Niger Delta

LG Administrative Heads Charged On Diligence

Published

9 years ago

January 23, 2017

The Cross River State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu, has charged all administrative heads of local government areas (Holgas) to be up to task in the discharge of their duties as operators of local government councils.
Esu gave the charge during a meeting with the 18 Administrative heads of local government areas in the state, in Government House, Calabar.
The deputy governor, who congratulated them on the onerous task which has fallen squarely on their shoulders as a result of expiration of the three-year tenure of local government chairmen, described their schedule as a major responsibility.
Esu, who emphasized the need for them to be disciplined, ensure prompt payment of salaries and uphold the avenues for Internally Generated Revenue of their various councils, however, debunked the speculations that the chairmen of councils were removed from office.
He called on the administrative heads to ensure effective presence and activities of staff as well as prompt and regular payment of staff salaries to bring local government salary status at par with that of their civil service counterpart, stating further that this was in line with the policy direction of the Sen. Ben Ayade-led administration.
While urging them to synergies with the Ministry of Local Government Affairs to ensure a balance between their roles as civil servants and appointees, Esu stressed the need for them to ensure that their Internally Generated Revenue is upheld in order to establish a clear variance from that of the past chairmen.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the administrative heads, the Head of Administration, Bekwarra Local Government Area, Mr. Simon Olem, said they were grateful for the chance to contribute to the vision of the present administration.
Olem pledged their continued support and commitment towards channelling their council’s endowment to the overall development of the people.
Present at the meeting were the Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Mr. John Olafor and his Permanent Secretary, Dr. Innocent Eteng, President, National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Godwin Ayendi, Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Dr. Peter Adigeh; as well as all the heads of local government administration in the state.
The meeting was sequel to the expiration of the three-year tenure of chairmen of councils which ended on the 15th, December, 2016.

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

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

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

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.