News
Cross River Seals Illegal Borehole In Calabar
Cross River State government, in a bid to uphold regulatory standards in the water sector following the recent enactment of the recent enactment of the State’s Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Law of 2025 by Governor Bassey Otu in a joint Taskforce made up of the Regulatory Department, Ministry of Water Resources and Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria (BODAN), have shut down the ongoing borehole construction at Akai Efa Primary School in Calabar.
The Taskforce Team, which commenced operations on August 1, 2025, following unanimous approval by the State Task Group on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (STG-WASH), headed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Okon Ita, has fully commenced house-to-house enforcement of the water law in collaboration with the BODAN.
In a letter of execution signed by the Commissioner, Barrister Bassey Mensah addressed to the school’s head teacher made available to newsmen on Tuesday, outlined that the borehole project initiated by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) did not comply with regulatory guidelines and standards stipulated in the State’s Water Law 2025.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Cross River Assembly Impeaches Speaker, Ayambem
The letter stated, “The Ministry has noted that the borehole drilled at your school does not fulfil the necessary requirements and cannot be classified as a standard domestic borehole due to the use of substandard materials such as black casings and the lack of water quality analysis.”
It further emphasized that, “the required regulatory procedures, including a site inspection to ensure the borehole’s distance from soak-away pits and other potentially contaminated areas, were not adhered to.”
The correspondence also pointed out that “the contractor failed to secure a Drilling Permit from the Ministry’s Regulatory Department and has yet to register with the State Government for a Drilling License.” Due to these regulatory violations, the Ministry will proceed to seal the borehole and ensure that appropriate materials are utilized and standard procedures are followed.
READ ALSO:Defection Hits Cross Rivers PDP As Ex-guber Candidate, Others Dump Party
He acknowledged the potential inconvenience this might cause but reiterated the importance of adhering to proper protocols, stating, “Water is a vital resource for life, urging the public to familiarize themselves with the new regulations, which require anyone wishing to drill a borehole in the State to obtain clearance from the WASH Regulatory Department within the Ministry of Water Resources.
“We will not compromise public health, as our Ministry is committed to enhancing service delivery in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Sector,” he added.
(PUNCH)
News
Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court
The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.
Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.
READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration
The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.
They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.
The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.
In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: NLC Begins Meeting With ASUU, Other Unions Over Strike
The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.
The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.
According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.
However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.
News
Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru
Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.
Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.
READ ALSO:Film Premiere: Edo In Talks With Embassies To Promote Safe Migration —Agazuma
La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.
The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.
He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.
News
Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.
A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria
“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.
“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.
“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.
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