Diri, Others Task NDDC, MNDD On Collaboration …As Tinubu Promises East-West Road Completion

Published

2 years ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, his Delta State counterpart, Chief Francis Oborevwori, and other stakeholders have called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the Ministry of Niger Development (MNDD) to collaborate more effectively with sub-national governments in the region.
They spoke at the 6th meeting of the National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Delta State, recently with the theme, “Stimulating Strategies for Economic Growth and Development in the Niger Delta Region”.
Declaring the meeting open, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, assured that his administration would prioritize the completion of the East-West Road in view of its importance not only to the Niger Delta states, but to the entire country.
He said the administration was repositioning the Niger Delta Development Ministry and the NDDC to harmonize all development plans of agencies and partners operating in the region into a single integrated regional development plan to actualize their mandate.
He restated his commitment towards resuscitating refineries in the country to ensure petroleum products availability and reduction in their retail prices.
He said: “It will gladden you to note that my administration has demonstrated interest in repositioning the NDDC to ensure it delivers optimally on its objectives and mandate, and to make it achievements manifest in different sectors of life across the Niger Delta region.
“The East-West Road project is the largest infrastructure project in Nigeria today, and the reason is not far-fetched; It is a very strategic road connecting the nation’s busiest and foremost commercial cities in the country.
“Its completion is a priority to this administration, and this I assure you will be delivered in the very nearest future. On a broader scale, we are dedicated to ensuring that our local refineries across the Nicer Delta and other parts of the country are made operational soonest”.
In his goodwill message, Governor Diri noted that effective collaboration between the Niger Delta Ministry, the NDDC and the nine states would fast-track the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta region.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, stated that such cooperation would equally enable the ministry and the interventionist agency to better deliver on their mandate.
He stressed the need for big ticket infrastructural projects, such as seaports, roads, bridges and gas turbines to generate power for aggressive industrial development for job and wealth creation in the region.
While thanking the NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta Development for organizing the meeting, Governor Diri cautioned all stakeholders against paying lip service to the implementation of resolutions reached at such meetings.
In their separate remarks, the Governor of Delta State, Chief Francis Oborevwori and his Imo State counterpart, Senator Hope Uzodinma, said it was high time the resources meant for the region were used for its development.
Chief Oborevwore emphasized the need for NDDC and the Niger Delta ministry to complete their uncompleted projects in the region, particularly the East-West road, which had been under construction for decades.
Presenting a 3-page communique at the end of the meeting, the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Mr Abubakar Momoh, said Council noted the effort of his ministry on agricultural training and empowerment initiatives in the region for job and wealth creation among youth, women and vulnerable groups.
He added that Council also considered and approved some memoranda, including the one submitted by the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment on the need to increase investment in the provision of storage facilities and value chain to preserve agricultural produce for sustained growth.
The communique read in parts:”That the Ministry of Niger Delta Development (MNDD) and the Niger Delta Development Commission and the nine states take appropriate steps to train and empower youths on the conversion of PMS to CNG-powered machineries in the Niger Delta region”.
Momoh announced that the date for the next National Council on Niger Delta (NCND) meeting, which is scheduled to hold in Imo State would be communicated in due course.

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.