Niger Delta

Obaseki Advises NDDC Against Sub-standard Projects

Published

9 years ago

March 8, 2017

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has advised the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to always emphasise quality in its road construction projects in the state.
Obaseki gave the advice on Thursday, when he received the report of the state government-inaugurated technical committee to review road projects executed by NDDC in the state.
The governor said he was not happy with the quality of work on some NDDC road projects in the state which the committee report indicated were below required road standards.
The report also indicated that only 101 roads of the 248 roads awarded by the commission had been executed.
It said that while work had yet to commence on 86 others, many of the road projects were reported to have been abandoned.
Obaseki urged intervention institutions like NDDC to ensure that only tested and trustworthy contractors are selected to handle road projects.
According to him, NDDC cannot be an appellation for substandard work, and the quality of their projects should improve.
‘’We have to, from now on, be involved in their projects and in the selection of contractors to work in our state.
‘’We want to understand why inferior materials are used for an NDDC project; and from now on, we want to insist that the same quality of materials we use on our roads are the same NDDC contractors who operate in the state must use.
‘’We have problems with the designs of their roads as reported by the committee; how can we design roads in a rain forest to have very narrow drains and expect that those roads will last?
‘’Even from the design stage, we want to be involved’’, he said.
He commended the committee for a job well done, and said that all contracts awarded by NDDC in the state would be evaluated.
‘’We will also like to interrogate all the contractors that have worked with us, we are imploring that NDDC gives the required cooperation,’’ he said.
Earlier, the chairman of the committee, Mr Erasmus Osahon, an engineer, said that NDDC started awarding road projects in the state in 2004.
Osahon said that the job of the committee was to ascertain the total number of roads, determine stage of accomplishment, the quality of work done, and make appropriate recommendation on the roads executed by NDDC in the state.
He noted that the review of road projects, prompt payment of contractors and training of engineers would stem the rate of abandonment of road projects.
Osahon also recommended that the commission should liaise with the state ministry of works to avoid duplication of projects and double expenditure.
The chairman suggested that the governor should take advantage of the regional funding usually made available by NDDC as a major source of funds for projects in the state.

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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.