Niger Delta

LG Boss Presents N3.66bn Budget To Legislative Assembly

Published

6 years ago

February 27, 2020

The Chairman of Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, Dr Tony Philmoore, has presented the 2020 Appropriation Bill to the Legislative Assembly.
He made the presentation of the budget to the assembly, in Degema, last Tuesday.
Tagged, “Budget of Consolidation”, the bill which has a revenue projection of N3,660,937,762.53 only is projected to give oxygen to ongoing projects and nurture them to completion while capturing the funding needs of the new minimum wage and the consequential adjustment.
A breakdown of the budget shows that recurrent expenditure will gulp N1,996,025,250.04 only, equalling about 65 per cent of the total budget while capital expenditure will draw N1,664,912,512.50 or 35 per cent of the total budget.
A cursory glance at the 2020 budget reveals that it is higher and above the 2019 budget with about N918million or 33.4 per cent increase with an estimated N90,215, 215.00 in recurrent and capital expenditures.
The 2019 budget was N2,742,625,203.86 only
Presenting the budget to the DELGA Legislative Assembly, Philmoore said the budget, when implemented, would fulfil the yearnings of the greater majority of DELGANS, assuring that every ward would benefit from it.
He said the free tertiary education programme formed the bedrock of his administration and that council had paid 65 per cent of the total fees payable by students from Degema Local Government Area to the Rivers State University, adding that funding for the programme was adequately provided in the current budget commenting that other schools would have their turn soon.
On the delay of the electricity project in Bakana, the council boss blamed it on policy flip flops by the federal government which affected the importation of industrial equipment into the country.
He, however, assured that all materials and equipment had arrived the shores of the country and safely tucked in the warehouse.
Philmoore thanked the Legislative Assembly for its invaluable support, and urged it to make laws that would empower the executive to improve internally generated revenue of the local government area.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

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.