Niger Delta

Protests Trail Abandoned Road Projects In Bayelsa

Published

13 years ago

April 12, 2012

The Ogbia Progressive Forum, a socio-political group from the Ogbia Constituency II in Bayelsa, has staged a peaceful protest over neglect of roads in the area.

The group marched to the Bayelsa House of Assembly to protest delay by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to execute road projects in the constituency.

Secretary of the Forum Godwill Ekobo, who spoke on behalf of the group, said the delay by the Ministry to award contract for the commencement of work at the Ekoli bridge road to link Ayakoro-Ologi-Anyama-Okodi-Emadike communities sparked off the protest.

Our correspondent reports that the deplorable state of Ekoli Bridge link road to Ayakoro-Ologi to Anyama and Okodi- Emadike cluster communities in Ogbia constituency II posed a serious challenge to the movement of the people.

Ekobo said: “since two years, survey work has been completed and tender for the roads construction has been advertised on national dailies by the Ministry, but up till now, nothing has been done on the project.”

The Forum called on President Goodluck Jonathan to prevail on the Ministry to expedite action on the project before it became an abandoned project.

Ekobo said that the present state of the link road to the communities could not be used by vehicles and had led to the communities being cut-off from other parts of the state.

He said that the situation had undermined the rapid socio-economic development of the cluster communities and denied the people of the areas the dividend of democratic government.

The group recalled that similar faith had befallen the areas more than 20 years ago when the then Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADEC) awarded a road project to link the communities from Azikoro road in the state capital, but was later abandoned by the contractor.

Ekobo said that earlier commencement of work on the project, before the return of the rainy season, would benefit the people of the 17 communities that made up Ogbia Constituency II.

Addressing the Forum, the Chief Whip of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Mr Obedient Emoto attributed the rate of poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment of the constituency to the lack of good roads in the area.

The lawmaker, who represents the Ogbia Constituency II in the State Assembly, expressed displeasure over the delay on the project by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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.