Niger Delta

Cluster Communities Eulogise Deputy Gov As SPDC Succumbs To Pressure

Published

4 years ago

March 16, 2022

The Chairman, Communitiy Development Committee (CDC) of Otuasega Community, Ogbia council area of Bayelsa state, Mr Nadarikpa Raniyar Marcus, has commended the State Deputy Governor,Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for his timely intervention in resolving feuds between the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and communities of the cluster.
Marcus who also doubles as Chairman of the Action Committee on provision of grid by the SPDC for the cluster communities while speaking with The Tide said upon the Deputy Governor’s regular meetings with the host communities and the oil company in resolving misunderstandings regarding total power blackout, the firm he said was now working more assiduously to complete the electrification works as well as provide power within the timelines of their recent agreement with the government and in line with the ultimatum given it by the communities.
The four SPDC host Communities of Otuasega, Imiringi, Elebele and Yiba-Ama(Oruma) in the Kolo creek cluster operational area of the SPDC,Ogbia council area of Bayelsa State had in the wake of Shell’s failure to supply them with power handed down a 14-day ultimatum to the oil firm to provide electricity for them or risk total shut down of all its oil installations in the cluster area.
The Otuasega CDC helmsman hinted that the state Deputy Governor was instrumental to the earlier planned linking of the community to the national grid after the SPDC failed to restore power to the hostcommunities,upon the expiration of the last date the firm gave them.
”Infact, the state Deputy Governor was Godsent to Otuasega Community.He single handedly provided funds for us to fix some of the damaged electrical installations of our electrical lines,and even directed the Manger of the state-owned electricity company, Engineer Olice Kemenanabo to link us to the national grid after the SPDC failed to connect communities of the cluster to its grid which as we speak is still under installation by Morpol Engineering Company at the Imiringi flow station”
“But for the alleged vandalism of some of the equipment of the national grid somewhere as we heard, Otuasega and other communities of the cluster would have been enjoying electricity”, he said.
“SPDC have been operating in this area for more than 50 years,and they have not given us electricity any day. Everything we’ve had from this firm was through pressure.
“Last year, due to this their worrisome attitude towards the cluster communities, we staged a protest at their manifold,located along the Etegwe-Otuasega Road and stopped them from working, and demanded that the Etegwe-Otuasega Road which leads to other parts of Ogbia, Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas be rehabilitated.
“Today,by God’s grace, though the road is still under reconstruction,it’s now motorable. We thank the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State for being a good mediator”, the CDC chairman said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

Published

5 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.

Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.

Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.

He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.

Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.

In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.

Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families

Published

5 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.

Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.

“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.

Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.

“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.

Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.

Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.

He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.

“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.

Niger Delta

Delta Legislative Assembly Impeaches Leader Over Gross misconduct

Published

5 hours ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Leader of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm, Rt. Hon. Ajero Prosper Okeoghene, has been impeached over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The impeachment of the ousted leader was signed by 12 out of the 18 councillors that attended the plenary at the legislative chamber of Ughelli North on Wednesday.

The Councillors alleged that the former House leader breached the constitutional requirement to lead the 8th Assembly.

According to the statement, “We the undersigned Councillors of Ughelli North Local Government Legislative House of the 8th Assembly have watched with keen interest the activities of the present Leader of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper, and having thoroughly gone through it, we decided to as a matter of urgency, resolved to impeach him in line with the relevant Delta Local Government Law 2013, as Amended, and other Legislative practices/convention.

“Furthermore, to the above therefore, we are constrained to state unequivocally that Hon. Ajero Okeoghene Prosper lacks the ability to move this Eighth (8th) Assembly to the next level and as such should step outside for another to reinvigorate this present Assembly.

“Having satisfied the constitutional requirement of 2/3 majority, motion for his impeachment and removal as leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved.

“His impeachment was as a result of Misappropriation of funds, inability to pilot the affairs of the house, high-handedness, gross misconduct and refusal to call plenary as at when due and his excessive drunkenness.

“The motion for his impeachment was moved by Hon. Onome Isherhe, Councillor representing Ughelli Ward 12, and seconded by Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, representing Orogun Ward 3, respectively.

“The motion for a new Leader of the Ughelli North Legislative Arm was moved by Hon. Collins Oghenebrorhie Arhiakpore, the Councillor representing Agbarha Ward 2 and seconded by Hon Felicia Diedjomaho, the Councillor representing Agbarho Ward 1″, it stated.

Amongst the Councillors that signed the impeachment are Hon. Orido December, Hon. Victor, Hon. Igogono Goddey, and Hon. Felicia Diedjomaho.

Others are Hon. Inana Oke Festus, Hon. Clever Erhuvwu Ofariko, Hon. Collins Arhiakpore, Hon. Joseph Friday Obara, Hon. Onome Isherhe, and Hon. Palmer Israel.

The new Leader of the Ughelli North Local Government Legislative Arm is Rt. Hon. Solomon Oghenero Agbini, the Councillor representing Ogor Ward 1.

All efforts to contact the impeached leader, Okeoghene, were not successful as calls to his line were not answered or returned as of the time of this report.