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Niger Delta

Bayelsa Exco Approves Nembe-Brass Road Project

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The Bayelsa State Executive Council has approved the construction of Phase One of the Nembe-Brass road in Bayelsa East Senatorial District of the state.
This was disclosed on Wednesday at a joint press briefing after the 70th session of the executive council in Government House, Yenagoa.
Speaking with newsmen, the state Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ayibaina Duba, accompanied by his counterparts of the Ministries of Works and Infrastructure, Moses Teibowei, and Health, Dr Pabara Igwele, stated that the first phase will cover a distance of 21 kilometres with 10 bridges.
Duba said the Governor Diri’s administration inherited two senatorial road projects from the previous administration and promised to embark on the third one, which is the long-awaited road from Nembe to Brass.
”We are pleased to announce that the State Executive Council has given approval for the award of contract for phase one of the Nembe-Brass road. It covers 21 kilometers with 10 bridges.
“The construction will start soon. The procurement board is directed to facilitate the process in a manner that there would be no delay in the award of the contract to a very competent contractor.
“Due to the amount of work required on the road, it is divided into three phases. Phase one will be from Nembe to the Saint Nicholas River,” he said.
The Works and Infrastructure Commissioner, Moses Teibowei, further explained that six of the 10 bridges have a 30-metre span each, one is 60-metre, another one is 90-metre while two have 120-metre span each,just as he said the ground-breaking ceremony would take place early next month.
The state exco also approved a weekly jogging exercise for members to be led by the governor and his deputy every Thursday morning.
Describing the decision as a means to keep fit and prevent heart-related ailments, the Health Commissioner, Dr Igwele, said the exercise would commence from the Berger Junction to the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.
Also speaking at the briefing, the Special Adviser on Political Matters, Chief Collins Cocodia, cautioned against aspirants for elective positions sponsoring protests to advance their interest.
Cocodia noted that members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who have electoral value, know the procedure to achieve their goals but not through protests.
“Lately, people sponsor protests from behind the scene to call on them to contest for political offices or protest against other aspirants.
“The governor has directed that such action should stop because it is an internal party matter and whoever is aspiring knows the procedure to follow.
“They should also be informed that there is a party disciplinary committee already inaugurated and if it is discovered that such protests are sponsored, we will make sure that they face the disciplinary action of our party.
Our party is one big united party”, he said.
In another development,the state governor on Wednesday,signed into law the Multi-Door Court Bill as well as the Customary Court of Appeal and the Customary Court Bills that were passed by the House of Assembly.
The three bills were signed in the presence of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, and other principal officers of the legislature.
Governor Diri noted that the new laws would enhance the administration of justice in the state, adding that the Multi-Door Court Law provides the option of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to resolve disagreements outside the courts, which he noted have been inundated with cases.
According to him, the Ijaws have customs that have been in existence for generations but have not been documented, adding that the customary court laws would address such issues.
The governor, who commended the assembly for passing the bills, assured the legislature that both arms of government would continue to synergise to engender good governance and development.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Abraham Ingobere, said the laws would fast-track the administration of justice in the state, explaining that the Customary Court Law was aimed at protecting the rights of widows and the girl child amongst other customary issues that relate to the Ijaw people.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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Niger Delta

NDDC Begins N50,000 Monthly Payment To 10,000 N’Delta Youths 

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has begun the payment of N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 indigenous youths from the Niger Delta under its Youths Internship Scheme.

The Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, yesterday.

She explained that the beneficiaries would undergo practical, hands-on training across the various organisations for 12 months to develop critical skills.

Recall that during the inauguration of the scheme on July 31, 2024, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had announced the Federal Government’s approval of a N50,000 monthly stipend for the trainees.

According to Thompson-Wakama, the commission has successfully completed the selection process and has begun placing trainees in organisations to gain practical experience.

“Consequently, with the completion of these phases, the payment of the monthly stipends has also commenced,” she announced.

She revealed that the 10,000 beneficiaries were transparently selected from over 3.2 million youths who registered for the empowerment programme.

“This unprecedented response highlights the immense potential and aspirations of our youths to improve themselves.

“NDDC remains steadfast in ensuring this life-changing opportunity reaches the most deserving candidates, creating a lasting impact and paving the way for a brighter future,” she stated.

Thompson-Wakama explained that the scheme had enabled the commission to collate essential data, including the qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and employment status of the youths in the region.

The data, she explained, would guide the commission in designing programmes tailored to address the unique challenges faced by young people.

She disclosed that the NDDC partnered with KPMG, a global audit and consultancy firm, to enhance the commission’s corporate governance framework.

“KPMG has produced a Governance Advisory Report that will serve as a tool to support the commission’s transition from a transaction-based to a transformation-focussed policy,” Thompson-Wakama added.

The director commended the youths for their patience and cooperation during the selection process for the scheme.

  

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Niger Delta

C’ River Committed To Mangrove Restoration – Gov

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Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, last Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling climate change by advocating for the restoration of the state’s mangroves.
Otu made this remark during a courtesy visit by officials of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, highlighting the state’s proactive stance as the first to enact a Climate Change Law.
Emphasising the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges, he called for greater support for ongoing projects and increased investment in training and awareness initiatives at the community level.
“Our mangroves have suffered, but we are working on sustainable solutions. This is a testament to our full support and commitment to climate action.
“Our roadmap is strong, and our people are ready to collaborate for a greener economy”,  he said.
Also speaking during the visit, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, commended the Cross River government for its leadership in climate governance.
Maduekwe, who is also a Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, described mangroves as Nigeria’s ‘low-hanging fruit’ in climate mitigation, highlighting their economic and environmental significance.
She noted that a stakeholder town hall meeting had been held in Calabar, the state capital, to establish a concrete roadmap for mangrove restoration and conservation.
“We are excited to see a state that has not only adopted the Climate Change Law but has also developed a solid framework for a green economy.
“While we continue to engage other states, Cross River stands out as a model in driving climate action”,  she said.
She, however, stressed the need for a strong legal framework to ensure effective climate action, noting that operationalising a climate change fund would be crucial in attracting global financial support.
On her part, Dr Edu Effiom, Director-General of the Cross River Council on Climate Change, reiterated the state’s efforts in mangrove restoration and carbon investment, noting that significant progress was being made.
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Niger Delta

Igbinedion Varsity Wins EU’s Grant To Tackle Plastic Waste

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The Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, has emerged one of the winners of the European Union’s Grant for Sustainable Plastic Waste and Recycling Management (SWARM), a capacity building project.
The three-year project, worth 800,000 euros (about N1.24 billion) is designed to revolutionise sustainable plastic waste management and recycling practices in Nigeria and South Africa.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, disclosed this at the presentation of the partnership agreement, in Okada on Wednesday.
Ezemonye, an environmental advocate, welcomed the development, stressing that the project aligns with the university’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
According to him, the grant, along with international collaboration will help to manage the menace of plastic waste in Nigeria.
“The project will enhance solid waste management training, foster recycling and resource recovery, and facilitate technology transfer through international collaboration”, he said.
He explained that SWARM aims to equip staff and students with the necessary skills for adopting innovative, sustainable technologies and methodologies in plastic waste management.
He added that the initiative would enhance solid waste management training, foster recycling and resource recovery.
“It will also facilitate technology transfer through international collaboration.
“With a comprehensive approach across multiple work packages, SWARM aspires to create a replicable model for environmental stewardship, thereby contributing significantly to the global sustainability agenda”, Ezemonye said.
The Tide’s source reports that the SWARM consortium is a collaboration of three higher education institutions each in Nigeria and South Africa with European partners.
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