Niger Delta

Amnesty: Reps Fault Budget Performance

Published

13 years ago

November 19, 2012

The House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta in Abuja last Wednesday queried the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Mr Kingsley Kuku, for poor implementation of the 2012 budget for the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Warman Ogoriman (PDP- Bayelsa), said from the explanation of the Amnesty Office, the committee was not convinced about the implementation of the budget.

“In view of the observations made by members, it is clear that the Amnesty Office cannot convince this committee on how the appropriated funds were uutilised. “I will therefore close this session and ask the special adviser to go and come back next Tuesday with concrete facts,” the chairman said.

Earlier, Kuku said that N63 billion appropriated in the budget had not been released to the office by the Budget Office.

He said 26,328 ex-militants had been fully disarmed and demobilised, while 2,875 were undergoing entrepreneurial training.

He also said that 5,209 of the militants had been gainfully employed, while 8,084 ex-agitators had been successfully placed in rehabilitation centres.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N98.588 billion for 28 infrastructural development projects in nine oil producing states in the country.

The states include Rivers, Cross-River, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Imo and Abia. Minister of Information, Labara Maku disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents. On the outcome of the Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan. Maku said the approval was sequel to a memorandum presented to council by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

“Today the Commission brought to Council a memorandum seeking to carry out 28 projects in the oil producing States. “These projects caught across road construction, bridges, land reclamation and erosion problem as well as in some instances power supply and education.

“Mainly what the Commission has done is to bring these projects which they will implement between now and 2014,” .

The information minister said the contracts were approved in line with the Federal Government’s determination to create a conducive environment for sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

Maku said the Council also approved a N317 .922 billion contract for the completion of the Shagari irrigation project in Sokoto State. He said the project was awarded in 2007 but could not be completed due to lack of funds.

Also speaking, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, said when completed in the next six months, the project would cover 220 hectares of land for irrigation.

She said that the project would have the capacity to produce 1,540 tonnes of rice and 3,300 tonnes of vegetables, with at least 2,640 persons engaged.

The council also approved contracts for the construction and rehabilitation of five roads across the North-West, South-South, South-East and North-Central geo-political zones of the country.

The Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, who disclosed this at the briefing, said that with the onset of the dry season, government was prepared to deploy resources and energy toward the provision of roads.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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.