Niger Delta

Lawmaker Lauds FG On Proposed $20bn Gas Park

Published

8 years ago

March 10, 2017

The lawmaker representing Warri South West in the Delta House of Assembly, Mr Daniel Mayuku has commended the Federal Government on its plan to establish a 20 billion dollars industrial gas park in Ogidigben.
Mayuku made the commendation after the plenary of the state House of Assembly on Tuesday in Asaba. He, however, called on the host communities to ensure peace for the completion of the project.
The lawmaker expressed delight on the project, adding that the project when completed, would reduce the level of unemployment in the state.
Mayuku noted that establishing the gas park in the state was a welcome development and that”the people of Warri South West are very grateful to the Presidency”.
“If you take a speed boat from Warri to Escravos, the only things you see are instruments of exploration. The Marine University, which was almost taken from the region is the only project in the area.
“We hope that this gas project will be a stepping stone for others to come. It will certainly help to fast track the development of the area,” Mayuku declared.
Also, Mr Anthony Elekeokwuri, representing Ika North East noted that the project was timely given the present economic situation in the country.
He said that the project, when completed, would help to boost revenue and the economic base of the state and the Niger Delta region.
According to him, the expected gainful employment of the people will also immensely curb restiveness and militancy among the youths in the area. The lawmaker, therefore, appealed to youths in the area to open their hearts and work amicably with the foreign investors to complete the project.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, met with international developers and investors on the project at the Presidential Villa on Monday .
During the meeting, he stated that the proposed industrial gas hub in Ogidigben, Delta, was one of the positive feedbacks received during the visit to the state. Tagged the Gas Revolution Industrial Park, GRIP, Ogidigben, and envisaged to be a regional hub for all gasbased industries, the project will cover 2,700 hectares with fertilizer, methanol, petrochemicals, and aluminium plants located in the park.
The park has already been designated as a Tax Free Zone by the Federal Government.
The park, originally conceived by the NNPC, is located about 60kilometre from Warri, and is about lkm away from the operational base of Chevron Nigeria Limited.
It will be connected to over 18 trillion Cubic Feet of gas reserves in Odidi, Okan, Forcados fields, located within a 50-kilometre radius.
It is equally planned that the park will be connected to Nigeria’s most dominant gas pipeline network-ELPS, enabling supply of gas to and from the park.
The consortium, which will be in charge of the project construction, is made up of Fortune 500 companies. They include the GSE&C of South Korea, the China Development Bank, Power China and several other global operators from Asia and the United Arab Emirates in the Middle-East.

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

19 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.

Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.

According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.

He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.

Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.

The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.

Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

Published

19 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.

The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.

Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.

He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.

“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.

The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.

The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.

The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.

He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.

“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.

Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.

“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.

Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.

Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.

“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.

Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

Published

19 hours ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.

The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.

It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.

Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.

He, however, said while several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.

“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.

‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.

In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.

Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.