Niger Delta

Dickson Disburses N5m Loan To Traders

Published

10 years ago

August 3, 2015

President, Genius Making Youth Foundation (G-MYF), Egbulefu Justice (2nd right), with executive s of the foundation, during a courtesy visit to Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson

Bayelsa State Governor,
Hon. Seriake Dickson has disbursed the sum of N5million as soft loan to 60 Kpansia market traders in the Yenagoa metropolis.
The disbursement, which is being carried out by the state-owned Izon-Ebe Micro Finance Bank, is coming barely a week after a similar interest-free loan facility was released to some beneficiaries of the economic empowerment scheme at the famous Swali Market in the state capital.
Speaking with newsmen during a brief ceremony to flag-off the disbursement at the corporate headquarters of the bank in Yenagoa, the Secretary/Legal Adviser of Izon-Ebe MicroFinance Bank, Ms Patience Abah, disclosed that a total of 600 traders from the Kpansia Market have been penciled down as beneficiaries.
Out of this number, she said 200 have been picked as first batch beneficiaries of the revolving loan with a moratorium of six months, during which period, they are expected to build up their capital before repaying the facility.
According to Ms Abah, the loan is different from other ongoing empowerment programmes in the state, such as the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Fund, describing the disbursement as a fulfilment of an earlier promise the governor made to the traders when he visited them.
While commending Governor Dickson for releasing the funds in the face of the current harsh economic realities, she urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the loan and keep faith with the repayment arrangement to enable others benefit from the scheme.
She said, “We are grateful, first of all, to our Governor, Hon Seriake Dickson for the effort that has been made. I agree that obviously, five million naira is not going to solve all of their (traders) needs. But it is just a start; a very good start. It is for people to know and appreciate the effort he (the governor) is making to be sure that people have access to capital, which is so key because without capital, you can never start or grow in business.
“There has been a lot of talk that has been going on about various loan schemes. So there shouldn’t be any confusion out there. This one today is a specific loan promised by the Governor to assist the Kpansia Market Traders. We also have the MSME Development Fund. That is not to be confused with what is happening here today.
“About a week ago, the governor fulfilled his promise to the Swali Market Traders. The promises were made about the same time to the traders at the two markets-Swali and Kpansia. That of Swali has been fulfilled and what we are seeing here today is the fulfilment of the promise to the Kpansia Market Traders.
In an interview, the Leader of Kpansia Market Solidarity Group, Chief Adevuya Otobo expressed gratitude to the governor for identifying with the traders, noting that it was the first time members of the association were benefiting such support from any government.
Assuring that beneficiaries would properly utilise the facility to grow their businesses and repay accordingly, Chief Otobo prayed God to bless the governor to enable him succeed in his second term bid.
Other beneficiaries including Mrs Suzzy Okorie, Kpenseme Wilcox, Martha Rufus and Madam Teme Patrick lauded Governor Dickson for fulfilling his promise, but appealed for the sustenance of the scheme to promote trading activities among Bayelsa women.

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.