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Lawmaker Renders Scorecard, Recommits To Positive Impact On Constituency

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3 years ago

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The member representing Yenagoa Constituency three in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon Ted Tonbara Elemeforo, says during the past two years he has held sway as the representative of his people in the state legislature, he has made series of record achievements for the Constituency.
The legislator, who also doubles as Chairman of the House Committee on Physical Planning and Development Board hinted that in the past two years of his first four years tenure which he said began in 2019, he had like every elected member of the state Assembly been involved in the onerous tasks of representation, lawmaking and oversights to improve the lots of his constituents by way of attracting as well as influencing development to the area.
Elemeforo said as the assembly member of the constituency which he stated, consists of the three clans of Okordia, Zarama and Biseni, respectively, he has had to willingly at various fora intervene in the processes of making life more meaningful for his constituents through the offsetting of healthcare bills, award of scholarships to constituents, who met a particular set standard in academic pursuits as well as has been participating expectedly in the general manpower development of the area.
The Tide learnt that Elemeforo was amongst the first persons who spoke out against the alleged continuous dehumanising activities of multinationals operating in his constituency recently, which also led to prompt intervention by the state government in alleviating the plights of the people of the oil rich tripod clans.
He re-emphasised the need for his constituents to continue keeping faith in the prosperity government of the state under the leadership of Senator Douye Diri, saying that the Governor has impacted on the development of the area with the approval of the East-West-Nyambiri-Biseni road project, including plans to build a military secondary school in the constituency.
The first termer who also applauded former lawmakers from the constituency for their contributions in the development of the area mentioned that steming from the fact that the constituency lacks a central arena for meetings and related events,in consultations with stakeholders and opinion moulders from the area, he has since built a 1,500 sitting capacity multipurpose hall fitted with the state-of- the-art facilities as his first constituency project, which he hinted was awarded by the state government.
He averred that while he would still do more of such projects if they were awarded in the coming years of his tenure, he doesn’t intend to be found wanting in his representation, lawmaking and oversights, just as he Advised his Constituents to disabuse their minds of any contrary claims by naysayers.
“My advice to the Okordia-Zarama-Biseni people(Yenagoa Constituency three) is for them to continue to have faith in the Prosperity government of his excellency, senator Douye Diri, the executive Governor of our Dear state.
“Through the Constituency Project contracts awarded by the state government, I’ve built the best town hall (a multipurpose hall)in the state with galaries in my Constituency headquarters,Agbobiri Communitiy. But apart from this town hall built within my first two years in the House, I’ve also done project on borehole for this same Communitiy. And I’ve the intention of replicating projects in other Communities when once other Constituency projects are awarded.
“I’ve been footing medical bills for my ailing Constituents who couldn’t afford their bills. I’ve also been instrumental to the reassorbtion into the civil service of civil servants from my Constituency who were unlawfully sacked by the various civil service verification exercises conducted in the state”, he said.
”I’ve a scholarship scheme for my Constituency too, where students in tertiary institutions who a CGPA of four point and beyond become direct beneficiaries of the scholarship.
“Recently I was glad when I met a young woman who told me she had graduated through the support of my scholarship scheme,and I was so glad I had that scheme for my Constituency” he added.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

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7 days ago

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May 12, 2025

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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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7 days ago

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May 12, 2025

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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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7 days ago

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May 12, 2025

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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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