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Why LG autonomy can’t work — Fayose

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Why LG autonomy can’t work — Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has expressed concern over Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment affirming local governments’ right to receive monthly allocations directly from the federation account.

The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party emphasised that despite the court judgment, state Houses of Assembly and the governors will always be a clog in the wheel of local government autonomy.

Fayose said this when he featured as a guest on Sunday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.

While stressing that nobody from the grassroots can emerge as a local government chairman without the support of a governor, the Ekiti politician said both the court and FG ‘cannot take the baby from the mother.’

He said, “I am not a lawyer. I am a politician and by God’s grace today, I am an elder statesman. While I love and do not believe that any government should take local government funds, may I say to you very clearly this evening that you cannot take the baby from the mother? There is nobody that can become council chairman without a governor. Anybody telling you otherwise is wasting his time.

“Let me quickly remind you that the House of Assembly of every state controls the activities and checkmates the activities of the local government. While I was governor, I had the privilege of receiving money from Abuja. When you receive money from the account, some people manage the account. They are not politicians or the council chairman.

“There is only one representative of the governor, which is the local government commissioner. All others are local government officials, workers, and pensioners of the council. And they appropriate the funds. But when you now come and say we are giving power to the local government, what power are you giving to them? No power.”

Continuing, the PDP chieftain said aside from the state lawmakers frustrating the process, most council officials don’t take their work seriously.

According to him, many workers don’t bother to come to work on certain days of the week.

“Any council chairman who says ‘Money is coming to me, I will disrespect my governor’ the House of Assembly will tell you to go and disobey him inside your house. This is because you can never even be a council chairman without the governor standing up for you. The House of Assembly regulates your activities.

“Go to the council meeting on Wednesday or Friday, you will not find 10 per cent of the staff of the local government in the office. They don’t come. My name is Ayo Fayose and I want them to dispute this. They don’t come to work. When you make moves to bring them to book, both NULGE and all leaders of the local government will go and beg the governor.

“They will be telling you, we will not vote for you. This is the way we operate at the local government. The state is more effective in administrative performance than the local government. At the local government, everybody comes to collect money. Even people have left some states. They live somewhere else and money just hit their accounts,” he added.

Tinubu, world leaders condemn assassination attempt on Trump

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Tinubu, world leaders condemn assassination attempt on Trump

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday joined world leaders to condemn the attack on former United States President, Donald Trump.

Tinubu stated this on his official X handle on Sunday, hours after the shooting at Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, which authorities said killed one person and left two other spectators critically injured.

Trump – the Republican candidate for the November 5, 2024, presidential election – was shot at and the Secret Service agents quickly rushed him off the stage into an SUV.

“Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, is the subject involved in the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13, in Butler, Pennsylvania,” USA Today quoted the Federal Bureau of Investigation as saying in a statement on Sunday.

Reacting to the development, Tinubu said, “The attack on former President Donald Trump is distasteful and goes beyond the pale of democratic norms.

“Violence has no place in democracy. I extend my sympathies to the former President and wish him relief. I also condole with the family of the deceased and those wounded and wish them a quick recovery.

“Nigeria stands in solidarity with the United States of America at this time.”

Leaders globally spoke out against political violence and expressed their support for those affected by Saturday’s shooting.

AFP reports that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was “deeply shocked” by the attack.

“Political violence has no place in a democracy,” she said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the shooting “despicable” and said “such acts of violence threaten democracy.”

In neighboring France, President Emmanuel Macron called the assassination attempt a “tragedy for our democracies.”

“France shares the shock and indignation of the American people,” he said.

Russia strongly condemned any violence in the context of politics, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday.

“After numerous attempts to eliminate candidate Trump from the political arena using, first, all legal tools. It is obvious to all outside observers that his life is in danger,” Peskov said.

He added, however, that “we do not at all believe that the attempt was organised by the current power.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was “appalled to learn about the shooting” and wished Trump a “speedy recovery.”

“Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail,” he said.

Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan expressed confidence “that the investigation into the attack will be carried out in the most effective way and that the perpetrators and their instigators will be brought to justice as soon as possible in order not to cast a shadow on the US elections and global stability.”

The Vatican, meanwhile, voiced “its concern following yesterday’s violent episode which injures people and democracy, provoking suffering and death.”

Brazil’s President Luiz Lula da Silva said the shooting “must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue.”

China’s Xi Jinping expressed his “compassion and sympathy” for Trump, with a foreign ministry spokesman saying Beijing was “closely following” the incident.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply concerned by the attack on my friend.”

The FBI said the incident “remains an active and ongoing investigation, and anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is encouraged to submit photos or videos online.”

Disband LG caretaker committees, Rivers APC tells Fubara

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Disband LG caretaker committees, Rivers APC tells Fubara

The opposition All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, on Sunday, called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to respect last week’s judgment of the Supreme Court, which declared it is illegal to run local government areas with caretaker committees.

This was as one of the replaced LG chairmen, Olobarimate Ollor, said the Supreme Court’s judgment had paved the way for the LG chairmen to return and enjoy the six-month tenure extension granted them by the state House of Assembly.

The 23 LG secretariats in Rivers State have been under police occupation since June 16 when the tenure of the elected chairmen ended.

They had attempted to stay in office for an extra six months, citing a recent law by the state Assembly, but Governor Fubara resisted the move and appointed caretaker committees to man the LG secretariats pending the conduct of the LG election in October.

The police, however, took over the LG secretariats, preventing neither the ex-LG chairmen nor the caretakers appointed by Fubara to gain access.

The Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, said the LG secretariats would remain under police occupation pending the decision of the court on the matter.

Last week, ruling on a suit filed by the Federal Government against the 36 states, the Supreme Court declared the use of a caretaker committee to run LG as illegal.

In an interview with our correspondent on Sunday, the Publicity Secretary of the Rivers APC Caretaker Committee, Chibuike Ikenga, called on Fubara to obey the Supreme Court to disband the council caretakers that he constituted.

Ikenga said, “The Supreme Court is final. Their position that the caretaker committees are illegal is constitutional, so that is where we also stand. We must obey, we must comply with the judgment of the final court of the land.”

Ikenga said for far too long governors had been usurging the power of the LG and short-changing them in the disbursement of funds.

“We are aware particularly in Rivers State that Governor Fubara does not obey laws, he doesn’t obey court judgments neither does he obey the constitutional prescriptions and provisions, so we will not be surprised.

“It is important to note that the Court of Appeal gave a judgment and that same day governor Fubara came on air to say that he does not recognise any other person than his selected Oko-Jumbo and a committee of friends as the leadership of the House of Assembly and he said the House of Assembly members are gone irrespective of the position of the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

“These are some of the problems. So we’ll not also be surprised if Governor Fubara will go ahead to continue to confront the Supreme Court and refuses to obey the final judgment about local government autonomy from the Supreme Court.”

Also speaking with our correspondent, the immediate past Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Olobarimate Ollor, said the Supreme Court had spoken and it must be obeyed.

Ollor alleged that Fubara had been stifling LGs by withholding their funds.

“In the last three months of our first term, the governor held our funds. That of Emuoha LGA was held for four months from March, the other 21 local governments were held for more than three months.

“And even when the funds came, you know that there were deductions which are not explained to us what they’re actually meant for and what actually comes to the councils is opaque and not actually what is supposed to accrue to the local government.

“So, clearly, the position of the Federal Government and the Supreme Court to outlaw this our so-called caretaker is in order, completely in order because it has been seen as a conduit through which most governors  to siphon what is meant for the local government to their own coffers.”

Asked if he will be asking to return to office following the law by the state House of Assembly extending their tenure by six months over the alleged failure of the governor to conduct LG elections, Ollor said the Attorney-General of the Federation would clarify that.

“Of course, it even makes it better now since the Supreme Court has said except you are elected, you cannot rule a local government. If the constitution allows us to stay for an extra six months then we should enjoy that.  I see it as a plea by the people for us to  stay on since the election has not been conducted instead of Rivers State to be short-changed by the governor using caretaker committees.”

Speaking about his experience, Trump said, “I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realised then what was happening.”

AFP reports that Trump said further on Sunday it was divine intervention that helped him survive an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, and called on Americans to unite.

“It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening,” Trump and White House hopeful said on social media, urging fellow Americans to unite in “not allowing Evil to Win.”

“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand united, and show our true character as Americans, remaining strong and determined, and not allowing evil to win,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Sunday morning, confirming that he would attend the Republican National Convention, which begins on Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Shaibu, Orbih’s expulsion from PDP, gain for APC – Chieftains

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Shaibu, Orbih’s expulsion from PDP, gain for APC – Chieftains

The All Progressives Congress said it is seeking to take advantage of the internal crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State ahead of the September 21 governorship election.

The move was confirmed in separate interviews with the Edo APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, and the party’s Woman Leader, Mrs Patricia Okoebor-Benson.

The PDP had recently expelled ex-deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, and National Vice Chairman, South-South, Dan Orbih, for alleged anti-party activities.

The PDP argued that Shaibu and Orbih’s ouster would not affect its chances in the upcoming governorship poll.

But the APC insisted that the expulsion of the PDP chieftains was a good omen for their candidate, Senator Monday Okphebolo.

Tenebe told our correspondent they would seek every avenue to ensure they benefit from the crisis, even if it means wooing the expelled PDP members to swell the APC rank.

He said, “The thing is that every political party, once an election like this is coming, will want problems in the other party for them to benefit. And if it happens the way things are going (in Edo PDP), I am praying that we will be the ultimate beneficiary of the entire process.

“The truth is that a sensible party will want to hold on to their best hands. These people they are trying to do away with include the South-South Vice Chairman of the PDP (Orbih), an honourable member who has served in the House of Reps for eight years and also a governorship aspirant of the party (Ihama). You can also talk about the deputy governor who they foolishly impeached when a major election was coming.

“So I believe and pray for the matter not to be settled so that we can cash in on it because if we have these calibres of people in our party, then the PDP would not have peace in this governorship election coming up in Edo.”

The APC woman leader in Edo also shared his sentiment.

Okoebor-Benson swore that unless God says otherwise, the pendulum would swing in the direction of the APC governorship flag-bearer.

“I can assure you it is a win-win situation for the APC. With them (Shaibu, Ihama and Orbih), it is an advantage. For me, I don’t know about the Labour Party and whatever candidate they are presenting. But I can tell you that Asue Ighodalo (PDP candidate) is not a politician.

“The APC is winning this election come September 21. The PDP could be spending the government money for all we know. But the people have had enough of Obaseki in the state. They are wiser now,” she assured.

But the camp of the PDP governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, disagreed.

The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed that though many PDP members felt Orbih could have been spared the axe, their exit won’t negatively affect the September 21 poll.

He said, “We collectively are not in support of the decision taken at the state level. A few of us felt it was the way to go. But I am not one of those though. I would have loved people like Dan Orbih to be persuaded well enough. I have spoken in times past to that effect. I don’t see any reason why a factor like him in the South-South would be lost in that manner. I feel it is a minus for us.

“As for the former deputy governor, I do not want to glorify him too much. He saw to it, knew the tide was against him and decided to play to the gallery. If you have a boss like Obaseki who was determined to rubbish you, you need to tread carefully. We saw what he was doing and some of us were concerned about him.

“There was no way you would fight your boss the in manner he was going. Can you imagine Vice President Kashim Shettima fighting Tinubu in such a manner? How far will that take him? It is not politics of ideology and principles we are playing. It is politics of survival. So I saw him deploy too many arsenals against his boss and knew it was only going to be a question of time because he wasn’t going to survive it.

“For me, it is good riddance to bad rubbish. He doesn’t have the electoral capital. But for Dan Orbih, a chairman of Edo State on two consecutive terms and later South-South chairman, there is no denying the fact that he is a factor to reckon with indeed. Therefore, some of us feel terrible to lose him. But I don’t think he will want to work against his own party. What does he stand to gain from that?”

Construction, real estate contribute N11tn to economy

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Construction, real estate contribute N11tn to economy

Infrastructural activities in the construction and real estate sector increased in its contribution to Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product in Q1 2024.

According to the latest data released by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics recently, the sector contributed a total of N11.2tn in the quarter compared to the N9.1tn generated in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The report stated that the real estate sector contributed 5.20 per cent to the GDP in the Q1 of 2024, while the construction sector contributed 4.0 per cent of the GDP in Q1 of 2024.

According to the report, in nominal terms, real estate services in the first quarter of 2024 grew by 126.71 per cent, higher by 124.34 per cent points than the growth rate reported for the same period in 2023 and also higher compared to the preceding Quarter.

The report stated, “On a quarter-on-quarter, the sector growth rate was 58.59 per cent. The contribution to nominal GDP in Q1 2024 stood at 8.80 per cent, relative to 4.46 per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2023 and 4.95 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023.

“Real GDP growth recorded in the sector for the first quarter of 2024 stood at 0.84 per cent, lower than the growth recorded in the first quarter of 2023 by 0.86 per cent points, and lower by 0.50 per cent points relative to Q4 2023.

“On a quarter-on-quarter, the sector grew by -27.88 per cent in the first quarter of 2024. It contributed 5.20 per cent to real GDP in Q1 2024, lower than the 5.31 per cent it recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023.”

While the report noted that the Construction sector grew by -0.29 per cent in nominal terms (year-on-year) in the 2024 first quarter, a decrease of 38.00 per cent points compared to the rate of 37.71 per cent recorded in the same quarter of 2023.

It added, “There was a decrease of 3.16 per cent points when compared to the rate recorded in the preceding quarter. Nominal growth quarter-on-quarter was recorded at 1.60 per cent. Construction contributed 10.24 per cent to nominal GDP in the first quarter of 2024, lower than the 11.79 per cent it contributed a year earlier and higher than the 9.00 per cent contributed to the fourth quarter of 2023.

“The real growth rate of the construction sector in the first quarter of 2024 was recorded at -2.14 per cent (year-on-year), lower by 5.41 per cent points from the rate recorded in the previous year. Relative to the preceding quarter, there was a decrease of 5.84 per cent points. Quarter-on-quarter, the sector grew by -3.00 per cent in real terms.

“Its contribution to total real GDP was 4.01 per cent in the first quarter of 2024; lower than its contribution of 4.22 per cent in the same quarter of the previous year, and higher than in the immediate past quarter where it contributed 3.47 per cent.”

In an exclusive interview with The According, the Technical Secretary of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Victoria Island branch, Babatunji Adegoke, said the government was settling in and had started to unveil policies that have made investors have confidence in the system hence many are now investing more in the sector.

He added, “Furthermore, the government has shown determination to rebuild the economy through investing in the sector hence the rise in the GDP contribution. In addition, shelter is a basic need and as the population continues to grow so will the need for shelter and its associated infrastructures.”

In a similar vein, the Chief Executive Officer of Fame Oyster & Co., Olufemi Oyedele, said the Diaspora remittance contributed a lot.

He said, “The Nigerians in Diaspora believe in Nigeria’s real estate sector and are playing a big role in the real estate market in Nigeria. The Federal government policy of Renewed Hope housing estates and the construction of roads by the governments, local, state and federal, have also contributed.”

JNT Constructions unveils building initiative

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JNT Constructions unveils building initiative

A construction firm, JNT Construction Company, has introduced a new building initiative tagged “Pauline Building Model.”

In a statement, the firm noted that the initiative is JNT’s major way of discouraging developers from diverting intending house owner’s funds for personal use.

It stated, “A trend which has become common place because of paucity of funds, in the face of growing demanding building projects.”

Explaining how Pauline Building Model was designed to make dream of owning a luxurious home a reality works, the Executive Director, JNT Construction Company, Jide John Williams revealed that the scheme involved a financial institution, a developer and the vendors who would have protected interest in achieving the same goal of erecting a finished luxurious home at a stipulated time.

He said, “The Paul’s Building Model is a model developed in response to the prevalent issues of quality and delivery in the real estate industry. The main objective of this model is to provide assurance and guarantee to clients who plan to purchase a property from a developer.

“The model involves a reputable bank as the first party. The bank acts as the financier of the entire project, taking responsibility for paying all the vendors directly. This includes payments for all aspects of the project, from the foundation to the construction, plumbing, fixtures and fittings, roofing, and even furnishing. The model ensures transparency throughout the process, guaranteeing that projects are delivered to time and with high quality.

“Crucially, this model prevents developers from diverting clients’ funds to other projects or personal use, as they do not have access to the money until the project is completed and handed over.”

Williams added that the Pauline building model aim was to alleviate longstanding concerns about quality and delivery in the real estate industry by introducing a structured and transparent approach that safeguards clients’ interests.

 “At the completion of the project, a Pauline building model certification is issued to provide assurance to the client that all conditions have been met” he explained.

Pelican Valley celebrates Osoba

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Pelican Valley celebrates Osoba

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Babatunde Adeyemo, has saluted a former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, as he tuned 85th on Sunday.

Adeyemo hailed Osoba, describing him as a journalism role model, politician and revered elder statesman who has continued to use his immeasurable wealth of experience to provide “an iconic, commendable,enduring leadership and mentorship roles in journalism, politics, tradition and other endeavours across generations and the globe.”

 He recalled with relish that he is benefiting immensely from the octogenarian’s exemplary leadership and enduring rural development strides, even as he wished him more blessing of long life, good health and peace of mind.

Adeyemo stated, “By the grace of God, in the next two months, we will be expecting  our revered elder statesman, Aremo Olusegun Osoba to commission the first 10 sets of ecostay apartments in our Estate,,where the longest avenue in the Estate will also be named after the veteran Broadcaster and elder statesman for his evergreen contribution to the rural electrification project in Kobape during his reign as the Governor of Ogun State.

“ This is one of the reasons why we are particularly felicitating former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba on his 85th birthday because our estate is a beneficiary of his rural electrification project.

He added, “Your handiwork is with us here, without you dragging the 35KVA electricity line from the main road to where we are, we would not have been privileged to have this estate here. Baba Aremo Osoba created an opportunity about 25 years ago and one Dr. Babatunde Adeyemo is taking full advantage of that opportunity today,,that is governance at its peak. “

 “So, on this occasion of your birthday, it’s is an opportunity for us at Pelican Valley to thank God for your live and living. As someone who have benefited from your exemplary positive impacts and rural development initiative, we join others in wishing you continuous years in good health, vitality and prosperity. Thank you for your enduring rural development initiative when you presided over the affairs of the state as as the Executive Governor of Ogun State. Many happy returns of the day, more long life and good health sir.”

Ex-students lament flooding in Lagos school

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Ex-students lament flooding in Lagos school

The President of the Alumni Association of Girls Academy located on Simpson Street, Lagos Island, Lagos State, Amudat Oshigunwa, has lamented the flooding ravaging the school while urging the state government and the Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area to come to their aid and also remove an electric pole that had been threatening the lives of pupils studying in the school.

Describing the electric pole as a death trap, Oshigunwa, while speaking with journalists after some members of the association visited the school on Thursday, said flooding was also part of the challenges affecting the school.

She added that a good drainage system would proffer a solution to the challenge.

Oshigunwa said, “Flood has been ravaging the school during the rainy season. The school compound was not as bad as it is now. The video I saw after a recent rainfall was an eyesore.

 “The electricity pole that was put there should be removed as soon as possible as the wire is on the roof of the school and children are there. When there is a thunderstorm, the pole can kill some of the children if it falls on the roof of the school.

“The lives of the children are at stake. What if there is rainfall and the pole falls into the flood, it can also affect the lives of the children. We have not got across to the local government or the state ministry of education on it, but we went there on Thursday and we feel that the wire should be removed from the school as it passes through the roof of some classrooms.”

 Oshigunwa said during the visit, members of the association asked the school management what they could do for them, and they mentioned the removal of the electric pole.

“We are appealing to the Lagos State Government and the Lagos Island Local Government Area to help us remove the pole. Also, we think there should be good drainage for easy water flow around the area because this has been the genesis of the flooding,” Oshigunwa said.

 Efforts were made to get the reaction of the Chairman, Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Muibi Folawiyo, aka Pepper, but they proved abortive as he did not pick up his phone calls.

Oborevwori swears in Delta LG chairmen today

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Oborevwori swears in Delta LG chairmen today

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, will today (Monday), swear in the newly elected chairmen of the 25 local government areas of the state.

This follows Saturday’s local government election conducted by the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission in the 25 LGAs in the state.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party was declared the winner in all the 25 LGAs.

In a terse statement on Sunday, the Permanent Secretary, Protocol, Government House, Asaba, A.N. Tetsola, said the LG chairmen would be sworn in Monday by the governor at 10 am in Asaba, the state capital.

“Kindly be informed that His Excellency the Governor will preside over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected chairmen and vice of the 25 LGAs in the state on Monday 15/7/24 at the Event Centre, Asaba at 10 am,” the statement read.

But the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Ede Dafinone, has described Saturday’s council poll as “a complete sham and a mockery of democratic ideals and standard”.

Dafinone, while reacting to the outcome of the council polls won by the ruling PDP, said, “It is very unfortunate that people at the grassroots level were prevented from participating in our democratic process by state governors to freely elect their councillors and council chairman.

 “The All Progressives Congress in Delta sensed that the electoral umpire, Delta State Independent Electorial Commission, was not going to conduct a credible elections as predicted, hence, most of the party candidates withdrew from the polls.

“It’s very unfortunate and sad how low our people can go to acquire power. It’s even more troubling that after 25 years in our democratic experiment we can’t conduct what looks like an election at the local government level.

“What took place in Delta State on Saturday to all intent and purpose can’t be classified as an election. It’s a complete sham and an affront to all known democratic ideals.

“The state electoral umpire, most probably acting on the instructions of the state governor, just allotted figures to candidates who took part in the shambolic process. It can at best be described as a mere coronation of all PDP-nominated candidates.

“As predicted by political watchers that the Delta State PDP-led government is incapable of conducting free, fair and credible elections, DISIEC proved all of us right. Because there were reports across the state that electoral materials, particularly results sheets, were not supplied to many polling units, and in some cases, wards where they consider as strongholds of the opposition, voting materials were not supplied at all.

“It’s disheartening that our governors who are products of free and fair elections can’t replicate same in the local government areas of their state. If INEC were to conduct elections the way the governors  purportedly teleguide SIEC to conduct local government polls, many of them will not be governor today.”

Rivers shuts three illegal dredging sites

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Rivers shuts three illegal dredging sites

The Rivers State Government has shut down three dredging sites in the Chokocho community in the Etche Local Government Area for operating without permits.

The Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Gbara, told newsmen after inspecting some dredging sites in Port Harcourt and its environs.

Gbara frowned on the activities of those who carried out such activities without the approval from the state government, saying the dredging sites had no environmental protection impact.

He added that the activities were affecting the roads.

He stated, “We are here on the directives of Governor Siminalayi Fubara on inspection of dredging activities and necessary enforcement around this area. We have gone round and some sites have been shut, about three for non-compliance to standards.

“This particular site, as you can see, is already threatening the federal road and as a responsible government, we will not want to stop the means of livelihood of our people. No, we are encouraging them.

“But when what they are doing becomes inimical to the environment, it becomes a problem and we have to step in. That is why we are shutting down these sites. This place is going to remain shut until the governor directs otherwise.”

The Commissioner said the Fubara-led administration remained committed to protecting the environment and attracting more investors to the state, to create more jobs for the youth.

“We will investigate and know those behind these activities and bring them to book. That is the truth. We will visit other dredging sites in the state, scrap metals and other operations.

“If your operation complies with that of the state government, we don’t have business with you. Instead, the government will encourage you and give you the protection that you need to go ahead.

“But as long as it is not in compliance with the standards of the Ministry of Environment and it is inimical to the environment, we are going to step in. Every sector has rules and regulations.

“This is a government that wants to ensure that our people and the environment are protected,” he added.

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