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Bayelsa 2023: SA Hails Diri’s 2nd Term Bid

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Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Inter-party Relations, Dr Jackson Ebi Suokiri, has said the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has shown greater capacity and competence in the leadership of the state.
He made the assertions in his office in Yenagoa recently while speaking with The Tide on the sidelines of the third anniversary celebrations of the Governor Diri-led “Prosperity Government”.
It would be recalled that Diri took oath of office as Governor on 14th February, 2020, and on 14th of February, 2023 would have served three out of his first four year tenure as Governor of the state.
The Governor’s aide, who bared his mind on the programmes and projects of the Diri’s administration, reaffirmed the Governor’s Commitment towards human capacity and infrastructural development.
The Special Adviser noted also that upon assumption of office as Governor of the state, Senator Diri made the state entirely safe for investments to thrive by ensuring the enabling peace and tranquility and provision of adequate security architecture.
He said there was no Local Government Area of the state without executed or ongoing infrastructural projects by the Diri’s administration.
While calling on Bayelsans to continually keep faith in the government, the Kaiama-born legal practitioner lampooned those from the opposition divide whom he alleged were making “unfounded and unnecessary allegations against the government on its policies and programmes”.
Suokiri who also spoke on the Governor’s recent picking up of the governorship intent form of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November, 2023 governorship polls in the state, noted that Governor Diri’s achievements were visible in all spheres of the state, saying he deserves re-election for consolidation and even greater achievements for the state.
“This government has touched lives of Bayelsans in all spheres. It’s been paying salaries promptly to civil servants in the state Civil Service, it’s been conducting regular promotion exercises for Civil Servants in the state and implementing their promotion incremental benefits.
“This government, from inception into office has been releasing N200,000,000 monthly for the payment of gratuity owed retirees.
“On infrastructure and urban renewal, this government has redesigned and reconstructed the Edepie/Etegwe roundabout in the Yenagoa LGA.
“This government completed and commissioned the Imiringi bridge, awarded contract and completed the construction of the collapsed Elebele bridge, both in the Ogbia LGA of the state.
“This government also initiated, constructed and inaugurated the 4.5km Igbedi road in the Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of the state; completed construction and inaugurated the Nembe unity bridge in the Nembe LGA of the state; completed the Onopa bridge and constructed the access road to the New Yenagoa city; constructed and inaugurated the Igbogene-Okarki section of the phase one of the Igbogene-AIT/Elebele outer ring road; and don’t forget that the construction of the three Senatorial roads projects with multiples of bridges is on course under this administration.
“Diri has shown capacity and competence, he truly deserves a befitting second tenure and I want to urge all Bayelsans to queue behind the Governor on his second tenure when finally the time comes”, Suokiri added.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

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The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.
Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.
According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.
He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.
He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.
“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.
Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.
The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.
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Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

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The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.
The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.
Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.
He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.
“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.
The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.
The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.
The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.
Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.
He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.
“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.
Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.
“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.
Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.
Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.
“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.
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C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

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The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.
The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.
It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.
Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced  the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.
He, however, said while  several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.
“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.
‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.
In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.
Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.
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