Niger Delta

A’ Ibom Assembly Wades Into Oron, Academy Face-Off

Published

8 years ago

May 9, 2018

The Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua has stated that his mission and mandate in the Academy is not to meddle into local politics of host communities but to focus on repositioning and restructuring the Maritime training institution for global reckoning and in line with the Federal Government’s expectations.
The Rector stated this when the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions visited the Academy .
According to the Vice Chairman of the Committee and member representing Ukanafun State Constituency, Mr. Ubong Akpan, who represented the Chairman, Barr. Aniefiok Denis, member representing Etinan State Constituency the visit was prompted by a public petition brought to the House of Assembly against the academy on an issue about a closed gate which the host community alleged deprived them access to neighbouring villages.
“We are here on an assignment by the House of Assembly following a petition brought to the floor of the House by member representing Oron/Udunguko State Constituency, Mr. Effiong Bassey.
The issue was that the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria had denied the host community access to a Marina Road that linked it with other communities. Because we could not exhaustively deliberate over the matter in the House without having full details, this committee was mandated to take up the matter, we are therefore, here on a fact finding mission, after which we shall report to the whole Hosue for further deliberations” the vice chairman stated.
It would be recalled that having previously hard the matter, the House committee had written a letter to the rector inviting him to appear before the House of Assembly.
But according to commodore Duja Effedua, he could not honour the invitation because he was in Abuja on an official engagement about that time the invitation came.
Subsequently, the Committee members were led to the site of the closed gate, which was a trekable distance from the rector’s office. The controversial spot has a damaged old iron gate with a newly built block behind it that formed part of the academy’s fence.
Across the fence one could see the roof of houses and hear voices of residents.
In a statement made by one of the residents from the area and Vice Chairman of Oron Local Government, who represented the Chairman, Mr. Anthony Bassey, it was said that the rector denied them access to the other places.
It was however obvious that pulling down that section of the wall or opening the gate would mean having a road traversed through the opposite end also had part of the Academy’s perimeter fence running through an inhabited bush.
In his swift response, the Rector noted that it is ridiculous and shocking that Champions of the controversy could blow up the issue to that dimension, stating that on resumption of office eight months ago, he observed that the gate had remain closed for many years, hence he was not one who closed the gate as alleged
Having take notes of the exact situation, Mr. Otobong Akpan, on behalf of the Committee reiterated on the need to revert the matter to the House. “We shall tender our reports to the House. We have seen the truth and we will report same to the House of Assembly”, the law maker summarily stressed.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

3 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.