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Tag: Warri

  • Warri Economic Summit: Warri Port to function optimally again

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his predecessor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, have said machineries are in motion for the dredging of the Forcados River which will lead to full operations of the Warri Port.

    The duo spoke at the maiden edition of Warri Economic Summit held in Warri, Warri South local government area of Delta State.

    According to the Governor, “it is our sincere hope that with the anticipated dredging of the Escravos bar, bigger ships can berth at the Warri port and this should lead more businesses to return to Warri, the industrial hub of Delta State.”

    “Let me use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Port Authority for awarding the contract for the dredging of the Escravos channel; this project is necessary for the port to regain its pivotal role in the economy and it is my belief that we can use the port as a platform to promote the growth and transformation of the State and national economies,” the Governor said.

    The Governor disclosed that to ensure hitch free movement to the Warri Port, his administration has secured more than 50 hectares of land through the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom for the construction of tankers’ park.

    While asserting that his administration was committed to providing a congenial atmosphere for private enterprises to flourish by proving peace and the building of strategic infrastructures across the State, the Governor stated, “the theme for this summit: Warri Rising is most appropriate, Warri is no doubt the economic nerve center of the State and also the most populated; it is that, which makes this summit critical to our overall vision to develop the State; Warri began trading with Europe more than 500 years ago.”

    Governor Okowa urged the people to remain peaceful and avoid criminal activities.

    To former Governor Uduaghan, “the youths must accept that the Warri Port must work, this whole exercise is about the youths, their future and I congratulate Hon. Tidi for organising this event.”

    He noted that efforts are on for the dredging of the Forcados River adding that blame game should stop and the people should take responsibilities for their actions.

    Former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Prince Raymond Temisan Omatseye, said, Warri Port cannot function with collaborative efforts with other local government areas.

    He emphasised that the Escravos Bar will be dredged for the Koko and Warri Ports to be functional and called on the youths to ensure peaceful environment for development projects to take place.

    Chairman of Warri South local government area, Hon. Michael Tidi had in an address, said the economic summit was important because, “Warri needs to regain her pride of place as a business hub in Nigeria and in West Africa and the 2-day summit is to rebrand Warri away from negative connotations of the last decade or two, identify sector Warri can be number 1 or 2 in business within the next 3 years and identify what can be done to revive maritime trade in Warri within the next 6-12 months.”

     

  • DPR sanctions 6 erring petrol stations in Warri, environs

    The Warri Zonal Office of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sanctioned six erring petrol stations in Warri and its environs.

    The Warri Zonal Operations Controller, Mr Antai Asuquo, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Warri shortly after a surveillance exercise.

    Asuquo, who led the surveillance team, said the petrol stations were sealed for under-dispensing and over-pricing.

    He said the team, comprising two groups, visited 17 petrol stations in an exercise that lasted over six hours.

    Though the controller expressed joy at the level compliance to the government-approved pump price of N145 per litre, he however said the regulatory agency would keep monitoring the marketers until there was full compliance.

    The DPR officials, accompanied by security operatives, covered Warri, Ughelli and Udu Local Government Areas, and also, some filling stations that dispensed slightly above the approved pump price were compelled to sell at N145 per litre to consumers.

    “We visited 17 stations and six were sealed for various offences bordering on over-pricing and under-dispensing and appropriate sanctions have been meted to them.

    “We will continue this process; as we observed, the level of compliance is gradually increasing; there are products and we expect that in the next two weeks, it would have normalised completely.

    “However, we want to solicit the support of the security agencies to ensure that appropriate law is enforced, particularly violation of the sealing of filling stations by DPR, which contravenes the law of the land.

    “We are only a regulatory agency; we do not enforce the law.”

    Asuquo said that DPR would keep monitoring products lifted from private depots and ensure they reached their approved destinations with the exact quantities discharged.

    The controller appealed to the public to assist the regulatory agency with useful information about sharp practices by marketers, in order to the address the situation.

    “The public should call the DPR whenever they notice infractions with regards to over-pricing, under-dispensing among other anomalies.

    “We will take appropriate actions immediately,” he said.

     

  • NUJ condemns police brutality on officials in Warri

    NUJ condemns police brutality on officials in Warri

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Warri Correspondents Chapel condemned in its entirety the assault on its chairman, Comrade Akpokona Omafuaire by men of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Oleh Police Division and official of Isoko South Local Government Environment department led by the Supervising Councillor, Mr Kenneth Ogba, during today (Saturday, 27th January) environmental sanitation exercise at the council area.

    The Union states vehemently that assaulting a journalist who is on essential duty like those who were deployed to cover and enforce law and order, after due introduction of self is unacceptable as we view that as attempt to gag the press from doing its job.

    Journalists, for no reason should not suffer any prejudice in course of their duties, as such a journalist who known his right must refuse any directive or interference that is contrary to the general policy of his organisation; therefore attempt by the policemen and other officials of the council to manhandle our chairman because they were deployed to enforce restrictions of movement is repugnant to journalistic practice.

    Journalist, among others like the police, members of Environmental department of council also have the right to movement and it is only a policeman who need to be schooled that would say journalist are suppose to sit at home during Environmental Sanitation exercise whereas himself is licence to stay on the street to maintain law and order.

    A journalist who is worth his declaration to exercise his journalistic duties, doesn’t need a police permit or an accreditation by the local government council to cover sanitation exercise or being elsewhere on the road as anything could happen that is in the public interest anytime.

    Therefore, the assault on our chairman, seizure of his work tools, like camera, identification card and car key under the guise of trying to enforce restriction of movement order is condemnable, unacceptable and an affront to journalistic practice.

    We would not condone such barefaced act from anybody who claim to be doing his duty and trying to shut down journalist who should have free access to all sources of information and the right to investigate without impediment anything that is in the public interest.

    NUJ State Council Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu who also expressed displeasure over the development, emphasized that he wouldn’t condone any embarrassment of journalists who are legitimately doing their job.

    “Any policeman that doesn’t know that journalists monitor environmental sanitation exercise or are allowed access while such exercise are taking place like others on essential duty should go back to training”.

    Meanwhile, the chapel is relieved by the prompt response of the chairman of Isoko South Local Government Council, Hon Constantine Itiako Ikpokpo whose attention was drawn to the ugly incident by the Secretary of the Chapel, Comrade Joe Ogbodu and honourably called to apology over the incident.

    Signed: Joe Ogbodu, Secretary, NUJ Warri Correspondents Chapel

  • Respect my right, end SARS: Protesters bring Warri to a halt

    Protesters belonging to a Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Delta state have urged the Federal Government to restructure the entire Nigeria Police force for better performance.

    The groups made the call on Monday during a peaceful rally in Warri to mark the World Human Rights Day.

    The protesters, mostly boys and girls, converged at the Enerhen Junction, a boundary between Warri and Uvwie Local Government at about 11:00 a.m without obstructing vehicular movement and other commercial activities.

    They held placards with inscriptions such as: “We are Nigerians, our rights no bi privilege, respect my right, end SARS,” “I walk around with my laptop does not make me a Yahoo boy”.

    Others were: “Dreadlocks, Tattoos no be Yahoo boy,” “End SARS, reform Nigeria Police, “SARS must respect human rights in Delta,” among others.

    Addressing newsmen, leader of the protest, Mr Kehinde Taiga, said that the brutality of the Nigeria Police, particularly the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), was becoming unbearable in the society.

    Taiga, who is the Chairman, Committee for the Defence of Human Right (CDHR), Delta chapter, said that restructuring the police force was a better option to ending the menace.

    “Police should operate within the ambit of the constitution, they should not be violating the rights of the citizens. The brutality of the police is becoming unbearable.

    “We call on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to restructure the Nigeria Police and be given a guideline of operation.

    “The fundamental human rights are there to be exercised by every citizen, so police should stop violating those rights, the fundamental rights of Nigerians should be respected, ” he said.

    Taiga also said that the activities of SARS should be controlled by the State Commands rather than being supervised by a Police Commissioner in Abuja.

    Also speaking, Mr Collins Azuike, Lead Partner, “New Warri,” said the group made up of creative youths move about with the cell phones and laptops, adding that they suffered a lot of harassment from the police.

    “Of course, there are few bad persons among us that are doing fraudulent things but a good percentage of us are trying to create a better Warri.

    “We have our rights, that somebody is carrying a dreadlock does not make him or her a bad person, we want the police to join us to achieve this dream of New Warri where everyone’s right will be protected,” he said.

    Mr Igho Tietie, Convener, “New Warri”, said that there were laid down rules of engagement of the Nigeria Police, adding that the force floted those rules.

    “That a young man is carrying dreadlocks, tattoos and dress shabilly is not a yardstick to adjudge the persons as a criminial.

    “The police brutality is getting too much, when you try to protest for your right, they threaten to shoot you,” he said.

    Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta Command, Mr Andrew Aniamaka, on his cell phone for response was unsuccessful.

     

  • Again! Harrysong throws jab at Kcee

    No one thought Kcee and Harrysong will become rivals. The erstwhile business partners who made hit songs together are no longer best of friends.

    Ever since Harrysong started his record label Alterplate, Kcee has been at loggerheads with him.

    Harrysong at a recent gig in Warri sang passionately saying :” They sued me in court. Kcee said I’m not supposed to record. I reminded him that when Kcee Presh was broke, he came to me to help his career. I may not have a father and mother, but I have talent. You can take everything from me but you cannot take my name. Favour is my name”

     

    When asked why he delivered such a sensitive freestyle on stage, the talented singer said: “It is what it is. I have the freedom to say whatever I want to say and I don’t think I have committed any crime. I was simply enjoying the moment on stage and having a good time with my fans. Meanwhile, I did not say anything that is not true.”

  • Tax default: Federal Inland Revenue Service seals Warri hotels, firms

    WARRI – Warri, the oil city had a taste of the seriousness of the determination of the Federal Inland Revenue Service when its officials swopped on the town and sealed a number of firms including hotels.

    For guests and management of Golden Tulip, Warri Airports Hotels, Effurun, it was a massive show of embarrassment Uvwie as the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, on Tuesday evening sealed the hotel for tax liabilities.

    The team which went around Warri and Effurun to seal defaulting companies showed early sign of seriousness when they sealed Kevwe Construction Company, Okwokoko, for N84.4 million VAT default but granted Ishaka Hotels and Tebelos Hotels, both along Refinery Road, Effurun, a day grace based on their undertaking to resolve their liabilities.

    Led by Anita Erine, the tax body’s enforcement team showed no mercy, and brooked no intervention from any quarters as they insisted that defaulting firms, especially Golden Tulip hotel which has accumulated Value Added Tax liabilities of over N15.6Million through 2014 to 2016 years of assessment must pay or show evidence that they have paid before any discussions could take place.

    According to Ms Erine: “The chairman of FIRS, Dr. Babatunde Fowler, has signed a warrant of distraint to seal this company (Golden Tulip) and the only way we can do otherwise is for you to pay up what you owe or show proof that you have paid.”

    Efforts by one of the management staff on ground to explain that the hotel has not been in operation from the said assessment period proved abortive as the enforcement team insisted on documentary proof.

    The FIRS team also rejected appeal by the hotel staff that she should speak to the owner, a former minister and Delta politician. The enforcement team leader repeatedly insisted, “Sorry, we are not allowed to speak to people on phone. If you have no proof of payment, we are sealing you.”

    The encounter got to a climax after nearly an hour of exchange as the FIRS team, aided by mobile policemen went round the hotel rooms, alerting guests and staff to vacate the premises before placing its seals on the entrances and its gates chained under lock and key.

  • [Video] How Warri influenced my career – Basorge

    Talented actor, comedian, director, producer, writer, and a choreographer, Basorge Tariah Jnr said Pidgin English, particularly the one spoken in Warri area of Delta State is one of the most dominant language in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

    Basorge who hails from Buguma, Kalabari, Rivers State exclusively narrated to TheNewsGuru.com how he fell in love with Urohbo culture and tradition when he was in the university and how much Warri pidgin shaped his career.

    “I had an experience with late Prof. Ola Rotimi in the university, during which he instructed us to go and study mannerism of other tribes”

    And those days, it was very common to hear Urohbo boy’s, from Warri speak in this very sing-song manner and I fell in love with that and started imitating them. “He recalled.

    This experience according to the artiste is what differentiated him in the entertainment space when he came in to Lagos.

    “When I came into Lagos, there was the need to distinguish myself because the Igbos dominated the industry then, so when I ran into Zeb Ejiro, it helped and that was how I became ‘Tonero’ in Domitila” He explained.

    Basorge said different people including several Managing Directors who are Urohbo indigenes use to greet him in their language thinking he was one of them.

    Watch video…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoPmKwig3gs

  • #BBNaija: Efe,Bisola others arrive Warri

    #BBNaija: Efe,Bisola others arrive Warri

    The winner of the just concluded Big Brother Nigeria reality TV show Efe Ejeba has arrived Warri, his hometown. The vivacious entertainer was accompained by former housemates Bisola ,Marvis and Kemen.

    They were also spotted with Nigerian ace comedians Helen Paul and Okey Bakassi.

    Check out the pictures below

  • #BBNaija: See how Warri Indigenes campaigned for Efe

    #BBNaija: See how Warri Indigenes campaigned for Efe

    Efe one of the top five housemates in the ongoing BBNaija reality TV show, has been having it good in terms of public support online and offline.

    A group of Warri Indigenes earlier today put together a rally called ‘Warri Stands With Efe’ at Warri, Delta State. Some of his supporters trooped out to drum up support for him.

    In the same vein, celebrities like Olamide, Basketmouth and Akpororo have also put their weight behind Efe, calling on their fans to vote for the Warri born housemate.

     

  • ‘Refineries to work in full capacity by 2017’

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Tuesday, said it would rehabilitate the three local refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna to achieve optimal capacity utilization in 2017.

    In a statement signed by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division (NNPC) in Abuja, the Chief Operating Officer, Refineries of the NNPC, Mr. Anibor Kragha, stated that the Corporation was determined to move away from the approach of quick fixes and undertake a comprehensive revamp of the plants.

    “The plan for next year is to get the comprehensive rehabilitation programme done. “The situation is like having three cars in your garage that have not been maintained for 15 to 20 years while you expect optimal performance from them.

    “Changing one fuel pump here, one compressor there is not helpful. What we are doing now is to step back and take a holistic approach and do a full rehabilitation of all the refineries.” he said

    He added that once the exercise was achieved, the refineries in due course would draw up a chart for routine Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) Programme as and when due.

    Kragha explained that though the plan was still on course, none of the projected co-location refineries would come on stream in 2017 based on existing timeline for assemblage of the plants.

    ‘’We are very close; we have done tests with some of the key marketers. We have achieved all the parameters, we just want to be 110 percent certain,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, Managing Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company, Mr. Mukhtar Maiha, said KRPC was working towards a target of 75 per cent capacity utilization in the New Year based on projected supply of one cargo of crude oil per month.