NO DTS 0370: GOV OKOWA ASSURES COMPLETION OF WARRI/UVWIE DRAINAGE PROJECT
NO DTS 0371: DELTA CJ SWEARS IN NEW JUSTICES OF PEACE, CHARGES THEM ON UPRIGHTNESS
NO DTS 0372: UKAH, OTHERS GET MORE FEATHERS ON THEIR CAPS
NO DTS 0373: OGHENEOBUKOME EMERGES BEST SCIENCE STUDENT IN DELTA
NO DTS 0374: DELTA STATE HOS TAKES OATH OF OFFICE AS JUSTICE OF PEACE
NO DTS 0375: ADUN CELEBRATES APPOINTMENT AS JUSTICE OF PEACE
NO DTS 0376: APC FAITHFULS DEFECT TO PDP IN UTE-OKPU
NO DTS 0377: OROMONI PLANS DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURE UNDER HIRE TENSION WIRES
NO DTS 0378:
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NO DTS 0370: ASABA, NIGERIA TUESDAY MARCH 2, 2021
GOV OKOWA ASSURES COMPLETION OF WARRI/UVWIE DRAINAGE PROJECT
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said that the storm drainage projects being executed by the State Government in parts of Warri and Effurun would be ready in 2022.
He stated this while speaking to newsmen after inspecting the flood control projects which are ongoing in the areas.
The governor, who was conducted round the projects by the Director-General of Warri/Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, Chief Ovuozourie Macaulay, said that the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the pace of work of the projects.
He, however, assured that his administration would scale up activities on the projects to enable the government deliver them in 2022.
“Before we started this project, I had already informed you that there are going to be four different storm drainage projects for us to fully drain Warri of the flood water.”
“We have taken on the first two major projects, one in Warri South Local Government Area and the other in Uvwie Local Government Area. The other two are smaller drainage projects.”
“We have gone to several points today and you have seen the two different contractors, CCECC Nigeria Limited and Levante Nigeria Limited, and they have taken us through their various sites and the various works they are doing.”
“It’s quite a lot of work and I have noticed that a lot of work has been done already and a lot more is going to be done.”
“The contractors are on course and I am happy with the standard of work and I just hope that we will be able to keep to time because the COVID-19 and the lockdown slowed down the pace of work last year.”
“Apparently we are several months behind, because it’s supposed to be a two-year project.”
“I believe that with the rate of work, we will not be able to keep to time, but we will be able to finish the project sometime in 2022,” Okowa said.
He expressed delight with the quality of work done, adding that the job had been very impactful on the people of the area.
The governor said that his administration embarked on the storm drainage project after undertaking a study of the topography of Warri and Effurun.
He declared that henceforth, “any project on drainage must be a product of study.
“I am glad that we used a consultant to do the study in Warri and that of Asaba and you can see that the contract is being executed in line with specifications,” the Governor said.
He ruled out payment of compensation for buildings on the Right-of-Way, obstructing the drainage projects.
According to him, “any building project started in the last two years within the right-of-way will not be compensated.”
Okowa said that the state government would encourage the contractors to ensure that the time lost during the COVID-19 lockdown would be regained.
“I have noticed that there are buildings in the right-of-way and unfortunately, people built on water ways and it ought not to be so.”
“However, those that have formal approval and they are not directly on water courses will be paid compensation, but those who deliberately built on water courses hoping to get compensation because of the work going on will not be compensated.”
“I saw some new buildings going on and those buildings will be brought down and we are not going to pay them compensation because I warned them two years ago and therefore anybody who started his construction within the last two years will not get a dime from the state government.”
“Government will no longer tolerate a situation where a few people will cause chaos for the general public,” he stated.
NO DTS 0371: ASABA, NIGERIA TUESDAY MARCH 2, 2021
DELTA CJ SWEARS IN NEW JUSTICES OF PEACE, CHARGES THEM ON UPRIGHTNESS
By Timothy Agbaragu
Delta State Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Marshal Umukoro, has charged newly sworn in justices of the Peace to be firm in their decisions, saying that their integrity would henceforth be tested.
Justice Marshal Umukoro gave the admonition when he administered oath of office on 325 justices of the Peace, newly appointed by the State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, in Asaba the state capital.
The CJ, who was represented by Justice Tessy Diai, stated that Governor Okowa, acting on Section 12(1) of the Magistrate Court Law to appoint justices of the Peace, found them worthy of the appointment after recommendations from concerned authorities, who scrutinised their records through due consultations.
” In carrying out these functions, you are expected to be fair and firm in your actions and decisions as your integrity will often be put to test. You are bound to face obstacles and challenges, but when you diligently apply yourselves to these challenges with determination to succeed, you will always come out triumphantly, ” the CJ
advised.
He listed the powers and functions of justices of the Peace to include preservation of justice, suppression of riots and affrays, directing post mortem examinations under section 12 of the Coroners Law, issuance of search warrants and taking solemn affirmations and statutory declarations.
The CJ, who is a Life Bencher, member of Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, warned that his office would not hesitate to institute disciplinary action against any justice of the Peace who was found wanting, not minding whose ox was gored.
Responding on behalf of the new Justices of the Peace who took oath of office at various High Courts across the state in compliance with COVID-19 Protocols, the State Head of Service, Mr. Reginald Bayoko thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the State Chief Judge Justice Marshal Umukoro and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor (SAN) for finding them worthy of the appointment, promising to discharge their responsibilities without fear or favour.
NO DTS 0372: ASABA, NIGERIA TUESDAY MARCH 2, 2021
UKAH, OTHERS GET MORE FEATHERS ON THEIR CAPS
By Magnus Emuji
Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Patrick Ukah, has described his appointment as Justice Of the Peace (JP) by the state government as a call for more service delivery.
Mr. Ukah, who stated this in Asaba, during the swearing in ceremony of some dignitaries as justices of the Peace by the State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro, said that he would continue to discharge his assignments with utmost diligence and fairness.
He appreciated the state government for finding them worthy for the appointment, adding that he would not compromise on his commitments to impact positively on the society.
In his address, Justice Marshal Umukoro, who stated that their responsibilities included issuance of summons and warrants, adjudication and mediation on certain issues among their people, advised them to be fair in their actions and decisions without sentiments or bias.
Justice Umukoro said that their appointment by the Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, was informed by their performance in service delivery, even as he charged them to redouble their efforts towards justifying the confidence reposed in them.
The 315 sworn-in justices of Peace included the State Commissioner for Trade and Investments, Honourable Chika Ossai, the State Head of Service, Mr. Reginald Bayoko mni, the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Chris Onogba, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources Development, Dr. (Mrs) Felicia Adun, among others
Highpoint of the ceremony was the administration of oat of office on the JPs .
NO DTS 0373: ASABA, NIGERIA TUESDAY MARCH 2, 2021
OGHENEOBUKOME EMERGES BEST SCIENCE STUDENT IN DELTA
Delta State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Honourable Mattew Tsekiri has declared 17year old Ejaife ogheneobukome of DSC Technical High School as the 2021 best student in the Delta State Governor’s Young Scientist competition.
Mr Tsekiri said that ogheneobukome, who scored 82 percent, defeated his first and second runners up, Joy Ojenvwah and Atobreme Oghenereke, both students of Marble Hill school, Asaba, scored 74 percent and 72 percent respectively.
The commissioner who was represented by Mrs Augustina Onokpise, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said that the 2021 award was the fifth edition of the best Science student of the state, adding that it was a prelude to the 774 Young Nigerian Presidential Award, which would be held in Abuja in few days time. He said that the 774 Young Nigerian Scientist Presidential Award (774-YONSPA) was an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in Abuja, adding that it was conducted annually and aimed at selecting the best Young Nigerian scientists from 774 local government areas in the country at the secondary school levels through competitive tests.
He further stated that the overall best in all the 36 states would receive the President Young Nigerian Scientists Award 2021.
The commissioner explained that the Delta Governors Young Scientists Award was aimed at encouraging and developing the interest of Delta youths in Science and Technology in order to produce a pool of dedicated scientists and technologists with the capacity to compete internationally, adding it was also geared towards the reorientation of the citizenry towards accepting Science and Technology as a way of life.
The commissioner said that in order to achieve the stated aims at the state level, the best science students from the 25 local government areas of the state and 10 private schools were engaged in a compulsory test in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
He said that Ogheneobukome who emerged the state best received the Governors Award, adding that he would represent the state at the national competition in Abuja.
Mr Tsekiri recalled that in the first, second, third and fourth editions of the competition at the national level, Delta was well represented by taking seven,eight,fifth and sixth position at the various editions respectively.
He commended the state government for supporting the organisation of the competition as well as promoting Science and Technology in the state.
NO DTS 0374: ASABA, NIGERIA TUESDAY MARCH 2, 2021
DELTA STATE HOS TAKES OATH OF OFFICE AS JUSTICE OF PEACE
Delta State Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Reginald Bayoko mni, was among prominent Deltans who were sworn-in as justices of the Peace (JPs) on Monday, March 1, 2021 in Asaba, the state capital.
The Chief Judge of the state, Honourable Justice Marshal Umukoro, who was represented by Honourable Justice Theresa Diai, while administering the relevant oath of office on the newly appointed justices of the Peace, congratulated the JPs, drawn from various works of life, adding that their nomination was based on their impeccable records of community service and desire to promote peace in the state.
The Chief Judge charged the appointees to work assiduously in entrenching Justice and Peace in their respective domains of duty as well as even as in their communities.
Justice Mukoro also advised them not only to be transparent, but should be seen to be fair and transparent in their actions and decisions at all times.
The Head of Service, Mr. Bayoko, who spoke on behalf of the inductees, thanked the state government for finding them worthy for the prestigious title of JP.
Mr. Bayoko said that it was a call to higher duty, adding that he had always been a lover and promoter of peace and promised that their appointment and subsequent swearing in would certainly spur them to do more so as to sustain the existing peace in the state.
Among those sworn-in were His Royal Majesty, King Monday Whiskey, Udurhie1, Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, some members of the State House of Assembly, serving commissioners, permanent secretaries, captains of Industries, journalists and youth leaders.
NO DTS 0375: ASABA, NIGERIA TUESDAY MARCH 2, 2021
ADUN CELEBRATES APPOINTMENT AS JUSTICE OF PEACE
A newly sworn-in Justice of Peace (JP), Dr. Mrs. Felicia Adun, has attributed her appointment as a Justice of the Peace to the solid platform put in place by the Delta State Government, especially the State Civil Service, for effective service delivery.
Mrs, Adun, who is the Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Water Resources Development, made this known in Asaba while fielding questions from journalists shortly after taking the oat of office as a Justice of the Peace.
While saying that she was elated to be considered for the appointment, Dr(Mrs) Adun, commended the State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa for finding her worthy of the recognition.
The Water Resources Perm Sec, however, pledged to leverage on the appointment towards the uplifting of humanity.
She advised Deltans, especially civil servants, to always put in their best on any assignments given to them , adding that there was reward in committed service delivery.
NO DTS 0376: ASABA, NIGERIA TUESDAY MARCH 2, 2021
APC FAITHFULS DEFECT TO PDP IN UTE-OKPU
By Christian Ogoh
Very many erstwhile members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) faithfuls have defected to the People’s Democratic party (PDP) at Ute-Okpu in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
The defectors,who took advantage of the PDP rally, cited wanton disregard for their rights, poverty, deprevity and neglect from their former party as the reason for movement into the ruling party in the state.
Receiving them, the Chairman of the PDP, Ika North East, Honourable Chukwudi Agborma, maintained that the PDP umbrella was wide enough to accommodate them.
“The unprecedented developmental strides of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led administration across the state has made PDP to be marketable”
” I want you all to know that your decision is timely. Go to your various wards and perform your first duty by voting for all the PDP candidates in March 6 elections,” he added.
While appreciating the PDP faithfuls for their support since 1999, he said ” Governor Okowa will never renege on his promises to the people in the locality and to Deltans in general.
In his remarks, the leader of the decampees, Mr. Stephen Egbede, said that he and few others had been on the forefront of establishing APC in Ute-Okpu, a feat that had met with brick walls, adding that they had been living in shame for joining the wrong party, a statement corroborated by another decamping APC member, Mr. Charles Erie.
” Even as Vice Chairman in my ward, I had nothing to show for it, those were the things that informed my decision to return to PDP,” he lamented.
NO DTS 0377: ASABA, NIGERIA TUESDAY MARCH 2, 2021
OROMONI PLANS DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURE UNDER HIRE TENSION WIRES
By Ambrose Ologide
The Chairman of the Delta State Task Force on Environment, Sylvester Oromoni, has warned that structures built under high tension wires in Delta State would be demolished by the task force.
Oromoni gave the warning while answering questions from newsmen in his office, shortly after a demolition exercise in Warri.
Structures marked down for demolition in the state according to him , included : those built on natural waterways and drainages.
Oromoni, who disclosed that the task force had a mobile court, warned that owners of rebuilt demolished illegal structures would be arrested and prosecuted by the task force.
He stated further that the task force was working towards the reduction of flooding in the state and laying the foundation for beautification of its areas of operation.
Oromoni said that one of the aims of the task force was to make Warri and Uvwie as neat as Asaba, the state capital.
He had earlier named the pilot areas of the task force to include : Asaba, Warri, Uvwie, Agbor, Sapele, Ughelli and Udu.
While identifying lack of awareness as one of the challenges confronting the task force, he insisted that the exercise was given adequate publicity.
He however advised Deltans to imbibe the spirit of keeping a clean environment, adding that they should not wait for government to ask them to clean up their environments before doing so. ” Cleanliness is next to godliness,” he maintained.