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Niger Delta

Bayelsa Dispels Airport Downgrading Rumours

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3 years ago

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The Bayelsa State Government has made clarification that the State-owned international airport has not been downgraded, as being rumoured.
It said the absence of scheduled flights to and from the Airport for a couple of weeks was not the fault of the state government, but has to do with some technical issues with the two airline operators.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, gave the clarification midweek when the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, paid him a courtesy call in Government House, Yenagoa.
He explained that two airlines, Ibom-Air and United Nigeria Airlines, were carrying out what he called D-Check on their aircraft, which had also affected their flight operations from their primary routes.
According to the Deputy Governor, the D-Check is a major maintenance check to determine the air-worthiness of an aircraft after it had made commercial flights for 10 years.
He noted that the State Government was in touch with the management teams of both airlines, giving the assurance that normal flight operations would resume at the airport before the end of the month.
”I can assure you that the Governor Diri-led administration is very much on course. I know that you are going to ask us what is happening to the Bayelsa International Airport.
“There are a few issues, but they are not really our issues as a government. We are aware some persons are pushing the news that the airport has been downgraded. That is not true. The Bayelsa Airport has not been downgraded.
“What happened is that the two airlines working with us have gone for D-Check. The D-Check means a plane going for a major maintenance check after it had been put to flight operations for 10 years to determine its airworthiness.
“If you watch very well, even flights in their regular or primary routes, like the Port Harcourt to Abuja route, have now been reduced to only one daily flight”, the Deputy Governor said.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who noted that government was doing its best to change the general impression of leadership in the State, said the administration had taken proactive steps to checkmate the impact of the forecast impending large flood.
He called on the Federated Correspondents Chapel to help publicise the good things government was doing in Bayelsa, noting that the Prosperity Administration was not resting on its oars in all sectors ranging from agriculture, sports, health to security.
Thanking the media for it’s support to the government since its inception, he assured the Chapel that government would support their annual lecture slated for November this year.
The Deputy Governor, however, observed that the standard of journalistic practice was in a steady decline in Nigeria, and therefore, called on the Correspondents Chapel and its parent body, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, to raise the bar.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Chairman of the Federated Correspondents Chapel, NUJ, Mr. TifeOwolabi, said the visit was meant to formally introduce the newly elected executive members of the Chapel to the Deputy Governor.
Owolabi, who lauded the Deputy Governor for being media friendly, prayed the State Government to carry the correspondents chapel along in its programmes and events, and appealed for support towards their annual lecture programme.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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Niger Delta

Diri Restates PDP’s Stance Against Erring Members

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6 days ago

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March 21, 2025

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Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was bigger than any individual and that its internal challenges would be fixed once the members resolve to tackle them.
He stated this while speaking to journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja recently after the inauguration of the party’s South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee led by Elder Emma Ogidi.
The Governor said the political will to confront those fomenting trouble in the party resided with the members and not solely on the leadership.
Diri, who is also Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, stated that for the party to be competitive as the oldest in the country, it must look inwards and fix its internal issues.
“For me, we have to look inwards before accusing those outside our party. We have to first fix our internal issues.
“It is very easy to point accusing fingers. But the PDP has to sit back and tackle its internal challenges. That is only when we can stand to compete with others.
“I want the PDP to be competitive with other political parties. We are the oldest political party in Nigeria. So we have no reason to be accusing outsiders”, he said.
On whether the party’s leadership had the political will to discipline those fomenting trouble, Governor Diri said such will resided with the members.
“We are all members of the party. The moment we all resolve that we need to fix our party, there cannot be any one person that is bigger than the party”, he added.
He stressed that the newly inaugurated zonal caretaker committee had the mandate of the National Working Committee to look into every issue affecting the party in the South-South.
The Bayelsa helmsman expressed the hope that the event was a step forward for the party.
“In our zone, which is the only area in the country you have four governors of the party, we have all resolved and are together on this. You can see the Deputy Governor of Delta State, who represented the Governor.
“I’ve also received messages from the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers. It shows that we are together and what we need to do is to show leadership and work with the zonal committee so that our zone will again become safe and strong for the PDP”, Diri noted.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Delta Committed To Peace Sustenance In Riverine Communities’

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6 days ago

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March 21, 2025

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Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, says the State Government was committed to maintaining the existing peace in the riverine communities to sustain oil production, the mainstay of the nation’s  economy.
The  Governor, who stated this on Monday when the course participants of the Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN), Calabar, visited at Government House, Asaba, said Delta remained highest in oil production.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Oborevwori said the current administration has constructed several kilometers of roads and drainage channels in the riverine areas of the state.
Oborevwori disclosed that his administration, through the M.O.R.E Agenda, was committed to “fostering inclusive development and enhancing the quality of lives of our people.
“This administration is also committed to maintaining the prevailing peace in the riverine communities as the state is the highest in crude oil production, the mainstay of the economy of Nigeria.
“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this courtesy call to kick-start your study tour of the State with effect from today, March 17, 2025.
“I am aware that the tour is a vital aspect of your course curriculum. A delegation of 60 officials under the leadership of Rear Admiral A.O. Olodude and supported by Commodore C.U. Yahaya, Commandant and Deputy-Commandant of the College, respectively.
“This underscores the seriousness of the study and the State Government is pleased to identify with the College.
“Your study theme, ‘Maritime Security: A Panacea for Viable Socio-Economic Development’, holds the pathway to the safety and development of the blue economy of Nigeria.”
The Governor noted  that maritime security was critical to the socio-economic development of the people.
According to him, Delta State has an area of 18,050 Square Kilometres; about 60 per cent is Land while 40 per cent is water with a coastline of approximately 163Km along the Atlantic Ocean.
“The M.O.R.E Agenda of this administration is committed to fostering inclusive development and enhancing the quality of lives of our people.
”In spite of the huge cost of riverine infrastructure development, government has taken deliberate step in connecting and transforming the maritime landscape.
“Before the commencement of the construction of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway by the Federal Government, the Delta State Government had gone ahead to construct several length of roads and drainage channels in the riverine areas including seven completed bridges”, he stated.
Oborevwori further said the State Government had leveraged its award-winning Contributory Health Scheme to deliver quality and affordable healthcare services to the Under-five, Pre-Natal and Pregnant Women.
“To improve the health status of the people in the riverine communities, the State Government priotised the enhancement of Primary Healthcare to ensure quality service delivery.
“The present administration has continued with the development of the coastal communities.
“The creation of the Ministry of Riverine Infrastructure Development is calculated at addressing infrastructure deficit in the riverine communities for Rural – Urban integration.
“For your take home, let me mention a few: Trans Warri-Ode-Itsekiri Road and Bridges; Construction of a 18.17km Okerenkoko – Pepeama – Kokodiagbene Roads with a spur to Teiteipor in Warri South-West LGA.
”Also construction of a 2.5km Okerenkoko Township Roads (Phase II) in Warri South-West LGA; Rehabilitation of the 26.61km Bomadi /Gbaregolor Road in Bomadi LGA; Rehabilitation of the 26.34km Ohoro/Bomadi/Gbaregolor Roads in Bomadi LGA.
“The State has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government in the development of the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, a specialized University to enhance Maritime education and research.
“Delta State Government has continued to collaborate with the various Security Agencies through the provision of logistic supports to enhance their operations in the riverine areas and the State in general.
“At an institutional level, the State Government has recruited a significant number of staff to enhance our Waterways Security Network in the coastal communities.
“In addition, Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) is an interventionist agency with the mandate to provide critical infrastructure in the oil producing Communities of the State.
“Let me assure you that maritime security is a top priority of this administration as the state is determined to maintain the prevailing peace in the riverine communities as the highest in crude oil production, the mainstay of the economy of Nigeria”, Oborevwori said.
He urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunities the tour offers, and had wished the participants a successful tour of the state.
Earlier, Rear Admiral A.O. Olodude, who led the participants said that 60 officials were undertaking the study to access the performance of the military in coastal areas.
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Niger Delta

Police Nab Man For Killing Girlfriend 

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6 days ago

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March 21, 2025

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Akwa Ibom state Police Command has  arrested one Ndifreke Nelson for allegedly killing his girlfriend and stealing her mobile phone after committing the crime.
A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Timfon John, in Uyo stated that the victim, identified  as Emem Monday Effanga, was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstance.
According to the statement, “Sometime in February 2025, the Command received a report that the deceased was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstances.
“Upon arrival at the scene, operatives observed visible marks of violence on her face and neck, suggesting she had been strangled and beaten to death.
“The scene was processed, evidence documented, and the body was evacuated to the hospital, where she was confirmed clinically dead by medical personnel.
“The corpse was thereafter deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”
Timfon  said  the matter was followed up with swift investigations as detectives traced the last person seen with the deceased to be the suspect, Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson, who had visited her residence in the morning of the suspect’s birthday.
She explained that the suspect was later tracked  to a church in Uyo, where he attempted to escape upon sighting police operatives but was immediately  pursued and apprehended.
According to the police spokesperson, during interrogation, the suspect confessed to visiting the victim that morning and demanded  to use the victim’s phone to take pictures for his birthday celebration on social media.
She said when the victim  refused, a struggle ensued, during which he overpowered,  strangled her with his hands and struck her head on the floor with fist blows, leaving her unconscious before fleeing with her phone.
“One Itel Super Phone, belonging to the deceased was recovered from him at the time of arrest.
“A post-mortem examination has been conducted, and the cause of death has been officially documented by a pathologist. The suspect will be charged to court”, the PPRO stated.
The State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has assured that justice will be served and warned against all forms of domestic violence and criminal acts.
He urged the public to remain security conscious and report suspicious activities to the Police.
Christopher Tom, Uyo
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