Rivers

Lawmaker Charges Buhari On New N’Delta Vision

Published

7 years ago

July 11, 2018

Leader of Opobo/Nkoro Legislative Assembly, Hon. Enyiada Clifford Cookey, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to be committed to the implementation of the new vision for the development of the Niger Delta region through budgetary allocations.
Cookey made the call in Opobo Town in an interview with journalists on the state of development of Niger Delta region since three years of President Buhari’s administration among other issues.
According to him, licences should be issued to investors in the modular refineries proposed in the region and allowed to commence operations.
“This is something, that should take place in this government and yet the APC-led Federal Government is paying deaf ears to its implementation. The government should be committed to its implementation. It should support the move with the necessary steps for its positive actions”, and urged for the take-off of the Maritime University.
He said that Buhari should as a matter of fact increased budgetary allocation for projects in the region, noting that the budget for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has not been increased to enable the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) tackle the development challenges in the region.
“Lot of things should be done by the Federal Government for the transformation of the Niger Delta region and they should be sincerely committed to doing more”, the lawmaker admonished.
He recalled that in one of the engagements, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo had with the elders and stakeholders of the region stated that the people of the region deserved more than they were getting.
He said: “before now the development in the region was an eyesore and deserved changes from the Buhari-led government. So this government should be committed to ensuring that the narrative in the Niger Delta changes and there should be a new implementation strategy in this dispensation”.
On the proliferation of abandoned projects in the region, Cookey the trend of project should be changed by the current administration with its commitment to the completion of the abandoned projects nationwide.
The lawmaker recalled, however, that in the 2018 budget, the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing received about N715 billion while that of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Niger Delta Development Commission received paltry allocation of N53 billion and N71 billion respectively.
He, noted that the consistency in the allocations to the agencies ought to be increased to ensure speedy completion of such abandoned projects in Niger Delta region.

Bethel Toby

Rivers

NDDC Inaugurates Ultra-Modern Market In Rivers Community

Published

14 mins ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has inaugurated an Ultra-Modern International Market in Ibaa Community, in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, as one of its projects to impact lives across the region.

The Rivers State Representative on the NDDC Board, Chief Tony Okocha, who was also at the event, said the project would improve local commerce and uplift economic activities in Ibaa and its environs.

Okocha commended the contractor for executing a quality job and appreciated the people of Ibaa community for their cooperation towards the timely completion of the project.

The Rivers NDDC representative said he was inspired to build the market after his visit to Ibaa community in 2024, where he witnessed women trading in makeshift stalls.

The Delta State NDDC representative, Mr. Monday Igbuya, said the market was one of its kind.

He urged the community to maintain and utilise the facility effectively.

The Traditional Ruler of Ibaa, Dr. Wobodo Jonah, the youths and the entire community presented traditional food items to Okocha as a mark of honour and appreciation.

Also, the Student Union President presented an Award of Excellence to the Rivers State Representative in recognition of his commitment to community development.

The ultra-modern market had a storey building with 20 lock-up shops, 126 open stalls, modern toilet facilities, a 12,000-gallon potable water tank, and two office rooms, fully fenced with a secured gate.

The inauguration was attended by dignitaries, including the North Central Representative, Mr. Nicholas Wend, among others.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

ASALGA Community Debunks Reports On Ownership Of Land Its Settlements

Published

14 mins ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Minama Community in the Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State has condemned new media reports by some persons from the Bille community that claim ownership of some settlements belonging to Minama, including Dabara.

A statement signed by the King of Minama Clan, HRH. Iboroma T. Pokubo, notes that the repeated media assault of the Bille people should be checked by the Rivers State Government and the security community to avert any act of provocation around an active oil and gas area in the State.

He was particularly troubled by what he chrsitened the “brazen challenge of the Kalabari ethnic Nationality by the Bille people and the disrespect for the person of the Amayanabo of Torusara-Piri, King Mujaheed Dokubo Asari whose contributions they are trying to frustrate”.

According to the statement, “the Minama Community had taken enough from the Bille people and hopes that the Rivers State Government would issue the White Paper on the Ke/Bille crisis, especially as it concerns the interest of the peace loving people of Minama.

“Minama is one of the earliest natives of the lower Niger Delta and acquired and controlled more than 30 settlements, the highest area to be owned by a single group.”

He said the scope of authority of the Minama Clan is confirmed by its pioneering roles in the area, adding that its territory began from “Obule-Bebe in Minama-Toru, currently referred to as Buguma Creek, to Egenegene, down to Pambaduaye, bursting out to Kalabari-Toru, and also connecting Kumbulu Creek to Dabara, down to Obu-Toru.”

The statement continued that, “Dabara settlement that is being claimed by the Bille people is on the same Island with Elem-Kalabari and Elem-Minama and could not be owned by Bille that is deep in the Creek.”

He called on the people of Bille to revisit their history and as much as possible stay on their lane and avoid crisis.

“The desire of all well-meaning people is peace and development. I hope that Bille people will take a cue”, he concluded.

Rivers

Okrika Administrator Seeks To Connect Okujagu Ama To National Grid … Donates 30 Life Jackets To Okujagu Ama Boat Drivers

Published

50 mins ago

July 18, 2025

The Tide

The Okrika Local Government Council has disclosed plans to link Okujagu-Ama Community to the national grid.

The council also donated 30 life jackets to the Okujagu-Ama Boat Drivers Union.

Sole Administrator of the Council, Engr Tamunobipiboye Thompson Isodiki, disclosed this during an unscheduled visit to the community.

In a press release signed by the council’s Press Secretary, Omoni Ayotamunu, Isodiki also said the council will link the community to the national grid within the next few weeks.

According to him, Engr Isodiki, who spoke at the project site where the tower is being mounted, said the council is desirous of ensuring that the community is connected to the national grid.

In his words, “on assumption of office, I saw that the project was embarked upon by the past administration and because of its vital importance to the people, I decided to give it a priority attention.”

The administrator, who made few observations on the construction of the gigantic tower to connect power from Port Harcourt, advised the contractor to make sure care was taken to do a quality work.

“This project, when completed, will bring development to the Okujagu-Ama Community and its neighboring communities”, he stated.

On sabotage by some criminal elements in the community, he said “evil will not over shadow light”.

He urged the people to rise up and defeat such evil-minded people for the even development of the community.

Sir Isodiki impressed on the contractor handling the project to make sure it was completed and delivered on the scheduled time, saying “I have given all the necessary support to complete the project”.

Speaking, the Project Engineer of the Okujagu-Ama Electricity Project, Engr. Femi Bipilaka, assured the Administrator that the project would be delivered on schedule and a quality job would be done.

Meanwhile, a total of 30 Life Jackets have been donated to the Okujagu-Ama Boat Drivers Association by the Okrika Local Government Council.

Presenting the Life Jackets, the administrator of the Council said the Jackets are donated to ensure the safety of passengers passing through the route.

Isodiki said with time more life jackets would be made available to the community.

Receiving the life jackets jointly, the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman of Okujagu-Ama and Ojimba-Ama, Mr. Blessed Elijah, and the Vice Chairman of the Boat Drivers Association, Mr. Lassor Rogers, thanked the administrator for his kind donation and pledged to safeguard the life jackets.