Niger Delta

NEITI Accuses NDDC Of Projects Duplication

Published

11 years ago

July 18, 2014

Niger Delta Development
Commission, NDDC, received about N593.96 billion between 2007 and 2011.
This is contained in the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI’s Fiscal Allocation and Statutory Disbursement, FASD Audit Report covering the period under review.
The independent audit reports also highlighted many abandoned projects scattered across the nine states that make up the NDDC states.
The reports presented by the Chairman of NEITI, Mr. Ledum Mitee, in Abuja, equally disclosed that the NDDC spent about N459.24 billion on recurrent and capital related projects during this period.
He said, “Twenty-two projects were duplicated in the projects schedule with a total contract sum of N1.18 billion, with mobilisation payments of N370.70 million and mobilisation of N93.09 million recovered.
The report, however, revealed “that of the N680.53 billion due to the Commission from the Federal Government between 2007 and 2011, only N216. 90 billion was released leaving a deficit of N463.62 billion.
On allocation to State offices of the NDDC, the report further revealed that there was a general allocation of N7.44 bill ion to the nine state offices of the Commission for the completion of projects.
“It highlighted that most of the projects were neither identifiable nor scheduled for monitoring and proper management. The report observed that the NDDC enabling Act is silent on the issue of how the budgets of the oil producing companies are obtained by the Commission.”
According to the report, NEITI therefore recommended that, “in view of the several cases of project duplication observed by the audit in the operations of NDDC, the Commission should carry out a comprehensive reconciliation and project audit between the headquarters operation and their host states.
It said, “this should be followed by an independent value for money audit on NDDC projects to establish a nexus between the cost of these projects and the value to benefiting communities.
“The NDDC Act 2000 requires the Federal Government of Nigeria to contribute the equivalent of 15% of the total monthly statutory allocations due to the member states of the Commission from the Federation Account; and 50% of monies due to member states of the Commission from the Ecological Funds, the report added.

Flooded portion on Route 7, Federal Housing Estate, Ikot Ansa in Calabar last Tuesday

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.