Niger Delta

2,530 Driving Licences Ready For Collection In A’Ibom

Published

4 years ago

July 16, 2021

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says 2,530 driving licences are ready for collection in Akwa Ibom.
The FRSC’s state Sector Commander, Mr Matthew Olonisaye, disclosed this in an interview with The Tide source in Uyo yesterday.
Olonisaye urged applicants who were captured and given temporary driving licences to come forward and collect the valid one.
“As at today, we have 2,530 unclaimed driving licences in the state, for reasons which we don’t know.
“So, we enjoined members of the public, if anyone has applied for driving licence, we expect such person to go for the original.
“It is the original that shows that you have finished the processes and procedures of obtaining driving licence.
“It is not enough to go to the licencing office for physical capturing, collect the temporary card without having the original.
“So, we expect applicants that have been captured to go to the state Board of Internal Revenue Service and collect their original driving licences,” Olonisaye said.
He also announced that arrangements have been concluded to embark on aggressive enforcement of law and order against people driving without driving licence in the state.
He warned members of the public to ensure they comply with the rules and regulations guiding the operations on the road, noting that defaulters would be penalised.
“Currently we are making arrangements with the state Board of Internal Revenue Service to conduct aggressive enforcement of driving licences in the state to ensure that everybody that operates any form of automobile on the road is qualified to do so.
“Without a valid driving licence, it shows that you are not qualified to operate on the road. It is the licence that gives you the legal right to operate on the road,” the sector commander said.
Olonisaye urged motorists to drive with care during this raining season, adding that frictions between the tyres and the road was reduced when its rains.
He also appealed to them to ensure their wipers were functional to help them improve on visibility when it rains to avoid any unforeseen eventuality.
“We are currently in rainy season and driving in raining season requires special condition. So, we expect drivers of automobile to drive reasonably on the road.
“They should not forget that during raining season, the frictions between the tyres and the road is reduced.
“So, definitely the stopping distance will be longer and they are expected to reduce their speed to avoid unfortunate occurrence.
“We also expect them to ensure their vehicles are in good condition, their wipers must be functional.
“Test your wipers in the morning before you leave home not when the rain starts, you begin to have issues with the operations of your wipers.
“Don’t forget that if rain is falling, visibility reduces, so one of the ways of enhancing visibility is through the usage of wipers,” Olonisaye said.
He said the command had commenced extensive public enlightenment targeted at creating awareness on better road use by the civil servants in the state.
Olonisaye said the enlightenment programme would be taken to respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state to assist the civil servants, due to their tight schedules.
He said that during the programme, civil servants would be taught on understanding the highway code, causes of road crashes, how to prevent them and practical road safety tips for drivers and pedestrians.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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.