Niger Delta

ExxonMobil Contributes N8bn To Eket-Ibeno Road Project

Published

10 years ago

February 29, 2016

Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service (ncs), Retired Col. Hameed Ali, (right), addressing some children in the Internally Displaced Persons (idps) Camp in Uhogua community, Ovia North East LGA in Edo State on Friday

ExxonMobil Corporation
says it has contributed eight billion naira to the construction of Eket-Ibeno dual carriage way in Akwa Ibom.
ExxonMobil’s Manager, Media and Communications, Mr Ogechukwu Udeagha, announced this in an interview with newsmen in Ibeno.
Udeagha was reacting to call by the Akwa Ibom State House Committee on Finance and Appropriation that ExxonMobil should bear 70 per cent cost of the road.
Our correspondent reports that the total cost of the dual carriage way from Eket to Ibeno, spanning a distance of 39 kilometres is N24.9 billion.
Udeagha said that ExxonMobil had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the immediate past administration to support the project by providing 30 per cent funding.
“Our decision to enter into an MoU with the state government to pay up to 30 per cent of project cost was a way of encouraging other stakeholders to support the project.
“The Joint Venture’s contribution to the project was paid upfront as at January 2014 as requested by the state government,” Udeagha disclosed.
The ExxonMobil’s manager noted that the MoU had forbidden the Akwa Ibom Government from requesting for other contributions from the company for any reason whatsoever for execution of the project.
He said that the company had been contributing N230 billion annually to Akwa Ibom Government as 13 per cent derivation.
According to him, the company has played a significant role in the overall development of Akwa Ibom as a corporate organisation.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Usoro Akpanusoh, had observed that the eight billion naira contributed by ExxonMobil as counterpart funds for the project was grossly inadequate.
“If ExxonMobil desires to be fair to the Akwa Ibom Government and its people, it ought to have taken up 70 per cent funding for the project,” Akpanusoh said.
Akpanusoh, who is representing Esit-Eket/Ibeno Constituency on PDP platform, led other members of the committee to inspect the road project.

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.