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NDDC, Bayelsa Govt Disagree Over Roads
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is undertaking emergency road repairs and rehabilitation on 14 roads across Bayelsa State, the agency has said in a statement.
Acting. Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NDDC,Mrs Ibim Semenitari issued the statement in Yenagoa yesterday.
She described as “untrue and shocking” recent claims by the Bayelsa State Government that it was intervening on the same roads.
The managing director was reacting to claims by the Bayelsa government that it was undertaking the on-going road rehabilitation work on the roads.
She listed the roads as Oporuma-Sabageria-Polaku road in Opokuma Local Government and Odi-Trofani road.
In Yenagoa, the roads are Otiotio Road, DooGood Street, Goodnews Street, Azikoro, Shepherd Vine Road, Capt. Ayeni Street; Saptex Road, Yenizue-Epie; INEC Road, Kpansia; Jasmine Suite Road, Erepa Road and NIIT Road.
Others are the Dimrose-Green; Villa-Custom Link Roads 1 & 2, Biogbolo; and Toolda Road, Ekeki all in Yenagoa. It would be recalled that the Commissioner for Information in Bayelsa, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite on Saturday said on-going emergency repairs on roads were the handiwork of the state government.
The managing director explained that the on-going road rehabilitation covered the nine states of its mandate in the Niger Delta region.
She regretted that rather than commend the agency for the step which would be a huge relief to it, the Bayelsa government decided to resort to misinformation.
“Such deliberate falsehood erodes public trust in authorities,” Semenitari said, adding that the emergency work was meant to relieve the government of some burden.
She said the commission had expected the Bayelsa Government in best practice; emulate its Cross River and Akwa Ibom counterparts in commending NDDC.
She said where the state government lacked the courage to attribute credit to NDDC, it should have kept quiet instead of misinforming the public.
Semenitari expressed displeasure that although the Bayelsa Government knew the truth, it chose to hide it from the public.
She said such style of governance eroded confidence in government and ridiculed probity.
“NDDC saw gaps in road infrastructure across its nine mandate states and the urgent need to intervene and after a management meeting, decided to act as to provide relief to motorists and other road users.
“So the option of emergency road repairs came handy as it would afford immediate remedial solutions, relieve states of financial burden and enhance inter and intra-city communications.
“Under this intervention, hitherto impassable roads have become usable routes thereby boosting economic activity and improving livelihood of the people,” Semenitari said.
She said NDDC would not engage Bayelsa in war of words but that it was necessary to leave the public with the correct information in the interest of ”good governance and sustainable development.”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
