Niger Delta

NMA Wants CRSG To Declare Emergency On Security

Published

8 years ago

January 10, 2018

The Cross River State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called on the state government to declare a state of emergency on security in the state due to the kidnapping of its members.
The NMA state Chairman, Dr Effiong Mkpanam and the Secretary, Dr Ikechukwu Ukweh said in a communiqué on Tuesday in Calabar that the incessant kidnap of its members was no longer acceptable.
Our correspondent reports that the call followed the recent kidnapping of Dr Usang Ekanem, a medical practitioner with the Cross River College of Education Medical Centre in Akamkpa Local Council of the state.
Ekanem was kidnapped on December 26, 2017 by unknown gunmen and released on January 7.
The abduction of Ekanem brought to five the number of medical doctors kidnapped so far.
Similarly, three of the doctors’ family members were kidnapped in 2017.
Before his release, the NMA had threatened to withdraw its services from the public, private, missionary and institutional hospitals in the state from January 8.
The association said the abductions of its members had instilled fear in the doctors and members of their families.
“It is noteworthy that in 2017 within the state capital, five doctors and three of their family members were kidnapped at various locations.
“We have noticed with utter dismay and drawn attention of the authorities to an upsurge in the cases of targeted kidnapping of medical practitioners.
“We have also observed with dismay, a dangerous trend in which the security and lives of doctors is being threatened by some disgruntle members of the society.
“We wish to remind the state government that it is her duty to provide adequate security for its citizens.
“The state government should as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency on security in Cross River.”
The association threatened to withdraw it services without notice if the abductions continue.

Niger Delta

Delta Approves N34bn For 25 Divisional Police Headquarters, Other Projects

Published

30 minutes ago

March 16, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Executive Council (DELSEC), on Friday, approved N34 billion to build Police Divisional Headquarters across the 25 LGAs, ahead of the proposed State Police.

The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this at a news briefing on some of the decisions reached at the DELSEC meeting, presided over by the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, at the Government House, Asaba.

Aniagwu said government approved over N400 billion to address sundry projects, including the Divisional Police Headquarters, roads, hostels for the nine state-owned tertiary institutions, rural electrification projects, and social intervention programmes in the state.

He said the approval covered the construction and rehabilitation of over 50 road projects across the state.

He described the approval as a watershed, adding that the government had presented a lead, particularly with regards to the State Police infrastructure in readiness for its creation.

The Commissioner said: “Governor Oborevwori, in line with his M.O.R.E. Agenda, has been able to lead us to approve several projects that touch the lives of our people across different sectors in the state.

“But principal among the decisions that were reached at today’s State Executive Council (SEC) meeting hinged on the number one function of the government, which is the security of the people.

“Ahead of the Federal Government policy on State Police, the State Government today approved the construction of the state-of-the-art Divisional Police Headquarters in the 25 LGAs and a Special Police Protection Unit at the cost of about N34 billion.

“This is because we want to advance the security of our people even when, today, Delta ranks as one of the most secured and safest states to live in Nigeria,” Aniagwu said.

According to him, the decision has become necessary since the Federal Government is most favourably disposed at this time to allow state police across the country.

Aniagwu said government was partnering the Rural Electrification Agency, adding that the EXCO also approved N5 billion to boost electricity supply in the state.

“Government also approved N1.5 billion for the Ministry of Economic Planning to execute the second phase of its social investment intervention in the state,” he said.

Also, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, further disclosed that the State Government approved the construction of 10 units of residential quarters for Judges; comprising five at Osubi, in Delta Central, and five in Asaba.

He said government, in its bid to ensure a state-of-the-art conducive working environment, gave approval for the renovation of 16 Customary Courts and 26 Magistrates’ Courts across the state.

He also said the government had a work plan in place to ensure better welfare package for the Magistrates, particularly with regards to mobility and housing.

On his part, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Johnbull Tonukari, explained that government’s approval to construct one male and one female hostel in each of the nine state-owned tertiary institutions would help to address their accommodation needs.

Tonukari said when completed, the hostels would provide accommodation for at least 960 students in each of the institutions, including four universities, three polytechnics and two Colleges of Education.

According to him, the four universities alone have over 45,000 students, so, building new male and female hostels in each institution will be a huge relief for students and their parents.

The Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Godknows Angele, said the ministry was ready to deliver all the projects for the state police, judiciary and higher institutions in good time and on specification.

Niger Delta

C’River Bans VIOs From Road Operations

Published

6 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Cross River State Government has banned the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from road operations across the state.

The State Governor, Bassey Out, who made the announcement in Calabar on Saturday, restricted activities of the VIO to office duties.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Linus Obogo, the directive followed protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators over high tickets, excessive fines and alleged harassment by enforcement teams.

The Governor, who made other announcements in the sector, said the measures were approved after a meeting with key transport stakeholders.

According to the statement, other announcements made was the reduction of daily ticket fee from N850 to N500, while the penalty for failure to purchase the ticket had also been reduced to N10,000.

“All traffic-related fines be slashed by 50 per cent and must be paid only into designated Cross River State Government accounts.

“Daily ticket for tricycle riders have been reduced from N1,200 to N500. However, every activity of commercial tricycle operators ends at 6 p.m. daily, night operations are permanently banned,” Otu asserted.

He said the review was aimed to ease the burden on drivers and restore order in the state’s transport system.

Speaking further, the Governor said the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) would now focus on vehicle registration and sale of tickets at approved rates.

He noted that enforcement officers must operate only in proper uniforms and with verifiable identification.

He directed the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) to restrict its activities to statutory traffic management duties.

In addition, the Governor announced that “commercial bus drivers and tricycle riders will no longer purchase tickets on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

“These directives will take effect from March 9, and I urge all residents and transport operators to cooperate with relevant authorities.”

Speaking to The Tide’s source, some commercial drivers said the statement did not address some activities of TRAMRA such as the illegal “no parking order” for drivers who only pick and drop passengers.

For Johnson Ade, a commercial driver, there should be an official release stating the traffic infractions in the state and the fine for each of them.

He said slashing the fines by 50 per cent was ambiguous, adding that the amounts to be paid for each crime should be clearly stated to prevent criminal elements who posed as government traffic regulatory officials from abusing the directive.

On his part, Mr. Sunday Dennis, Metropolitan Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), said they would convene a meeting immediately to critically look at the governor’s statement.

It would be recalled that series of protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators had led to the suspension of all forms of transport tickets in the state by the government.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Community Seeks Govt Recognition For Elected Village Head

Published

6 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

Some indigenes of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, in Ikpe Annang Clan, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have called on the State Government to recognize Chief Samuel James Udo as the authentic Village Head of the community by according him a Certificate of Recognition.

According to them, the call is necessitated by the fact that Chief Udo has won the first and second election processes on 1st May, 2021 and 15th July 2025.

The indigenes said in addition to his emergence after the two election processes, Chief Udo’s emergence has been confirmed by Chief Akpan Akpa Inyang (Okuku Ikpa Isong Annang), who has handed him (Udo) to “UDAK” as stipulated by the custom and tradition of Annang Land.

They said Udo’s emergence marked the end of every struggle by individuals or groups of persons on the issue of headship of Mbiabong Ikpe Village, Ikpe Annang Land, in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

According to them, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, should call for the recognition of the Village Head-elect of Mbiabong Ikpe Village in accordance with the Traditional Rulers Council Law of Akwa Ibom State, CAP 134.

This, they said, is because he has been duly and rightly selected by the kingmakers as the village Head-elect and have satisfied all requirements in the extant law for the said selection.

“We are informing the Akwa Ibom State Government of the development, because any imposition of any other name to the Governor will not be accepted by the community”, they said.

Meanwhile, they have alleged that some “enemies of progress are causing problem over the Chieftaincy issue after the winner has emerged and accepted by the entire Kingmakers.”

When contacted the Village Head-elect, Chief Samuel James Udo, advised the people not to cause any crises, saying that their mandate will not be denied.

“I will continue to respect the law. My people are law abiding citizens and God will surely stand for true justice and the certificate will be given to me, not through fighting, causing unrest, or violence, but by our faith in God, and the belief that the relevant authorities will do the needful”, he said.

By: Christopher Tom, Uyo