Diri, Others Task NDDC, MNDD On Collaboration …As Tinubu Promises East-West Road Completion

Published

2 years ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, his Delta State counterpart, Chief Francis Oborevwori, and other stakeholders have called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Ministry of Niger Development (MNDD) to collaborate more effectively with sub-national governments in the region.
They spoke at the 6th meeting of the National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Delta State, recently with the theme, “Stimulating Strategies for Economic Growth and Development in the Niger Delta Region”.
Declaring the meeting open, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, assured that his administration would prioritize the completion of the East-West Road in view of its importance not only to the Niger Delta states, but to the entire country.
He said the administration was repositioning the Niger Delta Development Ministry and the NDDC to harmonize all development plans of agencies and partners operating in the region into a single integrated regional development plan to actualize their mandate.
He restated his commitment towards resuscitating refineries in the country to ensure petroleum products availability and reduction in their retail prices.
He said: “It will gladden you to note that my administration has demonstrated interest in repositioning the NDDC to ensure it delivers optimally on its objectives and mandate, and to make it achievements manifest in different sectors of life across the Niger Delta region.
“The East-West Road project is the largest infrastructure project in Nigeria today, and the reason is not far-fetched; It is a very strategic road connecting the nation’s busiest and foremost commercial cities in the country.
“Its completion is a priority to this administration, and this I assure you will be delivered in the very nearest future. On a broader scale, we are dedicated to ensuring that our local refineries across the Nicer Delta and other parts of the country are made operational soonest”.
In his goodwill message, Governor Diri noted that effective collaboration between the Niger Delta Ministry, the NDDC and the nine states would fast-track the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta region.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated that such cooperation would equally enable the ministry and the interventionist agency to better deliver on their mandate.
He stressed the need for big ticket infrastructural projects, such as seaports, roads, bridges and gas turbines to generate power for aggressive industrial development for job and wealth creation in the region.
While thanking the NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta Development for organizing the meeting, Governor Diri cautioned all stakeholders against paying lip service to the implementation of resolutions reached at such meetings.
In their separate remarks, the Governor of Delta State, Chief Francis Oborevwori and his Imo State counterpart, Senator Hope Uzodinma, said it was high time the resources meant for the region were used for its development.
Chief Oborevwore emphasized the need for NDDC and the Niger Delta ministry to complete their uncompleted projects in the region, particularly the East-West road, which had been under construction for decades.
Presenting a 3-page communique at the end of the meeting, the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Mr Abubakar Momoh, said Council noted the effort of his ministry on agricultural training and empowerment initiatives in the region for job and wealth creation among youth, women and vulnerable groups.
He added that Council also considered and approved some memoranda, including the one submitted by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment on the need to increase investment in the provision of storage facilities and value chain to preserve agricultural produce for sustained growth.
The communique read in parts:”That the Ministry of Niger Delta Development (MNDD) and the Niger Delta Development Commission and the nine states take appropriate steps to train and empower youths on the conversion of PMS to CNG-powered machineries in the Niger Delta region”.
Momoh announced that the date for the next National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) meeting, which is scheduled to hold in Imo State would be communicated in due course.

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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.