Nation

FORUM OF NIGER DELTA LEADERS, STAKEHOLDERS COMMEND NDDC ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE REGION

Published

3 years ago

January 17, 2024

The Forum of Niger Delta Leaders and Critical Stakeholders has commended the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC for its achievement in the region

The Forum also urged the Commission to remain focused in their service delivery drive to the people of the region;

This was contained in Nine ( 9) points resolution signed by critical stakeholders from the region shortly after it meeting held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state to deliberate, examine activities and programs of the Commission, in particular, and certain salient issues of regional and national interests

The following were the resolution breached with the direction and achievements, so far recorded by the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC,

The forum Commended the renewed drive towards human capital development by the NDDC, and agreed to partner with the Commission in its initiatives, with particular reference to vocational training programs for the youths and women of the region;

The Forum Nine points resolution were signed by Senator Essien Ibok Emmanuel and Prof Benjamin Ogele Okaba

Prof Emenike Nyeche Wami and
Amb Kennedy Tonjo West

The Nine Points resolution signed by twenty stakeholders across the region also lauded President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for appointing persons of high scale to the Board and management of the NDDC as embodied by the present team; and urged them not to disappoint the confidence reposed on them by Mr. President and the people of the Region.

The Resolution called on Mr. President to use his good offices (as a lover of the Niger Delta) to take deliberate steps towards releasing in tranches, the huge backlog of arrears of monies owed the Commission by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“We strongly believe that such a presidential gesture will not only help escalate the development of the region but also further endear Mr. President to the Niger Delta people”

It also appeals to the good people and friends of the Niger Delta to lend constructive support to the leadership of the Commission in its determined march to make a difference;

The Forum statement called on the Federal Ministry of Works, and the relevant agencies of the federal government to carry out immediate reconstruction works on the several failed sections of “Federal Roads” in the Niger Delta, to alleviate the suffering of the people.

The critical stakeholders called for the completion of the Ikot Abasi – Eket Oron section of the East-West Road, and the award of the contract for the Oron – Calabar section of the all important Road.

It reminded the federal government,as well as both the Ministry of Niger Delta Development and the Niger Delta Development Commission, of the dire need for the Trans Niger Delta Coastal Road project, noting that the potential socioeconomic benefits of the project cannot be over emphasized; thus, urged that funds should be mobilized for the commencement of the project.

Finally, the resolution urged the Managing Director of the NDDC to facilitate an audience with the President of the Nigerian Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for a robust and constructive engagement on critical issues of regional and national concern.

In conclusion, the Forum called on Niger Deltans of goodwill, and lovers of the region, to join hands with the leadership of NDDC,and other agencies of the Federal government with direct bearing on the Niger Delta region to enthrone good governance and effectively address the developmental inadequacies of the region,Called for a sense of commitment and constructive engagement for the good of our people while urging that groups in the region to desist from attempts to draw back the march to progress.

Other signatories in the forum resolution include Dominic Saataah,
Comrade Ita Ante. National ,Prof Atuboyedia Obianime ,Elder Timi K Ogoriba and Prof Simeon Chituru Achinewhu

It also include Dr Ken Robinson,
Hon D D Kalsuo,
Elder Marshal Kunoun,
Bishop Victor Thomas,
High Chief Thompson Fouye,
Comrade Charles Omusuku and
Comrade Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha

Amb Amain Winston Ceterel,
Chief Ken Odiowei,
Deacon Felix Etela ,
Amb Hope Harvard Erekosima,
Comrade Mogbitse G Okitikpi
Hon Daniel Oyowe and
Comrade McPrince Mbu signed the resolution

CHINEDU WOSU

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

3 weeks ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) says it has strengthened collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to enhance quality control and enforcement frameworks.

Mr Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, the Head of Communications, REAN, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the collaboration would also involve stakeholder engagement on testing, certification and capacity building in Nigeria.

He said the synergy would strengthen quality control and enforcement frameworks, promote policy alignment, and ensure stronger regulation across the renewable energy value chain.

“REAN reaffirms its commitment to standardisation and quality assurance; tighter collaboration with SON is critical to eliminating fake and substandard renewable energy products from the Nigerian market.

“Enforcement and gaps in existing standards have continued to allow inferior products to circulate, undermining consumer confidence and slowing sector growth.”

Lloyd-Dietake said that at high-level discussions, REAN also highlighted the need for stronger regulatory coordination to address emerging challenges in the renewable energy space.

According to him, the issues include inconsistencies in standards, affordability issues linked to certification processes; and the increasing presence of substandard solar and renewable energy equipment in the country.

“The association further raised concerns about delays in product testing and approval, calling for the establishment of more testing laboratories and certification facilities to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks in the system,’’ he said.

Lloyd-Dietake urged closer collaboration among key regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, and the Rural Electrification Agency.

He said such team work would ensure harmonised standards and more effective enforcement against fake renewable energy products in the Nigerian market.

In response, SON acknowledged the important role REAN continued to play in supporting standardisation within Nigeria’s renewable energy industry and reaffirmed its willingness to deepen collaboration with the association.

SON further confirmed that REAN would be actively involved in future standard review processes and upcoming stakeholder engagements related to renewable energy and electric mobility standards development.

Lloyd-Dietake said REAN affirmed its willingness to formalise the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

He said the MoU is aimed at deepening cooperation, promoting quality assurance, and accelerating Nigeria’s transition towards reliable and standardised renewable energy solutions.

Nation

Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

Published

3 weeks ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) Programme, implemented by Self Help Africa, has expanded access to safe water and sanitation services for more than 320,000 people in Kano and Cross River States.

The organisation disclosed this on Tuesday at the WS4H National Results and Learning Workshop in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed achievements and lessons from the intervention.

Speaking at the event, Self Help Africa Country Director, Joy Aderele, said the programme demonstrated that sustainable WASH improvements require strong institutions, effective governance, adequate financing and collaboration.

Aderele said the UK-funded programme was designed to strengthen systems that support sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.

According to her, the intervention focused on improving governance, planning, financing, accountability and sector coordination to ensure resilient service delivery.

“More than 320,000 people now have improved or restored access to water services through programme-supported interventions,” she said.

She added that more than 5,520 household toilets were constructed in Yala and Makoda Local Government Areas, boosting sanitation, public health and efforts to end open defecation.

Aderele said the programme also strengthened public investment in WASH, with Cross River increasing its sector budget by 211 per cent in 2026 and Kano by 169.07 per cent.

She added that dedicated WASH budget lines had been established across 40 Ministries, Departments and Agencies in both states, strengthening accountability and institutional commitment.

According to her, both states reviewed and adopted updated WASH policies, while key planning documents were developed to guide future investments and service delivery.

She said Cross River also recorded a major legislative milestone through the passage of the Water Law and Open Defecation Prohibition Bill.

Aderele added that lessons from interventions in Yala LGA were already informing expansion efforts in Obubra Local Government Area.

While commending the achievements, she noted that capacity gaps, resource constraints and climate-related pressures remained challenges to sustainable WASH services.

“The sustainability of these gains will depend on continued government leadership, adequate financing, strong partnerships and investment in institutional capacity,” she said.

Also speaking, the Programme Manager of WS4H, Mr Timothy Ibeawuchi, said the intervention focused on strengthening systems needed to sustain gains and attract future investments.

According to him, the programme engages stakeholders in developing strategies that preserve achievements and support long-term service delivery.

“System strengthening work takes time because it addresses the fundamental issues responsible for sustainable and resilient service delivery,” he said.

Ibeawuchi said the programme strengthened policy development, planning, financing, monitoring and evaluation systems across the WASH sector.

He said two pilot local government areas were supported to develop WASH strategic plans outlining sector goals, targets and activities between 2026 and 2030.

According to him, the plans will guide future interventions and improve service delivery in the affected councils.

Earlier, the representative of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Chidera Chukwu, reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s development efforts in spite of the programme nearing completion.

Chukwu commended the Self Help Africa-led consortium for delivering the programme with professionalism and a strong focus on systems strengthening.

He said the consortium contributed greatly to strengthening Nigeria’s WASH sector through policy reforms, improved coordination and enhanced accountability.

“Together, we have advanced key policy and legislative reforms, including open defecation-free laws and strengthened state WASH frameworks,” he said.

According to him, the reforms represent enduring system-level changes that will continue delivering benefits beyond the programme’s lifespan.

In his remarks, Mr Jamilu Habu, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, commended the programme’s achievements.

Habu, who represented the Permanent Secretary, said the intervention strengthened governance, coordination, evidence-based planning and institutional capacity in the WASH sector.

He described the workshop as an opportunity to review achievements, share lessons and identify pathways for sustaining and scaling successful interventions.

According to him, the programme’s innovations and best practices will guide future policies and investments aimed at expanding access to safe WASH services.

Habu stressed the need for continued collaboration among governments, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities.

He said stronger partnerships remained essential to achieving universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene services and meeting Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Nation

Lagos Residents Stranded As Floods Cut Off Ajah, Mafoluku Communities

Published

3 weeks ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

Residents of Ajah, Mafoluku and other flood-prone communities in Lagos have recounted how Thursday’s torrential rainfall left them stranded, submerged homes and cut off access to major roads.

The residents, who spoke with Tide source, on Friday called for urgent government intervention to tackle the recurring flooding blamed on poor drainage infrastructure.

Along Mobil Road in Ajah, Mrs Rukayat said floodwaters submerged about 200 metres of the road, forcing commuters to wade through waist-deep water.

“The water level was almost up to my lap. People literally had to wade through it to get home,” she said.

According to her, many motorists turned back, while others abandoned their vehicles and continued their journeys on foot.

“The only way to pass through the water was by walking or using a tricycle. Even then, the tricycles broke down and had to be pushed,” she said.

Rukayat said some youths assisted stranded tricycle operators by pushing their vehicles through flooded sections for a fee.

She said residents had repeatedly alerted authorities to the flooding but little had changed.

“We reported this when the rains started, but apparently nothing has been done about the problem,” she said.

She attributed the flooding to poor drainage and possible blockage of a major canal serving the area.

“There is a big canal here, but I don’t know what is preventing water from flowing through it properly,” she said.

According to her, overgrown vegetation and sand deposits might have obstructed the canal, reducing its capacity to discharge stormwater.

She added that although floodwaters usually receded after a few hours, sections of the road remained waterlogged.

In Mafoluku, residents said several streets, homes and access roads were submerged, leaving many unable to return home after going about their daily activities.

Mrs Iriagbonse Okunkpolor, a resident of Agboola Street, said what began as a short trip to buy household items became an hours-long ordeal.

“I left my house to buy a few items nearby, but the rain started suddenly and flooded the entire street.

“I was stranded for hours because there was no safe way back home,” she said.

Another resident, Mr Mukaila Idris, described the flooding as both dangerous and distressing.

“The current was very strong. I watched people pay young men to carry them across the water because they were afraid of being swept away or falling,” he said.

According to him, only physically fit residents could navigate the floodwaters safely, while many others waited several hours for the water level to subside.

Mr Williams Ekpo, who lives in the Eyinogun area, said the flood extended beyond the roads and entered residential compounds.

“The floodwater entered our compound and damaged some household items.

“This happens almost every rainy season, yet nothing seems to be done to address the drainage problem,” he said.

The residents urged the relevant authorities to investigate the persistent flooding and improve drainage infrastructure to prevent a recurrence during the rainy season.