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Delta Govt, Communities Trade Words Over Infrastructure Deficit

Published

2 months ago

July 26, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Government and some communities have disagreed over infrastructure deficits in their areas.

The Isoko and Udu communities raised an alarm and protested, demanding more government attention in their localities.

While the Udu people protested about being sidelined in recent infrastructure approvals by the Delta State Executive Council, Isoko youths claimed they had been neglected.

However, the state government described their allegations and agitations as misleading and not reflective of the administration’s equitable development agenda.

Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze, responding to complaints from residents about the pace of work and the perceived absence of contractors on-site, explained that the inspection visit was unannounced to allow for an honest assessment.

He reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration to equitable development across all parts of the state, dismissing claims that Udu LGA has been sidelined.

Speaking during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in Udu, particularly the Bezi Road and drainage project linking Aladja to Ogbe-Ijoh, headquarters of Warri South West LGA, Izeze said the presence of the administration in Udu is a clear demonstration of its dedication to inclusive infrastructure development.

“We are here to assess the progress on this critical road. The initial design of the road failed to anticipate the volume of water in the area. However, upon discovering the inadequacy of the original drainage plan, the government promptly approved an additional 465 metres of drains to channel water to a nearby natural canal along the Ogbe-Ijoh–Aladja axis,” Izeze stated.

Again, Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration has continued to prioritise infrastructure development, healthcare, and education across all parts of Delta State, including the Isoko axis.

Aniagwu emphasised that, contrary to the claims, the Isoko nation has benefited immensely from the administration’s MORE Agenda, with over 53 strategic projects either completed, ongoing, or approved across Isoko North and Isoko South Local Government Areas.

He said the projects cut across road infrastructure, internal road networks in rural and urban communities, healthcare upgrades, and significant interventions in tertiary education.
(DAILY POST)

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NiMet Predicts Three-day Rain, Thunderstorms From Monday

Published

14 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

News

JUST IN: Ooni Visits Olubadan-designate Ladoja In Ibadan

Published

19 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Sunday, paid a visit to the Olubadan designate, Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The PUNCH reports that Oba Ladoja will be installed as the 44th Olubadan on Friday, September 26, 2025, following the demise of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 90 years.

The two paramount rulers are currently exchanging pleasantries.

Details later…

News

JUST IN: FG Revokes 1,263 Mineral Licenses Over Unpaid Fees

Published

19 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has announced a fresh revocation of not less than 1,263 mineral licenses.

These licenses, which will now be deleted from the Electronic Mining Cadastral System portal of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.

The minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, gave the revocation announcement in a statement issued by his special assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja.

The minister explained that the directive was issued due to the companies’ failure to comply with the requirement of paying their annual service fees.

The latest revocation brings the total mineral titles revoked under the current administration to 3, 794 including,619 mineral titles revoked for defaulting in paying annual service fees and 912 for dormancy last year.

By opening up the areas formerly covered by these licenses, the revocation is expected to spur fresh applications by investors looking for fresh opportunities.

The statement read, “Not less than 1,263 mineral licenses will be deleted from the portal of the Electronic Mining Cadastral system of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, MCO, following their revocation by the Federal Government.

“These include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.”

Approving the revocation following the recommendation of the MCO, the Minister said applying the law to keep speculators and unserious investors away from the mining sector would make way for diligent investors and grow the sector.

“The era of obtaining licences and keeping them in drawers for the highest bidder, while financially capable and industrious businessmen are complaining of access to good sites, is over.

“The annual service fee is the minimum evidence that you are interested in mining. You don’t have to wait for us to revoke the license because the law allows you to return the license if you change your mind,” the minister said.

He warned that the revocation does not mean the Federal Government has pardoned the annual service debt owed by licensees, adding that the list will be forwarded to the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission to ensure that debtors pay or face the wrath of the law.

“This is to encourage due diligence and emphasise the consequences of inundating the license application processes with speculative activities.”

In the recommendation to the minister, the Director-General of the MCO, Simon Nkom, disclosed that there were 1,957 initial defaulters when the MCO published the intention to revoke licences in the Federal Government Gazette on June 19, 2025.

He informed the minister that the gazette was distributed to MCO offices nationwide to sensitise licencees and encourage them to comply within 30 days in compliance with the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and relevant regulations.

He observed that the delay in the final recommendation was due to complaints of several licensees who claimed to have paid to the Federal Government through Remita and had to be reconciled.

Earlier this month, the DG MCO had hinted that more mining licences would be revoked as part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the solid minerals sector and protect investors from fraudsters.

According to Nkom, the clean-up exercise, which covers expired, speculative, and inactive titles, is necessary to make room for genuine investors and ensure compliance with the law.

This is part of ongoing efforts at sanitising the sector since the inception of the Tinubu administration, and the salutary effects of the reforms are massive and manifest despite the attempts to push back by defaulters and their agents.