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Imo gov charges FG on failed federal roads
Abuja—The Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, has called on the Federal Government to rehabilitate its roads in the state.
Ohakim made the call in Abuja, when he paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Works, Senator Sanusi Daggash.
"I am here to thank you for your concern in ensuring that the roads in Imo State are rehabilitated. The state government is doing well on the rehabilitation of some Federal Government roads,'' he said.
He said the people were counting on the Minister in the area of road rehabilitation, decongestion and construction of more federal roads for easy flow of business in the state. In his remark, Daggash commended Ohakim for being "one of the most accomplished Governors in the country."
He promised to make sure that federal roads in the state were made motorable.Source: Vanguard, 28th April 2010.
6 shot, 27 arrested at Uwazuruike's trial
EMMA OGU, Owerri
Anarchy reigned yesterday in Owerri, Imo State capital during the trial of Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), as six persons were shot by the police and 27 arrested.
Teargas and bullets were used by the police to disperse a restive crowd shortly after Uwazuruike was brought to Owerri High Court for trial.
Uwazuruike who is being tried over alleged kidnap of one his former members, was later remanded in Owerri prisons by the trial judge, Hon Justice C.A. Ohakwe. Former Biafran leader and Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu visited him in prison and had a closed-door discussion Uwazuruike for about 17 minutes.
Over 3000 policemen, including men of anti-terrorist police squad were deployed to the streets to contain with tumultuous crowd of MASSOB members and sympathizers who arrived from different parts of the country to pay solidarity to their leader.
Uwazuruike, who spotted a brown-coloured caftan, was brought to the court in a pick up van accompanied by two other vans, loaded with policemen, anti-terrorist squad and prison warders. He was detained at Kuje Prisons, Abuja, before yesterday's trial.
The atmosphere in Owerri was charged as mobile policemen cordoned off all the entry points leading to the Judiciary premises as well as Okigwe road round about leading to Government House as early as 6.30 am, possibly to ward-off MASSOB activists who were came into the city in droves.
Trouble started when security operatives resorted to releasing teargas and bullets to disperse increasing MASSOB activists who succeeded in beating security check point at Akwakuma junction and were about entering the road to the High Court premises, but were stopped by the operatives manning the axis. The shootings continued even at the entrance of the court premises.
Movement was paralyzed around the area, particularly the Owerri-Orlu road for several hours as people scampered for safety. Several commuters, especially pregnant women coming into the town who were trapped in commercial vehicles were sighted weeping after inhaling the choking police teargas. Many of them were reportedly rushed to nearby hospitals.
Lawyers, workers and visitors in the High Court were not left out as many of them could not enter the premises of the court to do their works in the wake of the chaotic atmosphere. Every one was in tears scampering for safety and using handkerchief to cover his face to ward off the choking effect of the released teargases.
While the anti-terrorist policemen and the regular policemen overzealously harassed passers, even those identified to have genuine business to do in the court. In other parts of the town there was unusual security beef up and the prison premises on Okigwe road was heavily guarded.
Human rights lawyer and defense counsel to the MASSOB leader, Chief Festus Keyamo who was greeted on arrival with teargas had to complain bitterly to the High Court Judge Justice C.A.Uwakwe about his experience and that of other lawyers.
Immediately the presiding judge read his ruling on the bail application filed by Chief Uwazuruike, Keyamo stood up and said: "My lord, I had to bring to your attention my experience in Owerri today. It is unimaginable that the police should be firing teargas even at the premises of the court. Lawyers and litigants were also prevented from entering the premises of the court to do their jobs. Many of them were affected. This is unfair."
Justice Ohakwe who said his attention was drawn to the development on arrival condemned the act.
Meanwhile, wife of the MASSOB leader, Mrs. Ngozi Uwazuruike and thousands of the activists of the movement left home disappointed as Chief Uwazuruike's bail application was rejected.
The presiding judge adjourned the case to May 5, to enable the Director of Public Prosecution reply the application for bail filed the MASSOB leader.
While Keyamo who spoke to journalists at the premises of the court expressed happiness that the judge fixed the matter on a short date, he said it was unfair for the ministry of justice to keep somebody in the prison only to come to court to ask for a date to reply to earlier application.
Ojukwu who arrived the court premises about 25 minutes after the court had adjourned the matter however, called at the premises of the state police command to inform the commissioner of police Aloysius Okorie of his intention to see Chief Uwazuruike as directed by the prison officials. He came with his wife, Bianca in company of Uwazuruike's wife, Ngozi.
Shortly after his aides met with the police boss, he was driven to the prison premises. As he disembarked from the car, his wife, Bianca quickly clutched his hand and Ojukwu was apparently impressed burst into laughter and exclaimed: "That is good enough do you want to carry me on your back."
He was only allowed to enter the prison yard with his wife, personal assistant and wife of the detained MASSOB leader.
Ojukwu could not disclose the details of his meeting with Uwazuruike when prodded by journalists. He said: "At my level do you still expect me to divulge my private discussion?"
However, he said he took the pains to come to Owerri from Enugu to see Uwazuruike because he is one man that is worth his commendation. Dim Ojukwu was also happy that Chief Uwazuruike was looking better than what he thought.
"I looked at him, when I saw him, he was looking better than what I thought. I commend the Nigerian Prison authorities for that. Ralph is the only man that is worth my commendation. That was why I took the pains to travel down to Owerri today to witness his trial and see him", he said.
Meanwhile, MASSOB director of information Uchenna Madu alleged that six members of the movement were shot by the police at the Orlu road axis while 27 were arrested at Mbaise road and Port Harcourt road Owerri. Madu came to Rotibi street housing offices of all the national dailies with 67 year old Chief Augustine Dike, Area administrator of MASSOB in Amiri, Oru East LGA who had a fresh bandage on his face and traces of blood all over his body, claimed he was one of those shot by the police at Orlu road.
Both the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Linus Nwaiwu and the Special adviser to Governor Ikedi Ohakim on security, Sir George Egu faulted the claim of assault on the MASSOB members by the operatives and said the presence of the policemen on the streets was to check possible resort to violence by the group.
Source: Daily Champion, 28th April 2010.
Imo ANPP flays sale of LG polls' forms
OWERRI—Imo State chapter of All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, has condemned the direct sale of nomination forms to local government chairmanship and councillorship aspirants by the State Independent Electoral Commission, ISIEC.
The position of ANPP was communicated to ISIEC Chairman, Mr. Emma Nwaonye, in a letter, captioned "ANPP's observations on your recent pronouncements on the proposed local government elections in Imo State," by the State chairman, Dr. Vitalis Ajumbe.
"ANPP Imo State condemns the sale of nomination forms by ISIEC directly to aspirants for chairmanship and councillorship elections. ISIEC should limit itself to sale of forms to candidates as presented by political parties," Ajumbe said.
The party appealed to the electoral umpire to make available to all the political parties in the state, copies of the relevant laws under which the proposed elections will be conducted.
While expressing misgivings over the composition of the Commission, Ajumbe urged ISIEC to give a comprehensive timetable for the conduct of the election to political parties to enable them organise their primaries and other processes.
"We believe that the above observations will guide you appropriately to avoid voter apathy and political parties' resistance," the Imo ANPP boss advised.
Source: Vanguard, 27th April 2010.
Robbers Terrorise Imo, Kill 10
From Amby Uneze in Owerri
Imo State recorded yet another unprecedented high profile robbery attack on Thursday as armed robbers ran through most of the banks operating from Orlu through Anara in Isiala Mbano Local Government to Okigwe, robbing and killing innocent people.
As the dare-devil men were busy robbing the banks, they also engaged the police and army, and at the last count, ten people comprising four policemen, two military personnel and about four civilians were killed.
The vicious onslaught by the hoodlums dressed in mobile police uniform started in Ihiala in Anambra State where they were said to have shot policemen on sight at checkpoints on their way to Imo State.
Having shot and killed two policemen at a checkpoint around St Joseph Catholic Church in Orlu, leaving two others who had rolled under a stationary vehicle with multiple bullet wounds for dead, the gunmen proceeded to Owerri Nkwoji in Nkwerre council area where they were said to have attacked a bank, killing two policemen and a civilian who lived in the building opposite the bank.
From Nkwerre, the gunmen headed for Anara in Isiala Mbano council area of the state where what would have been an ambush by the police, according to a source, turned sour.
The source confided in THISDAY that Police had planned to confront the hoodlums at Anara but some how the gunmen were at the location before the police perfected their plans.
The source said that the hoodlums were already waiting around the area where the Operation Festival's Joint Police and Military patrol outfit was often stationed, while police were bringing a tipper lorry to barricade the road.
While the two policemen were coming down from the tipper, the gunmen opened fire killing them instantly.
On their way out of the state, the robbers passed through the front of the state police command headquarters and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and shot repeatedly at their buildings.
When THISDAY visited the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu where most of the casualties from Orlu area were taken to, the emergency unit of the hospital was literally besieged by concerned residents of the state who had come to sympathize with the victims and others who had come to ascertain that none of their loved ones were affected in the vicious attack.
The Army Public Relations Officer, Lt. Adamu Ngulde maintained that as at news time, he was not sure of the number of casualties the army recorded, saying they were still receiving reports and assessing the situation in all the locations the attacks occurred. A woman, who was apparently being treated for shock at IMSUTH, narrated how a female passenger sitting next to her in a bus was killed by a stray bullet.
She also lamented the fact that the same band of gunmen could run through two states inflicting pain and death in several hours without any formidable challenge from security agencies operating in both states.
The Chief Medical Director of IMSUTH, Dr Alex Chukwulebe stated that over 19 casualties were brought into the emergency unit of the hospital among the 19 were two policemen who were brought in dead and another two civilians who were also brought in dead.
These were casualties from Orlu alone. The injured according to the CMD suffered different degrees of organ injuries with two of them being subjected to emergency surgeries to save their lives.
Reacting to the incident, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Linus Nwaiwu however differed on the impression that the robbers had a joy-ride through the state.
He insisted that the Police confronted them at different points after the initial surprise attacks.
He agreed that the police sustained serious casualties but stressed that the hoodlums also had their own casualties with serious gunshot wounds. "It is only a matter of time. We will definitely catch up with them", he said.
Consequently, the Anti Terrorism Squad of the Nigerian Police Force recently drafted to the South-East states, most of whom have been operating in the state capital of Owerri alone, were yesterday deployed to all the zones of the state in a bid to smoke out the hoodlums.
Along the Orlu-Owerri road, it was no longer business as usual at the checkpoints as the officers were aggressively searching boots of vehicles plying the road in a no-nonsense manner.
Source: This Day, 24th April 2010.
Ohakim Signs MOU on Nuclear Power Generation, Others
Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State at the weekend in Washington D.C., signed Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) with three American companies.
The companies are Barnett Holding Company, Foxcor Incorporates and Patten Boggs Inc.
The correspondent in Washington D.C., who witnessed the brief ceremony, reports that the MOU are for the installation of nuclear modular reactors for generating electricity, provision of mass housing and conversion of palm trees into plywood respectively.
Ohakim, who was among the Acting President's delegation, said the agreement on modular reactors would go a long way in solving the perennial power problem facing his state.
Mr. John Barnett of Barnett Holding Company signed on behalf of his company, Mr. John Fox, for Foxcor Incorporates; while Roy Lessy and Robert Horn, signed on behalf of Patten Boggs Inc.
Speaking on the occasion, Ohakim said his government had taken a bold step at solving the perennial energy problem facing Imo state.
``You know our people are very industrious and they are technologically minded, but lack of energy and power has almost brought the economy of our country to her knees,'' Ohakim said.``The good thing about this technology of nuclear modular reactor is that it is a short time measure that you don't require fuel until after seven years of its use and it can be deployed primarily to energy spots.
``They will be deployed to Owerri township, the new city development in Ogwu town where we are citing most of our industrial ventures and other industrial and civic centres, which would require between five and 20 megawatts respectively,'' he furthe said.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), Prof. Babatunde Elegba, who witnessed the event, commended the step taken by Ohakim.
`` Most of our industrial estates are going down because of lack of power. Using diesel is not sustainable and you cannot compete with anybody.
``You will recall that Michelin moved out of Port Harcourt two years ago to Ghana due to power problem. Last year, Dunlop also moved to Ghana.
``Now they manufacture tyres in Ghana and bring them to Nigeria because the difference in cost of production is about 20 per cent due to adequate power supply in Ghana,'' he said.
Elegba said NNRA had done a lot of studies over the past two years on the nuclear modular reactor technology and found it satisfactory and environmental friendly.
He said what was needed to be done was to ensure that the nuclear materials were not diverted for military purposes and that the installations were secured in terms of physical protection and safety of the personnel.
``It is an on-the-spot technology; it does not require transmission lines and America has done wonderfully well in this area of technology development,'' Elegba said.
On the housing agreement, Ohakim said the project would discard the antiquated technology of building blocks that take several years to complete and would make accommodation cheaply available to people.
``We are talking about cutting age technology of prefabricated housing scheme that will have better property than we are doing today.
``When completed, we will structure the payment for the buying of the houses for the civil servants, for the poor people, for the technicians and artisans to live well,'' he said.
Ohakim said the conversion of wild palm trees into plywood and wooden materials would not only add value to the abundant palm trees in the state, but would also offer employment opportunity to about 50,000 youths.
Speaking on the financial implications of the three projects, the governor said they would require little or no funding as the assets of the State would be used as equity.
On the recent visit of Acting President Jonathan to the U.S., Ohakim said ``it is the best thing that has happened to Nigeria in recent times''.
``One thing people must know is that the Acting President came for the Nuclear Security Summit, but with the way America accepted him and received him, it looked like a well planned State visit,'' he said.
Ohakim said the visit had changed the perception of Nigeria as unfriendly investment environment.
``Our Acting President also took the bull by the horn. He never missed the opportunities offered him.
``He said it the way it is; he elaborated on the issue of elections and reforms, he talked about technology and other issues''
``Americans rolled out their red carpet and they now understand Nigeria, view Nigeria from their own point of view and not what other people say about us but what we talk about ourselves,'' he said.
Source: Daily Champion, 20th April 2010.
Power Supply Ohakim Partners with US Firms
Written by Abiodun Oluwarotimi, New York
In a bid to improve power supply in Imo State, Governor Ikedi Ohakim Governor of Imo State has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU), with Patton Boggs LLP and Barnett Holding Company, a power supply company based in Washington, USA.
Governor Ohakim, while briefing his foreign partners at the signing ceremony, stated that the project which he tagged "Ohakim Power Initiative" (OPI), had a mandate that covers safety guidelines for the licensing, siting, design, construction, commissioning, and operation of Small Modular Reactors(SMR) for the generation of electric power. It also has financial incentives for investors for the rapid integration of Small Modular Reactors into Imo States Power generation matrix.
He said: "Ohakim Power Initiative" (OPI) proposes safety guidelines for site evaluation into all phases of the Small Modular Reactors(SMR) life cycle, from site preparation to abandonment.
He further stated that the initiative proposes that applicable taxes, visa costs, duties or other charges, including sales, use taxes, VAT, or other taxes, imposed by Imo State on projects related to the generations of power from SMR technology will be exempt from such levies.
According to him, the initiative will sustain and enhance his Clean and Green agenda, stressing that it will place Imo State in the forefront of securing proactive, cutting-edge solution to alleviate its erratic power supply.
With the MOU, Patton Boggs and Barnett Holding will co-ordinate the characterisation and evaluation of locations for siting Small Modular Reactors which will provide for power generation to service industrial parks, commercial enterprises, tuorist centers, and specific communities.
On behalf of the foreign investors, Mr. John Barnett, while commending Mr. Chuck Chuckuemeka, the Economic Adviser to Governor Ohakim to helping both parties to work things out, also thanked the governor for the opportunities he gave them to work with the state government.
Source: Leadership, 18th April 2010.
Police arrest robbery suspects, kill one in Imo
From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri
A CRACK team of police officers from the Imo State Police Command has arrested three bandits who specialise in robbery and kidnapping of the state residents.
Parading the bandits, who allegedly robbed a Catholic reverend father, yesterday at the command headquarters, Deputy Commissioner of Police in the state, Usman Gwary, who represented the State Police Commissioner, Aloysius Okorie, said one of the suspects died during a shootout with the police.
He named the arrested suspects as Uzoma Ibemere, 22, of Umuokpo Agbaja; Nwangele Local Council; George Izu, 29, of Umuochoko Ahiazu, Mbaise Local Council; Paschal Ugwulebo, 32, of Umuopara Obodo, Ujushi Ahiazu Mbaise Local Council; and the dead suspect, Chukwuka.
The commissioner alleged that the bandits, on April 11, snatched a Mercedes Benz Sports Utility Vehicle from Rev. Fr. Franklyn Odoegbulam of Matter Ecclesiae Seminary, Nguru, Aboh Mbaise Local Council of Imo State at about 7.30a.m. as he was heading for mass.
The priest told The Guardian that he warned his assailants not to dispossess him of the vehicle and other items, as they would be arrested.
However, the robbers ignored his warning. One of them even allegedly took the priest's T-shirt and wore it.
The police also disclosed that the bandits allegedly kidnapped one Kennedy Chimezie at Amaraku Isiala Mbano Local Council and dispossessed him of N58,000.
On a tip off, Gwary said, the police intercepted the suspects and exchanged gunfire with them.
Items allegedly recovered from the suspects, included one FMC rifle, one AK-47 rifle, 125 rounds of live ammunition in different calibres and two vehicles belonging to their victims.
The police chief said the command would not rest until all hoodlums were arrested in the state.
He said calmness had reigned in the state since the deployment of the Anti-Terrorists Squad (ATS) across the state's 27 local councils.
Source: The Guardian, 15th April 2010.
Imo launches 10,000 jobs
Our Reporter
Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo state has made good his promise to empower the youth of the state through the creation of 10,000 jobs in the state.
Following this, Imo state indigenes seeking for employment in the state public service are now to apply online with a scratch card.
The scratch card which is to be bought at designated commercial banks, would cost N2000 only.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. Amanze Obi, said the sale of the scratch card commenced yesterday.
Obi said the vacancies in ministerial and extra ministerial departments would be advertised, noting that government was committed to realising its programmes for the youth.
Obi, who was briefing newsmen at the Government House after the weekly Executive Council meeting, also said the Ohakim administration had resolved to connect the state General Hospital, Umugwuma to the public power supply to enable it operate to full capacity.
He said this decision would adequately take off the heat on the Federal Medical Centre especially in emergency cases.
According to him, the second phase of the state Education Endowment Fund would be launched on April 17.
Obi said to raise the standard of education in the state, public spirited individuals should partner with the government.
On the purchase of the employment scratch card, Obi listed Bank PHB, Zenith, UBA, Union Bank, GTB as the designated purchase points.
Source: Daily Champion, 15th April 2010.
Imo Varsity Alumni Get New Executive
MEMBERS of the Imo State University Alumni Association have elected a nine-man national executive to pilot the affairs of the association for the next two years.
At the ceremony in Links Hotel, Owerri, Chinwe Mbakwem, a lawyer, emerged the national president.
Others are Aba Chimaraoke (Vice President), Iyke Ogbonna, (National Secretary) and Johnson Ofoegbu (Assistant Secretary). There are also Mmaduabuchi Chukwudi (National Treasurer), Chukwuma Ojiegbe (Director of Social), Onwuasoanya Jones (Provost) and Keke Cletus (Financial Secretary).
Mbakwem said the new executive is "integrity driven," adding that the members would execute developmental programmes to lift the institution and the welfare of the members.
Source: The Guardian, 10th April 2010.
Imo Govt Shuts Down Multi-Million Dollar Printing Press
Written by By Ebere Uzoukwa, Owerri, Stanley Nkwocha, Abuja
The government of Imo State has shut down Excelsior Press, a multi-million dollar digital printing press believed to be jointly owned by the Imo State governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2007 election, Hon. Ike Ibeh and one Jude Nkpado, an Amercian based businessman for allegedly printing inciting and malicious documents against the governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim.
About seven staff of the company were said to have been arrested while some customers' jobs were confiscated by a joint team of policemen and Imo vigilante group numbering over hundred.
Equipment worth over 2 million dollars were allegedly vandalized and 3.7 million naira said to be part of workers' April salary stolen while the raid lasted.
In an interview with one of the owners of the printing press who is also the company Managing Director, Mr. Jude Nkpado, about 50 armed policemen and over 100 vigilante troops armed with matchets, axes and woods in a convoy of about20 vans invaded the company situated along Okigwe Road, Owerri, the state capital, without a search warrant and forced themselves into the company's printing warehouse.
Nkpado told LEADERSHIP WEEKEND that the group of armed vigilante thugs and policemen were led by Chief George Egu, the special Adviser to the governor on Security Matters in company of the governor's Aide-De-Camp(ADC) . "I confronted them on the legality of their action before some of them pointed their guns at me", he said.
"They forced themselves into the warehouse, carted away our customers' jobs and impounded a job printed for another political group, the Alliance for Good Governance for Imo. At the end of the day, I discovered that they came because of the job we did for Imo Alliance,forgetting that we are not just apolitical but a commercial entity that is not affiliated to any political group", the MD expressed.
He further alleged that the group broke into the accounts section and removed the 3.7 million naira that was part of workers' salaries, damaged some equipment, abducted seven employees of the company and took them to Government House where they forced them to pose for photographs displaying the job we did for Imo Alliance that has the caption 'The Guarantee for Good Governance - Ohakim Must Go'.
At 6pm that same day, Nkpado continued, " the ADC to the governor came back with 12 mobile policemen driven in two prado jeeps and a Government House van conveying the seven abducted employees of the company. They went round the environment and later brought out a search warrant, probably to make up for their initial lapses and forced them to sign some documents after which they took them to the state police command this time around".
According to him, another squad of eight armed policemen came and took over the premises at about 7:30pm, stating that they were posted to seal the business and that nobody should come back to the place again until the order is reversed from above.
When asked how much the company had lost in that raid, Mr. Nkpado said he could not quantify that as he no longer has access to the premises but said that the equipment that was destroyed during the operation stood at the tune of 2 million dollars apart from the customers jobs they confiscated and the 3.7 million naira they allegedly stole.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Security Matters, Chief George Egu directed LEADERSHIP WEEKEND to seek for details from the police when he was contacted on phone. He chided the opposition in the state for playing dirty politics.
"Some people were caught by the police displaying some materials, playing dirty and they are in police custody. So call the police," he added.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Imo Command, Mr. Linus Nwaiwu ASP , justified the involvement of the police, explaining that the command moved into action when it got the information about the printing and distribution of some malicious and inciting documents that were capable of breaching public peace.
Nwaiwu added that those arrested were found processing the documents and had been charged to court accordingly after police investigation.He, however, declined comment on the seal-off of the company, alleged stealing and vandalization by the joint team of policemen and Imo State vigilante group.
Meanwhile, Ike Ibe has petitioned Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, saying the plot was a deliberate attempt to assasinate him and destroy his business, following what is believed to be his opposition status to the Imo government.
The petition dated April 7, 2010 read in part,'On investigations from several sources, I was reliably informed that the group that were sent by Ohakim's government to invade my business premises were instructed to cause commotion in my office and use the opportunity to shoot me down under the guise of accidental discharge or resistance of arrest. Fortunately for me, I was not in the office when they stormed. They were confronted by my managing director in the process of their vandalising my office and brutalising my staff. I have no other interpretation of this other than Ohakim's threat to crush me and destroy me now being carried into effect systematically. Unfortunately, they are using members of the Nigeria police, security operatives and Ohakim's illegal state police/vigilante. I am calling on the security agencies to protect me, my business and family and serve me with integrity by investigating this and bringing the culprits to book. Please, Mr President, protect my life from these assassins before another innocent life is wasted by unscrupulous politicians, overzealous sycophants and a compromised Imo State Police Command'.
Source: Leadership, 10th April 2010.
Imo ex-Chief Judge for burial April 15
FORMER Imo State Chief judge, Mr. S.O. Ekpe, who died on March 15, 2010 at the age of 75, will be buried on April 15, 2010 at his Umunakara Isu Community in Imo State.
In a statement signed by the late Ekpe's son, Chinedu, in Owerri and made available to The Guardian, it said that a valedictory court session will hold on Wednesday, April 14 at the High Court premises, Owerri, Imo State.
The statement added that Ekpe will be buried on April 15 after a funeral service at St. Cyril's Catholic Church, Umunakara Isu.
The late Ekpe was appointed a High Court judge in the old Imo State in 1986 and was later elevated as the chief judge of the present Imo State where he retired in 1998.
Source: The Guardian, 8th April 2010.
Imo Police back planned phase-out of Automated Teller Machines
OWERRI—Imo State Police Command has described the plan to phase out Automated Teller Machines, ATM, in public places as "a most welcome development."
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aloysius Okorie, who stated this during an interview in his office, however, expressed delight that his Command had not recorded much crime related to ATM fraud.
He was of the opinion that the move had become necessary in view of the sordid activities of armed robbers, who trail customers from ATM points and dispossess them of their money.
The Imo police boss regretted the abuse and misuse of the internet technology and computer by fraudsters, adding that ATM ought to have been one facility that should have helped in making life and living easier. Some respondents, who spoke to Vanguard, expressed different views on the use of ATM cards and the associated crime prevalent in society today. One of the respondents, who simply identified herself as Chinenye, said that although she has an ATM card, she has never been a victim of ATM fraud.
A lady (names withheld), who works in Government House, Owerri, was not so lucky because the entire content of her family's savings was criminally withdrawn from their account through ATM fraud.
"One thing we must all bear in mind is that ATM and internet fraud are real. There is also every need to ensure that they do not escalate in Imo State," the female victim said.
Source: Vanguard, 2nd April 2010.
Ohakim's Wife Preaches Unity
Our Reporter
Wife of Imo State Governor, Mrs. Chioma Ohakim has stressed the need for unity, saying it helps to achieve much.
She said this during the grand finale of the New Face Organisation (NFO) sensitization rally in Isiala Mbano local government area of the State.
She said that NFO which is the campaign organisation of Governor Ikedi Ohakim is propagating the concept of doing politics the ideal way devoid of bitterness.
According to her, New Face of Imo Organisation is a people's determination to lift the state out of poverty, godfatherism, political imperialism and oppression adding that it is meant to better the living standard of the people and protection of their lives and property.
She called for active female participation among the youths noting that they should be mentored to occupy political positions in future.
She called on the people to support Governor Ohakim in transforming the State.
The Governor's wife charged the Sole Administrator of the local government, Chief Sam Osuji to show effective leadership and leave memorable imprints.
She congratulated him on his appointment as well as the Chairman of Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON).
Osuji expressed gratitude on his appointment and declared his readiness to support Ohakim to succeed.
He appealed to the people to return the Governor in 2011 saying Amaraku people are behind him.
Coordinator of NFO in the local government, Mrs. Joseph Obi said each vote is important and urged the people to vote wisely by voting for Governor Ikedi Ohakim in 2011.
On his part, Chief Sankod Okoro, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security matters said Amaraku people were the first beneficiary of road construction adding that many were appointed into key positions.
Many people from Isiala Mbano local government spoke and appealed to their people not to be deceived by politicians seeking to destroy the youths through violence.
Source: Daily Champion, 31st March 2010.
2 to Hang for Murder
OWERRI—An Imo State High Court sitting in Owerri, has sentenced one Vincent Ogueri and Dr. Boniface Nwachukwu to death by hanging for murder.
The duo were arraigned before the court in 2005, for their alleged involvement in the gruesome murder of a former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Chief Ogbonnaya Uche.
Trial judge in the matter, Justice A. Ukachukwu, had after reviewing the evidence of the witnesses, as well as the submissions of counsel on both sides, handed down a verdict of "guilty as charged" against the accused persons.
Justice Ukachukwu held that the defence did not convince the court of the innocence of the accused persons in the murder trial and consequently discountenanced their submissions.
It will be recalled that Chief Uche, who was fondly called OGB by his peers, died on 10 February 2003, following injuries he sustained in a brutal attack by gunmen at his residence on 8 February 2003.
The armed hoodlums stormed the Shell Camp, Owerri, residence of Chief Uche in the late evening of the fateful day, shot him at close range, picked some of his personal effects and zoomed off into the night.
OGB, it will be recalled had voluntarily resigned his cabinet post to enable him run for the Orlu senatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and willingly decamped to All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, when PDP frustrated his ambition.
Source: Vanguard, 30th March 2010.
Erosion Sacks Imo Communities
From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri
INDIGENES and residents of three communities in Obowo Local Council Area of Imo State have been displaced by erosion. They are Umualuoma, Umuezigwe and Umunwada.
Meanwhile, the monarch of the Okwu neze Igwe community, Eze Eddy Nkwo, at the weekend ran to the Sole Administrator of the council, Dr. Geff Azubuine, urging him to use his offices to appeal to the government to handle and resettle the affected communities.
Nkwo regretted that his earlier plea to the government was yet to yield fruits as none of the officials, it was alleged, had come to "see things for themselves".
He also appealed to the relevant government officials, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), through the state government to assist the victims who are now seeking refuge.
The sole administrator promised to take his message to the appropriate quarters.
Source: The Guardian, 29th March 2010.
Imo SIEC Demands Tax Payment Evidence from Aspirants
From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri
ASPIRANTS seeking elective offices in local councils of Imo State are to present three-year tax certificates to State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).
The commission has also defended the August 7, 2010 date for the elections in the 27 local councils of the state.
Addressing stakeholders, including aspirants on the election in Owerri at a one-day sensitisation tour for Owerri zone, ISIEC Chairman, Emma Nwoye, said the August date was to allow the commission planned for a credible local election in line with the guidelines of the electoral laws, adding that the law enforcement agencies and other relevant bodies would be involved in the exercise.
Nwoye said the aspirants were expected to present three-year tax clearance certificates from 2007 to 2009.
The ISIEC chairman, with his members, who had toured two zones (Okigwe and Orlu), said the commission was working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that registered voters participate in the elections.
Nwoye said the tour was to sensitise the people on the elections, adding that the security operatives would be effectively mobilised.
The Sole Administrator of Owerri Local Council, Emma Odor, assured the team of the council's preparedness for the elections.
The Guardian learnt that since the dissolution of last council officials, the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Achike Udenwa had been appointing caretaker committees in the councils. His successor, Governor Ikedi Ohakim also appointed sole administrators for the councils.
The governor had variously informed Imo people that the council polls would only be feasible when the Imo State House of Assembly passes the bill on council reforms.
Parliamentary system of government had been submitted to the House by the Executive but the 27-member Assembly rejected it.
Source: The Guardian, 29th March 2010.
Imo Holds LG Elections Aug 7
From Amby Uneze in Owerri
At long last Imo State government has succumbed to pressure from many quarters to hold local government elections on August 7, 2010, the Chairman of the reconstituted Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, (ISIEC), Barr. Emma Nwonye has revealed.
Nwonye also laid to rest the speculation that the state has settled for the parliamentary system of government at the grassroots level instead of Presidential syetem as recommended by the Sir Bon Nwakanma (SAN) Committee on the Local Government Electoral Reform in the state.
By agreeing to the presidential system, government must have succumbed to the position of the State House of Assembly which hitherto had disagreed with the executive arm over the issue.
According to the chairman "we have fixed the date of local government elections in the state on August 7, 2010 and we are prepared to hold a credible and transparent election. Between now and August 7, every preparation to meet that goal will be met."
He disclosed that having concluded the sensitization tours of the three zones in the state having kicked off in Orlu, then in Okigwe and finished in Owerri, the next level would be to started local government sensitization tours and then ward tours.
The Commission which concluded her zonal tour at the Grasshoppers Stadium, Owerri on Friday would in the next few weeks start the display of voters' register as presented to the commission by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
"We will be involved in voters' display and identification, so that people will check their names because anybody whose name is not in the voter's register will not vote at the day of the election. In a very short while we will roll up election timetable. The election will be a one-day affair", the Chairman said.
He urged the people to ensure that whoever they choose would be someone who is credible and is qualified for the election, because ISIEC, he stressed would not be involved in the selection of candidates for the election. He also promised that the election would be a test of honour and integrity of the Chairman and members of the Commission, as the Commission has no interest in whoever becomes the candidate from any political party.
Nwonye, however, identified funding as a major problem of the Commission because it depended on getting money from the central purse, but believed that government would not allow them to suffer from lack of funds, hence it had assured the commission of adequate funding to execute the election.
Source: This Day, 27th March 2010.
Police, MASSOB Clash in Owerri
EMMA OGU, Owerri
The authorities however refused to produce the detained Chief Uwazuruike in court for reasons best known to them. It was gathered that about 60 MASSOB members from Abakiliki region in Ebonyi state heading to Owerri on solidarity with their detained leader, were intercepted and arrested at Afikpo by a detachment of mobile police men, while in Owerri, the activists were tear gassed by the operatives, who could not contain with their number.
Several MASSOB members from Okigwe and Aba were also not allowed to enter the city by policemen on roadblock. MASSOB director of information, Uchenna Madu told our correspondent that about 60 of the activists were intercepted and arrested by the police in Afikpo while they were on their way to Owerri on solidarity.
He therefore demanded immediate release of the arrested activists, who he said were non violent in line with MASSOB objective to pursue the actualization of the Biafran republic in a non violent manner.
Meanwhile, Uwazuruike's counsel,, Festus Keyamo, who was in court, protested the inability of security operatives to bring his client to court to answer the charges of kidnapping he was being prosecute for.
According to him, the inability of authorities to produce the MASSOB leader who is presently in Kuje Prison amounts to abuse of justice, since he has been in detention for three months without trial. He alleged foul play on the part of the authorities for not producing him in court.
Uwazuruike's wife, Mrs. Ngozi Omekadiya Uwazuruike, told journalists that she was not sure that her husband is still alive and urged the government to be bold enough to tell her family what has happened to Chief Uwazuruike since they don't want to produce him in court in Owerri but decided to incarcerate him in kuje prison.
For the refusal of the authorities to produce Chief Uwazuruike in court, the presiding judge, Hon Justice Chukwuememka Ohakwe, adjourned the case to April
Source: Daily Champion, 27th March 2010.
Another Traditional Ruler Kidnapped in Imo
From Amby Uneze in Owerri
Exactly one week after the kidnapping of Mrs. Stella Odimegwu, wife of the former managing director/chief executive officer of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Eze Festus Odimegwu while attending a church service in her village church, another prominent traditional ruler in Imo State, Eze Herbert Obichere of Oforola in Owerri West Local Government was kidnapped on Sunday at his village church.
The royal father who was abducted inside the Christ Anglican Church, Oforola on Sunday while attending a church service by some hoodlums believed to be ransom-seekers took the traditional ruler to an unknown destination.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aloysius Okorie confirmed the incident while speaking with THISDAY on telephone and assured that his men had started combing everywhere to fish out the hoodlums.
He warned that the Command is not relenting dealing with criminal especially those involved in kidnapping while assuring that security of the people is paramount in his agenda.
Commenting on the rampant kidnapping of traditional rulers in the state, the Chairman of Imo State and South East Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya expressed worries on the ugly phenomenon, adding that the trend is becoming disturbing.
Eze Ilomuanya called for the serious action to stem the upsurge of kidnapping in the South east and particularly in Imo State. He also appealed to the relevant authorities to approve security personnel for the traditional rulers.
Only about two months ago, the traditional ruler of Obi Orodo in Mbaitoli Local Government of the state, High Royal Highness, Eze Aguwa Ohiri was violently kidnapped by hoodlums, while his father and cousin were killed. The remains of his later father is yet to be buried as the traditional ruler was recently released after ransom was paid by his community.
It is recalled that last year the traditional ruler of Nkwerre in Nkwerre local Government of Imo State, His Royal Highness, Eze C.J. Okwara, the Eshi of Nkwerre was kidnapped while travelling along Umuahia-Aba road in Abia state.
Not withstanding that kidnapping in the state carries capital punishment as passed by the State House of Assembly, the perpetrators of the act seem to be unperturbed.
Source: This Day, 23rd March 2010.
Four Feared Killed in Imo Clashes
By Emmanuel Obe and Fidelis Soriwei
Four persons have been feared killed in a conflict between youths of Asaa community in the oil-producing Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
It was gathered that the four people were killed during a disagreement involving the election of the leaders of a youth association in the community.
According to a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity to our correspondent on the telephone on Monday, fighting broke out when a faction resisted attempts to inaugurate the new executive.
While members of one of the factions insisted that those pressing to be inaugurated were not elected, their opponents insisted that as elected leaders of the association, they had to be inaugurated.
Our correspondent gathered that efforts by the Ohaji Egbema Division of the Nigeria Police to nip the crisis in the bud were unsuccessful as the two factions engaged in a fight, which led to the killing of four youths.
The source said that dangerous weapons such as dane guns, matchets, knives and charms were freely used in the fight.
However, it was not clear if the police arrested any of the youths.
In a separate incident, several houses and properties were razed in Akannu in Umuakpu community of the same local government in the early hours of Monday.
It was gathered that the crisis in Akannu was caused by a lingering intra-communal feud caused by the death of a woman in the community.
According to a villager's account of the story, some members of the village accused a man of being the killer of the woman while his relatives insisted that he had no hand in her killing.
The disagreements over the issue had led to killing of an unspecified number of people last month with several buildings razed.
With the two recorded incidents in the oil-producing community, oil production activities were said to have come under threat.
Our correspondent also gathered that the police had deployed riot policemen to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
But the Sole Administrator of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government, Mr. Chonnoyen Ikegwuruka, said on the telephone that only two people were killed at Asaa.
He said that the state government had taken steps to ensure the restoration of law and order in the area, stressing also that there was no threat to oil companies in the area.
He also said that the crisis in Akannu was caused by the existence of a faction in the community, which claimed that they were the original indigenes of the area, to the consternation of the other group.
He said, "I don't believe four people were killed. The figure was not clear to me. They burnt down houses.
"Right now, we are on it. Even today, there were two killings in Asa in Ohaji, and it is because of this youths' election.
"One faction is saying that they have conducted election, the other faction went to do inauguration and there was violence. The DPO in Umuakpo arrested the situation but two of the youths were killed.
"The Akannu issue is an issue of one faction saying they are indigenes and others are not indigenes, leading to the crisis.
"Government is on it, we have stationed mobile policemen at Akannu and Asa to arrest the situation We are on top of the problem. Nothing will lead to the disruption of oil production activities. The police are already stationed there."
When our correspondent contacted the Imo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Mr. Aloysious Okiorie, he did not pick repeated calls to his mobile phone.
Source: Punch, 23rd March 2010.
Unexploded Biafran war landmines worry Imo govt
By Chidi Nkwopara
OWERRI—Imo State Government has lamented that although the Nigeria/Biafra war ended 40 years ago, there are still vestiges of the war as exemplified by the landmines, unexploded ordinances and explosive remnants in several places in the South East and South-South.
Governor Ikedi Ohakim, raised the concern in a message delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Ada Okwuonu, during the detonation of the recovered landmines and explosives at the 34 Field Artillery Brigade, Obinze.
"There is no doubt that these explosives constitute serious danger to the people of this state. It is instructive to note that the war which was fought in the entire Eastern Nigeria ended in Imo State, thereby leaving many dangerous unexploded ordinances," Ohakim said.
Saying that the ceremony "is very apt," the Governor added that the removal of these ordinances from the ground gives the citizenry more room for industrial and agricultural development, as well as the Clean and Green Initiative of the state government.
"I, however, plead with the Federal Ministry of Defence, that there are a few more places to be cleared and some war equipment left behind should be cleared and sent to the War Museum," Ohakim pleaded.
Speaking also, the Minister of Defence, Major General Godwin Abbey (rtd), said that the destruction of the unexploded ordinances was in fulfillment of the Federal Government's resolve to save lives and make the environment conducive for human activities.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief Consultant of the Humanitarian De-Mining, Dr. Bala Yakubu, said "if Nigeria could manufacture those weapons in the late sixties, then we would have been competing favourably with some of the countries we buy our defence needs from."
He disclosed that his establishment had cleared 327 landmines and over 6,000 unexploded ordinances across the state where the civil war was fought since July 2009.
"We have enumerated over 735 war victims across the stakeholder states and have 100 landmines victims. Of this number, Imo State has 11 war victims, four of them are landmine victims," Yakubu said.
Source: Vanguard, 17th March 2010.
How Odimegwus wife was kidnapped, by Imo police boss
…says abductors yet to get in contact with family
A clearer picture of how Stella, wife of former managing director of NB plc, Festus Odimegwu, was abducted last Sunday at a church service in Asa-Obirielem, Imo State has emerged.
The commissioner of police, Imo State command, Aloy Okorie, on Monday gave a detailed account on the method used by the kidnappers of Stella, indicating that there was insider connection.
Briefing newsmen in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, Okorie said when the abductors arrived the church premises they were not sure who Stella was until somebody who happens to be their "contact person" pointed at her. The CP explained that when the hoodlums started shooting sporadically and there was pandemonium at the church premises Stella ran towards the church vestry and wanted to escape by scaling the wall behind the vestry but was held back by her attire.
He added that immediately the kidnappers identified their target, they pulled her back and made away with her. Okorie, however, stressed that when his command received the information, he quickly mobilised his men, who gave the kidnappers a chase and went as far as the boundary between Imo and Anambra states, noting that he suspected they headed towards Anambra State.
Okorie, who assured that his team is seriously working in close collaboration with both Anambra and Enugu state police commands to track down the perpetrators of the crime, disclosed that the kidnappers were yet to get in contact with the family nor made ransom demands.
Meanwhile, Festus Odimegwu has contacted notable Nigerians including Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to assist in the search for his wife.
Stella's kidnap brings to five the number of kidnap cases of notable personalities, including foreign journalists in Imo State in recent times.
Source: Business Day, 16th March 2010.
How Odimegwu's wife was kidnapped —Police
BY EMMA OGU, Owerri
As security agencies beam their search light on Imo and Anambra States in an effort to rescue Lolo Stella Odimegwu, kidnapped wife of former managing director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, state commissioner of police, Mr. Aloysius Okorie yesterday gave a graphic account of how she was abducted.
Okorie who paraded the bodies of two notorious armed robbers killed by his men in Ideato last weekend said the kidnappers who were armed with overwhelming fire power invaded St. Mary Catholic Church where Mrs. Odimegwu had gone to worship at 9 am service and struck while the church was in full session.
He said some of the kidnappers were seated in the church monitoring Mrs. Odimegwu while others were outside. While the service was on, they started firing sporadically until there was pandemonium. The three mobile policemen on the escort of Mrs. Odimegwe replied fire but were overpowered by the gang. They went and killed the driver of the escort car.
He said: "Mrs. Odimegwu at that juncture escaped from the church through the back yard and climbed a fence wall but could not scale it quickly apparently due to the tight material she was putting on. A small girl was assisting her to scale the wall when one of the kidnappers ran to the area and pulled her back. There were heavy gun shots and people were scampering for safety."
Okorie said an insider identified Mrs. Odimegwu to the kidnappers otherwise she would have successfully escaped into the bush from the fence.
He said when Eze Odimegwu alerted him of the incident, he quickly mobilised his men and trailed the gang to Eke Ututu international market, but on getting to the area he got information that the gang passed about 30 minutes earlier and headed towards Anambra State.
He said he alerted the Anambra State police command immediately and both commands are now working to track the gang down.
"I never slept throughout last night. Many of you here were bombarding my phone with calls yesterday but a time you people were calling, I was in the bush trying to trail the kidnappers. Please bear with me I was under tension. The Inspector General of Police has been calling me up till midnight about situation report on the incident," he said.
Meanwhile, the police boss paraded the bodies of two notorious armed robbers gunned down by his men last Saturday including the ring leader, Justice Nnaekwe alias Pabobo.
He said Nnaekwe and his gang members, Festus Obi of Dimagu in Ideato South Local Government and Chijioke Okwara as well as others at large have been terrorizing entire Ideato since last year and evading police arrest.
He said: "In February last year they raided the house of one Lawrence Okwara and robbed his household of N262, 000 and other valuables. On the March 18, 2009, the same gang attacked the resident of one Edwin Abazie and robbed him of his valuable and the sum of N45, 000. But luck ran out of them on Saturday when they engaged the police in a serious gun battle resulting in the killing of two of their members."
Items recovered from them and paraded at the command include AK 47 riffle, four loaded magazines of 30 round of ammunition each, 52 two rounds of .99 mm ammunition and a single barrel long gun.
Okorie commended the Sole Administrator of Ideato South Local Government Council, Chief Innocent Maduagwu for his efforts and cooperation that led to the success of the command in the battle with the criminals and said if his colleagues in other local government councils in the state should behave the way he did, the crime rate will reduce.
Source: Punch, 16th March 2010.
Imo to bring back Israeli water engineers
Arrangements are in top gear to bring back the water engineers from Israel that constructed the Owerri Water Scheme during the Sam Mbakwe administration.
Disclosing this in an interview, the commissioner for public utilities and rural development, Mr. Ralph Nwosu, the best option left for the administration was to bring back the originators of the project to take a critical look at it, as well as remedy the nagging problem in the place.
"The Israelis have visited the project and made full assessment of what is needed to put the scheme back to optimum use. In the meantime, government has been doing its best to provide potable water to the people, especially to the residents of Owerri municipality", the Commissioner said.
Explaining how government was addressing the water shortage, he said the satellite schemes in Egbeada, Egbu, Orji, Umuoba Uratta have been made functional.
Source: Vanguard, 13th March 2010.
EFCC Probes Contract Scam in Owerri LG
By Toyosi Ogunseye
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has launched investigations into allegations of conspiracy and stealing of public funds levelled against Mr. Chris Asoluka and Mr. Henry Onwukwe, the sole administrator of Owerri West Local Government, Imo State.
The duo allegedly set up fictitious companies with which they secured several contracts that were either abandoned or not executed after payments had been made.
The EFCC's head, Media and Publicity, Femi Babafemi, said the companies: Testilival Enterprises, Justy Peters Nig Ltd, Harrynol Investment & Construction Ltd and Apple Interbiz were found to be fake as the letters that were sent out inviting their managing directors were returned by EMS courier company on the ground that they did not exist.
The anti-graft agency's spokesman, however, said some of the firms were registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
Babafemi said on Friday, "A team of operatives visited the council and forced the management to produce the owners of the firms. We were able to trace Herbert Opara, the managing director of Apple Interbiz who has been taken to the custody of the EFCC's Enugu zone.
"Documents recovered from Opara exposed him as a close ally of Asoluka. It was discovered that he had also secured contracts from Owerri council in the name of a company, Chikamso and Sons."
The anti-graft agency, he added, had recovered cheque booklets and deposit slips of UBA, Intercontinental Bank, First Bank, Union Bank and Bank PHB and photocopies of cheques amounting to about N151m drawn from various accounts of Imo State Government in favour of a FM&T Consulting.
Babafemi said, "Opara told us that Asoluka is the chairman/ managing consultant of FM&T Consulting. The suspect was also discovered to be a personal assistant to Asoluka in another company named EL-Machi Ltd."
In his statement, Opara, however said he executed all the contracts he secured from the local government and that all the payments received from the Accountant General of Imo State in favour of FM&T Consulting was in respect of training programmes executed by the company.
Efforts to speak to Asoluka were unsuccessful as he did not pick his calls. He also did not reply the text message sent to him by our correspondent.
However, Onwukwe, who spoke with our correspondent on Friday, said the allegations were politically motivated.
He said, "Some people want my position and they want me to lose. The allegations are political. I am going to sue them. I know where all these are coming from."
Our correspondent learnt that letters of investigation were sent to banks, and the accountant-general of the state in respect of the documents recovered from Opara.
Source: Punch, 14th March 2010.
Govt Okays N21.5b Owerri-Elele Road Contract
By Our Reporter
The Federal Executive Council yesterday approved the reconstruction of Owerri-Elele road linking Imo and Rivers States at N21.5billion.
The project, according to the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Ufort Ekaette, is part of the post-amnesty programme aimed at enhancing accessibility and creating employment opportunities.
Also, an additional consultancy service for the project valued at N469.73 million was approved.
Another approval granted by the council is the contract for the rehabilitation Dengi-Jarmai road in Plateau State at N1.45 billion.
The project is to be funded by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency and the Ecological Fund.
Also, approved is the consultancy services contract for the Obiakpo-Obeng gas pipeline at N236.8 million. The contract involves project studies and technical surveys, among other technical supervision duties for the project.
Source: The Nation, 4th March 2010.
Imo Reactivates 40-yr-old Water Scheme
OWERRI—The Imo State Government has reactivated some water schemes that had ceased to function in the last 30 or 40 years. The reactivation was carried out in the last two and half years by the present administration.
Disclosing this in an interview in Owerri, the Commissioner for Public Utilities and Rural Development, Mr. Ralph Nwosu, said the administration reactivated the water schemes despite the current economic meltdown facing the state.
"Some of the water schemes stopped functioning for over 30 years. The one in Nnempi, Oru West Local Government Area is a typical example of such dysfunctional water schemes. We have been able to rehabilitate them and if you go there now, you will see that the people are enjoying the facilities," the Commissioner said.
A new dimension to the rehabilitation, according to Mr. Nwosu was government's decision to make the water projects solar-powered, adding that this would eliminate the problem of erratic public power supply and high cost of running diesel to pump water.
"The solar-powered boreholes are spread across the three senatorial zones of the state. Government has also put these facilities in the care of the communities where they are sited," Nwosu said.
On plans to extend the water schemes to other areas that do not have them, the Commissioner said that government had already worked out a plan where the state government would pay 70 percent of the cost, while the local council and the community would pay 20 and 10 percent respectively.
"The contribution of the communities may not necessarily be cash but by policing these projects located in their respective communities. Government has also set up Water Committees, which will be reporting to the administration if the need arises," Nwosu said.
Source: Vanguard, 24 Feb 2010.
Imo Airport: Minister Threatens Contractor
• As Enugu traffic diverts to Owerri
From Amby Uneze in Owerri
Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba, has vowed to use police to arrest the contractor handing the airfield lighting of the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State if the job contracted to him for over eight months ago is not delivered in about four weeks' time to enable 24-hour operation at the airport.
The minister, who spoke on arrival at the airport on an inspection visit to assess the facilities available at the airport due to the shut down of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu for rehabilitation, said Sam Mbakwe Airport was capable of taking the volume of traffic because of the facilities being put on ground.
"If we don't have 24-hour operation here (Sam Mbakwe Airport) in about four weeks from now, I will lock up the contractor –ADP Lighting-because they have been paid since eight months ago. I don't see any reason why they should not have completed the air field lighting by now," he fumed.
Omotoba said apart from the airfield lighting project, there were other projects like the renovation of the terminal building, the construction of the perimeter fencing and the increase in the security equipment at the airport, which will cost about N1 billion.
According to him, the contractor had been paid N200 million since eight months ago out of the total package of about N400 million, but has done nothing.
He noted that the delay in the closure of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu was due to the Anambra governorship election, adding that if it had been shut down before the election, there would have been difficulty in conducting a free, fair and credible election, which was why it was shut a month behind schedule.
The minister announced that the rehabilitation of Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu would last till January 2011 and as such, Sam Mbakwe Airport would be playing the key role in taking the traffic for the South East and part of South-South people.
In his remarks, the Airport Manager, Mr. Orjiako Mgbemene, told the minister that the Cargo Airport currently hosts four airlines on a daily basis with flight movement increasing from five landing and five take-offs to eight landings and eight take-offs due to the diversion of flights from Enugu.
He commended the minister for his efforts in the building and completion of the NIMET administration office, commencement and completion of the NIMET automatic weather reporting system, which is linked directly to the control tower, the installation of the Global Positioning System (GPS), the installation of new baggage x-ray machines and walk-through metal detectors for the enhancement of security, and the installation of additional water/hydrant in the airport for fire fighting and prevention.
Source: This Day, 23rd Fed 2010.
Imo Gets Naval Base
From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri
FOLLOWING persistent clamour by the Imo State government to the Federal Government to site a naval base in Oguta, Imo State, the Federal Government has at last approved the request.
Governor Ikedi Ohakim disclosed this at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri at the weekend on his arrival from Abuja
Also, the Federal Government has agreed to partner the Imo State government to build a Refinery in Ohaji Egbema Local Council of the state.
Ohakim said, a team, led by the Chief of Naval Staff and Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) would visit Imo this week to oversee the realisation of the projects.
Ohakim stated that Oguta, the proposed site of the base, is suitable for the project being a riverine area.
He stated that the Federal Government has also approved a N25 billion road project that would traverse Owerri to Rivers State.
The Guardian gathered that the Old Imo State lost its naval base to Owerrinta, present Abia State on its creation in 1991.
Source: The Guardian, 22nd Feb 2010
Imo Govt To Repair Abandoned Water Schemes
Community dissociates self from Anti-Ohakim litigations
From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri
THE Imo State Government is in the process of rehabilitating the over 400 abandoned water projects in the state, the Commissioner for Public Utilities and Rural Development, Ralph Nwosu has disclosed.
Giving a score card of his ministry to journalists at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja at the weekend, the commissioner said the process would be through a tripartite arrangement involving the communities, local councils and the state government.
Under the arrangement, he said, the communities would contribute 10 percent, local authorities 20 percent and the state government 70 percent.
He said the essence was to make the water schemes sustainable "because government discovered that most of the water schemes were abandoned due to minor faults hence government decided to involve the communities in the rehabilitation programme."
He disclosed that the government would set up water committees made up of members of the communities where the schemes were located and to ensure the workability of this, "Community Development Officers have been appointed by the ministry in all the 27 local government areas of the state. These officers will work closely with the water committees set up in the communities."
Nwosu further said that the ministry had concluded plans to train artisans in all the communities to assist the water committees. "Apart from working for the communities, these artisans will also earn a living which the state government sees as a means of empowering the youth."
Meanwhile, as political opponents of Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State continue to take him to court on various cases, the people of Ikpe Nsu in Ehime Mbano local council of the state at the weekend dissociated themselves from such litigations.
In a statement read on behalf of the group at Ipke Nsu, the Special Adviser to Ohakim on Protocol / Public Affairs, Chief Bright Nwelue criticized those who have made fortune in fighting the administration of Ohakim, thanking the governor for appointing on of their sons, Nwelue, as his Special Adviser.
Source: The Guardian, 13th Feb 2010.
Imo Assembly Okays Sole Administrators For Councils
From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri
BARELY 24 hours after the Imo State government dissolved the 27 councils in the state, the State House of Assembly yesterday ratified the appointment of sole administrators to manage the local councils.
Also the lawmakers okayed the appointment of members of some commissions which included Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC), Imo State House of Assembly Service Commission (IMHASC) and Imo State Oil Mineral Development Commission (ISOPADEC).
According to the statement signed by Cosmos Iwu at the weekend in Owerri, chairmen of the commissions include Robert Asuzu (CSC), Chief Frank Nwokolo, (LGSC) Emma Nwonye, (ISIEC) and ISOPADEC, E. C. Nnani, ISOPAEDC.
Other members include Maxwell Duru and Obiageri Ajoku.
The commissions had been dissolved by the Governor, Ikedi Ohakim following the resolution of the state House of Assembly.
The State House Assembly has passed a bill on the amendment of law 10 of 1970 on the handover of schools to their original owners.
Former lawmaker in the State, Mr. Oliver Enwerenem has faulted the appointment of sole administrators in the state.
Speaking to The Guardian in a related development, at the weekend in Owerri, Enwerenem expressed dismay that for some unsubstantiated reasons, some governors, including Imo State, allegedly continue to evade holding council polls to usher in democratically elected government at the third tier of government.
He called for immediate constitutional amendment to check such practices, and called party leaders to help check such "undemocratic appointments."
Continuing, he said: "Therefore, I am proffering if we must have peace in this country section 144 of the Constitution must be amended otherwise we should go over the system of regional government because it is the most appropriate thing to do.
Source: The Guardian, 6th Feb 2010.
Imo Assembly Okays Councils' Sack
By Chidi Nkwopara
OWERRI—Imo State House of Assembly, in a surprise move, yesterday, unanimously adopted a motion, urging Governor Ikedi Ohakim to immediately sack the transition committees of the 27 local government areas of the state.
The lawmakers, who suspended their vacation to attend the Assembly's special sitting, also urged the executive to use its sledge hammer on the Local Government Service Commission, Imo State Independent Electoral Commission and Civil Service Commission.
The House noted that ISIEC has outlived its usefulness, adding that there was the need to inject fresh mind and hands, who will be charged and constitutionally empowered to organise, undertake and supervise all elections at the local council level in the state.
They explained that their action was in their sincere bid to sanitize governance in the state, as well as make government agencies and commissions result oriented.
Adducing reasons for the sacking of the Civil Service Commission, CSC, the chief sponsor, Nze Ray Emeana, said the establishment was bedeviled with indiscipline and had become chaotic as a result of the Commission's inability to control and regulate its staff.
"Governor Ohakim's promise to provide 10,000 graduate jobs in the civil service in the first quarter of this year demands that the present chairman and members of CSC be removed and replaced with viable persons," Emeana said.
On why the transition committees must go, Chief Simeon Iwunze, representing Isiala Mbano, alleged improper conduct, stressing that the operators of the local councils were no longer useful in the system.
"The excesses of the council chairmen prompted the call for the removal of the transition committees, as well as the removal of the chairman and members of the Local Government Service Commission for their inefficiency and inability to control the councils," Iwunze said.
It was his opinion that there was no need to improve the local councils without addressing the pitfalls in the Local Government Service Commission.
Source: Vanguard, 2nd Feb 2010.
Imo Begins Lands Recertification
From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri
THE Imo State Government at the weekend threatened to revoke any land in the state if its owner fails to recertify it before June 30.
Briefing journalists in Owerri, the state Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, Levi Oguike, said the programme handled by the Imo Geographic Information Service (IGIS) would charge any land owner who already has his or her Certificate of Occupation (C of O) N20,000, adding that it would take between 15 and 20 minutes to electronically process it in a "digital database and electronic lands and deeds registry."
He said: "All title documents not recertified before or by the 30th June 2010, shall cease to be valid for land transactions in the state and by implication shall become of no value as an instrument for land transactions. Special windows shall be created for banks to re-certify land instruments in their possession and pay the necessary fees."
Bank PHB, he said, has been empowered by the state government to handle the transaction.
On why the fee was pegged at N20,000, he said much was expended by the state government to purchase the equipment and others.
Source: The Guardian, 14th January 2010.
Imo Students to Present Tax Certificates for Admission
From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri
IMO State government has directed that all students returning to school this year must present their parents/guardians' electronic tax clearance certificate (ETCC) before they are allowed to register and participate in studies, Special Adviser to Governor Ikedi Ohakim on Revenue Generation, Mobilisation and Accounts Monitoring, Kirian Onwuzurike, has disclosed.
Briefing journalists in Owerri, the state capital, at the weekend on the state of revenue and achievements of his department, Onwuzurike said the measure was put in place to ensure that every taxable adult in the state lived up to his or her civic responsibility.
He added that all returning students must present the evidence of tax payment by their parents to school authorities before they would be allowed to study.
"It is our obligation. It is our responsibility", he said.
He disclosed that the state government was targeting N17 billion monthly revenue from the current over N430 million.
On the relationship between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officials on the remittance of N300 million owed the state, which culminated in the forced closure of the branch at the stance of the state government's directive, Onwuzuruike said the CBN official had paid N40 million out of the outstanding sum to the state government.
On efforts of the local councils in the state to collect revenue, he urged the officials to only collect according to the specifications of the state government and provisions of the law.
Source: The Guardian, 14th January 2010.
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