Niger Delta

Electricity: BEDC Protests E-Wallet Blocking In Edo

Published

2 years ago

October 1, 2023

Agents of CitiServe, a billing aggregator with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest at the BEDC head office in Benin over blocking of their e-wallets.
The protesting agents, who are from BEDC franchise states of Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and Delta, said they have been shut out of businesses since April, following a misunderstanding between BEDC and Citiserve.
They carried placards with various inscriptions such as “BEDC/Citiserve enough of the suffering”; “refund our money, we can not wait any longer”, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Mrs Maureen Gold, a BEDC agent based in Asaba, said the protest was to demand the unblocking of their e-wallet to enable them carry out their businesses on BEDC platform.
“We are agents with BEDC aggregator, Citiserve. We have been doing business with them for the past six years but on April 30, they had issues and BEDC and blocked our e-wallet.
“And some of us have figures like N400,000, N500,000, N1 million in their e-wallet and we cannot access the money to carry out our businesses.
“Our money have been tied down for over five months now. We are demanding the payment of our money and we would not leave here until the money is paid”, she said.
Responding, Mr. Akintunde Akinlabi, BEDC Head, Billing Department, charged the protesters to channel their energy towards Citiserve, who, he said, stalled the payment.
Akinlabi said, “When we severed relationship with Citiserve, we understood that some of their wallets still have some money with us and we contacted Citiserve to provide us with information but they declined.
“We asked them to come so that we know the agents we are owing, about 480 came out of 1,007 agents.
“And BEDC management said we should get the remaining agents to know the total money in order to get a global approval for them to be paid,” he said.
He explained further that when they met with Citiserve managing director and the agent representative in a zoom meeting, the MD categorically said that if BEDC decided to pay the agents with the balance on their terminal, BEDC would pay for eternity.
“So how do we go ahead to commence payment when the company they have direct contact with is asking us not no pay and they are aware of this.
“We are not saying we are not going to pay, but Citiserve has not availed us the balance of their terminal.
“We have also told them to get everybody together and let’s know what they have on their terminals.
“And if that is impossible, do us a letter on your association’s letter-headed paper for us to know you are representing the 1,007 agents in our franchise, stating that only the 480 agents have balance in their wallets.
“And that any other agent that comes outside these, we should not attend to them but they have refused to write us the letter.”
According to Akinlabi, “when we demanded for their terminals, out of the 480 that claimed having money in the wallets, only 250 of them provided their terminals for us to know if they have money in it.

Niger Delta

Nembe Renders Development Scorecard … Defers King Koko’s Annual Festival

Published

2 days ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

The Nembe-Ogbolomabiri Council of Chiefs in the Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have disclosed its developmental scorecard in the outgone year.

Speaking with Journalists who visited the kingdom during the week, Alternate Chairman of the Council, Alabo Moses Ayebaereworio Solomon-Ockiya said the urban town and her satelite communities were experiencing an unprecedented trajectory of development.

He noted that the kingdom was judiciously deploying funds accruing from the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF) for rapid infrastructural and human capital development.

The Tide learnt that the HCDTF is one of the many creations of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which aims at executing developmental projects in host communities of oil and gas firms and facilities.

According to the kingdom, with the funds, delapidated internal roads were being reconstructed, while also overhauling other existing infrastructure and opening up of new roads for pavement to ease traffic in Nembe City, its major urban town.

The Alternate Chairman also bared his mind on the working relationship between an oil firm, Aiteo, which operates in the kingdom and the Nembe people, describing it as cordial.

He noted that the kingdom and the company were partners in progress, stating also that the firm has changed its operational name to Nembe E&P, describing the new nomenclature as more beneficial to the kingdom.

“Our Monarch, His Eminence, King (Dr.) Edmund Maduabebe Daukoru (Mingi XII), told some visitors who came to our kingdom recently that in the next five-six months when they’ll come back that they won’t recognize this town again. Today you can hardly recognize some old parts of this city due to the massive construction and reconstruction which is taking place.

“We’ve constructed between 5-10 kilometers of new roads in this town in the last couple of months. We’ve opened about 10 new roads waiting for construction. We’ve a visionary monarch who believes in the peace and development of his kingdom.

“This kingdom is so organized that we’ve the Council of Chiefs, the elders council, the youths, CDC and women wing. So there is peace, tolerance and harmony in the kingdom”, the Alternate Chairman said.

In another development, the Council of Chiefs has shifted this year’s celebration of the annual King Fredrick Koko’s day to February.

The Tide reports that the annual event usually takes place 29th January.

The Council said the reason for the deferment was because it coincided with the obsequious ceremonies of the late State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

The kingdom noted that the new dates for the celebration this year would now be February 11th, 12th and 15th, 2026.

“The burial of the late Deputy Governor of the State concided with the King Koko’s day. As a responsible kingdom, which honours those in authority, we decided to shift the celebration to 11th, 12th and 15th of February 2026.

“The reason for shifting it to February is because the King Koko-led Nembe-British war lasted up to the new dates it has been slated”, Alabo Solomon-Ockiya added.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Oborevwori Celebrates Wife At 56

Published

2 days ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has extended heartfelt congratulations to his wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, as she marks her 56th birth anniversary.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, the Governor expressed deep appreciation for the steadfast support and encouragement of his wife over the years, noting that her unwavering commitment and prayers played a significant role in their journey to becoming Delta State’s First Family.

He described Deaconess Tobore as a devout and compassionate mother whose impact on society has been profound, particularly through her constant prayers and moral support for the state and their family.

The Governor also commended her humanitarian efforts through her pet initiative, the “You Matter Charity Foundation”, which he said has continued to touch lives, with special attention to vulnerable members of the society, widows and elderly, including children living with autism.

Oborevwori said: “On behalf of our family, as well as the government and people of Delta State, I warmly felicitate my dear wife, Her Excellency, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, on the joyful occasion of her 56th birthday.

“She has remained a shining example of dedication, compassion, and godly values, not only to our children, but to the entire state.

“As she celebrates this milestone, it is my earnest prayer, and that of our children, that God will continually endow her with strength, wisdom, and clarity of purpose as she carries out the demanding responsibilities of the Office of the First Lady of Delta State.”

He further expressed his personal admiration for his wife, describing her as a source of daily joy and inspiration.

“You make every day a pleasure with your self-effacing mien, cheerful disposition, love for God, devotion to family, disciplined work ethic, and unwavering service to humanity. I celebrate you today and always. Happy birthday, my love and best friend”, he said.

By: Albert Ograka, Asaba

Niger Delta

NDDC Restates Commitment To Support Security Agencies In N’Delta

Published

2 days ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has restated its commitment to supporting security agencies in the Niger Delta, describing peace and stability as the foundation for sustainable development in the region.

Managing Director of the Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the NDDC’s collaboration with security agencies is driven by the understanding that development cannot flourish in an atmosphere of insecurity, just as underdevelopment often fuels conflict and unrest.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku noted that the NDDC had deliberately built strong partnerships with security institutions to protect critical national assets and create an enabling environment for economic growth.

According to him, the Commission’s support for security agencies aligns with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure peace and security across the country, stressing that the relative calm currently enjoyed in the Niger Delta is the result of sustained security interventions.

Ogbuku explained that security is a collective responsibility involving host communities, government and development institutions, adding that the NDDC would continue to provide strategic support to the Nigerian Navy and other agencies to enhance their operational effectiveness.

He assured the Naval Command of the Commission’s readiness to deepen engagement, maintain open channels of communication and undertake field visits to better understand the operational challenges faced by security agencies.

Earlier, Rear Admiral Ibrahim commended the NDDC for its visible development projects across the Niger Delta, noting that the Commission’s interventions had positively impacted communities and security formations in the region.

He said the Navy’s efforts to safeguard oil exploration, production and transportation, including the recently launched Operation Sentinel, would require sustained collaboration, particularly as Nigeria targets increased crude oil production in the coming years.

The Naval Commander urged the NDDC to sustain and expand its support, noting that improved security would translate into higher oil output, increased revenue, and accelerated development for the Niger Delta and the country at large.