Niger Delta

Only Qualified, Registered Surveyors To Operate In Delta – Commissioner

Published

14 years ago

March 19, 2012

The Delta Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Sir Patrick Ferife, has said that only qualified and registered surveyors will be allowed to operate in the state.

Ferife made the pledge in Asaba, when the President of the Nigeria Institute of Surveyors (NIS), Chief Yakubu Maikano, and executive members of the institute paid him a courtesy visit.

The commissioner assured his visitors that the Delta Government was committed to ensuring that surveyors functioned properly in the state.

He said that the importance of the functions of the surveyors could not be over emphasised.

Ferife also said that without the input of surveyors, the Land Information System and Geographical Information System in the state would have been a mirage.

He said that the Delta Boundary Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, would be briefed on the need to ensure speedy demarcation and survey of boundaries in the state.

Earlier, Maikano had said that the boundaries of all the 25 local government areas in Delta were yet to be surveyed.

He also said that the state was yet to demarcate and survey the interstate boundaries between the state and the five other states it presently shared boundaries with.

Maikano said that land mass was one of the indices for revenue sharing both at the federal and state levels, adding that a state or local government that did not know its land mass might be losing revenue.

He further said that surveying was an essential tool for planning and development and its importance could not be over-emphasised.

Maikano said that the management, allocation, and effective utilisation of land could not take place without surveying.

The NIS president said that in Civil Engineering, roads, drainages and airports, there were components of surveying.

He said that some government projects failed or collapsed because the survey components of such projects were not supervised by qualified surveyors.

Maikano, therefore, solicited the commissioner in creating the awareness in government that surveyors should be involved in the supervision of the survey components in all government projects.

He said that this would ensure that standard and specifications were met and sustained.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.

Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.

Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.

He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”

“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.

In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.

“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.

Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.

“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.

The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.

Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.

He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.

“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.

“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.

“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.

The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.

Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.

Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.

The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.

The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.

Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.

The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.

Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.