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Author: leonard okachie

  • Abia Assembly threatens to terminate contract with IVM over alleged breach

    Lawmakers
    By Leonard Okachie
    Umuahia, June 13, 2024(NAN) Abia House of Assembly has threatened to terminate its contract with the Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Ltd for allegedly reneging on agreement to produce vehicles for all the lawmakers.
    The Speaker, Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa, made this known on Thursday in Umuahia, during an interaction with the media,  as part of activities to mark the one year anniversary of the 8th Assembly.
    He regretted that members were yet to have their vehicles one year after their inauguration.
    He said that the preference for IVM vehicles was informed by Gov. Alex Otti’s quest to promote local contents.
    Emeruwa said that Innoson had received all the money required to produce vehicles for Assembly members, but  had reneged more that 10 times to produce them.
    “So far, Innoson has not been able to produce or perform its own side of agreement.
    “At this point, we are at the verge of terminating that contract and ask for our money back if he doesn’t perform within the next 15 days.
    “This house is very serious about it and they cannot continue pacifying us after one year,” he said.
    Giving a scorecard of the 8th Assembly in one year, the Speaker said that it had passed five out of 15 bills into law.
    He said that the house had also made 40 resolutions and had received 46 petitions and 55 motions.
    According to him, this Assembly is very active and before this time next year, more would have been achieved.
    He said that the 8th Assembly had been very peaceful and had been enjoying a good relationship with the Executive.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the present Assembly which consists of 24 members, was inaugurated on June 15, 2023.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    LEO/MNA
    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

  • 11 Abia LGAs at flood risk – NEMA

    Flood
    By Leonard Okachie
    Umuahia, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says 11 of the 17 local government areas of Abia will be affected by the impending 2024 flood disaster.
    The Director-General, NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar made this known in on Thursday at the 2024 downscaling and sensitisation of the 2024 flood early warning strategies for effective early actions in Umuahia.
    Umar, who was represented by Dr Martins Ejike, Acting Director, Human Resource Management, NEMA, said that Abia was among the states considered to fall within the moderate flood risk areas.
    She said the predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency  respectively, had provided NEMA with valuable early warning alerts.
    The NEMA boss said that some of the local governments that would be affected from July to September included Aba South, Aba North, Osisioma Ngwa,  Ukwa West, Umuahia North, Umunneochi among others.
    The director-general said the exercise was part of efforts to build  disaster resilience communities, which had been her focus since assumption of office.
    “It is about taking action in order to alleviate the sufferings of our people, especially as it affects the impending flood disaster,” she said.
    Umar commended Gov. Alex Otti for all the measures put in place by the Abia Government to reduce the risk of the avoidable losses as a result of flood in the state over the past years.
    In a response, the governor thanked the NEMA boss for the  choice of  Abia as one of the states in the country in launching the sensitisation exercise.
    Otti, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr Philemon Ogbonna, said it was time the relevant authorities shifted focus toward downscaling of flood early warning strategies to the grassroots level.
    According to him, we cannot afford to rely solely on centralised systems that may not effectively reach those living in remote or vulnerable areas.
    The governor called for empowerment of local communities with the knowledge and resources they needed to take early actions and protect themselves from the destructive impacts of flooding.
    In a brief remark, Dr Sunday Jackson, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), thanked NEMA for choosing Abia as one of the states to launch the sensitisation exercise.
    Jackson said that over 20 communities in the state were already affected by flood, even before the timing of July to September as predicted.
    He commended the governor for all the actions already taken to mitigate the impact of flooding in the state.
    “The magnitude of flood in Abia is far beyond the capacity of the state.
    “I still want to appeal to NEMA that in its interventions to states affected by flooding, Abia should be in the fore front,” the SEMA boss said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports that the event featured a presentation on the preparedness and downscaling messages on 2024 flood forecast by NEMA.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    LEO/CHOM/MNA
    ==========
    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Maureen Atuonwu

  • Climate change: LIFE-ND distributes 500 economic trees to Abia community

    Clima

    Tree

    By Leonard Okachie

    Ohanze(Abia), June 11, 2024(NAN)The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises for the Niger-Delta(LIFE-ND), has distributed over 500 stands of different varieties of improved tree species to Abayi Ohanze Community of Abia.

    The economic trees were distributed on Tuesday to about eight kindreds that make up the community, in Obingwa Local Government Area, to mitigate the impact of climate change.

    Some of the varieties included coconut, mango, cashew, sweet orange, bitter kola, avagado pea, native pea, guava as well as non-fruit trees such as iroko, neem, flame of the forest and others.

    Abia Coordinator, LIFE-ND, Dr Uchenna Onyeizu, said that initiative was in celebration of World Environment Day, marked on June 5.

    He said that the project was very sensitive to its environment because its activity had to do with agricultural development.

    According to him, agriculture happens to be one of the highest contributions to climate change.

    He explained that the project had mainstreamed environment and climate change as a component of its intervention activities.

    “We have decided that we are going to distribute not less than 5000 economic trees across the 100 communities in the state that we work on.

    “The global community also recognises that we are actually tending towards having a high temperature being experienced globally.

    “Of course, the target of having an average temperature of 1.5 Celsius across the world is what we want to achieve,” he said.

    A Climate Change Specialist, Mr Chidozie Kanu said that it was a community-based tree planting campaign to support the mitigation of climate change.

    He explained that members of the community at different levels were engaged and the trees handed over to them.

    “We have over 40 stands of each of the trees supplied and the choice of the species was made by the community after our engagements and consultations with them,” he said.

    Mr Amadi Iwuala, the immediate past Chairman, Abayi Ohanze Community Development Union, expressed gratitude to the project for the tree donation.

    He said that the project used the opportunity to sensitise the large number of community members present, on the benefit of planting trees within their immediate environments.

    “We will make sure that these economic trees given to us are nurtured and we will plant more from these once they start producing fruits,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LIFE-ND is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with support from the Federal Government and the participating states, including Abia, to boost food production in Niger-Delta. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

     

    LEO/CJ/

    =======

    Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

     

  • NSCDC uncovers illegal refinery, arrests 12 suspects in Abia

    NSCDC uncovers illegal refinery, arrests 12 suspects in Abia

    Refinery
    By Leonard Okachie
    Umuahia, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Abia Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested 12 alleged pipeline vandals in Obiakpo Obuzo Asa in Ukwa West Local Government Area.

    NSCDC’s Spokesperson, ASC II Doreen Udugwu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Umuahia and made available to newsmen on Monday.

    Udugwu stated that operatives of the command successfully dismantled a syndicate, allegedly operating illegal refineries in the state.

    She added that the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad.

    According to her, the raid uncovered a vast network of illegal refineries, cleverly hidden in the forest of Obiakpo Obuzo Asa Community.

    She explained that large quantities of crude oil, allegedly tapped from a vandalised nearby pipeline, were uncovered.

    “Also, large quantities of petroleum products in various stages of processing were seized during the operation,” she stated.

    Udugwu also stated that the leader of the team, SC Jamilu Aliyu, had announced that 12 suspects were apprehended at the scene of the illegal activity.

    “Further investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in this criminal enterprise, which poses a serious threat to the nation’s economy,” the statement added.

    It quoted the State Commandant, Usman Alfadarai, to have reaffirmed the commitment of the corps “to root out criminal elements from Abia and beyond.

    “He warned all criminal elements operating within the state to desist from illegal activities or face the full wrath of the law,” the statement added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    LEO/FON/USO
    Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Sam Oditah

     

  • FG should prioritise stable power, low production cost – Rep.

    Electricity
    By Leonard Okachie
    Umuahia, June 8, 2024 (NAN) A lawmaker, Rep. Ibe Osonwa, representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia, has advised the Federal Government to prioritise stable electricity supply in the country.
    Osonwa gave the advice during an interactive session with newsmen in Umuahia on Saturday.
    He said that achieving stable power in the country would help to unlock the productive capacity of Nigerians, scale up exportation and reduce importation.
    “Once electricity is stable and affordable and production goes up, prices of goods will become cheaper and affordable,” he said.
    According to him, the only way Nigeria can migrate from consumption to production is for the Federal Government to prioritise electricity supply and reduce the cost of production.
    “When that is achieved, the country’s manufacturing sector will scale up their production capacity, this will create employment and poverty and hunger will ultimately reduce.
    “Nigeria is failing as a country to become productive and I’m hopeful that once the problem of power is solved, the country will become productive.
    “We are buying everything and producing nothing because of poor electricity supply.
    “This is not good for a country with a huge population as Nigeria,” he said.
    According to him, while the economies of India and China depend on the country’s huge population, Nigeria’s large population is not efficiently  deployed in enhancing production.
    The lawmaker advised that electricity distribution must be given to competent companies with the capacity to perform efficiently.
    He argued that such contracts must not necessarily be given to Nigerians.
    He contended that the existing contracts could be revoked and awarded to other companies to pave the way for efficiency in power distribution.
    He expressed concern over the alleged inability of the existing distribution companies to meet the electricity needs of the country.
    He also alleged sharp practices by the industry operators, citing the existence of crazy bills, arising from estimated billing method by the companies.
    He recalled an instance where his Ebem Ohafia community was given a N1.2 billion electricity bill, at a time it had no power supply for five years.
    Osonwa said that he had been able to show relevance and make impact in the House, having sponsored some bills and motions since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly (NASS).
    He listed some of the bills to include the one for the establishment of a second Federal Medical Centre in Abia to be cited in Ohafia to also service neighbouring communities in Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
    The others are the bills to increase and improve businesses as well as the one for freight forwarders.
    He said that he also sponsored motions to tackle ecological challenges in his constituency and establishment of a security post in Ohafia to help end the incessant fatal cross-community clashes.
    He cited the May 10 attack on Isu Community allegedly by Ukwa Community in Akwa Ibom in which a woman was killed.
    Osonwa expressed delight that the House had granted his request that the security post be established and manned by military personnel.
    He also said that he had attracted some road projects to his constituency, including the Oboro-Ohafia-Okagwe-Ndi-nku-Abiriba Road.
    He said that six of the projects had been awarded and awaiting the release of funds to take off, while 15 others already captured in the budget had yet to be awarded.
    Meanwhile, the legislator said that the contract for the rehabilitation of the Umuahia-Bende-Abam-Ohafia Road had been revoked by the Federal Government over alleged non-performance.
    He said that the Muri and Omenuko
    Bridges on the road were in deplorable condition and deserved urged government’s attention.
    Osonwa expressed happiness over the conviviality and spirit of oneness existing among the Abia caucus in the NASS.
    He attributed the healthy development to the enviable leadership style of Gov. Alex Otti, saying that the governor’s
    sterling performance in office had positively changed the ugly narratives about Abia.
    “My governor is the best performing governor in the country today and he is making us proud,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    LEO/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah

  • Abia CP hails Otti’s commitment to fight against crime

    Abia CP hails Otti’s commitment to fight against crime
    Crime
    By Leonard Okachie
    Umuahia, June 8, 2024 (NAN) The
    Commissioner of Police in Abia, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, has attributed the success recorded in the fight against crime in the state to God and Gov. Alex Otti’s immense support to the security agencies.
    Onwuemelie said this when the officials of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abia Council, paid him a courtesy visit at the command’s headquarters in Umuahia.
    He said: “Security is in the hand of God and so the glory should go to Him for whatever achievements the command has made.
    “The credit must also go to the governor of the state, who has assisted us tremendously with resources, ideas and suggestions.
    “It is true that there has been a reduction in crime and criminality in the state, especially around the Umunneochi axis, but we have yet to meet our target.”
    The state police boss said that the command would not rest on its oars until it had hit its target, adding that the people “still sleep with one eye open”.
    Earlier in a remark, the Chairman of the chapel, Chief Obinna Ibe, said that the visit was to consolidate the collaboration between the group and the command in the effort to ensure adequate security in the state.
    Ibe commended the exploits so far made by the commissioner in crime reduction within the short period of his assumption of duty in Abia.
    He said: “Your coming to Abia is not just strategic but divine.
    “You have shown dexterity and commitment in the fight against crime and security has drastically improved.
    “We no longer witness violent crimes as was the case before your deployment and residents now sleep with their two eyes closed.”
    He commended the police chief for the security presently enjoyed in the state, saying that it was coming at a time the governor was wooing investors to Abia.
    He further commended the massive structural renovation taking place at the command’s headquarters, adding that the police need a conducive workplace to function optimally.
    Ibe further said that “it is on record that commissioners of police in Abia are always lucky to get elevated to higher ranks” and prayed that Onwuemelie’s case “will not be an exception”.
    He decried the occasional frictions between policemen in the field and media professionals in their line of duty.
    He said that such disagreements should be discouraged, pointing out that both security and media personnel should see themselves as partners in the fight against crime.
    He recalled a recent incident in Umuahia, where the correspondent of a television station was allegedly manhandled by bank securitymen, while policemen on duty “became spectators”, rather than protect the correspondent. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    LEO/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah