Niger Delta
Bayelsa, NEXIM Bank Mull Partnership On Exports Promotion
The Bayelsa State Government has indicated its preparedness to partner the Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank in harnessing non-oil and gas resources in the state for export.
Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made this known weekend during a courtesy call on him by a delegation from NEXIM Bank, led by its South-South Regional Head, Mr. Soni Oseghale, in Government House, Yenagoa.
Expressing the belief that the objective of the bank was in line with the Assured Prosperity Agenda of the present administration, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, however, debunked the impression that Bayelsa was a mono-product state.
He emphasized that apart from oil and gas, the state is richly endowed with a wide range of natural resources, including fish and arable land capable of producing rice, oil palm, plantain and several other crops in commercial quantities.
The Deputy Governor, who noted that Bayelsa has comparative advantage in aquaculture and fisheries, urged the visiting team to undertake a tour to the state’s fish farm at the Yenegwe- Igbogene area, which has potential for producing enough fish to feed the state and for export.
While calling on the NEXIM Bank to bring in their wealth of experience and expertise to help the state maximally harness its natural resources for export, Senator Ewhrudjakpo assured them that the state investment team was prepared for all the necessary discussions and documentation to ensure the prompt take-off of the partnership deal.
“Your mission here is quite apt for us as a government, and your objective is also in line with that of our government of assured prosperity, especially in diversifying the economy.
“But, let me again correct the impression that Bayelsa produces oil and gas only. We are not a mono-product state, but Bayelsa is often short-changed in several ways.
“Look at the tax reforms now, what is there for Bayelsa? You are doing a tax reform for VAT and other things, but does oil not play a major part in VAT? There is VAT in the oil they are selling, but nobody is talking about it.
“We have products that we really would want you to encourage us to harness. If you have the time, I would like you to visit Yenegwe and see our fish farm there. In my opinion, that fish farm alone is enough for us to start from.
“That place was meant to export fish, a lot of resources have been committed to it. It has capacity of processing about 10 thousand dried fish in a single day. It has a feed mill, and everything you can think of. It is like the fish terminal at Tamale, in Ghana.
“We actually believe that aquaculture should be our best foot out. We have a comparative advantage in rice, oil palm, shrimps, and all those things you have mentioned. But let us look for the ones that would give us immediate success”, he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Regional Head of NEXIM Bank, South South, Mr. Soni Oseghale, said the team was in Bayelsa to collaborate with the State Government in identifying non-oil resources available in commercial quantity which could be exploited and harnessed for export.
Mr. Oseghale, who noted that each of the 36 states of the federation had resources that could be tapped to earn foreign exchange, however, stressed that no deliberate effort had been made to correct Nigeria’s foreign trade deficit because of the country’s over-dependence on oil and gas for export.
He said the bank would readily deploy its strategy working in close synergy with the technical team of the Bayelsa State government to fully explore identified areas of comparative advantage for export purposes.
Present at the courtesy visit were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Mrs. Peremoboere Soroh, and the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Accounts, Revenue and Treasury, Mr. Timipre Seipulou
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was bigger than any individual and that its internal challenges would be fixed once the members resolve to tackle them.
He stated this while speaking to journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja recently after the inauguration of the party’s South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee led by Elder Emma Ogidi.
The Governor said the political will to confront those fomenting trouble in the party resided with the members and not solely on the leadership.
Diri, who is also Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, stated that for the party to be competitive as the oldest in the country, it must look inwards and fix its internal issues.
“For me, we have to look inwards before accusing those outside our party. We have to first fix our internal issues.
“It is very easy to point accusing fingers. But the PDP has to sit back and tackle its internal challenges. That is only when we can stand to compete with others.
“I want the PDP to be competitive with other political parties. We are the oldest political party in Nigeria. So we have no reason to be accusing outsiders”, he said.
On whether the party’s leadership had the political will to discipline those fomenting trouble, Governor Diri said such will resided with the members.
“We are all members of the party. The moment we all resolve that we need to fix our party, there cannot be any one person that is bigger than the party”, he added.
He stressed that the newly inaugurated zonal caretaker committee had the mandate of the National Working Committee to look into every issue affecting the party in the South-South.
The Bayelsa helmsman expressed the hope that the event was a step forward for the party.
“In our zone, which is the only area in the country you have four governors of the party, we have all resolved and are together on this. You can see the Deputy Governor of Delta State, who represented the Governor.
“I’ve also received messages from the governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers. It shows that we are together and what we need to do is to show leadership and work with the zonal committee so that our zone will again become safe and strong for the PDP”, Diri noted.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, says the State Government was committed to maintaining the existing peace in the riverine communities to sustain oil production, the mainstay of the nation’s economy.
The Governor, who stated this on Monday when the course participants of the Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN), Calabar, visited at Government House, Asaba, said Delta remained highest in oil production.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Oborevwori said the current administration has constructed several kilometers of roads and drainage channels in the riverine areas of the state.
Oborevwori disclosed that his administration, through the M.O.R.E Agenda, was committed to “fostering inclusive development and enhancing the quality of lives of our people.
“This administration is also committed to maintaining the prevailing peace in the riverine communities as the state is the highest in crude oil production, the mainstay of the economy of Nigeria.
“It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this courtesy call to kick-start your study tour of the State with effect from today, March 17, 2025.
“I am aware that the tour is a vital aspect of your course curriculum. A delegation of 60 officials under the leadership of Rear Admiral A.O. Olodude and supported by Commodore C.U. Yahaya, Commandant and Deputy-Commandant of the College, respectively.
“This underscores the seriousness of the study and the State Government is pleased to identify with the College.
“Your study theme, ‘Maritime Security: A Panacea for Viable Socio-Economic Development’, holds the pathway to the safety and development of the blue economy of Nigeria.”
The Governor noted that maritime security was critical to the socio-economic development of the people.
According to him, Delta State has an area of 18,050 Square Kilometres; about 60 per cent is Land while 40 per cent is water with a coastline of approximately 163Km along the Atlantic Ocean.
“The M.O.R.E Agenda of this administration is committed to fostering inclusive development and enhancing the quality of lives of our people.
”In spite of the huge cost of riverine infrastructure development, government has taken deliberate step in connecting and transforming the maritime landscape.
“Before the commencement of the construction of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway by the Federal Government, the Delta State Government had gone ahead to construct several length of roads and drainage channels in the riverine areas including seven completed bridges”, he stated.
Oborevwori further said the State Government had leveraged its award-winning Contributory Health Scheme to deliver quality and affordable healthcare services to the Under-five, Pre-Natal and Pregnant Women.
“To improve the health status of the people in the riverine communities, the State Government priotised the enhancement of Primary Healthcare to ensure quality service delivery.
“The present administration has continued with the development of the coastal communities.
“The creation of the Ministry of Riverine Infrastructure Development is calculated at addressing infrastructure deficit in the riverine communities for Rural – Urban integration.
“For your take home, let me mention a few: Trans Warri-Ode-Itsekiri Road and Bridges; Construction of a 18.17km Okerenkoko – Pepeama – Kokodiagbene Roads with a spur to Teiteipor in Warri South-West LGA.
”Also construction of a 2.5km Okerenkoko Township Roads (Phase II) in Warri South-West LGA; Rehabilitation of the 26.61km Bomadi /Gbaregolor Road in Bomadi LGA; Rehabilitation of the 26.34km Ohoro/Bomadi/Gbaregolor Roads in Bomadi LGA.
“The State has continued to collaborate with the Federal Government in the development of the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, a specialized University to enhance Maritime education and research.
“Delta State Government has continued to collaborate with the various Security Agencies through the provision of logistic supports to enhance their operations in the riverine areas and the State in general.
“At an institutional level, the State Government has recruited a significant number of staff to enhance our Waterways Security Network in the coastal communities.
“In addition, Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) is an interventionist agency with the mandate to provide critical infrastructure in the oil producing Communities of the State.
“Let me assure you that maritime security is a top priority of this administration as the state is determined to maintain the prevailing peace in the riverine communities as the highest in crude oil production, the mainstay of the economy of Nigeria”, Oborevwori said.
He urged the participants to take advantage of the opportunities the tour offers, and had wished the participants a successful tour of the state.
Earlier, Rear Admiral A.O. Olodude, who led the participants said that 60 officials were undertaking the study to access the performance of the military in coastal areas.
Akwa Ibom state Police Command has arrested one Ndifreke Nelson for allegedly killing his girlfriend and stealing her mobile phone after committing the crime.
A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Timfon John, in Uyo stated that the victim, identified as Emem Monday Effanga, was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstance.
According to the statement, “Sometime in February 2025, the Command received a report that the deceased was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstances.
“Upon arrival at the scene, operatives observed visible marks of violence on her face and neck, suggesting she had been strangled and beaten to death.
“The scene was processed, evidence documented, and the body was evacuated to the hospital, where she was confirmed clinically dead by medical personnel.
“The corpse was thereafter deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.”
Timfon said the matter was followed up with swift investigations as detectives traced the last person seen with the deceased to be the suspect, Ndifreke Isaiah Nelson, who had visited her residence in the morning of the suspect’s birthday.
She explained that the suspect was later tracked to a church in Uyo, where he attempted to escape upon sighting police operatives but was immediately pursued and apprehended.
According to the police spokesperson, during interrogation, the suspect confessed to visiting the victim that morning and demanded to use the victim’s phone to take pictures for his birthday celebration on social media.
She said when the victim refused, a struggle ensued, during which he overpowered, strangled her with his hands and struck her head on the floor with fist blows, leaving her unconscious before fleeing with her phone.
“One Itel Super Phone, belonging to the deceased was recovered from him at the time of arrest.
“A post-mortem examination has been conducted, and the cause of death has been officially documented by a pathologist. The suspect will be charged to court”, the PPRO stated.
The State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has assured that justice will be served and warned against all forms of domestic violence and criminal acts.
He urged the public to remain security conscious and report suspicious activities to the Police.
Christopher Tom, Uyo
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