Niger Delta

N850bn NDDC Funding Deficit Hampers Dev

Published

9 years ago

July 15, 2016

The Niger Delta Develop
ment Commission (NDDC) has expressed concern that the N850billion Federal Government’s funding deficit was slowing down the impact of the commission on the people of the region.
Disclosing this in a welcome address at the official inauguration of the Rivers State Office of the commission on Olu Obasanjo Road in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Director, NDDC, Rivers State Office, Benson Udo-Asubop, said that the Federal Government’s inability to release the backlog of funding deficits was responsible for the poor performance of the commission in certain developmental indices, and called for urgent action to remedy the situation.
The commission also regretted that it has yet to receive any money from the Ecological Fund while irregular payments by oil companies and other contributors have negatively affected the operations of the development agency.
While promising to pay contractors its debt of N450 billion, the commission noted that the payment would depend on the quick response of government and other financial contributors to its coffers.
Acting Managing Director of the commission, Ibim Semenitari, the inauguration of the edifice was a testimony to what the people of the region can achieve if they work together in unity, saying that the feat would enable to commission exit rented apartments for staff and save huge resources expended on rents.
Semenitari noted that the project, which commenced in May 2014 following the demolition of the old structure in March of the same year, contains four floors with a total area of 2.755m2 provided for office accommodation and a basement floor of 670m2 for archiving and parking.
The acting managing director explained that the first to third floors provide offices for directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, managers and other staff, including provisions for state representative and state director, adding that 120 staff already have office accommodation within the complex.
Noting that CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic locations within and outside the building to capture all activities around the vicinity, Semenitari said that all necessary national building requirements were met and modern facilities provided for such huge edifice.
She added that the complex includes a large reception, conference hall for 250 persons, staff canteen, sick bay, and offices for drivers, all on the ground floor.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike charged the management of the commission to work closely with the government to meet the yawning needs of the people of the state, especially the youth.
Represented by Special Adviser on NNDC Affairs, Barrister Aribitonye Okiri, the governor stated that the state government does not play politics with the development of the state, and has done everything within available resources to meet the needs of the people of the state.
According to him, “we believe that collectively, we have a duty to create wealth in order to reduce poverty and bring good life to the people of Rivers State,” just as he further challenged NDDC to seek collaboration with the state government in efforts to improve the livelihoods of the people of the state.
He insisted that NDDC must brace up and do the needful by ensuring that it provides employment opportunities for Rivers people on grade level 1-6, saying that such action would help reduce unemployment burden, ensure peace and reduce poverty while also toning down crime rate in the state.
Meanwhile, the commission has said that the multi-billion naira Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa State will be inaugurated later this month to drive development in that part of the region.
The commission also confirmed that for the first time, the quarterly report of NDDC has been forwarded to the Presidency as provided for in the extant law establishing the development agency.
Among other issues, the commission further pointed out that it now hold regular management meetings while processes for the award of contracts and payment of contractors have become transparent.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

5 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

8 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

8 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.