Niger Delta

IFAD Projects Suffer Setback In Delta

Published

15 years ago

November 15, 2010

The International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-assisted Community National Resource Management Programme (BNRMP) in Delta may suffer set back due to non-release of funds.

Mr Chris Abua, Delta IFAD Programme Officer, said made this known in an interview with the newsmen in Asaba.

He said that the state government and its local councils were defaulting in counterpart funds contribution to the programme.

Abua said that out of the nine local government areas currently benefiting from the assistance, only three made initial contributions in 2007 while the state government paid up to 2008.

The programme, which he said, started in the state in 2006 but with effective funding and operation in 2007, was designed to improve the living standard of families in “poorest of poor communities”.

Abua expressed regret that the failure of the state and the local councils to make their contributions was affecting remittance of funds from IFAD and NDDC, which provide the substantial funds.

He said that the programme took off in the state with 300,000 dollars (about N45 million) provided by IFAD through the World Bank as financiers.

Abua explained that the state government complemented it with its contribution of N14.2 million in 2006, N16.25 million each in 2007 and 2008.

He, however, said that the state had since 2009 when its contribution was reviewed to N36.25 million, failed to contribute, adding that IFAD and NDDC had also defaulted in their contributions in 2010.

Abua explained that the budget of the scheme was increased in 2009 when it became necessary to expand the projects from three local government areas to nine and 27 communities in the state.

He flayed the local councils for not making efforts to pay their counterpart funds in spite of the presence of the programme in their communities.

Abua said that families, groups and communities in the areas covered by the programme enjoyed credit facilities, trainings and skills acquisition as well as the provision of infrastructure.

He expressed regret that the programme’s activities in the state were declining due to paucity of funds and appealed to all the parties, especially the state government and local councils to meet their commitments.

“The issue is not the budget but the release of the funds. The government and local councils through agreements signed showed great enthusiasm and willingness to operate the scheme, but they are failing now,” Abua said.

He stressed that counterpart funds were the assurances of continuity of the programme and added that IFAD might sanction the state for defaulting in its contributions to the programme.

Abua advised that to avoid bottlenecks associated with the scheme’s funds; contributions should be made direct to the community development account, which is regularly checked by the supervisor in every state.

When contacted, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Tony Nwaka, admitted that the state and some local councils were in arrears of counterpart contributions to the programme.

But he assured IFAD and NDDC that the counterpart funds would soon be defrayed.

Nwaka said: “Yes, this administration is in arrears in the payment of counterpart funds, we are planning with high hopes, to meet this obligation as soon as possible.

“All efforts are being made to ensure that all outstanding state and local government counterpart funds are paid.”

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

3 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The National Population Commission (NPC), on Friday, launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (eCRVS) in Delta State, designed to strengthen data generation and vital statistics management.

The Tide’s source reports that the system was launched by the Delta Federal Commissioner, Mrs. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba, at a news briefing in Asaba.

Brume-Ataguba recalled that President Bola Tinubu formally launched the eCRVS in November 2023 as part of the efforts to modernise Nigeria’s civil registration process.

She said the initiative followed resolutions reached at the Sixth Session of the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Addis Ababa in 2022.

According to her, African ministers urged member states to automate civil registration processes and implement the UN Legal Identity Agenda.

“Nigeria responded by developing an electronic, technology-driven system to enhance data generation and improve civil statistics nationwide,” Brume-Ataguba said.

She said NPC, in collaboration with UNICEF, produced an eCRVS Operational Readiness Assessment Report to guide implementation.

She explained that the partnership aims to establish a fully digital civil registration system that converts records of vital events into reliable statistics for effective planning and decision-making.

Brume-Ataguba described the initiative as a complete shift from paper-based documentation to a modern digital platform aligned with international best practices.

She said the system would transform the way births and deaths were recorded, tracked and analysed across the country.

“This process marks a complete departure from the traditional paper-based recording of vital events to a state-of-the-art digital solution that conforms to international best practices.

“This eCRVS promises to revolutionise how vital events are recorded, tracked and analysed in the country.

“This will ensure commitments, and a sustained national, international financial and political investment for birth registration within the CVRS in Nigeria, ” Brume-Ataguba said.

She also said the launch demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening civil registration data capture and processing.

She further said improved vital statistics would support national development planning and help Nigeria achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Brume-Ataguba continued that the state-level launch was necessary to sensitise the media and the public on the significance of the digital registration system.

She described the media as a vital partner in informing and educating citizens about the importance of registering vital events electronically.

She further assured residents that competent ICT personnel were available at the state level to address technical challenges and provide support.

The NPC commissioner emphasised that the eCRVS would overhaul the registration of births and deaths in the country and lay a solid foundation for efficient civil statistics management.

She urged stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to realise its goal of providing accurate and timely vital registration data.

She announced that the current phase of the e-CRVS programme would be concluded in March.

In her remark, the NPC State Director, Mrs. Jane Odigwe, appealed to the Delta Government to support the implementation of the system in the state.

“Your partnership is vital in helping us to reach this goal,” Odigwe said.

She also urged parents to register their children, saying that a birth certificate is essential for access to education, healthcare and other opportunities.

She said that registering children today would secure their identity and future participation in Nigeria’s development.

“To every parent in Delta, I urge you to bring your children forward for birth registration.

“A birth certificate is not just a document but your child’s key to education, healthcare and global opportunities.

“By registering your child today, you are giving them a voice in Nigeria of tomorrow,” Odigwe said.

Niger Delta

Police Uncover Suspects’ Armoury … Recover Weapons In Delta

Published

3 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has recovered assorted weapons from a criminal hideout in the state.

Spokesman for the Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to newsmen, who on Friday in Warri, said the weapons were recovered on Thursday by the operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson.

He said the feat was achieved following a confession by a suspect handed over to the police team by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe Division, for further interrogation.

Edafe said the suspect was alleged to be a member of a criminal syndicate terrorising commuters and residents on the Warri/Sapele Road.

“On February 19, acting on information obtained during interrogation, the suspect led the operatives to a concealed armoury located on the Sapele/Warri Road by the Adheje Community axis.

“A thorough search of the hideout resulted in the recovery of a locally made long gun, a locally made cut-to-size gun.

“Also recovered were a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition, 10 live cartridges and a dagger,” he said.

Edafe stated that the investigation into the matter was ongoing.

He, however, quoted the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Command, Mr. Aina Adesola, to have reiterated the command’s resolve in dismantling criminal networks, and mopping up illegal firearms, among others, in the state.

Niger Delta

Police Caution On Lawless Protests On Court Matters In A’Ibom

Published

3 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has cautioned on threats of lawless protests by some members of the public over matters that are already before the courts.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, told newsmen in Uyo on Friday that illegal protests could undermine public peace and order.

“When matters are already in court, let’s follow legal and civil means to seek redress. That is how a civilised society works.

“Although we recognise the constitutional rights of citizens to lawful expression and peaceful assembly, illegal protests are not allowed,” he said.

Azare said the Command would not tolerate threats or acts of nude protests, unlawful occupation of public or private facilities, and disruption of government, economic or social activities.

He said anyone found culpable of engaging in acts or threats of illegal protests would be prosecuted in line with the law.

“As a Command, we are committed to the maintenance of law and order, we are also committed to protecting lives and property”, he stated.