Niger Delta

C’River Assembly Passes State Produce Bill …Approves Five New SAs

Published

7 years ago

June 4, 2018

The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed a Bill for a law to establish the State’s produce which seeks to provide for enforcement of grade and standards of quality
The Bill, sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources and member representing Akamkpa II State Constituency, Hon. Charles Ekpe Okon, seeks to harmonise all amendments into the principal law of 2012 which will improve significantly the internally generated revenue of the State.
According to Okon, “the appropriate provisions needed to enhance and sustain performance in the agricultural sector are aptly captured in the Bill.”
In his remarks, Governor Ayade lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for not signing the African Trade agreement in Kigali and commended him for making consultation with the people of Nigeria and the zone who suddenly gave a nod to Mr. President to go ahead with the endorsement.
The governor went further to encourage President Muhammadu Buhari to go ahead with the signing of the trade agreement saying that Nigeria stands a chance to benefit immensely from the endorsement of the trade agreement.
In his words the Governor said: “He indeed charged the country to go all out, using her sheer strength to bolster her influence and trading opportunities since much of Africa depended on her.
“This is the time for Nigeria to exert her giant-hood in all spheres in Africa since there is an unfair global trade against many African countries.
“The president should proceed immediately to sign that agreement. We stand to gain much. The success and wealth of Africa lie on Nigeria’s shoulders.
“We should not necessarily intervene militarily but economically and commercially in many African countries. There is so much wealth in Africa and Nigeria which time has come to harness them to enable us stand tall and proud”.
The forum conferred an award of Africa free trade symbol to Governor Ben Ayadel for leading the vanguard for Nigeria’s international trading opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State House of Assembly has approved the appointment of five new Special Advisers (SAs) in the State
The approval was granted during plenary following a correspondence sent to the House by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Tina Banku Agbor requesting the Assembly to grant Governor Ayade, “consequential approval for the appointment of five additional Special Advisers in the State Public Service’’.
Members, in their separate contributions noted that the appointment was a way of expanding governance to benefit Cross Riverians.
Meanwhile, the House referred a request from the State Government seeking approval to, “draw down the sum of Two Billion Naira (N2bn) from the Cross River Reserve Fund for intervention in the Education Sector’’, to its committee on Finance and Appropriation.
In a letter the SSG disclosed that the State Executive Council had given consent for withdrawal of the funds which will be used for the “development and construction of Teachers’ Continuous Training Center (TCTC), Biase and upgrading of the State University, CRUTECH to enable the school offer/award Medical Science Degree’’
In separate remarks, Members observed that the purpose of the loan is “clear and laudable’’ adding that the idea of teacher’s retraining institution as well as the upgrading of CRUTECH to offer/award Medical Science degree is laudable.

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

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.