” he said.

    According to an eyewitness, the incident occurred at about 3:35 p.m when some residents of the Ekete-Inland wanted to burn the refuse they gathered near the woman’s hut who was earlier believed to be a lunatic.

    The eyewitness explained further that one of the residents noticed the suspicious behaviour of the woman, went straight into the hut and discovered human parts and a fresh dead body.

    “The alarm he raised attracted other residents and passers-by who descended on the lunatic and end her life through jungle justice to serve as deterrent to others who may be in the same business with her,” the source said.

  • 20,000 PVCs unclaimed in Delta – INEC

    20,000 PVCs unclaimed in Delta – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said 20,000 Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were yet to be collected by registered voters in Delta.

    Administrative Secretary of the commission in the state, Mrs Rose Orianran-Anthony, made this known when she visited the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Emmanuel Sideso, in his palace in Effurun.

    Orianran-Anthony expressed dismay that the PVCs lay at INEC office, with no effort by the voters to collect them.

    She said that the commission did not have an office in the local government are which exposed its staff and materials to violence during elections.

    The administrative secretary, therefore, appealed to the monarch to provide the commission with a piece of land for the building of an office.

    She also appealed to the monarch to encourage registered voters among his subjects to go and collect their voter cards.

    Receiving the INEC scribe, Sideso appealed to the commission to provide a centre in the area for collection of PVCs.

    Sideso regretted a situation where registered voters spent long hours to collect the PVCs, describing the situation as “frustrating’’.

    He promised to look into the issue of land and other facilities for the commission to enhance its job.