8yrs After Creation, N-delta Ministry Completes Only One Project— Minister

Mr Uguru Usani, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, has said that the ministry had successfully completed only one project since its creation eight years ago, the minister stated this in Abuja.

He further noted that it was regrettable that no project had been commissioned or completed since the establishment of the ministry in 2008, except a cassava processing plant in Ondo State by the present administration.

Mr. Usani also lamented the destruction of oil facilities by Niger Delta Avengers, arguing that no matter the provocation, it was wrong for the group to destroy the environment that bore the peoples’ heritage.

“Let us come together as one to protect our communities. Let us preach love, peace, tolerance, patience and dialogue with one another. Let us convince ourselves that it is our region and that we have nowhere to go to, if we destroy it,” he said.

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Amaechi Urges Ecowas Communities To Unite In Fighting Natural Disasters

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Honorable Minister of Transportation, during the 12th meeting of the Committee of Directors of National Meteorological Services and the Council of Ministers in-charge of National Meteorological Services of ECOWAS member countries held in Abuja, on Friday, urged all to unite in addressing the challenges associated with climate change and reducing the magnitude of casualties involved in the occurrence of natural disasters.

While commending the ECOWAS Commission for a successful event, Amaechi said: "Since weather does not recognize or respect political boundaries, we should also plan and act in a collective and collaborative manner across national boundaries to tackle the climate related challenges such as recurrent drought,desertification and floods that cut across our political boundaries.

"The disaster risks associated with these extreme weather phenomena could be drastically reduced through the provision and timely dissemination of accurate meteorological early warning information.This is among the primary responsibilities of National Meteorological Services," Amaechi said.

"It is regrettable that some of the National Meteorological Services lack basic instruments for weather observation and monitoring as well facilities for processing and storing meteorological data.

“Extreme weather events such as thunderstorms, dust storms, gusty winds, floods, ocean surges, coastal and gully erosion and drought and desertification on our region has continued to increase in intensity and frequency. The resultant effect on society and economy has been increased poverty, disease and underdevelopment.

"Apart from natural disasters the sub-region also contends with challenges of fast growing population, conflicts as well as forced migration of persons. Some of the direct consequences of this population explosion are unplanned settlements, rapid urbanization, deforestation, pollution and these have exacerbated the pressure on the already depleted resources such as agricultural land, potable water, adequate energy and affordable shelter for all citizens.

“We need to make our agricultural practices as well as infrastructural development more resilient to extreme weather. This is a task before you as experts in meteorology.

“As you finalize discussions on the ECOWAS meteorology programme document for adoption I therefore urge you to ensure that all these weather and climate related issues that threaten lives and constitute impediments to the rapid economic development of our sub-region are adequately addressed," Amaechi stated.

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THE NATION: OIL BLOC ALLOCATION: KACHIKWU SPEAKS UP, DEFENDS BUHARI

The minister of state for petroleum resources Dr. Ibe Kachikwu said President Muhammadu Buhari has not allocated oil blocs to any individual since he came into office since May 29^th 2015.

Speaking in Uyo at the south south region town hall meeting organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture on Monday, Kachikwu said the federal government would be fair and just if such situations where to arrive.

“Since we came into office, the government has not allocated any oil bloc. The president has said that he will need to correct the mess created by the past administrations before we begin to think of giving out such advantages,” the minister said in response to some aggrieved participants at the meeting. 

He insisted that government will be fair when that time comes.

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TWO MINISTERS AT WAR? DR IBE KACHIKWU TO ROTIMI AMAECHI: I TOTALLY DIDAGREE WITH YOU...

It's obvious that the current Minister of state for petroleum resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu means real business when it comes to national development and would take nothing less even if it means stepping on toes to drive home his points.

In the excerpts below, he was quoted as disagreeing with his fellow minister of transport on the issue of closing the Maritime University. Hear him out:

" I disagree with the Min. for Transport on the issue of closing the maritime University. For me, we must work towards developing the South South. I don't care the circumstances to which the land for Maritime University Okerenkoko was acquired. That has nothing to do with infrastructures. A lot has gone into that project and we cannot throw away the baby and bath water. If Amaechi cannot take it in Maritime I will take it in Petroleum"

" I disagree with Amaechi on not negotiating with agitators. There is no theatre in the world where conflict is resolved through battles. It doesn't matter who is right. Lets talk"

I think he was right to say so but what greater reasons does Amaechi have to have closed the Maritime University?

Does he Amaechi have greater plans for the Maritime University?

More Details to follow.

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