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… Congratulates Osun’s Adeleke on Electoral Victory By Amos Odhe, Yenegoa Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has advised politicians to respect their opponents and ensure that campaigns for the 2027 general election were issue based. Speaking on Wednesday during the 195th State Executive Council meeting in Government House …

By Paul Williams   Freight forwarders and truckers at Onne Port in Rivers State have threatened to shut down operations over the poor condition of the port’s access roads and the manner in which the e-call-up system recently introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is being implemented.  Six associations operating at the port, along with the Onne Youths Congress, the umbrella body for youths in Onne Community, noted that despite the huge resources accruing from Onne Port, the access roads leading to the port had become a death trap.  The associations on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, issued a four-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Ports Authority to suspend the e-call-up system until facilities such as loading bays are provided and dilapidated access roads are repaired.  Chairman of ANLCA, Onne Seaport Chapter, Chief Ifeanyi Isikaku, while reading a communique, expressed the associations’ deep concern and frustration over worsening operating conditions for members and the host community.  The unions said NPA rolled out the e-call-up system without first providing adequate holding bays, prompting “the unabated illegal parking of trucks on Onne roads that has choked traffic, damaged goods and exposed workers and residents to danger.”  They also described the port’s internal access roads as “deplorable” and a “death trap,” blaming the road condition for container-fall incidents, injuries and loss of life.  Isikaku said, “We can no longer tolerate unfulfilled NPA commitments and roads that endanger lives and destroy goods. If holding bays had been provided before the e-call-up rollout, this crisis would have been avoided.”  He pointed out that the situation is unfortunate for a port that has contributed up to N487 billion in Customs revenue alone to the federal coffers.  Isikaku said Customs revenue from Onne Port Command between January and July 2026 was approximately N439 billion, with an additional N48 billion from the Oil and Gas Free Zone — a combined N487 billion over seven months.  He called on the Federal Government, through the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, to allocate a portion of that revenue to fix and maintain internal roads and port facilities.  “Onne contributes significantly to national revenue; a fraction of the N487 billion collected between January and July should be used to repair our roads and protect workers and the host community,” he said.  The unions, among other things, demanded an immediate end to illegal parking on Onne roads to restore free traffic flow, urgent maintenance and repair of all internal access roads to prevent container falls and safeguard lives, and a ban on members’ participation in arbitrary or bogus payments associated with the e-call-up system and port transport.  Chairman of the Maritime Union of Nigeria, Eastern Port, Uche Ogbu, whose union bears the brunt of the dilapidated roads, said, “Our members will not be compelled to make arbitrary payments for a system that lacks the infrastructure to work.”  He noted the unions’ resolve on the suspension of the e-call-up system from Monday, August 17, 2026, until adequate holding bays are constructed to accommodate current truck volumes; the suspension will remain in place until all listed challenges are addressed.  Ogbu stressed that, “The suspension takes effect on August 17 and will remain until our safety and operating conditions improve.”  He said, “We are the people carrying the burden of the e-call-up levies. We the maritime workers in collaboration with other stakeholders and Onne communities are going to down tools from Monday.  “We want to draw the attention of government to the poor state of the facilities where we do our businesses. We are not saying that NPA should take action that is beyond their capacity. But they should know how to reach out to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, reach out to the Managing Director of NPA and through that channel they can get to the Presidency about our plights.  “None of them are ready to live up to their responsibility. They are only interested in the e-call-up. We know that if we stop the e-call-up they will sit up and do something about our plights,” the MWUN chairman said. 

The Alema of Warri, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, on Monday, lavished praise on the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, describing him as an enduring icon. ‎‘’We proudly celebrate the 68th birthday of His Excellency, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former Executive Governor of Delta State, whose leadership, …

The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable – ABER has inaugurated its Regional Council, marking a major step toward decentralizing and accelerating the implementation of the Blue Economy across Africa. ‎Speaking during the virtual inaugural meeting, the Convener and Chief Executive Officer of ABER, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, congratulated the newly elected regional …

By Emmanuel Kanayo ‎The Hon. Chima Njoku Support Group has condemned the alleged machete attack on one of its members, Mr. Ugochukwu Eke, describing it as a direct assault on peace and political tolerance in Etche Local Government Area. ‎The group’s leadership, led by Director-General Hon. Chukwuemeka Samuel Njoku (Mayor) …

‎In recognition of five years of visionary leadership, unity, and transformation in Warri Kingdom, a series of events, activities, and celebrations are planned for August 2026 in Koko, Delta State. ‎”Celebrate five years of visionary leadership, unity, and transformation with our revered King while enjoying an exciting day of golf, …

Members of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) also known as Pyrates Confraternity, Oxbow Marino Deck yesterday commemorated the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with a educative campaign to secondary schools in Bayelsa State. The NAS, led by the Steerer of Oxbow Marino Deck, Chief Douglas Etulankimor …

By Paul Williams Non-governmental organisation, Ese Usamali Foundation For Rural Development (EUFORDe), has partnered with the Women’s Ministry of Assemblies of God Church to mark this year’s Mother’s Day with a call for stronger parental responsibility and deeper family bonding. The event, which held recently and was hosted by the …

By Constance Meju (National Point) As campaigns for smarter agricultural practices with more nature friendly options grow, over 60 smallholder farmers in Gelegele community, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, were on Tuesday, April 28, trained on how to produce biofertilizers and biopesticides for use in their …

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has charged senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force to remain proactive, intelligence-driven, and adaptive in addressing the evolving security challenges confronting the nation.‎‎The charge was given during the monthly conference with strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force held at …