Niger Delta

Floods: Bayelsa Commences Desilting, Clearing Of Canals

Published

4 years ago

September 17, 2021

The Bayelsa State government has commenced the desilting, as well as clearing and opening of canals and creeks within Yenagoa, the state capital and other parts of the state.
This The Tide learnt were done following the government’s quest to mitigate the perenial flash floods experienced in the state.
The Tide further gathered that the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Iselema Gbaranbiri after robust consultations with stakeholders in the Environment subsector had since directed officials of the Ministry to carry out the exercise, with a view to ameliorating the plights of Bayelsans and residents of the state as the rains continue to threaten unabated.
The Tide which has been monitoring the exercise reports that it kick-started at the popular Osiri road in the Yenagoa metropolis, just as the Environment officers say it would be taken to other parts of the state as the days progresses.
“ We’ve started this exercise in Osiri road, but we’ll move to more areas where the drain flows through Akenfa (3) and (1) as well as Custom Road,in Biogbolo”, the Environment Commissioner said.
The Commissioner assured residents of the State that the Prosperity Administration was committed to ensuring a flood free state capital and called on residents to be patient, noting that the exercise would be extended to all flood prone areas.
It would be recalled that the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Environment had earlier in January this year, inaugurated a committee to identify blocked canals and drainages, just as he disclosed that the committee had taken stock of affected areas hence, the commencement of clearing in line with the available data.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Head of Flood and Erosion Control Department and Assistant Director in the State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Daniel Tenemeni, advised residents to co-operate with the State Government to ensure a safe, secure and conducive environment for all.
Also speaking, residents in Biogbolo axis of the state capital commended the State Government for the work, adding that it would save them the stress of packing out of their houses and subsequent loss of properties to flood as the rains had already affected them seriously.
The residents expressed optimism that with the ongoing exercise, water would flow out easily, pleading however, with the State Sanitation Authority to enforce cleaning of the environment and prosecution of offenders with a view to ensuring a clean environment, just as they also called on the government to construct proper drainage systems round the State, saying that would enable government appropriate the yearly budget of desilting and clearing blocked canals for other purposes.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

3 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

3 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.

Niger Delta

Diri Mourns Ex-Federal Lawmaker, Brambaifa

Published

3 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed sadness over the demise of former federal lawmaker, Senator John Kojo Brambaifa.

The late Senator Brambaifa, who represented the State’s West Senatorial District in the 5th National Assembly between 2003 and 2007 died on Saturday in a hospital in Abuja at the age of 81.

In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the Bayelsa Governor described Senator Brambaifa, popularly known as JKB, as an illustrious son of the state.

Governor Diri stated that the late former lawmaker was an astute politician, who distinguished himself in public service.

“Bayelsa and Nigeria have lost an elder statesman, amiable gentleman, astute politician and a great community leader.

“Brambaifa left a legacy of unblemished and committed service to Nigeria, the old Rivers State, Bayelsa and indeed his community.

“On behalf of the Government of Bayelsa State, I extend sincere condolences to the Brambaifa family and the Agbere community in Sagbama Local Government Area, where he hailed from”, Diri said.

The Governor urged his family and community to be comforted by Brambaifa’s meritorious service and remarkable public and political career.

The Tide gathered that until his death, Senator Brambaifa was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the fledgling Federal University of Agriculture, Nembe-Bassambiri, in the Nembe Local Government Area of the state.

He was also a past chairman of Sagbama Local Government Council in the old Rivers State as well as a former chairman of the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa