2015 Guber: Bishop Akpan, AKHA Speaker in Secret Talk
By Franklyn Isong
If speculations making the rounds in Akwa Ibom State at the weekend is anything to go by, then, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Sam Ikon, may contest the 2015 governorship poll as a running-mate to the State Deputy Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bishop Sam Akpan.
An aide to Hon. Ikon who pleaded anonymity to this paper hinted that the speaker was presently engaging in some secret talks with the acclaimed founder of the Akwa Ibom Peoples Forum (AKPF) the political group that worked for the emergence of the governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio in 2007.
Our source said that the Speaker was still considering the possibility of the offer being accepted by Akwa Ibom people bearing in mind that he (Ikon) from Etinan Local Government Area, an Ibibio speaking area in Uyo senatorial district, may be difficult to sail through at the poll, noting that Ikon had sought for advise from some of his political associates in the state.
The source further confided that some ranking House of Assembly members, believed to be working for one of the top PDP governorship hopeful in the state who were monitoring the events as things unfold, have tried to dissuade the speaker from accepting the plum offer. They were said to be persuading him to channel his resources and support to either their candidate or a member of the House, who was said to have an eye on the Hilltop Mansion in 2015.
Weekly Insight made several efforts to contact the speaker on the speculation before press time but could not reach him because his telephone line was not connecting. But an elder of PDP in Etinan LGA, who claimed to be a member of his campaign team in the 2011 general election, who spoke with our reporter on strict anonymity said that the speaker could not be working to emerge a running mate to Bishop Akpan in 2015.
He noted that when Ikon adopted the immediate past council chairman of Etinan LGA, Hon. Kenneth Archibong, that it was done in the open. He disclosed that Elder Ikon was presently concerned with the business of the AKHA and that in 2015; he (Ikon) has told his supporters that he would seek for the Etinan Federal Constituency seat.
Meanwhile, a close political ally to Bishop Akpan who is also a founding member of the AKPF in the state, who spoke with this paper while requesting not to be mentioned, has dismissed the report as false, noting that the speculation was not in tandem with any good political calculation in a state like Akwa Ibom where there are different ethnic groups. He said that the erstwhile political Adviser to governor Akpabio was fully aware of the political configuration of the state and therefore cannot contemplate making the speaker his deputy. He, however, did not rule out the possibility of both politicians meeting to strengthen ties and work together in the pursuit of their individual interests in 2015.
He disclosed that the ONNA-born-politician was considering picking his running mate from Annang ethnic divide of the state (Ikot Ekpene senatorial district), noting that Akpan was also building a political structure for the actualization of Governor Akpabio’s senatorial ambition in the 2015 poll.
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Girl 19, Strangles Her 3 weeks old baby, Dumps Her in Pit Toilet
A 19-year old girl, Nsidebe Sunday Effiong, of Ikot Abasi Idem Village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, is currently cooling her heels at the Ikot Akpan Abia headquarters of the Akwa Ibom state police command for strangling to death her three weeks old baby and dumping her into a pit toilet. Nsidebe was among those paraded by the command last week in the present effort of the command to rid the state of criminal activities.
Nsidebe Effiong, told reporters at the premises of the police command that she dropped out of school in her Junior Secondary three, when she first had her first baby. She said hardship drove her into taking such a drastic action as it was becoming extremely impossible for her to take care of the baby all by herself. She said the man who was responsible for making her pregnant, a drinking salon operator in Ibesikpo had denied responsibility and abandoned her to her fate.
She narrated how she could not stand the rigours of taking care of herself and the baby, when her mother refused to accept them back to her house. She said she first had a baby previously, adding that her first baby was in the care of her mother. She said her situation of not getting proper care forced her to rent her own room, where all sorts of men come to have sex with her after, which she was paid some stipends.
She further informed crime reporters that she decided to take the life of the baby one morning, when she could no longer bear the hardship. She narrated how she wrapped a towel round the soft neck of the crying baby and snuffed life out of her. To conceal her act, she said she further wrapped her all over and sneaked into the pit toilet in the compound, where she quietly threw the dead baby.
In another development, the Akwa Ibom state police command also paraded three men accused of conning innocent citizens of millions of naira posing as representatives of a firm of Marine Engineers and contractors to Exxon Mobil. The suspects paraded for the crime, David Peter John, Ekpo Udo alias Engr Kingsley and David Iwara and Godson Okedu, were said to have fraudulently duped one Fidelia Onyeachelem of the sum of one million naira under the guise of delivering ten trucks of premium motor spirit PMS to her.
Also paraded by the police include, two men arrested for impersonating police officers. One Bassey Eyong, was arrested for posing as a Deputy Superintendent of police. He was arrested with a fake plastic police ID card, while extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public. Another young man, Patience Effiong Idiong was also arrested at the plaza area of Uyo, extorting money from motorists while parading as a police constable.
In his press statement, the state commissioner of police, Mr. Solomon Arase, thanked members of the public for proffering information leading to the various breakthroughs so far recorded by his command. He said that security was the duty of all well meaning citizens, because the criminal operates among people. He enjoined members of the public to always report suspicious movements and persons to law enforcement agencies, promising to keep up the heat against criminalities in the state.
He promised that his command was committed to ensuring that the state remained free of criminal elements. He said that all those arrested would be prosecuted as soon as investigations into their crimes are fully completed.
Nsidebe Effiong, told reporters at the premises of the police command that she dropped out of school in her Junior Secondary three, when she first had her first baby. She said hardship drove her into taking such a drastic action as it was becoming extremely impossible for her to take care of the baby all by herself. She said the man who was responsible for making her pregnant, a drinking salon operator in Ibesikpo had denied responsibility and abandoned her to her fate.
She narrated how she could not stand the rigours of taking care of herself and the baby, when her mother refused to accept them back to her house. She said she first had a baby previously, adding that her first baby was in the care of her mother. She said her situation of not getting proper care forced her to rent her own room, where all sorts of men come to have sex with her after, which she was paid some stipends.
She further informed crime reporters that she decided to take the life of the baby one morning, when she could no longer bear the hardship. She narrated how she wrapped a towel round the soft neck of the crying baby and snuffed life out of her. To conceal her act, she said she further wrapped her all over and sneaked into the pit toilet in the compound, where she quietly threw the dead baby.
In another development, the Akwa Ibom state police command also paraded three men accused of conning innocent citizens of millions of naira posing as representatives of a firm of Marine Engineers and contractors to Exxon Mobil. The suspects paraded for the crime, David Peter John, Ekpo Udo alias Engr Kingsley and David Iwara and Godson Okedu, were said to have fraudulently duped one Fidelia Onyeachelem of the sum of one million naira under the guise of delivering ten trucks of premium motor spirit PMS to her.
Also paraded by the police include, two men arrested for impersonating police officers. One Bassey Eyong, was arrested for posing as a Deputy Superintendent of police. He was arrested with a fake plastic police ID card, while extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public. Another young man, Patience Effiong Idiong was also arrested at the plaza area of Uyo, extorting money from motorists while parading as a police constable.
In his press statement, the state commissioner of police, Mr. Solomon Arase, thanked members of the public for proffering information leading to the various breakthroughs so far recorded by his command. He said that security was the duty of all well meaning citizens, because the criminal operates among people. He enjoined members of the public to always report suspicious movements and persons to law enforcement agencies, promising to keep up the heat against criminalities in the state.
He promised that his command was committed to ensuring that the state remained free of criminal elements. He said that all those arrested would be prosecuted as soon as investigations into their crimes are fully completed.
The Nigerian challenge…
The Nigerian challenge…
By Paul Inyang
A few days ago someone put out a map of Nigeria with all the permutations for a divided Nigeria. I counted by their estimation seven different countries products of their considerations. I then took my scalpel and went to work on the Nigerian map and had so many configurations that it seemed like madness. One thing was clear with the exercise that it was somewhat frustrating and filled with anguish at the reality of such break up. If someone had asked me if this would was possible a year ago, I would quickly have asked them what it is they were smoking. Nigerians have always flirted with the idea of a break up since the advent of Biafra. The truth has been that since that last incident Nigerian’s it seems have had very little tolerance for conflict and have been careful not to engage in any activities that would stir the pot enough to set the country on such a path. Even with the issues of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D), it was not a consideration for many. That conflict was clear to most Nigerians who cared to listen—the utter disregard for the people of the Niger Delta and the collusion of government with the multi-nationals to totally devalue life and environment of the people. The Boko Harram assault has renewed the restlessness of Nigerians, to the point that people are uncharacteristically speaking up on the need to separate. This writer has come to believe that it is possible although not based on any conviction that it will or should happen.
In the 52 year history of Nigeria’s existence we have gone from four provinces (Northern, Western, Eastern and Midwestern provinces) of the 60’s to 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja of today. These are significant changes for a relatively young country like ours. Many may dispute the youth of the country but in all fairness, when compared to other nation Nigeria is a relatively young country. The great impetus for more configurations started with the military decree during General Gowon’s era to create the initial 12 states. Consequently, there was and continues to be a clamor for more states. The premise has been three prong in this writer’s opinion. The first factor is geographical—the need to cluster people according to their physical locations while taking into account historical and cultural relationships. The other is the grouping of folks according to their, ethnic affiliations’ to achieve greater homogeneity, with the hope that with assumed affinity they will be able to live and work together. Finally, the belief that as the country is divided into manageable pieces, insular interest will spur and bring greater development closer to the people.
The overall assessment of our national evolution based on the above principles has been positive for the most part. One can say that Nigeria has benefited from this arrangement and in many ways, we have created some buy-in on the need to remain together. For instance, the creation of Akwa Ibom State was and is still welcomed by all indigenes of the state. I can say that a lot of what we see as development today in Akwa Ibom would not have happened if the state was not created. This has spurred development within the state and has brought government closer to its people. It has also empowered citizen who until now felt marginalized within the Nigerian scheme by dominant groups in the country. The same can be said of other geographical areas of the country where people have begun to see themselves as thriving entities. As Nigeria is moving towards a representative government, citizens are beginning to understand that they count and can purposefully pursue beneficial goals and objectives. A good example is the resource control argument that occurred during President Obasanjo’s civilian regime, which led to the allocation of a measly 13% derivative in the sharing of oil resources to the states, which were previously managed and mismanaged by the central government. Prior to this the Federal Government was the sole beneficiary of the oil proceeds (rent and royalties) despite the recommended 17% by the National Political Reform Conference. Only a beginning—it further recognizes that the people who own the resource have a right to benefit from it and have a say in how those resources are managed.
There is also the unintended consequence of the partitioning of Nigeria, which appears to be the raising of expectations. If Nigeria functioned as most normal societies with patriotic zeal and the understanding that no matter what separates us we are headed in the same direction, then it would be a very good thing. There is also what this writer refers to as a minority complex—meaning that no one wants to be a minority. For obvious reasons the perception is that all minorities are persecuted and treated very unfairly. This has gone beyond minority resentment to—ethnicity, becoming a major issue and folks that saw themselves as brothers and sisters now have difficulty working and living together. The truth is that these folks have lived and done almost everything together in the past. They inter-married, schooled and fought political battles together, now there is an internal drive to differentiate themselves, brought on by some divisive forces. There is thrust to accentuate the superiority of one ethnic group over the other and in some places it has taken worrisome directions which have led to the unthinkable happening. It is natural to exercise self-determination but this driving force goes beyond such, providing motivation for revisionist to begin to redefine who they are at the expense of the truth. In Akwa Ibom for instance, ethnic groups are burgeoning daily, some conspicuous for first time. Little clans that in some cases do not constitute a village rename themselves—republics. Some groups have issued disclaimers implying that they are not of the so-called majority tribe. Some have gone as far calling the other “slaves” and “uncircumcised”. Is this a case of pride, arrogance or plain stupidity? How does this foster unity and sustainability among a people? No matter how many times we divide there will always be a majority and minority—it is how the world was created, with expected disparity. In every village some group likens their situation to that of minorities. We are one or the other by the sheer accident of birth, so what is the big deal? This writer opines that this has contributed the espousing of political concepts such as zoning and the recently introduced issue of indigenization, both polarizing issues.
We should realize that what matters is that we are able to create a niche for ourselves. The Jews in America for instance, understand that they are minorities but have never been preoccupied with this reality and have chosen through their business acumen, astute determination and acquisition of knowledge to control the financial sector and markets. Guess who one has to deal with when they need money for business? There are many examples to draw on including countries such Turkey which is a predominantly Muslim society with a complex mixture of other cultures and religion and has found a way to allow each to flourish and coexist with minimum conflicts. Each community should prioritize and decide what they can bring to the table collectively and individually and work at being great for the betterment of the larger Nigerian community. Sounds simplistic? Some of the best ideas are the simple and obvious ones.
If threatened one should defend themselves if possible to the last man. This is one of my many concerns about our country. We have so imbibed poorly the biblical principle of turn the other cheek that we have abdicated our responsibility to protect our communities within a united Nigeria. We misunderstand that principle completely. For that we have paid a very expensive price. This principle does not preclude that we defend ourselves or pursue appropriated channels to self-determination. Our first thought and action should not always be that of separation. The beauty of our country should be our diversity and we must learn to work together; disagree and settle our dispute amicably. If we separate prematurely, we “will live to fight another day”—our borders after all will be occupied by people who will pursue our demise.
All bright and intelligent people should aspire to be leaders irrespective of where they come from. There will never be a point when we will all have leaders who come from all of our communities, although we all should be able to share in governance. It presumes that if we have one of our own at the helm of affairs, then we will be better off. History has proven that this is not the case. There are too many different communities to accommodate, so the key is participation. Our leaders have never really had our interest at hand. The most that can happen is that they help themselves and their relatives and ignore the rest. All we need are leaders who care enough to change the course of history by doing for all and pursuing the common good—who cares where they come from? Most people would not, as long as we have an enabling functional environment to succeed. What else could be better?
By Paul Inyang
A few days ago someone put out a map of Nigeria with all the permutations for a divided Nigeria. I counted by their estimation seven different countries products of their considerations. I then took my scalpel and went to work on the Nigerian map and had so many configurations that it seemed like madness. One thing was clear with the exercise that it was somewhat frustrating and filled with anguish at the reality of such break up. If someone had asked me if this would was possible a year ago, I would quickly have asked them what it is they were smoking. Nigerians have always flirted with the idea of a break up since the advent of Biafra. The truth has been that since that last incident Nigerian’s it seems have had very little tolerance for conflict and have been careful not to engage in any activities that would stir the pot enough to set the country on such a path. Even with the issues of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D), it was not a consideration for many. That conflict was clear to most Nigerians who cared to listen—the utter disregard for the people of the Niger Delta and the collusion of government with the multi-nationals to totally devalue life and environment of the people. The Boko Harram assault has renewed the restlessness of Nigerians, to the point that people are uncharacteristically speaking up on the need to separate. This writer has come to believe that it is possible although not based on any conviction that it will or should happen.
In the 52 year history of Nigeria’s existence we have gone from four provinces (Northern, Western, Eastern and Midwestern provinces) of the 60’s to 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja of today. These are significant changes for a relatively young country like ours. Many may dispute the youth of the country but in all fairness, when compared to other nation Nigeria is a relatively young country. The great impetus for more configurations started with the military decree during General Gowon’s era to create the initial 12 states. Consequently, there was and continues to be a clamor for more states. The premise has been three prong in this writer’s opinion. The first factor is geographical—the need to cluster people according to their physical locations while taking into account historical and cultural relationships. The other is the grouping of folks according to their, ethnic affiliations’ to achieve greater homogeneity, with the hope that with assumed affinity they will be able to live and work together. Finally, the belief that as the country is divided into manageable pieces, insular interest will spur and bring greater development closer to the people.
The overall assessment of our national evolution based on the above principles has been positive for the most part. One can say that Nigeria has benefited from this arrangement and in many ways, we have created some buy-in on the need to remain together. For instance, the creation of Akwa Ibom State was and is still welcomed by all indigenes of the state. I can say that a lot of what we see as development today in Akwa Ibom would not have happened if the state was not created. This has spurred development within the state and has brought government closer to its people. It has also empowered citizen who until now felt marginalized within the Nigerian scheme by dominant groups in the country. The same can be said of other geographical areas of the country where people have begun to see themselves as thriving entities. As Nigeria is moving towards a representative government, citizens are beginning to understand that they count and can purposefully pursue beneficial goals and objectives. A good example is the resource control argument that occurred during President Obasanjo’s civilian regime, which led to the allocation of a measly 13% derivative in the sharing of oil resources to the states, which were previously managed and mismanaged by the central government. Prior to this the Federal Government was the sole beneficiary of the oil proceeds (rent and royalties) despite the recommended 17% by the National Political Reform Conference. Only a beginning—it further recognizes that the people who own the resource have a right to benefit from it and have a say in how those resources are managed.
There is also the unintended consequence of the partitioning of Nigeria, which appears to be the raising of expectations. If Nigeria functioned as most normal societies with patriotic zeal and the understanding that no matter what separates us we are headed in the same direction, then it would be a very good thing. There is also what this writer refers to as a minority complex—meaning that no one wants to be a minority. For obvious reasons the perception is that all minorities are persecuted and treated very unfairly. This has gone beyond minority resentment to—ethnicity, becoming a major issue and folks that saw themselves as brothers and sisters now have difficulty working and living together. The truth is that these folks have lived and done almost everything together in the past. They inter-married, schooled and fought political battles together, now there is an internal drive to differentiate themselves, brought on by some divisive forces. There is thrust to accentuate the superiority of one ethnic group over the other and in some places it has taken worrisome directions which have led to the unthinkable happening. It is natural to exercise self-determination but this driving force goes beyond such, providing motivation for revisionist to begin to redefine who they are at the expense of the truth. In Akwa Ibom for instance, ethnic groups are burgeoning daily, some conspicuous for first time. Little clans that in some cases do not constitute a village rename themselves—republics. Some groups have issued disclaimers implying that they are not of the so-called majority tribe. Some have gone as far calling the other “slaves” and “uncircumcised”. Is this a case of pride, arrogance or plain stupidity? How does this foster unity and sustainability among a people? No matter how many times we divide there will always be a majority and minority—it is how the world was created, with expected disparity. In every village some group likens their situation to that of minorities. We are one or the other by the sheer accident of birth, so what is the big deal? This writer opines that this has contributed the espousing of political concepts such as zoning and the recently introduced issue of indigenization, both polarizing issues.
We should realize that what matters is that we are able to create a niche for ourselves. The Jews in America for instance, understand that they are minorities but have never been preoccupied with this reality and have chosen through their business acumen, astute determination and acquisition of knowledge to control the financial sector and markets. Guess who one has to deal with when they need money for business? There are many examples to draw on including countries such Turkey which is a predominantly Muslim society with a complex mixture of other cultures and religion and has found a way to allow each to flourish and coexist with minimum conflicts. Each community should prioritize and decide what they can bring to the table collectively and individually and work at being great for the betterment of the larger Nigerian community. Sounds simplistic? Some of the best ideas are the simple and obvious ones.
If threatened one should defend themselves if possible to the last man. This is one of my many concerns about our country. We have so imbibed poorly the biblical principle of turn the other cheek that we have abdicated our responsibility to protect our communities within a united Nigeria. We misunderstand that principle completely. For that we have paid a very expensive price. This principle does not preclude that we defend ourselves or pursue appropriated channels to self-determination. Our first thought and action should not always be that of separation. The beauty of our country should be our diversity and we must learn to work together; disagree and settle our dispute amicably. If we separate prematurely, we “will live to fight another day”—our borders after all will be occupied by people who will pursue our demise.
All bright and intelligent people should aspire to be leaders irrespective of where they come from. There will never be a point when we will all have leaders who come from all of our communities, although we all should be able to share in governance. It presumes that if we have one of our own at the helm of affairs, then we will be better off. History has proven that this is not the case. There are too many different communities to accommodate, so the key is participation. Our leaders have never really had our interest at hand. The most that can happen is that they help themselves and their relatives and ignore the rest. All we need are leaders who care enough to change the course of history by doing for all and pursuing the common good—who cares where they come from? Most people would not, as long as we have an enabling functional environment to succeed. What else could be better?
Akwa Ibom communities confront Septa Energy over non-implementation of MOU
By Assam Abia
Edo communities in Esit Eket , Akwa Ibom on Thursday resisted the unfair labour practices by Oil firms operating on their land disrupting construction activities at the Uquo Marginal oil fields over violations of existing agreements.
Over 1,000 persons occupied the entrance to the Central Gas Processing Facility under construction by Septa Energy to press home their grouse with perceived discriminatory labour practices against indigenes of the area.
The protesters carried placards comprised women youths and elders from Edo community sang songs amidst drumbeats urging the oil firm to honour its obligations on community development.
The women took over the gates and set up their cooking pots on fire while others carried symbolic cassava stick depicting poor yield as a result of oil and gas exploration and production.
The community representatives said that they were compelled to protest the non-compliance to the Memorandum of Understanding between the operators of the marginal oil field with them.
The protesters who demonstrated a high level of civility during the protest, carried play cards with inscriptions such as, “employ our qualified youths”, “Give women their 35% employment right”, ALCON, Employ our People”, “Respect the MOU” and “Give us infrastructure” among others.
They decried the non-employment of indigenes with qualified skill and education into management positions as agreed in the MOU signed between the Host Community and the Management Team.
Our correspondent who was at the scene reports that the protesters vowed not to vacate the entrance to the centre processing facility until the issues raised by them were being addressed by management of the company.
Speaking to the weekly insight on behalf of the women, Deaconess Grace Akpata, a women leader, said that their action was being aggravated by the failed talks with representative of the company in December 2011 after similar demonstration took place.
“These people think we are stupid. Can they do all these in other places? Just because we are peaceful, they take us for a ride. Imagine a C.L.O of this company being a non-indigene. We will not vacate this place (the gate) until they respect the M.O.U they signed with the community”, Akpata stated.
She said further that the company accepted to provide women of the Core Community with some empowerment and welfare package late last year, which they deliberately refused to oblige, adding that issues raised by them during the last demonstration have not been attended to by the company.
“We are peace loving people but we will no longer tolerate injustice, abuse and neglect meted on us for the sake of so called development”, she fumed.
Also speaking, Obongawan Hannah Edemidiong called on Septa Energy Company to call its servicing companies to order to avoid a future breakdown of industrial harmony now existing in the area.
She stated that the state government was involved in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, which has now been abused by the company and wondered why Government agencies are not concerned in the lukewarm attitude of the company.
“It is very unfair and unacceptable for the company and its service companies to employ more than 85% of its working force outside the state when we have enough skilled manpower. Government should interfere and stop a possible breakdown of law and order in our peaceful communities”, Obongawan Edemidiong said.
Henry Ekong, Akwa Ibom Chapter Chairman of Association of Erectors, Riggers and Scaffolders of Nigeria said that the association opposed the violation of operational area quota.
“I am of Riggers erectors and scaffolders of Nigeria. We are a trade union today gathered here in the front of the central processing facility to express our grievances over what the companies the service operators are doing to the trade union.
“They are even bringing foreigners to do the jobs reserved for Nigerians under the labour Act and in total violation of expatriate quotas
“The MOU stipulated that our youths should partake fully up to 60 to 70 per cent of this project in the skilled and semi skilled categories of manpower but that is not happening.
“ And today we have discovered is that the youths are not represented up to 20 percent, we are not happy, we need a redress we need all head count of workers in the CPF, so that we know exactly who have been cleared by the community and who have not been cleared,” Ekong stated
Officials of ALCON, the construction firm handling the project could not be reached for comments as they were said to have withdrawn from the project site.
Construction Manager of ALCON, Mr. Flavio Grosso could not be reached as he switched off his mobile phones.
Chief Umoh Udobia, Chairman of Uquo Marginal Field Development Board said that officials of Septa Energy had prevailed on him to appeal to the crowd to maintain the peace as Management of the firm has agreed to meet with community representatives at a hotel in Eket.
Edo communities in Esit Eket , Akwa Ibom on Thursday resisted the unfair labour practices by Oil firms operating on their land disrupting construction activities at the Uquo Marginal oil fields over violations of existing agreements.
Over 1,000 persons occupied the entrance to the Central Gas Processing Facility under construction by Septa Energy to press home their grouse with perceived discriminatory labour practices against indigenes of the area.
The protesters carried placards comprised women youths and elders from Edo community sang songs amidst drumbeats urging the oil firm to honour its obligations on community development.
The women took over the gates and set up their cooking pots on fire while others carried symbolic cassava stick depicting poor yield as a result of oil and gas exploration and production.
The community representatives said that they were compelled to protest the non-compliance to the Memorandum of Understanding between the operators of the marginal oil field with them.
The protesters who demonstrated a high level of civility during the protest, carried play cards with inscriptions such as, “employ our qualified youths”, “Give women their 35% employment right”, ALCON, Employ our People”, “Respect the MOU” and “Give us infrastructure” among others.
They decried the non-employment of indigenes with qualified skill and education into management positions as agreed in the MOU signed between the Host Community and the Management Team.
Our correspondent who was at the scene reports that the protesters vowed not to vacate the entrance to the centre processing facility until the issues raised by them were being addressed by management of the company.
Speaking to the weekly insight on behalf of the women, Deaconess Grace Akpata, a women leader, said that their action was being aggravated by the failed talks with representative of the company in December 2011 after similar demonstration took place.
“These people think we are stupid. Can they do all these in other places? Just because we are peaceful, they take us for a ride. Imagine a C.L.O of this company being a non-indigene. We will not vacate this place (the gate) until they respect the M.O.U they signed with the community”, Akpata stated.
She said further that the company accepted to provide women of the Core Community with some empowerment and welfare package late last year, which they deliberately refused to oblige, adding that issues raised by them during the last demonstration have not been attended to by the company.
“We are peace loving people but we will no longer tolerate injustice, abuse and neglect meted on us for the sake of so called development”, she fumed.
Also speaking, Obongawan Hannah Edemidiong called on Septa Energy Company to call its servicing companies to order to avoid a future breakdown of industrial harmony now existing in the area.
She stated that the state government was involved in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, which has now been abused by the company and wondered why Government agencies are not concerned in the lukewarm attitude of the company.
“It is very unfair and unacceptable for the company and its service companies to employ more than 85% of its working force outside the state when we have enough skilled manpower. Government should interfere and stop a possible breakdown of law and order in our peaceful communities”, Obongawan Edemidiong said.
Henry Ekong, Akwa Ibom Chapter Chairman of Association of Erectors, Riggers and Scaffolders of Nigeria said that the association opposed the violation of operational area quota.
“I am of Riggers erectors and scaffolders of Nigeria. We are a trade union today gathered here in the front of the central processing facility to express our grievances over what the companies the service operators are doing to the trade union.
“They are even bringing foreigners to do the jobs reserved for Nigerians under the labour Act and in total violation of expatriate quotas
“The MOU stipulated that our youths should partake fully up to 60 to 70 per cent of this project in the skilled and semi skilled categories of manpower but that is not happening.
“ And today we have discovered is that the youths are not represented up to 20 percent, we are not happy, we need a redress we need all head count of workers in the CPF, so that we know exactly who have been cleared by the community and who have not been cleared,” Ekong stated
Officials of ALCON, the construction firm handling the project could not be reached for comments as they were said to have withdrawn from the project site.
Construction Manager of ALCON, Mr. Flavio Grosso could not be reached as he switched off his mobile phones.
Chief Umoh Udobia, Chairman of Uquo Marginal Field Development Board said that officials of Septa Energy had prevailed on him to appeal to the crowd to maintain the peace as Management of the firm has agreed to meet with community representatives at a hotel in Eket.
Oron fishermen bemoan impact of Shell’s Bonga spill
Famous Fishing Organisation (FFO), a fishing group in Oron, Akwa Ibom has described the recent Bonga oil spill as a setback to their occupation and marine environment.
Mr Johnson Harry Chairman of the group said in an interview in Oron on Friday that the oil spill had crippled fishing activities in Akwa Ibom.
Harry dismissed the views canvassed in certain quarters that the oil spill did not affect Akwa Ibom coastline saying that such views were unscientific.
He said that there ample evidence to prove impact on the Atlantic coastline in Akwa Ibom.
He said that the marine environment along the Atlantic coastline in Akwa Ibom was polluted by the spill and compelled members of FFO to suspend fishing.
“The Spill from Bonga oil field is a very big blow to us; the magnitude of the spill compelled us to leave the waters before the regulators instructed fishermen in the Niger Delta Region to stop every fishing related activity.
“Life has become difficult since we have not been earning income and our concern is that the impact of the spill left a lot of deposits along Akwa Ibom coastline which is yet to be cleaned up.
“We urge the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency to prevail on Shell to clean up Akwa Ibom coastline of the traces of crude oil as well as offset the losses incurred by fishermen who were deprived of their income due to the spill,” Harry said.
He commended the Akwa Ibom government for visiting the coastal settlements to asses the plight of the fishermen affected by the oil spill.
He said that the visit of the state commissioner for Environment Mr. Enobong Uwah had restored the hope of fishermen that government was sensitive to their suffering.
Harry appealed to Akwa Ibom government to sustain its effort and compel shell to take responsibility for the damages suffered by Akwa Ibom fishermen in the December 20, 2011 oil spill.
Shell Nigeria Production and Exploration Company (SNEPCO), operator of the bonga field located about 120 kilometres from coastline reported that some 40,000 barrels of crude leaked into the Atlantic Ocean in the spill incident.
A statement from SNEPCO said the oil firm has reportedly completed the clean up of the spill which occurred 120 kilometres off the coastline and restarted production from the Bonga platform in January 2012.
Mr Johnson Harry Chairman of the group said in an interview in Oron on Friday that the oil spill had crippled fishing activities in Akwa Ibom.
Harry dismissed the views canvassed in certain quarters that the oil spill did not affect Akwa Ibom coastline saying that such views were unscientific.
He said that there ample evidence to prove impact on the Atlantic coastline in Akwa Ibom.
He said that the marine environment along the Atlantic coastline in Akwa Ibom was polluted by the spill and compelled members of FFO to suspend fishing.
“The Spill from Bonga oil field is a very big blow to us; the magnitude of the spill compelled us to leave the waters before the regulators instructed fishermen in the Niger Delta Region to stop every fishing related activity.
“Life has become difficult since we have not been earning income and our concern is that the impact of the spill left a lot of deposits along Akwa Ibom coastline which is yet to be cleaned up.
“We urge the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency to prevail on Shell to clean up Akwa Ibom coastline of the traces of crude oil as well as offset the losses incurred by fishermen who were deprived of their income due to the spill,” Harry said.
He commended the Akwa Ibom government for visiting the coastal settlements to asses the plight of the fishermen affected by the oil spill.
He said that the visit of the state commissioner for Environment Mr. Enobong Uwah had restored the hope of fishermen that government was sensitive to their suffering.
Harry appealed to Akwa Ibom government to sustain its effort and compel shell to take responsibility for the damages suffered by Akwa Ibom fishermen in the December 20, 2011 oil spill.
Shell Nigeria Production and Exploration Company (SNEPCO), operator of the bonga field located about 120 kilometres from coastline reported that some 40,000 barrels of crude leaked into the Atlantic Ocean in the spill incident.
A statement from SNEPCO said the oil firm has reportedly completed the clean up of the spill which occurred 120 kilometres off the coastline and restarted production from the Bonga platform in January 2012.
Mbo State Constituency Tussle: Staff Indict INEC
BY NDON ASIAN
More revelations was made on Friday February 17, 2012 at the Election Petition Tribunal hearing national and state Assembly petitions in Uyo, as the Electoral Officer (EO) for Mbo, Mr. Friday Iweka, admitted under cross examination that the election result was fraudulent. Mr. Iweka who holds a B.Sc in local government management was the person saddled with the responsibility of distributing election materials to ad hoc and field staff, and ensuring the smooth conduct of the election generally. He testified as INEC only witness in petition No. EPT/AKS/HA/17/2011 which Ann Etim Eyo (Mrs.) accuses INEC of falsifying result to favour PDP.
Before the electoral officer for Mbo was allowed to testify after entering the dock, the court had to resolve the controversy surrounding one of his names. The petitioner’s counsel had drawn the attention of the tribunal to the fact that the witness deposition bore the name Sunday Iweka instead of Friday Iweka as given by INEC witness No. 1 in the dock. Mr. Iweka explained that the deposition is actually his own but that the name was incorrectly written as Sunday. The tribunal took arguments on both side and ruled that he should testify. He thereafter adopted his statement before being cross examined.
When asked about the conduct of the elections he said it was peaceful. He was further asked to tell the tribunal if he saw or had report of violence during the election, he retorted that “by the grace of God that was the most peaceful election I ever conducted”. But when counsel to the petitioner questioned about what led to the cancellation of elections in three wards in Mbo, Mr. Iweka narrated that after voting, thugs disrupted counting and snatched ballot boxes in wards 1, 2 and 8. As a result, he said there was nothing to record. Consequently, elections were cancelled in those areas. He confessed that there was incident of similar nature in ward 4 & 5.
Surprisingly, Mr. Friday Iweka said he did not know the name of the winner of Mbo State Constituency elections which he oversaw. He could not also ascertain that the result sheets were neither stamped nor dated. He denied collusion between the PDP and INEC, but admitted that some people reported to him in writing, with pictures of themselves in torn cloths. He told tribunal that these people complained of not being allowed to observe, vote or participate in the election.
In what turned out to be an example of the accusation of fraud by most voters, and candidates who lost the elections, Mr. Iweka, confessed that only five political parties fielded candidates for the State House of Assembly election. The parties were ACN, PDP, LP, CPC and NRD. However, he admitted in evidence that APGA, ARP, ANPP and PPA additionally took part.
Weekly Insight’s investigation in 2011 indicated that the violence and wholesale falsification which marked election in Mbo were reflected in the cancellation of election in some wards, and the final result declared and entered in Form EC8-IE. Form EC8-IE is the declaration of result sheet in which the final result is entered.
In that form two parties which did not sponsor any candidate to participate in the State House elections in Mbo, ANPP and ARP were included in the final result and allocated names of candidate and votes. While ANPP was given 447 votes and a candidate, ARP got 3 votes. As if that was not enough, these parties which fielded no candidates also signed the result sheets against the general practice that only parties which candidate participated should sign.
Form EC8-IE was shown to Mr. Iweka who identified it as the declaration of result sheet. INEC did not object to it as tribunal admitted same and marked it as Exhibit D. INEC’s manual for electoral officers was also admitted as exhibit.
In the same vein, the list of party candidates submitted by the Labour Party (LP) on which platform the petitioner contested the election was admitted by the tribunal after overruling objection by the petitioner’s counsel on ground that the one tendered is certified while the one attached to the respondent’s reply was not. On the other hand, the CD sought to be tendered by INEC through its witness was rejected by the tribunal on the basis of the petitioner’s objection. Mr. Iweka had said that he hired the service of a video cameraman to keep record of his activities from the office of the units but he neither mentioned it in his deposition nor was it pleaded in INEC’s reply. The case was adjourned to March 1, 2012 for adoption of addresses.
More revelations was made on Friday February 17, 2012 at the Election Petition Tribunal hearing national and state Assembly petitions in Uyo, as the Electoral Officer (EO) for Mbo, Mr. Friday Iweka, admitted under cross examination that the election result was fraudulent. Mr. Iweka who holds a B.Sc in local government management was the person saddled with the responsibility of distributing election materials to ad hoc and field staff, and ensuring the smooth conduct of the election generally. He testified as INEC only witness in petition No. EPT/AKS/HA/17/2011 which Ann Etim Eyo (Mrs.) accuses INEC of falsifying result to favour PDP.
Before the electoral officer for Mbo was allowed to testify after entering the dock, the court had to resolve the controversy surrounding one of his names. The petitioner’s counsel had drawn the attention of the tribunal to the fact that the witness deposition bore the name Sunday Iweka instead of Friday Iweka as given by INEC witness No. 1 in the dock. Mr. Iweka explained that the deposition is actually his own but that the name was incorrectly written as Sunday. The tribunal took arguments on both side and ruled that he should testify. He thereafter adopted his statement before being cross examined.
When asked about the conduct of the elections he said it was peaceful. He was further asked to tell the tribunal if he saw or had report of violence during the election, he retorted that “by the grace of God that was the most peaceful election I ever conducted”. But when counsel to the petitioner questioned about what led to the cancellation of elections in three wards in Mbo, Mr. Iweka narrated that after voting, thugs disrupted counting and snatched ballot boxes in wards 1, 2 and 8. As a result, he said there was nothing to record. Consequently, elections were cancelled in those areas. He confessed that there was incident of similar nature in ward 4 & 5.
Surprisingly, Mr. Friday Iweka said he did not know the name of the winner of Mbo State Constituency elections which he oversaw. He could not also ascertain that the result sheets were neither stamped nor dated. He denied collusion between the PDP and INEC, but admitted that some people reported to him in writing, with pictures of themselves in torn cloths. He told tribunal that these people complained of not being allowed to observe, vote or participate in the election.
In what turned out to be an example of the accusation of fraud by most voters, and candidates who lost the elections, Mr. Iweka, confessed that only five political parties fielded candidates for the State House of Assembly election. The parties were ACN, PDP, LP, CPC and NRD. However, he admitted in evidence that APGA, ARP, ANPP and PPA additionally took part.
Weekly Insight’s investigation in 2011 indicated that the violence and wholesale falsification which marked election in Mbo were reflected in the cancellation of election in some wards, and the final result declared and entered in Form EC8-IE. Form EC8-IE is the declaration of result sheet in which the final result is entered.
In that form two parties which did not sponsor any candidate to participate in the State House elections in Mbo, ANPP and ARP were included in the final result and allocated names of candidate and votes. While ANPP was given 447 votes and a candidate, ARP got 3 votes. As if that was not enough, these parties which fielded no candidates also signed the result sheets against the general practice that only parties which candidate participated should sign.
Form EC8-IE was shown to Mr. Iweka who identified it as the declaration of result sheet. INEC did not object to it as tribunal admitted same and marked it as Exhibit D. INEC’s manual for electoral officers was also admitted as exhibit.
In the same vein, the list of party candidates submitted by the Labour Party (LP) on which platform the petitioner contested the election was admitted by the tribunal after overruling objection by the petitioner’s counsel on ground that the one tendered is certified while the one attached to the respondent’s reply was not. On the other hand, the CD sought to be tendered by INEC through its witness was rejected by the tribunal on the basis of the petitioner’s objection. Mr. Iweka had said that he hired the service of a video cameraman to keep record of his activities from the office of the units but he neither mentioned it in his deposition nor was it pleaded in INEC’s reply. The case was adjourned to March 1, 2012 for adoption of addresses.
Robbery Kingpins Arrested, Paraded in Calabar
Robbery Kingpins Arrested, Paraded in Calabar
By Joseph Kingston, Calabar
It was indeed the end of the road for two persons suspected to be armed robbery kingpins who allegedly terrorized residents of Ugep in Yakurr and Obubra Local Government Areas as well as parts of Ebonyi State.
Parading the suspects at the weekend, the Cross River State Police Command said items recovered from them included over one million rounds of ammunition, locally made pistols, assorted riffles including AK47, G3, a 14 seat ‘Joy Long’ bus with the inscription Government of Anambra State and another vehicle belonging to the Cross River state government.
Their names were given as Chukwuka Umoke, from Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Leonard Azubuike from Okporo in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.
They were said to be among the notorious gang that operated in and killed about seven persons in Ugep penultimate week.
The robbery incident however led to the vandalisation of the Police Station by locals who accused the Police of failure to intervene when they (indigenes) foiled the gang’s attempt to rob First Bank of Nigeria Plc
Explaining the incident that led to the arrest, the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hogan Bassey said two members of the robbery gang were picked up in the Afikpo area of Ebonyi State through the combined security operations of both States.
Bassey, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said some members of the robbery gang were killed during a gun duel with the police. He said an army sergeant attached to a military checkpoint around Amasiri/Afikpo junction in Ebonyi State was killed by the dare-devil robbers.
Also speaking, Mr. Fidelis Alor, officer-in-charge of the Robbery Unit in the Criminal Investigation Department, said the process of arrest was long, adding that most of the robbers lost their lives in the process.
“One of their gang members was shot at Ugep and they carried him like that during the process of their escape. They met various check points at Ebonyi State in three or four locations, where one of them testified he personally shot one army sergeant. Another policeman was also shot in Ebonyi State.
“These were the same set of robbers that terrorized Ugep in Yakurr Local Government of Cross River State. They came to Ugep on a Sunday, stayed in a hotel, surveyed the town on Monday and started the operation on Tuesday. We have not been able to bring together the number of casualties in that Ugep incident.
“They have confessed that they have participated in four different robbery incidents in Ondo, Lagos, Cross River and Imo States. Umoke confessed that in one of the robberies, they gave him N1.6m, and in another he got $1, 000, while in the third he sustained bullet wounds and that one native doctor in Port Harcourt treated him.
“They have said that their gang leader was one Henry and that their source of arms and ammunition is Niger Republic,”Alor, a DSP, maintained.
During interview, one of the suspects, Azubuike confirmed that he was responsible for the death of the army sergeant at a check point close to Amasiri/Afikpo in Ebonyi State.
”We were to go and rob a bank at Ugep but did not succeed because the resistance put up by the Police and some of the indigenes were beyond us, so, we found a way to escape.
“The man that introduced me to this business is Benjamin ‘China’.He called me to come and direct the driver to where he was because the driver was not conversant with the road. I did not actually know the arrangement; I am just a victim. I was only leading them when I discovered that they were shooting the military men, I was in a Toyota Sienna bus with another person leading the bus that the robbers were,” Azubuike said.
By Joseph Kingston, Calabar
It was indeed the end of the road for two persons suspected to be armed robbery kingpins who allegedly terrorized residents of Ugep in Yakurr and Obubra Local Government Areas as well as parts of Ebonyi State.
Parading the suspects at the weekend, the Cross River State Police Command said items recovered from them included over one million rounds of ammunition, locally made pistols, assorted riffles including AK47, G3, a 14 seat ‘Joy Long’ bus with the inscription Government of Anambra State and another vehicle belonging to the Cross River state government.
Their names were given as Chukwuka Umoke, from Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Leonard Azubuike from Okporo in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.
They were said to be among the notorious gang that operated in and killed about seven persons in Ugep penultimate week.
The robbery incident however led to the vandalisation of the Police Station by locals who accused the Police of failure to intervene when they (indigenes) foiled the gang’s attempt to rob First Bank of Nigeria Plc
Explaining the incident that led to the arrest, the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hogan Bassey said two members of the robbery gang were picked up in the Afikpo area of Ebonyi State through the combined security operations of both States.
Bassey, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said some members of the robbery gang were killed during a gun duel with the police. He said an army sergeant attached to a military checkpoint around Amasiri/Afikpo junction in Ebonyi State was killed by the dare-devil robbers.
Also speaking, Mr. Fidelis Alor, officer-in-charge of the Robbery Unit in the Criminal Investigation Department, said the process of arrest was long, adding that most of the robbers lost their lives in the process.
“One of their gang members was shot at Ugep and they carried him like that during the process of their escape. They met various check points at Ebonyi State in three or four locations, where one of them testified he personally shot one army sergeant. Another policeman was also shot in Ebonyi State.
“These were the same set of robbers that terrorized Ugep in Yakurr Local Government of Cross River State. They came to Ugep on a Sunday, stayed in a hotel, surveyed the town on Monday and started the operation on Tuesday. We have not been able to bring together the number of casualties in that Ugep incident.
“They have confessed that they have participated in four different robbery incidents in Ondo, Lagos, Cross River and Imo States. Umoke confessed that in one of the robberies, they gave him N1.6m, and in another he got $1, 000, while in the third he sustained bullet wounds and that one native doctor in Port Harcourt treated him.
“They have said that their gang leader was one Henry and that their source of arms and ammunition is Niger Republic,”Alor, a DSP, maintained.
During interview, one of the suspects, Azubuike confirmed that he was responsible for the death of the army sergeant at a check point close to Amasiri/Afikpo in Ebonyi State.
”We were to go and rob a bank at Ugep but did not succeed because the resistance put up by the Police and some of the indigenes were beyond us, so, we found a way to escape.
“The man that introduced me to this business is Benjamin ‘China’.He called me to come and direct the driver to where he was because the driver was not conversant with the road. I did not actually know the arrangement; I am just a victim. I was only leading them when I discovered that they were shooting the military men, I was in a Toyota Sienna bus with another person leading the bus that the robbers were,” Azubuike said.
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