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Bayelsa Govt Seeks  Residents cooperation Over New Policy

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2 months ago

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Deputy Gov., Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo with staff of Bayelsa Transport Services,

 

By David Owei, Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Government has urged residents of the state and the general public to cooperate and support its policies aimed at promoting efficiency and effectiveness in the transport sector.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the call when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Bayelsa Ultramodern Transport Terminal at Igbogene, a suburb of Yenagoa, the state capital, on Tuesday.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, appealed to the motoring public and commuters to be patient with the present administration as it takes steps to address some of the problems confronting the sector.
He explained that the recent policy mandating transporters and commuters to use only government approved Motor Parks was made in the best interest of the state.
According to him, the shutting down of illegal parks and their subsequent relocation to the state-of-the-art transport terminal at Igbogene for intercity transport has brought decency and serenity to the hitherto chaotic Tombia Junction and other areas in the state capital.
The Deputy Governor noted that while government intends to build more befitting parks to make commuting easier, he said the Ekeki Motor Park would continue to cater to the needs of those travelling within the state.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, thanked the immediate past Governor and now Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, for conceiving the project and bringing it to near completion before leaving office.
He equally commended Governor Douye Diri for completing the project and putting it to use, describing the recent relocation order as part of the state government’s efforts to implement its urban renewal policy.
The Deputy Governor, who sympathized with the people for some of the  inconveniences thrown up by the new policy, assured that government was doing everything possible to address all reasonable challenges associated with the use of the new transport terminal.
His words: “You know there is no state that has this kind of facility in our country for now. This is an airport terminal for some states and even for some countries. It was a well-thought-out plan by the immediate past Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson.
“We want to thank him for coming up with this project, which we inherited as part of the assets though there was some liability of completion.
“We also thank His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri for not only completing the project but also putting it to use by ordering the movement of all transporters involved in intercity transport to this place because that is the standard in every international city.
“What we have come here to do is to evaluate the implementation of no side parks in Bayelsa State. And as you know, for now, we have two parks in Yenagoa: the Ekeki Park and this park.
“Those who ought not to come here to load, for example, what is the business of somebody going to Ogbia, or Nembe, coming as far as Igbogene to takeoff? What will somebody going to Amassoma, or anywhere in Southern Ijaw come to do here instead of Ekeki park?
“So it is better they are somewhere there, so that it is only those who are actually going out of the state that will come here. That is part of the thinking we are doing, and in any case, we have a few issues as to the inadequacy of the space and the issue of the utilization of the spaces available. And we are addressing them.
“All that Bayelsans and commuters need to do is that they have to be patient. As a government, we are trying to moderate the issue of trekking to junction before boarding  vehicles to the city centre. Those issues are being managed. So they should be patient.”
The Deputy Governor was accompanied on the inspection by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Preye Broderick, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, their Bayelsa Central Special Duties counterpart, Mr Mandy Sylvanus Akpalo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr Johnson Dagana and other top government officials.
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Business & Economy

CPUON Cries out  to FG, calls for Review of PENCON Act ….Seeks upward review of their pension ….As retirees die of hunger, harsh economic situation 

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2 days ago

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March 15, 2025

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Disturbed by the prolonged neglect of retirees of the public sector, and the paltry amount being paid to Pensioners as pension, the Contributory Pensioners Union of Nigeria has pleaded with the Federal government to as a matter urgency review the PENCON Act.

National Assembly

In this exclusive interview with the Publisher of Daily Echoes Media, Ignatius Okorocha, National Secretary of Contributory Pensioners Union of Nigeria (CPUON), Comrade Eugene Emezue disclosed that the Federal government has not reviewed the PENCON  Act. According to the National Secretary the delay in amending the PENCON Act has resulted in Pensioners being neglected to the extent that their pension and not paid as and when due and even when it is paid, it is nothing to write home about in view of the hard economic situation in the country.
“First and foremost,the National Pension Commission otherwise known as PENCON is duly commissioned by the Federal government to be the regulator of all Contributory pension scheme in Nigeria of the Treasury funded at Federal, State and local government levels in this country.
“For almost 20 years now (2004) when most of the Civil Servants were assumed to have retired but for those who could migrate from the defined benefit scheme, migrated from the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2007 and from 2007 to date, government has not deemed it fit to review the Contributory Pension Scheme for retirees.
“That is the problem we are having. For that problem to be solved, the Federal government of Nigeria should listen to the National Pension of Nigeria. Whatever policy they have done, the Act stipulates according to section 173 and section 3 of 1999 constitution as amended,empowered the government and all Pensioners for their pension to be reviewed every five years or whenever there is an increase in salaries and wages of active workers.
“As pensioners today, we were formally active workers and according to section 91 of the Labour Act. It states that there two  contract agreement worker:
1. Active worker.When one works for 35 years or sixty years before retirement and after retirement he or she remains an employee of a federal government because he has the contractual passion of it which says that she of her will be receiving pension until death do her/she part.
 “Therefore in view of this, every CPS retiree who is alive must continue to receive pension until he or she dies,” he said.
He further noted that,”It is the responsibility of the employer either in private or public sector and those of us in public sector. So, the federal government of Nigeria owns all workers under CPS their pension review just as the defined benefits scheme are receiving their pension and it is being reviewed by the Federal government.
 He wondered why the Federal government should not review the pension of Contributory Pensioners even when there is salary review of workers at  both federal and state governments levels.
On when the last pension was paid Pensioners he said,” from all indications as of December 2024, people who retired as at February 2023 were not paid their pension almost two years since they retired. It was just by December that the PENCON managed to pay  about three to four months arrears ( that February, March and April) from my own record  PENCON has not paid any Pensioners his or her pension beyond May 2023.”
On the effect of this delay in  payment of pension to retirees, Mr Emezue said,” there has been records of Pensioners dying of sicknesses and starvation looking at the
 present economic situation in the country. Most of these retirees have their children  still in schools and some of them have lost their accommodations because they were unable  to pay their rents.”
He pleaded with the leadership of the House of Representatives and Senate committees to review PENCON Act for the larger interest of retirees welfare while calling for an upward review of their  pension  take home package in the light of the current hard economic situation in the country.
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Business & Economy

Pastor Reuben Initiative extols founder’s philanthropic gesture

Published

1 week ago

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March 7, 2025

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Pastor Reuben Wilson

 

By Idibhar Agadaga, Baylesa

The Director General Pastor Reuben Initiative for Good Leadership and Accountability (PRIFGLA), Eseimokumo Frank Soko has commended Pastor Reuben Wilson’s selfless contributions to the development of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta region.

Speaking on an enlighment program on Royal FM, 95.5, Eseimokumo Frank Soko, highlighted Wilson’s commitment to education, noting that he has sponsored over 200 students across various universities in the region.

According to Soko, Wilson’s philanthropic efforts extend beyond education, as he has also provided monthly stipends to members of the Initiative ànd numerous individuals in need.

He particularly extolled Wilson’s selfless and sacrificial lifestyle which have positively impacted the lives of many Bayelsans.

He emphasized that Wilson’s charitable works is not limited to any particular political party or affiliation as beneficiaries come from diverse backgrounds including PDP, APC and Labour Party members.

On his part, PRIFGLA’s National Secretary and Special Adviser on Student Matters and Scholarships, Ogbomo Erepamowei, shared Wilson’s inspiring personal story, which has driven his passion for helping others.

Ogbomo noted that despite facing challenges in his own educational journey, Wilson has demonstrated remarkable resilience and generosity, supporting students in various institutions across the Niger Delta.

He added that over 200 students are under scholarship sponsored by Pastor Reuben Wilson in various universities across the Niger Delta region.

In a final statement, Soko expressed gratitude to Wilson, describing him as a “sacrificial leader” who has positively impacted the lives of those working with him.

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Business & Economy

Three Oil Coys admit owing FG over $5.5m  *As Reps Issue 2-Weeks Ultimatum For Payment

Published

2 weeks ago

on

March 5, 2025

By

By Our Reporter
Following the ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to generate revenue for the federal government, three major oil companies operating in Nigeria Chorus Energy, Dubril Oil company limited, and Belema Oil have all admitted to owing $5,543,491.45 to the Nigeria’s Federation Account.
This revelation came during Tuesday investigation by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts prompted by the Auditor General’s annual report.
The committee heard detailed testimonies from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), presented by Mr. Balarabe Haruna, which outlined the outstanding debts of the companies.
According to NUPRC, the debts are as follows: Chorus Energy owes a total of $814,680.06 and N181,954,238.43, comprising $396,907.76 for crude oil by price and $417,772.13 for crude oil by production.
Dubri Oil owes $3,025,193.71, which includes $646,605.55 for crude oil by production and $2,378,588.15 for gas flare.
Eroton Exploration & Production owes $78,486,333.27, made up of $45,094,125.31 for crude oil by production, $33,392,207.96 for gas flare, and $916,027.00 for concession rentals.
Belema Oil owes $1,703,617.68, including $977,793.54 for crude oil by price, $511,870.14 for gas flare, and $213,954.00 for concession rentals.
In response, the Chief Financial Officer of Chorus Energy, Mr. Oluseyi Simon, explained that the company’s debt arose after an increase in the crude oil price rate from 0.5% to $3.5.
He noted that the company has consistently paid its liabilities and that it had already paid $5.3 million in 2024 alone.
Simon assured the committee that the remaining balance would be cleared before the end of the month.
Meanwhile, Mr. Clement, the Acting Managing Director of Dubri Oil, acknowledged the debt and explained that the company’s financial difficulties stemmed from a decline in production during the first quarter of 2024.
He emphasized that the company had been trying to mitigate the situation through workovers on its wells, but the efforts were unsuccessful.
However, Clement assured the committee that Dubri Oil planned to begin drilling new wells and, once production increased, would settle the outstanding debt.
He further revealed that Dubri Oil had been in discussions with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and had agreed to a payment schedule, with an expected resolution by the third quarter of 2025.
Belema Oil also confirmed the debt, citing operational challenges as the cause of the indebtedness.
According to the company’s Managing Director, Ahmad H. Sambk said Belema Oil had been unable to meet its production targets since August 2022 due to issues with the evacuation pipeline system, which had experienced significant leakages, leading to the loss of nearly 5 million barrels of crude oil.
These challenges had resulted in a complete shutdown of operations, preventing the company from fulfilling its financial obligations.
Chairman of the investigation sub-committee, Hon. Akinlade Isaq, expressed anger over the failure of oil companies to meet their financial obligations and stressed the urgency of retrieving the owed funds.
“Paying off these outstanding debts is not just a matter of financial responsibility, it is a critical step toward improving governance in Nigeria,” Isaq stated.
The committee then unanimously gave the oil companies a strict two-week ultimatum to settle their debts.
The committee also issued a warning to any oil companies that failed to respond to invitations for hearings, stressing that non-compliance would lead to severe repercussions.
In addition to the aforementioned companies, the committee also disclosed the indebtedness of other oil operators that failed to appear today as follows;
“For Conoil Producing, the company owes $3,884,308.56 for crude oil by production and $708,600.06 for Gas flare and $475,785.40, bringing the total to $4,592,908.62.
Continental Oil has a total debt of $57,053,842.22, which includes  $44,519,936.05 for crude oil by production, $12,533,906.17 for gas flare and $250,650.00 for concession rentals.
Enageed Resources owes a total of $15,001,089.91, consisting of $11,647,300.01 for crude oil by production, $3,353,789.90 for gas flare and $469,552.00 for concession rentals.
Energia limited owes a total of $19,260,982.13, made up of $6,675,524.25 for crude oil by price, $9,768,926.81 for crude oil by production,$10,208.89 for gas sales, $2,806,322.19 for Gas flare and $305,995.40 for concession rentals.
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