Niger Delta

Bayelsa Declares N2.8 bn Surplus For January 2015

Published

10 years ago

April 8, 2015

The Bayelsa Govern
ment has declared N2.8 billion as funds available as at the end of February 2015, just as it announced N758 million as Internally Generated Revenue for the month of January 2015.
Governor Seriake Dickson, represented by his deputy, Chief Gboribiogha John Jonah, announced this on Wednesday at the monthly transparency briefing in Yenagoa.
Dickson, announced a gross inflow of N10.9 billion from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) comprising statutory allocation of N2.3 billion, derivation N7.6 billion, VAT N572 million, Excess Crude N257 million and NNPC refund of N156 million.
On FAAC deductions, he said, Bond deductions stood at N1.2 billion, foreign loans N12.9 million; commercial agricultural credit scheme, N66.7 million; fertiliser for 2013 farming season, the 4th out of six instalments amounting to N2.9 million.
Also the refund of arrears of derivation revenue to Akwa Ibom State on the Iro Ekanga Oil field was N132 million, bringing the total amount to N1.5 billion.
These deductions, according to Dickson, brought the net inflow from FAAC to N9.5 billion, putting the IGR receipt for January 2015 at N759 million.
Funds from other sources amounted to N500 million, in addition to special refunds of N751 million.
On expenditure, he said that bank loan repayments stood at N5.2 billion, salaries of civil servants, including pension payments was N4.035 billion while that of political appointees came up to N404 million.
He noted that there was no monthly overhead and 18 per cent minimum arrears payments.
Total Payments gulped N1.4 billion, comprising recurrent of N983 million and capital payment was N1.1 billion, leaving a balance of N2.8 billion.
For January 2015, Dickson declared N10.7 billion as net inflow from FAAC, N809 million as IGR receipts for December 2014, funds from other sources was N1 billion and Bond refunds to the state of N1.5 billion, bringing total funds available for spending to N13.987 billion.
Dickson posted bank loan repayments of N4.968 billion; salaries of civil servants were N4 billion, political appointees N394 million, monthly overhead payments stood at N921 million while monthly standing approvals was N241 million.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

1 day 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 day 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 day 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.