Niger Delta

NDDC Restrategise, Begins Stakeholders’ Meeting

Published

11 years ago

May 21, 2014

The Niger Delta Develop
ment Commission, NDDC, has kicked off a series of consultative stakeholders’ meetings in 9 states of the Niger Delta region. The meetings, which started last week in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, moved to Port Harcourt, Rivers State last Monday.
In his address at the event, the NDDC Managing Director, Barr. Bassey Dan-Abia, said that it was necessary to engage and consult with stakeholders to communicate to them the resolve of the commission to evolve new robust and innovative strategies for delivering its mandate as encapsulated in the act establishing the interventionist agency and captured in the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan.
Dan-Abia, who was represented by Chief Ephraim Etete, the representative of Rivers State on the board of the NDDC, said that the meetings would provide needed platforms for the stakeholders to agree on the best ways to address development challenges in the Niger Delta, in order to achieve better service delivery.
“We as a commission have started the process of redefining our vision, mission, priorities and responsibilities in a manner that will engender confidence, involvement and active support from stakeholders. We are exploring public, private partnership arrangement to leverage our ability to undertake major/critical projects in the actualization of our mandate, the NDDC MD said.
Dan-Abia underscored the urgent need for all stakeholders, including states, local governments and communities to take ownership of the projects in their areas as such would ensure sustainable development.
He further said that the NDDC was already reactivating the Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD) Forum as a platform to vigorously drive the implementation of the master plan endorsed as the region’s development road map.
In his address, the NDDC executive Director Projects, Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, said that the commission would in line

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (3rd-right), Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (4th-right), Head of Service, Sir Paul Erverherhe, and members of the National Council on Establishment Committee on the review of request of medical and Delta officers and other health professionals in Asaba last Monday. Photo: NAN

with global best practices adopt a bottom-up strategy in its interventions in the development process, noting that meetings involving communities and critical segments of the society would create the necessary synergy that would strengthen the pursuit of development objectives.
Omatsuli, who was represented by Dr. Enyia Akwagaga, the Director of NDDC Rivers State Office, stated that the commission’s new focus, which was in tandem with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda, underlined the engagement of key stakeholders as essential partners in achieving sustainable development.
One of the participants at the meeting, Sir Alaye Eremie, a former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment in Rivers State, urged the NDDC to create a special department for the placement of youths in gainful employment after training them in skill acquisition programmes.
He also charged the NDDC to facilitate the setting up of an economic empowerment trust fund, which would help to provide appropriate jobs for the youths after training them.

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

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.

Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

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.