Niger Delta

Bayelsa To Publish State’s Monthly Economic Empowerment Scheme Beneficiaries

Published

2 years ago

August 11, 2023

The Bayelsa State Government, midweek, disclosed that it would soon publish a comprehensive list of the names of the beneficiaries of its monthly N200,000 economic empowerment programme for women and youths in the State.
Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the disclosure at a meeting with the Douye/Law Continuity Mandate Initiative (DLCMI) in Government House, Yenagoa.
He said the present administration had done a lot in empowerment through different programmes, noting that the publishing of the names of the beneficiaries of the economic empowerment programme had become necessary in order to correct some misconceptions about the initiative.
He explained that such publication would promote accountability and transparency about the programmes, including the Diri Digital Entrepreneurial Empowerment Programme (D-DEEP) geared towards supporting indigenous women and youths to grow their businesses.
Ewhrudjakpo, who was specifically responding to a remark that women in the rural areas were not being carried along in the scheme of things, said four women and youths were selected from each of the 105 wards of the state for the economic stimulus scheme monthly.
He noted that the Governor Douye Diri-led “Prosperity Administration” had positively touched the lives of so many women, adding that going forward, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Empowerment, and Social Development would publish the names of the beneficiaries according to their respective LGAs.
“Even though we don’t like parroting about our achievements as a government, let me just correct an impression. We are actually doing a lot for women in this state.
“This government empowers 4 persons (women and youths) in each ward every month with a minimum of N200,000. If you multiply that amount by the 105 wards we have, you will know what government is spending on this purpose every month.
“And they’re not the same people. We give to new beneficiaries every month. You see, the problem with Bayelsa is that most Bayelsans are greatly ungrateful.
“This is a state where people even hide their appointments. That is why those who have benefited from this economic empowerment programme hide it because they don’t want people to know.
“They will even complain or cry more than you that have not benefited. So, we’re going to publish the names of those who have benefited Local Government by Local Government for the world to know”, the Deputy Governor said.
Earlier in his address, the Coordinator of the Douye/Law Continuity Mandate Initiative, Mr Austin Okpeh, said the group was throwing its full weight behind the second term bid of the Governor and his Deputy, because of their impressive performance.
While commending the Prosperity Administration for its laudable developmental strides so far, Mr Okpeh appealed to the Governor not to leave them out in the scheme of things.
In another development, Senator Ewhrudjakpo has given a pass mark to the Tari-Ere Ogbo of Bayelsa State, for diligently spreading its membership umbrella to cover all the eight LGAs of the state.
He made the commendation while addressing the members of the group at a meeting with them in Government House.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo emphasised that women were a force to reckon with in terms of social mobilisation, and therefore would be carried along in the present administration’s scheme of things at all times.
In their separate remarks, the President of the Tari-Ere Ogbo of Bayelsa State, Mrs. Beatrice Yongesi, and the Political Coordinator, Mrs. Ngozi Ndiomu, applauded the Senator Diri-led Government for its visionary leadership, legacy projects, and the appointment of non-indigenes that contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
They affirmed the association’s resolve to work for the re-election of Governor Diri, and his Deputy, appealing for support towards their building project in Yenagoa, the state capital.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.