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communitynews
Monday, 15 February, 2016
Ondo youths task Buhari on NDDC board Hakeem Gbadamosi-Akure
Y
OUTHS under the auspices of Niger Delta Youth Vanguard (NDYV) in oil-producing communities in Ondo State have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently constitute the board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to give the war against vandalism of oil pipelines “the needed bite.” They also commended the president for responding to the agitations of the Niger Delta people and his administration’s resolve to put an end to pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the region. These resolutions were contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting of the youths in Arogbo Ijaw, Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State and signed by NDYV Coordinator, Samuel Ebotimi and the Secretary, Ndole Peters. According to them, the country had lost so much to oil theft and pipeline vandalism, stressing that the situation had tremendously affected the economic fortunes of the country. They observed that the constitution of the NDDC board will go a long way in curbing the activities of vandals, adding that
the war against “pipeline vandalism will be a mere phrase in the Nigerian lexicon if the NDDC is not urgently constituted and well positioned to tackle the menace.” The communique read: “We endorse Mr. President’s directive giving the responsibility of oil pipeline protection, especially in the Niger Delta region, to the NDDC but warn that such directive may pass as a mere instruction if the board of the NDDC is not urgently constituted to give it the much needed bite. “The NDDC is the only government agency that is close to the people of the Niger Delta region. Its knowledge of the region’s terrain is a big advantage and if well-coordinated, will put an end to pipeline vandalism in Niger Delta.” The group noted that workers in the commission cannot effect the directive on pipeline vandals without the board that would work with community heads, youths and security agents.
They also said that the board would introduce appropriate reforms and fresh policies that would boost national income through oil and gas pro-
duction. “The nine states of the Niger Delta region have representatives in the NDDC and a synergy with the management and
Odeda LG sensitises residents on HIV/AIDS THE Chairman, Transition Committee, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Mr Segun Adebowale, has advised the people and residents of the council, particularly
YOUTHS in Kula Community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, have lamented their alleged marginalisation by some oil companies operating in the community. The youths observed that the refusal by the companies to employ them could be the cause of pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the area, saying youths, who are idle and hungry, could indulge in such acts. According to them, Kula community has Oil Mining Leases (OML) 55, 25 and 24 but oil companies operating in the area do not employ the youth or others members of the community. They also alleged that they have been deprived of social amenities that should be given to them as host to oil companies such as potable water, electricity among others. Speaking on behalf of the youth, the Chairman, National Youth Council
of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State chapter, Mr. Sukubo Sara-Igbe, who is also an indigene of Kula, said the community had not been well taken care of, adding that if youths were employed, vices like pipeline vandalism and oil theft would be curtailed.
youths, to stick to abstinence or alternatively play safe through the use of condoms, whenever they want to have casual sex. The local government boss, according to a release
from the council’s Director of Information, Mr Tope Oyekan, gave the advice during the AIDS sensitisation programme at Gbonogun, Odo-Eran Market, Obantoko in the council
Meanwhile, Mr. Sara Igbe told Community News that Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 55 have been handed over to Mr. Jack Rich Tein, the Chief Executive Officer of Belemaoil Producing Limited, who is also a son of Kula, saying that this development will be of great benefit to the
community. While disclosing that the oil block was handed over to the company by Chevron in Lagos, he promised that youths in the area would ensure that the facilities of Belemaoil Producing Limited are protected against vandalism.
area recently. Adebowale, who was represented by the council’s Supervisor for Health, Mrs Tinu Fashola, also called on health practitioners to be cautious in their handling of syringes and other sharp objects that usually have direct contact with the body, in order to curtail the spread of the dreaded disease. Earlier in her welcome address, the Local Action Committee on AIDS (LACA) Manager, Odeda Local Government Area, Mrs Bisayo OyekanOgundeji, informed the people that due to timely, accurate and quality reporting of the committee’s activities in the local government area, Ogun State
Lawmaker fulfills promise to Itesiwaju market traders By Tunde Ogunesan
THE lawmaker representing Ibadan South-East constituency II in Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Akeem Ige, at the weekend, said he decided to fulfill his promise to traders of Itesiwaju market, Sanyo, Ibadan, who were affected in the January 5 fire outbreak, because he considered it as a covenant between him and the traders. Ige, who said though the lawmakers are yet to collect their constituency allow-
tion war and admonish all Nigerians irrespective of tribe and religion to add their voices to the war against the menace,” the youths declared.
From left, the Manager, Local Action Committee on AIDS, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Mrs Bisayo Oyekan-Ogundeji; PHC Coordinator, Odeda Local Government Area, Dr Taiwo Adebowale; the Osi of Obantoko, Chief Samsideen Jinadu; representative of the council chairman and Supervisor for Health, Mrs Tinu Fashola; Director of Information of the council, Mr Tope Oyekan (right) and community leaders.
Kula youths allege marginalisation by oil companies Uduakabasi Patrick-Port Harcourt
commissioners will make Mr. President’s directive workable,”the communique added. “We support the Federal Government anti-corrup-
ance, disclosed that by his estimation, the total loss in the inferno was around N3.9million. According to him, traders should not be left alone to bear the pain. His words: “When we first came in as members of the House of Assembly, we thought the governor didn’t want to pay us until he showed us the books and we realised the difference in funds from Abuja this time round. Governor Abiola Ajimobi is willing to pay, he has promised to ensure that we get our rights as soon as the condi-
tion improves. “But I don’t want to wait till then, because if the situation lasts more than a year, people will misunderstand it as coming because of another election. So, I decided to offer my token to cushion the effect of the incident. “I thank God that in your own way, you have moved on. But I think I must come around to fulfil my pledge or let me say my covenant with you. As you will recall that it is in my capacity that I offered to assist, so, I don’t expect
that you will be running after me before I can fulfil the promise. I want you to accept it with love.” One of the beneficiaries whose three containers were affected, Mrs Kehinde Olatunji, said the traders, were grateful to Honourable Ige for his gesture. She said “we are grateful to Honourable Ige. He has done well for us. He promised to do something and he came himself to fulfil the promise without anybody pressurising him. This gesture is rare of today’s politicians.”
Ministry of Health, based on its assessment needs, upgraded Osiele Health Centre to a HIV Counselling and Testing Centre (HCT), while the general hospital and Omo Arewa Foundation, both at Odeda were upgraded to Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) centres, thereby creating easy access to HCT and HIV kits. According to her, among the over 400,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Ogun State, Odeda Local Government Area has low prevalence. “We must, therefore, continue to intensify our campaign against this scourge, as we enjoin our people to know their HIV status, which is the first step towards securing their future,” she said. She, however, called on health workers and members of the community to stop the stigmatisation of People Living With HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA), adding that they should show them love and care. The Ontoko of Obantoko, Oba Kehinde Adesanu, on his part, thanked the local government for holding the programme in his domain. The royal father, who was represented by the Osi Ontoko of Obantoko, Chief Samsideen Jinadu, commended the World Bank for funding the programme and called for a continuous sensitisation of the people at the grassroots.