Niger Delta

800 People Benefit From Maiden PINL’s CSR Programme In N’Delta

Published

2 weeks ago

January 2, 2026

About 800 people from 60 communities from the host communities of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) have benefitted from a free medical outreach and palliatives distribution programme as Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd (PINL) commences Niger Delta’s biggest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for Christmas in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

The beneficiaries of the CSR cut across the three Local Government Areas of Southern Ijaw, Ogbia and Yenagoa.

The gesture is part of the CSR package of PINL which is the private security company responsible for securing the Eastern Corridor of the TNP.

The General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholders Engagement of PINL, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, while handing out the palliatives to the beneficiaries, said the gesture was the company’s way of showing appreciation to the communities for their support and for maintaining zero infractions on the TNP in the last one year.

He added that the gesture was part of the company’s effort in assuaging the impacts of the harsh economy on the communities.

“We are glad to do this because Bayelsa has demonstrated excellence. They have demonstrated capacity in the sense that one year down the line, there has been no pipeline infraction in the whole state and we feel that it is enough to celebrate.

“There is no better way to do that than to come here to say thank you to our chief partners who have been committed, and dedicated in the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft”, Mezeh said.

He continued that the company realised that the communities need medical attention and palliatives to mitigate the negative impact of flooding which is a common occurrence in the areas.

“That’s why we have come here to distribute this items to you, and I want to thank you and urge you to continue to maintain the momentum in the fight against pipeline vandalism”, he stated.

He also appealed to youths of the communities to maintain the momentum in order to enable the Federal Government meet up its oil output target for 2026.

“Going forward, we want to appeal to the youths of our communities to maintain the momentum in the fight against pipeline vandalism.

“We want to ensure that we achieve the target set by the federal government in terms of production output and we believe that with the current momentum, we’ll achieve the target”, Mezeh stated.

He announced that the palliatives would be distributed round the 216 communities under its area of operation and cutting across Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Abia States.

While speaking with journalists, the Head of the PINL Medical Team, Dr. Sokaribo Oweredaba, said over 800 persons benefitted from basic medical interventions such as eye test, blood sugar test, and awareness on common ailments in the communities.

“We have been able to reach out to over 800 persons. We are giving them eye glasses, treating basic ailments, checking their blood sugar and also make referrals where necessary.

“This period is a difficult time for everyone and bringing healthcare closer to the people matters a lot, and so it’s good they take advantage of this opportunity”, he said.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiary communities, Chairman of Southern Ijaw Council of Chiefs, HRH, Chief Darious Job, commended the company for remembering host communities at this critical time.

Thd monarch assured on behalf of the communities of continued partnership with the company.

“We want to thank PINL and we implore every other company operating in our communities to follow suit because PINL is working with the communities.

“The communities are happy and I am promising that in 2026, there will be no infraction on the lines”, he stated.

Highlight of the distribution was a visit to Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Secretariat, Emohua local government secretariat, followed by Tai Local Government Secretariat, and St, Paul’s Primary School, which took place on December 24 to close the exercise.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

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.