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Niger Delta

Housing Project: Minister Alleges Sabotage

Published

9 years ago

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The Minister of Niger
Delta Affairs, Uguru Usani, has alleged that some state officials were sabotaging development initiatives in Akwa Ibom.
Usani made this disclosure  in Nsit Ibom and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas of the state during an assessment of work done by contractors handling the 40 housing units.
The minister said that officials of the ministry in the state had failed to propagate the necessary information on the projects, which the ministry had been executing in the state.
“What are you doing here as a coordinator when you don’t know the contractors handling this project.
“As a state coordinator, you have no documents on this project to show that the owners of these property involved have been compensated,” he queried.
The minister alleged that some of the officials of the ministry were conniving with contractors on site, leading to contractors not taking the projects seriously.
He warned all contractors handling the ministry’s projects to go back to site and make sure that their work was commensurate with the money collected from the ministry or return the money for the contract to be re-allocated.
The minister explained that the houses were built to compensate the indigenes, whose lands were taken by the Federal Government for oil exploration.
The minister also said that some displaced people, who gave up their lands for the peace of the country would also benefit from the housing scheme.
He said that the nine oil producing states of Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo, Ondo, Imo and Abia would benefit from the 40 housing units.
Usani, however, said that the ministry would draw the modalities for the sharing of the houses and urged community leaders from the nine states to be democratic in the exercise.
“We have almost completed the housing schemes but we want to get the inputs of those on ground.
“The ministry had earlier met with chiefs and community leaders and had given its intention on how the sharing will be done.”
Usani assured that widows, the aged and children would be given priority during the allocation process.
He said that the physically challenged, married youths and members of neighbouring communities would not be left out in the sharing formula, which the ministry had proposed to various communities.
“The ministry will ensure that there will be no conflicts when it is time to allocate these houses to the communities.
“The houses are fewer than the demand and no matter how many you build, people will still require more.
“The ministry will work to sensitise people and work out a formula through which the sharing can be done equitably,” he said.
Our correspondent recalls that the former Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs, Darius Ishaku, had met with some community leaders in the area in April 2014 to discuss the modalities of allocating the houses.

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Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks ago

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September 12, 2025

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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.
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Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 weeks ago

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September 12, 2025

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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.
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Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

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2 weeks ago

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September 12, 2025

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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.
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