NCDMB Boss Lauds SNEPCO, Others Over Project Execution

Published

2 years ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has commended Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and the Bayelsa State Government for the completion and inauguration of a Learning Centre and Digital Library at the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State.
The Tide learnt that the state-of-the-art facility which boasts three floors–a 2,300 seater Library Building, and a fully equipped digital library, also has a Wi-Fi Lounge, offices, digital educational technology rooms, a 500KVA generator housed within a purpose-built external structure, 500KVA transformer, a dedicated water facility and overhead tank.
Other facilities contained in the infrastructure, according to a statement from the Corporate Communications Directorate of the NCDMB, include a restaurant/recreation hub.
Represented by the Director of Corporate Services of the Board, Dr. Ama Ikuru, the Executive Secretary prefaced his address at the commission ceremony which took place recently with a word of appreciation to the State Government for making the environment conducive for business activities.
“Those of us in the oil and gas industry know that without the enabling environment, there’ll be no project and without projects, there will be no local content growth and no projects like this one.
“The project is part of SNEPCo’s commitment to the Nigerian Content Human Capital Development Initiative.
“I’ll thank Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO) and by extension, Shell Companies in Nigeria, for showing faith, commitment, and good execution in the delivery of this project.
“I also want to commend the Nigeria’s Upstream Investment Limited for approving the execution of this project”, the NCDMB boss said.
Ogbe continued that, “SNEPCO was not compelled by legislation, nor the force of regulators, nor by community agitation, but they saw the need to support education in Nigeria and worked with their partners to conceptualize and commence the execution of this project.
“The role of the NCDMB played in facilitating the project execution was that when funding for completion of the project became an issue, they sought permission from the NCDMB to complete the project. And so their request was promptly granted, with assurance of ‘our total support”.
He noted that the Niger Delta University was ready to soar above her peers in a digitalization and artificial intelligence-dominated academic world with the completion of the facility, saying research projects will be completed on time, new findings will be published, students will graduate on time and lecturers will have the best materials for their publication and receive their elevation.
“We’re immensely proud of this achievement. In delivering this project, Shell Companies in Nigeria have proven beyond doubt that they are truly partners for Nigeria’s development”, the ES restated.
Also speaking, Managing Director, SNEPCO, Mrs. Elohor Aiboni, said “the learning complex embodies the commitment of her company to improving access to education for all Nigerians, and that the achievement is the culmination of a vision shared by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), SNEPCo, our co-venture partners, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and the Niger Delta University”.
On the wider benefits of the project to the local community and others, Mrs Aiboni noted that sustainable development is at the core of the firm’s mission, saying the construction process incorporated knowledge transfer programmes, empowering 24 individuals from the Niger Delta University with hands-on experience in complex engineering through industrial training opportunities.
“This initiative equips them with a solid foundation for successful future careers”, she said.
In the same vein, Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, said the history of Shell companies in Nigeria began in Bayelsa State.
He described the Learning Centre and Digital Library as a signature project in the Niger Delta, and thanked industry colleagues for the fruitful collaboration.
Okunborn also reassured that Shell Companies in Nigeria will continue to maintain close partnership with the Bayelsa State Government.
In his own remarks, Deputy Governor of the State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, thanked all who initiated and completed the facility.
He urged Shell and other oil and gas industry players never to relent in partnering the State, advising the university community to put the facility to the best use.
”For the students, the time to give excuses for your failure is over. And for the lecturers, the time to give excuses for your inability to research has also expired”, the State Deputy Governor said.
The Tide gathered that the construction of the Learning Centre and Digital Library was initiated by SNEPCo in 2007 to enhance educational infrastructure in the country.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Police Detain 7, Recover Arms In A’Ibom

Published

3 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has detained seven suspects and recovered firearms after raiding a criminal hideout in Ndiya Mfia, Ikono Local Government Area.of the State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, made the disclosure in a statement in Uyo on Wednesday.

John said that the breakthrough which occurred at about 6.00a.m on Wednesday, followed credible intelligence from members of the public.

“We reliably gathered that criminal suspects were hibernating in a compound disguised as worshippers.

“In a decisive operation, our personnel conducted a thorough search of the premises which led to the detention and recovery of arms,” she said.

According to her, the operation was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to decisively combat crime in the country.

The police spokesman further said that two locally made double-barrel guns, five expended cartridges, four motorcycles and three generators were recovered during the operation.

She also listed 10 mobile phones, one police crest, four jungle boots, one peak cap, saw blade, spanner, number plates, machetes, a special force vest as other items recovered.

“We also found bottles of suspected spiritual oil and one enlarged photograph linked to an ongoing investigation,” she said.

John said that preliminary investigation suggested that the location was being used as cover for criminal operations.

She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, has directed a comprehensive investigation on the matter in order to apprehend the principal suspect.

John expressed the commitment of the Command to rid the state of crime, and urged members of the public to always support the police with timely and credible information.

Otu Launches Grassroot Security Network In C’River

Published

3 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has launched a grassroots security intelligence network, named, ”Homeland Safety and Security Agency,” to strengthen community-based surveillance and enhance safety across the state.

Otu, who inaugurated the agency’s office in the Southern Senatorial District of the state on Monday, in Calabar, said similar offices were being inaugurated in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.

The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, said the officials of the agency would serve as first point of call before matters would be escalated to main security architecture in the state.

He described Homeland Security as an intelligence-driven structure focused on neighbourhood monitoring and early threat detection through coordinated local efforts.

He said the initiative constituted the directors and field operatives, tasked with gathering and forwarding intelligence to relevant security agencies for prompt action.

Otu noted that the network would serve as a first point of contact before intervention by conventional security agencies.

“It is important that we enhance monitoring of movements across our communities, border areas, and riverine zones to identify suspicious activities and enhance security response.

“The state government will provide necessary gadgets and communication tools to improve efficiency and real-time intelligence sharing,” he said.

Otu called for public cooperation, stressing that ‘’security is a collective responsibility requiring timely information from residents.’’

He said, ‘’to ensure that the security outfit works like a model unit, proper screening would be conducted on the volunteers to weed out undesirable elements from the system.’’

The Tide’s source reports that the Governor handed over 14 motor bikes to the agency’s southern Senatorial district office to enhance their efficiency.

On his part, the Director-General, South of the agency, Mr. Michael Nsan, said the volunteers had played key roles in reducing crime through coordinated patrols and intelligence sharing.

Nsan said over 1,300 volunteers currently supported the operations with additional informants providing critical information across communities.

“Crime rates dropped significantly during the last festive period due to our collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the state,” he said.

The Director-General said volunteers would undergo training and screening, with plans underway for formal recruitment through a government employment portal.

According to him, communication tools, including walkie-talkies, and patrol motorcycles had improved rapid response to security incidents.

He commended the governor’s commitment, noting that the initiative would further strengthen security architecture and community safety across the state.

The source reports that some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion were traditional rulers and government officials.

Niger Delta

Edo Defends 18-month Record, Cites Gains In Other Sectors

Published

3 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State Government has defended its performance in office so far, saying ongoing projects in infrastructure, healthcare, education and security showed clear progress despite criticism from the opposition.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the State, Prince Kasim Afegbua, stated this at a news conference held in Benin on Wednesday.

Afegbua said the Statement Governor, Monday Okpebholo, had been focused on addressing inherited challenges rather than engaging in propaganda.

He described the recent protests against the government as driven by “faceless actors,” questioning the credibility of those behind the protests.

The Commissioner also dismissed claims that the state was stagnating.

“The current Edo narrative is cheering news to the average Edo mind. We are not into propaganda. What we are doing, you can see for yourselves”, he said.

Afegbua anchored the government’s defence on infrastructure, pointing at the ongoing and completed road projects across the state.

He also listed the near-completion of the Ramat Park flyover and a second flyover at Aduwawa Junction as some of the new infrastructural developments being carried out by the Okpebholo administration.

He also cited rehabilitation works on Sapele Road, previously abandoned, as well as multiple urban and rural road projects, spanning Edo South, Central and North Senatorial Districts.

“In 18 months, we can beat our chest that the Governor has done so much to advance critical infrastructure”, he said, noting that road construction was being accelerated despite early rains affecting timelines.

Afegbua also highlighted interventions in the education sector, stating that about 6,500 teachers had been recruited, alongside rehabilitation of dilapidated schools previously lacking basic facilities, such as desks, roofs and toilets.

“Today, you can go around and see the difference,” he said.

The Commissioner added that completed school projects had risen from 68 at the administration’s one-year mark to nearly 80.

In healthcare, he said the state government had expanded primary healthcare access by already constructing 75 centres, with a target of 160 within four years.

He said many of the facilities had been equipped to deliver immediate services at the grassroots, while work had resumed on Stella Obasanjo Hospital which, he said, was inherited at 55 per cent completion.

“We are strengthening primary healthcare because it is the first point of contact for our people,” he said.

On higher education, Afegbua disclosed that the state recently committed N2 billion to infrastructure development at Edo State University, Iyamho, while also increasing its monthly subvention from N100 million to N250 million.

Government, he said, had also provided buses to support students’ mobility.

Beyond infrastructure and social services, he pointed at the economic support initiatives, including a N1 billion interest-free loan scheme for market women and another N1 billion set aside for students’ bursaries.

All these, he noted, were aimed at easing economic pressure and expanding access to education.

While acknowledging that security incidents had shifted from urban centres to the hinterlands, Afegbua, however, maintained that overall security had improved significantly in the state.

“The way kidnapping was rife when we took over, I think it has dropped maximally,” he said, citing bush-combing operations, arrests and destruction of criminal hideouts.

He also stated that government had procured over 100 Hilux vans and 300 motorcycles for security agencies.

Similarly, he said government had supported the local vigilante operations and established a rapid response mechanism for road maintenance and emergency interventions.

Afegbua further said that local governments had been empowered with heavy-duty equipment to open rural roads and improve mobility, describing the decentralised approach as critical to grassroots development.

“We need the cooperation of everyone. Security is not just about government; it is about collective responsibility,” he added.

Responding to concerns about transparency, particularly around contract costs, the commissioner insisted that all projects followed due procurement processes and were approved by the State Executive Council.

“If you check with the Ministry of Works, you can always get the cost of those contracts,” he said, stressing that the administration was prudent in resource management.