PDP State Chairman Arrives Nigeria

…Billed for Uyo, AKS Capital Soon, As family Members Battle for his Recovery

For over three months the where about of Mr Paul Ekpo, PDP State Chairman, has been wrapped in mystery.  Many schools of thought and arguments arose all in attempt to point fingers to where the ruling Party’s  Chairman could have been.  From arguments of  being seriously sick to being allegedly caught in money laundering debacle were bandied.

 

Despite explanations by supposed family sources that Mr Ekpo was sick and was favourably responding to treatment, some persons still held that his health condition was critically irredeemable. 

An authoritative source who did not want his name in print tipped this paper that Mr Paul Ekpo was flown into the country early last week. The source said his health was critical and that efforts were still being made by family members to restore him from the comatose situation the long drawn sickness has drawn the easy going PDP State Chairman into.

The source disclosed that the cause of his failing health was not known, adding that there was no “powerful” place on earth the PDP boss was not been taken to, including India, but solution was yet to be found.

The source said another development emerged as soon as he arrived Nigeria as a brand new approach was being adopted to make the ruling Party’s boss well.  The source said  another  powerful spiritualist in South-Southern part of Nigeria has been consulted to put in a final effort to revamp the health of the PDP State
Chairman.

All efforts to reach any member of the  family  to confirm whether indeed the sick Chairman was back proved abortive as at Press time.

N150M LARGESSE TO AKS YOUTH LEADERS: SSG’S AIDE BERATES RUMOUR MONGERS, SAYS ITS A LIE

 

In a sharp reaction to the news making the rounds in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital that the Secretary to the State Government(SSG) had doled out monies to Youth Leaders of the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, Iboro Otongaran, believed to be Mr Umana’s media Aide, in a statement passed to some media houses online, stoutly condemned what he called “a sinister and very clumsy attempt to defame the name of Mr Umana Okon Umana… in order to engineer negative public perception and reactions against him”.

Otongaran said it was mere rumour, stating that “there has never been such a time, not in the past nor in the present, not by himself or by any representative, that the SSG gave out N150 million to the youth. The story remains what it is: a lie, a rumour,[and] a figment of some wild imaginations”.

On that note the statement requested the public to please ignore the rumour said to be peddled around that Mr. Umana Okon Umana doled out N150 million to some youths and elders in Akwa Ibom State recently to buy their support for political purposes.

The Aide said  it was a well-known fact that “Umana Okon Umana is a friend of the youth, and he will be ever willing and proud, as he has always been, to be part of responsible programmes and projects that will help to improve the productive capacity and fortunes of the Akwa Ibom youth”.

According to him, “it may be needless to do any finger-pointing for now. But it is important to point out that the motive for this pointless and unfruitful campaign against Umana Okon Umana is about who becomes the governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015 after the tenure of His Excellency, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio”.

He said 2015 was still a far destination, adding that the task before the whole of Akwa Ibom now was how  to build more support for His Excellency, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio in his ongoing drive for the transformation of the state.

 

…May be Ordered to Obey Environmental Health Reg. Council Demands      

The Chief Medical Director(CMD) of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital(UUTH) and the health institution(UUTH) have been dragged to the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Uyo Judicial division, as per Suit No: FHC/UY/C/70/2012.

The Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria is dragging the said CMD and UUTH to Court for refusal, after many entreaties, to forward to the said Council, names and qualification of those employed in the Hospital as Environmental Health Officers.

A letter dated March 28, 2012, signed by the South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria had referred the CMD to Act No. 11 of 2002 Section 16 which forbids any person not registered in accordance to the said Act to hold “any appointment in the public or private establishment body or institution if holding of such appointment involves the performance by him in Nigeria of any act pertaining to the profession for gain”.

The said letter also made it clear that it was mandatory for the UUTH to, “only engage the services of Environmental Health Officers that are registered and Licensed by the Council”.

Feeling that the Chief Medical Director of UUTH was in flout of the Law, Mr Akanimo Akpan wrote on 29 March 2012 informing the CMD that his Council’s attention was drawn to the fact that the teaching hospital was engaging unqualified persons as Environmental Health Officers, describing such action as “illegal and in contravention of the law” which established the said Council, saying that such was “unacceptable to the Council”.

In the said letter ref; EHORECON/SS/8/VOL.1/01, the South-South Zonal Coordinator had said that since all environmental duties in the Teaching Hospital were Environmental Health related and that no scheme was made in the Federal Civil Service for Environmental Officer, that anybody carrying out  Environmental Health duties in the Hospital should be a Registered and Licensed Environmental Health Officer.  The letter handed down an ultimatum of thirty days for the Chief Medical Director via an “advice” for him to “reassign” any of his staff “assigned to carry out Environmental Health duties in the Teaching Hospital to other responsibilities”.

The Waves investigation showed that when the Medical Director appeared to be slow in heeding the Council’s pieces of advice, a third letter dated April 30, 2012 written by the said Council ref; EHORECON/SS/8/VOL.1/22 requested that for refusal to comply with earlier entreaties, the CMD should forward a list of names, academic qualification, grade level, date of employment and job title of Officers serving under the Environmental Health Unit of the hospital to it, invoking Freedom of Information Act 2011 Sections 1, 2(3), (3.d.vi) to support its position.

In the letter, the said Council for the Registration of Environmental Health Officers drew the CMD’s attention to a Federal Ministry of Health circular No. MII7059/VOL.1/14 of April 30, 2007 in which all Chief Medical Directors were to set up infection control and waste management committee and one of the members should be a “registered Environmental Health Officer in charge of waste management in the Hospital”.

The said Council also called the attention of the CMD to a decision taken at the end of the 50^th National Council on Health held in January 2007 as stated in the circular that by end of 2007 every healthcare and research facility “shall create an Environmental Health Department/Unit manned by qualified professionals charged with the responsibility of Environmental Health services including waste management in such facility”.

This Paper learnt that the Council, not being replied, sought the service of a Solicitor who wrote in a letter dated May 21, 2012, calling the attention of the CMD and the UUTH to the flouting of the law of the land.  Emem Adam Esq., on his Client’s behalf had sought to have a list of names and qualifications of those employed as Environmental Health Officers in UUTH, within seven days of the receipt of his letter.  A court action to seek redress for his Client, the Environmental Health Registration Council, was threatened, but the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital allegedly sounded cold up until June 13, 2012(23 days after).

The Acting Director of Administration, S.O. Williams, writing for the Chief Medical Director and in a letter ref; UUTH/CST/S/107/VOL.1/7 in  reply to the Solicitor’s letter had said the Board of Management of the Hospital was fully aware of the requirement of the Environmental Health Registration Council and that in compliance to  Act 2004 of that Council that the Hospital was restructuring the functioning of the Environmental Office in the Hospital to reflect “the present demands”.

Mr Williams argued for the CMD that his hands were tight to release the list of names and qualifications of those employed in their employ in the Environmental Health Unit because of what he called “bureaucratic constraints”, “lack of authority to disclose such a secret and confidential document without due authorization by the relevant official body”.

The Management of the Hospital pleaded for more time and understanding towards what it called, “the resolution of the matter”, expressing “deep regrets over the delays in the conclusion of the required restructuring” which the hospital Acting Director of Administration said was occasioned by “inability to readily obtain approvals from the relevant authorities”.  The relevant authorities were not mentioned in the letter as observed by this Paper.

Meanwhile, a Motion on Notice brought pursuant to Order 26, Rule 2, Federal High Court Rules 2009 and Section 21 Freedom of Information Act 2011 filed by the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria’s Solicitor, Emem Adams Esq against University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and the Chief Medical Director of the said hospital had sought an Order directing the Respondents to compile, compute and collate in its employ staffers employed in its Environmental Health Unit as Environmental Health Officer(s) reflecting their qualifications and release same to the Applicant forthwith. 

The case first came up on Wednesday October 17, 2012 at Federal High Court, Uyo.

Enforce Oil Companies/Shipping Regulation Law, Lawmaker Urges Akpabio

The Member Representing Uruan State Constituency, in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Hon. Kufreabasi B. Etuk has called on the relevant agencies of government to put up the necessary machinery to enforce the law that provided for the regulation of operations of oil companies, registration of vessels and collection of plying levy on vessels plying the state territorial waters and for other matters connected therewith.

The Bill which was signed into law since 30th May, 2007, according to Hon. Etuk required every company operating or engaged by a company operating in the State to open and maintained a functional office in the State. Among other things, such companies are to register with State Internal Revenue Service within 30 days of coming into force of the law. Also, the companies were to submit to the Commissioner for Finance; a copy of every contract, supply or other business engagement entered into by the company to facilitate proper assessment of the company for purposes of levy and rate.

Hon. Etuk who came under Order II, Rule IV of the Standing Order of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly informed members that the imperatives of its implementation, apart from enhancing the revenue base of the State, will create employment opportunities and encourage responsibility toward the environment.

Even though the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Elder)Samuel Ikon deferred the discussion on the information till next plenary, Hon. Etuk said the law establishes Oil companies/Oil servicing companies Regulations/Monitoring Committee with the mandate, among other things to investigate and recommend appropriate sanctions in relation to any oil company/ oil servicing or shipping company that has failed, neglected or refused to honour any part or whole of any memorandum of understanding or agreement or has contravened any section of the law or any law relating to its operation in Akwa Ibom State.

Also, the Committee is to act as agent of the State Government for the purposes of collecting fees, levies and revenue accruable to the government from oil companies, to ensure that the relevant companies conform to all terms and conditions of their contract as they affect the community and or the state, to liaise with the oil companies for the purpose of ascertaining whether the provision of this law has been complied with.

He noted with utter dismay that such a law has remained in the locker room of the executive since 2007, without attempt at enforcing or creating due awareness as per its existence thereby depriving the state of huge revenue and other benefits that could have accrued from its implementation.

“There are several oil companies doing business in Akwa Ibom and generating effluent and sundry pollution to our environments without having a functional office in the state just as there are several vessels plying and discharging waste into our territorial waters without registration, without paying requisite levies and in violation of international conventions, environmental norms and regulations as well as the laws made in this hallow chambers. These, they do, either because they are unaware of the stipulations of the law regarding their operations in the state or simply capitalizing on the apparent lack of enforcement machinery” he explained.

“While it is true that the executive is the organ of government primarily charged with the responsibility of implementing the laws and policies of the state, Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution as amended has conferred on the legislature, the power of oversight function. It is by virtue of this Constitutional power,, we, as responsible, focused, visionary and patriotic legislative Assembly, have a duty not only to make laws but to also get genuinely involved in the process of monitoring implementation of the laws made by us for peace, security, good governance and sustainable democracy. It is only then we can truly express our commitment to the goal of ensuring that the sovereign will and passion of the people as well as their socio-economic and political aspirations are jealously guarded, protected and enhanced. In absence of this, the laws made by us will end up becoming either history books or mere statements of intention or admonition and at best, dead laws.” Hon Etuk argued.

It should be noted that, The Oil Companies and Vessels (Registration of Business and Plying Levy) Law, was, upon the Governor’s decline of assent, passed the second time by a 2/3 majority of the Members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in 2006, pursuant to Order 7 Rule 10 (3) of the House’s standing Order and section 100(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered). (Press Release from Press Secretary to the Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Wednesday October 10, 2012)

ORO NATION TO GET OIL PRODUCING STATUS BENEFITS SOON

…AS FG DIRECTS AKSG, OTHER AGENCIES TO IMPLEMENT HOUSE RESOLUTIONS

The delay in recognizing the five local government areas of  Oro nation as Oil and Gas producing communities may be causing palpable reactions amongst the people of the area since the public hearing was staged by the Joint House Committees of the House of Reps on Saturday November 26,  2011 and Resolutions passed by the same arm of the National Assembly since Thursday May 17,  2012.

Despite the efforts of Hon. Robinson Uwak, member representing  Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Reps to push through the issue at the National Assembly since last year; and the directive of the Federal Government through the office of the Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim that Akwa Ibom State Government, the NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs should adhere to the resolutions of the National Assembly, it is not clear whether such directive has been taken serious.

Hon Robinson Uwak, Rep. Oron Fed. Constituency in the 

House of Reps.

The Federal Government of Nigeria had on July 9,  2012 wrote through the Office of the Secretary to the government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, in a letter reference SGF./15/T/693, addressed to the Clerk of  National Assembly, informing that arm of government that governor Godswill Akpabio and other agencies of the federal government were directed to adhere to the resolutions of the National Assembly on the recognition of Oro nation as Oil and Gas bearing communities.

The letter which read in part said, “I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of  your letter with Ref: No. NASS/CNA/105/VOL.17/116  of 23^rd May, 2012 on the above subject and to inform you that a copy each of the letter conveying the Resolutions of the House Committees has been forwarded to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the Honorable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the Managing Director of  the NDDC for their necessary action”.

The letter believed to have been received by the office of the Clerk to the National Assembly on July 10, 2012 was captioned, “Re: Report of the Committees of  the Niger Delta Ministry, Special Duties, Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC), Petroleum Resources(Upstream) Environment, On the Non-inclusion and Recognition of  Oro Communities of Akwa Ibom State as Oil and Gas Producing Communities and Catchment Areas”.

The letter signed by the Permanent Secretary in charge of General Services Office, Femi Olayiaode(mni) for the SGF had since been received by Akwa Ibom State Government and directed to the Ministry of Environment for necessary action. 

Meanwhile, this Paper sought to know from the Environment Commissioner, Prince Enobong Uwah the extent the State Government has gone with the letter as regards complying with the Resolutions of  the National Assembly on the recognition of Oro nation as Oil and Gas bearing  Communities, but he was silent on the matter as the text message sent to his phone since September 28, 2012 at about 10.40am was never replied as at the time of going to press.

The Waves  also learnt that the House of Representatives passed resolutions at plenary on Thursday May 17, 2012 urging the Federal as well as Akwa Ibom State governments to duly recognize the five local government areas of Oro nation as Oil and Gas Producing/Catchment Areas.  The local government areas so deemed to be recognized are; Mbo, Udung Uko, Okobo, Oron and Urue Offong/Oruko.

The House had posited that for proper partnership with the people of the Oil bearing communities, any Oil/Gas companies operating in Oro communities should put in place an Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) and Memorandum of Understanding(MoU), fulfill their Corporate Social Responsibility as well as abide by the Nigerian Local Content Law.

It also urged the Federal government that in appointment of persons into the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) Board and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, that the five LGAs in Oro nation be considered, being Oil and Gas Producing/Catchment Areas, just as it recommended that Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) be carried out on the five  (5) LGAs of Oro communities.

This Paper found out that in furtherance of its position on the matter the House also recommended that the National Boundary Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Survey of Akwa Ibom State be urged to look into the boundary issues between Mbo and Ibeno LGAs, with a view to coming up with an acceptable boundary.

It was also a Resolution of the House of Reps  that the Ministry of Environment should direct its relevant agencies to visit the five local government areas concerned in order to establish the extent of pollution, ensure immediate clean up of the polluted areas and the restoration of the affected areas, as well as ensure payments of adequate compensation within six months.

The House further directed that the Shell Petroleum Development Company should visit all the capped Oil wells in Esuk Iwang in Okobo LGA,  Oduo in Mbo LGA and Udung Uwe in Urue Offong/Oruko LGA, clean up the environmental pollution and repair them for the safety of the communities.

The House Committee on Environment was mandated to monitor the compliance with the resolutions of the House and report back in six weeks.  It was not known whether the House Committee on Environment has monitored the implementation of the Resolution of the House down to Akwa Ibom State.

Many of those spoken to in the area who did not want their name in print uphold that government was not putting required effort to implement the resolutions of the National Assembly which they said was delaying their God-given entitlements.

Efforts were made to find out from the Hon Commissioner for Environment whether all the Oil and Gas firms operating in Oro Communities had done the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with local communities, fulfilled their Corporate Social Responsibility and abided by the Nigerian Local Content Law was not successful. 

Information was also sought on whether his Ministry visited the local government areas of Oro nation which were affected by pollution and whether compensation was paid to them as was directed by the House of Reps in their resolutions, but the Commissioner never responded to the text messages sent to him on Saturday October 6, 2012.

It was not also clear as at press time whether Shell Petroleum Development Commission had visited the capped Oil wells in Esuk Iwang in Okobo LGA, Oduo in Mbo LGA and Udung Uwe in Urue Offong/Oruko LGA, clean up the environmental pollution and repair them for safety of the communities. 

Attempts made to find out whether the National Boundary Commission and the Ministry of Lands & Survey of Akwa Ibom State had looked into the boundary issues between Mbo and Ibeno local government areas as demanded by the House of Reps in its resolution since May 2012 was not feasible as the Commissioner in charge of the Ministry could not be reached.