Niger Delta

Sylva, NCDMB Assure Development Of Local Content For Oil, Gas Sector

Published

4 years ago

June 4, 2021

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has given assurances that the Federal Government is willing to fast-track development of local capacities in the oil and gas sector of Nigeria.
He stated this yesterday while declaring open a two-day African local content round table, an event hosted by the Nigerian Content, Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB which is ongoing in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The Minister hinted that the event would afford African oil producing nations the opportunity to cross-fertilise and share ideas in building as well as develop the sector with adequate African manpower.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Eng. Simbi Wabote said the local content board has created no few than 3,000 jobs and has also trained millions of Nigerians on various skills upon its establishment.
He noted that the board was primarily established to drive the local content policy of the Federal Government in the oil and gas sector and other critical sectors of the economy.
The Tide reports that the African local content roundtable has participants from African oil and gas producing nations and was hosted by the NCDMB in partnership with the African Petroleum Producing Organisation, APPO.
The content board helmsman emphasised that as against the misunderstanding of the term, ‘local content’, the word does not mean an NGO neither was it a Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR.
“Local content is not a CSR, it is not an NGO. What it means is that we’re to create the needed indigenous manpower for the development of the nation’s oil and gas sector and other critical sectors of the economy”, he said.
“Through the NOGICD Act, we’ve been able to create over 3,000 direct jobs for Nigerians and trained millions in various skills relating to the oil and gas sector and others”, he added.
Wabote restated the need for African oil producing nations to develop their indigenous capacities, saying that studies have shown that capacity building, gap analysis, funding, research and development, regulatory framework, amongst others, were key parameters in the actualisation of a a sustainable local content policy.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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.