Niger Delta

Delta Approves Central Tax Billing System

Published

8 years ago

March 9, 2018

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has approved full implementation of the Central Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA) Billing System to address the challenge of multiple demand notices. A statement by , the state Commissioner for Finance, Chief David Edevbie disclosed this yesterday in Asaba. According to Edevbie, the approval for the central billing system is with effect from 2018 fiscal year.
“The implementation is in response to public complaints about the existence of a plethora of demand notices from legal and illegal sources as well as multiplicity of state taxes, rates, fees and charges. The process includes, but not limited to the establishment of a robust ICT database of all revenue and tax payers on a platform accessible by all relevant stakeholders”.
The commissioner said that the process, which would involve electronic demand notices, would capture all types of state taxes, rates, fines fees and charges as well as introduce the consolidated assessment system of all annual rates and charges by the MDAs.
He said that the system would also enhance the ease of doing business and payment by members of the public.
“Consequently, all revenue collecting MDAs are hereby requested to participate in the project and cease forthwith the issuance of all demand notices to existing and potential tax payers in the state.
“Henceforth, all such tax notices shall now be centrally issued and signed by the Executive Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue or the State Commissioner for Finance,” Edevbie said.
The commissioner urged the general public to conform with the order and should not to honour any demand notice without the appropriate signatories.
Meanwhile, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Chike Edozien has commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State for the massive construction work going on at the Asaba International Airport. The Asagba through his Council of Chiefs who went on inspection visit of the airport on Thursday, marveled at the level of work done at the airport.
Konwea who led the delegation said, “His Majesty, the Asagba who is currently on medical vacation asked us to inspect the airport, we have seen and this is wonderful.” “This is a great job that we are seeing here, we say a great thank you to His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for what is happening here,” the Asagba said, adding, “that Asaba people are peaceful and patient does not mean that we are weak. We have witnessed three democratically elected Governors in our state, this administration has not received half of the money others received but, he has done very well.”
The Asagba continued, “From what we seen, we the entire Asaba people and those residing in Asaba are grateful to Governor Okowa, we ask him to prepare for possibly, third term in office.” Commissioner for Information, Mr Patrick Ukah, thanked the Asagba-in-Council for taking time to inspect the projects being executed, noting that the Governor has created new towns and cities with the provision of infrastructure. Special Project Director for the airport project, Hon. Austin Ayemidejor and the functional Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Mr. Fred Edafiogor took members of the Asagba-in-Council through the 3.4 kilometres runway, fire service station, VIP Lounge, Terminal Building, among others.

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

9 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

9 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

9 hours ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.