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Niger Delta

Delta Scale Up SEEFOR Projects

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10 years ago

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The Delta State Coordina
tor of State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR), Mr Benson Ojoko, said the state government had given approval to scale up the project in all the 25 councils.
Ojoko told newsmen in Abuja  that the projects were pilot projects in six local government areas and that the projects had been a huge success.
He listed the beneficiary councils as Oshimili South, Warri South, Uvwie, Ughelli North, Sapele and Udu.
Our correspondent  reports that the SEEFOR project, which is being funded by the European Union (EU) and the World Bank, is aimed at employing youths in the informal sector.
The project is being implemented in four Niger Delta states of Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers through the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
The official said the objective of SEEFOR was to enhance youth employment opportunities and access to socio-economic services, while improving the public financial management systems of participating states.
“It will interest you to know that out of 7,750 beneficiaries of SEEFOR project in the implementing states, 4,431 of the youths have been employed in the implementation of the project in Delta.
“One thousand, three hundred and eighty six (1,386) of the jobs were created for males, while 3,045 jobs were created for females”.
He said that apart from the number of youths that had benefited, the state had adopted the project to ensure its sustainability.
“For instance, the Private Sector Participation (PSP) model in refuse disposal and collection, even when the contract elapsed since Oct. 2015, the government has continued implementing it.
“The government of Delta is running the project with the vision and they are not stopping it at the six pilot local government areas.
“The governor has seen the benefits accruable in the number of people employed in revenue generation and cleanliness of the environment.
“He has approved the scale up from the six local government areas to all the 25 local government areas of the state, “ the official said.
Ojoko said that the project showed a credible alternative to business in an unusual way, which the state had been benefiting beyond the immediate cash.
He said the state had also recorded success under the Technical Vocation Training Institution, and on the Commodity Intervention that the project had impacted at the grassroots level.
“But much more importantly is on the Medium-Term Support for Public Financial Management Reforms- with this intervention we have leverage on the support of the World Bank.
“We have leveraged on the support to have a draft Public Financial Management Law for Delta, a draft Audit and Economic Law and updated Fiscal Policy Paper and Budget Policy Statement.
“These are elements of Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) which were not there before the intervention.
“For the first time in the history of Delta State, the state government has been able to pass the MTEF document to the Executive Council and the State House of Assembly.
“This became the working document for budget preparation for 2016, “ the official said.
In addition, Ojoko said that the state had been paying its counterpart funding of N150 million annually, saying that the act demonstrated government‘s commitment to the project.
“I have seen the wisdom in this partnership with the World Bank and EU. For us in Delta, it is truly a demonstration of partnership for result. “
Our correspondent  reports that the five-year project which started in 2012 would end in 2017.

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Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

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7 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.
Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.
Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.
Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.
“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.
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Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

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7 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.
Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.
The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.
Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of  responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.
“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments  made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.
“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.
Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.
He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
 “I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.
“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.
“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.
By; Ariwera  Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status 

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7 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.
While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.
“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.
“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.
He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.
Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.
“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,  Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”
The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.
He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.
“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.
“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.
Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.
He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.
The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.
He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.
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