Ekaette not disturbing my official duties, says Orubebe

Orubebe, according the statement, said that contrary to the comments by the WIPMG, he had enjoyed working with Ekaette, whom he said, had offered him invaluable experience.Akwegbe said Orubebe’s attention was drawn to the media reports and he (Orubebe) could not take such comments for granted.

His words: “The said publications, purportedly by the Warri-Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group (WIPMG) and signed by its chairman, one Mr. Patrick Bigha, among other things, canvassed for the sack of Chief Ufot Ekaette as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

“The group alleged that Ekaette is high-handed and has denied Orubebe the opportunity to carry out his duty. Orubebe wishes to state very categorically that Chief Ufot Ekaette is a highly respected leader in Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta”.

According to Orubebe, since fate brought them together to work as Minister and Minister of State respectively, they have enjoyed cordial relationship.

The Minister of State said that rather than having any problem with Ekaette, he has drawn a lot from his wealth of experience as one who has served his fatherland for upward of 40 years.

“Orubebe, therefore, wishes to reiterate that nobody can create division between him and Ekaette as they have resolved to address the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the Niger Delta region”, the statement read.

Meanwhile, construction of skill acquisition centres for the post-amnesty projects in the Niger Delta region may soon begin as the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has opened bids, pre-qualifying contractors for survey services of the already procured parcels of land.

At the opening of the bid recently in Abuja, the ministry’s Chief Procurement Officer, Kolawole Aina, said that the land surveying was meant for the construction of skill acquisition centres, housing units and the state liaison offices of the ministry.

The ministry has also opened bidders’ applications for the control of erosion in the nine states of the region.

Aina said building of the centres would not commence unless qualified services are employed to survey the plots towards ensuring quality work during the actual construction of the projects.