Niger Delta

SPDC, NNPC, Others Hail Wabote Over Local Content Policy

Published

3 years ago

May 22, 2023

Major stakeholders and operators of the Nigerian oil and gas industry have lauded the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Management Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, for turning around the fortunes of indigenous people in the oil and gas sector of the nation.
They said Wabote achieved the feat through concerted efforts in implementation of local content policy of the Federal Government.
The stakeholders include the Country Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Nigeria, Mr Osagie Okunbo; Group Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Malam Mele Kolo Kyari; and the Chief Executive of the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr Gbenga Komolafe and, other stakeholders in the industry. Komolafe was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning, NUPRC, Dr Kelechi Ofoegbu.
The stakeholders gave the commendation at the 2023 Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), which took place at the content tower, the NCDMB headquarters, in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State.
In his opening address, Wabote, commended invitees and partnering agencies as well as major players in the oil and gas sector for being part of the event.
He also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for giving the oil and gas industry the needed support to champion economic and infrastructural development of the nation, by signing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law, noting that the oil and gas industry contributes about 48% to the economic and industrial development of the nation.
The NCDMB scribe described the NOGOF as a biennial event which brings investors and critical stakeholders in the oil and gas industry together to brainstorm and to proffer solutions to likely problems in the industry, and opportunities for stakeholders, including partnering agencies and individuals, to network towards the industrialisation of the nation.
He reemphasised the need for greater and more robust synergy, noting that upon the establishment of the NCDMB, the board has been playing pivotal roles in developing the economy through deliberate and legal implementation of the local content act (NOGICD Act) for greater economic expansion and opportunities.
Wabote expressed the optimism that in the near future, the Nigerian oil and gas parks (NOGAPS) in Bayelsa and other states of the Niger Delta would be completed and put to use in furtherance of the economic development and industrialisation of the nation.
“The theme of this year’s NOGOF is ‘Oil and Gas Industry: Catalyst and Fuel for the Industrialisation of Nigeria’’.
“It’s my belief that the oil and gas sector can serve as the catalyst that will enable us to achieve the desired double-digit GDP growth rate, if we’re bold and disruptive in our strategy.
“In the aspect of creating opportunities, the NOGICD Act set the minimum targets in 278 services across oil and gas value chain in schedule.
“One probable means through which double-digit GDP growth can be achieved is by harnessing the array of opportunities that exist in various categories enabled by the oil and gas industry”, the NCDMB’s Executive-Secretary said.
In his speech, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, represented by the State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Dr Ebieri Jones berated the Federal Government for not according oil producing states any significant role to play in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Diri also frowned at the Federal Government for allocating just 3% from the gains from the oil industries operating in the Niger Delta region to the host communities, while 30% percent of the NNPC annual profit was allocated for exploration in frontier states, noting that it amounts to continuous marginalisation and undermining of the Niger Delta region.
Highpoints of the event was the presentation of awards to stakeholders in the oil and gas Industry, panel discussions by panelists, comprising managers and staff members of the multinationals.
The NCDMB held the 4th edition of the NOGOF last week Wednesday to Friday.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

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

Published

5 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

5 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

5 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.