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Dickson Gets Kudos Over Airport Project

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8 years ago

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The people of Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have expressed joy over the ongoing International Airport project sited in their community.
While commending Governor Henry Seriake Dickson for envisioning the airport, they said it would provide gainful employment to Bayelsans, accelerate economic prosperity, promote peace and stability of the state and the region.
The airport is billed for completion in August this year.
According to a press statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, the community leaders spoke at the airport at the weekend after a facility tour of the airport project.
The tour was led by the Ebenanaowei of Ogboin Clan, King Oweipa Jones Ene, who described the siting of the project in Amassoma community as phenomenal and heartwarming!
King Jones-Ere also called on the Federal Government to fulfill its part of the contractual obligation towards the airport project, assuring the state government of the people’s commitment to protect the project.
“Words are not enough to describe my joy that we are hosting a powerful, gigantic and modern airport,” the monarch said. “We will do everything to support and protect this airport and we are positive about its expansion.”
Also in his remarks, the Amananaowei of Amassoma Community, Major Graham Naingba (Rtd), expressed delight that the airport project would go a long way in reducing the unemployment rate in the state as well as provide training for the youths.
Responding to questions, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Kuroakegha Dorgu, announced the approval of N200 million by the state government as compensation to the land owners, assuring that the money would be paid by the end of this month.
The Director, Bayelsa Airlines, Elizabeth Daitare-Akpama, assured the community leaders that the project would be completed by the end of August this year.
Mrs. Daitare-Akpama, who said the facilities at the airport had reached advanced stages of completion, said the terminal building has the capacity to accommodate 500 passengers.
She explained that the 3.5 kilometre runway has reached 75 per cent completion, while the taxi park facility is about 95 percent completed, noting that the state government has also created space for expansion of the project.
Also in her remarks, a Commissioner in the Assembly Service Commission, Aperetari Ogugu, commended Governor Dickson for establishing the project in Amassoma and assured him that the people would always rally round his restoration government.
In her contribution, Alaere Raine, an architect, said she was highly impressed at the pace of work on the project, describing the airport as an economic booster that would also set the standard for facilities such as hotel and residential accommodation that would spring up in the area.
The Chairman of the State Housing and Property Development Authority, Joseph Akedesuo, who is an indigene of Amassoma, said it was a rare privilege for his community to host the international facility and expressed the hope that Amassoma people would benefit from the project.
“I relish the fact that, the first airport in the heart of Ijaw land will witness the first flight in the next couple of weeks. I am here to thank Governor Seriake Dickson for bestowing on us this rare privilege to host this project and we are giving the assurance that we will be a good host community.”
In their separate speeches, the Youth leader of Amassoma community, Joseph Douyi and Mrs. Goodhead Akpos lauded Governor Dickson for the project, as it would increase commercial activities in the area.
Other facilities inspected include the Control Tower and Fire Bay.

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Niger Delta

C’River Bans VIOs From Road Operations 

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6 days ago

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March 9, 2026

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The Cross River State Government has banned the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from road operations across the state.
The State Governor, Bassey Out, who made the announcement in Calabar on Saturday, restricted activities of the VIO to office duties.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary,  Mr. Linus  Obogo, the directive followed protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators over high tickets, excessive fines and alleged harassment by enforcement teams.
The Governor, who made other announcements in the sector, said the measures were approved after a meeting with key transport stakeholders.
According to the statement, other announcements made was the reduction of daily ticket fee from N850 to N500,  while the penalty for failure to purchase the ticket had also been reduced to N10,000.
“All traffic-related fines be slashed by 50 per cent and must be paid only into designated Cross River State Government accounts.
“Daily ticket for tricycle riders have been reduced from N1,200 to N500. However, every activity of commercial tricycle operators ends at 6 p.m. daily, night operations are permanently banned,” Otu asserted.
He said the review was aimed to ease the burden on drivers and restore order in the state’s transport system.
Speaking further, the Governor said the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) would now focus on vehicle registration and sale of tickets at approved rates.
He noted that enforcement officers must operate only in proper uniforms and with verifiable identification.
He directed the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) to restrict its activities to statutory traffic management duties.
In addition, the Governor announced that “commercial bus drivers and tricycle riders will no longer purchase tickets on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
“These directives will take effect from March 9, and I urge all residents and transport operators to cooperate with relevant authorities.”
Speaking to The Tide’s source, some commercial drivers said the statement did not address some activities of TRAMRA such as the illegal “no parking order” for drivers who only pick and drop passengers.
For Johnson Ade, a commercial driver,  there should be an official release stating the traffic infractions in the state and the fine for each of them.
He said slashing the fines by 50 per cent was ambiguous, adding that the amounts to be paid for each crime should be clearly stated to prevent criminal elements who posed as government traffic regulatory officials from abusing the directive.
On his part, Mr. Sunday Dennis, Metropolitan Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), said they would convene a meeting immediately to critically look at the governor’s statement.
It would be recalled that series of protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators had led to the suspension of all forms of  transport tickets in the state by the government.
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Niger Delta

A’Ibom Community Seeks Govt Recognition For Elected Village Head

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6 days ago

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March 9, 2026

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Some indigenes of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, in Ikpe Annang Clan, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have called on the State Government to recognize Chief Samuel James Udo as the authentic Village Head of the community by according him a Certificate of Recognition.
According to them, the call is necessitated by the fact that Chief Udo has won the first and second election processes on 1st May, 2021 and 15th July 2025.
The indigenes said in addition to his emergence after the two election processes, Chief Udo’s emergence has been confirmed by Chief Akpan Akpa Inyang (Okuku Ikpa Isong Annang), who has handed him (Udo) to “UDAK” as stipulated by the custom and tradition of Annang Land.
They said Udo’s emergence marked the end of every struggle by individuals or groups of persons on the issue of headship of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, Ikpe Annang Land, in Essien Udim Local Government Area.
According to them, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, should call for the recognition of the Village Head-elect of Mbiabong Ikpe Village in accordance with the Traditional Rulers Council Law of Akwa Ibom State, CAP 134.
This, they said, is because he has been duly and rightly selected by the kingmakers as the village Head-elect and have satisfied all requirements in the extant law for the said selection.
“We are informing the Akwa Ibom State Government of the development, because any imposition of any other name to the Governor will not be accepted by the community”, they said.
Meanwhile, they have alleged that some “enemies of progress are causing problem over the Chieftaincy issue after the winner has emerged and accepted by the entire Kingmakers.”
When contacted the Village Head-elect, Chief Samuel James Udo, advised the people not to cause any crises, saying that their mandate will not be denied.
“I will continue to respect the law. My people are law abiding citizens and God will surely stand for true justice and the certificate will be given to me, not through fighting, causing unrest, or violence, but by our faith in God, and the belief that the relevant authorities will do the needful”, he said.
By: Christopher Tom, Uyo
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Niger Delta

Delta Unveils World Book Day Festival

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6 days ago

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March 9, 2026

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The Delta State government on Saturday unveiled the LightRay! Distortion World Book Day Festival.
The festival, themed “That Which Bends, Transcends,” is a major celebration of literature, storytelling, and cultural advocacy in the state.
It was unveiled at the office of the Head of Service, Mrs. Mininim Oseji, in Asaba.
The event was organised by LightRay! Media, in partnership with the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA) and Unchained Vibes Africa.
Founder and President of the media group, Ejiro Umukoro, described the event as the first large-scale literary festival in the state.
She explained that the initiative aims to engage both marginalised and privileged communities in dialogue on resilience, hope, and social change through literature.
Highlighting the transformative power of storytelling, Umukoro said literature can inspire action, reshape perspectives, and drive social change within communities.
According to her, the festival builds on the impact of the Distortion novel series produced by LightRay! Media, which explores themes of human resilience, personal agency, and renewal.
She noted that the book has supported social awareness campaigns and legislative advocacy, contributing to the abolition of the Osu caste system in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo.
“The novel has also received literary recognition, including the TYB Young Adult Literature Prize in 2024,” she added.
Umukoro further revealed that the Delta Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has approved Distortion as a recommended literature text for students.
She expressed concern over the poor condition of public libraries across the state, noting that many remain inactive or non-functional.
”Urban libraries also struggle with outdated collections, inadequate infrastructure, and limited professional staffing”, she said.
Umukoro urged stakeholders to rebuild libraries, strengthen reading communities, and equip facilities with modern learning resources.
“The three-month festival will feature competitions, workshops, creative showcases, and professional development programmes, Umukoro said.
The Permanent Secretary in the office of the Head of Service, Mr. Wilson Chukwuka, commended the initiative.
The leader of the National Association of Seadogs, Mr. Michael Nwaidei, said the project aligns with efforts to encourage critical thinking and knowledge acquisition among young people.
Nwaidei was represented by a member of the association, Mr. Uche Egbuche.
The Tide’s source reports that guests, educators, creatives, and literary enthusiasts from across the state and diaspora communities attended the festival.
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