Niger Delta

Militants, JTF Face-off: Delta Gov Heads Rebuilding Committee

Published

16 years ago

September 29, 2009

In his determination to rebuild the destroyed towns of Okerenkoko and Ugborodo communities and meet the deadline of March next year, the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has constituted a 12 man committee to implement the programme.

Dr. Uduaghan announced this when the consultant handling the project architect, Ezekiel Iyang Ekut visited him in Asaba. The visit was to present the plan of the Housing Scheme to him.

The governor, who reiterated his administration’s commitment to the provision of social amenities and housing to Deltans in the rural communities, said that the constitution of the committee was to fast track the project.

He explained that the project has been designed and called on the committee to work closely with the consultant to ensure that the project was completed on schedule.

Governor Uduaghan invited the Federal government, oil companies operating in the area and international agencies to partner with the state as the project was a gigantic one.

According to him “This is capital intensive. We are committed to ensuring that it succeeds, we cannot do it alone, we call on the federal government, oil companies and international bodies to take interest in the project. We believe we should replace the damaged towns by developing a new town as part of our past amnesty plan.”

He said the project would create employment for the youths of the area and promised that the contractors will work hard to meet up the deadline.

In his presentation, the consultant of the project and the chairman National Social Housing Scheme, Architect Ezekiel Iyang Etuk commended the Delta State government for its preparedness to resettle the displaced people of Okerenkoko and Ugborodo.

He said, he has started the job of designing a befitting settlement for the people by assessing the area, surveying it and putting the necessary statistics in place to build 350 houses for the people.

Architect Etuk explained that the project which is in its 1st phase would contain about 150 units of one bed room apartment, 100 units two bed room apartment and fifty units of three bedroom apartment.

He explained that the committee would develop a sustainability plan to ensure that the occupants of the buildings are able to maintain them adding that he was also exploring the possibility of attaching a means of livelihood for them.

The consultant outlined the challenges the committee would face to include spending much money in the difficult terrain, high cost of transport among others.

His words “We are building a 350 apartment in the area, we are using the conventional pattern to ensure that the houses look modern. We will be faced with the challenge of building in a difficult terrain and it will cost much money than building in other areas in the country but we promised to deliver a good job.”

The implementation committee is to be chaired by the state governor. Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chief Wellington Okirika, Chairman DESOPADEC as vice chairman, the commissioners for Housing, Water Resources, Power and Energy and Special Duties (DESOPADEC) among others as members.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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.