Niger Delta

HYPREP Hands Over New Sites To Contractors

Published

7 years ago

May 24, 2019

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), has handed over five additional oil spill impacted sites to contractors for the clean-up of Ogoniland, thus, bringing to 21 the total sites so far handed over to contractors in the first phase of the implementation of the clean-up of environmental impacted sites across four Ogoni local government areas in Rivers State.
The handover ceremony was held in Alode Eleme Community and Korokoro Tai Community on Wednesday, with three of the sites located in the Eleme community. Only four of the five approved sites by the Federal Executive Council were, however, handed over to the contractors and they included Lots 4,7, 8 and 16, while the fifth is expected to be handed over on a later date.
The companies which won the contracts for the handover sites include R.D.K. Environmental Ecological Solutions Limited, Avondale Services and Supplies Limited, Giolee Global Resources Limited and New Line West African Limited.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Dr Marvin Dekil, urged the contractors to adhere strictly to laid down regulations in accordance with international best practices.
Dekil, who represented the Minister of Environment, Surveyor Suleiman Hassan Zarma noted that the contractors went through rigorous screening before their selection, having met all the requirements including the needed experience, and enjoined them to bring to bear their experience on the project by delivering to the Ogoni people a fertile and clean land.
He noted that all necessary structures have been put in place to ensure the successful implementation of the clean-up project, to deliver remediated sites to the people and restore their livelihoods, and urged Ogoni people to embrace the project.
“This project brings great economic opportunities to the people of Ogoniland. I therefore, urge you to take full advantage of these opportunities and continue to remain peaceful and resolute in your support to the project,” he pleaded.
Meanwhile, Mr Lesi Maiz of Giolee Global Services Limited, who spoke on behalf of the three contractors handling the three new sites in Alode Eleme Community, promised to adhere and keep all the terms of the contract agreement.
This is even as the contractor handling the Lot 16 site in Korokoro Tai Community, the Managing Director of New Line West African Limited, Mr Chijioke Ozoemena assured that the company would not fail in delivering the project as well as carrying along the people of the community in the execution of the project.
On his part, the President of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers and Gbene-Mene of Tai Kingdom, King Godwin Giniwa, while assuring the contractors of the support and cooperation of the people of the area, stressed the need for the Ogonis to be given a fair deal in the implementation of the UNEP Report.
His Alode Eleme community counterpart, Emere Don Awalah assured the contractors of the community’s support and cooperation but urged them to ensure that youths of the area are engaged and given their entitlements including paying them for their services.
In his remarks, a member of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Dr. Peter Medee decried the attempts by some individuals in Ogoniland, he described as commercial activists to blackmail and sabotage the clean-up project, insisting that such attempts would fail, as HYPREP was determined to deliver on its mandate.
Medee assured that funds would not constitute any problem in the execution of the clean-up project, and urged Ogonis to continue to support the project. Contrary to insinuations, he said, the clean-up project was real.
The Director of Remediation, Mrs Annu Basil represented the Federal Ministry of Environment at the occasion.

Donatus Ebi

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.