Gov Okowa Signs Water Bill, Others Into Law

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

 Senator Doctor Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State governor, has signed water bill and other five bills into law on Thursday.

One of which is 'bill to provide for the Establishment of the Delta State Urban Water Corporation, Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, The State Water Sector Regulatory Commission'.

Other bills included’ the Warri/Uvwie and Environs Special Area Development Agency Bill.

Other bills he also signed into law were "Bill to Regulate the Registration, Establishment, Operations, Conduct, Monitoring and Inspection of Private Health Care Facilities in Delta State and other matters incidental thereto; Bill to Amend Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency; Bill to provide for the Audit of Public Accounts of the state Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Local Governments and other Matters Connected therewith; and the Bill to Establish the Customary Courts and to provide for the Composition and Appointment of Chairman and Members, Structure and Administration, Jurisdiction and other Matters Connected thereto".

Today, Gov Okowa said, I signed 6 Bills that were transmitted for assent by the Delta State House of Assembly. These Bills, which cover various areas of governance, will help to strengthen our great state.

Okowa, after signing the six bills into law, noted that it was the  collective responsibility of all Deltans to contribute towards building a virile state that all would be proud of.

Delta State government had entered into a four-year deal with the United States Agency International Development (USAID) on Effective Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services (E-WASH) programme.

The General Manager, Delta State Urban Water Board (DSUWB), Chief Nosakare Okoh, while addressing newsmen noted the import of the recent development in the water and sanitation sector.

The new water regime in the state is a welcomed development as we are now partnering with USAID to properly improve on the 216 water schemes located in 10 zones in the state.

 A very positive way forward on how we will be engaging the consumers and doing business differently henceforth in the state, the general manager said.

The presence of USAID experts is encouraging as the programme is to reposition the board, knowing that it will become more viable and professionally managed in such a way that we can serve Deltans better, and also generate revenue for the state.

They will be helping us in terms of capacity building, institutionally reposition the emerging water corporate properly and keep us on track with the world best practices in water and sanitation sector, so that we can be at par with other developed world, Chief Nosakare Okoh declared.

Gov Okowa also commended the Delta State House of Assembly for being great partners in his administration’s efforts to develop the state, even as he explained the importance of the bills, praising the Delta State House of Assembly.

Earlier, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, said the legislators had enjoyed cooperation of the executive which had led to passing of the bills for the development and advancement of Delta state.

He said the bills which were presented to the governor for assent passed through a rigorous legislative processes and assured Deltans that more laws will be passed by the House before the end of the first tenure.

SOURCE: ASABA POST NEWS WIRE (ONLINE)

No Clean Water For Over 57 Million Nigerians....Study

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

A recent research work has unveiled the huge gaps and challenges Nigerians suffer with the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) service sector.

The agency in its report maintained that out of 200 million Nigerians, over 57 million Nigerians do not have access to clean water, while 130 million Nigerians do not have access to basic sanitation.

The findings were contained in a fact sheet made available to journalists today during a media  roundtable meeting held at Asaba.

The media roundtable meeting funded and organized by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), had journalists drawn from the print, electronic, broadcast and online media platforms participated.

USAID's research work centered around Effective Water, Sanitation, And Hygiene (E-WASH) was designed and implemented to 'ensure access to sustainable urban water and sanitation services through improved governance and accountability.

Findings from the study also unveiled some retrogress trends over some period, say between 1990 through 2015.

The study shows that acess to improved water at the national level increased, but same access to piped water in urban areas declined.

In 1990, access to piped water in urban areas was at an all high rate of 32%, while it fell drastically low to 10% in 2015.

Access to improved sanitation in 1990 stood at 38% and crashed downwards to 29% in 2015.

The study cited accelerated urbanization, poor cost recovery, complex governance system and poor institutional framework as factors responsible for the decline in access to water & improved sanitation services.

The above factors adversely affect Nigerian citizen's health, their access to educational/economic opportunities, their work efficiency and labour productivity, the study further stated.

Aim of USAID's E-WASH program in Nigeria is geared towards improved availability of clean water, improved sanitation within the nation's vulnerable urban cities.

The E-WASH, a 4 years program is implemented in six states of Abia, Delta, Imo, Niger, Sokoto and Taraba States and aims to provide more access to basic drinking water supplies to more than 500,000 households in these six states.


SOURCE: ASABA POST NEWS WIRE (ONLINE)

Corruption: Councillor Raises Red Flag

* Unveil How Council Boss Misappropriated Millions Under His Watch
* All Looted Funds Must Be Recovered And Returned To Council Purse, Councillor Vowed.

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

Transparency and accountability is the hallmark of all democratic cultures, remove them from governance, the people, environment, sustainable development, peace and security suffers.

Hon Peter Chukwuemeka Nwosa in an exclusive media chat with Asaba Post News Wire Online waved the red flag about corruption tendencies trending at Oshimili South Council running into millions of Naira.

Hon Nwosa, until last week was the house leader, Oshimili South legislative arm, whose leadership was hell bent on tracking and monitoring many irregularities embedded in the income and expenditure records, the Oshimili South LGA Executive Chairman, Hon Comrade Uche Osadebe brought before his leadership at the council's legislative arm.

It will be recalled that the saying which goes forth in Nigeria, has it that "if you fight corruption, corruption will fight back" held sway in Oshimili South LGA and Hon Peter Chukwuemeka Nwosa is fighting that struggle with all its attendant consequencies.

Reacting sharply to a recent media publicity against his credibility and personality, Hon Nwosa discredited the pubilication as a product of mischief makers and those whose sole aim is attempts at discrediting credibility he counsciously built over the years.

Their sole aim is a target at my position as the house leader, Oshimili South Legislative arm, all around me knows that i am never power drunk.

If leaving my position as house leader will eventually bring lasting transparency and accountability regime in Oshimili South Council, like i had laid the foundation, then i will remain a happy man for the rest of my life.

In the said publication, it was alleged that i ruled with some high handedness, i just dont get it, within the period i was house leader, i still have all my votes and proceedings.

My enemies claimed i made rooms for finiancial recklessness, as a house leader, i never appropriated funds, so where did i misappropriated funds, instead i used my contacts to mobilize funds, with which the legislative complex was renovated with, so where did i misappropriated fund.

Rather, i used my networth to impact positively on the council's legislature, Hon Nwosa pointed out.

My people voted me to positively represent them at the legislative arm, am fully committed at doing that, am surprised that my fellow councillors who are supposed to join me at fighting council's fund looters, instead they are fighting me and celebrating with looters of our council's treasury.

So for a paltry N3 million, my fellow law makers sold out on me and the struggle for transparency and accountability, why will they be so cheap before the council's executive chairman, just to perfect the neferious act of that illegal impeachment, they brought themselves too low to the point of collecting only N3 million from the council chairman.

Indeed, Hon Oburota is treacheous and a power drunk fellow, am totally disappointed with him, Hon Nwosa lamented.

I am shocked that Hon Oburota Micheal Chinedu, for being too petty and desperate as to collect mere N3 million, just to cease my position, not minding the anti corruption struggles i initiated with him and other councillors, Hon Nwosa said.

He also shared with our reporter issues he found not comfortable with.

Hon Comrade Uche Osadebe lied under oath, the income and expenditure analysis document he presented to Oshimili South Legislative Arm under my leadership is completely different from what he presented to Delta State House of Assembly's public accounts committee.

Till date there are no constituency projects ever implemented at the ward level by any councillor, no councillor nor council staff had received any imprest despite all the funds in the council's purse.

The council's infrastructures are rapidly delapidating, with zero intentions at reparing them, Hon Nwosa decried.

He also shared "instead of my fellow councillors to look into the income and expenditure documents brougth before them by the council chairman, they are busy chasing shadows in the name of some illegal impeachment exercises"

I dont get it when i hear the council chairman publicly claim that he runs the council with his personal money, so what had happened to all the federal allocations and internally generated revenue that entered into the council's accounts.

The council chairman has zero respect concerning the council's  public governance system, he had never submitted the annual budget on time.

He is happy about the current mess our council is in right now as well as shame the legislative arm is into now, he is happy that they are dead now, which is his ultimate target, i see him as an unrepented sinner, all his assurance to Hon Oburota about increased preparedness to be open, accountable and transparent is false, Hon Nwosa insisted.

I refuse to become a rubber stamp house leader at the palms of the council chairman.

Posterity will judge us, i stand for what is right for the general good of my people always, that is why my people sent me to represent them at the legislative arm.

Do you know that no councilor knew, who the newly install  Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) consultant is.

The council chairman runs the council as his private estate, he has no respect for even the state governor, who had settled all differences in March this year, Hon Nwosa said.

If he knows that the illegal impeachment was right, why did he import heavily armed security opperatives to guard the council premises last Thursday, when he presented to the legislaltive arm his 2019 budget proposal documents.

You see, I cease this opportunity to tell them that they are only doing unpaid advert and image promotion for me, surly, I will overcome all of them, Hon Nwosa assured his admirers.

Of all that left Hon Nwosa bitter about Hon Uche Osadebe, nothing was more disturbing like what Hon Nwosa discribed as the council chairman's reckless misapproriation of tax payers's fund.

According to Hon Nwosa, between the period of January 2018 through March 2019, millions of Naira vanished without trace.

Within the period under review, the council chairman in his income and expenditure records made available to my leadership as house leader, claimed he spent N11,853,100 on travels and transport, which is of zero benefit to the council, not even one investment had the said trips attracted to Oshimilli South LGA, Hon Nwosa pointed out.

N51,756,075 was recorded as miscellenous cost, cost incurred without a single dime spent on any capital project within the council area.

His records also demonstrated that under same period, the council chairman also spent N24,890,000 on other services not specified, which is another miscellenous cost in nature, the law maker unveiled.

Under same period, N16,615,375 was cost incurred on unverifiable hotel costs for himself and to some supervisory councilors, far beyond what is due them.

The council chairman pocketed N6,200,000 for security meeting after collecting his statotory monthly security votes, Hon Nwosa stressed.

The legislative arm's request for N500,000 to procure the services of lawyers who will assist us to redraft our bye laws, which are almost obsolet fell on chairman' deaf ears, Hon Nwosa lamented.

As we speak now, over N100 million had disappered from the council's purse, as contained in the Income and Expenditure document, the chairman presented to the legislature, Hon Nwosa noted.

With all these capital flight, are we not supposed to had put on ground some major capital projects for our people? Hon Nwosa queried.

Impeachment or no impeachment, i am still a councillor duely elected by my people to actively represent them and that i have vowed to do and do very well.

I will never disappoint my ward members, our party members and the good people of Oshimili South LGA, their money must be accounted for.

All embezzelled funds must be recovered and returned to the council purse for pro poor people's development needs, Hon Nwosa assured Oshimili South electorates.

SOURCE: ASABA POST NEWS WIRE (ONLINE)

Okowa Declares State Of Emergency On Water, Sanitation Sectors

DELTA State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa today (07/05/19) declared a “State of Emergency” in the water and sanitation sector.

The governor who observed that a lot is required for the nation to provide public water and sanitation facilities for her growing population, stated that in Delta State, the water and sanitation sectors are receiving more funding.

Declaring the “State of Emergency” at Asaba, Governor Okowa inaugurated a high-powered steering committee which has him as the Chairman to coordinate the Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Services (WASH) and “proffer effective reforms as well as formulate policies to end open defecation.”

“In the next four years, we will increase the allocation to water and sanitation sectors and hold those within the sector accountable as we intend to have good value for any money released,” the governor said, adding, “water, as the saying goes, is life; but regrettably, we have not done enough collectively as a nation in the provision of public water and sanitation facilities for our ever growing population.”

He continued, “available statistics from the UNICEF-WHO Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) show that access to piped water on premises in urban areas declined from 32 per cent in 1990 to less than 10 per cent in 2015 and in the same token, access to improved sanitation dropped from 38 per cent to 29 per cent; this clearly suggests an erosion of WASH utility service coverage and it is shocking to say the least, that while population is increasing, WASH asset is depleting.”

“Nigeria currently ranks No. 2 in the world after India in terms of people defecating in the open, as about 25 per cent of our population still practice open defecation; the Sustainable Development Goals 6.1 and 6.2, seek to stop open defecation by 2025 and ensure access to sustainable and safely managed WASH services by 2030,” Governor Okowa stated while thanking President Muhammadu Buhari declaring state of emergency on the revitalization of WASH services and threw his weight behind the strategies contained in the National Action Plan.

Governor Okowa also, thanked the European Union, UNICEF and USAID for their support and various interventions on the improvement of the state’s WASH services since the beginning of his administration.

The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu had in an address read by Mr. Osikela Omo-Ikirodah commended  Governor Okowa’s administration for declaring the state of emergency, assuring that such has opened the state for financial and technical assistance from the federal government which is determined to end open defecation in Nigeria by 2025.

Goodwill messages were received at the event from the representatives of UNICEF, EU/NDSP, USAID, among others.

The steering committee has Commissioner of Water Resources as Secretary, Commissioners for Health, Environment, Agriculture, Finance, Basic and Secondary Education, Women Affairs, Works, Economic Planning, among others as members.

THE OBUZOR OF IGBUZO COMMUNITY COMMENDS DISTINGUISHED SENATOR PETER NWAOBOSHI FOR HIS DEVELOPMENT STRIDES..

HRM Obi Prof C. L Nwaoboshi, the Obuzor of Igbuzor Land has today, 20th of April 2019 during the Igbuzo Community Development Union (ICDU) Worldwide Easter Conference, in his address commended Senator Peter Nwaoboshi for his unprecedented achievements and developmental strides as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria within a period of 4 years in office and as a first timer in the National Assembly.

Senator Nwaoboshi is the Distinguished Senator representing the good people of Delta North Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate and Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs.

He's equally a High Chief in the Community who is known with the Chieftaincy title; AGUANYIJIEJEMBA 1 of Igbuzor Land.

In his remarks at the Conference-in-session, the Royal Father noted with great delight and satisfaction, how Senator Nwaoboshi has transformed Ibusa Community into a road construction site.

The Ugah Palace Landlord further revealed that once impassable bad roads in Ibusa have been into quality roads with proper drainages for long life span and control of erosion within the community.

This he further maintained is done by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi across the length and breadth of all the 9 LGAs in Delta North Senatorial District.

The Obuzor of Igbuzor while addressing the ICDU Conference-in-Session noted that Senator Peter Nwaoboshi's performance has surpassed our expectations as humans, leaders and stakeholders to Igbuzor Community.

The professor of Forestry equally noted SPON has done immensely well and as such, deserves every accolades, neon lights and commendations for job well done.

"My Community is wearing a new look, all thanks to an effective and efficient representation of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi" added HRM Obi Prof C L Nwaoboshi.

"Road Construction is not an easy task or venture but rather a more appreciable developmental project in advancing a community.

 It is a lengthy process that can take more than 10 years, depending on the size of the future pathway.

It involves several construction crews and plant machinery and requires careful planning and various evaluations, including environmental and structural assessments but Sen Peter Nwaoboshi as our illustrious son has achieved this in a twinkle of an eye.

 This wonderful stride has metamorphosed our community from that of rural look to an urban community says Obi Nwaoboshi.


"Community development is supposed to be a collective effort, an all commers affair.

 It is also a process where community members come together to take collective action plan and generate solutions to common problems.

Communitywellbeing (economic, social, environmental and cultural) often evolves from this type of collective action being taken at a grassroots level, but ours has made us prouds with his excellent performance" - HRM OBI PROF. C L NWAOBOSHI

God bless Ibusa Community ........

God bless Obuzor of Igbuzor  ........

God bless Sen Peter Nwaoboshi.......

God bless ICDU Worldwide  ........

By Hon Leo Nkeaka,
OHAMADIKE  REPORTING

OJO CONDOLES WITH THE FAMILIES OF DECEASED HERDSMEN ATTACK IN OWAH ABBI, UKWUANI LGA

The member representing Ukwuani constituency in the state House of Assembly HON DR OJO yesterday paid visit to the ONOTU-UKU OF OWAH-ABBI and the families of the deceased Herdsmen attack in Owah-Abbi community

  HON DR OJO said when he visited the families of those who lost their lives in the recent attack at Abraka farmland by suspected Fulani herdsmen that the attack was uncivilized and unfortunate.

 He condemned the unwanted killing of the three boys and also said "who knows what they might become in future"

  He also said he received the information late but he must follow due process and tells the community to communicate to him if any issues

  HON DR OJO was accompanied by HON MONDAY IBOBO S.A to the Governor on community development, HON Harrison Ossai-uku member state water ways & land security and some members of joy group.

HON. CHRISTOPHER OCHOR OCHOR PAYS CONDOLENCE VISIT TO THE FAMILY OF THE THREE YOUTHS OF OWAH ABBI SHOT DEAD BY FULANI HERDSMEN.

Hon. Christopher Ochor Ochor with the Reality Group led by Ogbuefi Eric Obodouku Anigala, Chief Monday Ossai, Chief Paul Emeshili, Hon. Gabriel Uti, Dcn Olisemeke Osaemeke, Hon. Solomon Ebinum, Chief Ojoko, Chief Ogbugbulu and the host of others paid condolence visit to the families of the three Owah-Abbi Youth killed by Fulani Herdsmen on the 10th of April, 2019.

The house of Assembly member elect Hon. Christopher Ochor Ochor sympathized with the family's for the irreparable loss that occurred to them due to the evil acts of Fulani Herdsmen that led to the death of the three Owah Abbi youth.

Hon. Ochor was briefed by the people of Owah Abbi on the incidence that took the life of the three sons of Owah-Abbi... They were on the way going to farm at Orimele riding on a bike while the Fulani Herdsmen came from the  bush and shot them.

Two of the boys were shot on the head and they died at the spot while the other was shot at the back, leg and hand as he escaped with the bullet but died in the hospital while they were trying to extract the bullets from him.

Mr. Cliff who reported the incidence said the names of the boys killed are Chukwuneku Okwuazu 19 years, Sylvanus Uchejim Ugochukwu 24 years and Onyenibe Lucky 27 years and the incidence  happened on the 10th of April, 2019.

"I am deeply pained that the life's of these young men were been terminated by Fulani Herdsmen who has come to perpetuate evil and I assure you that this matter will get a full response by the government" Hon. Ochor assures the people.

The Onotu-Uku of Owah-Abbi Chief Ancient Ineh appreciates the People's General Hon. Christopher Ochor Ochor, Ogbuefi Eric Obodouku Anigala and the host of others for finding time to pay them a visit which shows that he does have his people at heart.

The families of the  demised also extends their appreciation to Hon.  member elect for showing that he do love his people.