Niger Delta

Comissioner Defends Bayelsa’s N17bn Loan Facility

Published

5 years ago

November 27, 2020

Bayelsa State Government says the N17 billion facility it is processing is to boost the state’s economy through the development of its agricultural sector, create jobs and raise its internally generated revenue profile.
The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Maxwell Ebibai, stated this while reacting to questions from journalists after rendering the statement of accounts for the income and expenditure of the state for August, September and October 2020.
According to the Finance Commissioner, “we decided to approach the State House of Assembly for approval to collect the facility for the purpose of developing our palm oil and our other agricultural potential.
“The Bayelsa government is not collecting N17 billion to spend on recurrent expenditure. Rather our citizens involved in commercial agriculture would benefit from it and the process would also generate employment for our people and boost our revenue too”, he said.
While noting that the money is yet to be collected, Mr Ebibai explained that the N17billion facility was in three parts: N10billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria, with flexible repayment terms, and that the facility was open to all states in the country.
He said the N4billion was a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) counterpart fund, which would be deployed into fixing some of the state’s road infrastructure, provision of potable water, rehabilitation of schools and primary healthcare facilities; and lastly the N3billion is a revolving temporary credit facility, with a 12-month tenor to fund financing gap whenever there is a shortfall in monthly revenue accruing to the state.
He pointed out that in recent times there had been a sharp decline in revenues from the Federation Account to the state as a result of statutory deductions, which had impacted the state’s economy negatively.
Ebibai maintained that it was necessary to obtain the loan in order to make up the gap in the event of revenues falling below a certain threshold to enable the state manage its economy.
“We are aware that the national economy has gone into another recession. Invariably, if the economy is bad, you can do things to reflate it and put money in the hands of the people”, Ebibai noted.
He further stated that the loan and debt profile of the state is not hidden as it is published on the Federal Government’s Debt Management Office website for anyone to see and that through the transparency briefings, the government declared the income and expenditure of the state regularly.
“The loan profile of the Bayelsa State Government is there on the Debt Management Office (DMO) website. You will see the breakdown of the loans and what they were used for. You have the full details and the public document is there”, he added.
He contended that it was government’s responsibility to do what it considerd to be in the best interest of the people by being responsive to situations in averting financial crisis.
“The steps we are taking show that the government of Senator Douye Diri is thinking ahead, envisaging situations and responding to them even before they arise,” the commissioner said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

3 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

3 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.

Niger Delta

Diri Mourns Ex-Federal Lawmaker, Brambaifa

Published

3 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed sadness over the demise of former federal lawmaker, Senator John Kojo Brambaifa.

The late Senator Brambaifa, who represented the State’s West Senatorial District in the 5th National Assembly between 2003 and 2007 died on Saturday in a hospital in Abuja at the age of 81.

In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the Bayelsa Governor described Senator Brambaifa, popularly known as JKB, as an illustrious son of the state.

Governor Diri stated that the late former lawmaker was an astute politician, who distinguished himself in public service.

“Bayelsa and Nigeria have lost an elder statesman, amiable gentleman, astute politician and a great community leader.

“Brambaifa left a legacy of unblemished and committed service to Nigeria, the old Rivers State, Bayelsa and indeed his community.

“On behalf of the Government of Bayelsa State, I extend sincere condolences to the Brambaifa family and the Agbere community in Sagbama Local Government Area, where he hailed from”, Diri said.

The Governor urged his family and community to be comforted by Brambaifa’s meritorious service and remarkable public and political career.

The Tide gathered that until his death, Senator Brambaifa was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the fledgling Federal University of Agriculture, Nembe-Bassambiri, in the Nembe Local Government Area of the state.

He was also a past chairman of Sagbama Local Government Council in the old Rivers State as well as a former chairman of the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa