Niger Delta

Report Indicts Ex-Council Boss, Two Others

Published

13 years ago

September 21, 2012

The committee setup to investigate
the financial dealings in Southern Ijaw Local Government Council under the
leadership of its former chairman, Mr Tiwei Orunimighe has concluded its report
with an indictment on him and two other
council officials.

The report which recommended
recovery of misappropriated funds and prosecution of the former council
chairman, secretary of the council and the treasurer, accused them of financial
impropriety during the period under review.

Tiwei Orunimighe who was
among five council chairmen sacked by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly is
alleged in the committee report to have been involved in questionable financial
transactions.

The former secretary and treasurer of the council,
Collins Baker and Quickpen Oseke who were signatories to the council accounts
and through whom “most of these payments were made through cash”, are said to
be collaborators in all the suspicious financial dealings, the report signed by
Edoumiekumo Samuel and six others also alleged.

The committee recommended
that all beneficiaries of questionable payments be invited for interrogation
and made to pay back the funds they received if found wanting while the council
must ensure due process in all future financial transactions.

The council Chairman, Felix
Bonny-Ayah, who incidentally was vice to the indicted ex-chairman,
while receiving the committee’s report at the council’s liaison office in
Yenagoa, vowed to implement all the recommendations to the letter.

Bonny-Ayah’s intention to set up
the committee may not be surprising to political watchers of Southern Ijaw judging by his ‘’cat and dog’’ relationship
with his former boss.

The report which covered the
period from April 2010 to May 2012 noted that there were discrepancies in three
major areas of personnel cost, overhead cost and security cost and called for
enthronement of internal control system to discourage future sleaze in the
council.

According to the report made
available to journalists in Yenagoa, there were no payment vouchers in
some months “thereby making it difficult for the committee to believe the
competence of the council treasurer. There is the urgent need to verify this
and reconcile the salary figures.”

In the area of overhead
cost, the report said most of the payments were frivolous including several
claims of N1.0 million for the ex-chairman’s trips to Yenagoa as well as several
claims of N10 million by the former political secretary for the chairman’s
logistics without retirement.

On security cost, the report
said sums ranging from N3.0 million to N15 million monthly were collected as
allowance since there were no security breaches and in some instances, the
security vote was collected twice.

Another area where financial
discrepancies were uncovered was capital expenditure which stood at N481.73
million which the committee pointed out “some
payments were on fictitious projects.”

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

10 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.

Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.

According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.

He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.

Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.

The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.

Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

Published

10 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.

The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.

Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.

He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.

“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.

The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.

The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.

The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.

He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.

“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.

Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.

“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.

Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.

Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.

“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.

Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

Published

10 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.

The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.

It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.

Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.

He, however, said while several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.

“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.

‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.

In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.

Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.