Niger Delta

Petroleum Marketers Vow To Curb Sharp Practices

Published

4 years ago

December 2, 2020

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, (PETROAN), has inaugurated its Bayelsa State chapter, with a vow to curb sharp practices, make quality products available to users, effectively collaboratfe with authorities and ensure sales of products according to approved pump price.
The National President of PETROAN, Dr. Billy Harry while speaking during the inauguration ceremony in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital described petroleum retail outlets owners as the most critical input in the stability of the economy.
According to him, PETROAN is not established as a rival to other sister associations but to serve as a unifying factor,working together in making sure that there is quality petroleum products to Nigerans, saying that integrity and service above personal interest should be the watchword.
He noted that with the inauguration of the Bayelsa State chapter, the economy of the state would begin to experience a boom as members would expand on their existing businesses, assuring that the association has concluded plans to partner credible institutions to provide funds and the availability of quality petroleum products to consumers.
Harry urged members to take advantage of the pronouncement by the Minister of State Petroleum of making gas the mainstay of the economy and the federal government deregulation policy by investing and making sure gas is available in retail outlets, stressing that PETROAN is at the mainstream of reinventing, redirecting and re-energizing the economy through the retail outlets.
The National President while commending the state executive for the inauguration, hailed the choice of Taremi Dukumor as chairman whom he described as a humble and hardworking man.
He called on members to give the chairman total support and expressed confidence that the entire executive would serve diligently and honourably.
Also speaking, the Zonal Chairman of PETROAN, Prince Sunny Nkpe said that the inauguration of Bayelsa chapter was the fourth in the series and signalled a new partnership and collaboration with NNPC, DPR, Weight and Measures as well as security agencies.
Prince Nkpe noted its objectives included, protection of members within the armbit of the law, availability of high quality petroleum products at reasonable price, create a viable quality control arm in synergy and laiasing with DPR to ensure that quality source is secured and ensure that difference that may arise in line of business are nipped in the bud.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the state Chairman of PETROAN, Taremi Dukumor stated that the formal inauguration of PETROAN in Bayelsa would herald a roboust synergy with critical stakeholders and agencies of government, maintaining that the delivery of quality and affordable petroleum products will continue to be a top priority.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Bayelsa Launches Free Medical Outreach For Diri’s 5th Anniversary

Published

12 mins ago

February 14, 2025

The Tide

The Bayelsa State Government has launched a free medical outreach programme to commemorate Governor Douye Diri’s five years in office, held at the Ikarama Cottage Hospital in Okordia Clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area.

Diri stated that the initiative, part of the prosperity government’s efforts under his leadership, was aimed at creating a robust and resilient healthcare system to ensure equitable access to quality medical services for all.

He explained that the outreach programme offered free medical consultations, minor surgical interventions, screenings, and health education, with a particular focus on maternal and child health and preventive services for vulnerable populations.

“The facility will not only serve Bayelsa but also benefit neighbouring communities in Rivers State, especially those in Joinkarama 1, 2, 3, 4, and Mbaiama”, he added.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, emphasised that the outreach programme was fully operational, with staff deployed across all communities in Okordia Clan.

He noted that while minor surgeries were successfully conducted at the facility, more complex cases would be referred to designated healthcare centres.

Brisibe stressed that access to food supplements and healthcare was a fundamental right and encouraged Bayelsa residents to make full use of the opportunity.

In his remark, the Paramount Ruler of Ikarama Community, King Wariebi Beribozigha, provided a historical account of the healthcare facility.

He said the idea of establishing the centre began between 1986 and 1995, with King Guine Okah donating the land for the project.

“The construction of the health centre started under the leadership of His Royal Highness, Chief Richard Seibe, 1995–1998, who is currently the King of Okordia Clan”, he said.

He commended the efforts of previous leaders in ensuring the proper functioning and upgrade of the centre to a cottage hospital.

He also expressed gratitude that, during his reign, the facility received renovations and became fully operational.

Niger Delta

Edo Lawmaker Faults Police, ESSC, Over Kidnapped Traditional Ruler

Published

37 mins ago

February 14, 2025

The Tide

The Member, representing Igueben in Edo State House of Assembly, Eugene Inegbebohon, has faulted claims by the Police and the State Security Corps, ESSC, that they rescued Chief Friday Ehizojie, the traditional ruler of Udo-Eguare Kingdom in Igueben Local Government.

It would be recalled that the traditional ruler was kidnapped by gunmen on February 3 along with five others on a lonely path leading to the community .

The traditional ruler regained freedom last Friday, February 7.

The Edo State Police Command had disclosed that the traditional ruler was rescued unhurt by operatives of the command.

However, barely two days after the police statement, the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, Mr. Friday Ibadin, also claimed that the traditional ruler was rescued by the operatives of the corps.

Inegbebohon, during plenary on Monday, debunked the claims of the police and Edo security outfit, saying that the community paid ransom for the release of their king.

“Mr. Speaker, it is interesting to know that during the trying period, I personally informed the security agencies of the kidnapping of the traditional ruler.

“The information was for them to see what they could do but at the end of the day, they did nothing.

“None of them knew how the traditional ruler came back home, but only for them to come out now and start claiming the glory and taking pictures with him after his release”, he said.

According to him, some people even went to the social media to claim that they are the ones that rescued him.

“How do you rescue a person from kidnappers’ den without the culprits being apprehended?

“Did they just walk in there to bring the traditional ruler home? If they know the kidnappers they should show us.

“Mr. Speaker, I make bold to say that even though they would not want to agree, it took the grace of God for my people to raise the ransom that brought back our king home.

“So, Mr. Speaker, nobody should claim that glory that they rescued him. It is wrong”, he added.

He commended his colleagues for their sympathy during the trying period.

He also thanked Governor Monday Okpebholo for the swift response and logistics support for security agencies during the period.

Niger Delta

Police Arrest Boy, 13 For Using Gun To Threaten Colleagues

Published

4 days ago

February 10, 2025

The Tide

The Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested a 13year old boy identified as Samuel Sunday for using his father’s gun to threaten his classmates at St. Paul Primary School, Ikot Ibiok, Eket Local Government Area of the state.
The Police at Akpan Abia Police Station also arrested the father who owns the gun and kept it in his wardrobe from where the son carried it to school.
Parading the suspect at the Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, last Thursday, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, said the biy took the gun from his father’s wardrobe since November 24, 2024 but was arrested on January 30, 2025.
The PPRO said the Police, acting on intelligence, arrested the suspect and his father while the gun was recovered for further investigation.
“On 30/01/2025 at about 0800 hrs, based on credible information at the Command’s disposal, that on 28/01/2025 one Samuel Sunday ‘m’ of Ikot Ibiok Village in Eket LGA, a 13 year old pupil of St. Paul Primary School, Ikot Ibiok, in Eket LGA was going armed in the school and threatening to fire at his fellow pupils.
“The operatives of the Command immediately swung into action and arrested the suspect and recovered a locally made pistol.
“On interrogation, the suspect confessed that he has been with the said gun since November 2024, that he got the gun from a wardrobe in his father’s bedroom. The father was later arrested. Investigation is still ongoing”, the PPRO stated.
The Police also paraded one Roseline Maurice ‘f’ and Eno Udoka ‘f’ for conspiring and stealing a child at Obong Itam village in Itu LGA in June, 2024, and sold the victim for the sum of N200,000.00 to their regular customer in Cross River State.
Suspects were said to have used the money to purchase a refrigerator, television, fan, etc., saying all the items have been recovered from them.
John also paraded a child trafficking syndicates that lures young girls into having affairs with men who eventually get them pregnant and the babies sold.
“In another development, on 01/02/2025 at about 0800hr based on a complaint from two young girls, 18 yrs of age, that one woman attempted to traffick them to Cross River State for them to have affair with men and get pregnant in order to sell the babies and share the money.
“Operatives of the Command swung into action and arrested One Gift Essien Tommy ‘f’ and Peace Ekanem ‘f’”, he stated.

By: Christopher Tom, Uyo.