Niger Delta

Senate Applauds Bayelsa On Financial Discipline

Published

8 years ago

January 27, 2017

The Ad-hoc Committee on State and Local Government Administration of the Senate, has given the government of Bayelsa State thumbs up on the prudent management of resources accruing to it.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Abdullahi Gumel gave the commendation, when he led members of the committee on a courtesy call on Governor Seriake Dickson in Government House, Yenagoa.
Gumel, who noted that they were in the state to perform their oversight function on the management of statutory allocations, expressed satisfaction on the utilization of funds, particularly the bailout funds to the state.
He said members of the committee had earlier met with the state’s economic team, during which they scrutinized the financial reports of the state government, describing the reports as very impressive.
His words: “Four states got the bailout in the South-South, but Rivers and Akwa Ibom states did not take the bailout. We have seen the level of compliance here and we are very impressed. We have seen that accountability is working in Bayelsa State, and we hope we find this in all the states we are going to visit.”
Responding, Dickson pointed out that one of the first bills initiated and passed into law was that of the Accountability and Transparency, which he noted, has in no small measure contributed significantly to promoting good governance in the state.
According to the governor, every month, the state government renders its income and expenditure profile to the people, and it is also mandatory for local government councils to comply with the law.
While emphasizing that such mechanisms were part of measures to check financial recklessness, particularly in the administration of the local government system, Dickson stated that as soon as the state government works out modalities, it would ensure remittance of the refunds from the Paris Club to the councils.
”Nobody in the state government is allowed to tinker with local government resources, so the bailout that they got, everything that was meant to get to the local governments went to them. And, we told them to follow the guidelines, even recently when the Federal Government started making refunds of the excess deductions for the Paris Club and other refunds, again, every kobo meant for the local government received by us was announced to the state and kept aside. And, in no distant time, once the modalities are worked out, it will be remitted to the councils for the purpose it was given,” the governor added.

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

8 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.

Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.

According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.

He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.

Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.

The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.

Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

Published

8 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.

The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.

Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.

He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.

“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.

The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.

The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.

The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.

He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.

“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.

Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.

“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.

Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.

Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.

“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.

Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

Published

8 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.

The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.

It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.

Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.

He, however, said while several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.

“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.

‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.

In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.

Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.