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CRSG Moves To Ease Pensioners’ Pains

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The Cross River State Government through the Office of the State Auditor General has introduced a platform that will ensure pensioners did not pass through the stressful and cumbersome process in verifying their pension status.
The State Auditor- General, Comrade John Mpama Odey, disclosed this to newsmen in Calabar while speaking on Government’s plans to sanitise the pensions’ payroll by eradicating ghost names and other fraudulent practices that had bedevilled the system in the past
Tagged ‘AM ALIVE’, this platform according to him will not only eliminate travelling long distances for verification purpose and time wastage on endless queues, but will also give the Pensioner the dignity of being the senior citizens which they are.
The State Auditor General explained that ‘AM ALIVE’ platform is simply “verifying the Pensioner’s BVN in order to authenticate his or her identity,” explaining further that the process only requires that the Pensioner goes to the bank where his or her pension is paid within three months and demand to do the ‘AM ALIVE’ BVN verification.
Thereafter the thumb print is then captured and sent to a Central Server after which a printout is issued to the Pensioner who then takes it to the Sub-Treasury Office.
He lamented that in the past, “Pension verification was based on the submission of documents and it was discovered that those documents could just be in the hands of an impersonator,” resulting in government paying Pensions to the wrong persons maintaining that the ‘AM ALIVE’ programme saves the pensioner from stress and helps the “Government to determine who actually is alive and should receive Pensions.”
In another development, Organised Labour in Cross River State has picketed the office of the Accountant General of the state over non-remittance of deductions made by them.
NLC was said to have ignored the Chief of Staff to Governor Ben Ayade, Mr Martins Orim, who had pleaded with protesters to exercise restraint
The union continued to block the Accountant General’s office over the deductions from workers’ salaries which labour claimed was not being remitted to the bank for those who borrowed from different banks, just as the union was also angry over the refusal of the accountant general to remit money deducted for housing purposes to mortgage banks.
However, the Accountant General, Mr Joseph Adie had met with labour and promised to look into their case, promising that something would be done about it before the end of the day.
Meanwhile, the State Chairman, NLC, Mr Ben Ukpebi, said the union decided to hear from the accountant general but he did not solve the situation as promised.
“We arrived here today only to discover that the AG did not do anything. So we are picketing his office and we will not listen to anybody until they meet our demands,” Ukpebi said.
But as they gathered in front of the gate, the Governor’s Chief of Staff Martins Orim, arrived to address them but the union shunned him and insisted on speaking with the governor.
It was gathered that the office of the accountant general has been deducting money from workers’ salaries for those who got loans from the various banks, but never remitted funds to the affected banks.

 

By: Friday Nwagbara, Calabar

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Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

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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.
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Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

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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.
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C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

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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.
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