Niger Delta
Commissioner Restates Position On Infrastructure Projects Completion
Bayelsa State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, ESV. Moses Teibowei, has restated the position of the State Government on the provision of infrastructure across the state.
Speaking with Journalists shortly after receiving an award of excellence bestowed on him by the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Bayelsa State Branch, at the inauguration ceremony of the 12th branch chairman and executive members recently in Yenagoa, the state capital, the Commissioner said the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, was recommitted towards completing all ongoing and inherited projects so as to fast track the development of the state.
He enjoined Bayelsans to savour, protect and make good use of commissioned projects in their domains, noting also that works on the third phase of the Igbogene-Etegwe-Onopa Glory Drive road is in progress.
Teibowei, who also spoke on other ongoing projects being executed by the “Prosperity Administration” through his Ministry, hinted that the Akaba–Okodi Road, the Nembe-Brass Road projects and others have all reached an appreciable pace.
The Commissioner reiterated government’s resolve to continue impacting lives in the state through the provision of basic infrastructure, stressing that Governor Diri from inception of office has prioritized connecting the communities of the state with roads.
He thanked the NSE for founding him, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Barr Johnson Dangana, and other notable individuals, worthy of the awards, emphasizing that the Ministry under his stewardship will continue to partner the NSE to deliver for the state better and qualitative jobs.
“Work on the Akaba-Okodi Road, the Nembe-Brass Road projects and others are ongoing in ernest. In the New Yenagoa City we’re constructing so many internal roads. The Glory-Drive Road is in the 3rd phase now, and we’re assiduously working to complete it.
“As a Commissioner who is an ESV., my profession is just like engineering, and so the Ministry under my stewardship will continue to partner the NSE for the rapid infrastructural transformation of this state”, he said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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The Police in Akwa Ibom State says it has rescued a 63-year man and retiree of Shell Petroleum Company who was recently kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
The command’s Spokesperson, ASP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Uyo, the State capital.
John said the victim, who was abducted on June 17 and held hostage by his abductors, was rescued unhurt in a compound at Ikot Udobong Village in Etim Ekpo.
She said the rescue followed reliable intelligence information which prompted the Command to swing into action.
According to her, the kidnappers engaged the police rescue team in a gun duel in the process of rescuing the victim.
“Upon sighting the police, the kidnappers opened fire at them, one of the kidnappers was fatally wounded in the process while the others fled”, she said.
The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Waheed Ayilara, had ordered the command’s SWAT operatives to immediately swing into action.
”Efforts are seriously ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang for possible prosecution”, she said.
John further said that preliminary investigations revealed that the kidnappers had initially demanded N50 million as ransom for the release of their captive.
“They later agreed to take N20 million, but I tell you on good authority that no ransom was paid as at the time of the rescue.
As part of activities to mark the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse, the Delta State State Drug Control Committee on Monday took sensitisation campaign to streets of Asaba on dangers of drug abuse.
Members of the committee, drawn from the State Ministries of Health, Education, Justice, as well as representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Police, amongst others, converged at the Oshimili South Arcade from where they walked through some streets of Asaba.
Mrs Helen Orie, the Chairperson of the committee and Director, Pharmaceutical Services, State Ministry of Health, who led the campaign/road walk, said drug abuse was on the increase and needed to be curbed before it got worse.
Orie, speaking on the theme for the 2024 celebration: “Say No To Drug Abuse”, noted that drug abuse always had devastating effects on individuals involved, the family setting and society at large.
Orie, a Pharmacist, explained that the fight against drug abuse was in two dimensions; supply reduction, being championed at the Federal level and demand reduction, being handled by the Drug Control Committee at the state level.
She said the committee, with the support of the State Government, had recorded some successes in the prevention and control of drug abuse in the state.
According to her, we have taken sensitisation campaigns to public places, including places of worship, markets, schools and communities with significant impacts.
“Today’s sensitisation/road walk is meant to further create more awareness on the need for a drug-free society”, she said.
Orie commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his support toward the campaign against drug abuse in the state.
Also speaking, the Assistant State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction, NDLEA, Delta Command, Silas Omobude, said 14.4 million Nigerians, aged between 18 and 29, were involved in drug abuse and trafficking.
Omobude, who is also the State Secretary of the committee, said fighting the drug war was a Herculean task which required the collective effort of all critical stakeholders.
He noted that the State Government had reasonably supported the committee to record some breakthroughs.
On his part, the Chairman, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, Mr Emmanuel Onyemeziem, debunked insinuations that the Nigerian movie industry had contributed to societal ills, including drug abuse.
Onyemeziem said the guild was in partnership with the NDLEA and the Delta State Government in the war against drug abuse, and urged youths to say no to drug abuse and embrace meaningful ventures.
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Offiong Offor, has urged cocoa farmers in the state to adopt good agronomic practices in order to ensure improved yields.
Offor gave the advice on Monday at Odoro Ikpe, Ini Local Government Area, during the distribution of cocoa seedlings to farmers to mark the beginning of the 2024 cocoa planting season.
She disclosed that the State Government had made available over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers across the state.
The Commissioner said the distribution of the cocoa seedlings to farmers signaled a significant step to increased cocoa production and improvement of livelihoods.
“We know the current price of 1kg of cocoa in the market, it is very expensive. So, it is a wake-up call by Governor Umo Eno for all to return to the farm.
“When you receive the cocoa seedlings, make the best use of them. Do well to maintain good agronomic practices, to reap bountiful harvests.
“This year, we have provided over 150,000 cocoa seedlings to be distributed to cocoa farmers in the state. I implore you to make good use of the seedlings”, Offor said.
The Commissioner called on cocoa farmers to notify extension agents in the ministry early if they were confronted with of any challenge
In his remarks, the State Chairman, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Ekikere Bassey, said it was expedient for agriculture stakeholders to support the cultivation of cocoa to improve the economy of the state.
He said cocoa farming was a lucrative agribusiness, and urged farmers to show interest in the cultivation of the cash crop.
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