Niger Delta

A’Ibom Targets Alcohol Consumption Tax

Published

10 years ago

March 11, 2016

The Akwa Ibom
Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akan Okon, said consumption of alcohol in hotels and beer parlours in the state would now attract tax.
Okon told journalists in Uyo that people who consumed alcoholic drinks would begin to pay a token as tax.
“Some people who lodge in hotels and consume alcohol will henceforth pay taxes to the state government.
“The focus is to look inward to see how the various opportunities that are available in the state can be harnessed to raise the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),’’ he said.
The commissioner, however, decried the attitude of some businessmen in the informal sector of the economy who failed to pay taxes to government.
Okon said that if those in the informal sector paid their taxes, the state could pull its resources together and that would help in providing social amenities in the state.
Okon explained that the state government had put measures in place to ensure that revenue opportunities were tapped to raise its IGR.
The commissioner said that a new tax consultant had been appointed to block leakages associated with revenue collection.
“We have in place a new consultant that is working closely to ensure that we block all the leakages associated with revenue collection system in the state,’’ he said.
The commissioner explained that e-receipt system had been introduced to check revenue leakages in the state.
“We are introducing electronic e-receipt instead of the manual receipt. This is one of the avenues we believe will help sort out some leakages that are associated with a manual receipt,’’ he said.
Okon said the state government would soon convene a tax summit to rub minds with its stakeholders.
He said the summit was aimed to encourage the people to pay their taxes according to their incomes.
“As a state, we intend to ensure that we widen the tax net and also engage the informal sector to ensure that we derive the maximum opportunity that is available in this area.
“With the summit coming up, the issue of poor tax payment will be a thing of the past,’’ Okon said.
He noted that the state government would anchor its development on taxes paid by the citizens of the state.
The commissioner said Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration was doing everything possible for tax system to be efficient and effective in the state.

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.