Niger Delta

Dickson Marks One Year In Office

Published

13 years ago

January 25, 2013

Bayelsa Government says it is on course in its determination to reshape
the fortunes of the state for the benefits of all in terms of provision of
social amenities and, protection of lives and property.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Retired Admiral John
Jonah stated this in Yenagoa, Wednesday while briefing the press on success
story of the state for the past one year

Rtd Rear Admiral Jonah said the Dickson-led
administration has made significant impact in the areas of security, Works and
Infrastructure, Education, Energy, Transport and Agriculture.

The Deputy Governor, who described security
as the primary responsibility of government, noted that the administration’s
huge investment in the sub-sector has also yielded some positive results.

According to him, the enactment of the Bayelsa
State Secret Cult, Kidnapping And Similar Offences Prohibition Bill 2012
coupled with government’s policy on zero tolerance to crime and criminality
have succeeded in making Bayelsa one of the safest states in the country.

He said the operations of the state security
outfit, code-named, Doo Akpor, would soon be extended to the hinterlands.

On Works and Infrastructure, the Deputy Governor
disclosed that over 17 key projects have been awarded, which include the Ekoli
bridge, Amassoma-Toru-Ebeni bridge, Toru-Ebeni-Ofoni road, dualisation of
Issac Boro road, construction of the new secretariat annexes and the permanent
site of the National Youth Service Corps Orientation camp.

He enumerated the construction of the new complex
for the Traditional Rulers’ Council, Executive Council Chambers as well as the
new Governor’s Lodges in Sagbama and Nembe, which are nearing completion.

Rear Admiral John Jonah who mentioned the award of contracts
for the construction of 6 high profile roads in the state capital said
government intends to embark on the expansion of the Mbiama-Yenagoa road, which
requires demolition of structures and compensation as planned.

On Energy, he explained that the sum of N1.3
billion was released to enhance power supply in the state and currently the
state government is collaborating with its Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River
counterparts adding that about N2 billion has been spent in that regard.

The Deputy Governor said government would soon commence
the rehabilitation of the Gbarantoru-Sagbama 32 KVA line, stating that the
investment in the Energy sub-sector was not only to improve power supply but to
boost socio-economic activities in the state.

Commenting on the efforts made in Education, he
explained that N21 billion was allocated to the sector representing 16.8% of
the 2012 capital budget to enable the administration pursue vigorously its
ambitious and robust programmes.

Other efforts at improving the sector include,
re-establishment of the state College of Arts and Science, BYCAS, relocation of
the College of Education from Okpoama to Sagbama for purposes of accessibility,
establishment of Maritime academy at Okpoama as well as the disbursement of N1
billion for the post graduate scholarship scheme.

Rtd Rear Admiral John Jonah who also stressed the
administration’s readiness to implement the report of the Niger Delta University
Visitation Panel, however lamented the setback caused by the flood, which
affected the distribution of furniture and other educational materials.

On Agriculture, the Deputy Governor pointed out
that a memorandum of understanding has been signed with a foreign company for
the production of high quality Cassava, boost employment generation and food
security.

Identifying large-scale rice and fish production
as government’s area of priority, he noted that soft loans will be provided for
genuine farmers in the state.

Speaking further, Rear Admiral John Jonah
emphasized that a major reform in the transport sector was the ban on the
operation of commercial motorcycles, which has drastically reduced accidents
and incidents of robbery cases.

Describing its first year as a period of laying
foundation for development, the Deputy Governor said the achievements recorded
were commensurate with the resources and the environment occasioned by the
flood.

He therefore called for support from the people,
assuring that government would work hard to consolidate on its achievements and
take the state to greater heights

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

11 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

14 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

14 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.