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Tag: Ovie Omo-Agege

  • Sen. Omo-Agege cautions APC against past PDP mistakes

    Sen. Omo-Agege cautions APC against past PDP mistakes

    Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress(APC) against past mistakes of the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Omo-Agege, gave charge in an address at the APC South-South Town Hall Meeting for Constitution Review in Asaba.

    He said that the move to review the APC constitution was to make it a peoples oriented party that created equal opportunities for all members.

    He noted that the decision of the national leadership of the party to review the party’s constitution was born out of the imperative of receiving contributions at the grassroots levels to make a working document that would provide equal opportunities for all.

    “To this end, the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), ably led by Gov. Mai Mala Buni has underlined the sacrosanct need for reviewing the party constitution to meet the current realities of nation’s political space and increase the need for intraparty relationship and efficiency.

    “History beacons on our great party. It is the first ever opposition party to unseat an incumbent party in the life of our nation, Nigeria.

    “Fellow party men, remember that the PDP had confidently said that it would be in power for 60 years. It took the resolve and determination of a strong-willed nation and its people to upstage that confidence.

    “Now there is a lesson that we must bear in our subconscious and which should give centrality to our thoughts and deeds,” he said.

    Omo-Agege added:”Nigeria has shown that it has come of age in terms of political maturity; politicians and political parties must deliver on their mandates and their promises or face removal, just as it happened in 2015.

    “Yet, politicians must be given the enablement to so perform. This is why we must provide a working manual (Constitution) that is fully integrative not only of the obligation and responsibilities of party men and women but also of their rights and privileges.”

    He added that the party should be guided at all times by a people -oriented constitution.

    “Such that as we work, the APC would be so positioned to provide an irresistible appeal to all persons desirous of inclusive and purposeful political participation,” he said.

    He charged the Constitution Review Committee, to consider all areas that had been contentious in the exiting party constitution.

    “The first, by no order of importance is the need to strengthen the organs of the party with clear cut and non-overlapping duties amongst the organs.

    “Another is that of power devolution down the grassroots. Our party today has 12 million Nigerians strong and growing, the review needs to give specific functions to the zonal structures of the party such that power trickles down to the ward levels,” he said.

    He said that the South South constitution review town hall meeting would be more valuable if deliberations would drive inclusiveness of all ethnic nationalities and all interest in line with the major burning issues that are of interest to the party.

    “Beside engendering all inclusiveness, the amended constitution should go a long way to stem the web of recurring legal tussles between party members that creates bad blood,” Omo-Agege said.

    In his remark, Prof. Tahir Mamman, Committee Chairman, assured that the committee would deliver on its mandate of producing a working document for the party, adding that the gaps created by the existing party constitution would be addressed.

    “The gaps created by the present constitution has caused a lot of conflict, the review of the constitution should be a model.

    “For us in APC, we are an open book, we want this party to be owned by Nigerians. We are here to involve the grassroots in the constitution amendment, a synergy with the grassroots on how they want the party structured,” he said.

    Earlier, in his address of welcome, Prophet Jones Erue, Delta APC Chairman, thanked the party for holding the zonal meeting in the state.

    According to Erue, the opportunity to host the constitution review meeting is a matter of destiny being the only state in the region with an APC senator.

    He charge the committee to take seriously and address issues that affected the party.

    On his part, former APC Acting National Chairman, Mr Victor Giadom, charged all participants to take the days proceeding seriously, adding that some provisions in the party’s constitution were in conflict.

    APC members from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Edo, Bayelsa and Delta attended the meeting and presented their drafts and positions for consideration.

  • BREAKING: Buhari approves Federal Polytechnic Orogun

    BREAKING: Buhari approves Federal Polytechnic Orogun

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic Orogun in Orogun, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari’s approval was contained in a letter conveyed to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

    The letter, referenced DHE/POLY/39/C.1/I/84, was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Arc. Sonny S. T. Echono, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu.

    Meanwhile, a statement released by Prince Efe Duku, Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Legislative and Plenary Matters has it that the polytechnic will commence academic activities in October 2022.

    The statement reads: “President Buhari’s gracious approval of the founding and take-off of the Federal Polytechnic Orogun demonstrates yet again his clear leadership vision that our nation must embrace the future with a truly innovative educational system.

    “One supplying world-class human resource portfolios for national and global development. The Federal Polytechnic Orogun is another clear evidence of Mr. President’s admirable statesmanship, patriotic attention to strategic human capital development and deep love for our people.

    “On behalf of our traditional, religious, political, women, and youth leaders, and indeed all our people, the Deputy President of the Senate is profoundly grateful to Mr. President for the realisation of the dream of the establishment of this academic institution.

    “The DSP is daily humbled by God’s amazing grace which is manifest in President Buhari’s support for his humble efforts to represent our people with honour, courage, and distinction in the Senate. He is also thankful to his dear friend and brother, the Honourable Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, for his leadership and sense of integrity on this issue, like others.

    “May we say that Senator Omo-Agege has always envisioned the possibility of public tertiary academic institutions with core ‘Silicon Valley’ character in Nigeria. Institutions known mainly for world-class research capabilities and first-class achievements in the sciences, especially computer science – computer graphics, network design, computer-assisted education, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics, big data, cyber security, bioinformatics, amongst others.

    “This was the major motivation for his introduction of the Bill to establish the Federal Polytechnic Orogun in 2017 in the 8th Senate, but the political environment then did not allow the bill to progress. He re-introduced the Bill in 2019 in this 9th Senate, and it was passed by the National Assembly.

    “Our people, ably represented by the DSP, are grateful to the Distinguished Senators and Members of the House of Representatives of the 9th National Assembly for the passage of the Federal Polytechnic Orogun Bill.

    “The Obarisi is particularly grateful to his brothers, the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, PhD, CON, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency, The Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency, The Rt. Honourable Ahmed Idris Wase for their unflinching support for the Bill.

    “To our people, let us thank God Almighty by whose benevolence we are now being blessed with good and perfect gifts like never witnessed in our history.

    “Let us celebrate this worthy achievement with prayers for Mr. President. God’s amazing grace is upon your beloved Obarisi. The best is yet to come. He remains wholly and resolutely committed to your common good and strategic interests. Please pray for him, always”.

  • Omo-Agege mourns Ohwovoriole

    Omo-Agege mourns Ohwovoriole

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has expressed shock and sadness over the death of legal luminary, Olorogun Milton Paul Ohwovoriole, SAN.

    The popular legal icon died at the weekend after a brief illness at the age of 80.

    He was a former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch and one time President, Urhobo Social Club, Lagos.

    Until his death, he was the traditional Prime Minister of Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

    In his condolence message to the family, Senator Omo-Agege described the deceased as one of the shinning lights of the Urhobo Nation and Delta State in the legal profession.

    “The news of the demise of Olorogun Milton Paul Ohwovoriole, SAN came to me as a rude shock and a surprise. His immense contributions to the development of the state and country will remain evergreen in our hearts.

    “He was one of the first holders of the prestigious Senior Advocate of Nigeria title from Delta State. Little wonder, he was an inspiration to many,” he said.

    While extending his condolences to the Ohwovoriole family of Olomu Kingdom, Urhobo Nation as well as the government and people of Delta State, the Deputy President of the Senate prayed to the Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest, even as he called on Nigerians to remember his family in their prayers at these trying moments.

  • Nigeria cannot have a new constitution – Omo-Agege

    Nigeria cannot have a new constitution – Omo-Agege

    Those agigating for a brand new Constitution in Nigeria may have to perish the thought as the National Assembly lacks the powers to do so, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said.

    Speaking when he hosted members of Alliance of Nigerian Patriots in Abuja, Omo-Agege who chairs the Senate Adhoc Committee on Constitution Review, stressed that the National Assembly has no powers to replace the current Constitution but can only amend same.

    The delegation was led by Ambassador Umunna Orjiako.

    Citing advanced democracies like the United States of America where Nigeria’s presidential system of government is fashioned after as well as Sections 8 and 9 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the lawmaker said what is obtainable is piecemeal alteration of the Constitution.

    He, therefore, urged those calling for a brand new Constitution to channel their energy towards participating actively in the ongoing amendment of the Constitution by the Ninth Assembly.

    He said: “One of the issues you raised is the replacement of the 1999 Constitution. I am not so sure that we as a Parliament have the power to replace the Constitution. We can only make amendments. And it is explicit in Sections 8 and 9 of the Constitution on how we can do that and the requisite number of votes required.

    “I say that because there are some top attorneys in this country, who for some reason, keep saying that we don’t even need any of this, that we should just bring a new Constitution. We can’t do that.

    “What we are mandated to do by law is to look at those provisions and bring them up-to-date with global best practices, especially to the extent that it tallies with the views of the majority of Nigerians. So we are not in a position to replace this Constitution but we can only amend.

    “But, like I said, most of the issues you have raised here, like zones replacing states, that’s another euphemism for going back to the regions. We will look into that if that is what majority of our people want.

    “You talked about devolution of powers. The preponderance of views we have received so far is that those 68 items are very wide and need to shed some weight and move them to the Concurrent Legislative List”.

    He also expressed his opinion on the call by some persons for the scrapping of the upper legislative chamber.

    According to him, the country cannot practise unicameral legislature considering its large population.

    “One of the issues raised by #EndSARS Protesters was that they should abolish the Senate and merge us with the House of Representatives. We are not in a position to do that. Mr. President is not even in a position to do that as well. Because they believe that he can just by fiat say ‘Senate bye bye. it will now be a National Assembly made up of only the House of Representatives’.

    “But, as I said at a different forum, the President does not have such powers and I am not so sure that even we can legislate out the National Assembly,” he said.

    He continued: “There are people who believe that yes, we had the 2014 confab report that has been ‘transmitted’ to the National Assembly and there is the El-Rufai Report on Restructuring, 2018, that has been transmitted to the National Assembly and that we should just take them to Mr President for his assent and we have the Constitution amended.

    “But that is not how things are done here. We are a country governed by laws and the grundnorm is the Constitution. And the Constitution itself has spelt out what we can do and how we can do it”.

    Concluding, he tasked the group to reach out to other stakeholders across the country.

    Earlier, Ambassador Orjiakor called for the reconfiguration of the present 36 states structure into six zones as federating units, drastic cut in the Exclusive Legislative List and expansion of the Concurrent Legislative List, reform of the National Assembly to a hybrid Presidential and Westminster systems, abolition of security votes to be replaced by regular security budget allocations and electoral reforms to ensure a truly independent INEC.

    He also called for limited immunity for entitled public officers in the Executive branch of government, provision for independent candidacy in all elections, creating a consensual balance between meritocracy and federal character among others.

    Legislators who joined the Deputy President of the Senate to receive the guests include Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Saabi Yau.

  • Sen. Omo-Agege mourns Albert Okumagba

    Sen. Omo-Agege mourns Albert Okumagba

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen.Ovie Omo-Agege (APC Delta) has expressed sadness over the death of the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of BGL PLC, Albert Okumagba.

    Okumagba, a frontline economist and investment expert died on Nov. 19, in Abuja at the age of 56.

    Yomi Odunuga, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, in Statement on Sunday in Abuja, said Omo-Agege in his condolence message, described the death as a colossal loss to the capital market industry.

    Omo-Agege also said the demise of Okumagba was a great loss to the Urhobos, Delta State and Nigeria as a whole.

    The Delta-Central Senator also condoled with the Okumagba family of Warri in Delta, even as he prayed for the repose of the soul of the popular stockbroker.

    He said: “2020 has been a tragic year for the Urhobo Nation.

    “Just when we are still grieving from the deaths of prominent Urhobo sons and daughters this year, it is truly depressing to learn yet again about the death of another prominent son of our land at this critical moment.

    “It is my earnest prayer that we will never witness such a year like this where so many of our illustrious sons and daughters are lost to the cold hands of death.

    “The late Okumagba was a popular economist, investment expert, stockbroker and capital market operator and member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and graduate of Lagos Business School (LBS).

    “His selfless service, hard work and dedication to duty would remain evergreen in our hearts.

    “His demise is a great loss for our people to whom he rendered unalloyed service devotedly and with a great sense of responsibility.

    ” It is my hope that the cherished memories of his life will help ease the pain of this loss.

    “On behalf of myself and the people of Delta Central Senatorial District, I extend our profound empathy and heartfelt condolences to his immediate loved ones left behind.”

    He prayed that the almighty God give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

  • Omo-Agege mourns Prof Ekeh

    Omo-Agege mourns Prof Ekeh

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has expressed deep shock and sadness on the demise of prominent Nigerian scholar and founder of Urhobo Historical Society (UHS), Professor Peter Ekeh.

    Ekeh, a professor of African American Studies, who hailed from Okpara Inland of Agbon Kingdom, Ethope East Local Government Area of Delta State, reportedly passed on on Tuesday at the age of 83.

    The renowned scholar lectured at the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, before joining the State University of New York, Buffalo, as head of African-American Studies.

    Senator Omo-Agege commiserated with the people of Okpara Inland of Agbon Kingdom in particular as well as Ethope East Local Government Area of Delta State, the state government, the academic community over the unfortunate incident.

    The Delta Central lawmaker described Professor Ekeh as a shinning light of the Urhobos and a national and international scholar who made immense contributions to the development of education in Nigeria as a lecturer at University of Ibadan and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

    According to him, the popular scholar would also be remembered for pioneering books detailing Urhobo history and other rich research works in Africa.

    “I received with rude shock, the unfortunate news of the demise of elder statesman, Professor Peter Ekeh and my condolences go to the family, the people of Ethiope East, the Urhobos in general, Delta State Government and the academic community.

    “Without question, he distinguished himself in his services to the nation as a scholar in top notch higher institutions before joining the State University of New York, Buffalo, as head of African-American Studies.

    “As an Urhobo patriot and historian par excellence, he published many works on Urhobo history and he is also the brain behind Urhobowadoo.org – an internet warehouse for Urhobo history and other key issues.

    “He will be greatly missed not only by the Urhobos but also by scholars within and outside the country”, he said.

    While praying to the Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest, the Deputy President of the Senate called on Nigerians to remember his family in their prayers at these trying moments.

  • PIB: Omo-Agege makes case for host communities

    PIB: Omo-Agege makes case for host communities

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has argued that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) should be able to guarantee host communities 5% of the operational expenses of oil companies operating in the areas.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Omo-Agege made this argument on Thursday while also decrying the diversion of the 13 percent oil derivation funds by oil producing states.

    Specifically, he made a case for 100 percent utilisation of the funds for oil-bearing communities, as against the practice where states release only 50 percent of the money to development commissions in their states.

    The Delta Central lawmaker noted that since host communities bear the burden of environmental degradation from the oil industry, it is only fair that all funds be channeled into the development of the affected areas.

    He made the remarks when he hosted a delegation of Oil and Gas Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSCON), led by the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass in Brass Kingdom and Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, Chief Alfred Diete-Spiff.

    Senator Omo-Agege who chairs the Senate Adhoc Committee on Constitution Review, expressed regrets that the utilisation of the 13 percent derivation funds has become a political tool in the hands of state governors in the region.

    He said the diversion of the money has contributed gravely to the underdevelopment of the region as the affected communities can hardly boast of having access to the basic necessities of life.

    His words: “I have been discussing this matter with Chief (Wellington) Okrika even before I became a senator. It is fair that the 13 percent derivation is meant to ameliorate the conditions of the people who are most impacted by oil exploration and exploitation. That is the only reason this fund was set aside as a consequence of your agitation which you led for so many years.

    “These funds are not meant for the state governments. The state governments are meant to be purveyors to host communities. Even in states that have development commissions, they only earmark 50 percent of the funds to the Commission to manage on behalf of the host communities. So what happens to the other 50 percent? We have always taken the position from the outset that 100 percent of the funds is meant for the development of host communities because it is not every area that suffers from oil exploration and degradation. But for some reasons, it has become a political tool”.

    He reiterated his call for gas flaring penalties in the Petroleum Industry Bill to be paid to the host communities and not to the Federation Account, stressing that the annual contribution of 2.5 percent actual operating expenditure by oil companies to the Host Community Development Trust Fund should be increased to, at least, 5 percent, adding that the penalties from gas flaring would be used to ameliorate the living conditions in Niger Delta communities, as they suffer from the environmental impact of oil exploration.

    “The reason we are insisting on at least 5 percent of operational expenses of oil companies for the host communities is because of the stability as their operational expenses will always remain stable. The moment you say it should be profit after tax, we know what they will do. They will claim all the exemptions that, at the end of the day, you end up with nothing. But they must have their expenses. So we are insisting that we should be given at least 5 percent of that.

    “We say this because in the cause of our interaction with the Economic Management Team of the Federal Government, some of us wanted answers to certain questions, most especially why they were making less revenue from oil. And one of the reasons they raised at the time was that the cost of oil per barrel was very high because of the security cost to the oil companies.

    “Under this PIB, if you give us what we are now asking for by way of enhanced contribution of 5 percent operational expenses to the Host Communities Trust Fund, what it means is that the communities will now assume responsibilities for the protection of the oil facilities in their host community. And if that is the case, the portion of the funds that the oil companies were spending as Security Cost should now be transferred to us,” he added.

    On the proposed boards and management of Host Communities Trust Fund in the PIB, he emphasised the need for those in the host communities to be carried along.

    He called on the people in the region to show more than passing interest in the development of the area and hold their leaders accountable.

    Other lawmakers who assisted the Deputy President of the Senate in welcoming the guests include Senator Biobarakuma Degi Eremienyo (Bayelsa East), member of the House of Representatives representing Warri Federal Constituency, Hon Thomas Ereyitomi.

    In his earlier remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Matters, Senator Ita Enang, called on the Deputy President of the Senate to intervene in the N98 billion gas flare fund, the controversy surrounding the Pipeline Surveillance Contract, 13 percent derivation payment to oil producing communities and the need to pass a bill for the establishment of a Derivation Commission.

    According to him, the Niger Delta people should be engaged in the surveillance contract to give them a sense of belonging.

    He also lamented the absence of development commissions in Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States.

    The same sentiment was shared by the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass in Brass Kingdom and Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, Alfred Diete-Spiff, the Bolowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Wellington Okrika, HOSCON National Chairman, Prince Mike Emu and a host of others who spoke at the event.

    Other members of the delegation include High Chief (Prof) Jasper Jumbo, HRH King Samuel Nnee, Chief Emmanuel Anele, Princess Christy Ejeh among others.

  • PIB: 2.5% for host community not enough – Omo-Agege

    PIB: 2.5% for host community not enough – Omo-Agege

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has argued that the annual contribution of an amount equal to 2.5 per cent of actual operating expenditure by oil companies to the host community development trust fund proposed in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is not enough.

    Senator Omo-Agege presented this argument on the floor of the Nigerian Senate as the lawmakers debated the PIB during Tuesday’s plenary, following which the bill passed second reading.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the PIB passed second reading and was referred to the joint committee on petroleum upstream, petroleum downstream and gas to report back within eight weeks.

    Presenting his argument, Omo-Agege revealed that in the 8th Senate when the PIB was considered, the percentage contribution of oil companies to the host community development trust fund was pegged at 10 per cent.
    He urged the Senate to go back to the 5 per cent of the operational expenses for the host community, stressing that asking that moving the contribution of oil companies from 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent is not inconsiderable.

    “I will like to highlight the contribution of oil companies to the host community development trust. In the 8th Senate when we considered this bill, the per cent for the host community is 10 per cent but what I am seeing here is 2.5 per cent. This is inadequate. We can take this to a percentage that is acceptable to everybody.

    “I am going to propose that at a very barest minimum, we should go back to the 5 per cent of the operational expenses for the host community. Asking that this should be moved from 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent is not inconsiderable,” Omo-Agege stated.

    The Delta Central Senator also made a case on the issue of gas flaring in the Niger Delta, stressing that penalty for gas flaring is supposed to be used to ameliorate the conditions in Niger Delta communities.

    “I will like to point out that we still have issues of gas flaring. According to this bill, penalty for gas flaring is supposed to be paid into the federation account. If there is going to be penalty for gas flaring, it is only reasonable that the penalty should be used to ameliorate conditions in the host communities. This should be looked into,” Omo-Agege stated.

  • JUST IN: FG finally agrees to repair Benin-Sapele-Warri expressway

    JUST IN: FG finally agrees to repair Benin-Sapele-Warri expressway

    The federal government (FG) has finally agreed to carry out repairs work on the ever busy Benin-Sapele-Warri expressway.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) had earlier reported on the bad state of the road from the death trap fringes of Benin City through the horrible Ologbo axis to gully-prone Oghara, wobbly Sapele bridges and the outskirts of Warri.

    Also, during a debate recently on the floor of the Senate, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege had lamented the current state of the road, stressing the road is nothing to write home about.

    However, following constructive and fruitful engagements between the Delta Central Senator and the Minister for Works, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, the road would now be fixed.

    According to a statement by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser to the DSP on Media Matters, the Federal Ministry of Works was finalising preparations to undertake major works on this very important national corridor.

    Omo-Agege commended the Minister’s responsiveness, understanding and assurances on the need to urgently overcome the obvious and very serious challenges that the present state of the road poses to citizens.

    TNG reports the deplorable state of the Benin-Sapele-Warri expressway has caused untold hardship on the people and businesses operating in large parts of the Niger Delta region.

  • 2021 budget: How to achieve oil production benchmark – Omo-Agege

    2021 budget: How to achieve oil production benchmark – Omo-Agege

    The Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said for the nation to be able to achieve the oil production benchmark as stipulated in the 2021 budget, certain things must be put in place.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Omo-Agege stated this on Wednesday as the Senate began debate on the 2021 budget estimate of N13.08 trillion recently presented to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “This 2021 budget proposal is based on two predicates. The first is the 40-dollar benchmark and the second is the oil production estimate of 1.86 million barrels per day.

    “Like I indicated in the debate for the 2020 budget, for us to be able to achieve this 1.86 million barrels per day, certain things must be in place.

    “We must have peace and indeed, maintain the peace in the Niger Delta region.

    “For those of us that represent the region, we are very worried for these are the people that represent the goose that lays the golden eggs that take care of the economy. But, majority of them are jobless; there is nothing for them.

    “That is why we maintain that the youths in these communities must be engaged and the only way they can be engaged is for these oil companies who explore oil in these communities to help in creating jobs for these people and the only way they can do this is to have their business operating headquarters located in the Niger Delta,” Omo-Agege stated.

    Also, the Delta Central Senator lamented the current state of the Benin-Sapele-Warri road, stressing the road is nothing to write home about.

    “The infrastructures that we have in that region are dilapidated. The roads are bad. A journey of 45 minutes now takes six hours.

    “As we get closer to another Christmas period with an expected influx of people and vehicular movements, something should be done right away to fix all the bad roads in the Niger Delta.

    “It is bad enough that the country is in bad shape right now but we need to try and put the infrastructures we already have in order,” the Senator said.

    He further stressed on the need to focus on solid minerals as means of revenue generation for the nation. He stressed solid minerals belong to the nation at large.

    “Secondly, we should also focus on our solid minerals. We have gold in some Northern States. I have seen the Governor of Zamfara selling gold worth N5 billion to the Central Bank of Nigeria. The golds do not belong to the state but the nation at large,” the Senator argued.