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Yenagoa Residents Lambast Diri over Negligence

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From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Residents in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, have lambasted the state governor, Douye Diri over negligence and abandonment of the town and concentrated the state resources in the development of his village that has not produced a drop of crude oil.

Diri in the last four years has turned his little village to a construction yard with establishment of different higher institutions in the same village while Yenagoa the state capital has been neglected.

During a  tour round Yenagoa metropolis by members of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel (FCC) of the NUJ bayelsa state council, to ascertain the level of preparedness by the state government as the rainy season set’s in discover that all the drainages and canals were completely blocked.

Residents living especially along Epie Creek in the state metropolis, lambasted governor Diri over neglect of the creek that was supposed to serve as collection of waters during the rainy season but has been completely blocked with debris.

They say until the government takes a proactive step to dredge the creek, residents will continue to live a life of smiling and suffering.

In the course of the tour, members of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel discovered that drainages around the state capital are not only filled with plastic wastes but also serve as refuse dumps.

The inability of successive governments to pay proper attention to the development of the sprawling state capital had spurred the immediate past state governor, Henry Seriake Dickson to describe it as “a Forest Capital.”

During a tour of the correspondents, it was discovered that most drainages that were supposed to ease the flow of water at the height of flood are blocked by thick grasses and wastes. While the monthly sanitation exercises embarked by the state government never helped matters as such days are more of mere exercise in futility as sanitation agents have never enforced clean ups but only extorted money from traders even as people are forced to only stay indoors till end of the exercise.

Some concerned  residents along the Igbogene area of the Epie creek who expressed worries over government’s nonchalant  attitude that has caused serious hardship to residents  noted that  the only  solution to  tame  perennial flooding around Epie Creek  is to  dredge the river that has virtually turned to ordinary ground.

One of the resident, Pastor Tariebi Blessed Kalakai, who spoke on the issue noted that, with all the billions of naira that is coming into the state” government should clear up the creek and dig it deep to a certain level of metres depth that can contains much volume of waters around the state capital thereby reducing the impact of flooding.

“Dredging the Epie Creek will go a long way to check the yearly flooding that has affected many houses around the creek. But most times governments go on crash programmes when flood comes which has never helped in bringing solution to the problems”.

“The real solution to this creek is to first dredge it and pile it from Igbogene to Government House , that is all, the government should partner with Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and do it in phases, people will be happy.”

“Government is continuity, if this government can’t complete it; another will continue with it, the major problem of flooding in Bayelsa State is the Epie Creek which is connecting all the communities. If the government can dredge it above flood level, it will help.”

According to him, the Netherlands and other cities in the world which have the same terrain as the Bayelsa State enjoy such dredging. Saying residents have been suffering the neglect by the government not to take care of the situation despite the billions that comes into the state every month.

Speaking further said, government inability to take proactive steps will continue to affect not only residents along the communities but even relatives of top government officials.

“We decided that let’s be suffering and smiling because we are all affected, even their relatives. The continued neglect is as a result of lack of government will to do the right thing when a huge amount of monthly allocations that runs into billions of naira is accrued to the state “.

” Posterity will continue to remember Chief Melford  Okilo, a one time governor of Old Rivers state who made some inroads in the area of flood control during his tenure as governor of the then Rivers state which included the present day Bayelsa state.”

Mrs Kate Wilson, also a resident in the flood infested community, appealed that the creek should be dredged and a standard bridge should be constructed to cross the creek to the communities.

“There should be a standard bridge to cross the creek when the place is dredged, because we have no bridge crossing this place” she noted.

Another concerned resident, David Patrick Igidi, also accused the government of causing the sufferings of residents around the Epie Canal. Saying most flood periods witnessed the presence of snakes, armed robbers and even corpse flow from a mortuary around the area.

His words, “The neglect of the Epie Creek and Yenagoa as a capital is caused by the government. No official bridge connecting communities by the canal. Government should open up this creek. Every day, during the flooding period we pay lots of money to get to our houses , snakes are all around our houses during flood, armed robbers also have fields day here as Corpse flows from a nearby  mortuary to our houses”.

But the Director General ,Bayelsa State Flood and Erosion Control Agency , Chief Omuso Wilson , who responded to questions from Correspondents’ on the sorry state of drainages and gutters in the state capital ,blamed it on  lack of funds as a major factor militating against  the agency’s activities.

He says the agency is waiting for the second tenure administration of governor Douye Diri to swing into action for it to also commence work on the blocked drainages.

“Funds have not been released. Once funds are released we will go into action .Now there is no SSG to apply for funds. Once the government is in place, funds will be made available for us to work.

“Since we came on board, May last year, we have carried out some skeletal works, even though we still have much work to do as the rainy season has already set in.

The director general, said by May this year, the agency will be one year in office, and decried that they only do things at the peak of the flood which he said was not too good.

“Some of us have travelled out and seen how places with similar terrain tackle the issue of flooding; we can do the same here in order to have a very beautiful and conducive environment.”

NEWS

TCN, BEDC Trade Blame over Power Outage on 33kV Feeder in Edo

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The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has faulted the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) for allegedly misleading the public over power outages in Edo district.

A statement by the TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, on Sunday in Benin said that TCN’s maintenance work had nothing to do with the blackout experienced by BEDC’s 33kV customers.

It would be recalled that on March 14, BEDC had claimed that TCN’s maintenance activities were the cause of power outages in Sapele, Abraka, Ugelli/Shell and industrial areas through its social media platform.

Mbah explained that TCN only requested a planned outage on March 11, at the Amukpe Transmission Station, which was completed the same day and power was restored.

Mbah emphasised that TCN’s maintenance had nothing to do with power delivery to BEDC customers.

” TCN wishes to address the publication by Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) on its social media platform, dated March 14, that TCN was responsible for the blackout, which was not true

“The announcement by BEDC’s inability to deliver power to its 33kV customers to TCN’s maintenance activities was not true.

“For clarification purposes, TCN only applied for a planned outage on March 11, at the Amukpe Transmission Station, which was completed on the same day, and bulk power supply was restored.

“Contrary to BEDC’s claims, TCN’s maintenance activities did not cause the power delivery issues experienced by BEDC’s customers, ” Mbah said.

The general manager stated that the only valid statement in BEDC’s publication was regarding the Ughelli/Shell 33kV feeder T1 60MVA, which tripped off due to a fault on March 14.

Mbah disclosed that TCN was currently working to restore bulk power supply to the affected feeder.

She emphasised that all other areas mentioned by BEDC in their release, experiencing power delivery issues, were due to a fault on BEDC’s 33kV feeders.

She urged BEDC to provide accurate information to its customers and avoid misrepresentations, stressing that facts should be made clear for the benefit of stakeholders.

Mbah reiterated that TCN remained committed to maintaining efficient and reliable electricity transmission across the country for all consumers. (NAN)

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LASG Diverts Traffic for Independence Bridge Repairs

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Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu
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The Lagos State Government has announced a diversion plan ahead of emergency repairs on Independence/Mekwen Bridge, inbound the Marina/CMS route.

Oluwaseun Oshiyemi, Commissioner for Transportation, confirmed the diversion in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.

Oshiyemi stated that the diversion will begin on March 19 and last until May 26.

“During repairs, the road from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) through Bonny Camp Bridge to Independence Bridge will be closed to vehicles.

“Likewise, the service lane at Bonny Camp Underpass Bridge inbound Independence Bridge will not be accessible to motorists.

“However, the service lane from Ahmadu Bello Way to Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue will remain open to traffic,” he said.

Oshiyemi listed alternative routes for motorists to ease traffic flow during the repair period.

Motorists going to Victoria Island from Ahmadu Bello Way should use Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Falomo Roundabout, then Obafemi Awolowo Road to Ring Road.

Those heading to 3rd Mainland Bridge should take Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Alfred Rewane Road, Osborne Road, then link Ring Road.

Motorists going to Inner Marina and CMS from Ahmadu Bello Way should follow Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Akin Adesola Street, Falomo Roundabout, and Obafemi Awolowo Road to J.K. Randle Road.

Drivers heading to Ahmadu Bello Way from Inner Marina or CMS will go through traffic access available.

Oshiyemi assured residents that Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will manage traffic throughout the diversion period.

The commissioner urged all motorists to remain patient during the partial road closure.

He added the repairs form part of the traffic management plan by the Federal Ministry of Works for road rehabilitation in Lagos. (NAN)

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Adeleke’s $20m Fraud Allegation Against Oyetola mere Shadow Chasing – Ogundokun

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A frontline politician, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, has described Gov.

Ademola Adeleke of Osun’s $20 million fraud allegation against his immediate predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, as mere shadow chasing.

Ogundokun stated this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, while reacting to a petition by Adeleke to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Oyetola.

Adeleke had, in the petition, alleged that Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, misappropriated a $20 million World Bank health grant while he was governor of the state.

Ogundokun said in the state that there was nothing serious in the petition other than a drama aimed at generating negative energy toward the 2026 governorship election in the state.

He described Oyetola as a man of sterling performance in the private sector as well as due diligence and strict adherence to rules in the public service as governor.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain also described the former governor as the pride of Osun and Nigeria who should not be pulled down or given uncharitable names but encouraged to do more for the state.

According to him, there is the need to stop a destructive campaign of “I will destroy you if I can’t get it.

“Oyetola is honest to a fault,” he remarked, calling on the people of the state to join him in moving Osun forward.

Ogundokun advised Adeleke to prioritise good governance rather than engaging in frivolous activities.

“What Osun requires and deserves is focused leadership and serious engagements.

“I will advise Ademola Adeleke to stop playing politics with the exalted office of the governor by turning it to a petition writing apparatus.

“He should use the enormous power of the office to improve the lots of the people instead of deploying the state resources to bully and witch-hunt a perceived enemy or enemies.

“Writing a petition against a man like Oyetola, to me, is like chasing a shadow.

“The task before Adeleke is huge, and meeting the expectations of the people should be his priority and not fighting an imaginary political foe,” he said.

The elder statesman urged the governor not to deviate from the vision of the state’s forefathers.

Rather, he said that Adeleke should learn to build on the good foundation of his predecessor instead of finding ways to shoot down his good legacies. (NAN)

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