Niger Delta

Bayelsa Budgets N285bn For 2013

Published

13 years ago

December 31, 2012

Bayelsa State Government has proposed an estimated expenditure of N285.9bn for the 2013 fiscal year.

The Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson Stated this when he presented the State’s Appropriation Bill for 2013 to the House of Assembly, for consideration, Monday.

Calling it ‘’Budget of Consideration for Restoration Agenda’’, Dickson said that the proposed budget was carefully crafted to ensure implementation of all the capital projects in the state, putting the recurrent expenditure which includes personnel cost at N49.142bn and overheads of N28.905bn.

Dickson, who arrived the chamber of the Assembly in company of his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah(rtd) and other members of his cabinet gave a break-down the budget to include, a recurrent expenditure estimated of N133.235b, N152.695bn for infrastructural and capital projects

The governor, said his administration was set for a full and aggressive implementation of the restoration, and disclosed that the budget is expected to be funded by estimated statutory allocation of N27.268bn, excess crude oil N45,4500bn, VAT N9.55bn, 13 per cent derivation N160.706bn and Internally Revenue Generation (IGR) N44,473bn among others.

He said the state received N206.509bn to finance last year’s budget, which he described as a shortfall of N30bn from the original estimate while N44.756bn was spent on capital projects in the year under review, adding that his administration used the first year to build required institutions to ensure good governance.

The Governor added that the government would continue to pursue its ongoing programmes to reduce cost of governance, eradicate waste and block financial leakages, hence, the intention to revisit the biometric exercise embarked by his predecessor.

“We are going to ensure budget implementation discipline with emphasis on reducing recurrent expenditure and cost of governance. We will continue to pursue reduction of wage bill and we will revisit the unconcluded biometric exercise”, he said.

He said the administration would ensure e-payment for all the salaries in the state adding that a programme of right sizing the civil service would be pursued vigorously.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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.