Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has approved the appointment of Major Lawrence Loye (rtd) as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment.

Before the appointment, Major Loye was the Executive Director, Edo State Environmental Protection and Regulatory Unit.

Aged 48, Major Lawrence Loye is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, United Kingdom. He holds a Masters Degree in Transport Planning and Management and retired from the Nigerian Army on June 30, 2002.

He also worked as a member of the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue between 2005 and 2007.

He is married with five children.

The swearing-in of the new Permanent Secretary will hold at the Festival Hall, Government House, on Tuesday January 15, 2013 at 2pm prompt. Guests are expected to be seated at 1.30pm.

A new Chairman has been appointed for the Bayelsa State Post Flood Management Committee.He is Chief Francis Doukpola.

His appointment became necessary following the unfortunate helicopter crash of December 15th, 2012 which claimed the life of the former Chairman, General Andrew Owoye Azazi.

Chief Doukpola, a banker by profession and known for his diligence and uprightness, had previously headed various committees under the present administration in the State and takes over the reins at the Post Flood Management Committee with immediate effect.

The Abia state government has inaugurated a seven-man committee to see to final realization of the Ubani modern market this year. Inaugurating the committee at the government house, Umuahia, the governor, Chief Theodore Orji said the committee is to raise money for the completion of the market as well as to allocate shops equitably to traders.

He said that traders who have shops already at the main market should be considered first while allocating the shops rather than allowing those who have money to buy all the shops.

Chief Orji who said that the new market is about 80% completed disclosed that 2013 is the terminal date for the relocation of the main market to the new site and charged the committee to take the assignment seriously.

He advised the committee to discuss with the traders to make their own input in order to ensure a smooth relocation.

The governor stated that the government has made tremendous progress at the new market  as about 5,000 stores have been built while light has also been connected.

He made public that the relocation exercise is not punitive or targeted at any person but rather aimed at enhancing the aesthetics of Umuahia, the capital city of the state.

Responding on behalf of the other members, the chairman of the committee, chief Ebenezer Offors thanked the governor for choosing them to serve and assured that the relocation of the Umuahia main market will be completed by the end of July this year.

Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has said that his administration was determined to make Asaba a befitting state capital worthy of attracting investors and tourists.Uduaghan made the promise in Asaba on Tuesday when he visited the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien, to felicitate with him on his return from treatment abroad and to wish him Happy New Year.

This, he noted informed the mega projects, such as new Government House, Asaba International Airport, Asaba General hospital, beautification and reconstruction of roads in the town.

According to him, when completed, the 10 new roads in addition to the ones currently under construction, would help in not just making every parts of Asaba accessible, but go a long way to boost economic development of the state.

He stated that it was his administration’s desire to transform Delta into an economic hub stressing that improved access roads across the state would facilitate the economic development of the state and enhance the living standard of the people.

His words: “Having good roads across the state is part of my administration’s goals, that is why a massive reconstruction and completion of roads is on-going and it is my belief that with good road network, the movement of goods and services will be easier and safer”.

The Governor informed the Asagba that due to last year’s unexpected flood that destroyed properties of Deltans, his administration has embarked on measures to protect the environment and make it safer for the people.

He stated that the magnitude of the flood was unprecedented and unexpected, and commended the efforts of government officials and well meaning individuals for stepping out to tackle the challenges with diligence and passion for the people.

He assured Deltans that measures were being put in place to prevent such a disaster from occurring in the nearest future.

“The disaster was a natural occurrence and there was nothing we could have done to stop it from happening but I assure you that measures are being put in place to ensure that such a disaster would not cause us to lose lives or properties again”, he stated.The Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien in a brief speech commended the Governor for the impressive on-going reconstruction of roads in the state capital and across the state as well as the mega projects located in Asaba.

The Asagba of Asaba commended the Governor for the prompt action he took towards safeguarding lives and properties of the flood victims and assured him that he would continue to support his administration as well as contribute to the development of the state.

On the 4th of January 2013, most National Newspapers were awash with news of protesting retirees of Nigerian Postal Service [NIPOST] over delay in payment of their pension arrears. They believed the Postmaster General of the Federation has refused to pay them their retirement entitlement- pension.

Nigerians will agree with this writer that for quite some time now the vexed issue of pension has been at the front burner of national discourse. Currently, the National Assembly is at loggerhead with the Chairman of Pension Taskforce Team Mr. Rasheed Maina, over alleged missing pension funds. The point being made here is that the issue of pension funds is beyond the Postmaster General of the Federation and indeed, heads of parastatals as well as cabinet Ministers. Without doubt, the problem of pension is the exclusive preserve of the following Federal Government Establishments: The Head of Service, Accountant General of the Federation’s Office and The Ministry of Finance.

The responsibilities of NIPOST and indeed other establishments in Nigeria as far as the matter of pension is concerned; started and ended with ascertaining of the number of retirees as well as their year of retirement, and forwarding their files to the Head of Service for action. Any other matter[s] concerning pension is clearly not the responsibility of the Federal Government Establishments. The questions here are; what is the motive behind the coordinated protest in some States against PMG of NIPOST? Is it that the Protestants are not abreast of extant government policy, and who the first responders are on pension matters? Could it be that the pension issue is only used as a ploy to serve interest[s]? Who orchestrated this clear misinformation that gave rise to the wide spread protest, despite the Security Challenges in the Country? Are they-the protesters oblivious of the process of pension payment in Nigeria? Supposing they are not sponsored, is it possible for the PMG to sit on their pension, considering the volatile nature of pension matter in Nigeria?

Perhaps it is pertinent to remind NIPOST pensioners that they are not the only federal retirees in Nigeria facing the problem of delay in pension payment. There are other Federal pensioners that have protested against non-payment of their pension in the past. They are also reminded that these other protesters went about their action in a civilized and result oriented ways. In essences they went to the appropriate authorities in the course of their protest. In recent history, retirees of Nigerian Telecommunication Limited [NITEL] embarked on strike to press home their demand for pension, in the process, they lay siege to the office of the Accountant General of the Federation for their money. Not too long ago, Federal retirees converged in Abuja and stormed the office of the Head of Service of the Federation to demand for payment of their pension arrears. Surely, the reason they approached the Head of Service for their money is basically the fact that it is the appropriate authority for pension payment. Again, these protesters did not stage protest at the Ministries and parastatals from where they were disengaged.

Now, going by what the spokesman of the retirees said, one will be tempted to conclude that the sponsor[s] of the group has different agenda altogether. According to the news, one Emmanuel Ojo, the leader of the group, accused the Accountant General and the PMG as being behind their problem. If Ojo’s claim is not mischief induced, why call for the removal the PMG when it is clear that the PMG is not responsible for pension payment?

It is now completely apparent that President Goodluck Jonathan was absolutely right when he said that the reason for Government’s slow pace in decision making is born out of the fact that he did not want to make mistakes in governance. There is no way anybody can fault President Jonathan on his style from the point of view of what the leadership of NIPOST retirees is trying to achieve with pension protest. The pensioners have a genuine case, but the leadership took them to the wrong place to protest. Though, the current expedition of the sponsor[s] of NIPOST retirees protest is so amateurish that the least of a stupid person can clearly see the intention of the mischief makers. This is the crust of President Jonathan’s position.

As if the protest was coordinated, the retirees in both Ogun and Osun States were at their various capitals to press home their demands. While the leader of Edo State chapter of NIPOST attributed their problem to the refusal of PMG of NIPOST and the Accountant General to pay them their pension arrears; his counterparts in Osun and Ogun blamed their predicament on NIPOST management refusal to pay them as instructed by the Senate Committee on Pension Matters. Although, Ogun State NIPOST admitted that out of the 48 months arrears owed them, only 5 months had been paid.

By admitting payment of 5 months arrears Ogun State chapter of NIPOST has shown that the Postmaster General of NIPOST might have gone out of way to source money for pension payment. What this means is that NIPOST had utilized its internally generated revenue to pay pension arrears of its retired workers. If that is the case, should the PMG now be object of attack by the beneficiary of his magnanimity? To this writer the answer is NO. It is the opinion of this writer that the anger of NIPOST pensioners is misdirected. It is therefore advised that their anger/protest should be aimed at the appropriate authority. In this matter, the Postmaster General is as handicapped as they are.

Delta State Government has set a target of three weeks for the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) on all government allocated lands and three months for private lands.

Besides, the Government has directed that with effect from Tuesday (Jan 8, 2013) this week, any building commenced without a valid building permit would be pulled down without notice.

 The State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who announced these decisions yesterday in Asaba during the State Economic Dashboard meeting, explained that it was part of measures to sanitize the system and make it more efficient and result-oriented.

The meeting which is a peer review mechanism, makes for self evaluation of government performance, the deficiencies and how to overcome such deficiencies and improve on the areas of strength of the ministries, departments and agencies.

According to the Governor, indiscriminate erection of buildings without valid permits was responsible for uncontrolled urbanization, flooding, sanitation challenges and other environmental problems faced in most towns and cities across the state.

“Beginning from yesterday (Tuesday) if a building is started without a building approval or permit, the building will be pulled down. An approval must be gotten from the Ministry of Lands before the construction of any building is commenced”, he stated.

Similarly, any official found wanting in the issuance of a building permit when such permits should have been denied, would be sanctioned.

On C of O, the Governor said that targets of three weeks and two months have been set for government lands and private lands respectively to get a certificate issued.

Said he: “A target has been set that when an applicant puts up an application for a certificate of occupancy for a private land, that applicant having done everything correctly must get the certificate of occupancy within two months. For a government land, the certificate of occupancy must be obtained within three weeks”.

He said that the measures have become necessary to remove the clogs hindering economic growth and development of the state as well as enable the government achieve its dream of building a state with less dependence on oil revenue.

 In addition, Dr Uduaghan said that these measures would attract investors and tourists to the state thereby increasing the revenue profile.

 Also, he announced that the laws establishing the State Waste Management Board and the State Direct Labour Agency would be reviewed to make them report directly to the Ministry of Environment and Works respectively to eliminate conflicts and make for better service delivery.

 The governor said the state Environmental Protection Agency (DELSEPA) would be organized and strengthened for better service delivery adding that a waste re-cycling plant would be installed in the next six months and nine months in Asaba and Warri.

 He disclosed that the relevant bills would soon be sent to the House of Assembly to give legal teeth to the envisaged changes, promising to relocate the Asaba dump site presently disturbing activities around the Asaba International airport.

“We are going to manage cleanliness in Asaba to ensure that all streets are kept clean. We will also not allow the walk ways to be abused because presently mechanics and petty traders are abusing the walk ways”, he added.