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‘You Lied’ – Group Carpets Delta Govt Over Claim On Ayakoromo Bridge

Published

7 months ago

January 22, 2025

Editor

The Ijaw People’s Development Initiative (IPDI) has faulted claims by Delta State commissioner for works, Charles Aniagwu about Ayakoromo bridge in Burutu Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner, during an interview on national television, Friday, had described the bridge project as an already completed job by the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori led-administration.

The works commissioner also claimed that the Ayakoromo bridge is a 612km but in reality it is 4km.

In a statement made available to INFO DAILY, president of the IPDI, Comrade Austin Ozobo said that the project has been stalled, with no significant work done recently.

Ozobo, who noted that the contracting firm, Setraco Nigeria Limited had pulled its equipment out of site due to poor funding, stressed that this contradicts the commissioner’s earlier claims that the project was at the stage of completion.

He described it as embarrassing to the governor and the government, the works commissioner’s 612km claim about the length of the bridge, noting that he is not well informed even as works commissioner.

According to the group, the governor has taken Ijaw people for granted for failing to prioritise the development of Ijaw oil producing and riverine communities,
citing that the successive governors of Delta State from Uduaghan till date were only interested in Ijaw bulk votes during elections.

The IPDI alleged that the governor had not paid properties and houses demolished in the project site up till now, alleging that it had been over six months when the contracting firm pulled out its equipment and staff from the site.

The group lamented that the affected residents whose houses were demolished in the project site have been rendered homeless and are facing serious hardship.

The statement reads, “The company left with all its equipment. Ayakoromo bridge is not close to completion after twelve years of being initiated. The Delta State Works commissioner misrepresented facts in his interview.

“No pile cap and top beams have been constructed. Engineers of the first Firm (Zerock) and the second construction company (Setraco) only succeeded in using twelve years to complete pillars across the river. There is no work ongoing on the site as we speak now”.

According to the IPDI, Ayakoromo bridge project is a critical infrastructural project aimed at connecting riverine communities in the state.

“Its completion is eagerly anticipated by residents, who hope it will improve their access to basic services and economic opportunities,” the statement added.

The group further raised issues of bias in the project allocation, funding and appointment in Oborevwori’s administration, citing that the three flyover bridges he sited in his Uvwie local government area are closed to completion because he is given the jobs total funding which commenced less than a year.

“We expect the governor and its commissioner for works to stop deceiving the general public and provide proper funding for the Ayakoromo bridge project, like the way the governor is committed to funding of the three bridges and other road projects in his two communities, Okpe and Uvwie and his local government area”, they added.

Related Topics:#IPDI #State Government Delta

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DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

1 hour ago

August 24, 2025

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

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‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

1 hour ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

1 hour ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.