March 18: expect shocks and surprises in SE…photos of the week…States share oil revenue…plus South East Digest…

Photos of the Week

 

March 18:  expect shocks and surprises in SE

The political map of the South East is going to be further redrawn after the Governorship and Houses of Assembly elections scheduled to take place next Saturday, March 18, 2023.  For one, it looks like the umbrella is going to be completely torn or reduced to a fan.  Contrary to expectations in not a few quarters, the rooster is on resurgence.  While the Ellu-pee continues its gains, it may not be as wide sweeping as a lot of people dream.  The jury is still out on the broom.

The point that “all politics is local” is going to be very well underscored, particularly, in Anambra State, where the rooster is likely to retain majority control of the House.  APGA is also likely to make gains in Enugu, Imo, and Abia States.  The race to the Government House in Abia and Enugu is likely going to be between APGA and Ellu-pee.  In Ebonyi, APGA is likely going to give the broom a run for its money.

Oil producing states share N970bn

Nigeria’s nine oil-producing States shared a total of N970 billion from the Federal account in 2022 via the 13% derivation formula.   Information from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals that Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers states were listed as States which received the fund.

Delta leads States with highest oil revenue in Nigeria.   The 13% derivation fund is from the federation revenue to oil-producing communities via the State Governments as provided for in the constitution.

A study of the NBS report shows that Delta State got the highest allocation totaling N296.20 billion, representing 31% of the total revenue from the derivation account.  Akwa Ibom follows with N222.52 billion, about 19% of the total disbursement during the review period.  Others include: Bayelsa - N188.02 billion; Rivers -  N169.79 billion;  Edo -  N37.49 billion;  Ondo -  N25.95 billion;  Imo - N18.61 billion;  Abia -  N6.95 billion; and Anambra - N4.25 billion.   The derivation fund differs from the three per cent provided for the host communities in the new Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) from the oil company’s expenses known as OPEX. Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike had said that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the payment of the funds owed to the states in the Niger Delta from 1999 to date. 

Imo State Health Insurance Delegation Completes a Two-day Study Tour of ASHIA HSSQC

Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, Managing Director/CEO of the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA). last week received the Imo State Health Insurance delegation who were in the state on a two-day study tour of the Health Services Standards and Quality Control (HSSQC) of ASHIA which was completed today.

Dr. Patrick Iwuchukwu who is the Head, Health Services, Standard and Quality Control Department of Imo State Health Insurance Agency informed I-Witness.ng that they just completed a study tour of “cost benefit packages” offered by the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, (ASHIA) and that they have learnt a lot from their hosts.

Speaking, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi stated that he and his team have given the delegation all they needed to know that will help them operationalize the Imo State health Insurance cost benefit packages in readiness for takeoff of Imo State formal sector programme.

According to Dr. Onyemaechi, he took out time to go through the evolution of provider payment mechanism of the scheme; providing insight on lessons learnt and the reasons behind the modifications made by the Agency over the past 5 years of its operation.

He equally shared with Dr. Iwuchukwu the fundamental practical steps taken by ASHIA on continuous quality improvement. 

On his part, Dr. Iwuchukwu commended ASHIA for pioneering innovative approaches in social health insurance in Nigeria, which according to him have become a reference point for several other States.

He promised to go back to Imo State Health Insurance Agency and work with other team members to put the experiences gathered to work in serving Imolites. (Source:  I-Witness)

 

(A digest of latest reports on the Economy, Industry, Politics, Sports, and developments around the South East of Nigeria)

ABIA STATE

Abia: Automatic promotion to workers not captured in 2023 budget – Lawmaker

A lawmaker in Abia, Chief Obinna Ichita, has said that the 2023 Appropriation Act passed by the state House of Assembly did not capture the State Government’s automatic promotion to Local Government workers.  Ichita, representing Aba South State Constituency, made the disclosure during an interactive session with newsmen in Umuahia on Friday. 

He was reacting to the automatic promotion announced by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu during a meeting with civil servants in the state on Thursday.

He said: “The automatic promotion to Local Government workers coming barely by one week to the election is a mere subterfuge. 

“There are workers who are owed up to 36 months’ salary arrears and never enjoyed any promotion for many years under Ikpeazu’s administration.

“The governor has not paid workers allowance and other entitlements since he assumed office in 2015.

“Therefore, the announcement is deceptive and cannot fly.  (Source The Guardian) 

NPC expresses fear 2023 census may fail in Abia

There are fears that the 2023 National Population and Housing Census may fail in Abia State like past ones were alleged to be. 

The Abia State Director, National Population Commission (NPC), Lady Juliana Ezebuiro, and the State Head of Technical Department, Uduma Kalu, disclosed this during a one-day capacity building workshop on effective reporting on the 2023 National Population and Housing Census, which the state NPC organised for journalists at Umuahia, the state capital.

He noted that unless demographic mistakes made in the state in past census exercises are corrected, 2023 census in the state might fail.

Kalu said the state lost out in past census exercises due to lack of active participation of critical stakeholders, which, reportedly, posed and still posing serious threat to successful census in the state.

Anambra, seven developers in pact to transform Awka into mega city

Anambra State government has signed a memorandum of understanding with seven real estate developers to assist government in its vision of transforming the state capital into a smart mega city. 

The agreement was signed on behalf of the state government by the Managing Director, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Mark Okoye and Commissioner for Lands, Prof. Offornze Amucheazi in Awka.

In his speech during the ceremony, the Managing Director, ANSIPPA, said the pact was in line with the Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of building a smart mega city and transforming investment and economic landscape for the state.

Okoye revealed that the firms were selected after numerous proposals and rigorous screening processes, while also charging them to ensure quality, with clear precision and accuracy. 

He further explained that the governor had directed them to reach out, engage and work with the private sector to attract investment for the state, adding, “for the last four month, we’ve screened over 60 real estate proposals with detailed analysis. The governor insisted on three-year deadline as long as the firms are competent to deliver quality jobs.”

Also Speaking, Amucheazi reminded the developers that their assignment is unique, insisting that government is expecting nothing less considering their pedigree.

The commissioner for lands, who expressed excitement over the caliber of firms chosen for the project, assured of government’s continued support.

“We had 72 proposals, (with 30 outstanding), but after going through the hug, seven of you were successful. We’ll continue to monitor the project until completion as we look forward for a harmonious relationship.

Responding, Group Managing Director, Rainbow Heritage Projects Services, Biedima Oliver, reaffirmed that the housing challenge is a national issue, and pledged his firm’s readiness to create reference point to infrastructure development in the state.

On the three-year project duration, Biedima assured to deliver on time and according to specifications, adding, “We know the peculiarities of our times, but we’ve drawn our strategies for the three years.”  (Source:  The Guardian) 

Soludo Speaks on Security in Anambra, successes his administration has achieved

Eight local government areas in Anambra state have been liberated from the shackles of criminals in the state This disclosure was made by the governor of Anambra state, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, on Thursday, March 9 According to the governor, his administration has done well in terms of securing the state since assuming office

The governor of Anambra state, Charles Soludo, has claimed that he liberated eight local government areas of the state from criminals. Daily Trust reports that Soludo said his administration has done well in fighting the insecurity ravaging Anambra state since assuming office last year.   Soludo said he liberated eight LGAs from criminals in Anambra state.

According to the chief press secretary to the governor, Christian Aburime, the governor said the secure environment enjoyed by the state's residents stretched to the peace and tranquillity experienced during Saturday, February 25, presidential and National Assembly elections. He added that the security provided by the Soludo administration gave the people the confidence to go out in their numbers to cast their votes.

His words: “Before now, not many people would have come out to vote, because of the security situation. “Anambra people know that Governor Soludo is working very hard, and for them to sustain such work, they need to support the party of the governor. “For those thinking that Soludo did not support Obi, they have to know that the governor did not interfere in the election, like some governors did, or even try to coerce anyone."

IMO STATE

NLC shuts down Imo, grounds Owerri airport over attack on workers by state govt

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), yesterday, collapsed operational activities in Imo State over continued harassment and brutalisation of workers by the state government. 

As part of efforts to press home its demands until infractions instigated are remedied, NLC, through one of its affiliates, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), issued a notice of shutdown of Owerri airport. 

A letter addressed to the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), General Secretary of NUATE, Ocheme Aba, directed aviation workers in Owerri Airport to shut down all services with effect from 12 midnight, yesterday.

It stated that the action would cripple normal operations at the airport, especially as it concerns aircraft movement in and out of the airport.

The letter, which notified air travelers to make alternative arrangements, said the situation would remain in force until otherwise directed by NLC.

The President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, said the Hobbesian state of nature has become prevalent, exposing not just workers in the state, but institutions and individuals to scare, fear and violence in their daily activities.

Ajaero alleged that workers, who gathered peacefully to conduct the state delegates conference of the NLC, were attacked by sponsored thugs in conjunction with security agencies.

Stating some atrocities of the state government against its workers, the NLC listed 20 months’ salary arrears owed some workers stigmatised as ghost workers.