Niger Delta

Ogbia Communities Protest Shell Operations In Kolo Creek

Published

15 years ago

July 21, 2011

The activities of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Kolo Creek Logistic office were brought to a halt following a protest by four aggrieved communities in Ogbia local government, Bayelsa State against the Dutch giant oil firm over alleged failure to implement an agreement reached with communities 12 years ago.

The Tide gathered that the protest was the second time the communities will be carrying out such action in less than two weeks against the company. The protesters who came from Oruma,Otuasega,Imiringi and Elebele forced themselves into the fenced premises of the company and locked all the valves of the manifold located along Imiringi-Otuasega road.

During the protest, they threatened that the oil firm will not know peace until the agreement was implemented . The locked valves reportedly stopped the flow of crude oil to the various terminals. Operatives of the Joint Military Taskforce(JTF) guarding the facility were orderly, as they controlled the situation to ensure that the protest remained peaceful as the communities made their demands.

The protesters who besieged the company’s office as early as 7am paralysed the social and economic activities around the site of the company. They also demanded for the removal of the Community Liaison Officer of SPDC,Tunde Joel over alleged non-challant attitude and insensitivily to their plights. It would be recalled that the aggrieved communities staged a peaceful protest against the oil company on July 7, where they conveyed a mock coffin to the area.

The Tide was reliably informed that at the end of the protest, SPDC promised to look into their grievances,but,the promises were allegedly not fulfilled. One of the leaders of the protesters and Vice Chairman of Imiringi Community Development Committee(CDC) Pastor Ranami Afagha , said that the agreement indicated that the company would provide electricity to its host communities whenever there is such facility in its base.

“We shut down the manifold because Shell failed to honour our round table discussions since three months ago. This protest will continue as long as Shell continues to take our oil and failing to respect agreements reached with us.” In his own contribution, CDC Chairman of Oruma community, Clifford Igburu, regretted the manner in which SPDC was treating the communities ,alleging that the firm was more interested in dividing the people. Igburu lamented that rather than addressing the protesters demand Shell was going round trying to buy over some of our traditional rulers.

But this cannot work. When the company is serious, we shall know, for now Shell is not serious. Let them react positively to our demand that the agreement reached with us be implemented.”

In the same vein,Field Co-ordinator of the Environmental Rights Action(ERA) in Bayelsa State,Alagoa Morris,told our correspondent that the people of the Niger Delta were getting more aware of their rights. ”Shell should address the protesters on the spot, rather than going round to apply divide and rule tactics The communities should maintain their peaceful disposition as they go about their demand.

The JTF should equally remain disciplined and avoid violence against protesters,” the ERA official submitted. In a reaction ,Spokesman of SPDC, Port Harcourt,Precious Okolobo, said that the Kolo Creek field logistics base has been supplying electricity to Elebele, Imiringi and Otuasega communities in line with an agreement reached in 1999.

“However, these communities have since expanded and the demand for power has exceeded the installed capacity. As an alternative, SPDC facilitated the hook-up of the communities to the Bayelsa Electricity Supply Board (BESB) grid, and also supplies gas to the BESB gas turbine at Imiringi.

The communities have been enjoying stable power from the facility, but it is understood that the plant is currently undergoing major refurbishment,Okolobo explained. ”We continue to implement development projects in the area. The Kolo Creek Cluster Development Board was inaugurated in 2007 as part of the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) agreed for execution of the Gbaran-Ubie Integrated Oil and Gas Project.

A total of N535mln was disbursed to the Board between 2006 – 2010 for the implementation of projects, including civic centres, accommodation quarters for teachers and youth corps members, drainage systems, internal roads, electricity hook-up and guest houses. ” The SPDC official said the company was in the process of engaging the protesting youths ,who have tampered with its installations in such a manner that poses serious threat to people and the environment.

Niger Delta

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

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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.