Niger Delta

LG Boss Orders Staff Verification Over Wage Bill

Published

6 years ago

September 23, 2019

Worried by what he termed ‘huge wage bill’, the Executive Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State, Hon. Phillip Okparaji, says a staff and salary audit would be carried out to ascertain the number of workers in the Council’s pay roll.
He disclosed that contracts have been awarded for the rehabilitation of major roads in Eleme.
Okparaji who disclosed this to newsmen shortly after inspecting some roads in the area stated that the deplorable state of roads in Eleme, especially the market axis of Ogale and Aleto, would soon be a thing of the past.
The council boss said contract for the rehabilitation of the road projects have already been awarded to an indigenous firm, Lubrics Construction Company (LCC), just as he said staff of the council and appointees should be prepared to make sacrifices aimed at achieving set out goals.
Yes, we are embarking on the road project. Right from the market in front of the road leading into Ogale to Aleto. We want to reconstruct that road to give access to people coming from Ogale, Alode into Aleto. That is what we want to do.
“The company that is going to handle that job is LCC and their engineer joined us when we went on inspection of the roads.
“Also, the council will carry out a staff/salary verification from this September payment because no government can survive with a heavy burden of recurrent allowances and payments,” he said, adding that his administration will complement the efforts of Governor Nyesom Wike in order to usher in development in Eleme.
“I therefore call on civil servants, political appointees, and everybody to make sacrifices, especially the non-payment of all allowances, as monies saved will be channeled into the development of the various communities in Eleme and we promise judicious use of our resources.
“We are doing it to complement the efforts of His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, in terms of development. You can see that today the Governor is being called Mr. Quality Projects. We want to replicate that in Eleme.
“I assure the people of Eleme that my administration will embark on quality projects that have direct bearing on the lives of our people. And we are serious about it,” Okparaji said.

Dennis Naku

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.