Niger Delta

Mobil, Community Disagree On Oil Spill Clean Up

Published

14 years ago

August 24, 2012

The clean up of the Atlantic coastline in Akwa Ibom State,
contaminated by oil deposits, as ordered by National Oil Spills Detection and
Response Agency (NOSDRA) is yet to commence.

Although Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) said recently that it
has accepted to clean up the shoreline, the exercise had yet to commence as at
Sunday afternoon..

MPN, an affiliate of US oil firm ExxonMobil and operator of
the Qua Iboe oil fields, said that it was still conducting tests on the oil
samples to determine the source.

Mobil and members of its host communities in Akwa Ibom State
on August 13, reported an oil spill to National Oil Spills Detection and
Response Agency (NOSDRA).

Mr Irvin Obot, Zonal Director at NOSDRA said on Thursday
that the agency had instructed Mobil to take responsibility for the clean-up in
line with the provisions of the law while investigation continues.

According to a statement from the oil firm, and made
available to our corresponent in Eket on Saturday, the oil firm will cooperate
with local authorities in the clean up exercise.

“Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN), operator of the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/MPN Joint Venture, confirms it
is assisting with the clean-up in cooperation with local authorities.

“The source of the hydrocarbon remains unknown as
fingerprinting of collected samples is ongoing.

“MPN remains committed to ensuring that the health and
environment of our neighbouring communities are protected,” it said.

The statement was signed by Mr Nigel Cookey-Gam, Manager
Communications and Government Affairs in Mobil Producing.

Meanwhile, residents of Esit Eket Local Government Area of
Akwa Ibom on Saturday staged a protest following the oil spill reported at the
Qua Iboe oil fields on August 13.

The communities amongst other things urged the local
government authorities in Esit Eket to ensure that the oil firm took
responsibility for the loss and damages caused by the oil spill to the
predominantly fishing communities.

Chief Okon Apkan Owon, a community leader in Ibeno, told NAN
on Sunday that the clean up had yet to commence due to a disagreement between
the oil firm and the community on the manpower for the clean up.

“The issue is that Mobil approved the use of 40 people for
the clean up exercise and we feel the number is inadequate to clean up a
distance of 22 kilometres.

“We are of the view that more hands should be used to hasten
up the job and avoid further delays because the tide would bury the deposits
and cause further danger to the marine ecosystem.

“Further to that, they have been silent on the issues of
temporary relief to fishermen and community members impacted by the spill who
cannot earn income while the clean up lasts,’’ the statement stressed.

Niger Delta

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

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.