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Bayelsa Cautions Community Leaders, Wants Levies Imposed On Non-Indigenes Stopped
The Bayelsa State Government on Wednesday cautioned the leadership of communities in the state to operate within the confines of the law and the Constitution.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated this at a meeting with the leadership of Imiringi Community at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
Ewhrudjakpo, who reacted to reports that the leadership of Imiringi was collecting monies to register non indigenes resident in their community, condemned the act in its entirety.
He admitted that though government had directed the profiling of visitors to communities for security reasons, it did not at anytime mandate communities to make non-indigenes pay for such registration.
Ewhrudjakpo said the alleged collection of registration fees from visitors ranging from N1,000 to N5,000 by the community development committee of Imiringi was not in tandem with the policy thrust of the government.
He noted that while government supports the registration of people coming to do business in Bayelsa communities, the people should be careful not to scare away potential investors with illegal and arbitrary levies.
The Bayelsa Number Two man noted that the reasons advanced by the Imiringi community for imposing the levies on the non-indigenous business were not tenable and supported by government.
The Deputy Governor, therefore, directed the leadership of Imiringi community in Ogbia Local Government Area, to immediately stop imposition of registration fees on non-indigenes resident in the area until further notice.
“Information at our disposal shows that you are collecting registration fees from visitors ranging from N1,000 to N5,000 from non indigenes in your community. If that is true, I want to say clearly that, it is not in tandem with the policy thrust of the state government.
“Yes, government supports the registration of people coming to do business in all our communities, but we have not at anytime issued any directive to communities to collect money or levies”, he said.
“As a people, we should not do things that are against the law and the Constitution of the country. Because the Constitution allows every citizen to reside, own and operate legitimate businesses anywhere in this country.
“You know, there is already a negative public perception about Bayelsa; that it is not an investor-friendly state. We are battling to change that perception, which some people are using to demarket us even when their states are more violent and insecure than our state.
“I have listened to all the reasons you have given but they are tenable. You can raise funds through other legitimate means to carry out meaningful development projects in your community without recourse to imposing this kind of levies”, he added.
“Let me, therefore, appeal that you discontinue with collection of the levies. I will discuss the matter with the Governor and government will come up with a final position.”
Speaking earlier, the Public Relations Officer of Imiringi Community, Mr. Adu Wilfred, explained that the N5,000 levy was imposed on only timber dealers, farmers and others carrying out business in the forest.
Mr. Adu also clarified that N1,000 was being collected as registration fee from non-indigenes doing business in the community such as commercial tricycle and motorcycle riders as well as shop owners to enable the community respond to issues concerning their safety.
Also speaking, a member of the Imiringi Council of Elders, Chief Otobo Bamekpar, explained the levy was not a monthly or yearly tax, but rather a one-time payment to guarantee the non-indigenes access to the community forest for their economic activities.
Present at the meeting were the Secretary to the State Government, Rt Hon. Konbowei Benson, the Commissioner of Police, CP Benjamin Okolo, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mr Alex Dumbo and Women Affairs Commissioner, Mrs Faith Opene.
Others included the Community Development Commissioner, Chief Thompson Amule, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters Two, Mr Ngobiowe Awokeigha the Governor’s Special Representative of Ogbia Local Government Area, Prince Awudumapu Isiki and Imiringi Community Paramount Ruler, HRH Lucky Chukwu-Igwe.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.