Niger Delta
Blue Economy: Revamping More Ports Will Boost National Development – Aniagwu
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has emphasized that revamping and expanding more ports across Nigeria is essential to unlocking the full potential of the country’s blue economy.
Speaking during an interview on ADBN Television recently, Aniagwu noted that strategic investments in port infrastructure would significantly enhance national development, create jobs, and strengthen the country’s maritime logistics framework.
He explained that the South-South region is the natural hub of Nigeria’s blue economy, as all states in the region are bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.
According to him, over-reliance on the Apapa Port in Lagos has hindered the growth of Nigeria’s maritime potential, hence he called for the decentralization of port services to stimulate broader economic development.
Aniagwu urged the Federal Government to harness the vast economic potential of the nation’s aquatic resources, particularly in the Niger Delta region, to drive national growth.
He noted that the Delta State Government, under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, is already creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, especially in sectors tied to the blue economy.
He highlighted the state’s ongoing infrastructure efforts, including improved road connectivity between urban and rural areas.
“The Oborevwori administration is constructing a new road in Asaba that leads to the River Niger, opening up opportunities and laying the foundation for a new city, the Asaba Waterfront City”, he said.
He further stated that residents can now travel from Asaba to Warri in just one hour and fifty minutes, thanks to the completion of a smooth dual carriageway that is free of potholes, greatly enhancing travel efficiency and regional connectivity.
“Improved infrastructure like the Asaba-Ughelli dual carriage is not just about ease of movement, it is also about enabling trade, attracting investment, and fostering sustainable development. This kind of development creates a ripple effect across multiple sectors”, he stated.
He emphasized the need to fully develop and maximize the existing ports in the Niger Delta, including Warri, Koko, Sapele, and Burutu in Delta State, the Ibom Deep Seaport in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State, Onne Port in Rivers and the Calabar Port in Cross River, as viable alternatives to Lagos ports.
Aniagwu also advocated for the establishment of a functional port in Lokoja and the dredging of the River Niger to allow larger vessels to berth there.
This, he said, would ease cargo movement to the Middle Belt and other parts of Northern Nigeria, reducing dependence on the congested Apapa Port.
“Reviving and expanding these ports will allow Nigeria to participate more competitively in the global maritime economy. It will also diversify our national revenue streams and reduce our over-reliance on oil”, he stated.
He recalled that experts have long advocated for investment in modern port infrastructure, saying “a well-equipped port system is crucial for efficient import and export activities”.
Aniagwu stressed the importance of upgrading port facilities to accommodate large vessels and heavy-duty cargo, positioning Nigeria as a maritime trade hub in West Africa.
“Imagine the economic transformation if ports in underutilized locations were developed and operated at full capacity. This would enable the establishment of free trade zones and supporting infrastructure across various regions of the country”, he said.
Aniagwu called on relevant authorities, port managers, and stakeholders in the maritime sector to pursue bold reforms and increased investments in port development.
He further stressed that improved port infrastructure would also extend the lifespan of Nigeria’s road network, as fewer high-tonnage trucks would be needed to transport goods over long distances, thereby reducing road wear and tear.
“By addressing these long-standing challenges and embracing high-speed connectivity and modern logistics, we can overcome the limitations that have hindered our progress for too long”, Aniagwu affirmed.
By: Albert Ograka, Asaba
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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.
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.
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.