Niger Delta

Dickson To Launch ‘Operation Light Up Bayelsa’

Published

12 years ago

August 29, 2014

Bayelsa State Government
says plans are on, to launch what it called, ‘Operation Light Up Bayelsa.’
Governor Seriake Dickson, who dropped the hint in an interview with newsmen in Yenagoa, noted that in realisation of the significance of power to industrial growth, the present administration had already awarded a number of contracts to connect the eight local government areas with electricity.
Responding to a question on the ongoing electricity projects in Brass and Sagbama Local Government Areas, the governor emphasized that the projects that were meant to enhance the standard of living of the people would not be abandoned by his administration.
His words: “Our policy is not to abandon any project. No project, that will make life more meaningful to our people will be abandoned.
“For the light in Sagbama, work is going on at the sub-station. We awarded that contract. Already, the investment we have made is to take light to Ofoni community, because we are connecting all the areas in Bayelsa.
According to him, communities such as Ogbogoro, Akaba, Ogu, Ayama, Famgbe in Yenagoa Local government Area, communities in the axis of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government to Trofani in Sagbama Local Government, as well as Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government, Ogbia Local Government Areas are benefitting from the on-going power projects across the state.
Governor Dickson explained that contract had also been awarded to resuscitate the power sub-station at Angiama in Southern Ijaw Local Government as part of the government’s initiatives geared towards linking up the entire state to the national grid and make life more meaningful to the people of the state.
“We have awarded contracts to take the light to Nembe. All the Ogbia communities that were not connected have now been connected or are being connected. We have awarded a contract to resuscitate the Angiama power sub-station and its environs.
Though he admitted that Ekeremor, Nembe and Brass local government areas were yet to be connected to power as they are far flung, but however, assured that in due course they would all benefit from the scheme.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing electricity for the rural dwellers, Governor Dickson promised that, by next year electricity would be extended to all the local government areas, when government’s power projects would have yielded substantial results.
He called for the cooperation and understanding of the people, stressing that government would continue to do its best in spreading the basic amenities of life to all parts of the state.
The Bayelsa State Chief Executive also appealed to community, women and youth leaders to prevail on their people to always protect the various ongoing and completed projects in their domains.

Paramount Ruler of Oginigba Community, Eze G.B. Odum (JP) (middle), with members of his Eze-in-Council, Chief (Sir) Charles Johnson (right) and Chief Richard Dike, during an interactive forum with leaders of ethnic nationalities in the community at the monarch’s palace last Saturday.

Niger Delta

NPC Unveils Digital Registration System In Delta

Published

7 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The National Population Commission (NPC), on Friday, launched the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System (eCRVS) in Delta State, designed to strengthen data generation and vital statistics management.

The Tide’s source reports that the system was launched by the Delta Federal Commissioner, Mrs. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba, at a news briefing in Asaba.

Brume-Ataguba recalled that President Bola Tinubu formally launched the eCRVS in November 2023 as part of the efforts to modernise Nigeria’s civil registration process.

She said the initiative followed resolutions reached at the Sixth Session of the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in Addis Ababa in 2022.

According to her, African ministers urged member states to automate civil registration processes and implement the UN Legal Identity Agenda.

“Nigeria responded by developing an electronic, technology-driven system to enhance data generation and improve civil statistics nationwide,” Brume-Ataguba said.

She said NPC, in collaboration with UNICEF, produced an eCRVS Operational Readiness Assessment Report to guide implementation.

She explained that the partnership aims to establish a fully digital civil registration system that converts records of vital events into reliable statistics for effective planning and decision-making.

Brume-Ataguba described the initiative as a complete shift from paper-based documentation to a modern digital platform aligned with international best practices.

She said the system would transform the way births and deaths were recorded, tracked and analysed across the country.

“This process marks a complete departure from the traditional paper-based recording of vital events to a state-of-the-art digital solution that conforms to international best practices.

“This eCRVS promises to revolutionise how vital events are recorded, tracked and analysed in the country.

“This will ensure commitments, and a sustained national, international financial and political investment for birth registration within the CVRS in Nigeria, ” Brume-Ataguba said.

She also said the launch demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening civil registration data capture and processing.

She further said improved vital statistics would support national development planning and help Nigeria achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Brume-Ataguba continued that the state-level launch was necessary to sensitise the media and the public on the significance of the digital registration system.

She described the media as a vital partner in informing and educating citizens about the importance of registering vital events electronically.

She further assured residents that competent ICT personnel were available at the state level to address technical challenges and provide support.

The NPC commissioner emphasised that the eCRVS would overhaul the registration of births and deaths in the country and lay a solid foundation for efficient civil statistics management.

She urged stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to realise its goal of providing accurate and timely vital registration data.

She announced that the current phase of the e-CRVS programme would be concluded in March.

In her remark, the NPC State Director, Mrs. Jane Odigwe, appealed to the Delta Government to support the implementation of the system in the state.

“Your partnership is vital in helping us to reach this goal,” Odigwe said.

She also urged parents to register their children, saying that a birth certificate is essential for access to education, healthcare and other opportunities.

She said that registering children today would secure their identity and future participation in Nigeria’s development.

“To every parent in Delta, I urge you to bring your children forward for birth registration.

“A birth certificate is not just a document but your child’s key to education, healthcare and global opportunities.

“By registering your child today, you are giving them a voice in Nigeria of tomorrow,” Odigwe said.

Niger Delta

Police Uncover Suspects’ Armoury … Recover Weapons In Delta

Published

7 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Delta State has recovered assorted weapons from a criminal hideout in the state.

Spokesman for the Command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this to newsmen, who on Friday in Warri, said the weapons were recovered on Thursday by the operatives of the Command’s Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson.

He said the feat was achieved following a confession by a suspect handed over to the police team by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Orerokpe Division, for further interrogation.

Edafe said the suspect was alleged to be a member of a criminal syndicate terrorising commuters and residents on the Warri/Sapele Road.

“On February 19, acting on information obtained during interrogation, the suspect led the operatives to a concealed armoury located on the Sapele/Warri Road by the Adheje Community axis.

“A thorough search of the hideout resulted in the recovery of a locally made long gun, a locally made cut-to-size gun.

“Also recovered were a fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition, 10 live cartridges and a dagger,” he said.

Edafe stated that the investigation into the matter was ongoing.

He, however, quoted the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Command, Mr. Aina Adesola, to have reiterated the command’s resolve in dismantling criminal networks, and mopping up illegal firearms, among others, in the state.

Niger Delta

Police Caution On Lawless Protests On Court Matters In A’Ibom

Published

7 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has cautioned on threats of lawless protests by some members of the public over matters that are already before the courts.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, told newsmen in Uyo on Friday that illegal protests could undermine public peace and order.

“When matters are already in court, let’s follow legal and civil means to seek redress. That is how a civilised society works.

“Although we recognise the constitutional rights of citizens to lawful expression and peaceful assembly, illegal protests are not allowed,” he said.

Azare said the Command would not tolerate threats or acts of nude protests, unlawful occupation of public or private facilities, and disruption of government, economic or social activities.

He said anyone found culpable of engaging in acts or threats of illegal protests would be prosecuted in line with the law.

“As a Command, we are committed to the maintenance of law and order, we are also committed to protecting lives and property”, he stated.