Niger Delta
Bayelsa Seeks Residents’ Cooperation In New Transportation Policy
The Government of Bayelsa State has urged residents of the state and the general public to cooperate and support its policies aimed at promoting efficiency and effectiveness in the transport sector.
Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the call recently when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Bayelsa Ultramodern Transport Terminal at Igbogene, a suburb of Yenagoa, the state capital.
Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, appealed to the motoring public and commuters to be patient with the present administration as it takes steps to address some of the problems confronting the sector.
He explained that the recent policy mandating transporters and commuters to use only government approved motor parks was made in the best interest of the state.
According to him, the shutting down of illegal parks and their subsequent relocation to the state-of-the-art transport terminal at Igbogene for intercity transport has brought decency and serenity to the hitherto chaotic Tombia Junction and other areas in the state capital.
The Deputy Governor noted that while government intends to build more befitting parks to make commuting easier, he said the Ekeki Motor park would continue to cater for the needs of those travelling within the state.
He thanked the immediate past Governor and now Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson, for conceiving the project and bringing it to near completion before leaving office.
The Bayelsa’s number two Man also commended the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for completing the project and putting it to use, describing the recent relocation order as part of the state government’s efforts to implement its urban renewal policy.
The Deputy Governor, who sympathized with the people for some of the inconveniences thrown up by the new policy, assured that government was doing everything possible to address all reasonable challenges associated with the use of the new transport terminal.
“You know there’s no state that has this kind of facility in our country for now. This is an airport terminal for some states and even for some countries. It was a well-thought-out plan by the immediate past Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson.
“We want to thank him for coming up with this project, which we inherited as part of the assets though there was some liability of completion.
“We also thank His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri for not only completing the project but also putting it to use by ordering the movement of all transporters involved in intercity transport to this place because that is the standard in every international city.
“What we have come here to do is to evaluate the implementation of no side parks in Bayelsa State. And as you know, for now, we have two parks in Yenagoa: the Ekeki Park and this park.
“Those who ought not to come here to load, for example, what is the business of somebody going to Ogbia, or Nembe, coming as far as Igbogene to takeoff? What will somebody going to Amassoma, or anywhere in Southern Ijaw come to do here instead of Ekeki park?
“So, it is better they are somewhere there, so that it is only those who are actually going out of the state that will come here. That is part of the thinking we are doing, and in any case, we have a few issues as to the inadequacy of the space and the issue of the utilization of the spaces available. And we are addressing them.
“All that Bayelsans and commuters need to do is that they have to be patient. As a government, we are trying to moderate the issue of trekking to junction before boarding vehicles to the city centre. Those issues are being managed. So they should be patient”, he said.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied on the inspection by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Preye Broderick, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, their Bayelsa Central Special Duties counterpart, Mr. Mandy Sylvanus Akpalo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Johnson Dagana, and other top government officials.
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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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