Niger Delta

Group Wants Effective Supervision Of Health Workers

Published

15 years ago

June 29, 2011

The Bayelsa State Ministry of Health has been charged to take supervision of health workers and medical personnel in the rural areas of the state serious.

The Actionaid Programme Manager, Mr. Eric Shu gave the charge during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting with the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health on enhancing essential sexual reproductive health and HIV/AIDS care among post conflict and internally displaced communities in Nigeria.

Mr. Shu stated that the meeting was to share information that would help to synchronise data at the community level, which was funded by European Union and co-funded by Actionaid, in collaboration with Man and Water Survival Foundation (MWSF).

The representatives of the Ministry of Health were shown the slides of some of the communities facing challenges such as dilapidated facility in Tein Cottage Hospital in Biseni clan, Yenagoa Local Government area, and absence of medical personnel’s in Onuebum and Kalaba primary health centres, all in Ogbia and Yenagoa Local Government Areas.

It also include high fee for delivery, where most facilities charge as high as 6,000, and problem with National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) funds and unequipped facility.

The Progamme Manager described as worrisome the case of Zarama-Nyambiri community, which has donated a building for their health centre with no equipment and medical personnel posted to the place.

He stressed that the ministry of health would have to see a reason of rescuing the state of such facility in order to reduce infant, maternal mortality and HIV/AIDS in rural areas.

He also mentioned Otuegwe I Health Centre built in 2004 by LEEMP, which has neither personnel nor equipment and had remained non-functional since then, apeealing to the Ministry to do something about it.

Speaking at the meeting, the Director, HRM, Ministry of Health, Dame Grace T. Fiepere expressed gratitude to Actionaid and Man and Water Survival Foundation for their intervention.

She urged them to do more work, including the STAR circle members at the community level enlightening the people in order to ensure that the spread of HIV/AIDS was reduced.

Dame Fiepere thanked the organisation for giving the ministry so much food for thought in order for them to rub minds and prayed for the will-power to tackle the issues before them.

The Director stated that it is a reflection of the society for health personnel posted to communities, to display negligence of duty.

She called on pointed out that communities to such health personnel to the ministry to take care of such cases so that the health sector would be sanitised.

Also, the World Health Organisation (WHO) State Coordinator, Dr. Thompson Igbu, expressed disgust on the way NHIS was being implemented, saying it was not to the benefit of the people.

He stressed that the ministry, which ought to be part of the monitoring, was not playing active role because of some persons’ selfish interest”.

Niger Delta

Otu Recommits To Support For Navy

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has said his administration will continue to collaborate with the navy for effective protection of the waterways.

Otu stated this when the Commandant, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, Commodore Shuaib Ahmed, visited him in Calabar.

The Governor described the visit as critical to consolidating the partnership between Cross River State and the navy.

“Peace and stability remain non-negotiable prerequisites for the progress of the state.

“So, this visit reaffirms our shared resolve to keep the state safe and secured through sustained collaboration,” he said.

Otu stated that security remained the foundation for meaningful development in every society.

“No society prospers in the midst of insecurity. As a state, our development vision depends on peace, order and collective vigilance,” he said.

The Governor commended the Navy for the level of professionalism being exuded by its personnel in the discharge of their duties.

He said the Navy’s efforts had hugely boosted investor confidence and strengthened the state’s economic environment.

The Governor assured the Navy of the state government’s continued support towards enhanced operation.

Earlier, Ahmed explained that the visit followed the military tradition of familiarizing with authorities upon assumption of duties.

He stated that it was crucial to align naval operations with the strategic priorities of the state government.

The naval chief thanked the state government for its support to the force, saying, “your support has helped us immensely in achieving targets”

The Commandant further said there was need to strengthen infrastructure and communication systems in order to address evolving security challenges.

“Operationalising key naval facilities will improve our capacity to tackle maritime crimes.

“The Navy is committed to supporting the state in ensuring the safety and security of the waterways.

“We shall continue to promote peace while enabling the residents to carry out their lawful activities without fear,” he said.

Niger Delta

Community Praises Diri, Ogbuku On Projects Execution … Prioritises Security, Dev

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

The Agbura Community of Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, has again lauded the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and the Managing-Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, over infrastructure projects executed in the community.

Speaking with newsmen midweek in Yenagoa, its Chairman, Community Development Committee, Mr. Tribunal Egba, hailed the Governor for the successful completion of the abandoned Oxbow lake-Agbura Road project and others within the Community.

He also eulogized the NDDC MD for the construction of new lodge in the community for serving Corps members as well as plans to execute other projects.

Mr. Egba added that the completion of the Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road has given the community facelift, while also pleading with the government and the interventionist agency to award shore protection contract in the community to save it from the perennial floodings experienced in the fast urbanizing town.

Similarly, the community’s leadership has given assurances that it will continue to give priority to development and security of lives and property.

The CDC helmsman promised to strengthen the existing community vigilante group, while also stressing that the age-long synergy between the community and security agencies would be improved upon to get rid of crime and criminalities in the area.

“As a community, we’re so thankful to Governor Diri for constructing the abandoned Oxbow Lake-Agbura Road project. We’re also glad with the level of infrastructural development ongoing in other parts of the state, courtesy of the Diri-led administration.

“We also like to laud the MD/CEO, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for the construction of a befitting Corpers lodge for Corps members serving in this community.

“Our priority as a community now is to protect these infrastructure projects. We’ll continue to work in synergy with all security agencies to make sure there’s peace and development”, the CDC leadership said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Delta Shocked Over Death Of Chief Protocol Officer

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Delta State Government has expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr. Sunny Kotor, Senior Special Assistant on Protocol to the State Government.

Kotor, a renowned Master of Ceremony at state functions, reportedly slumped and passed away last Friday.

In a statement signed by the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, in Warri on Saturday, his passing was described as “a profound loss; not only to his family, but to the Government and people of Delta State who benefited immensely from his professionalism, composure, and unmistakable presence at official engagements.

“He brought dignity, structure, and excellence to every function he handled, leaving behind a standard that will be difficult to forget,” the statement added.

The Commissioner noted that “every passing is indeed a sobering reminder of how fragile and fleeting life can be,” extending heartfelt condolences to Kotor’s family, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working with him.

The statement prayed that God would grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.