TheNewsGuru

Tag: Isoko

  • Isoko Reps candidate, others sue FG, demand N100bn compensation over flooding

    Isoko Reps candidate, others sue FG, demand N100bn compensation over flooding

     

    The House of Representatives candidate of the National Rescue Movement, NRM, Esanerovo Agbodo in the 2023 general election, in association with other flood victims in Isoko North and Isoko South local government areas have sued the Federal government of Nigeria for negligence and for a N100billion compensation for Isoko people affected by the 2022 flooding.

    The major bone of contention in the suit is to determine: ” Wether the discontinuity of the process of construction of the Datsin Hausa Dam in Adamawa State by the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu due to poor Feasibility study and Engineering Design as he claimed during the Minister’s interaction with a Committee in the National Assembly recently, without immediately making arrangements since 2016,six years ago for a better Feasibility study and Engineering Design, having in mind the urgency of building the Dam to avert future occurrence of the destruction of this annual flooding in Nigeria was right and not equal to negligence.”

    The defendants in the suit are the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and the Minister of Water Resources.

    In the Originating Summons suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/202S/2022 titled “In the matter of the Construction of Datsin Hausa Dam and avoidance of perennial flooding in Isoko North and Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State” filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the following reliefs were sought:

    Firstly, a declaration that the Federal Government of Nigeria should identify and compensate these victims of the 2022 flooding in Isoko North and Isoko South Local Government Areas with the sum of One hundred Billion Naira( 100b) for loss of sources of livelihood and separation from families and living environment ” and secondly an Order to “compel the Federal government to consider this annual flooding as a ” matter of urgent national importance” in order to put it in its priority list in the 2023 budget among others.
    And THE PLAINTIFFS hereby seek the following reliefs:

    1.A Declaration that the Federal government should identify and
    compensate these victims of the 2022 flooding in Isoko North and Isoko South.

    2.A Declaration that the Federal government should consider this annual
    flooding as a matter of urgent national importance in order to put it in its priority
    list in the 2023 budget

    3. An Order for the Federal government to complete the dredging of major rivers in Nigeria and the building of the necessary Dam to avert future occurrences of flooding within one year,

    4. A Declaration for the National Assembly to probe the poor Engineering
    concerned and Feasibility study of the DAM mentioned by the Minister of Water
    Resources – Engr. Suleiman Adamu in the Nation Newspaper publication of
    October 19th, 2022 and establish the reasons for not building and the completion of the Dam since 2016 when the perennial flooding problem was identified by him.

    5. An Order that the spending of Ecological fund by the Federal government from 2001 till date be investigated, as also mentioned by Socio- Economic Rights
    and Accountability Project (SERAP).

    Citing the audit of the Ecological Fund Office carried out by the. Nigeria
    Extractive industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). SERAP said 277 billion was disbursed from December 2011 to November 2016 and some of disbursements were not utilised for the purpose for which it was established according to the audit
    report.

  • Photos: Flood overwhelms Delta State as communities cry out

    Photos: Flood overwhelms Delta State as communities cry out

    …IMG calls on Delta Govt to help victims

    Delta State communities have been overwhelmed by flood as people are displaced from their ancestral homes.

    Reports monitored by TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) clearly indicate that there’s no community that does not have its fair share.

    Mostly affected are, Ijaw, Urhobo and Isoko communities in different locations of the state.

    A group under the aegis of Isoko Monitoring Group in a statement blamed Delta government for not showing concern to the plight of the affected communities.

    Hear the group:

    The Isoko Monitoring Group, (IMG) has expressed bewilderment at the
    “zero response” from government at all levels to the sufferings of the people of various communities in
    Isoko North and South Local Government Areas and other parts of Delta State currently being ravaged by flood

    The group, in a statement its President, Dr Oke Michael Aziakpono and Spokesperson/PRO
    Dr. Kingsley Oroh said: “As risk areas of the country suffer this seasonal disaster every year occasioned by failure of government in executing their responsibilities, the Isoko Monitoring Group, (IMG) is in bewilderment at the total insouciance and zero response from governments at various levels.

    “Rather than going to Uyo to preach rescue messages, we expected Governor Okowa and his officials to be on their Rainboots and in canoes visiting our people, who are suffering the impacts of this devastating flood to rescue them to at least IDP camps which a responsible and responsive government should have established by now.

     

    “That the Minister representing Delta State chose to be serenading us with BAT MOMENTS rather than mobilising all instruments of government to bring relief materials to the suffering people of Isoko displaced by this flood typifies the insensitivity of the Federal Government.

    “The two local government chairmen should wake up from their long slumber, fold up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. Our people are suffering

    “The nation’s weather watch agency typically puts out warnings indicating the magnitude of the flood and what to expect. It would therefore be expected that government mitigation and relief agencies will be prepared to step in to protect communities and people at risk; but this is never the case.

    “As at the time of this statement, 60% of communities in Isoko North and South Local Government Areas of Delta State are under water, farmlands and homes in some areas have been washed away. Our people are displaced and devastated.

    “We call on the State government to step in immediately by embarking on a tour of affected communities to get firsthand assessment of what her citizens are suffering, to enable the government develop an appropriate response in conjunction with the federal government. This is the least we expect.

    “May we also point out that governments exist to serve and protect citizens. For government impact to be missing at critical times such as this implies that public officials do not understand the functions of government. This is the time for elected and appointed officials to swing into action and show concern for the hardship caused to their people by this disaster.

    “Like other affected communities in the country, our people need immediate relief materials for daily survival and after the flood they will need to rebuild their homes and restart their farming activities. Government assistance is greatly needed.

     

    “Although flood is a natural disaster, we are aware that this annual flooding is compounded by the opening of the dam in neighboring Cameroun, and the surging water pushes its way down to the lower Niger washing away communities on the lower Niger.

    “The federal government need to honour the agreement reached with the Camerounian government in 1977 by completing the Dasin Hausa dam in Adamawa state. While we await that, the two governments need to work together to find mitigation to this problem in the interest of their people.

    “We are also calling on all sons and daughters of Isoko to come to the aid of their brothers and sisters affected by this flood.”

  • FLOOD: Group blasts govt, Keyamo over neglect of Isoko people

    FLOOD: Group blasts govt, Keyamo over neglect of Isoko people

    A group under the aegis of Isoko Monitoring Group (IMG) has lambasted Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo SAN following recent sufferings of people residing at various communities in Isoko North and South Local Government Areas due to flood.

    The group expressed bewilderment at the
    “zero response” from government at all levels, saying “we expected Governor Okowa and his officials to be on their Rainboots and in canoes visiting our people.”

    In a statement by it’s President, Dr Oke Michael Aziakpono and Spokesperson/PRO Dr. Kingsley Oroh, the group said: “As risk areas of the country suffer this seasonal disaster every year occasioned by failure of government in executing their responsibilities, the Isoko Monitoring Group (IMG) is in bewilderment at the total insouciance and zero response from governments at various levels.

    “Rather than going to Uyo to preach rescue messages, we expected Governor Okowa and his officials to be on their Rainboots and in canoes visiting our people, who are suffering the impacts of this devastating flood to rescue them to at least IDP camps which a responsible and responsive government should have established by now.

    “That the Minister representing Delta State chose to be serenading us with BAT MOMENTS rather than mobilising all instruments of government to bring relief materials to the suffering people of Isoko displaced by this flood typifies the insensitivity of the Federal Government.

    “The two local government chairmen should wake up from their long slumber, fold up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. Our people are suffering

    “The nation’s weather watch agency typically puts out warnings indicating the magnitude of the flood and what to expect. It would therefore be expected that government mitigation and relief agencies will be prepared to step in to protect communities and people at risk; but this is never the case.

    “As at the time of this statement, 60% of communities in Isoko North and South Local Government Areas of Delta State are under water, farmlands and homes in some areas have been washed away. Our people are displaced and devastated.

    “We call on the State government to step in immediately by embarking on a tour of affected communities to get firsthand assessment of what her citizens are suffering, to enable the government develop an appropriate response in conjunction with the federal government. This is the least we expect.

    “May we also point out that governments exist to serve and protect citizens. For government impact to be missing at critical times such as this implies that public officials do not understand the functions of government. This is the time for elected and appointed officials to swing into action and show concern for the hardship caused to their people by this disaster.

    “Like other affected communities in the country, our people need immediate relief materials for daily survival and after the flood they will need to rebuild their homes and restart their farming activities. Government assistance is greatly needed.

    “Although flood is a natural disaster, we are aware that this annual flooding is compounded by the opening of the dam in neighboring Cameroun, and the surging water pushes its way down to the lower Niger washing away communities on the lower Niger.

    “The federal government need to honour the agreement reached with the Camerounian government in 1977 by completing the Dasin Hausa dam in Adamawa state. While we await that, the two governments need to work together to find mitigation to this problem in the interest of their people.

    “We are also calling on all sons and daughters of Isoko to come to the aid of their brothers and sisters affected by this flood.”

  • Tension in Isoko as unidentified gunmen reportedly abduct Council Vice Chairman

    Tension in Isoko as unidentified gunmen reportedly abduct Council Vice Chairman

     

    Confusion in Delta State as unidentified gunmen have reportedly kidnapped the Vice Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area, Chief Frank Esiwo Ozue.

    Chief Ozue was abducted by armed bandits on Sunday at Ogor town in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

    The VC was said to be alone when his vehicle was waylaid by the kidnappers and whisked to an unknown location.

    He was said to be travelling to Patani area of the state when the incident occurred.

    A family source who confirmed the incident on Monday said “The abductors left his car and his phones behind.”

    The source added that the gunmen were yet to contact the family for ransom or his whereabouts as of the time of filing this report.

    “He was going to the Patani area when he was stopped by the kidnappers along the Iwhre-Ovie/Oviri-Ogor Road off the Ughelli/Evwreni section of the East-West Road.

    “The kidnappers left his car and his belongings including his phones at the scene of the incident. They (kidnappers) have not reached out to the family since yesterday (Sunday). The family is very worried about the state of his health”, a family source told newsmen on Monday.

    When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the unfortunate incident to newsmen.

    He, however, disclosed that the State Police Command has deployed a combined team of police and vigilante operatives to ensure that the Isoko North vice chairman is rescued unhurt.

  • Isoko Rep Race: How alleged hired political thugs attacked Ex-MD Of DESOPADEC, Askia

    Isoko Rep Race: How alleged hired political thugs attacked Ex-MD Of DESOPADEC, Askia

    More facts have emerged on how immediate past Managing Director of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and frontline House of Representatives aspirant for Isoko Federal Constituency, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, was attacked by political thugs during a consultative visit to PDP delegates in Isoko North, Delta State, have been revealed.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) gathered that the attack was hatched by some unnamed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders particularly from Isoko North of reportedly masterminding the attack against Bashorun Askia and members of entourage.

    Askia and his campaign entourage were on Tuesday attacked after paying a consultative visit to the leadership of Isoko North PDP and delegates ahead of the forthcoming primaries of the party to choose the flagbearer of the PDP for the 2023 general election.

    The attack which took place at Otor-Igho in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State left no fewer than two mobile policemen attached to the politician injured.

    Some vehicles in campaign convoy were also damaged by the hoodlums during the incident.

    Speaking on the incident, a leader of the party in Isoko Nation told our correspondent that the attack was aimed at intimidating the House of Representatives aspirant whose opponent is an ally and being sponsored by sponsors of the attack.

    According to the source, a top PDP exco arranged two sets of thugs. One, to disrupt Askia while addressing the delegates and party officials. While the other group of thugs was stationed at the Otor-Igho Primary School to attack Askia’s convoy on their way out of the community.”
    One of the damaged vehicles during the attack on Bashorun Askia

    Another revelation claimed that, “In addition to this, the LGA PDP chairman after the presentation of Bashorun Askia, in what could be seen as partisan preconceived response, went on countering whatever Bashorun had presented.

    “He cut short persons who were in support of Bashorun in their speeches, claiming he was expecting others who were coming after Bashorun visit. A total disregard for his visitor and very unfriendly in his response.”

    Reacting to the attack, the Isoko North PDP chairman, Godwin Ogorugba, denied his involvement in the attack against Ogieh by political thugs in his compound.

    He said, “I was very angry, I learnt it was some boys from Emevor, Owhelogbo and Ozoro that were stoning him because they said he didn’t give them money.”

    The glowing performances in terms of employment and development of Isoko nation, including the rising profile of Bashorun Askia Ogieh, according to sources had sent jitters into the camps of Jonathan Ukodhiko who is also said to be aspiring for the Isoko federal constituency in the 2023 general elections.

    “The only option left for Ukodhiko due to his unacceptability is to create trouble everywhere. I will boldly say that this is not the way to go in responsible politics”, a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain from Isoko South said.

  • Family of late Tim Owhefere to hold one year memorial service in his honour

    Family of late Tim Owhefere to hold one year memorial service in his honour

    The family of Late Majority Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Tim Owhefere will on Sunday hold a one year memorial service in his honour.

    This was contained in an invite signed by Avura Emeakpor and Richard Isagba.

    Venue of the memorial service is St Michael’s Anglican Church, Akiewhe in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State.

    Owhefere died on the 27th of January 2021 after a brief sickness.

    He is survived by three children, wife, brothers and sisters.

  • We want prepaid meters or no more payments of electricity bills – Isoko youth tells BEDC

    We want prepaid meters or no more payments of electricity bills – Isoko youth tells BEDC

    …to embark on massive protest

    …alerts all security agencies across board

    Isoko youth in both Isoko North and South Local Government Areas of Delta State on Sunday vowed to stop all manual billings in Isoko land by BEDC, if after one month all communities are not metered.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the group under the aegis of Isoko Solidarity Protest Against BEDC to make their threat bark and bite placed all security agencies across board in Delta in view of a protest soon.

    In a letter signed by solicitors of the group, D.E. Emebuno Esq and copies was sent to all critical stakeholders, the group alleged that despite high billings manually, electricity still remains a mirage in the entire Isoko Nation.

    They argued that despite providing transformers, poles, cables and other vital electrical gadgets through communal and individual efforts to support BEDC, electricity has remained epileptic while energy bills remain high.

    The letter in part stated that”Our Clients, the Solidarity Protest Group against BEDC is a body with representatives across all the clans in Isoko land of both Isoko North and South Local Government Areas of Delta
    State.

    “Our Clients noted with dismay the poor, non and zero supply of Electricity to the entire Isoko and in the last one year and we have decided to cry out for immediate attention and restoration.

    “Our Clients informed our office that they are pained with the high level of your Company’s marginalization of the Isoko land by your company without consideration to the Isoko land,
    one of the highest ethnic group that produces the wealth of this country.

    According to our Clients, it is more devastating that your company have failed, refused and or
    neglected to supply pre paid electricity meters but adhered to extortion by maintaining the old order of collecting bills arbitrarily through estimated bills against the provision of the law, the
    Electricity Act as amended.

    “Our Clients informed us in particular that in the last one year, your Company totally deny supply of Electricity to the entire Isoko land yet your staff supply bills from nowhere and causing annoyance to the Isokos.

    “Worst still, our Clients informed us that despite your company no supply of Electricity your staff at your instigation and agreement without notice carry ladder every month to disconnect
    their wires from the poles and collect high disconnection fees.

    “Our Clients contend that the Isoko people have not benefited or enjoyed your electricity services in any way. Consumers does not see the light for their domestic
    use. Not even to light up their buildings, iron or press their cloths, tailors or fashion designers and welders do not also have the light for use. Those who repair radios and
    television are also out of work.

    “Our Clients further informed us that your failure to supply light has caused untold hardship in the Isoko Land. Arising from the foregoing we have our Clients instructions to demand for restoration of Electricity supply in the Isoko land and provision of pre-
    paid meters forthwith.

    “Where your company failed to comply with our clients’ demand, our Clients resolute to make known to the public by creating awareness of their right.

    See letter below:

  • Renowned history scholar, Professor Abednego Ekoko is dead

    Renowned history scholar, Professor Abednego Ekoko is dead

    Renowned history scholar and former Vice Chancellor (VC) and sole administrator of the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Prof Abednego Ekoko is dead.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Professor Ekoko, a former Commissioner for Education in Delta State, born on April 10 1942, died on Saturday at the age of 79.

    Ekoko was a former Chairman, Governing Council, of the State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku. He was also a former National Commissioner, National Boundaries Commission.

    The late Professor Ekoko was also a former member of the Project Committee for the establishment of the three new universities in Delta State.

    The deceased hailed from Uzere in Isoko South Local Government area of Delta State.

  • Isoko forum flays marginalisation in appointment of judges in Delta

    Isoko forum flays marginalisation in appointment of judges in Delta

    …threatens legal, mass actions

    A pressure group known as Isoko Progress Forum (IPF) has decried the exclusion and marginalisation of experienced, qualified and competent judicial officers of the Isoko ethnic nationality in the appointment of judges in the Delta State judicial system.

    It expressed this in a petition entitled: “Extreme Marginalisation of Isoko in Appointment of Judges in Delta,” dated October 30, 2021 and addressed to the Chairman, Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

    It stated: “IPF wishes to draw the attention of the Delta Judicial Service Commission, State Government and others to the brazen exclusion of our ethnic nationality in the recent appointment of judges in the state.

    “The exercise was done in flagrant violation of fair play, equity, justice and inclusion against the spirit behind the establishment of the Delta State Judicial Service Commission and the Federal Character Commission.

    “The Isoko nationality is a minority tribe like the Ijaw and the Itsekiri, who get fair deals in appointments as other ethnic groups in Delta State.”

    Coordinator of IPF, Dr. Goodie Omuyeh and Secretary General, Dr. Prosper Ahworegba signed the petition, copies of which were sent to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Chairman, National Judicial Service Commission (NJSC), Abuja; Delta State Chief Judge; Speaker, House of Assembly; Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Abuja and President-General, Isoko Development Union (IDU).

    IPF stated that the recent nomination and shortlisting of judges left the Isoko short-changed as usual without consideration for oneness, transparency and brotherhood, stressing: “Isoko is being treated as a conquered territory and this can no longer be tolerated.”

    The group, therefore, emphasized that it would employ all means to ensure that the Isoko got their due at all costs, including a mass campaign to sensitise the people about their interests and those working against them.

    “In the new judges shortlist, Delta Central and North Senatorial zones have four names each. The South Senatorial Zone also has four names, comprising two each for the Itsekiri and Ijaw and none for the Isoko.

    “However, before the recent list, serving judges in the state were as follows: Central (14), North (11) and South (6 with the Itsekiri having 3, Ijaw 2 and Isoko 1). What this means is that the Isoko, at the end of the current shortlisting, will be left with just one judge. But other ethnic groups in the three senatorial districts will have additional number of serving judges in the state’s High Court,” it noted.

    It underscored the fact that the Isoko have the capacity to meet demands of judicial merit and competence, pointing out that the tribe had produced scholars and intellectual legal giants who could be appointed as judges in the state and anywhere in the world.

    “More annoying and provocative is the fact that apart from the Isoko being excluded from nominations and appointments to fill vacancies, we are not even allowed to serve as replacement of retirees who are from Isoko in the judiciary!

    “These are calculated attempts and policies-cum-actions to completely deny our oil-producing nationality appointments, deliberately heat up and destabilise the polity through disregard for the sensibilities of the Isoko nation and provocation of our peace-loving and law-abiding people,” the group said.

    It further stated that as a pan-Isoko organisation, IPF rejects any “government subjugation of our people and land against the ECOWAS, African and United Nations global principles of morality, ethics, equity and justice, which could trigger or ignite unrest among the Isoko people, who have been pushed against the wall.”

    IPF, therefore, requested that the Chief Judge and Chairman of JSC in Delta State should remedy the lopsidedness and hidden agenda, maintaining that the number of Isoko judges should be increased to three to be on a par with other tribes in the South Senatorial Zone before it was too late.

  • Delta APC engages in fisticuffs with members in Isoko

    Delta APC engages in fisticuffs with members in Isoko

    The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently enmeshed in fisticuffs with its members in Olomoro, Isoko South Local Government Area.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Olomoro Ward 06 of the APC had suspended a chieftain of the party, Chief Lucky Esigie.

    However, the State Chapter on Wednesday faulted the suspension of Chief Esigie from the party.

    This is contained in a statement by the State APC Publicity Secretary (Caretaker) Mr Sylvester Imonina in Asaba.

    “The attention of the Delta chapter has been drawn to a purported statement, emanating from some self-styled executive of APC, Olomoro ward 06 and emissaries of rift.

    “In the said statement, they arrogated to themselves the powers that they do not have.

    “And they claimed to have suspended Chief Lucky Esigie, the National Leader of APC Isoko Nation, Mr Vincentino Oberebe, Mr Denis Ewhubare, Mrs Hopelyn Ayu, Mr Monday Oghorie, Mr Samuel Idebe, Mr Elo Azagba and Mr Fred Isigba.

    “The chapter unequivocally states that the said statement is ludicrous, infantile, and shamefully issued by those who do not wish the party well in Isoko South Local Government Area (LGA) of the state,” he said.

    Imonina added: “In fact, the authors are not known to the party as its executive in Olomoro ward 6 in Isoko South.

    “The party therefore urges its members to ignore those dissidents whose stock in trade is engaging in political war without end.

    “Their antics and modus operandi have always been, what they cannot get, they destroy.”

    He said that given the gravity of the offence, the party has directed the Isoko South LGA working committee, led by Mr Vincent Egbogbo to in line with the party’s constitution, take disciplinary action against the said executive.

    According to Imonina, the party sounds a note of warning to those who are not ready to give peace a chance to have a rethink of their insidious actions.

    “Otherwise, all available legal and constitutional instrumentalities of our great party shall be invoked against them.

    “As the party matches towards 2023, indiscipline shall no longer be condoned by its leadership,” he said.