Business

Surrender Explosives, Anti-Bomb Squad Tells Militants

Published

17 years ago

August 24, 2009

The Commissioner of Police in-charge of Anti-Bomb Squad, Mr. Chris Olakpe has urged the Federal Government’s Amnesty team to extend its operations to the recovery of explosives in illegal possession.

Mr. Olakpe, who made the call Friday, during a courtesy call on Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, described explosives as a most devastating instrument which must be recovered from illegal use to ensure the safety of the environment.

The Commissioner said already men of the Anti-bomb unit have been dispatched to Maiduguri to detonate explosives recovered from the Boko Haram sect, while efforts were been made to recover and detonate those from Bauchi State and other parts of the country.

On the new charge to fish out and detonate explosives in Rivers State, the Anti Bomb Police Commissioner said the disarmament process would soon commence and called for the cooperation of the people of the state in ridding the environment of explosives.

The Police Commissioner said the state got two brand new tiger 4×4 vehicles, equipped with explosive antidote configuration, while his visit is also part of effects to beef up all aspects of EOD unit in the state to meet present realities.

The Police Commissioner said he had already visited the Port Harcourt Refinery to educate workers on steps to be taken in an event of explosion and how to envisage dynamite or a bomb.

The Anti Bomb Police boss said he is also using part of his visit to launch an awareness campaign in the state and thanked the state government for its assistance to the unit, particularly for the provision of brand new pick up vehicle to ease its job.

Responding, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi assured the Police Commissioner in-charge of Explosive Ordinance Dispcsal (EOD) that members of the Amnesty Committee would be reminded to request those surrendering arms to also hand over explosives in their possession.

“Thank you for drawing our attention to the issue of explosives, having reminded me, I will bring it to the attention of the Amnesty Committee to also request them to surrender their explosives like dynamites etc” Governor assured.

He congratulated the Police EOD Unit for benefitting from the new equipment, noting that Nigerians have started taking the lives of her citizens seriously, and reminded the Police of their responsibility to maintain law and order in the society.

In a related development the police commissioner in charge of anti Bomb squad, Mr Chris Olakpe, has said that Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Unit of t~ State Police Command has been strengthened for better performance.

Mr Alakpe who disclosed this Friday during a courtesy call on the State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi at Government House, Port Harcourt, said the State Anti Bomb Unit benefitted from the 28 new vehicles fully equipped with accessories provided by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The Police Commissioner said the state got two brand new tiger 4×4 vehicles equipped with explosive antidote configuration while his visit is also part of effects to beef up all aspects of EOD unit in the state to meet present realities.

According to him, Rivers people would begin to see more Anti bomb vehicles parading the streets because they have instruction to fish out those involved in illegal use of explosives and to get them disarmed as well as render the area safe.

He used the opportunity to appeal to the State Governor to remind the Amnesty Committee through the Federal Government that while the Committee is looking for guns they should also look for the most devastating instrument which is the explosives to ensure safe environment.

Mr Alakpe said already his men from Lagos has gone to Maiduguri to demolish over 20 explosives recovered from the Boko Haram while work is going on in Bauchi State to demolish those recovered from the sect in the state.

The Police Commissioner said he had already visited the Port Harcourt Refinery to educate workers on steps to be taken in an event of explosion and how to envisage dynamite or a bomb.

The Anti Bomb Police boss said he is also using part of his visit to launch an awareness campaign in the state and thanked the state government for its assistance to the unit particularly for the provision of brand new pick-up vehicle to ease its job.

Business

Niger Delta Investment Summit Targets $5bn Inflows, 500,000 Jobs

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has unveiled the plans to host a major economic and investment summit aimed at attracting five billion dollars, ( N7 trillion) investments in addition to creating about 500,000 jobs over the next five years.

The Chairman of NDCCITMA Board, Ambassador Idaere Ogan, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently.

Ogan stated that the initiative is designed to reposition the Niger Delta as a viable destination for sustainable economic growth and development.

He explained the summit would bring together investors, policymakers, manufacturers and business leaders from within and outside Nigeria to explore opportunities across key sectors of the regional economy.

According to him, the event is expected to attract high-profile participation, with President Bola Tinubu billed as Special Guest of Honour, while the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, is expected to deliver the keynote address.

Ogan said the summit would focus on critical sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and the blue economy, which he described as areas with significant untapped potential.

He called on state governments, development partners and private sector stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing that collective efforts are required to unlock the region’s economic prospects.

NDCCITMA chairman further stated that improving security conditions and increasing economic confidence in the Niger Delta have made the region more attractive to both local and foreign investors.

He emphasised that ongoing economic reforms at the national level have also contributed to creating a more favourable investment climate.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Summit Organising Committee, Dr. Solomon Edebiri, said the event would prioritise the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the region.

He noted the summit would provide a strategic platform for networking, business partnership and policy dialogue aimed at strengthening the private sector.

Edebiri disclosed that findings from a recent business roundtable revealed significant untapped investment opportunities, which the summit seeks to harness through targeted collaborations.

He revealed that the event would feature exhibitions of viable projects, facilitate business-to-business and business-to-government engagements, and also promote innovations across multiple sectors.

According to him, the expected outcomes of the summit include job creation, increased industrial activity and improved livelihoods for people in the Niger Delta.

To build momentum ahead of the event, NDCCITMA said the body would embark on awareness roadshows across states in the Niger Delta, as well as in Lagos and Abuja, to attract broad participation.

King Onunwor

Business

NPA Targets N1.489tn Revenue In 2026

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has set N1.489 trillion as its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target for the 2026 fiscal year.

NPA says the figure represents an increase of N21 billion over the N1.468 trillion target for 2025, which the agency exceeded with an actual revenue of N1.97 trillion.

The Managing Director NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, stated this during the agency’s 2026 budget defence before the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.

Dantsoho said the authority was set to begin groundbreaking projects for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports to enhance global competitiveness.

According to him, of the projected revenue: N945 billion is allocated for capital projects, N447.5 billion for operating expenses, and

N90.6 billion for remittance into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

The MD explained that the budget was anchored on the mantra, “Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity.”

Dantsoho said that the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports were flagship projects aimed at boosting revenue.

“Apapa and Tin Can Island ports are old and no longer adequate for modern global port operations.

“Apapa Port is about 100 years old, while Tin Can Island Port is over 50 years old, with limited capacity for handling modern vessels and cargo volumes.

“Groundbreaking for their modernisation will commence within the next two to three weeks,” he added.

On the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Dantsoho said all revenues generated by the NPA are paid directly into the account managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“We do not retain any funds. The Central Bank is the signatory and we must apply for funds whenever needed,” he explained.

Earlier in his remarks,Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ports, Sen. Wasiu Eshinlokun (Lagos Central), said the committee’s oversight function was collaborative rather than adversarial.

“Our goal is to work with you to strengthen institutional capacity, eliminate inefficiencies and ensure that every naira appropriated serves the public interest,” he said.

Chinedu Wosu

Business

NPF Disburses ?21.68m To Fallen Heros’ Families …Reinforce Welfare Commitment

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria Police Force has disbursed a total of ?21,678,120 to the deceased police officers families in Rivers State as part of ongoing welfare interventions by the force.

The gesture formed a major highlight of the activities marking the 2026 National Police Day celebration in the state, underscoring renewed institutional focus on personnel welfare and post-service support systems.

The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, who presided over the cheque presentation ceremony, said the initiative reflects the Force’s commitment to honouring officers who paid the ultimate price in their line of duty.

He explained that the financial support is designed to cushion the economic burden faced by bereaved families, while also reinforcing confidence among serving personnel about the Force’s long-term welfare structure.

Adepoju conveyed the sympathy of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to the beneficiaries, noting that the sacrifices of fallen officers remain invaluable to national security and public safety.

The police boss further stressed that sustained welfare interventions are critical to boosting morale, enhancing productivity, and strengthening institutional loyalty within the Force.

He reiterated that the welfare scheme aligns with broader reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force as a responsive and people-oriented institution.

Beneficiaries of the cheques commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for prioritising the welfare of officers and their families through consistent and impactful interventions.

They described the initiative as timely and compassionate, noting that it would go a long way in alleviating financial pressures arising from the loss of their loved ones.

The families also acknowledged ongoing reforms under the current police leadership, which they said have strengthened trust, improved service delivery, and enhanced the overall image of the Force.

The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining similar initiatives as part of efforts to uphold the dignity, sacrifice, and legacy of officers who served the nation with distinction.

King Onunwor