Niger Delta

12 Communities Get 18 GMoU Projects

Published

8 years ago

May 25, 2018

In a bid to uplift the quality of lives of the people in Rivers State, 12 communities in Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas (LGAs) under the Emohua Cluster Development Board (ECDB) have so far benefited from 18 projects worth more than N202million bankrolled by the Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture to deliver sustainable development in host communities in the state.
Speaking during the commissioning of the projects in Omudioga community, Emohua Local Government Area, last Tuesday, the SPDC General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli said the company was proud to be collaborating with communities in the cluster to transform the quality of lives of the people.
Represented by the Community Interface Coordinator, Central, Dr Chibuzo Anyim, Weli stated that so much has been expended to execute the 18 projects, and urged the people to protect and preserve the projects from being vandalised.
The general manager expressed SPDC’s joy that within the short period Emohua cluster has been active, giant strides have been achieved, adding that the 12 beneficiary communities of the projects and programmes were reaping the rewards of their support for the company’s business to thrive.
He stressed that the GMoU model introduced in 2007 has proved to be workable, fruitful and beneficial to all parties, stating that: “Today, we have 37 active GMoU clusters in our portfolio. This community-led social investment strategy is funded by the SPDC and its Joint Venture partners.
“Apart from ensuring sustainability in community development initiatives, it serves to improve interface with communities and promote socio-economic development of our host communities,” Weli added.
In an interactive session, Community Interface Coordinator (CIC), Land East Hub, Mrs Boma Alamina explained that apart from the N202,739,170.42 spent on Emohua GMoU cluster projects by SPDC, the company has also expended well over N205,447,789million on 11 projects and programmes in Ukwa West cluster under the GMoU model.
Alamina also stated that 14 projects and programmes have further been delivered in Etche 2 Cluster, valued N176,961,764million, adding that without host communities creating the enabling environment and needed support, all the projects would not have been possible.
On the Emohua cluster feats, Alamina stressed that the GMoU board receives N78.4million annually from SPDC, adding that in the last five years, the board had received N392million for development projects in the cluster communities.
She urged other host communities to redouble their efforts and take advantage of the window of opportunity offered by the GMoU model to transform their communities, adding that SPDC was willing and ready at all times to impact positively on the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region.
Alamina listed the 18 projects to include a chapel/examination halls at Community Secondary School, Omudioga (N25,763,644), and Obelle (N21034,541), provision of furniture, landscaping and installation of 200m low tension transmission lines at Community Secondary School, Omudioga (N13,536,734), renovation of dilapidated town hall in Ibaa community (N18,991,947), bursary awards to students of Rumuekpe community in tertiary institutions (N7,830,000), provision and reticulation of neighbourhood solar-powered water scheme in Elele-Alimi community (N11,930,870), and fencing of proposed Isiokpo Civic Centre (N13,392,812), among others.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman, Emohua Cluster Development Board (ECDB), Hon Sam Uzuobor stated that since the GMoU was signed on February 21, 2013, the board has struggled to surmount various challenges arising from the economic downturn and recession.
Uzuobor added that amidst all the odds, the ECDB has recorded a good number of successes as they were able to achieve numerous world-class projects, excelling in the area of peace-keeping, security, freedom to operate, among others.

Niger Delta

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

Published

4 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

4 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

4 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.