Niger Delta

C’River Assembly Okays 2016 Budget

Published

10 years ago

February 22, 2016

General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mr Celestine Ogolo (right), congratulating a retired staff of the corporation, Mrs Dickba Cookey (left), during a sendforth party in Port Harcourt recently. With them are Director of Publications, Mrs Juliet Njiowhor and Director of Production, Chief Dagogo Clinton (middle) Photo: Ibioye Diama

The Cross River
State House of Assembly has passed the 2016 Appropriation Bill of N303 billion for implementation.
It would be recalled that the state Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, had on October 26, 2015 presented on the floor of the House a budget proposal of N350 billion.
The Chairman House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mrs Regina Angogo representing Yala 1 State Constituency while presenting the report of the committee to the House, said that the reduction of the 47 million naira from its original proposal was arrived at due to dwindling oil prices.
Angogo added that, the Committee carefully studied the budget after the various MDAs had defended their budget proposals, hence the need for the state government to spend the sum of 303 billion naira for 2016 fiscal year.
According to the Chairman of the Committee, the recurrent expenditure for the 2016 budget is put at 64.88 billion naira, while the capital expenditure is 285.11 billion naira. Out of the 64.88 billion naira for the recurrent expenditure, 24.92 billion naira is expected to be spent on personnel cost, while 20.94 billion naira for overhead cost and 19 billion naira is for statutory expenditure.
Also, the sum of 41.78 million naira is expected to be drawn from the federation account in 2016.
The recurrent revenue for the state is proposed at 63.72 billion naira, while 21.93 billion naira is expected to be drawn from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), “she added.
Speaking during the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. John Gaul Lebo, commended the committee for a job well done and also thanked the media and civil societies for their involvement in the whole process right from its inception.
He went ahead to advise MDAs to make judicious use of the funds allocated to them, saying that they would be closely monitored by the legislature.
According to the Speaker, the passage of the budget will also go a long way to assist the Governor in carrying out his signature projects which will bring growth and development to the state as well as increase its economic potentials.

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

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.