Niger Delta

ANPP Demands Apology From Sylva, Ebebi

Published

16 years ago

May 19, 2010

Bayelsa State branch of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has described the lingering political feud between Governor Sylva and his Deputy, Mr. Peremobowei Ebebi as an embarrassment to the people of the state. state Chairman of the party, Chief Livinus Opuakpa, said the two political heavy weights have dragged politics in the state to the mud and therefore must apologise to the people.

“If you look at the whole episode, you will agree with me that it is embarrassing and an insult to the sensitivity of the people they are supposed to lead. Tell me, what kind of example are they teaching their young political supporters”?

Chief Opuakpa who spoke to journalists in Yenagoa, while reacting to the quarrels the two party leaders declared that “they have droped their manly garments and put on petty and childish political cloths to the shame of their offices and humiliation of the people”. Opuakpa’s outburst followed accusations and counter accusations by the governor and his deputy on the pages of newspapers”, a development that had heightened tension and insecurity in the state as are result of the recent bomb blast in the state capital.

The situation, he said, calls for concern from every well-meaning citizens of Bayelsa, pointing out that if the chief security officer of a state is raising alarm about security of his life, then what will ordinary citizens do, he queried.

He insisted that whatever be the problem, the duo are supposed to realize that they were holding public positions in trust for the people, hence an abuse of such position cannot be tolerated. The ANPP leader advised them to reach out to their elders in the state for amicable settlement of all issues, if they cannot on their own reach a compromise. Meanwhile, wealthy Bayelsans, elites and traditional rulers have been accused of sitting on the fence while the state burns.

They have also been accused of chasing contracts and playing sycophantic roles to the powers that be instead of applying wisdoms to call government to order. The state Chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the state, Chief Livinus Opuakpa, who stated this when speaking to journalists on the current state affairs in the state, called for the concern of all well meaning people and solutions on the way forward.

He pointed out that moves for purposeful leadership have started emerging prior to 2011 general elections, as the opposition groups are learning fast from the happenings in PDP to strategise.

According to him, the opposition parties have resolved to work together and mop up mass support as part of the strategy to wrestle power from PDP with the expectations that the electoral reforms will be a reality and the votes of ordinary man counts during the election.

“The strength of the opposition parties in the state is the people who are disenchanted with the prevailing situation in the state, so we are going to reach out to them to let them see reasons for a change come 2011”. “Our major challenge in the opposition camp is that wealthy Bayelsans are not helping matters, they just sit down and keep quiet even when they are supposed to stand up and resist anti-people policies and programmes.

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

9 hours 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

12 hours 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

12 hours 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.