OKPANAM
THE Ugoani of Okpanam Secretariat in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government of Delta State, weekend, reacted to the complaint of insecurity in a section of its jurisdiction-Umuomake and Obodogwugwu Communities.
This, the Secretariat did through a petition, authored by F.O Allanah and Co, Legal representatives of Ugoani-In-Council and addressed to the State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Surajudeen Abaniwonda, copy of same to the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, Brigade Commander, 63 Brigade, Nigeria Army; Director, State Security Service, and others.
The petition drew attention to the unfortunate security situation in Umuomake farmland and some parts of Obodogwugwu farmland that have witnessed the resurgence of IPOB members.
This was disclosed in an address, presented at the Ugoani-In-Council meeting of January 17, 2025 at the Palace of the Ugoani by His Royal Majesty (Dr) Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu, Ugoani of Okpanam.
In the meeting, Christianed “A New Beginning On Security In Okpanam,” the Ugoani underscored the urgent need for critical stakeholders, and the entire people of Okpanam to put heads together, with a view to mapping out strategies that would help to curb the menace of insecurity in Okpanam Kingdom, and the need to also make physical representation to draw the attention of the public to the predicament.
The question of insecurity, the Ugoani said, was not limited to Obodogwugwu Quarters, as it has resonated in Ogbeozoma Quarters that has witnessed cases of kidnappings in recent past.
It would be recalled that the Diokpa Isi of Umuomake Village and Obodogwugwu Quaters of Okpanam had formerly reported the case of insecurity his Community was grappling with, vide a letter to HRM Ugoani of Okpanam, by his legal representatives, Messrs Aniemeka Law Firm, dated December 30, 2024, titled: Save Our Soul (SOS) from threat to life, trespass, land grabbing, kidnapping and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace and security.
The Ugoani expressed sadness that, Umegbali Primary School, Okpanam had become a place where robbers visit at will to carry out their underworld activities, adding that, they have virtually carted away all educational materials in the school.
“In fact, there was a day a suspected robber was apprehended, and as Okpanam Vigilante Corps officials made efforts to take him to the Okpanam Police Division for further interrogation, the band of robbers struck again, which made the security man in the school to abandon his job, thus, leaving the school in a vulnerable state,” the Ugoani disclosed.
In order to address the unfortunate development, and keep the school secured, the Ugoani said, his palace and Ugoani-In-Council have approved N50,000 monthly stipends to Okpanam Vigilante Corps.
Disputed Forest Reserves: Sapele/Okpe Communities Appeal For Intervention
BY VALERIE OYIBO-ITIE
SAPELE/OKPE Communities of Ugbokurusu and Oton, in Delta State have expressed displeasure with the handling of the dispute with Abigborodo communities, over the claim of ownership of Okpe-Urhobo Forest Reserve by Abigborodo Communities.
In a press briefing, held in Sapele- Okpe Community Town Hall, the Chairman, Sapele-Okpe Community, Chief Onoriode Temiage, alleged that, the handling of the land dispute was not to their satisfaction, as they were not given the opportunity to air their view.
This, Chief Temiage said, was against the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that allows for fair hearing of parties involved in a dispute, and has, therefore, appealed to the the state governor, His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently intervain, with a view to bringing justice and fair play to the matter.
Chief Temiage, recalled that, representatives of Sapele-Okpe Communities attended a meeting in Asaba at the instance of the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, with representatives of Abigborodo Community in attendance over the matter.
At the meeting, he alleged that both parties were asked to put down their claims in writing. He also alleged that, it was agreed that there should be physical inspection of the land in question by all parties involved on 16 January, 2025.
But to the surprise of Sapele-Okpe Communities, the inspection did not take place, Chief Temiage alleged, thus, side-lining Sapele-Okpe Communities.
“This is inconsistent with the fundamental principle of natural justice, equity and fairness in the investigation of claims of ownership of land and entitlement of Host Communities Right,” he added.
Chief Temiage, who expressed confidence that Gov Sheriff Oborevwori has a listening ear and is a man of peace and justice said, Sapele- Okpe Communities want him and the World to know about the injustice going on in Okpe/Urhobo Forest Reserve.
“The time has come for Sapele- Okpe Communities to be recognized by Seplat Oil Energy Plc as Petroleum Host Communities,” he added.
Adding his voice to the claims of Chief Temiage, the Chairman, Ugbukurusu Community, Mr Azan Friday, posited that, the issue of Forest Reserve was a gazetted one that is varifyable, and therefore, passionately appealed to the State Governor to intervene in order to avert any crisis.
Nnebisi Road Residents Decry Dumping Refuse In Drainages
ASABA
BY KASE GREATNESS
A concerned resident of Asaba, Delta State, identified as Mrs. Joyce Obinna has raised the alarm over an uncovered drainage manhole in Asaba, particularly along Konwea Road.
According to her, the drainage has remained exposed for over a month, creating significant traffic and health risks for the community and residents of the area.
“The slab left on the road has become a serious hazard, especially to traffic. Recently, a tricycle (Keke) collided with the slab as it encroached on the main road, nearly resulting in a fatal accident. I wanted to lift the slab myself, but it’s far too heavy. The relevant authorities must address this to prevent further occurrences,” she said. She also highlighted the broader dangers posed by the open manhole.
According to her, stagnant water accumulating in the uncovered drainages provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests, potentially escalating the risk of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus.
Additionally, Mrs. Obinna pointed out that the drainage’s inability to cope during heavy rainfall, often leading to blockages and flooding. This, she argued, exacerbated the community’s vulnerability during the rainy season.
Others who spoke on grounds of anonymity called on the relevant government agencies to act swiftly by covering the drainage, not only to mitigate traffic and health risks but also to prevent avoidable flooding and ensure public safety.
Okoh Re-assures Tanker Explosion Victims Of Support
BY ISAN ISIOMA CARLOS/AGBOR
THE member representing Ika South Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Festus Chukwuyem Okoh has assured the victims of Agbor petrol tanker fire explosion of government supports to ensure that their plight was ameliorated as a result of the incident.
Hon. Chukwuyem Okoh gave the assurance during his visit to the scene of the incident to sympathise with the Victims of the inferno.
While sympathizing with the affected traders and the victims’ family, Hon Okoh described the fire incident as very unfortunate and assured that the State government would set up measures that would help to avert future occurrence of such incident in the area, adding that such measures would assist in ensuring that when fire incident like this happens, it would not result into such magnitude of damages of property and loss of life.
Okoh while promising the people of his Constituency of his preparedness to give adequate and better representation at state legislative Chamber, he said that, a committee has already been set up by the State Government to look at immediate and remote cause of the fire incident and to avert future occurrences.
Hon. Okoh, who is also the Deputy Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, stated that he was shocked when he received the report of the ugly situation. According to him, “Actually I travelled to spend the holiday with my family, when I heard about the incident and short the holiday.
I have already reached out to the State government and we are making plans to bring succour to the affected Victims. What we need to do is to put an adequate measure in place to avoid future occurrence of such an ugly situation,’’ he addd.
Speaking further the Deputy Majority Legislative Leader advised members of the public to stay away from fire accident scene, particularly, in places that involves fire accident with high inflammable products which he said could easily explode, thereby causing harmful damages.
Fielding questions from journalist on the safety of life and property of residence in his Constituency with regard to the Alibioba Gully Erosion near Uromi Junction in Agbor .
Okoh said that, the Issue of that gully erosion is an issue that only the federal government could have tackled. As the issue of Alibioba Gully Erosion has become an ecological issue which he said could only be treated as an exclusive list.
He emphasized that the past administration of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has done very well across the Constituency particularly in projects execution in the state.
He reiterated that the present administration of His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori through his M O.R.E Agenda mantra would continue to do his best to ensure the safety of the people in the state.
