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Trans-Kalabari Road On Course, Banigo Affirms …Says DELGA, ASALGA LG Bosses, Replica Of Wike
The Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has assured that Phase 1 of the Trans-Kalabari Road project was definitely on course, and would be completed on schedule.
Banigo made this assertion during the commissioning of the Chief Amabibi Don Pedro Compound Memorial Hall in Bakana, last Saturday, as part of the celebration of the first 100 days in office of the Degema Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Michael John Williams.
According to Banigo, “The Trans-Kalabari Road is a project that is very much desired by the Kalabari people, it is a complete breakthrough for them and it is something that will elevate their standard of living”.
The deputy governor poured encomiums on the Degema Local Government Chairman, Hon. Michael John Williams; and his Asari Toru counterpart, Hon. Onengiyeofori George; for emulating the State Chief Executive, Chief Nyesom Wike in the area of project execution, adding that the projects have impacted positively on the lives of the people.
“The chairman of Degema has completed this as part of his 100 days programme, it is one of many projects across Degema, the chairman of Asari Toru, who is here, has also done a lot, and I am very proud of them because the projects are quality projects, they are following the style of Governor Nyesom Wike, Mr Quality Projects. The projects have touched the lives of the people; projects that the people desire, that is why they are rejoicing.”
She described them as true replica of Governor Nyesom Wike, and urged the people to continue to keep the peace to attract more development into the area, stressing that the PDP remains the only hope to rescue Nigeria.
Banigo, said that only council chairmen under the control of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were performing, despite the harsh economy of the country.
“Today, only council chairmen sponsored by our party, PDP, are the ones performing, particularly the Degema Local Government chairman, even though we hear there is no money in the country.
“He is working and following the footsteps of our workaholic Governor, the Mr. Quality Projects; Chief Nyesom Wike, that is why we call him ‘Wike’s Son Number One.’
“Today, we are still celebrating his first 100 Days in office with so many projects littered across the LGA, imagine what he would do as he continues.
“We are grateful to God for giving us a chairman, who loves his people and is doing everything to unite the party and the various communities,” she added.
Banigo thanked party and community leaders in Bakana for maintaining peace in the area, stressing that only a peaceful community would attract development.
She emphasised that politics should bring about, unity, peace and development, warning that any political party that fails to promote the above ideals should not be entrusted with the people’s mandate.
Commenting on the newly built edifice, the deputy governor noted that it was first of its kind, as it was very unique and iconic.
She stated that the Wike-led administration meant well for the Kalabari people, that was why it commenced the historic Trans-Kalabari Road Project, which would be completed within next year, as well as embarking on several other projects in Kalabari land, including the soon-to-be commissioned ultra-modern secondary school in Bakana.
The first female deputy governor in Rivers State, while drumming support for the administration of the council chairman, urged the people to remain resolute in their support for the PDP, as that was the only party that would deliver without excuses.
Earlier, a Second Republic politician and Chief in Pedro’s Compound, Chief Hon. Levy Braide, disclosed that he and others recently ditched their former party; the APC for the PDP, owing to the superlative performances of the Council Chairman at the LGA and Governor Wike at the State levels, adding; “now we have what to campaign with.”
Braide, who represented Degema Constituency in the State Assembly and later became Commissioner for Works in the Chief Melford Okilo administration, expressed joy that what he had planned to do for the compound over 40 years ago, but failed to achieve, had been accomplished by Hon. Michael John Williams–a proud son of the compound, in just about three months of his administration.
He added; “the projects we are seeing everywhere across Degema today is a clear statement that Michael John Williams is the David that God ordained to give Bakana and the entire Degema LGA a facelift.”
While thanking the governor for commencing the first phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road, Braide, appealed to the governor to kindly consider Bakana and Ogurama communities in the second phase, as according to him, the people were experiencing great difficulty accessing their communities, especially as they have to spend several hours struggling with tankers along the Abonnema Wharf road at a great risk to their lives.
He added that in the alternative, a pontoon system could be established by the state government with internal roads, to address the avoidable losses of lives due to boat mishaps.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Michael John Williams, who disclosed that he would continue to execute projects that would make the governor proud and impact positively on the lives of the citizenry, described Bakana as a peaceful community.
He expressed gratitude to the deputy governor for leading him to Christ whom he said was his foundation.
Williams stated that during the campaigns, he assured the people of the LGA that the PDP administration under Governor Nyesom Wike would not put them to shame.
He disclosed that when his administration commenced the project, naysayers expressed doubts about its completion, but to the glory of God it was completed within the first 100 days of the administration
Williams eulogised the deputy governor for her motherly role in his life and political career, assuring that his administration would not let her and the people of Degema down, but would continue to do more to better the LGA.
Earlier, the PDP Chairman, Degema Local Government Area, Hon. Peter Abbey had said he was proud of the developmental strides of the council chairman, noting that the people of the area made no mistakes in electing Hon. Michael John Williams into office.
Abbey, who is also the chairman of the Grassroot Development Initiative (GDI) in DELGA, stated that Bakana and the entire LGA were not regretting in voting for Hon. Williams, adding that the PDP leadership, both in the LGA and state levels were proud of the sterling performance of the DELGA council boss.
He said the deputy governor honoured the invitation to come and commission the project because she knew that her son had delivered, assuring that; “what you are seeing here today is just a tip of the iceberg, more is on the way.”
Highpoint of the day was presentation of a portrait to the council chairman by youths of the Amabibi Don Pedro Compound, in appreciation of his kind gesture.
There were cultural displays from Iria dance group and others to entertain guests.
The occasion was attended by dignitaries across the state, including the Special Guest of Honour; the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo; the DELGA Council Chairman, Hon. Michael John Williams; and his Vice, Mrs. Maureen Harry; Chairman of Asari-Toru LGA, Hon. Onengiyeofori George; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Roland Obed-Whyte.
Others include; PDP Chairman in DELGA, Hon. Peter Abbey, his predecessors; Hon. Elias Davies; and Hon. Tonye Tyger; former caretaker committee chairman of DELGA, Mrs. Okorite Adiele; and former Commissioner for Special Duties in Rivers State, Dr. Emily Solomon.
The rest include Leader of the Degema Legislative Assembly, Hon. Johnson Eugene; councillors across the 17 wards of the LGA, chiefs, top functionaries and other appointees of the council, PDP chairmen across the 17 wards of the LGA, party chieftains, amongst others.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has now received a total of 129 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties.
The update was provided during the commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja, yesterday.
According to a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, seven new applications were submitted within the past week, adding to the previous number.
“At its regular weekly meeting held today, Thursday 10th July 2025, the commission received a further update on additional requests from associations seeking registration as political parties.
“Since last week, seven more applications have been received, bringing the total number so far to 129. All the requests are being processed,” the commission stated.
The commission revealed the introduction of a new digital platform for political party registration. The platform is part of the Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System and aims to streamline the registration process.
Olumekun disclosed that final testing of the portal would be completed within the next week.
“INEC also plans to release comprehensive guidelines to help associations file their applications using the new system.
“Unlike the manual method used in previous registration, the Commission is introducing a political party registration portal, which is a module in our Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System.
“This will make the process faster and seamless. In the next week, the commission will conclude the final testing of the portal before deployment.
“Thereafter, the next step for associations that meet the requirements to proceed to the application stage will be announced. The commission will also issue guidelines to facilitate the filing of applications using the PFRAS,” the statement added.
In the meantime, the list of new associations that have submitted applications has been made available to the public on INEC’s website and other official platforms.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.
The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.
The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.
The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.
The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.
“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.
Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.
Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”
Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”
He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.
“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.
According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”
He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.
The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.
However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.
At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.
They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.
After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.
By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.
In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.
“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.
“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.
The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.
“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”
The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.
Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.
However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.
Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.
A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.
It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.
The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.
“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.
“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”
But lawmakers rejected the request.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.
“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.
“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.
Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.
The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”
Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.
The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.
Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.
The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.