Niger Delta

Bayelsa Declares Support For FG In Road Maintenance

Published

1 year ago

August 26, 2024

The Bayelsa State Government says it is ready to collaborate with the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) for the rehabilitation and maintenance of failing roads in the state.
Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who stated this during a courtesy visit to his office by a delegation from the state’s field office of the agency last Thursday, said the total distance covered by federal roads in the state was less than 100 kilometres.
He stated that effective collaboration with the federal agency will ensure proper utilisation of road maintenance funds meant for the state.
The Deputy Governor stressed that since there was paucity of federal roads in Bayelsa, it was needful and expedient for FERMA to appropriately utilise such intervention funds to maintain major roads in the state like the Igbogene-Polaku Road, and Opokuma Road.
While expressing disappointment that the Agency failed to show concern and partnership with the State Government to rehabilitate strategic roads, such as the Yenagoa-Amassoma and Opokuma Junction-Sabagreia roads that were badly devastated by the 2022 flood, he thanked the delegation for the visit and their words of commendation.
He said the State Government was desirous of receiving the Director General of FERMA in no distant time to work out modalities for the needed collaboration.
“Bayelsa has the least mileage or length of federal roads in the country. What we have here is about 80 to 100 kilometres of federal roads. All the other roads are owned by the state.
“We had expected the Federal Government to show concern through FERMA by intervening in the rehabilitation of our state roads devastated in the recent floods. But that did not happen. The State Government alone fixed all the affected roads.
“I believe that was not fair because what is due us as a state should be given to us. FERMA’s mandate is limited in Bayelsa because of the few federal roads we have here.
“Going forward, the Bayelsa State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has to work in close collaboration with FERMA to ensure that interventions are carried out on failing roads in the state”, he said.
Speaking earlier, the Head of Bayelsa Field Office, FERMA, Engineer George Offor, said the visit was intended to seek collaboration with the Bayelsa State Government to see how roads could be made safe through timely maintenance.
Engineer Offor, who disclosed that Director General of the FERMA was planning to visit Bayelsa, solicited the state government’s support in terms of providing adequate security for the Agency’s equipment and personnel on road maintenance work in the state.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

Published

2 weeks ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

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.