Niger Delta
Bayelsa, Trinidad Partner On Industrial Park
The Bayelsa State Government and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago have entered into a partnership to develop the state’s industrial park.
The duo agreed on this Monday when the Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Wendell De Leandro, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa.
Leandro stated that Trinidad has the expertise to convert gas flared at oil production facilities to energy that would power the state’s industrial park, explaining that when operational, the industrial estate would be powered to produce feed stock, urea and other byproducts, which would in turn create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
He revealed that his country had stopped gas flaring years ago, insisting that it can be stopped and put to profitable use instead of allowing it to waste and cause environmental hazards.
The Diplomat said the bilateral agreement and partnership would be extended to development of the seaport at Agge in Ekeremor Local Government Area to further open up the state.
Responding, Governor Douye Diri thanked the Trinidad and Tobago envoy for initiating the partnership, saying that it touched vital aspects of the state government’s investment drive.
Diri said the state was ready for the partnership because the industrial park project had been on the drawing board for some years, and expressed the optimism that it would come to fruition this time.
He particularly noted that the Agge seaport project was very important to the industrial development of the state and promised that the government would provide land and other facilities to ensure the success of the partnership.
“My team will be ready to meet with your team so that we can expedite action on this new relationship. The Eco-Industrial Park project has been there and we have not been able to bring it to fruition.
“I believe that it will be expanded beyond what we have seen and this partnership will change the story of Bayelsa. Our people are having strange diseases as a result of gas flaring.
“According to the report of an oil and environmental commission empaneled by my predecessor, laboratory tests established that the oil and gas industry in the state has led to the death of a lot of people.
“The standards of operation in the Netherlands, in the United Kingdom and in other countries are different from what is obtainable in Nigeria.
“At every opportunity, I call on the federal government to amend the laws governing the oil industry. There cannot be two laws”, the Governor said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.
Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.
Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”
“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.
In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.
“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.
Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.
The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.
The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.
Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.
He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.
“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.
“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.
“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.
The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.
The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.
The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.
Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.
The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.
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