Niger Delta

Diri Gets FG’s Commendation On Infrastructure

Published

3 years ago

October 1, 2021

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has commended Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, for his administration’s infrastructure development strides within a short period.
Fashola gave the commendation when he paid a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House, Yenagoa, after inspecting federal projects in the state.
The minister inspected four projects in Bayelsa, the dualisation of Yenegwe Road Junction, Kolo-Otuoke Bayelsa Palm road.
Others are: National Housing Programme Site at Elebele, in Ogbia Local Government Area, Igbogene AIT Ring road, under the state government, and the Federal Secretariat which is 80 per cent completed.
The minister applauded the Bayelsa governor for his state’s collaborative efforts with the federal government on projects sited in Bayelsa.
His words: “Bayelsa has clearly shown it is an example for other states to emulate in fast-tracking partnership between the federal and state government on issues of development and I commend you.
“We found out that the cost of building foundation in Bayelsa is actually the cost of completing the entire building in some other parts of the country.
Fashola lauded the Bayelsa helmsman on his intervention on the resolution of compensation issues for the Yenagoa-Kolo-Otuoke-Bayelsa Palm federal road.
He noted that it had enabled the contractor to cover 10 kilometres of the 20-kilometre dual carriageway.
“At the federal secretariat, I can observe some noticeable progress and we assure you that help is on the way for the federal workers,” he said.
The minister said that he was in the state on a facility tour of some federal project sites with a view to assessing their level of progress.
While noting that the federal government allowed states to develop at their own pace, Fashola said refunds had been made to states on federal roads between 1999 and 2015.
According to him, the first tranche of N447.783 billion was shared among 24 states between 2018 and 2019 while the second tranche of N148.141 billion was approved for five states between 2019 and 2020 with N38.4 billion allocated to Bayelsa.
In his remarks, Governor Diri thanked the Minister for his prompt response to the Nembe-Brass road project by expressing his willingness to tackle the project through tax relief.
Diri called on one of the major partners of the project, Nigeria Agip Oil Company, to explore ways of collaborating with the Ministry of Works towards executing the project.
He said that although Bayelsa is endowed with the longest coastline in the country, such areas remain inaccessible and this has also made response to security challenges difficult.
According to him, Bayelsa state has the least federal kilometres of roads in Nigeria. However, let me appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for the infrastructure projects refund to the state.
“Let me, however, clarify that we received about N25 billion instead of the N38.4 billion as the fund passed through the Debt Management Office and had to be discounted,” he said.
Diri noted that the Kolo road was conceived in the 1930s before the federal government awarded the contract in 2009, but that so far only 19.5 kilometres had been done with 33.5 kilometres left.
He therefore, urged the federal government to partner with the state government in constructing critical roads to link the hinterlands as well as consider Bayelsa under a special scheme in view of its challenges of difficult terrain.
“We are the goose that lays the golden egg, but we are ashamed considering the inventory of federal infrastructure in our state.
“We are prepared to put in our meagre resources to create the necessary infrastructure for our state,” he said.

Niger Delta

NDDC Begins N50,000 Monthly Payment To 10,000 N’Delta Youths

Published

3 days ago

February 7, 2025

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has begun the payment of N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 indigenous youths from the Niger Delta under its Youths Internship Scheme.

The Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, yesterday.

She explained that the beneficiaries would undergo practical, hands-on training across the various organisations for 12 months to develop critical skills.

Recall that during the inauguration of the scheme on July 31, 2024, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had announced the Federal Government’s approval of a N50,000 monthly stipend for the trainees.

According to Thompson-Wakama, the commission has successfully completed the selection process and has begun placing trainees in organisations to gain practical experience.

“Consequently, with the completion of these phases, the payment of the monthly stipends has also commenced,” she announced.

She revealed that the 10,000 beneficiaries were transparently selected from over 3.2 million youths who registered for the empowerment programme.

“This unprecedented response highlights the immense potential and aspirations of our youths to improve themselves.

“NDDC remains steadfast in ensuring this life-changing opportunity reaches the most deserving candidates, creating a lasting impact and paving the way for a brighter future,” she stated.

Thompson-Wakama explained that the scheme had enabled the commission to collate essential data, including the qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and employment status of the youths in the region.

The data, she explained, would guide the commission in designing programmes tailored to address the unique challenges faced by young people.

She disclosed that the NDDC partnered with KPMG, a global audit and consultancy firm, to enhance the commission’s corporate governance framework.

“KPMG has produced a Governance Advisory Report that will serve as a tool to support the commission’s transition from a transaction-based to a transformation-focussed policy,” Thompson-Wakama added.

The director commended the youths for their patience and cooperation during the selection process for the scheme.

Niger Delta

Oborevwori Tasks Public Officers On Selflessness

Published

3 days ago

February 7, 2025

The Tide

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged public office holders in the state to put the interest of the people above self in the discharge of their duties.

The Governor gave the charge when the new executive of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), State Chapter, led by Bishop Abos Willie, called on him at Government House, Asaba.

He said it was the lack of fear of God that made some public office holders to put themselves above the collective interest of the people.

Oborevwori attributed the successes so far recorded by his administration in the last 19 months to divine directive and God’s providence and pledged to continue to put God first in the governance of the state.

He congratulated members of the new PFN executive in the state on their successful election and promised to synergies with them in advancing the M.O.R.E Agenda of his administration.

“First, let me congratulate the new executive members of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Delta state Chapter.

“As an administration, we are grateful to God for the successes that we have recorded so far.

“It is by divine wisdom that we have been able to judiciously allocate resources that meet competing needs and made the right choices and decisions.

“As a government, we are determined to continue to trust God for wisdom, guidance and direction to successfully execute the programmes that we have outlined under the M.O.R.E Agenda.

“I know that, in partnership with the Christian body, we will succeed because, as an Elder in the Living Faith Church, we put God first in everything that we do.

“We are elected or appointed to serve interest of the people and not for our personal interest; as such, the interest of the people should come first.

“By the time you put the interest of the people first, you will succeed but when you put your personal interest first, you will fail”, he said.

He said his administration was committed to doing those things that would positively impact on the lives of the people at the grassroots.

“l want to assure you that, as a government, we will continue to partner with relevant stakeholders in order to move the state forward”, Oborevwori said.

He implored the PFN and the church to continue to pray for the state and the nation, affirming that God was needed to reverse the ugly trend in the country.

Earlier, the State PFN Chairman, Bishop Abos Willie, said the visit was not only to introduce the new executive to the governor but to also congratulate him on his giant strides and recognition by the ThisDay Newspaper and Arise Television as the Governor -of -The -Year.

Willie reminded the Governor of the need to sustain zero tolerance for shoddy projects, stressing that the bold step would stamp out the syndrome of abandonment of projects in the state.

He outlined the programmes of his administration to include the value of the Holy Bible, religious harmony, integrity in Christianity and value of being born again.

He, however, urges the state government support in achieving the set goals

Niger Delta

C’ River Committed To Mangrove Restoration – Gov

Published

3 days ago

February 7, 2025

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, last Wednesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling climate change by advocating for the restoration of the state’s mangroves.

Otu made this remark during a courtesy visit by officials of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, highlighting the state’s proactive stance as the first to enact a Climate Change Law.

Emphasising the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges, he called for greater support for ongoing projects and increased investment in training and awareness initiatives at the community level.

“Our mangroves have suffered, but we are working on sustainable solutions. This is a testament to our full support and commitment to climate action.

“Our roadmap is strong, and our people are ready to collaborate for a greener economy”, he said.

Also speaking during the visit, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, commended the Cross River government for its leadership in climate governance.

Maduekwe, who is also a Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, described mangroves as Nigeria’s ‘low-hanging fruit’ in climate mitigation, highlighting their economic and environmental significance.

She noted that a stakeholder town hall meeting had been held in Calabar, the state capital, to establish a concrete roadmap for mangrove restoration and conservation.

“We are excited to see a state that has not only adopted the Climate Change Law but has also developed a solid framework for a green economy.

“While we continue to engage other states, Cross River stands out as a model in driving climate action”, she said.

She, however, stressed the need for a strong legal framework to ensure effective climate action, noting that operationalising a climate change fund would be crucial in attracting global financial support.

On her part, Dr Edu Effiom, Director-General of the Cross River Council on Climate Change, reiterated the state’s efforts in mangrove restoration and carbon investment, noting that significant progress was being made.