Niger Delta

… Set To Complete Ultra-Modern Motor Park

Published

5 years ago

February 8, 2021

The Governor Douye Diri led government of Bayelsa State has indicated plans to complete the Ultra-Modern Motorpark project started by the immediate past administration.
The state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo gave the indication at the weekend, during a meeting with representatives of Etegwe- Tombia Junction Traders Association, Road Transport Employers and Workers unions in Government House, Yenagoa.
In a statement by his media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor underscored the importance of the project, which he noted would help to decongest and improve the city status of Yenagoa.
According to Senator Ewhrudjakpo, the present administration is desirous of completing the Igbogene Motorpark to enable it implement an efficient inter and intra-city transport system.
He maintained that when completed, the central motorpark would not only enhance the aesthetics of the state capital but also checkmate the activities of criminals in Yenagoa and its environs.
To this end, the Deputy Governor urged the relevant state officials including the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure to immediately visit the Igbogene site with the transport union representatives to put up a temporary structure for use.
He said urgency was attached to government’s move to relocate the market and motorparks at the popular Etegwe-Tombia Roundabout to ease traffic in the area, preparatory to the take-off of commercial operations at the state airport.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who solicited the understanding and cooperation of those doing business in the area, advised them to prevail on their members not to take the laws into their hands.
While assuring them of the present administration’s commitment to creating a congenial business environment, he said government would provide a more suitable place for both unions to carry out their activities.

“We are working to see that we relocate you from that Tombia area to a more comfortable place to do your business. The last time we met, I think we delegated the Commissioner for Land and the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment to go with you to check the site you suggested”, he added.

“Our desire is that all those motorparks there (Tombia Junction) will be moved to Igbogene where we will have our central park. This means every passenger coming into Yenagoa, will first alight there before taking town service into town.Do you know the importance of that? It will help us to checkmate all the criminals who come in with their vehicles from outside and rob people in the name of running town service”, the deputy Governor reiterated.

In their separate remarks, the Acting Chairman, Tombia Junction Traders Association, Alhaji Dahiru Yau and the State Chairman of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Mr Chris Adokeme, pleaded with government to provide an alternative for their relocation.

Also speaking, Patron of the Traders Association, Mr Biggy Obesi, expressed gratitude to the Deputy Governor for his proactive measures and assured him of a better working relationship between Government and the Association.

Those who made strong submissions at the meeting included, the Secretary to the State Government, Rt Hon. Konbowei Benson, Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Barrister Alex Dumbo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, CP Akpoebi Agberebi.

By: Ariwera Ibibo- Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Stakeholders In Delta Seek Stronger GBV Action, Women’s Leadership

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Stakeholders in Delta State convened in Asaba for a leadership workshop organised by Otdel Health Heritage and Environmental Initiative (OHHEI), focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and women’s participation in decision-making processes.

OHHEI Project Director, Mr. Peter Olayinka, represented by a consultant, Juliet Obiajulu, urged participants to contribute meaningfully toward advancing women’s leadership and combating GBV across communities in the state.

He said the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to influence policies, challenge harmful cultural norms, and reinforce initiatives designed to prevent and respond to GBV.

Olayinka said women often faced bias even when they occupied leadership positions, and stressed that gender diversity improved the quality of decision-making and promoted innovation and accountability in governance structures.

Speaking, the Chairperson of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Mr Eris Jewo-Ibi, identified cultural norms, domestic responsibilities, political resistance, and grassroots barriers as constraints to women’s participation.

Delta State GBV Desk Officer, Mrs. Rosemary Okpuno, emphasised that effective decision-making required women’s perspectives, adding that inclusion remained critical to addressing persistent gender-based challenges.

Voke Angbagh of the Delta State Ministry of Justice outlined penalties for rape and called for the establishment of special courts to handle sexual offences cases.

Angbagh said frequent adjournments delayed justice for survivors, stressing that dedicated sexual offences courts would ensure timely trials and stronger protection for victims in Delta State.

The Tide’s source reports that facilitators identified cultural acceptance of violence, unequal power relations, discrimination, poverty, limited education, and low self-esteem as major drivers of GBV.

They emphasised that violence and exclusion resulted in social, physical and emotional harm, imposed economic costs, reinforced harmful stereotypes, and widened existing gender inequalities.

The source also reports that OHHEI, a local non-profit organisation, focuses on education, health, environment, and social justice, promoting sustainable development initiatives with gender equality at the centre of its interventions.

Niger Delta

C’River Suspends Taskforce Activities Over Drivers’ Protest

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has suspended all taskforce activities connected to commercial transportation and ticketing across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Otu, announced the suspension at an emergency stakeholders meeting on Friday in Calabar.

It would be recalled that commercial drivers in Calabar metropolis took to streets on Thursday to protest alleged multiple taxation and extortion by government agencies.

During the protest, the drivers alleged that taskforce groups claiming to represent the state government openly harassed and extorted them.

Represented at the meeting by Ekpenyong Akiba, his Special Adviser on General Duties, Otu said the suspension would subsist pending further review of the situation.

The Governor stated that the state government did not commission anyone to extort drivers in the name of task force.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to remain law-abiding while government worked out a lasting solution.

On his part, the Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Calabar Metropolis, Mr. Sunday Dennis, expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results.

He said the meeting had provided an opportunity for the aggrieved commercial drivers to present their concerns directly to the state government.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Unified Drivers Association, Mr. Nta Henshaw, described the harassment on drivers as worrisome, and urged the state government to be decisive in resolving the matter.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Assembly Urges More Private Investments In Agriculture

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Nutrition and Food Security has called for more private sector investments in agriculture.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Moses Essien, made the call when the committee visited Aviclaire Farms, a private establishment in Usung Idem, Uruk Usoh in Abak Local Government Area.

Essien, who represents Ibiono Ibom in the Assembly, commended the Management of the farm for partnering an NGO, ECEWS, to promote private investment in agriculture.

He commended the partners for adopting climate-smart agriculture initiatives in their operations, adding that such move would promote food security.

“Your interest in using transformative intervention to promote food security is a veritable way of complementing the efforts of the state government,” he said.

The lawmaker continued that adopting practical climate-smart agriculture model would help to generate employment, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen food sufficiency.

He further said he was impressed with the strides recorded by the partners, saying, “your investment has created jobs for no fewer than 2,000 youths.

”You are an example of an environment-friendly investor. I urge Akwa Ibom residents to embrace environment-friendly and technology-driven agriculture models,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, ECEWS, Dr. Andy Eyo, who conducted the committee round the farm, said the collaboration was conceived to demonstrate the viability of climate-smart farming in ensuring food sufficiency.

Eyo said the farm, which commenced operations with four greenhouses, had expanded to 14 within two years, and currently supplying high-quality produce to major markets in Uyo and neighbouring communities.

He said ECEWS was exploring cooperative frameworks to enable rural farmers and women’s groups to adopt greenhouse technology for sustainable livelihoods.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviclaire Farms, Mrs. Victoria Eyo, said the controlled-environment ensured precision cultivation and consistent yields.

She further said the farm served as a capacity-building centre for students, interns, and agri-business trainees.