Niger Delta

Delta To Participate In Global Climate Change Programme

Published

17 years ago

November 11, 2009

Delta State Government is to actively participate in the Global Climate Change Programme to ensure meaningful and sustained development in the State.
The State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan announced this when he declared open a two-day meeting of the 11th Zonal Network for Children, organised by United Nations International Children Emergency Fund ( UNICEF) in Asaba.
He explained that the state was taking the issue of climate change very important as pollution was dealing fatal blow on the environment.
Speaking further, he noted that Delta State has been officially chosen by United Nations Development Programm ( UNDP) as one of the ten states in the world to propagate climate change program, adding that his administration would vigorously pursue this course.
His words “ As a state, we are taking the issue of environment important especially on climate change. We are going to pursue vigorously the issue of gas flaring, which is polluting our environment, to clean up our polluted water and re-generate our soil to enhance development.”
The governor advised Unicef to introduce the use of statistics in the collation of data’s for national development and commended Oyo State for already using the method in their local government councils for efficient planning.
According to him” l advise Unicef to introduce the use of statistics not only in the collation of health indices but on other areas because without it you cannot plan. In our nation we need statistics for efficient planning.
He commended Unicef for her contributions to the education and health sectors in the state and informed it of the programmes put in place to develop human capital and ensure the survival of children and women in that state.
Governor Uduaghan informed the participant that the state would commission the best equiped hospital with I.C.T Scan in the country next month in Oghara for improved health care delivery.
In a welcome address, the Chief of Field Office Unicef in Lagos , Mr. Karim Akadiri explained that Unicef is supporting the zone in the preparation of the State Strategic Health Development Framework to help reduce child and maternal death.
He explained that Unicef is committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goal ( MDG) to impart on the socio- economic and health care of women and children in the world.
Mr. Akadiri commended Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for signing the 2009 Programm Implementation Assessment( PIA) to develop and complete the 10 year strategic education plan to introduce the mentoring system of education.
In a brief remark, the Delta SSG, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa stated that the state would continue to partner with Unicef, since it’s objectives are in line with the state government’s three point agenda, adding that the state has shown it’s commitment through the payment of the counterpart funding of 2008/2009.
He explained that the zone consist of eight states- Oyo, Osun, Ondo,Ogun,Ekiti,Edo and Delta of which Delta is already implementing the Child Right Law.
Highpoint of the meeting was a presentation on the eight MDG by students of Graceville School and presentation on the importance of hand wash by pupils of Uzoigwe Primary School in Asaba.
In another development, the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has assured Third World Organisation for Women in Science (TWOWS) of his administration’s commitment to develop science and technology.
Dr. Uduaghan who announced this when members of the organisation paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba explained that the state would partner with TWOWS to assist on developing information communication technology(ICT) in the state.
He noted that women have a lot of potentials to move the country forward if given the opportunity to exercise their talent and called on the men folk to stop oppressing women.
His words” Women play critical role in the development of the nation, l know and believe women can do well but they are been oppressed by the men. l do not under estimate women, l know what they are capable of doing if given the opportunity, men please allow our women to prove themselves.”

Niger Delta

850-bed UCTH overstretched, services 5m patients – CMD

Published

19 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, has said the 850-bed hospital is overstretched, as it currently serves over five million patients.

He disclosed this on Friday during a media tour of the facility to showcase ongoing renovations and facelift in the hospital.

The CMD noted that, aside being the only tertiary healthcare facility servicing the state, UCTH also serviced neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi.

He said the hospital also received referrals from neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Central African Republic.

According to him, the 850-bed hospital faced persistent space constraints because of increasing patients inflow and expanding healthcare demands.

“This hospital currently operates 62 clinical and non-clinical departments as well as between 30 and 38 wards covering medical, surgical, paediatric, orthopaedic and specialised services.

“Most wards have undergone facelift, remodelling, or complete renovation to improve patient care and working conditions for healthcare professionals”, he said.

He disclosed that the hospital was constructing a new 106-bed emergency medicine facility to address the rising demand for healthcare services.

According to him, the facility will include trauma bays, intensive care units, neonatal wards, and three fully equipped trauma theatres.

Speaking on the remodeled wards, Ikpeme explained that they followed modern nursing principles, allowing one nurse to attend to a maximum of 10 patients.

He said relatives would be restricted to designated waiting areas to reduce interference with medical procedures and improve emergency response efficiency.

The CMD noted that the hospital had strengthened specialist services in orthopaedics, neurosurgery, obstetrics, radiology, and minimally invasive surgery.

“UCTH now performs hip and knee replacements, arthroscopy, sports medicine, and complex brain tumour surgeries.

“Our surgeons also conduct keyhole procedures for appendectomy, hysterectomy and other conditions with faster patient recovery periods,” he said

In power, the CMD said the hospital relied on solar power from a seven-megawatt plant, constructed by the Federal Government at the University of Calabar, as well as public power supply, and generators to sustain its operations.

He appealed to governments, organisations, and philanthropists to support infrastructure expansion, equipment procurement, and specialised healthcare projects.

The CMD said the hospital required additional incubators, ward expansions, and a stand-alone amenity facility for private healthcare services.

He used the opportunity to dismiss allegations of ethnic discrimination, insisting that the hospital does not reject workers or patients based on tribe or origin.

According to him, the institution recently honoured an Igbo pioneer physician by naming a ward after him in recognition of decades of service.

The CMD said the hospital maintained strict disciplinary procedures to address negligence, poor attitude, and unethical conduct among staff.

The Tide’s source reports that some of the units visited include, intensive care unit, Department of Radiology, Urology Clinic, and Opthalmology Clinic.

Niger Delta

Police Burst Child Trafficking Syndicate In A’Ibom … Nab 3 Suspects

Published

19 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State says it has busted a child trafficking syndicate and arrested three suspects for conspiracy and unlawful sale of a newborn baby in the State.

The State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfom John, who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Friday, said the three female suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1900hrs.

She said a complainant reported that his wife gave birth to a baby boy on May 7 and shockingly, shortly after delivery sold the newborn child to one of the suspects for N145, 000.

“Upon receipt of the report, operatives immediately swung into action, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the successful recovery of the baby boy.

“The suspects reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation, while investigation has been expanded to identify and apprehend all individuals connected to the trafficking syndicate”, John said.

She said the State’s Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining aggressive intelligence-led policing in the state.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Launches Operation Crack Down Scrap Dealers

Published

19 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa-Ibom State Government has launched a statewide crackdown on unregistered scrap dealers and scavengers, shutting down illegal operations and arresting operators accused of violating environmental and public safety regulations.

The enforcement operation, led by the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), followed the implementation of the state’s Waste Metal Scrap Law 2026, officials said.

AKSEPWMA Chairman, Obong Prince Ikim, said the exercise was aimed at regulating the scrap sector, protect the environment, and prevent criminal groups from operating under the guise of waste collection and metal trading.

“If you want to do scrap business, you must register,” Mr. Ikim said during the operation in Uyo, the state capital.

“Many people now hide under scrap trading to perpetrate nefarious activities”, he said.

According to him, dump site operators and scrap dealers who failed to register with the government risked closure and prosecution.

Authorities accused some operators of involvement in vandalism of public infrastructure and indiscriminate waste disposal, adding that investigations had uncovered criminal activities linked to several dump sites across the state.

“Some people vandalise government facilities in the name of scrap business and encourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse,” Mr. Ikim said.

He added that the state government and security agencies would continue efforts to enforce compliance and maintain public order.

“The Commissioner of Police has zero tolerance for criminality, and the Governor wants Akwa Ibom people to sleep with their eyes closed. We will fish out every defaulter”, he said.

Police officials involved in the operation said investigations showed that some criminal suspects used scrap yards and refuse dump sites as cover for illegal activities.

CSP Okwuzulike Vincent of the Itam Police Station said some suspects pretended to be mentally unstable while hiding ammunition and other suspicious items in makeshift shelters around dump locations.

The police officer praised the environmental agency for what he described as proactive efforts to sanitise the sector and pledged continued cooperation between law enforcement and the agency.

Officials said some first-time offenders arrested during the operation were released after profiling and signing undertakings, while repeat offenders would face prosecution.