Niger Delta

Bayelsa Tasks Parents On Involvement In Curbing Drug Abuse

Published

3 years ago

July 14, 2023

The Bayelsa State Government says parents must be involved in checking drug abuse in the society.

Commissioner for Power, Hon. Abitei Robert Tonyo, said this in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the just-concluded international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The Commissioner said everyone must be involved in curbing drug abuse as Government alone cannot do everything

“First, it’s something that everyone of us has to be involved, including the parents, because most of these things start from the family”, he said.

He said most parents no longer pay attention to the behavior of their children.

The Commissioner said while Government is playing its part in curbing the menace, it behoves parents to give proper attention to the upbringing of their children.

“So, the governments have done their part and keep doing it on daily basis, that is why we are even seeing this little difference.

“Again, the security agents are also doing their bits and without the security agents and the government, I don’t think it would have had any control, but because of the fear of the government that has even controlled it to this level where we are.

“So, every parent must have to be involved. You can see that the society we are, like I said, everything starts from the family now, because the upbringing matters sometimes.

Tonyon said the Bayelsa State Government has taken some measures to curb the menace, including the arrest of drug addicts, rehabilitating and sending them back to their families

“I know Bayelsa State government has put enough in place, and that’s why yesterday we were able to launch it and observe the day against international day drug abuse.

“Government has set up a committee that is handling it and Bayelsa State has also built a hospital to rehabitate all those that are already addicted.

“Also, the State Government sometime ago has been going out arresting all those boys that have been addicted. some of the addiction led to some of them going mad on the streets.

“Some have been rehabitated and sent back to their communities”, he said.

The Commissioner said the government is also partnering with the Federal Medical center, Yenagoa, to rehabilitate those arrested from the streets.

He said all the relevant ministries, including that of Enviroment, health and others are involved in the rehabilitation programme.

“The government took a decision and ministrirs of health, Ennvironments and other relevant ministries were on it, arresting them and taking them to the hospital and rehabilitating them”, he said.

Tonyon said his Government is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure that it rids the state of drug addicts.

“Of course you know that right now the government has put up a structure in hospital for that.

“The Bayelsa State Government is taking practical steps on that. First, the government put up a structure and also manpower.

“We partnered with the Federal Medical Center and have a space in there that has been keeping these people and managing them with the manpower that we have.

“The Government did not just put the structure, it also followed it up accordingly, so that what we are putting in place will not be a waste”, he said.

He advised the youths to desist from drug abuse, saying it will not pay them any good.

“My advice to the youths, elders and adults involved in drug abuse is for them to desiste from using drugs because it will always not end well for them”, he stated.

He urged them to think of something good to improve their lives, adding that by indulging in drug abuse, they are destroying their future and that of their families.

By: Christy David

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.