Niger Delta

Bayelsa Exco Approves Nembe-Brass Road Project

Published

4 years ago

April 8, 2022

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

Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.

Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.

Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.

Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.

“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.

Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.

Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.

The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.

Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.

“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.

“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.

Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.

He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

“I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.

“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.

“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.

By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status

Published

3 hours ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.

While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.

“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.

“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.

He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.

Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.

“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.

“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”

The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.

He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.

“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.

“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.

Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.

He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.

The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.

He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.