Niger Delta

NAOC Accused Of Fuelling Crisis In Obie Community

Published

11 years ago

March 6, 2015

An imminent crisis’
looms in Obie Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State following alleged high handedness and divide and rule strategy employed by one of the multinational oil and gas giants, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in its operations in the area.
The Tide in investigations reveal that the impending crisis is as a result of internal leadership tussle in the community allegedly fuelled by NAOC.
While majority members of the Obie Council of Chiefs in support of the elected Community Development Committee (CDC) executive led by Mr Gift Dappa, NAOC is said to be working with the Paramount Ruler of the community, Chief John Ochonma, who allegedly sidelines majority of the memebrs of the council while carrying his cohorts along.
In a statement signed by the Vice Chairman of the Obie Council of Chiefs and Elders, Chief Levy Ekuku the General Secretary, Chief Christian Eluozoh, and the PRO, Chief John Obur accused NAOC of “instigating crisis in the community by recognising a parallel CDC led by one Mr. Smith Elemosah, who reportedly recommends contractors and negotiates with NAOC on behalf of the community”.
The statement also accused NAOC of turning down every written appeal and overtures by the community to address the issues, and vowed to resist any leadership imposition and illegal mandate in the community.
The statement also claimed that the community had resolved to adopt a new constitution before the conduct of a new CDC election, noting that Gift Dappa remains the elected CDC Chairman until a new election is conducted.
The statement also faulted the acquisition of land for Obie Youth Centre project at Egbema, an entirely different community from Obie.
It emphasised that the decision, which was taken by the paramount ruler without the consent of the community, was capable of breaching the peace of the community.
According to the statement, NAOC’s support for Elemosah as Obie CDC chairman was tantamount to abetting criminality as the said Elemosah was currently undergoing investigation by the police for impersonating as a legal practitioner.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Rivers State Command, Ahmad Muhammad had earlier confirmed the arrest of Elemosah for impersonating as a lawyer.
When The Tide Correspondent visited Obie community, the Paramount Ruler, Chief John Ochonma, refused to comment on the issue,
Reacting to the issue, the Public Affairs Divisional Manager of Agip, Mr. Dan Jumbo, denied the company’s complicity in the community crisis, adding that the company follows laid down rules and procedures in its interaction with communities in the Niger Delta.

T aneh Beemene

Presiding Bishop of Kingdom Life Gospel Church, Port Harcourt, Bishop Victor Uzosike (4th left), his wife (3rd left) cutting his 48th birthday cake in Port Harcourt recently. With them are Port Harcourt ASUU Zonal Coordinator, Prof Beke Sese (2nd right) and other dignitaries.

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.