Niger Delta

Calabar Residents Task Govt On Refuse Evacuation

Published

10 years ago

August 5, 2015

Some residents of Calabar have
urged the state government to evacuate the heaps of refuse littering the streets in the state capital.
They made the call in separate interviews with newsmen in Calabar.
The residents said that evacuation of refuse had become imperative for the city to regain its clean and green status.
An electrician, Mr Emmanuel Ekpenyong, said that a lot of places in the metropolis were dirty because of non-evacuation of the refuse.
Ekpenyong said: “If you go to a place such as Watt Market, you can see heaps of refuse. The resurfacing of these heaps of refuse are worrisome.
“Some other areas in Calabar South are also very untidy. So, I believe that the government should increase the tempo in the refuse evacuation and disposal.’’
According to him, government’s use of “direct labour” in refuse disposal in the city is not yielding the much-desired results.
A fashion designer, in Mile 8 Area, Mrs Maria Adie, decried the irregular evacuation of refuse in the area since the new administration assumed office.
“When the new governor announced that refuse would be evacuated in the night, we were happy because we presumed that everywhere would be clean and dry.
“But for some time now, you will see heaps of refuse littering everywhere and it takes some days, and sometimes weeks, before they are cleared.
“I think it is not good. Government should do something to change this situation,” Adie said.
A taxi driver, Mr Sunday Daniel, also decried the presence of refuse heaps in some parts of the city, describing it as worrisome.
Daniel noted that the present situation was unexpected because Calabar is a tourism destination, stressing that areas such as Calabar South needed some urgent attention.
Reacting to the situation, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Mr Christian Ita, said the state government was reforming its waste collection and disposal system to make it more effective.
Ita, while admitting that there was dirt in some streets of Calabar, said however, that “generally the state remained clean and green’’.
“It may interest you to know that the current administration is reforming its waste collection and disposal approach.
“The administration is seeking to remove bins from the streets and replace them with home bins; this is to ensure that no heaps are found anywhere in the city,” Ita said.

Niger Delta

Police Arrest 95 Cultists, Recover Firearms In Benin Raids

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Police Command in Edo State has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to The Tide’s source.

Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.

According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.

He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

“These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens”, he said.

Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.

The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.

Niger Delta

Oyetola Distributes Life Jackets To Water Transportation Users In Bayelsa

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has distribution of 3,500 life jackets to water transportation users in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Capital.

The Minister said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s efforts to tackle recurring boat mishaps in the country.

Oyetola explained the critical role water transportation had played in the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly in coastal and riverine communities.

He described the life jackets, which were long overdue, as reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and promoting a safe marine environment.

“What we are doing here today is saving lives. It is that simple. With these life jackets, we are empowering our waterways users, fishermen, traders, students, and transport operators with the basic tools to survive and be safe”, Oyetola said.

The Tide’s source reports that similar life jackets were distributed in Minna, Niger State on April 29.

The programme is part of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s first phase of intervention.

The minister said Bayelsa was a priority in the campaign and commended Governor Douye Diri for aligning with the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

Oyetola applauded Bayelsa’s creation of a state Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and commitment to the development of the Agge Deep Seaport.

He described the seaport as “transformative and visionary,” capable of reshaping the economic landscape of not just Bayelsa, but the entire South-South region.

“The Agge Deep Seaport will serve as a major maritime gateway, facilitating international trade, reducing congestion at existing ports, create jobs, boost investments, and accelerate development in the Niger Delta.

Oyetola urged all boat operators and passengers to wear life jackets at all times, stressing that safety could not be compromised.

“They are not for decoration, they are for your protection. Safety is everyone’s responsibility”, Oyetola said.

Speaking earlier, Diri commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential.

Diri also praised Oyetola for fostering cooperation with Bayelsa and stressed the need for continuous public education on water safety.

“Education about safety on the waterways must be sustained if we are to reduce the tragic loss of lives from boat mishaps”, Diri said.

Niger Delta

C’ River Repeals Essential Drug Programme Law 2002

Published

1 day ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Cross River State House of Assembly has repealed the essential drugs programme law 2002 and passed the state’s Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency bill, 2025 into law.

The bill, which was sponsored by the member representing Boki 2 State Constituency, Mr. Hillary Bisong, was first read at plenary on September 12, 2024.

It was later referred to the House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security after the second reading.

Speaking on the bill, Bisong, who doubles as the Chairman of the Health Committee, recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) introduced the Essential Drug Programme globally in 198, noting that in 2002, the programme was passaged in Cross River State.

He, however, said while several provisions of the Essential Drug Programme Law were retained, the new law offered a more comprehensive framework.

“The law was transited from a programme-based structure to a full-fledged agency model, thereby expanding its scope of operation to meet the present day healthcare delivery realities.

‘’The proposed agency will take charge of enforcement of standards for proper management and distribution and overseeing circulation of drugs and health commodities across the state,’’ he explained.

In separate contributions, the lawmakers unanimously supported the bill, maintaining that the proposed agency would enhance the performance of the existing health insurance scheme as well as create employment opportunities.

Expressing happiness over the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, said the 10th Assembly would continue to enhance good governance through people-oriented legislation.