· Uduaghan cautions against contracts variations

Delta state government has suspended the award of fresh contracts on road construction pending when all existing contracts have been completed.

Announcing this while addressing contractors handling road and drainage projects in the state, the state governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan said that the suspension of new contracts would enable his government concentrate and complete all ongoing road and drainage projects.

He enjoined the contractors to mobilize to site once the rains were over and complete their contracts before the end of December.

He urged them to work day and night and complete their projects so that Deltans would enjoy good roads.

The governor also told the contractors that he would not entertain further delay especially as he had promised to adequately fund the projects. “You should therefore mobilize to site once the rains are over and complete your jobs. There should be no excuses,” he said.

The governor cautioned the contractors against the submission of letters for variation stressing that it was the antics used by the contractors to increase the value of their contracts.

Dr. Uduaghan warned against such antics explaining that any variation made on a contract which was not more than one year would not be entertained.

“I find that contractors are always submitting variation every time and even on contracts that are not up to a year. This is not acceptable because if they did not like the contract value they should not have accepted the contract in the first place,” he said.

The Governor, who admonished those who often abandon their projects only to reappear with variations to either accept contracts as awarded or reject it at the initial stage.

Dr. Uduaghan who explained that the issue of variation often disorganized the budget said “variation is unfair because budgets are planned and acceptance of variation on new projects will not do the state any good. So contractors should either accept contract as it is or reject them from the onset.”

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Works Chief Funkekeme Solomon said his ministry has been reorganized to ensure efficient service delivery.

Chief Solomon said some of the lapses observed in the past had been corrected to ensure that certificates submitted by contractors for payment were promptly processed.

He however enjoined the contractors to work to specification and complete their jobs on schedule.

Some of the contractors who spoke enjoined the governor to pay for the jobs they have completed.

They also appealed to him to intervene in the processing of the certificates of job completed as there were unnecessarily delayed.

Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorcha has called on the Federal
government to create additional states in the south-east.

Governor Okorocha made the call at Mbutu Aboh Mbaise during the
dedication of St. Peters Anglican Church building Mbutu Mbaise and
church service for the 80th Birthday celebration of Lolo Dorathy Ihedioha, mother of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker, Federal
House of Representatives.
According to governor Okorocha, “the need to look into the plight of
Ndigbo in Nigeria has become more necessary than ever. The Igbo
nation of South East of Nigeria is like a football team whose team members were given red card and are playing eight against eleven. The
South East is playing with 15 senators against 22 of other zones, at
the National Assembly, a situation where a particular geopolitical
zone in the North has 186 members in the House of Representatives
against 95 of the South East, this marginalization is unbearable and
cannot give the Igbo nation a chance to win any contest in Nigeria.”
He appealed to the Senate President, David Mark and Deputy Speaker in
the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, all members of
the National Assembly to use their good offices to ensure that one
more additional state is created in the South East to correct the
imbalance and marginalization of the Igbo nation, “a situation where
the South East is the only zone in the country with 5 states and
others are having 6 and 7 states is uncalled for,” he said.
Gov. Okorocha called on all the Igbo politicians to set aside their
differences and unite together to fight for the common course of the
Igbo man, and called for more federal projects in the South East. He
congratulated Lolo Ihedioha on her 80th Birth day and prayed God to
give her good health and many happy days ahead.
The Senate President, David Mark on his own part congratulated Lolo
Ihedioha for attaining her 80th birthday and donated on behalf of the
National Assembly the sum of 5m Naira to support the building project
of St. Peters Anglican church, Mbutu.

He advised politicians to forget politics and love one another as well
as pray for others and appealed to the Clergy to continue to pray and
counsel their flocks particularly the politicians so as to be good
leaders of the people.
In a sermon delivered by the Arch. Bishop Metropolitan and Primate of
the Anglican Communion in Nigeria, Most. Rev. Nicholas Okoh, he
advised the elderly to see their old age as a blessing from God and
serve God in the church ministry of the elders, which he said include;
speaking the truth at all times, counseling the younger ones and
praying for their children, the church and the nation.
Dignitaries from all walks of life including Governors of Abia,
Theodore Orji, Peter Obi of Anambra Deputy Senate President, Ike
Ekweremadu, members of National Assembly and 31 Bishops of the
Anglican Communion graced the occasion.

About 6, 654 persons trapped by the flood that submerged communities in Ibaji Local Government area of Kogi State were evacuated from to safe locations by the National Emergency Management Agency, Director General of the agency Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi has said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has concluded arrangement to arraign fresh suspects in the ongoing trial of persons and organizations implicated in the fuel subsidy scam. Barring any hitches, 10 suspects comprising four companies and six individuals will be arraigned tomorrow, Friday October 5, 2012 before Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Lagos High Court.
Among the individuals to be prosecuted are Ifeanyi Anosike, Emeka Chukwu, Ngozi Ekeoma, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah. The companies involved are Anosyke Group of Companies Limited, Dell Energy Limited, Downstream Energy Sources Limited and Rocky Energy Limited.
These suspects are among several suspects scheduled for arraignment by the Commission over the theft of N10.6billion in dubious subsidy claims.
Anosyke Group of Companies, Ifeanyi Anosike, Dell Energy Limited, Emeka Chukwu and Ngozi Ekeoma will be arraigned on an eight count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain by false pretence; forgery and uttering false documents to the tune of N1, 537,278,880.82( One Billion, Five Hundred and Thirty Seven Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty Naira, Eighty-Two Kobo), being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported supply of 15, 000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit.
Downstream Energy Sources Limited, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Maula, Rocky Energy Limited, George Ogbonna and Emmanuel Morah who will be facing trial on an eight count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain property by false pretence; conspiracy to forge documents, forgery and uttering false documents to the tune of N789,648,329.25( Seven Hundred and Eighty Nine Million, Six Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty Nine Naira, Twenty-Five Kobo), being payments fraudulently received from the Petroleum Support Fund for a purported supply of 14,273,0227 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Not less than three persons have reportedly lost their lives at the relief camp in Ivrogbo, Isoko South Local Government of Delta State following the trauma of rescuing victims from communities affected by massive flooding prompting authorities to relocate the survivors to St Michaels Primary School, Oleh, which is the headquarters of the council.
Among the communities submerged by the floods include Ovrode, Ofagbe, Okpe-Isoko, Lagos Iyede, Igeh, Ikpede, Onogboko, Itebioge, Exiro, Iyede-Ame, Azagba, Otoka-Ekegbresi, Egbeme, Warri-Irri, Iwrie-Ogbokor, Ekpe, Asafo, Ivrogbo and Ashaka comprising Isoko North and South as well as Ndokwa East Local Government Areas.
Meanwhile, motorists plying the Ughelli-Asaba express road have diverted to other routes following the overflow of flood water around Osisa, extending to Ashaka and Aboh in Ndokwa East. Transport fares by road and water have hit the rooftop, in some cases as high as 500 percent.
However, Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay along with other members of the Isoko Political Class, have mobilised over 36 speed and engine boats to help in the rescue of peopled still trapped in riverine areas. Clothes, foodstuff and other medicaments were also provided by the group.
Explaining the situation to news men monitoring the effect of the floods, commissioner for Land, Surveys and Urban Development, Sir Patrick Ferife said political office holders from Isoko led by the SSG were deeply touched by damage caused by the flood and pooled resources to provide palliatives to the victims.
Former Chairman of the Delta State Post Primary Board, Chief (Mrs) Evelyn Aluta while addressing the survivors urged them to remain calm as efforts by the Isoko Political Class and the State Government would yield the desired results.

The President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the following appointments in the Armed Forces:

1. Chief of Defence Staff – Vice Admiral O.S. Ibrahim (Kwara)

2. Chief of Naval Staff – Rear Admiral D.J. Ezeoba (Delta)

3. Chief of Air Staff – Air Vice Marshall A.S. Badeh (Adamawa)

The incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. O.A. Ihejirika (Abia) retains his position.

President Jonathan thanks the outgoing service chiefs for their meritorious and commendable service to the nation and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian authorities used aggressive measures Wednesday in an attempt to halt the nosedive of the country’s currency, making arrests, vowing to stamp out sidewalk money changers and warning merchants against fueling the mounting public anger over the economy.

There were unconfirmed reports of sporadic violence. Associated Press photos showed riot police blocking a street with the charred hulks of a garbage can and a motorcycle that had been set on fire. Smoke was rising from the area in central Tehran near the main bazaar.

Ah, now we’re getting somewhere. Mitt Romney told Denver’s Fox affiliate that “one option” he was considering to pay for his tax plan was to give everyone up to $17,000 in deductions, but no more than that.

The six largest U.S. lenders reported a combined $63 billion in profit over the four quarters through June.

The sweeping responses to the freefall of the rial — which has lost more than a third of its value in a week — underscored the worries for Iranian leaders after months of dismissing the West’s economic squeeze seeking to rein in Tehran’s nuclear program. A declining currency causes shifts in an economy such as making imported goods more expensive.

Although the currency crisis is blamed on a combination of factors — including internal government policies — the rush to dump rials appears to reflect an underlying perception that international sanctions have deepened problems such as runaway inflation and soaring prices for imports and that the only safe hedge is to grab dollars or euros.

If the economic turmoil intensifies, it could boost pressure on the ruling system before elections next June to pick President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s successor. That has the potential to hinder nuclear talks with the West until after the elections.

One of Ahmadinejad’s main critics, parliament speaker Ali Larijani, has led the calls to blame the currency crisis mostly on allegedly misguided government monetary policies.

In reply, Ahmadinejad warned that he could consider resigning if his government is put under too much pressure.

“Now is not the time for anybody to settle accounts,” Ahmadinejad said Tuesday as the rial hit a record low. “If my presence is a burden on you, (the solution is for me to) write one line to say goodbye.”

Tuesday’s rate of 35,500 rials against the U.S. dollar compared with 24,000 a week ago on the unofficial street trading rate, which is widely followed in Iran. It was close to 10,000 rials for $1 as recently as early 2011.

Exchange houses were closed Wednesday, and currency websites were blocked from providing updates on the latest rates.

Public grumbling has grown steadily louder over a punishing combination of a falling currency and rising prices, which have put some staples such as chicken and lamb out of reach of many low-income Iranians. Earlier this week, a petition signed by about 10,000 workers was sent to the labor minister to complain that even paying rents has become a struggle.

The owner of a furniture showroom said he hasn’t made a sale in 10 days while his workshop rent has been increased by 30 percent. He said one of his workers bought a can of tuna for lunch Saturday for 35,000 rials, or about 98 cents at the current exchange rate. The next day it was 45,000 rials, or $1.26, said Hamid, who gave only his first name because of warnings by Iranian officials not to discuss the economic situation with the media.

The dreaded Islamic terrorist group, the Boko Haram may have refueled their propensity to unleash terrorist activities following the clampdown  by the Nigerian security operatives. A gradual rise in silent killings by the Islam group of security officer has been observed by security agents.

Information available to 247ureports.com through a source within the police ranks in Zaria, Kaduna State states that suspected members of Boko Haram shot and killed a mobile police [MOPOL] officer on the morning of October 3,  2012 [between 8am and 9am]. The identity of the officer is not known. It is suspected he may have been attached to the Joint Task Force in Kaduna.

According to the information received, the MOPOL was shot as he rode on a motobike as a passanger. The shot came as the motobike rode by the military depot in Zaria across from the PZ office. The bike is believed to be an Okada commercial bike. The shooter, according to an eyewitness, was on foot. The MOPOL officer was dressed in his full regalia and died instantly.

The area where the incident occurred is said to be populated by commercial activities – including Banks and other retail outfits. A popular Mosque is also located nearby.

One of the security officers who spoke to our correspondent indicated that the shooting of the MOPOL officer may have been in retaliation of the shooting of an Okada operator, Umar Danmichika, a few days ago by a MOPOL officer – on September 26, 2012 at the Kaduna Stadium round about.

Efforts to reach the police public relations officer and the spokesperson for the Joint Task Force [JTF] proved abortive. The Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Reuben Buhari did not respond to our calls and text messages.

Since 28 August 2012 when it was reported that Patience, the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan was flown to Germany for the treatment of an undisclosed ailment, the presidency has refused to give the nation a clear picture of what she is suffering from.
However, P.M.NEWS authoritatively gathered today that Patience is being treated for cancer of the uterus at Horst Schmidt Klinik in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Aso Rock’s denial of information has only helped to fuel an industry of speculations about the president’s wife, especially when she failed to show up with husband when he attended the 67th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, United States.
The online has been abuzz with all sorts of reports.
A recent one even claimed that Mrs. Jonathan was being treated for Parkinson disease.
Earlier reports had it that Patience was operated upon for ruptured appendicitis at the German hospital.
Yet, there was another report that the surgical procedure on Mrs. Jonathan was to remove a potentially cancerous uterine fibroid.
There were also speculations that she had travelled to Dubai to have a procedure performed and returned to Nigeria where she developed complications which led to her sudden evacuation to Germany.
The cancer of the uterus ailment was shrouded in secrecy all this while by Aso Rock, thus engendering all sorts of speculations about what Patience is really suffering from.
The Presidency did not help matters as it refused to come clean on the actual ailment of Patience. All the stories Nigerians are getting from Aso Rock have been a web of lies about the fate of Patience. And this deepened speculations over the nature of sickness the wife of the President is suffering from.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe told State House Correspondents Tuesday when he was asked about the health of Patience that “ordinarily, I do not want to comment on this matter. Nigerians have gone through a lot of trauma in terms of leadership and death and ill luck and all that (in the past).
“Gen. Sani Abacha died in the Villa, Obasanjo’s wife (Stella) died in the Villa, (President Umaru) Yar’Adua lost his life in the Villa.
“I think even if it is a suggestion that the wife of the President is sick, what I will expect Nigerians to feel is empathy, not probing, not questioning (about her health).
“Have we become so disenchanted with leadership as to believe that the leadership is inhuman? I believe that the First Lady is hale and hearty. I want to leave it like that.”
P.M.NEWS learnt that the absence of the First Lady during various activities held to celebrate Nigeria’s 52nd independence anniversary sparked fresh anxiety over her fate among her friends, family members and beneficiaries of her various activities.
Many of them who thought Mrs. Jonathan will be home for the independence celebrations were disappointed.
President Jonathan was reported to have visited the German hospital where his wife is on admission, on his way to New York for the United Nations General Assembly last week. But P.M.NEWS gathered that lack of information on the likely date of return of Mrs. Jonathan back to the country and speculations over the nature of illness afflicting her is a source of worry in the Presidency.
Anxiety over her absence since August heightened with Jonathan’s sudden return from Malawi and Botswana about three weeks ago, just two days into a trip that was billed to last for three days.
There were speculations that the President cut short his trip as a result of information he got on the sudden turn in the health of his wife.
The Presidency, however, denied this on grounds that the president had finished all aspects of the agenda of the visits to the two countries. Contrarily however was the report that the Presidency actually demanded from his hosts in Botswana to cancel his other engagements, suddenly after getting a phone call from Nigeria.
The initial response of the Presidency was to debunk claims that the First Lady is ill and receiving medical attention.
Ayo Osinlu, the Chief Press Secretary to Mrs. Jonathan told journalists last month that his boss had gone to Germany to rest after the hectic schedule of presiding over the African First Ladies Mission held several weeks before then.
This was in response to initial speculations that Mrs. Jonathan was flown to the hospital after an initial treatment at State House Clinic, Abuja for alleged food poisoning.
The story of the First Lady’s admission at the German hospital came to light four days after she left the country on 28 August.