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Workers Stranded In Rivers As FIRS Seals NDDC Hqtrs
This is certainly not the best of times for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as its corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, has been sealed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Although the reason behind the sealing could not be immediately ascertained as some staff of the commission seen outside the gate declined comments on the development, but sources said alleged that it may not be unconnected with acts of tax evasion.
When this reporter visited the NDDC headquarters located at the Marine Base axis of the Rivers State capital around 11:10am, last Friday, it was observed that the main gate and adjoining walls had over nine stickers with the inscription, “sealed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service.”
A security vehicle donated to the police was stationed opposite the main entrance, which carried the bold inscription ‘sealed’.
A resident, who simply identified himself as Peter, said that the sealing was discovered when the staff of the interventionist agency were reporting for work.
Peter, who said he runs a business near the complex, described the development as a shock, saying that most workers returned home after waiting in vain to gain entrance for hours.
“We saw this seal on Thursday morning when the NDDC workers were coming to work; the situation caused confusion, many workers left while some waited around.
“Some workers still came to work today (Friday) and the gate is still sealed.To be honest with you, I don’t know why a Federal Government agency would seal off another federal agency,” the resident said.
A couple of months ago, protesting youths under the aegis of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) had sealed the same facility, which was commissioned on March 11, 2021 by President MuhammaduBuhari.
The youths, who also sealed the Rivers State office of the NDDC located on OluObasanjoRoad, Port Harcourt, said their action was to protest the continued delay by the government in constituting a substantive board for the interventionist agency.
Efforts to reach the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Dr.IbitoyeAbosede, proved abortive, as he neither answered calls put across to his telephone nor replied to a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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