Niger Delta

800 People Benefit From Maiden PINL’s CSR Programme In N’Delta

Published

1 week ago

January 2, 2026

About 800 people from 60 communities from the host communities of the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) have benefitted from a free medical outreach and palliatives distribution programme as Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd (PINL) commences Niger Delta’s biggest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for Christmas in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

The beneficiaries of the CSR cut across the three Local Government Areas of Southern Ijaw, Ogbia and Yenagoa.

The gesture is part of the CSR package of PINL which is the private security company responsible for securing the Eastern Corridor of the TNP.

The General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholders Engagement of PINL, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, while handing out the palliatives to the beneficiaries, said the gesture was the company’s way of showing appreciation to the communities for their support and for maintaining zero infractions on the TNP in the last one year.

He added that the gesture was part of the company’s effort in assuaging the impacts of the harsh economy on the communities.

“We are glad to do this because Bayelsa has demonstrated excellence. They have demonstrated capacity in the sense that one year down the line, there has been no pipeline infraction in the whole state and we feel that it is enough to celebrate.

“There is no better way to do that than to come here to say thank you to our chief partners who have been committed, and dedicated in the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft”, Mezeh said.

He continued that the company realised that the communities need medical attention and palliatives to mitigate the negative impact of flooding which is a common occurrence in the areas.

“That’s why we have come here to distribute this items to you, and I want to thank you and urge you to continue to maintain the momentum in the fight against pipeline vandalism”, he stated.

He also appealed to youths of the communities to maintain the momentum in order to enable the Federal Government meet up its oil output target for 2026.

“Going forward, we want to appeal to the youths of our communities to maintain the momentum in the fight against pipeline vandalism.

“We want to ensure that we achieve the target set by the federal government in terms of production output and we believe that with the current momentum, we’ll achieve the target”, Mezeh stated.

He announced that the palliatives would be distributed round the 216 communities under its area of operation and cutting across Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo and Abia States.

While speaking with journalists, the Head of the PINL Medical Team, Dr. Sokaribo Oweredaba, said over 800 persons benefitted from basic medical interventions such as eye test, blood sugar test, and awareness on common ailments in the communities.

“We have been able to reach out to over 800 persons. We are giving them eye glasses, treating basic ailments, checking their blood sugar and also make referrals where necessary.

“This period is a difficult time for everyone and bringing healthcare closer to the people matters a lot, and so it’s good they take advantage of this opportunity”, he said.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiary communities, Chairman of Southern Ijaw Council of Chiefs, HRH, Chief Darious Job, commended the company for remembering host communities at this critical time.

Thd monarch assured on behalf of the communities of continued partnership with the company.

“We want to thank PINL and we implore every other company operating in our communities to follow suit because PINL is working with the communities.

“The communities are happy and I am promising that in 2026, there will be no infraction on the lines”, he stated.

Highlight of the distribution was a visit to Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Secretariat, Emohua local government secretariat, followed by Tai Local Government Secretariat, and St, Paul’s Primary School, which took place on December 24 to close the exercise.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

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.