Niger Delta

Engage Presidential Candidates On Health Reforms, Dep Gov Charges NMA

Published

4 years ago

November 29, 2022

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has called on the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and its affiliate unions to engage the presidential candidates of major political parties in Nigeria on their respective blueprints and agenda for the health sector, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He gave the charge while declaring open the South-South Zonal Executive Council meeting of the NMA, Monday, at the Aridolf Hotel in Yenagoa, the State capital.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor urged the NMA to provide the necessary leadership to make the engagement with the presidential hopefuls a reality.
According to him, such a meeting is important and relevant as it will afford stakeholders in the health sector an opportunity to hold the new government that will emerge from the 2023 elections accountable to its promises concerning the health sector.
He said quite a good number of the presidential candidates for next year’s election had consulted with several other stakeholders.
“Some of the presidential candidates have visited the business community, farmers, journalists and Christians. Have they visited stakeholders of the health sector? Have we invited them?
“We are here talking about healthcare improvement and transition. How do we get that? A man who says he is prepared for battle but begins to shoot within his house is not prepared for the war.
“I think we are putting our priority wrong in this instance because this is a time for the NMA and all the health sector associations to put themselves together to invite all the candidates, particularly the four major ones to address us on their development agenda for health.
“The NMA should provide leadership for this to happen because, like the lecturer asserted, if we don’t make it a top priority, nobody will even make it a secondary issue in this country.
“We must begin to hold them accountable now by asking questions on what will be done so that we hold them to their promises. If we don’t do that now, I think that will be opportunity not missed but squandered”, the Deputy Governor said.
Responding to the twin issues of brain-drain and lack of manpower in the health sector raised by the keynote speaker at the event, Professor Dimie Ogoina, the Deputy Governor said the present administration in the state was doing its best to retain its personnel.
He reminded the members of the NMA that migrating from Nigeria in search of greener pastures elsewhere was not the solution to the challenges bedeviling the health sector, adding that what is required is for Nigerians to make all necessary sacrifices to fix their country by themselves.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who disclosed that government was working on a new state health policy through a soon-to-be passed bill on the health sector, promised the Bayelsa Chapter of the NMA that government would grant them audience to look at their demands.
Earlier in their separate remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Ebitimitula Etebu, and the State Chairman of NMA, Dr Tonbara Koroye, acknowledged the efforts of the Governor Douye Diri’s-led administration towards improving healthcare in the state and called for more support to the Association
Similarly, the National President of the NMA, Dr. Uche Rowland Ojinmah, and the South-South Zonal Chairperson, Dr. Imosili Udoka, gave a pass mark to the Bayelsa Government for its attention to the health sector of the State.
They appealed for domestication of the recent federal circular on medical doctors’ allowance.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Toyin Azebi, the Commissioner for health, Dr. Pabara Newton Igwele, thanked the NMA for reaching out to victims of the just-receded flood and wished the participants fruitful deliberations that would move the Association forward.
In his keynote lecture titled, “Nigeria’s Healthcare Delivery System and the 2023 Democratic Transition: A Time To Change The Narrative”, Professor Dimie Ogoina, highlighted some of Nigeria’s health sector challenges to include corruption, brain-drain, frequent strikes, poor infrastructure and policy implementation, as well as lack of individual and institutional accountability.
Professor Ogoina, who is the Chief Medical Director of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, identified the election of trustworthy leaders who would show true care for the health sector by investing in both human and critical health infrastructure, in addition to strengthening effective accountability framework as some of the solutions to health problems in the country.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

Warri Delineation: Ekpemupolo Seeks Peaceful Impasse Resolution

Published

4 days ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

Dr. Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has called for calm and a peaceful resolution of the ongoing impasse in the Warri Federal Constituency.

Ekpemupolo, a High Chief in Ijaw land, who made the call in a statement in Warri, noted that the ongoing impasse arose from the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to complete the delineation of wards in the constituency.

He appealed that the situation must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort.

“I join all well-meaning Nigerians to call for a peaceful resolution. The Ijaw nation has from time immemorial been known for their peaceful ways and we cannot deviate from our history.

“The current political situation arising from the failure of INEC to complete the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency and mass action must not be allowed to be hijacked or degenerate into violence of any sort.

“Therefore, I am calling for calm, no matter the situation. We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse”, he said.

Ekpemupolo, who is also the Chairman, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), while urging INEC to do the right thing and restore the peace in Warri and environ, called for an urgent meeting of community leaders to device a way forward.

“We call on the people of Warri (whether Ijaw, Itsekiri or Urhobo) to be calm and wait patiently for INEC to do the right thing”, he said.

He recalled that since on Monday, there had been mass action by peaceful women and youths from the various Ijaw communities in Delta, occupying oil and gas installations in the Escravos and Warri river areas.

He added that the peaceful action had led to calls from various quarters, particularly from well-meaning Nigerians, seeking for a peaceful resolution of the imbroglio.

Niger Delta

Progress In 21-Km Nembe-Brass Road Project Impresses Diri … As Contractor Pledges December Delivery Date

Published

4 days ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed fulfillment with the ongoing construction of the 21km phase one of the Nembe-Brass road projects in the state’s eastern senatorial district.

The Governor described the project as a dream come true for him and the people of Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas.

Senator Diri, who inspected the expansive construction work on Tuesday, said the road, which cuts through the mangrove forest and rivers, was a testament to his administration’s determination to connect hitherto unreachable riverine communities by road despite the difficult terrain.

Led by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, ESV Moses Teibowei, Diri first inspected the asphalted 10km portion of the road with about three bridges, before crossing the river on a barge to see the extent of work on another 10km that had been stabilised.

Diri in astatement by his spokesperson, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, was quoted as noting that it was one thing to have a vision and another to have the will to execute it.

Alabrah also quoted the Governor as saying that the project had been well funded since it commenced and assured that his administration will complete it on the date stated by the contractors.

On the second phase of the project undertaken by the federal government, the State Chief Execution appreciated President Bola Tinubu for awarding the contract and for ensuring that it is running simultaneously with the phase one being done by the state government.

“I feel accomplished. It is one thing to have the vision and another thing to have the will to do it. Being a Bayelsan, the importance of this road cannot be over-emphasised. This is what the people have been yearning for and I’m satisfied that the people are happy about the project.

“On funding, we have never disappointed the contractor and I believe they will not disappoint us. By the time the road is completed, it will reduce cases of sea piracy.

“Let me sieze this opportunity to thank President Bola Tinubu. There was another President when we proposed this road. We wrote, nobody answered us then. But this President did not only answer us, he awarded the contract for the second phase”, Diri said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Teibowei, expressed satisfaction with the level of work so far done, stressing that the most difficult aspect of the job had been done.

He said the fifth bridge being constructed will be completed in three months while assuring that the road will be finished within the stipulated time.

The Setraco Construction Company South-South Area Manager (Bayelsa and Rivers), Mr. Jose Cosme, said phase one of the road will be completed in December 2026.

Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

NDDC Clears Compensation Hurdle, Accelerates 3.7Km Okrika-Borikiri Bridge Project

Published

4 days ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said construction work on the 3.75-kilometre Okrika-Borikiri Road and bridge project in Rivers State will gather momentum following the payment of compensation to affected property owners at the Borikiri axis of the project.

Speaking during an inspection of the project site in Okrika, the NDDC Assistant Director, Utilities, Infrastructure Development and Waterways (UIDW), Martins Isichei, disclosed that compensation issues that had stalled progress on the Borikiri alignment had been resolved.

According to him, the Commission has settled compensation claims for property owners affected by the project corridor and is awaiting the evacuation of residents before commencing demolition of structures within the right of way.

“The NDDC has paid compensation to property owners along the Borikiri alignment, and we are expecting the evacuation of residents there before we commence demolition of structures in the right of way”, he said.

Isichei noted that work on the Okrika section of the project had recorded significant progress despite challenges encountered on the waterways.

He explained that shortly after work resumed, a vessel collided with an existing pile, forcing engineers to redesign part of the bridge structure.

“When we resumed work on the site, a vessel collided with an existing pile. We had to re-profile the bridge and develop a new design to circumvent the damaged pile”, he said.

The NDDC official expressed optimism that the project would ease traffic congestion along the refinery road corridor and significantly reduce travel time between Okrika and Port Harcourt upon completion.

He explained that the project comprises three major bridge structures: the 180-metre Kolabi Bridge at Etche Waterfront, the 1,120-metre Abotoru Bridge, and the 490-metre Okpoka Bridge.

While acknowledging that progress on the Borikiri alignment had lagged because of compensation-related issues, Isichei said construction activities would commence there shortly.

Also speaking, the Project Consultant, Azu Chukwuma, said the scope of the project was reviewed following its revival to align with present realities and engineering requirements.

He noted that efforts were underway to accelerate construction, particularly the launching of bridge beams, despite the high cost of marine logistics associated with the project.

“Our intention is to determine how quickly we can proceed with launching the first sets of beams. The work is mainly on the river, and much of the marine logistics involved is costly. I am in touch with the appropriate officials of the NDDC to determine the best way forward”, Chukwuma stated.

He commended host communities for their cooperation, noting that the absence of major disputes had contributed to the project’s steady progress.

A representative of the construction company, Maroun Kassouf, said fabrication of bridge beams had advanced considerably and that installation would begin soon.

“The project is progressing well. Once people evacuate at the Borikiri end, we will demolish the structures there and move to that site immediately. That end would be much easier, as the river is shallower than the Okrika end”, he said.

The Vice Chairman of the Okrika Community Development Committee, Minengibi Ferdinand, lauded the NDDC for undertaking the project, describing it as a critical infrastructure that would improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth.

He said the road and bridge network would provide an alternative route to Okrika, ease pressure on the East-West Road and open up communities for greater socio-economic development.

“This is a laudable project that will ease traffic on the East-West Road and provide an alternate route to Okrika. We are hopeful that once it is completed, it will attract socio-economic development to our community”, Ferdinand said.