Niger Delta

Oborevwori Begins N78bn Star Projects In Delta

Published

2 years ago

November 29, 2023

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has stated that his administration will continue to aggressively upgrade roads across the three senatorial districts in the State.
Oborevwori gave the assurance on Monday in Effurun, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the N77.9 billion road and flyover projects awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc in the State.
The Governor noted that road was a critical infrastructure driving the development of other sectors of the economy.
The Tide’s source, reports that the four projects were awarded to the construction giant in Uvwie and Warri South Local Government Areas of the State.
The projects are the design and construction of flyover bridge from Enerhen Junction, Effurun to Marine Gate, Warri in Uvwie and Warri South LGAs.
The design and construction of road expansion and improvement works on the Section of DSC/NPA expressway from Effurun Roundabout to DSC Roundabout on the Effurun/Patani (East/West) highway.
The project includes construction of a three-quarter Cloverleaf Interchange at the existing Effurun flyover bridge as well as two pedestrian bridges in Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area.
The design and construction of flyover bridge at PTI Junction, on the Effurun/Patani (East/West) Highway, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area.
Oborevwori said the cumulative contract sum for the four projects was over N77.99 billion, adding that the contractor had a completion period of 27 months.
“I stand here today filled with joy and excitement as we begin the process of giving Warri the desired facelift with this groundbreaking ceremony.
“This signals the commencement of construction of four key projects in the Warri/Effurun metropolis.
“It is the fulfilment of a promise I made after my inauguration as Governor on May 29, this year. We have released the agreed sum as advance payment to the contractor.’’
“These four strategic projects are aimed at solving the gridlock often experienced between Effurun Roundabout, through PTI Road Junction, to DSC Roundabout on the Effurun/Patani (East/West) Highway at Effurun.
“They will also ease vehicular movement at the stretch from Enerhen Junction, Effurun to Marine Gate, Warri, in Uvwie and Warri South local government areas”, he said.
The Governor added that the projects would not only change the face of Warri/Effurun metropolis but ease tragic congestion and by implication, alleviate the suffering experienced daily by commuters.

He said because of the strategic nature of the roads in the region, construction works would result in traffic disruptions, diversions, and other inconveniences to motorists and commuters.

Oborevwori, however, said government and the contractor would take all reasonable steps to minimise the disruptions.

He appealed to motorists and pedestrians in the area to be patient, orderly, and obey traffic rules and regulations to facilitate ease of movement and reduce travel time through the construction area.

The Governor further advised motorists to use the alternative routes in the vicinity whenever feasible, to reduce the volume of traffic in the construction area.

“The State Government has commenced a programme of maintenance and rehabilitation of these alternative routes to reduce inconvenience to travellers and motorists.

“I urge the contractor to work relentlessly to meet the schedule we have agreed on”, he said.

Oborevwori, however, urged the immediate communities and their leaders to appreciate the enormous investment government was making and solicited for their support to ensure the speedy completion of the projects.

Earlier, Dr Lars Richter, the Managing Director of Julius Berger PLC, assured that the project would be delivered within the stipulated period of 27 months.

Also, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Emmanuel Sideso Abe I, thanked governor Oborevwori for the projects and promised to ensure their protection from the time of commencement to completion.

“Our youths need to be engaged. We will make sure the project is completed without any disturbances”, the king assured.

On his part, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, promised to ensure that the projects came to fruition.

Represented by Dr Rowland Oritsejafor, the royal father said that the projects were unique because they would unite the people.

In attendance were former Governor of Delta, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, royal fathers and chiefs, among others.

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.