Niger Delta

CRHA Okays Ayade’s N3.7bn Loans

Published

10 years ago

February 24, 2016

Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Barr. (Mrs) Ukel Oyaghire, with Chairman, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Rivers State chapter, Mrs Lilian Okonkwo, during a courtesy visit to the commissioner in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Ibioye Diama

The Cross River State
House of Assembly has approved the State Government’s request to obtain loans from two financial institutions to the tune of N3.7 billion to aid the deficit in payment of salaries and counterpart funding for sponsored social services in the state.
This was the outcome of the sitting held in the Legislative Chambers of the House and presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo.
Lebo directed the Clerk of the House, Barrister Bassey Ekpenyong, to communicate the resolution of the House to the Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade.
Earlier, correspondences from the office of the SSG read by the Clerk during the sitting indicate that the government intends to obtain a 2.5 billion naira overdraft from United Bank for Africa (UBA) for salary payment to State Workers and another N1,237,624,123.00 counterpart loan from ECOBANK for EU/WSSRP, FADAMA 1,11,111 and New Map services/projects.
Deliberating on the government’s request, the members unanimously agreed on the necessity of the requests, describing it as the only way out for the State in the face of dwindling resources and low economic down turn in the country occasioned by the fall in the price of crude oil.
The members also described the overdraft and counterpart funding request as a good transaction, urging the State Government to make judicious use of the funds to fulfill the Governor Ayade administration’s promise to pilot the ship of the State out of poverty.
The Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Okon Ephraim said that Governor Ayade was running a labour friendly administration in the State and drew the attention of the House to the recent protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Imo State over failure of the state government to pay her workers and further retrenchment of over three thousand workers.
He added that in their presentation at the same protest the leadership of NLC singled out Cross River State Government under the administration of Prof. Ben Ayade as a labour friendly administration for her prompt payment of salaries and other entitlements to state workers.
According to the Calabar South 1 state constituency representative, Governor Ayade has paid state workers up to date and does not owe state workers even a dime.
“Even in January when most state were crying hardship, he paid on the 15th to enable civil servants pay school fees for their children, if he is seeking to borrow to help him bridge the financial gap for the purpose of payment of workers, it is good we support the executive’s good intentions”, he noted.
Other members also spoke in favour of the request, urging their colleagues to give it a speedy approval.
Motion for the adoption and approval of the request as request as resolutions of the House was moved by the House Leader Hon. Moses Ucheche and seconded by Hon. Elizabeth Ironbar, member representing Akpabuyo State Constituency.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

4 hours 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

4 hours 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

4 hours 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.