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General news

Gov. Okowa tasks judiciary on justice delivery

Gov. Okowa tasks judiciary on justice delivery

Justice

By Mercy Obojeghren

Asaba, Dec. 7, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Monday in Asaba urged the judiciary to ensure effective delivery of justice in the interest of the common man.

Okowa, who made the call during a special thanksgiving service to begin the 2020/2021 legal year, described the judiciary as the last hope of the oridinary citizen.

Represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, Okowa said that the judiciary should promote fairness and equity in undertaking its duties. 

He said that there was need for the judiciary to ensure timely and transparent dispensation of justice.

According to him, timely delivery of justice is crucial because justice delayed is justice denied.

“As you prepare to enter the new legal year, you have to ensure that justice delivery is not only timely but transparent and equitable.

“It is the duty of the bench, wig and silk to re-assess the manner in which interlocutory injunctions and requests for adjournments are grnated. This must not obstruct or delay the course of justice.

“We should all promote practices that will support effective justice delivery. How the justice system is perceived by the public should be of concern to us,” Okowa said.

The governor restated his administration’s commitment to always support the judiciary toward achieving optimal performance.

Okowa said that five high court judges and three customary court judges were appointed during the 2019/2020 legal year to fill vacancies in the system.

“ As a government, we have embarked on massive renovation of courts and judges quarters.

”Contracts have been awarded for the construction of Magistrates’ Courts in Onicha-Ugbo and Uwheru.

“Our intention is to ensure that justice delivery does not suffer setbacks, we have demonstrated enough commitment to provide a conducive environment for the judiciary to function,” he said.(NAN)

MOA/AZU/SOA

Edited by Azubuike Okeh/Oluwole Sogunle

 

Health

Delta Assembly wants stigmatisation against People Living with HIV/AIDS stopped

Stigmatisation  

 By Mercy Obojeghren

Asaba, Nov. 4, 2020 (NAN) The Delta House of Assembly, at a public hearing on the HIV-AIDS Anti-Discrimination and Protection Bill, has called for an end to stigmatisation against People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

The public hearing, which was organised by the state House of Assembly Committee on Health, led by its Chairman, Mr Austin Uroye, emphasised the need for the passage of the bill.

Uroye, who commended the turnout at the public hearing, said that stigmatisation and discrimination have hampered the fight against the scourge in the society.

He noted that the bill is aimed at seeking a way forward in addressing the problem, stressing that there should not be any form of discrimination and stigmatisation against HIV/AIDS victims.

The lawmaker explained that HIV/AIDS epidemic is a problem that has come to stay, and that the immediate concern should be how those affected could live their normal lives.

He appreciated the participants for their contributions and promised that their inputs will be captured in the committee’s report on the bill.

The public hearing was attended by officials of the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the State Agency for the Control of HIV-AIDS and the Hospital Management Board.

Other attendees came from the Ministry of Justice and the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria amongst others.

The stakeholders proposed some amendments to the bill, saying that they regretted that stigmatisation had led some victims to serious depression and even death. (NAN)

MOA/MAS/VAO

Edited by Moses Solanke/Vincent Obi

General news

Delta Assembly urges state-owned media to brace up

Media

By Mercy Obojeghren

Asaba, Nov. 3, 2021 (NAN) The Delta House of Assembly Committee on Information has urged state-owned media outfits to wake up to their responsibility of effectively disseminating state government programmes and policies to the grassroots.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr Tim Owhefere, made the call on Tuesday in Asaba during the annual budget defence meeting by the state Ministry of Information. 

He noted that the call became imperative as it would help in carrying the entire state along in relation to government policies and programmes.

Owhefere, who is also the Majority Leader of the house, commended the ministry for what he described as its legendary role in information dissemination and sensitisation of people from Delta state on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He urged the ministry to strengthen its efforts at revamping the state broadcast stations – Delta Broadcasting Service, Warri and Asaba, for optimum results in the next fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, assured the committee that the ministry is already putting measures in place to strengthen service delivery and information dissemination across the various communities in the state.

The commissioner, however, said that the ministry would, in the next fiscal year, beef up its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through robust and rich media content.

He commended the house committee for its collaboration and support in the previous years. (NAN)

MOA/MAS/VAO

Edited by Moses Solanke/Vincent Obi

 

Economy

Delta Ministry of Trade and Investment proposes N1.9bn for 2021 fiscal year

Budget
By Mercy Obojeghren
Asaba, Nov. 3, 2021 (NAN) The Delta Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr Chika Ossai says the ministry is proposing N1.9 billion for 2021 fiscal year.

The commissioner said this during the ministry’s annual budget defense with the State House of Assembly Committee on Trade and Investment on Tuesday in Asaba.

Ossai said that the ministry intended to embark on projects that would facilitate the actualisation of the present administration’s mission for a” stronger Delta’’.

”The ministry intends to embark on ventures that will lead to the rapid industrial and commercial growth of the state such as development of modern and rural markets.

”This is with the aim of facilitating the growth of commercial activities in the state,” he said.

On the achievements of the ministry in 2020, Ossai said that the total budgetary provision for capital expenditure was N5.3 billion, out of which N3.6 billion was earmarked for Agro-Industrial Park.

According to him, as at Sept. 21, the amount received for the execution of capital projects is N103 million representing 94 per cent performance.

”It is my hope that before the budget year runs its full course, there will be more releases for the execution of capital projects, which will boost the ministry’s . performance to an appreciable level,” Ossai said.

The commissioner also revealed that the ministry generated N34 million through registration of business premises in 2020 and N4.2 million from registration of cooperative societies.

”The overall performance of the ministry’s budget for the year 2020 is 5.9 per cent. The poor performance may be attributed to COVID-19 pandemic which slowed down government activities,” he said.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Austine Chikezie, who decried the poor performance of the ministry and advised it to improve on its performance by attracting more investors to the state.

He said that the state had huge potential that could create employments for the people if well harnessed. (NAN)
MOA/MAM/GY
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Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Grace Yussuf

Health

Wife of Delta Governor inaugurates two sickle cell clinics

Clinics

By Mercy Obojeghren

Akwukwu-Igbo (Delta), Nov. 3, 2021 (NAN) The Wife of the Delta Governor and founder of O5 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa, on Tuesday inaugurated two sickle cell clinics in Oshimili North Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

At the inaugural ceremony, Dame Okowa said that the peculiar nature of Oshimili North LGA, especially with regards to its vastness gave rise to the need to establish two centres in the local government.

She said: “The inauguration of these clinics has been my long-term desire so as to help cater for the health needs of those living with sickle cell disorder.

“Beyond establishing these clinics, however, our desire is to make these facilities accessible to those who need it and that is why we have gone against the initial tradition by establishing two clinics in this local government so that people can access it from different areas.

”It is our desire to see that the peculiar needs of these ‘warriors’, as we choose to call them, are met in the midst of the myriad of health challenges of the growing population. This is exactly why we are establishing special clinics that will be accessible to them,” she explained.

The O5 Initiative founder advised the residents of the communities to make proper use of the facilities for the benefit of the people, adding that the equipment are not to be sold or relocated to a different place.

In her address at the launch, the Director General of the Initiative, Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas, said that the projects are in line with the vision of O5 Initiative, which is centred on making life bearable for those who need help.

Welcoming Dame Okowa, a member representing Oshimili North constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mrs Pat Ajudua, describing the initiative as laudable.

Also, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, said that the sickle cell disorder is far from being a death sentence, but rather a health situation that can be managed, when given adequate information and medical attention.

The clinics at Akwukwu-Igbo and Ibuza General Hospitals, both in Oshimili North, bring to 14 the number of clinics established across the various local government areas of state.

Some of the facilities inaugurated at the various clinics include Haematospin machines, genotype tanks, electrophoresis machines, stocks of reagents to last about five years, as well as refurbished laboratories. (NAN)

MOA/VAO

Edited by Vincent Obi

Economy

Delta ministry of agric proposes N2bn for development of sector in 2021

Delta ministry of agric proposes N2bn for development of sector in 2021

Projects

By Mercy Obojeghren

Asaba, Nov. 3, 2020 (NAN) Mr Julius Egbedu, the Delta Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, says the ministry is proposing N2 billion for the development of the agricultural sector in the 2021 fiscal year.

The commissioner said this during the annual budget defence the ministry with the State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture on Tuesday, in Asaba.

Egbedi said that out of the figure, the ministry was proposing 300 million for the development of cassava programme in the state.

He said that the ministry was also proposing N205 million for the development of livestock in the state, adding that poultry development was put at N100 million, piggery – N90 million, while small non-ruminant is N15 million.

“We are also proposing the sum of  N100 million to promote value chain development with emphasis on the processing of palm oil farmers, adding that a total of 1400 direct and indirect job would be created through the programme,’’ he said.

Egbedi said that maize production programme was not left out as the ministry was proposing N80 million for the cultivation of maize, saying that the ministry was partnering with Maize Association of Nigeria to secure land to boost maize production in the state.

”This project when implemented will help to provide 150 direct and indirect jobs in the state,” he said.

The commissioner also told the committee that opening of lands for farming had been a major challenge to farmers and agricultural business entrepreneurs across the state because of the huge financial involvement.

”This programme will help to open up primary and secondary forests for our farmers across the state on loan which will be paid back within a period of four years and the essence of this loan is to cushion the effects of the financial involvement on the part of our farmers.

”We are proposing the sum of N93 million which will be used to open up 350 hectares of land for this programme,” he said.

Egbedi said that aquaculture was one of the areas in agriculture which had yielded good result, especially in the area of job creation for the teeming youths

“To further encourage young fish entrepreneurs in the state, we are proposing the sum of N200 million to expand the programme in the 2021 budget,’’ he said.

Egbedi told the committee that the state government had given approval for the state to participate in the Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme (AADS).

AADS is a special project for the empowerment of youths within the ages of 18 and 35 in cluster farms not less than 100 hectares under the CBN loan programme.

” A total of 750 youths have been profiled for the vegetable cluster which will utilise the Green House Technology and more than 500 youths have been profiled for the fisheries clusters,” he said.

Egbedi, while commending the committee for giving the ministry the privilege to defend its 2021 budget, appealed for an upward review of the budget to accommodate gender specific projects such as the Rural Women for Sustainable Agriculture.

Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Austin’s Chikezie commended the commissioner and the ministry for good budget presentation, noting that the request of the ministry would be looked into. (NAN)
MOA/FHO/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Economy

Gov. Okowa presents N378bn budget for 2021

Gov. Okowa presents N378bn budget for 2021

Appropriation

By Mercy Obojeghren

Asaba, Oct. 27, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Tuesday, presented the 2021 budget of N378 billion to the state House of Assembly for approval.

Okowa, while presenting the budget, Christened “Budget of Recovery”, said that the figure was N96.1 billion higher than the revised 2020 budget of the state.

He said that the budget was made up of N171.2 billion recurrent expenditure, representing 45 per cent and N207.2 billion capital expenditure, representing 54 per cent.

Okowa explained that the recurrent expenditure was higher than the N152 billion of the 2020 revised budget.

He added that the 2021 capital expenditure of N207.2 billion was also higher than N129.8 billion of the 2020 revised budget.

“The revenue to fund the 2021 budget will be sourced from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), statutory allocation, Value Added Tax and other capital receipts,” he said.

He said that the budget will focus primarily on protecting and supporting the people of the state in a post COVID-19 environment, accelerating infrastructure renewal, enhancing job creation, and engendering social inclusion among others.

“Overall, the 2021 budget, tagged the Budget of Recovery, is predicted on inclusive economic growth that is sustainable and people centred with programmes and policies which would help to increase opportunities for youths, women and unemployed graduates under various jobs and wealth creation programmes among others,” he said.

On the implementation of the 2020 budget, Okowa said that the COVID-19 pandemic dominated the year.

He said that the global surge in infections and fatalities meant that resources, time, personnel and energy were devoted to containing the virus, establishing new medical facilities to house the infected.

”To mitigate the harsh economic effects of the lockdown, the state government distributed food items in all 270 wards of the state,” Okowa said.

He, however, reiterated that the deep economic downturn experienced in 2020 might lingered on for a while.

Chief Sheriff Oboriovwori, the speaker pledged the commitment of the house to work with the executive towards developing the state and promised speedy passage of the budget. (NAN)

MOA/CCN/ABI

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Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Ali Baba-Inuwa
General news

Delta Assembly Committee begins consideration of audit reports of LGs

Report
By Mercy Obojeghren
Asaba, Oct. 26, 2020 (NAN) The Delta House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts on Monday commenced the consideration of the Statutory Audit Reports of the 25 Local Government Councils in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the audit reports are for 2017, 2018 and 2019.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Anthony Elekeokwuri, said the committee had earlier received the audited accounts of the various local government councils in the state from the office of the Auditor-General (Local Government).

Elekeokwuri, who represents Ika North East Constituency, said that the exercise which was expected to last one week, would focus on issues that emanated from the Auditor-General’s Audit reports.

He noted that each of the chairmen of the 25 local government councils and officers in charge of accounts, would appear before the committee to explain queries raised in the audit reports as well as other observed irregularities.

The lawmaker said that the exercise was not a witch-hunt or probe but to further deepen transparency and accountability in the governance of the state.

Elekeokwuri said that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, and other relevant financial laws of the state empowered the House Committee on Public Accounts to from time to time look into the financial books of government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He restated the commitment of the committee under his watch to effectively carry out the mandate without fear or favour, saying that public expectations on the members were high.

Elekeokwuri said that at the end of the ongoing exercise, the committee would generate its report and submit same at plenary of the House for further legislative action.

The Auditor-General (Local Government), Mr Abel Esievo, said the House of Assembly was on course as the exercise was one of the recommendations of the World Bank.

According to Esievo, there is the need to finalise all issues raised in the Audit Reports of 2017, 2018 and 2019 of the various local government councils in the state.

Mr Itiako Ikpokpo, the Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Delta State, commended the Public Accounts Committee for their effort.

Ikpokpo noted that the issue of accountability in any system could not  be overemphasised. (NAN)
MOA/MAM/AJA
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Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Adeleye Ajayi

General news

Omo-Agege’s aide donates relief materials to flood victims in Delta community

Flood
By Mercy Obojeghren
Patani (Delta), Oct. 26, 2020 (NAN) Mr Raymos Guanah, Special Assistant to the Deputy Senate President on Political Matters, has donated relief materials, including food items, to victims of flooding in Patani Local Government area of Delta.
He said on Monday in Patani that that the items were meant to assuage the sufferings of the people of the area as a result of the flood, which had ravaged some parts of the country, with the area badly affected.
Guanah, who was represented by Mr Joseph Ekiyor, the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the council area, said that the presentation of the relief materials was a way of identifying with the people in their present condition.
He put the total losses in the council area at more than N500 million in farm lands, fishing nets, fishing traps and household property.
Guanah, a former Commissioner for Lands and Survey in Delta, called on the state government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to open up the several culverts currently under construction on the Patani/Uzere road.
This, he said, would make flow of water easy, thus prevent flooding and save the area from further disaster.
“It is time for the federal and state government as well as the NDDC and the ecological funds office to take urgent steps to address the coastal erosion problem in Abari community.
”This is devastating and Abari community may be completely washed into the river, if no urgent action is taken,’’ he said.
The aide also stressed the need for the construction of foreshore walls and embankments in the communities by the river to forestall recurrent flooding.
Responding, the Chairman of Patani Local Government council, Mr Perez Omoun, commended Guanah’s gesture, saying that he had never relented in supporting the people anytime he was called upon.
He promised that the items would be equitably distributed to the affected persons and advised relevant government agencies to urgently address the coastal erosion issue in Abari. (NAN)
MOA/FHO/WAS
Edited by Hawa Lawal and ‘Wale Sadeeq

General news

Delta Assembly postpones 2021 budget presentation by Gov. Okowa

Budget
By Mercy Obojeghren
Asaba, Oct. 22, 2020 (NAN) The Delta House of Assembly has announced the postponement of the 2021 budget earlier slated for presentation by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, announced the postponement in a statement issued on Thursday in Asaba.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the postponement of the budget presentation was sequel to the ongoing nationwide #EndSARS protest by the Nigerian youth, which has, however, assumed a worrisome dimension in the state.
The speaker, who also adjourned plenary till Oct. 27, said that a new date for the budget presentation would be communicated to the lawmakers. (NAN)
MOA/CCN/WAS
Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu and ‘Wale Sadeeq