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Niger Delta

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

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8 years ago

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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

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Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

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7 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.
Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.
Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.
Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.
“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.
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Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

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7 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.
Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.
The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.
Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of  responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.
“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments  made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.
“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.
Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.
He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
 “I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.
“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.
“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.
By; Ariwera  Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status 

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7 days ago

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January 12, 2026

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Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.
While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.
“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.
“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.
He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.
Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.
“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,  Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”
The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.
He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.
“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.
“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.
Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.
He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.
The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.
He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.
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