Ministry of Environment: Riot Act read to construction aggregate haulage businesses

 Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ejiro Jamani has disclosed plans to impound trucks carrying sand and granite if they are not properly covered during their movement.

Jamani said this while briefing newsmen in Asaba. He also added that the decision aimed to reduce the environmental impact of hazards associated with uncovered haulage.

He mentioned that the ministry’s compliance monitoring team in collaboration with law enforcement agencies will be tasked with intercepting and impounding uncovered trucks or haulage operators who fail to comply with this new directive.

He failed to mention how he plans to collaborate with the stakeholders in the industry and how the ministry plans to engage with them on the need for strict adherence to road safety and infrastructure preservation laws, especially regarding the load in the tipper which must not exceed legal weight limits.

Delta Looses Another of Its Greats

 Mrs Edna Ibru, the wife of Chief Felix Ibru, the first civilian governor of Delta State, has passed away in London. The sad news was disclosed by her son, Dr. Paul Aidido Ibru.

According to Dr. Ibru, his mother passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, following a brief illness. In his statement, he described her as a woman full of life, adding that her passing was unexpected and left the family heartbroken. "We never expected her to leave us so soon, but we cannot question the will of God in her precious life," Dr. Ibru said.

He went on to praise his late mother for her loving and caring nature, highlighting her role as a mediator, a mother to many, and someone who was always full of humor and stories. "She was a lover of people, a mediator, a mother to many, outrageously humorous, deeply caring, down to earth, full of stories all of the time, and we will miss her very dearly," he added.

Her late husband, Chief Felix Ibru, ran for the governorship of Delta State in 1991 and emerged as the first executive governor of the newly created Delta State in 1992. His legacy, alongside hers, remains a significant part of the state's history.

Adieu madam.

ASABA AND WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR ITS TEEMING YOUTHS?

     This is 2025, a brand-new year. Almost all of us are very hopeful about the prospects this year holds, but then again, are we taking the right path to align ourselves with the numerous opportunities that this year is going to bring?

Please, before my opinion will be misconstrued by people who have their interests in these things I’ll list, please read with an open mind and remember, it's not about you, it's about the future of our beautiful city.

They say the basic needs of man are Food, Shelter and Clothing. How are we as a people thinking about these problems and solving them before it becomes a “pandemic” for us in the town? His Royal Majesty, the Asagba of Asaba, recently made an amazing input in the area of land sale as it concerns Asaba and I think it is a beautiful idea. That man, sometimes I wonder where he has been all my life and I envy people that have the opportunity to have had conversations with him.

So, how are we as a people ready to be a part of the agricultural revolution that this administration is going to pump in a couple of months?

How can we carry the Asaba citizens along when it comes to these things because we already have a system that works especially for the Asaba people? Are our political representatives willing and ready to use our structure or they want to give it to people from other local governments as they normally do?

At least one tractor, one harrower and a couple of planters plus bags of fertilizers will be allocated to Asaba as a community, whose farm is it going to?

Who has a farm sef?

Or should we turn a blind eye to this one kwa?

Or when they are shared in the local government office, people who receive them should use them for horticulture? Asaba is a beautiful city and has amazing green areas, especially in personal homes. Should we use fertilizers for our carpet grasses and masquerade trees?

The reason food is expensive in Asaba is because of the proximity to farms. Is an investment in farming, not an obvious solution?

Who can I meet to give me land for “strictly cultivation” and I pay the land rent upon harvesting my crops? Isn’t that the direction the Local Government Councilors are supposed to come in?

Who can you meet and have these questions answered?

Time is of the essence, the rains will soon the here. It will soon be planting season. Is it going to be a brand-new year or is it going to be business as usual??

Cabinet Re-alignment: The parable of talents and how it concerns Delta State

 

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has approved a slight adjustment in the portfolios of some members of the State Executive Council as follows:

Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, formerly Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine roads), is now designated as Commissioner for Works (Rural roads) and Public Information

Dr.Ifeanyi Osuoza, formerly Commissioner for Information, is now designated as Commissioner for Special Duties (Government House) According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr. Kingsley Eze Emu, the re-alignment of portfolios is critical and necessary in furtherence of the implementation of the MORE Agenda of the administration and it takes immediate effect.

 

Most of us here are familiar with the parable of talents. So the summary of it is, “he who is found diligent in one is given more to manage and who isn’t is given less responsibility or no responsibility at all”

Is this the case here or is the government trying something new?

So we will not have a substantiative Commissioner of Information just a commissioner of Public information

We are waiting and watching.

 

Congratulations to them

PAST HEADS OF SERVICE OF DELTA STATE MEET IN ASABA

 

Under the auspices of the former heads of services and permanent secretaries of the Delta State Government, their chairman, Sir. Paul Evarere used the occasion to appeal to the state government to look into their remunerations and upwardly review their pensions in line with the recent increase in minimum wage. This meeting was held yesterday January12th 2025.

Also present at the event was the current Head of Service, Reginald Bayoko, who was the special guest on the occasion. He enjoined the retirees to continue to impact the state with their wealth of knowledge and experience.

The States’ accountant general, Mrs. Joy Enwa was also present at the event, thanked them for creating a path for young civil servants to follow, and prayed Gods’ grace on them to live long healthy lives.

New year, New commissioner of information in Delta State

 The news from the grapevine is that the Delta State Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, has dismissed the Commissioner for Information, Dr.
Ifeanyi Osuoza. The reasons behind his removal have not been officially disclosed.

Dr. Fred Latimor Oghenesivbe who is the Director General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communication confirmed that Osuoza had already been informed of the development. Governor Oborevwori has reportedly directed the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads), Charles Aniagwu, to temporarily oversee the Ministry of Information. Oghenesivbe noted that Aniagwu would manage both ministries for the time being. Aniagwu is expected to assume duties in his dual role starting Monday.

We hoping that an announcement will be made officially by the Delta State Government.

Sources hint that Osuoza’s dismissal may be linked to numerous complaints of alleged incompetence. 

Aniagwu, a seasoned media professional, previously served as Chief Press Secretary and Commissioner for Information during the immediate past administration.

NEW YEAR MESSAGES FROM NOTABLE PEOPLE IN THE CAPITAL TERRITORY

 The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori’s New Year message assured us of improved infrastructural development. He also told all “Deltans” to expect massive economic development from his government in 2025.

The Asagba of Asaba had his own idea of what he wanted Asaba people and residents to look forward to for the new year. His message resonated with most of the progressive youths and hardworking people of the capital city, both Indigenous folks and visitors. The next couple of days will be the winding down of the festivities the palace has planned for the City. We hope you all be out and enjoy the last leg of the season’s festivities.

Our federal representative, Ngozi Okolie’s message was probably meant for just his followers or his media aide because even on the broadcast radio stations both private and government-owned, we didn’t hear anything from him or it was just in whispers. I hope in the coming year we get to have more engagements with the media both print, broadcast, and new media.

Our amiable Bridget Anyafulu message to us was most probably meant for just her team likewise. She has been doing a lot of lofty and notable empowerment engagements with her people but the use of media to her advantage has been extremely poor. I hope this year she decides to ensure her team engages more in the tremendous work she has been doing. It’s even easier now because everything is just within the reach of your fingertips.

The LG Chairman, EKO as he is fondly referred to, this guy knows his onions, maybe it’s the fact that he is younger or the fact that he genuinely loves Asaba as can be noticed in his utterances anytime he speaks about his vision for the local government headquarters. His media team are doing an amazing job of being everywhere with what he is doing and how he plans to achieve them, however, his team should be guided. Not every one that asks questions or criticizes is trying to badmouth him. Sometimes, people just want clarity.

In all, we hope that this new year brings in good tidings and a more business-friendly environment for businesses to thrive.